Rhode Island Parent Magazine January 2017 by Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Parent

January 2017

RHODE ISLAND

MAGAZINE

New autism medicine being studied in RI Managing stress as a parent Dealing with head lice

State of the Children Our annual look at the state of RIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children

Happy New Year!

Grace Falvey, 5, of Providence

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Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

January 2017 ï&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Rhode Island Parent Magazine ï&#x201A;§ January 2017

Contents

January 2017 / vol. 2 / no. 6

Departments

6 A Note from the Publisher Help us get to the next level. 10 My Turn Say no to New Year’s resolutions. 12 Get Active New autism medicine study.

14 The Healthy Child Dealing with head lice.

18 Calendar What to do in January. Check our website,

Features 8 Cover Feature:

State of the children

www.RIParentMag.com

to enter for your chance to win tickets to the Providence Children’s Museum. And while you’re there, take a look at our latest calendar of events and directory of businesses and organizations for whatever you need.

16 Stress

Our annual look at the state of RI’s children.

Information on stress for parents. Looking for entertainment? For birthday parties and other events, see pages 19 and 21.

On the web: Visit our all new website! It’s a one-stop shop for parents in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Find the latest events in our calendar, read articles about many topics, and search our directory for kid-related businesses. Find the current magazine and past issues on the website, too! The digital edition is great for reading on a tablet, phone, or computer. Also online, sign up for our email newsletter and join our Facebook and Twitter pages. Visit www.RIParentMag.com, Facebook.com/RIParentMag, and Twitter.com/@riparentmag January 2017  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

A Note from the Publisher

e’ve now published 17 issues of Rhode Island Parent Magazine! If the magazine was a baby, we’d be starting to walk, to really get our legs under us, and explore our surroundings. It’s a good analogy because it’s where we are now. Reality is that many new businesses fail. And magazines – I don’t even want to talk about it. It is very expensive to do a print magazine – printing and distribution costs are high. So, we’ve done well to last almost a year and a half. But we’re at a critical point. We need to grow to survive. So, I’m asking you – our readers – to help. The newest part of our venture is our website at www.RIParentMag.com. We need help to get people in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts to visit the site. That means we need you to share the website on your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram pages (and share it more than once). And we need you to visit regularly. I promise that we are working to keep it interesting and we do have the most comprehensive calendar of things to do. We’d also like to connect with local Moms groups, writers that blog about parenting, and anyone else interested in the magazine. We’ve toyed with the idea of forming a Parents Advisory Board to help us keep up with what you want to read. So, if you like Rhode Island Parent Magazine, your help can ensure we are around for the long term!

57 Rolfe Square, Box 10094 Cranston, Rhode Island 02910 (401) 337-9240 Founder and Publisher Susan Gale publisher@RIParentMag.com Art Director/Graphic Designer Rob Kenney artdirector@RIParentMag.com Copy Editor Sheila Flanagan editor@RIParentMag.com Business Manager Lisa Koulibaly sales@RIParentMag.com Advertising Sales (401) 337-9240 sales@RIParentMag.com On the cover: photo by Kimberly Dobosz of Kimberly Dobosz Photography. kimberlydoboszphotography.com Publisher photo taken by Keith Jochim. KeithJochimPhotography.com

With thanks,

Susan Gale

Rhode Island Parent Magazine is published monthly by Gale Force Communications. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products, or services are endorsed by the publisher. Editorial submissions welcome.

Like us on Facebook and Twitter: Facebook.com/RIParentMag @RIParentMag

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

Happy NewYear from

Rhode Island Parent Magazine

January 2017 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Cover Feature By Susan Gale

State of the Children: Our annual look at the state of RI’s children

ach January, we at Rhode Island Parent Magazine like to look at some aspect of Rhode Island’s children. Last year we examined statistics about RI’s kids. (You can find that issue at www.RIParentMag.com.) For January 2017, we are using the same resource as last year – KIDS COUNT, an organization that provides data- and research-driven publications that inform policymakers, the community, and child advocates about issues affecting RI kids and families. For this year’s issue, we are looking at laws and state budget appropriations that affect children for fiscal year 2017, which runs from July 2016 to June 2017. These areas may be benefiting you this year.

Education Education funding: Funding for education was increased by $49.3 million in the 2017 fiscal year. Here is how some of that money is being spent: $2.6 million was allocated to ensure statewide universal access to full-day kindergarten. $1.2 million was added to expand the state pre-K program for 11 low-income communities. Total funding for pre-K and Head Start is $5.2 million. $2.5 million in new funding was allotted to support evidence-based programs for English language learners enrolled in public schools. $8.4 million in state and federal funding was added to increase access to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which provides child care subsidies to low-income working families. $1.3 million was included to continue funding Prepare RI, a dual-enrollment initiative that allows qualified students to earn credit at their high school and at state public higher education institutions, at no cost to students or families. $1.2 million in funding was provided to expand the 8

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program, which supports partnerships among high schools, colleges, and businesses. The program allows students to get both high school diplomas and associate’s degrees in five or six years while participating in mentorships and internships that will prepare them for employment. Free testing: RI students will be able to take the PSAT and SAT once for free during the school day. About $500,000 was budgeted to pay for this and the state negotiated a reduced price for the testing. Tuition freeze: Tuition did not increase at the Communication College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, or the University of Rhode Island. School suspensions: The use of out-of-school suspensions was restricted and districts are now required to review suspension data to identify and act on racial, ethnic, and special education disparities. Recess: The Free Play Recess Act passed, which requires at least 20 consecutive minutes of free-play recess daily for all children attending public elementary schools that serve children in grades kindergarten through six. Empowerment Schools: Becoming an Empowerment School gives the school additional autonomy and regulatory and statutory flexibility, including autonomy over their budgets and flexibility in instructional practices. Includes $500,000 to provide leadership training to principals and aspiring school leaders and to support the planning process for schools interested in becoming Empowerment Schools. Genocide education: Requires schools to teach students about the Holocaust and other genocides at some time during middle and/or high school. Closing the achievement gap: Requires the RI Board of Education to adopt a state goal of closing the achievement gap in third-grade reading and math proficiency.

Dyslexia Bill: Adds dyslexia targeted assistance as a required element of the literacy program. Schools must address problems with phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The RI Department of Education must offer professional development to elementary school teachers on the use of evidence-based strategies to improve the literacy skills of students with dyslexia.

families exiting homelessness to obtain a crisis grant to cover the down payment required to participate in this program.

Chronic early absence: Expands school attendance requirements to include kindergarten students.

DCYF Foster Parents' Bill of Rights: Outlines the rights that foster parents have to timely information, communication, and training about children in their care.

YouthBuild Preparatory Academy: Authorizes the cities of Central Falls and Providence to create an alternative, diplomagranting secondary school for students ages 14 to 21 who have not succeeded in a traditional school setting. Budget transparency: Each public school district must post its adopted budget on its website and submit it to the RI Department of Education for posting on their website. Education of youth with disabilities: Requires school districts to provide educational services to students with disabilities until they reach the age of 21, and if a student is enrolled in a post-secondary or transitional education program when he or she turns 21, the school district must continue paying for that student’s education until the end of the school year. Biliteracy seal: Legislation passed that creates a new biliteracy seal that school districts can attach to high school diplomas to recognize the accomplishments of high school graduates who are proficient in English and one or more other languages.

Economic well-being Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The FY 2017 budget includes an increase in the EITC from 12.5% of the federal tax credit to 15%. Utility assistance: Improves the state’s Henry Shelton Act utility arrearage assistance program by establishing a system for per-payment forgiveness of utility arrearages and by allowing

Safety The Child Fatality Reporting Act: Expands DCYF and the Office of the Child Advocate responsibilities for reporting and investigating child deaths.

Abuse reporting requirements for schools: Requires the reporting of any sexual abuse of a child by an employee, agent, contractor, or volunteer of an education program, including boarding schools, and requires a sign with the telephone number of the child abuse hotline to be posted in every public and private school. School nutrition standards: Aligns state school nutrition standards with the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Domestic violence offenders and weapons: Legislation passed requiring any person who pleads no contest to or is convicted of a felony domestic offense to surrender all firearms within 24 hours and file proof with the court. Evidence-based home visiting: The Rhode Island Family Home Visiting Act passed, codifying key elements of the state’s home visiting system into law. The law requires the RI Department of Health to work together with other state agencies to identify and offer vulnerable families the opportunity to enroll in voluntary, evidence-based family home visiting programs that improve child outcomes.  Susan Gale is founder and publisher of Rhode Island Parent Magazine.

January 2017  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

My Turn By Stephanie Bernaba

Give yourself a break on

New Year’s resolutions

ew Year's Eve has come and gone, and you know what that means: resolutions. Though there may be four or five people who make New Year's resolutions and actually stick to them, the vast majority of people don't. The first few weeks of January are rife with ashtrays full of half-chewed nicotine gum, jam-packed gyms, and cabinets full of low-calorie cereal bars. We allow ourselves to be bought by promises, dreams, and advertising. We buy new clothes, pedometers, and food we'd only eat if shipwrecked on a desert island, with the illusion of having wrapped ourselves in magical chrysalises only allowed to form on January 1st. Funny thing is, by the beginning of February, no one's refusing the wings at your Super Bowl party. So, here's the deal, and I'm going to give it to you straight, mano a mano: New Year's resolutions are a joke. Don't bother making them, and, by God, don't bother sharing them. Sure, you'll walk around your company's parking lot for a week, bundled up to your eyeballs. You'll bust your buns to show up at a Weight Watchers meeting – standing room only. You'll buy yourself a Ninja® and pulverize the life out of every fruit and vegetable you can get your hands on. You'll buy a yoga mat. An organizer. A Zen Garden. A trash can for your car. Things are going to be different. You can feel it. Truth is, they probably won't. An arbitrary date on a calendar, ironically smacked in the middle of winter, isn't going to turn you into Charles-Atlas-meets-the-Dalai-Lama. You'll still be the same person – the person who gets mad, who gets hungry, who gets tired, who gets hurt. And you have to embrace that.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

So instead of getting your fitness on, attempting to enlighten yourself beyond the limits of humanity, or trying to break enduring bad habits, try taking it easy. Try taking stock in and appreciating the person you are, the person you've become, a person who doesn't need to resort to forcing himself to improve. Give yourself credit for bringing your children through an entire year unscathed, for the roof over your head, for the air that you breathe, for what you contribute to society. Give yourself the gift of acceptance. Don't step on a scale, or try to squeeze yourself into clothes two sizes too small, or beat yourself up for every perceived failure. And if you must participate in year-end masochism by making resolutions? Resolve to be happy. Accept yourself. Accept others. Be nice. Allow yourself to dream, to laugh, to wonder, to allow your life to unfold as it should. Enjoy the small moments. Leave the dishes in the sink. Make footprints in the snow. Read a book, for God's sake. The whole thing. Take a long, hot bath. And don't apologize. Don't apologize for any of it. And maybe, during the next year, you’ll be a little less worn, a little less tired, a little less flawed. A little less eager to leave yourself behind. Because you won't need to. Hopefully, by year's end, you'll find you never need to make a resolution again. Got it? Good. Now, step away from the kale. It's all going to be okay.  Stephanie Bernaba, of Richmond, is a freelance writer and blogger specializing in parenting, raising families in the digital age, and entertainment. She writes at SheKnows.com, Redbook Magazine, BlogHer, and White Orchid Media. www.whiteorchidmedia.com.

Happy

Martin Luther King Day From Rhode Island Parent Magazine

January 2017 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Get Active By Susan Gale

Study seeks to provide

first medicine for autism

hode Island is taking part in a national study investigating a new medicine designed to treat autism in children. And the study is currently recruiting local participants. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 68 children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a 30% increase from their 2012 estimate of 1 in 88 children.

Autism in Rhode Island

Easterseals.com reports that 9% of Rhode Island children ages 3–21 who received special education services during the 2013–2014 school year have autism, amounting to 2,173 children. That’s an increase from the 1999–2000 school year when 1.6% or 357 children had autism. The Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research & Treatment estimates that there are 10,000 people with ASD and related disorders in RI.

Seeking a solution

Even though the number of children diagnosed with ASD is rising, there is currently no drug specifically designated by the FDA to directly treat the core symptoms of autism – irritability/agitation and lethargy/social withdrawal. Dr. Richard K. Ohnmacht, MD, hopes to be part of changing that. He is the principle investigator for the Rhode Island study site Omega Medical Research in Warwick, one of 29 sites around the country which will see a total of 300 participants. Ohnmacht also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at Brown University. Ohnmacht, who has completed more than 25 pediatric research studies, said that many children with autism have problems digesting protein, which can cause them to restrict their diets. The inability to digest protein affects the availability of essential amino acids in the body, which play a critical role in several genes important to neurological function and serve as precursors to key neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

The new drug is being developed by Curemark, a biotech company in New York, based on Curemark’s founder’s discovery that many autistic children are deficient in an enzyme used to digest protein. The drug, called CM-AT, is designed to enhance protein digestion, thereby potentially restoring the pool of essential amino acids.

Details on the study

The study, which began in May 2015, involves no needles or bloodwork and includes nine office visits over 14 weeks. CMAT is a proprietary enzyme that is designed as a granulated powder taken three times daily. “It’s difficult to get medicine into them, so having the ability to sprinkle it on food is a good choice,” Ohnmacht said. “There is nothing available today so even a small or medium benefit would be wonderful.” This is a blind study, meaning some will get the drug and some a placebo, but participants who receive the placebo will be eligible to participate in a future “open label” study where everyone gets the new drug. Participants will be compensated for time and participation. The study will measure children’s level of impairment due to ASD at the start of their time in the study, and record changes in that behavior over time with parents’ reports.  Susan Gale is founder and publisher of Rhode Island Parent Magazine. To see if your child is eligible for the Autism study, contact Patty Feole, RN, at 401-739-3573 or email patty@omegamedicalresearch.com. You can also check out their website, www.omegastudies.com. To participate, a child must meet these and other medical-related requirements:

Diagnosed with autism Ages 3–8 Male or female Weigh at least 28.6 lbs No allergy to pork

January 2017 ï&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

The Healthy Child By Jeremy H. Pavao

What parents need to know about

head lice

ead lice! Now that I have you scratching, here is information about lice that parents can use.

What are head lice?

These small, wingless, insects feed on the blood of human scalps. A head louse has six claws that allow it to crawl around from hair strand to hair strand. It can move from one head to another this way, which is why head-to-head contact is the primary way they are spread between people. A head lice infestation occurs when a female adult louse makes it onto a new head and lays eggs – she can lay more than 150 eggs in her short life (about 30 days). The eggs hatch 7 to 10 days later, and the baby louse, which is the size of a sesame seed, feeds on the scalp for up to 10 days. She then finds a mate and can start to lay 8 to 12 eggs a day. Most people who get lice do not discover it for about three weeks.

Why lice are so prevalent now?

The trend of all-natural hairstyles. The hairspray and gel of the ‘80s and ‘90s helped prevent lice because they bulked up hair and prevented lice from wrapping their legs around the hair shaft. Changed school guidelines. The Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have changed their head lice guidelines so most schools allow children to stay in school with lice. Social media. The selfie alone could take responsibility for many cases of lice. Facetime and Skype also bring people closer, and when heads touch, it gives the bugs the perfect opportunity to move from head to head.

Avoid lice myths

Itching brought on by head lice is caused by the insect’s saliva. Their saliva, which is clear and sticky, dries like cement. Lice use their saliva to attach their eggs to the hair strands and to prevent humans from bleeding out once they feed on our scalp. Each person will have a different allergic reaction to lice saliva, which will make some people itch and some not at all.

There are many myths about lice. Although search engines are great at finding reliable information quick, they can also lead you down a path of false information. There are three different kinds of lice – head, body (scabies), and pubic (crabs) lice. Even though they are all considered forms of lice, they are different from each other. Head lice do not jump or fly. They do not have wings and their legs are bent, or curved, allowing them to climb fast on cylinder shaped objects, like hair.

The threat of super lice

How do I know if my child has lice?

Why do lice make my child’s head itch?

Scientists have reported that lice populations in 48 states, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts, have developed resistance to over-the-counter treatments still widely used. Super lice, which look the same as regular lice, have genetically mutated to become resistant to the active ingredient permethrin, a chemical which is in many traditional licekilling treatment products. Permethrin is a toxic chemical and can be harmful to people and pets. 14

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

Adult lice will be the easiest to spot because they are the largest. But, at the size of a sesame seed, they still aren’t that big. Although lice vary in color, they commonly appear to look grayish-white or tan. Adult head lice can only live up to 48 hours without human blood. Therefore, pets cannot get lice, but can be transporters of lice from one human to another. For parents to determine if their child has a lice

infestation, they should look at the hair strands about a quarter inch off the scalp for lice eggs attached to individual hairs. They look like tiny specks and will be glued securely to the hair. If they can’t be easily pulled off, they are probably eggs and not dandruff.

Cleaning up after lice

Do not burn down your house! Head lice do not survive long if they fall off a person and cannot feed. You don’t need to spend a lot of time or money on housecleaning activities. Cleaning an area after someone has had lice is surprisingly simple. There are many sprays that are sold over the counter to treat furniture or beds, but these sprays contain harmful toxins that some lice are now resistant to. As an alternative, it is recommended that you do one of these four things to any surface or objects that someone with head lice has had contact with: Use a lint brush to go over items or surfaces. Vacuum rugs, carpets, couches, and mattresses.

Place anything that can withstand heat in the dryer on a high setting for 30 minutes. Do not come in contact with infested items for 48 hours.

How to prevent head lice

Staying lice-free can be done by remembering not share things like hair brushes, hair accessories, pillows, hooded clothing, and costumes. Instead, parents should use prevention sprays made of essential oils. Parents can also keep their child’s hair up in ponytails, buns, or braids. But, the most important thing to keep in mind when preventing head lice is to avoid head to head contact with others.  Jeremy H. Pavao is owner of Lice Clinics of America – Warwick, 2980 West Shore Rd., Suite #2, where they use an FDA-cleared medical device, AirAllé, invented by scientists at the University of Utah. The device kills lice and eggs through dehydration with a specific combination of temperature, airflow, time, and technique, rather than using chemicals or pesticides. www.liceclinicsofamerica.com

January 2017  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Feature Story By Anna O. Andrade

for parents

icture this: You’re waiting in anticipation of an exciting event. Perhaps it’s the birth of a child or the purchase of a new home. The preparation can create feelings of happiness and the excitement can be stressful and overwhelming, but you manage to pull through. Now picture this: You’re unemployed and you’re struggling to pay your bills. But you still wanted your children to have a magical holiday so you put a lot of gifts on credit cards. If you can’t pay your bills, how will you come up with money to pay off these credit cards? Your heart and mind start racing and you’re feeling stressed. You get depressed, frustrated, angry, and you start regretting your choices. Can you recognize the difference between the two situations above? One is well managed and one is not. But how can you manage your stress well in any situation? Here are some questions to think about when considering your stress: Can you recognize when you’re feeling stressed?

Can you recognize your symptoms associated with stress? Can you recognize the source of your stress? Do you have a plan for managing your stress? If you answered yes to all four questions you are well on your way to being in control of your reaction to stressful situations. However, the reality is that for most individuals, managing stress can be a difficult thing to do.

What is stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to a sudden change, demand, or threat. Stress management is one of the most common concerns of people today, especially parents, and with good reason. Chronic stress can lower your immunity, impact your relationships, affect your sleep, and lead to major health issues or unhealthy coping. According to a report by the American Psychological Association (APA) on Stress in America, the top four sources of stress are money, work, family responsibilities, and health.

How to identify stress

The symptoms of stress can cause severe problems over time. It doesn't take long before stress can start to take over your lifestyle and begin to change the way that you interact with other individuals and how you live your life. Here are some of the top unhealthy symptoms that you can start to see as a result of severe stress: Easy to agitate: When you are under high amounts of stress you might find yourself feeling easily frustrated, moody, or even agitated. This is because it's been difficult for you to relax and you may feel overwhelmed. Depression: Under extreme stress you may start to experience low self-esteem and start avoiding other people. With extreme stress situations, you could fall into a deeper level of depression, which can cause a number of problems with the relationships in your life. Physical symptoms: Aches and pains, upset stomach, low energy levels, difficulty with headaches, extreme nervousness, and more can be experienced. Trouble sleeping: Insomnia is quite common amongst people experiencing high degrees of stress. This can lead to additional strain and anxiety. Cognitive problems: In extremely stressful situations, we often experience our minds racing, a constant worrying sensation, and lots of disorganized thoughts and focus. Major behavioral changes: Behavioral changes can also come because of stress, and these can manifest in drugs and alcohol, extra nervous behaviors, or ongoing changes in our appetite. Note: Children experience stress too. Behavioral changes in children are often a clue that your child may be stressed.

The effects of long-term stress

People that experience long-term symptoms of stress can also be plagued by a number of long-term health effects including: A higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

Problems with obesity and eating disorders, which can in turn cause diabetes and other health problems. Mental health risk issues for anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Ongoing issues with acne and skin/hair problems. Gastrointestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and more.

Managing stress levels

Unless you can find a way to manage your stress levels, it can be very difficult for you to remain healthy. Here are some top methods, courtesy of www.skillsyouneed.com, which can be used on a daily basis: Recognize when stress is becoming a problem: This is crucial, as having awareness can be one of the first signs that it's time to start employing stress management techniques. Cut out caffeine: Caffeine can amplify stress. When you are regularly consuming alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine, you may see an increase in the level of stress that you experience, as well as increases in many of the chemical triggers that stress can cause within your body. Exercise: Exercise can be overwhelmingly positive for dealing with stress, as it can help to curb some of the adrenaline and cortisol responses in your body by using them in physical activity. Our bodies tend to experience a fight-or-flight response when dealing with stress; get fresh air or incorporate exercise to burn off these enhanced energy levels. Exercise can also help with some of the conditions you might experience, like insomnia.

Seek help: Expressing your feelings or having someone that you can confide in can be a huge help for reducing stress. Talking to a therapist or even just a close friend about a stressful situation can really help to bring your stress levels down exponentially. Try relaxation techniques: Using breathing techniques, guided meditation, or other short meditation each day will help you refocus your mind and relax even when faced with extreme stresses in your life. Don’t let your stress take over: If a problem seems impossible to solve, do what you can to break it down into steps. Sometimes we experience stress when a problem seems insurmountable, but if we take control and find a way to problem-solve our way around a difficult challenge, it can make us feel great and help us to avoid stress. Work on time-management skills: Having extra time available in your day to submit your most important tasks is an extremely important way that you can manage stress and manage your time more effectively. Use a planner, check out productivity apps that might keep you on track, and do what you can to maximize your time to minimize stress. Keep these top strategies in mind and remember that recognizing severe stress is essential to reducing your stress levels and improving your overall health.  Anna O. Andrade, LCMHC, provides individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults at her Cranston office, 95 Sockanosset Cross Road, Suite 3015. Services include parenting enrichment, co-parenting, private life coaching, and creative expressions workshops. www.aoandrade.com

Keep healthy sleep habits: Not getting enough sleep can be a huge cause for a stressful situation. Stress can not only interrupt a good night’s sleep, but can also lead to problems with sickness, cognitive functions, and more. Make sure that you're going to bed at the same time each day and striving for around the same amount of sleep. January 2017  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

January 2017 Always check with event sponsors for updated information. Visit the calendar at www.RIParentMag.com for the latest information and the best way to submit calendar items. Or email to editor@RIParentMag.com.

Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Explore an exhibit of photographs, words, and books describing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work, participate in an interactive exploration of the negative power of discrimination, and see powerful performances of “M.L.K.: Amazing Grace.” In this provocative and moving show, written and directed by Rochel Coleman, actors bring history to life through songs and stories as they portray civil rights activists Rosa Parks, Ralph Abernathy, and more. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Monday, January 16. Shows at 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 2:30 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org

Special events

January 14: FIRST LEGO League Robotics Tournament. More than 250 children on 40 teams compete after spending 12–14 weeks building and programming robots with the LEGO EV3 system, as well creating a research project for the "Animal Allies" theme. Watch teams compete in the FIRST LEGO League robot game— the robots have 2.5 minutes to score as many points as possible on a playing field made of LEGO elements. FIRST LEGO League Rhode Island is managed by Rhode Island Students of the Future. 11:15 am–3:15 pm. Roger Williams University Field House, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol. Free. www.risf.net Family Performance Series.

Different performances each week such as magic, puppet shows, music, theater, storytelling, improv, and more. 11 am–noon. Theatre 82, 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Pay what you can. $5 suggested donation. www.artistsexchange.org January 7: Len Cerel – Magic Palooza! Len Cerel splits you with laughter, demonstrates the impossible, and most of all, fills you with a sense of lasting wonder. January 14: Jessica Chase & Friends. Laugh out loud with "The Club" members Lauren, Dave, Jessie, and Tommy. All kids are allowed in this club whose rules include, "Have Fun," "Be You," "Speak Your Mind," and "Dream Big." Play games, act out stories, and be silly together for an hour of fast-paced fun.

January 28: Mini Creature Show. Performance by BIG NAZO, an international performance group of visual artists, puppet performers, and masked musicians who unite to create bizarre and hilarious larger-than-life-sized characters, environments, and spectacles.

Fridays Every Friday: Toddler Try-It. Young children, ages 18 months to 3 years, use real tools and explore the creative process as they delve into different hands-on art and science activities each Friday morning. 10 am–noon. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/ children under 12 months. www. childrenmuseum.org Every Friday: Bring Your Own Improv. Family–friendly comedy show. 7–8:30 pm. Warwick Museum of Art, 3259 Post Road. $8/adults; $4/children under 12 and seniors. ww.bringyourownimprov.com Every Friday: Frosty Drew

Observatory & Sky Theater. Public stargazing. 6:30–11:30 pm. 61 Park Lane, Charlestown. $1/person suggested donation. www.frostydrew.org

Weekends January 1/Sunday Happy New Year! Mixed Magic Theatre Kwanzaa Show. 17th Annual AKWANZAA SONG & Candle Lighting Ceremony. African and gospel music is used to tell the story of Azu, an African Spirit, who must go to the new world with the (continued on page 20)

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

E N T E R TA I N M E N T & PA R T Y N E E D S

January 2017 ï&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

January 2017 stolen children of Africa and safeguard the family, community, and culture – the essence of Kwanzaa – until they find freedom again. This year’s annual theme is Celebrating the Principles and Purpose of Kwanzaa: Embracing the Good in All of Us. 2 pm. Mixed Magic Theatre, 560 Mineral Spring Avenue, Pawtucket. 2 pm. Admission: Pay what you can. www.mmtri.com Bridge Builders. Build bridges from a variety of different materials in Discovery Studio, an open-ended art and science exploration space. Design and construct bridges from spaghetti, make paper bridges and test their strength with pennies, and create bridges from natural materials. Providence Children’s Museum. Also on Monday, January 2. 10 am–3 pm. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/ person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org.

January 7/Saturday Eco Engineers: Family Fun Day. Discover what engineering has to do with nature. Kids will brainstorm, design, build, and test for the best solutions to Eco Challenges. No registration necessary. 10 am–2 pm: Science and Art Craft table; 10 am: Animal Engineers Nature Story; 11 am–1:30 pm: Eco Engineers Challenge; and 2:30 pm: Animal Interview. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. Free/members; $6/adults; $4/children ages 2–12; free/children 3 and under.

PAW Patrol Live! It's the day of the Great Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger, but Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found. PAW Patrol to the rescue! For the mission, Ryder summons Chase, Marshall, Skye, Zuma, Rubble, Rocky, and the newest pup, Everest. Their mission is to rescue Mayor Goodway and run the race in her place. Using each of their unique skills and teamwork, the pups make several heroic rescues on their race to the finish line. Shows at 10 am; 2 pm; and 6 pm. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. $20–$113/tickets. No Time to Waste. Kids and adults learn what's so funny about trash during an interactive family comedy that gives a lighthearted look at the three R’s of protecting the environment – reducing, reusing, and recycling. Recommended for ages 5 and up. 20 minute shows at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org Owl Prowl at Caratunk Refuge. Bundle up for this night hike on the Caratunk Refuge in search of owls. Learn a lot even if you don’t see an owl. Wear warm socks and shoes or boots, and dress warmly. Bring a flashlight. Hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or icy trails. 7–9 pm. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA. Ages 12 and up. $10/member; $14/non-member.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

Story Time. For children 6 months to 6 years old. Occasionally cancelled, call 401-331-9097 to check. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Free.

January 8/Sunday Family Learning Sunday: Dave Marchette – Animal Experiences. Visit with many different types of animals from lizards to snakes. Animals will be available for petting. 2 pm–3pm. In the 3rd floor meeting room. Register on the website to attend. Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Providence. Free. www.provlib.org/events Nature's Kaleidoscope, Leaf Rotation: Photography by Brian Wood. Discover nature's magnificent hidden patterns and soothing layers through camera rotation photography. This style of foliage photography unlocks a hidden world of beauty and breathtaking geometry. Meet the photographer at the opening reception on January 8 from 1–3 pm. Open 9–5 pm every Sunday. Runs through February 26. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. Free/members; $6/adults; $4/ children ages 2–12; free/children 3 and under. PAW Patrol Live! 2 pm. See January 7. No Time to Waste. See January 7. (continued on page 22)

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January 2017 ï&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

January 2017 January 14/Saturday

January 21/Saturday

January 22/Sunday

Me, Myself and Three. Created for students in grades K–2, this interactive performance explores the magical phenomenon of how things occur in threes. This play looks at nursery rhymes, children’s literature, and poetry. Close your eyes, make a wish, count to three. 11 am. Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. $10/tickets. www.OceanStateTheatre.org

Eco-Stories and Art. Pull up a rug, bring a snack, and relax! An Audubon naturalist will read a nature story, then help kids create a unique work of art from different recyclable materials and found objects. Will it be a fish made from old CDs? Fall foliage stamped with bubble wrap and paint? Join us and find out! No registration needed. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. Admission plus $3 materials fee. Free/ members; $6/adults; $4/children ages 2–12; free/children 3 and under. www.asri.org

Nature's Kaleidoscope, Leaf Rotation: Photography by Brian Wood. See January 8.

Lakeshore Learning Event – Dinosaur Discovery. Explore the wild, prehistoric world of dinosaurs. Hands-on science stations, hourly stories, and one-of-a-kind crafts. 10 am–3 pm. Lakeshore Learning Store, 1400 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston. Free. Tell Your Story: Make a Mosaic. In celebration of the Providence Children’s Museum’s new Coming to Rhode Island exhibit – a timetraveling exploration of history and culture through stories – families join a series of activities to tell their own stories. Use a variety of art materials to create a large-scale mosaic and design individual and family crests. 10 am–3 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/ person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org Story Time. See January 7.

January 15/Sunday Nature's Kaleidoscope, Leaf Rotation: Photography by Brian Wood. See January 8.

Rock & Roar! Rock-a-Baby Concerts. Exciting 45-minute concert by the Rock-a-Baby band, geared toward young children. The theme is jumping. Pre-registration is required. Ages 2 and up. 10:30–11:15 am. Roger Williams Park Zoo MellerDanforth Education Center, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence. $7 for concert in addition to admission: $14.95/adult; $9.95/children 2–12. Engineer It! Pendulum Exploration. Kids explore what makes a pendulum work, practice prediction skills with magnetic and domino pendulums, and then engineer a pendulum of their own. Design a blueprint, gather materials, and put your engineering skills to the test. 11 am–2 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/ person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org Story Time. See January 7.

Tell Your Story: Make a Mosaic. See January 14.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  January 2017

Engineer It! Pendulum Exploration. See January 21.

January 28/Saturday Craft Bash. Craft art for your Valentine. 11 am–2 pm. Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Free. www.artists-exchange.org Billy Gilman Live in Concert. See the second-place winner of The Voice. 8 pm. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. $20–$75/tickets. Imagination Playground. Kids invent their own ways to play as they stack and build with huge blue foam blocks of all shapes and sizes. 11 am–2 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/ person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org Story Time. See January 7.

January 29/Sunday Nature's Kaleidoscope, Leaf Rotation: Photography by Brian Wood. See January 8. Imagination Playground. See January 28.

January 2017 ï&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine