Rhode Island Parent Magazine November 2016 by Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Parent

November 2016

RHODE ISLAND

MAGAZINE

Local company helping new moms Recipes for nonThanksgiving days Gingerbread house decorating contest

BrightStars Helping parents choose quality care and education programs Jake Stanlewicz, 4, at The Children's Workshop Westerly

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Rhode Island Parent Magazine ď&#x201A;§ November 2016

November 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Rhode Island Parent Magazine ď&#x201A;§ November 2016

Contents November 2016 / vol. 2 / no. 4

Departments 6 A Note from the Publisher Being thankful. 10 My Turn Why I became a teacher. 12 Get Active Two great things to do.

12 The Healthy Child Local company donates to new moms.

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

Features 8 Cover Feature: BrightStars

www.RIParentMag.com

to see what we are giving away this month! And while you’re there, take a look at our latest calendar of events.

16 Quick recipes

Help to choose your child’s day care.

While you are planning Thanksgiving dinner, here are some easy recipes for the rest of the month. 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 November 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

A Note from the Publisher

ere we are again, in the month of thankfulness and gratitude. As a parent, there can be days when it seems harder to find things to have gratitude about, but I feel that if you have children, you always have something to be thankful for. Their grins, their antics, their presence – these add so much to our lives. It’s a great time of year to do fun things with your kids. See our Get Active section on page 12 for two special activities for younger children and teens, and our calendar of events, which starts on page 18. Don’t forget that the calendar on our website, www.RIParentMag.com, always has the latest information. And here’s something to be thankful for – free stuff! We run giveaways on our site continuously – visit to see what we’re giving away this month. In this month’s magazine, we offer quick recipes to fill in meals on all the days that aren’t Thanksgiving. We also provide a profile of BrightStars, a non-profit that rates child care centers and helps parents find what they need for their children. Plus, a local company, Summer Infant, is offering a large donation to help new Rhode Island moms over the next year. Read about that on page 14. From the Rhode Island Parent Magazine family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan Gale

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 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  November 2016

November 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Cover Feature By Lisa A. Hildebrand, M.A.

How to choose quality

early care and education

hoosing who cares for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. A quality early care or afterschool program that provides a healthy environment and a wide range of enriching activities is important for your child’s growth and development. BrightStars was developed to help Rhode Island families select the best care for their child. BrightStars is a set of standards for early learning programs to measure the work that they are doing to provide quality education for children. It is a step on what the state calls the “Program Quality Continuum,” which includes licensing by the Department of Child, Youth and Families (DCYF), and the Comprehensive Early Childhood Education (CECE) approval, coordinated by the RI Department of Education.

BrightStars history

In December 2011, Rhode Island was one of nine states awarded a federal grant from the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) fund. The award of $50 million over four years was granted to improve early learning and development opportunities for Rhode Island's young children. BrightStars has been an important part of this work. BrightStars has been rating programs since 2009, but RTT-ELC has provided the opportunity to include more programs in the system. Currently, more than 840 programs have a BrightStars rating across the state, in every city and town in RI. Programs like BrightStars are now in place or are being developed in every state. These programs are called Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), and they are a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs.

BrightStars’ work in RI

To support the quality of care for young children, BrightStars works with licensed child care centers and preschools, family child care homes, school-age programs and the preschools located in public school districts. We do this in three ways:

Assess program quality and assign a star rating. Support program improvement goals and refer them to available resources in the state. Communicate program quality to parents and families to help them make informed decisions about child care. BrightStars rates early care and education programs on the following standards:

Photo by Kimberly Dobosz, www.kimberlydoboszphotography.com 8

Health, safety, and nutrition Enrollment and staffing

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  November 2016

Staff qualifications and ongoing professional development Administration Early learning and development Family engagement

Programs are assigned a BrightStars star rating equal to their lowest level achieved across all BrightStars standards. The base, one star, represents the minimum standards an early care, education, or afterschool program must meet to operate. The stars represent the steps that programs can achieve to meet higher levels of quality.

Who works for BrightStars?

BrightStars staff receive specialized training. They observe the program’s educational components, indoor and outdoor spaces, social interactions amongst children and interactions between staff/children. These observations help determine the star rating and the support and benefits the childcare program is eligible to receive. During observation the assessor(s) strive to blend in as seamlessly as possible so they do not disrupt the natural flow of the program. Additional BrightStars staff also work with programs once their quality has been assessed and a star rating has been assigned to support the program with quality improvement initiatives. The program may choose to make improvements in a variety of areas, including the physical environment – which includes the classroom and the outdoor space – and the training that their teachers receive. Some programs may want to improve the curriculum and lessons they plan for the children, or how they monitor the progress of development of their children against certain learning goals. BrightStars can support these quality improvement efforts, or refer programs to other community partners to facilitate that work.

Who is BrightStars for?

Families who are searching for an early learning program for their child or children will want to make use of BrightStars referrals and educational materials. In addition to that, the rating details on the Early Learning Program Search (see below) offer important information for all families who already have their children in a rated program. Help us spread the word about how we can help families – share with your neighbors, friends, and coworkers!

How do I find a BrightStars-rated program?

What do the star ratings mean? When you choose an early care and education program for your child in Rhode Island, you can look to BrightStars as an indicator of quality. The more stars a program has, the more research-based best practices are used that support children, families, and the professionals caring for the children.

1 Star Rating Meets minimum standards to operate and is committed to quality improvement 2 Star Rating Compliant in all critical areas of state licensing requirements and is approaching quality standards 3 Star Rating Compliant in all critical areas of state licensing requirements and meets higher quality standards 4 Star Rating Compliant in all critical areas of state licensing requirements and exceeds higher quality standards 5 Star Rating Compliant in all critical areas of state licensing requirements and far exceeds higher quality standards

You can search for early care or afterschool programs in two ways:

Search online on the Early Learning Program search at www.earlyeducationmatters.org for BrightStars-rated programs. You can search by zip code, city or town, age range, or a number of different criteria that will fit your family’s needs. Call 855-398-7605 to speak to a BrightStars Referral Specialist who can assist you over the phone by asking some questions to determine your needs and help you find the best care for you and your children. We will send you a list of referrals, as well as educational materials about how to choose the best program for your family. You can also access these materials at www.earlyeducationmatters.org or www.BrightStars.org. 

Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) is a non-profit which is contracted to execute BrightStars. RIAEYC is the state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). These organizations are dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services.

Lisa A. Hildebrand, M.A., is the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) and BrightStars. November 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

My Turn By Jane Allard

Why I became a

teacher

hy did I become a teacher? To admire other teachers close-up. That idea pleasantly surprised me this summer as I was reflecting on my career. I paused to record the idea (via Siri, thank-you-very-much.) Today, in writing, I expound upon it. I’ve used a “big word” (expound) – a skill I am certain I was encouraged to do. By whom? Teachers. Teachers are models. We’re human, yes, and even dare to model that – though the preponderance of what we do is to stay fiercely focused on the care of young people. Each day, teachers reflect to determine how to do better for others. “What happened today? What went well? What surprised us? What can be improved?” These are teachers’ nightly dreams.

Routines and inclusion foster growth

In the fall, school routines are set in place and carry us all safely and purposefully with grace. We agree to respect each other and our common property. We all come to know how the machinery of our classroom and our institution moves. Routines have purpose and build community from the inside out as we acclimate to the personalities in the room, teacher included. Of course, the school as a whole benefits as each component is well-oiled and focused. From the inside out we affect the world! A good teacher makes you want to be in school. Values you as a part of the whole. Includes you in conversation and quiet, tasks and hacks, lunch and study. Welcomes your take on things and helps when you cannot yet control your spontaneity. Teachers I know say “I care” in numerous ways. I like to say in class “I see you, you know!” in all sorts of inflections, most humorous. Honest reveal: I do see the children, and I may not like what I am seeing them do, or venture to do, in some moments. But I trust that our budding relationship, time together, and our effort will promote better in us. That way I teach children, children teach themselves, and children teach me. My goal is to see the best in every child as they come to know themselves.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  November 2016

Learning from peers

I have teachers teaching me. How? I recall a teacher teaching me to appoint a child to be an administrative assistant in the classroom. Each day, that role gave one student at a time the experience of participating in the day’s agenda through my eyes, my heart. It was a rotating job and it faithfully developed a sense of camaraderie in our workplace. I have had teachers fill me in on the value of implementing a morning meeting. Especially endearing: an elementary school teacher’s routine of letting a line form at her desk each Monday morning where children could, one-on-one, share two important “facts” (short stories, jokes even!) into her ear. Then, “About your business! Let the day begin!” I’ve observed the “consider this” teachers, the polite models, the soft-spoken-but-job-done ones and the ones who solicit parent volunteers.

A teacher and a mom

I’ve been the encouraging teacher who let a child’s anger management exercise be weed-pulling or hard-fisted drawing/ writing. I’ve presented an “oops” slip that a student fills out to register accountability for his or her actions. Later, as a mom, I learned not to interrupt the flow of other teachers. That what is going on in the classroom is of value. There’s a sequence. I welcome that. I’ve carried all these lessons from teachers into my vocation with humble gratitude. As a teacher, I engage in that sense of pride because a child is adding to the recipe, the whole. Yes, we feel pride for all the members of that whole, families included. Papers for the fridge at home, debates and theater, math leagues, graduations, disappointments, appointments, creative writing, and so many commas. There is a universe going on in school. That’s why I treasure being part of it all. Today’s lesson: Support your local teacher as she or he works with your child on a unified year like no other!  Jane Allard is a teacher in the North Providence School Department.

November 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Get Active

Holiday event with something for everyone

he Artists’ Exchange will hold its 12th annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest in early December, with prizes that include gift certificates for classes in the organization’s upcoming winter session. Santa Claus will be a special guest at the event where participants can take part in holiday grab bags, raffles, and face painting. There will also be holiday photo booths featuring painted murals of the Abominable Snowman and a giant gingerbread house. The event runs from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, December 3, at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston. Reservations are strongly recommended at www.artists-exchange.org/ gingerbreadevent.html. Cost is $14 per house. There is no age limit – everyone is invited to join in on the fun. Construction on the graham cracker houses has already begun, and with the help of volunteers, the Artists’ Exchange plans to have at least 600 houses available. At the event, house decorators can use supplies of frosting, cereal, pretzels, and

an array of colorful candy. The Artists’ Exchange’s studios will be transformed into a holiday wonderland, creating an atmosphere designed to inspire childlike wonder and creativity. Creations will be photographed and, if desired, submitted for judging in their corresponding age category. Families can work together and be judged in a separate family category. Participants can take their houses home that day, and winners will be announced online by Monday, December 5. At the event, you can also sign up for a class and receive 20% off tuition. The new winter session of classes is currently available on the Artists’ Exchange website. Artists' Exchange is a nonprofit art collaborative which houses The Black Box Theatre and multiple art studios, as well as a gallery, art boutique, and café. Classes and weekly events in art, theatre, music, and film are offered. Artists' Exchange is owned and operated by Gateways to Change. 

Teen Leadership development and philanthropy program

he Rhode Island chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is looking for high school students to join its leadership development and philanthropy program. Teens participate in a fundraising competition to benefit LLS, which raises money to combat blood cancers. Leukemia is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in children under the age of 20, so in this program, teens are helping other kids battling devastating cancers. Every dollar raised counts as one vote. The candidates/teams who raise the most money at the end of the 7-week competition, which kicks off in January, earn the title Student(s) of the Year. Nominees and applicants must submit an application and, along with a parent or adult mentor, meet with LLS staff in order to be considered for selection. For motivated high school students, the program helps them stand out among peers when engaging with colleges and/ or future employers and works well for fulfilling volunteer hours and high school leadership programs such as the National Honor Society. Through guidance and mentoring from experienced professionals at LLS, the teens will make a real impact in the fight against blood cancers.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  November 2016

Participants learn skills in a number of areas, including networking, communications, event management, presentation skills, entrepreneurship, financial planning and goal setting, and leadership. Students are recognized in various ways in the local community as LLS staff work with local media to publicize the campaign. Winner(s) receive a $5,000 or $2,500 scholarship for college. All participants are eligible for recognition via the Citizenship awards presented at the finale reception celebration, which will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln. In 2016, the Rhode Island LLS chapter had five candidates participate in Student of the Year. These student teams raised an incredible $94,322.88 for LLS. Nationally, LLS has invested more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma. For more information, visit http://www.studentseries.org/ high-schools/students-of-the-year or contact Carla Mulhern at carla.mulhern@lls.org or 401-854-4416. 

November 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

The Healthy Child By Susan Gale

Local company

helping local moms

Woonsocket-based company wants to comfort every baby born at Women & Infants Hospital over the next year – and maybe give some peace to the parents as well. Summer Infant plans to donate 9,000 SwaddleMe® Original Swaddles to the hospital. According to the company, SwaddleMe blankets help keep babies sleeping safely on their backs while replacing loose bedding in the crib. Swaddling also recreates the snugness of the womb, so babies startle less and stay asleep longer, the company said. The SwaddleMe has won awards from various magazines and web sites. Each new mom will receive a voucher for a complimentary SwaddleMe that she can redeem at the hospital's store, Nursing Moms, Etc. Available in both English and Spanish, the voucher also relates the benefits of swaddling so that every parent and child can "sleep tight, every night." Based in Woonsocket, Summer Infant is a global company that produces infant and juvenile products for ages 0–3 years, which are sold principally to large North American and international retailers. The company currently sells proprietary products in a number of different categories including nursery audio/video monitors, safety gates, durable bath products, bed rails, nursery products, strollers, booster and potty seats, bouncers, travel accessories, highchairs, swings, and infant feeding products. "Our SwaddleMe brand and line of products has been expertly designed and tested to keep babies snug, safe, and comfortable every night throughout their first year,” said Mark Messner, Summer Infant president and chief executive officer. Women & Infants Hospital, a Care New England hospital, is one of the nation's leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns. Women & Infants is the 12th largest stand-alone obstetrical service in the country with approximately 8,500 deliveries per year. "We are delighted and honored to be working with Rhode Islandbased Summer Infant in providing our new moms with a gift that not only celebrates the birth of their child, but also gives them a sound sleep solution for a better rest and recovery upon returning home," said Mark R. Marcantano, Women & Infants Hospital president and chief operating officer. "By giving a free SwaddleMe to every new mom, it further supports our mission of improving the health and well-being of women and infants and giving them the best start." Visit www.summerinfant.com and www.womenandinfants.org to learn more.  Susan Gale is founder and publisher of Rhode Island Parent Magazine. 14

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  November 2016

Advice from local company, Summer Infant How to create a safe sleep space for a newborn: • Use a crib that meets current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. • Use a fitted crib sheet on a firm, tight-fitting mattress for no gaps or looseness. • Don’t allow cords within three feet of baby’s crib or within baby’s reach. • Keep baby’s crib free of any pillows, blankets, toys, and fluffy or loose bedding. Tips for a better night’s sleep: • Always place baby on their back to sleep. • Don’t put baby to sleep on any soft surface (sofa, waterbed, furry blanket, etc.) • Don’t dress baby too warm. Keep the temperature between 62-72 degrees. • Monitor your sleeping baby to give you peace of mind.

What’s on the web this month? Win tickets to the Providence Children’s Museum. Check the up-to-date calendar. Search for articles on issues you care about. Put your event on our calendar. Sign up for our newsletter. List your business or organization in our directory. Send us a message or give us a story idea. Read the magazine digitally on your tablet, phone, or computer. Find businesses and organizations that can help you.

www.RIParentMag.com

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November 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Feature Story By Stephanie Bernaba

Quick,

creative

non-turkey November meals We all know what happens when Thanksgiving rolls around – turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, turkey breakfast burritos. It’s more turkey than one house can handle. Granted, we love leftovers, but is there anything else to eat? We know the holiday season is busy, and that we love great food. Here are a few quick and easy (and tasty!) alternatives to get you through the season. All of these are tested and approved by my own family.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  November 2016

Two-Ingredient Korean Fish This meal is so simple, it practically cooks itself.

◆◆ Set an oven to 375 degrees. ◆◆ Lay down two pounds of Mahi Mahi (fresh preferred – if frozen, thaw) in a baking pan (13x9) ◆◆ Pour one jar of Kimchi, zesty Korean pickled veggies, over the fish. ◆◆ Cover with foil and cook for 45 minutes. Fish is cooked when it is no longer translucent. Plate and enjoy!

“Sloppy Jane” Sandwiches The above meal is fantastic, but if your house is anything like mine, buzz words like “pork” and “fish” in relation to dinner do not go over very well. In the instance you can’t change the ingredients (or don’t want to), change the perception. Here’s how you make “Sloppy Janes.”

◆◆ Combine pulled pork (any grocery or prepared brand, or cook it up yourself ), dill sandwich slices, and just a touch of honey barbecue sauce. ◆◆ Pile on your favorite bread (we like King’s Hawaiian® here because it turns every sandwich into a slider), chopped onions, and/or American cheese. ◆◆ Pair with carrot or celery sticks and vinaigrette dressing. Not only will the kids get a kick out of the name, but they’ll also leave the table with plates empty and bellies full.

Eggplant Lasagna Now, I know what you’re thinking: That’s too hard. I grew up watching my Italian mother lose the battle with eggplant too many times. The draining, the battering, the frying, the pans, and the mess. Well, it doesn’t have to be that way.

◆◆ Simply buy one eggplant (or two), peel, slice it vertically, and roast on a cookie sheet with olive oil and salt at 350 degrees for about an hour (or until golden and tender). ◆◆ Heat a jar of marinara and some pecorino and feta cheese, and combine in a bowl for each diner. No prep, no mess, no layering. ◆◆ Pair with beet and green bean salad.

Sausage Primavera Get ready for congratulatory hugs on this dish.

◆◆ Take one package of Al Fresco Roasted Garlic Chicken Sausage® and cut into diagonal slices. ◆◆ Slice one yellow onion (the smaller the slice, the better) and one package of baby bella mushrooms, and halve about a half can of black olives. ◆◆ Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a sauté pan on medium heat and fry sausage, onions, and mushrooms until the sausage caramelizes slightly. ◆◆ Halve and add 10 cherry tomatoes and 2 cups of fresh green beans, washed with the tips removed, along with the olives and a few shakes of garlic powder. ◆◆ Stir and let all ingredients steam together in covered sauté pan for about 15 minutes. ◆◆ After the vegetables are steamed but still firm and bright, drizzle balsamic vinegar over the entire pan and let it cook down, uncovered, until it caramelizes. Stir occasionally. ◆◆ Serve and enjoy!

Tortellini with Chicken Kids love nothing more than a great pasta dish. Kids also love few things more than chicken.

◆◆ Grab a plain rotisserie chicken on your way home from work (or cooked pieces, as long as it’s roasted, not fried), and pull off and chop the meat. ◆◆ Open two jars of your favorite pasta sauce (or, of course, make your own), and heat it in the pan with the chicken and grated cheese. ◆◆ Cook tortellini according to package directions, toss together with the sauce and chicken, and serve. ◆◆ Pair with a light cucumber and tomato salad. You have to plan several big meals – make the other days a little bit easier when it comes to dinner prep. Enjoy!  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.

November 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

November 2016 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.

Special events

Fridays

November 4, 5, 6: Roald Dahl's

November 4: Art & Design Lab. Collaborate with other teens to make art, experiment with materials, question ideas, and discuss connections between art and life. Open to ages 13–18. No registration required. 3–5 pm. RISD Museum, 224 Benefit Street, Providence. Free with admission.

Willy Wonka Jr. The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. November 4 and 5 at 7:30 pm. November 6 at 2 pm. Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. Tickets/$16. www.stadiumtheatre.com/events

November 8: LEGO-Palooza!

Coming to Rhode Island Opening Celebration The Providence Children’s Museum introduces a playfully reimagined Coming to Rhode Island exhibit. Embark on a time-traveling adventure through the exhibit’s newly transformed “time tunnel” to learn about Rhode Island’s immigration history. Explore an imaginative interactive environment that highlights the story of an Irish immigrant who worked on the construction of Fort Adams. Discover a new “Story Center” with an array of intriguing hands-on activities that explore culture and diversity. Runs from 9 am–6 pm on November 18–20. As part of the opening, take part in Celtic Knots from 10 am–3 pm on November 19 and 20. Kids learn to create their own Celtic knots using a variety of materials. Design a paper mosaic knot, and create Celtic knots from laces and string. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org 18

Use a wide array of LEGOs to explore open-ended building challenges and puzzles, and construct your own imaginative LEGO creations. 11 am– 2 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/ person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org

November 18 and 19: Elf the Musical Jr. Based on the holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. November 18 at 7:30 pm. November 19 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. Tickets/$16. www.stadiumtheatre.com/ events November 25: Santa’s Arrival.

Santa Claus, The Winter Lady, elves, reindeer, snowmen and angels all arrive via fire truck to greet children. Lollipops and coloring books for all. 6 pm. Dixon Square, 5 High Street, Westerly. Free. www.oceanchamber.org

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  November 2016

November 11: Spatial Games.

Families engage in some friendly competition and challenge their spatial thinking skills by playing a series of oversized games. Try your hand at lifesized Tetris, Air Hockey, and Hot Lava! 11 am–2 pm. 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. www.bringyourownimprov.com Every Friday: Toddler Try-It: Pattern Play. 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: Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theater. Public stargazing. 6:30–11:30 pm. 61 Park Lane, Charlestown. $1/person suggested donation. www.frostydrew.org (continued on page 20)

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

November 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

November 2016 Weekends

November 5/Saturday Tours for Tots. Playful stories, creative art-making, and gallery adventures inspire children ages 3–5 and their favorite grown-up to imaginatively explore art and learning. 10:30– 11:15 am. RISD Museum, 224 Benefit Street, Providence. Free with admission. Spatial Thinkers. Kids explore shapes and spaces in Discovery Studio, an open-ended art and science exploration space. Experiment with tangram puzzles and blocks, and morph two-dimensional designs into 3-D cubes. 10 am–3 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/ children under 12 months. www. childrenmuseum.org Waterfire. A salute to veterans. A multisensory art installation featuring a series of bonfires that seem to float along the rivers of Providence. 7:15 pm. Waterplace Park, Providence. Free.

November 6/Sunday Fall Family Open House. Kids’ activities, arts & crafts, seasonal fun, hot cider and snacks, formal tours, gift store specials. 10 am–5 pm. Herreshoff Marine Museum, One Burnside Street, Bristol. Free. Family See & Sketch. Doodle, dabble, draw, and more in a program that gets kids to look at art through close examination, discussions, and hands-on making. For kids ages 6 and up with an adult. In Farago lobby. Drop in. 2–3 pm. RISD Museum, 224 Benefit Street, Providence. Free with admission. 20

Meditation for Kids and Families. This family class offers a simple introduction to Buddha’s teachings, emphasizing loving-kindness, respect for others, and keeping a happy heart and positive attitude. For ages 5–12. 9:30–10:30 am. Serlingpa Meditation Center, 339 Ives Street, Providence. $4. Spatial Thinkers. See November 5.

November 12/Saturday Fairy Houses and Gnome Homes. Use natural materials such as shells, seeds, moss, and stones to create an enchanting home for magical guests. Children may come dressed in fairy or gnome costumes. Program includes all materials. Online advance registration is required. 2–3:30 pm. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. Member adult and child pair/$12; non-member adult and child pair/$15. www.asri.org Imagination Playground. Kids invent their own ways to play as they stack and build with huge blue foam blocks of all shapes and sizes. Using blocks, wheels, spools, tubes, and a variety of loose parts, kids construct castles and forts, invent interesting sculptures, and more. 11 am–2 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/ person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org Rhode Island Comic Con. Fifth anniversary of this comic book, toy, media, and gaming event. RICC features a large variety of vendors. A vast array of pop culture and sci-fi celebrity guests. Great entertainment

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  November 2016

for all ages. Runs November 11–13. 10 am–7 pm. Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street, Providence. See website for ticket costs. www.ricomiccon.com Airborne Jugglers. Amazing juggling is synchronized with lively music, and you never know what will happen next! Volunteers find themselves in the middle of the action. Contagious and unforgettable fun. 11 am. Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. $10/person. www.OceanStateTheatre.org

November 13/Sunday Open Studio. Artist-designed activities let families experience artworks in imaginative, thought provoking, and whimsical ways. Drop in. Fain Gallery. 2–4 pm. RISD Museum, 224 Benefit Street, Providence. Free with admission. Imagination Playground. See November 12. Meditation for Kids and Families. See November 6.

November 19/Saturday Rhode Island vs. Towson Football. Football game. Noon–3 pm. Meade Stadium, University of Rhode Island, 25 West Alumni Avenue, Kingston. Tickets/$15. Family Four Pack: 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and sodas/$48. (continued on page 22)

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November 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

November 2016 November 19/Saturday (cont.)

Lippitt Labs at the Lippitt House Museum. Interactive activities for the whole family with a new theme each month as the Lippitt House Museum, a National Historic Landmark, is transformed into a laboratory for exploring the Victorian era. Not wheelchair accessible. 2–4 pm. Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope Street, Providence. $10/adults; $5/students; free/children under 12; free/active duty military; $8/person for groups with advanced registration.

November 20/Sunday Audubon Owl Prowl at Mays Refuge. A night hike on the Maxwell Mays Refuge in search of owls. Different species will be called on the walk through mixed and pine woods. Wear warm clothing, shoes or boots, and bring a flashlight. Ages 12 and up. 7–9 pm. Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry. $10/member; $14/non-member. Register in advance, www.asri.org

Imagination Playground. See November 12.

Meditation for Kids and Families. See November 6.

November 26/Saturday Eco-Stories and Art. An Audubon naturalist will read a nature story and then help kids create a unique craft. Program will be moved indoors in case of bad weather. Bring a blanket and a snack. No registration needed. 11 am–noon. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI. $6/adults; $4/children 4–12; free/children under 4. Plus $3 materials fee. www.asri.org

November 27/Sunday The Gobbler Show: A Feast for Your Eyes. Providence Children’s Film Festival screens a collection of international and independent short films from past festivals mixed in with a sneak peek of shorts coming February 2017. Films appropriate for all ages. 2–3 pm. Metcalf Auditorium. RISD Museum, 224 Benefit Street, Providence. Free. Engineer It! Brick-Building Challenge. See November 26. Meditation for Kids and Families. See November 6.

Engineer It! Brick-Building Challenge. Kids make brick prints, experiment with brick laying using clay and blocks, and build with boxes to create large-scale constructions. Starts Friday November 25. 11 am– 2 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/ person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org

List your event for free in the magazine and online! There are two ways to get your event listed: Email us all the information including an event description, address, time, cost, and website/telephone/email for more information. Send to: Editor@RIParentMag.com. Go to the calendar online at www.RIParentMag.com and hit the “Submit an event” button, then fill in the details. Events must be open to the public and appropriate for teens and/or children to be listed. Rhode Island Parent Magazine reserves the right to determine which events will be listed.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  November 2016

November 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine