Summer Fun!

Worried that your kids are suffering from a case of summer brain drain? I personally had to put together a schedule similar to the one my son had in his classroom this past year so both my kids weren't constantly sneaking off with their video games or the iPad. I included activities like handwriting, reading, Study Island and Xtra Math (programs they use at their school), art, piano practice, outdoor play and free choice. Sometimes it gets a little hard to keep them on track, but it's worked out pretty well for all of us so far and I feel like they have a good mix of enrichment and summer fun each day.

Right now, Discovery Place is running a fun essay contest featuring the theme of Animal Grossology. Say what? Here are the details from their website:

Essay Topic: Leeches are sometimes used after surgeries to assist in the healing process and scientists are studying the slime produced by slugs and snails for clues in treating cystic fibrosis. The seemingly "gross" characteristics of animals can be fascinating and even beneficial to humans. Write about a "gross" animal or animal behavior. How have you benefited or learned from this animal?
Eligibility: Rising Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8Deadline: All entries must be received by July 15, 2013.One winner will be chosen from each grade range. Winning essays will be featured on the Discovery Place blog. Each winner also will receive a Family Membership to Discovery Place ($100 value) and a chance to meet 'n' greet some of our "gross" animal residents.

The essay contest ends soon so get your kids working on their essays! 

My kids are participating in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Summer Reading Program, but we also recently discovered that Barnes and Noble is running a free program this year. If your children want to earn a free book, they can read eight books at their reading level and complete a book journal with short reviews of each book. You can find more details here.

What are your kids doing for fun this summer?

-Renee

Amazing Animal Stories

This is Sonic. We adopted him from a rescue center almost three years ago. I like to describe him as a "grumpy old man in a puppy's body." He has lots of energy, but if he's taking a nap, don't mess with him. And don't even think about ignoring his requests for two walks a day (one at promptly 9 a.m., the other around 4:30 p.m.) If you don't comply with his orders, you will be stalked until you do.

All kidding aside, I love this little ball of fur. He helped me heal from the loss of my 16-year old dog, Odie, and he's definitely stolen my heart, even when he passive aggressively lets me know he's not happy with me. You decided to leave me at home alone while you ran errands? Oh, I think I'll just get sick on the rug!

Miraculously, for a small dog, he doesn't bark much. We actually thought something might be wrong with his vocal cords when we first brought him home. He waited several days before he finally barked, and then we were relieved! One day, about a year ago, I had returned from a morning run. I was stretching in our living room when Sonic started barking. The bark sounded urgent, which was very unusual. At first I ignored it, thinking Sonic was looking through a window at the front of the house and barking at someone outside. He persisted. Finally, I walked into the foyer only to spot Sonic standing in front of a black snake slithering across the floor!

To make a long story short, the snake was a harmless baby snake, but madness ensued. I panicked and called my husband at work. The snake spotted me and slithered into my office, of all places. It hid behind a basket of magazines (I vowed then and there I needed to get my magazine hoarding under control). We managed to get the snake out of the house and took it to some nearby woods, and I let Sonic know what a good job he had done.

Here at Little Ones, we're working on putting together our June/July issue, which features pet love. We'd love to include stories such as these from our readers. Has your family pet alerted you to an intruder? Found an unwanted critter on your property? Sensed a medical problem with a family member? Please leave your amazing animal story in the comments section of this post, and you might be featured in our next issue! We can't wait to hear from you.

--Renee

Blessed to Know Bright Blessings

We are so excited to announce that Amy and John Cervantes, along with their three sons, were recently honored as "Heroes Among Us" by People magazine for their work in founding Bright Blessings, a non-profit charity servings thousands of homeless children across the greater Charlotte region each year!

 Here is a little more about their story:

A full page in People's March 25 edition features a photo of the Cervantes family and information about how Bright Blessings first got started and the organization’s continuing impact.  

Bright Blessings began in 2005 as a family service project created by Mint Hill couple Amy and John Cervantes as way to help kids in need while fostering a love for volunteerism in their own young children. In 2008, they incorporated their service venture as a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, quickly expanding the organization’s programs and services. Today, Bright Blessings reaches more than 3,000 local homeless children annually with its Bless-A-Birthday, Bless-A-Baby, and Gift of Literacy programs.  Bright Blessings began developing a National Affiliate Network in 2010 with several pilot affiliate chapters are already established in cities across the country.

"It is truly a family affair and we all pitch in to do whatever is needed, including the boys," says John, Sr. VP of Investments for Ballantyne's TCA Financial Group. "When Amy and I started this service project nearly eight years ago, our hope was bring some joy and support to needy kids while also giving our own boys an opportunity to learn the importance of serving others." 

To date, their family-service-project-turned-nonprofit has impacted more than 10,000 local homeless children through multiple programs and services.  "It is incredible to see how much Bright Blessings has grown over the years, thanks to the community's generosity and a group of amazing team members and volunteers who help make it all happen," says John. 

When asked about the People impact, Amy, a stay-at-home-mom and volunteer executive director for Bright Blessings, shares that the non-profit has been greatly affected: “This national media has helped elevate awareness for the important issue of family homelessness, not only in our local community but across the country as well. We continue to receive an outpouring of support from people all around the nation as a result, and it’s been a very humbling experience to hear from so many others who want to help make a difference for our local community’s homeless children.”

Congratulations Amy, John, Alex, Adam and Eli! Thank you so much for all the wonderful work you are doing. For more information, visit www.BrightBlessingsUSA.org.

Spring Consignment Sales in Bloom

I have a teeny little confession to make. I love a good deal. And I don't just mean I love one. I go crazy when I find a good deal. Take the cute little outfit in the picture below:

I picked up the entire outfit (and much much more, actually) at a great upscale consignment shop in Cornelius, N.C. called Fifi's. Would you say I spent $100, $85, or $75 for this ensemble? The bag is Kenneth Cole and the jeans are Citizens of Humanity. I actually picked this entire outfit up for $60, which was a steal in my book, especially when you can find deals just like this all over the store. I was able to pick up a few great pieces for an upcoming conference without breaking the bank, too, so I was thrilled.

All over Charlotte spring consignment sales are in bloom, such as the Back on the Rack Children, Teens and Women Consignment Sale this weekend at the Monroe Agricultural Center. And coming up later this month is the popular Green Jeans Eco Chic Consignment Sale in Lake Norman  April 17-20 (they held their SouthPark sale in March). Consigning clothes and buying gently-used items is just smart shopping, and it is good for the environment, too. I've been consigning my kids' clothes for years but only recently began discovering the joy of hitting up the consignment sales and stores for myself. My "new" items fit in nicely with my old wardrobe staples, and it is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

What are your favorite consignment sales/stores in Charlotte?

The Search for a Prom Dress

Photo by Themba Imagery

The night of April 26 will provide local moms with a reason to go shopping for a great little black dress and shoes to match . . . along with the opportunity to walk a "pink carpet" with their best girlfriends. Best of all, it's all for a great cause.

We're talking about The Queen City's Mom Prom, which will take place in Cornelius at the Havana Banquet & Ballroom. The event is the brainchild of a group of local moms who wanted to find a way to give back to the charitable organization Cookies for Kids' Cancer. As a result, they joined together to produce last year's inaugural event, which raised more than $20,000 for the cause.

Tickets to this much anticipated event are $50 in advance and $60 the day of the event. With your ticket, you will receive:

• free valet parking
• complimentary prom photos
• appetizers and desserts
• one free drink ticket
• one raffle ticket
• shopping at the "Mom Prom" boutique
• a swag bag from Thirty-One filled with goodies and special offers from event sponsors

"I attended the Mom Prom last year with a wonderful group of friends who have supported me 100 percent for the Cookies for Kids' Cancer cause," says Huntersville resident Julie Sparks. "It was a wonderful event, every detail taken care of, and a great night out for us moms. And I could not have been more impressed that a group of women got together to create such an event for such a great cause. I am the mother of a child who has battled cancer twice now, and continues this journey. And to see women put so much time and energy into something that supports our kids like this just amazes me."

To learn more about Cookies for Kids' Cancer, visit their website. You can also read more about this great event when the April/May issue of Little Ones hits the newsstands on April 1. Be sure to pick up your copy!

I actually found my dress yesterday and couldn't be more excited for the event. Have you found yours?

FlyWheel Winners!

A big "thank you" to all who entered our recent FlyWheel giveaway. See below to learn who our winners are: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Angie H., you are the winner of the FlyWheel classes, and Sue D. receives a chance to try out FlyBarre. Winners, please leave a comment below specifying which location you'd like to visit, Charlotte or Ballantyne, and we will leave your passes at the front desk. We've got more fun giveaways planned soon -- please check back on our blog so you don't miss anything!

Library Love

This morning, I'd like to talk a little about my absolute love for the library. Some of my most cherished childhood memories include exploring my school libraries, and as I got older, the intimate historic library located in the small town where I lived just outside of Asheville.

I have to admit these days I'm a little spoiled. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has 20 branch locations, so even if a book I want to read isn't at the branch closest to me, I can request it easily online and it will usually be ready for me within two weeks. They even have a selection of e-books available for download, and I'm slowly learning how to navigate through that system as well.

I've tried to teach my kids the value of using our library system as a resource. They get excited when they discover movies and books they've been looking for on the shelves. We have a great time making our monthly trips to the library and always come out loaded down with selections.

On March 21, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will be operating with special hours as part of a national "EveryoneOn" campaign to promote digital literacy. Charlotte was chosen as one of five launch cities for the initiative, along with Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Macon, Ga. On this day, in addition to the basic library services offered every day, all Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations will offer programs and activities that support digital literacy, plus $5 fine waivers. These activities will include one-on-one technology help, exploring the Library's resources, instructional video clips and library card sign-up.

EveryoneOn is a national public awareness campaign by Connect2Compete, a national nonprofit supported by the Knight Foundation. Connect2Compete aims to raise awareness of free digital literary training and Internet access opportunities throughout the US.
We often frequent North County Regional, Davidson and Cornelius locations. What is your favorite branch library in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system?

Relaunch and Giveaway!

Hello dear readers!

We apologize that it's been so long since we last posted. It has been a hectic past year making the move from four issues a year to six, but it's all been worth it. (We hope you agree!) Currently, we are in the process of re-starting our blog, and I, Renee Roberson, will be contributing blog posts, as well as featuring interviews from local business owners, entrepreneurs and Charlotte area parents. We're also hoping to do more giveaways! As a sort of "relaunch" to our blog, we have an incredible giveaway for you, courtesy of our friends at Flywheel Charlotte. Want to "fly" for free? We have two prizes to give away, one pack of five-pass classes to FlyWheel and one pack of five-pass classes to FlyBarre. These passes can be used at either the Charlotte or Ballantyne locations.

What is Flywheel and FlyBarre, you ask?
Flywheel is a cycling experience that lasts 45-60 minutes and  includes climbs and descents, while working arms with weighted bars. It's an amazing escape that challenges your body and relaxes your mind. FlyBarre is a full-body workout, based on the idea of high repetitions and low weights. It utilizes a number of tools -- resistance bands, balls, small eights, and a ballet barre, as well as choreographed intervals that keep you energized and get your heart pumping. Both classes offer a stellar soundtrack, too.

We are using Rafflecopter to help us randomly select the two winners after seven days. There are three different things you must do to win:

1. Like "Little Ones" on Facebook
2. Like "FlyWheel Charlotte" on Facebook
3. Comment below this post on which class you want to try and why!

Let's Go!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A sweet reality check

As most of you know- I like to make things and re-purpose things. I had the honor last weekend of re-designing a little girls room. Her name is Natalee- she is 6 years old and has a genetic condition called Trisomy which severely limits her physically. The kind that she has taken over her little body- and she requires heart surgery this month.

Her mom Pam found me through the grapevine. Her hairdresser knows me and came to see my designer room I did last month. You know how it is- you tell everything to your hairdresser, Pam was no different. She was telling Susan (her hairdresser) that she was desperate to get Natalee's room done quickly before her surgery but didn't know where to turn. She needed to incorporate her medical bed and current furniture and because of hospital bills couldn't hire a designer. She called- I happily said I would help. I then connected that I know Natalee's aunt and uncle Jen and Mike, and along with my husband Jason they would be my design team.

Here are some quick ideas that I used in re-creating Natalee's room.

We printed out some old family photos larger and in black and white to personalize the room
I turned an old drawer into a little canopy for her medical bed to dress it up.
Some old chenille scraps from my girls rooms were re-purposed into a pillow and lamp shade.
Some metal butterflies painted white, new green curtains and some new accessories Aunt Jen bought finished off the room.
 
I believe I needed Natalee more than she needed me last weekend. She inspired me to cherish life and take the time to enjoy it. We all get too caught up in the day to day and lose perspective on what is really important. I was in that place- and she helped me see past that and re-connect with my joy. For that, I am grateful and humbled for my time with Natalee.

Love your life friends!
Take Care,
Kerrie

ReStore ReStyle 2012 Event

TaDa!!!!
With the help of friends and family- I won the "People's Choice Award" at the ReStore ReStyle 2012 Event for Habitat for Humanity. I was humbled and overwhelmed by the turnout to see our creations- folks were so kind and complimentary! Habitat is a wonderful organization that is ALL about paying it forward. When I was asked to be a part of the event- I jumped at the opportunity. Making things out of things is my passion. A few examples found in my "reading and writing room" are:

And old deck umbrella became:
A floor lamp
The top of drapes
and an magnetized art piece to hold photos or notes.

A set of old drapes were re-purposed into:
Upholstery for a chair
"Flowers"
Decorative balls

A deck gate
An inspiration board

 Check out the photos below. 

Next time you are going to get rid of something, try to look at it a different way. See if you can give it new life- it is quite a satisfying feeling to re-purpose something destined for the trash.

Feeling quite inspired, I am off to make something out of something!

Take Care,

Kerrie 

Re-Purpose Re-Style!

Hello Friends!

As you have seen in Little Ones, I do a feature called KerrieCan that shows readers how I "make things out of things". Well, I am beyond excited to have been chosen as one of 8 designers to Re-Style a room for a Habitat for Humanity fund raiser. I get to shop for 3 weeks in the Mooresville and Cornelius Re-Stores and then get 2-days to set up my room. The rooms will be on display May1st at 6:30pm at the Mooresville Re-Store. The room I chose is a reading and writing room- with the theme "The Power of Words".  My plan is to bring you along for the ride! My first project will be a floor lamp created out of an old porch umbrella. Next- I will take the fabric from the umbrella and create a valance to go with the curtains that I make from a set of sheets! As I move along, I hope to post photos of the parts and pieces that will make up the room. Here are a couple of photos of my "stuff" - stay tuned to see how it all turns out!

Take Care,
Kerrie

Going out of my comfort zone

Every once in a while, we moms should all try something we THINK we cannot do. It really doesn't matter what it is, just anything that will challenge you beyond your normal day to day. I did that this past weekend with a group of friends, some old and some new and my husband Jason. We did the Spartan Race at the White Water Center. It is one of those crazy mud run obstacle race things that just kicks your butt! 4+ miles of slippery mud, trail running, crawling under barbed wire and walls to climb over. It was the most insane thing that most of us had ever done (most folks were saying it was much tougher than warrior dash or mud runs). More than once- I thought, REALLY??? I am doing this???? But about half-way through, I said ... REALLY!!!! I AM DOING THIS! It was humbling and empowering all at the same time- and loved every minute of it. 2 hours of pushing myself past where I ever thought I could go, invigorated me in a strange way. I felt "new" even though I was beat up and  felt like I could take on the world.When I was finished, and saw how proud my family were of me- it just made the day beyond perfect. I have already signed up for next year.

This kind of thing is not everyone's up of tea I know. BUT find that thing, that thing you think you might not be able to do and do it. Sing on stage, go back to school, take dance classes, ANYTHING. You will feel like Wonder Woman (or a Spartan).

Take Care,
Kerrie

Springtime Craft!

Do you remember making the string covered balloons as a kid? I loved making them- and a post on pintrest brought it all back to me. I decided to make a tiny version of my childhood craft to look like Easter eggs. Last weekend was fabulous so my girls and I decided to craft outside. Good thing because this was a little messy. All you need is string, glue, water, spray oil and some small balloons. I recommend "water balloons" for making small egg shapes.

Mix 1 cup of white glue with 2 tablespoons water.
Blow up your balloons to desired "egg" size and spray them with spray oil. This helps the string release.
Now, drag your string through the glue mixture and slop onto the balloon.
Wrap the balloon in all directions until is it evenly covered.
Find a place to hang them overnight. (best way to dry) Make sure you put paper under them.
Carefully pop the balloon and pull it out through one of the spaces in the string.

Easy, messy and fun. Put your eggs on display on a bowl or make a garland out of them by tying them to a ribbon!

See my pics below!
Happy Spring!
Kerrie

Staying mentally and physically healthy

Everyone needs a little motivation now and then. I need A LOT :) In my driveway every Monday Wednesday and Friday, I host a bootcamp in my driveway. My friends that attend have all laughingly told me how grateful they are for the punishment I impose on them. What they may not realize is how grateful I am to have THEM expecting ME out there ready to lead the workout three days a week. I get a great workout and they get a free butt kickin! Honestly, I think I am getting the better end of the deal. My girls see me set up the "gym" while we wait on the bus which I think reinforces to them my commitment to staying healthy and I can start my day here at Little Ones with a fresh outlook! Share your passions my friends ... it can be quite rewarding!
Take Care,
Kerrie

Hey! From Kerrie :)

Hello everyone! Kerrie with Little Ones here. I will be taking over the blog from where Kiran left off. I am NO writer, and Kiran is an EXCELLENT writer and blogger so please be patient with me. 

As creative director for Little Ones, I hope to post crafty all the things I do with my 2 girls (and the ones I do when I am hiding in my garage studio).  You also might want to hear about what keeps me sane while working at home with my husband. That is a tall order. We have been working side by side for 13 years ... in the same home office. So stay tuned and wish me luck, I am jumping in with both feet!

Peace!

Kerrie

Tiana, Cinderella, and Rapunzel. OH MY!

Simply said, Disney on Ice rocks.  Never been? Well I'm sure I'm not the first to tell you that you're missing out. As cliche as it may sound, visiting Walt Disney World is truly magical. But having the beloved characters perform on ice right in front of your eyes is just as magical itself, and a heck of a lot closer.

We've personally seen the Monsters Inc., Toy Story III and a "regular" Disney on Ice productions and I've been so incredibly impressed. But when I heard that Disney on Ice Dare to Dream was coming to town, I knew this would be one of our favorites. With 3 girls, ages 3, 5 and 7, how could it not be?!

The show began with an incredibly upbeat number including all of the Disney favorites, perfect for getting the little ones prepared. And then it was time for Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. Complete with all of the characters, Naveen, Louis and Ray, the segment was the perfect warm up. And then came the beloved Cinderella. Though the entire story is not acted out, it's amazing how they tie it all in together. The costumes are perfect and characters believable. I even found myself clapping to the music and singing the well-known tunes (did I really just say that out loud?!) Yes, it's true; one of the best things about these shows is that parents will actually enjoy them as much as their kids!

By and large, our favorite, and the part the kids could not wait to see, was Rapunzel. From the famed movie Tangled, Rapunzel and Flynn took to the ice and captured the show. Cascading hair and characters who dangled from the ceiling were some of the exciting effects that warmed the hearts of the families in the packed the Time Warner Cable Arena. See this short video that we took - such a small sampling of the show that included all of the favorite tunes including She's Got a Dream, Mother Knows Best and At Last I See the Light (yes, I was singing those, too).

An amazing final act included all of the famed princesses - Snow White, Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Jasmine, Cinderella and Rapunzel ... for girls of all ages, a real dream come true.

Dare to Dream is still in Charlotte for the rest of this weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday October 7 - 9 and tickets are still available! If you've got a Disney or princess lover ... this is surely a MUST DO!

Raising a Reader

School’s back in session and parents around the country are looking to not only get their children’s education up to speed, but to do what they can to surpass it. But studies have shown that it’s not just about working with your little ones during the school year. The true benefits can be found from day one, and even before, as Dan Gilbert of the Primrose Schools illustrates below.

Raising a Child that Loves to Read

by Dan Gilbert

Decades of research have shown that a child develops learning habits when they have exposure to books from very early in life. When a parent reads to the child, the rhythm of the language becomes familiar, which causes verbal skills to develop at an accelerated rate. Love for reading starts from the point the books are introduced – as an infant or even before birth. Many people claim that a child will remember the music and stories they hear while still in the womb. Children do recognize their mother’s voice immediately after birth.

Making the time to read together is essential if you are going to raise a child that loves to read. Robert Needlman, M.D., author of the book Dr. Spock’s Baby Basics and member of the Primrose Schools Education Advisory Board, believes you should begin to spend time reading with a child from infancy, continue through toddler years, preschool and beyond. “There’s no prescription for this, the only prescription is to allow some time each day that you can sit down, connect with your child, and read together.  The main thing is to allow it to occur in a way that’s joyful, that conveys enjoyment to the child – from enjoyment the rest will follow.”

Consistent effort to spend time each day reading together as your child grows is essential for the development of a future reader. Whether the story is read just before bed or as part of the evening meal routine, children must hear the spoken word to develop mastery-level language skills. Long before a child starts school, the time spent with books becomes a habit that will carry through life. No one is quite sure which part is more important; the personal connection with the parent or the sound of the spoken word. The primary goal is to embrace reading in a joyful way that engages the child’s interests.

Pictures add meaning for the child when the parent points to the illustrations and reads the words with an animated voice. Even when the words are changed to make the story more personal, the child develops interest in books. Children love to hear their own name, so inserting their name into the storyline will create interest and encourage them to write their own stories later.

Book selection is important to retain the child’s curiosity about reading. Even though the adult tires of reading the same book repeatedly, the child is learning from each pass through the pages. Great books for children include interesting illustrations that convey the meaning of the text on the page. When the words are read aloud, a distinct rhythm will be memorable when the words are read again. The parent’s interests are important when choosing books since the responsibility of making the activity fun falls on the adult.

To prevent fatigue with the same book, check out multiple books from the library and teach the child how to treat the books in the appropriate manner. Replacing books each time the current set comes due is a great way to move into new material and reduce redundancy. Remind the child that the books can be checked out again.

Apply these ideas to create a fun environment that embraces literature to build a foundation for successful readers:

• Age-appropriate books about a wide variety of subjects should be available for each child. When they are able to choose books that interest them, they are more likely to read alone.

• Time each day should be spent reading to children even when they are just toddlers. They should be encouraged to participate in the story.

• Take favorite books along whenever car travel or local errands are on the agenda. Use time waiting to read and develop good habits.

• Ask the child’s school teacher to provide a list of books that are related to school activities. Reading books that reflect their experiences will teach them to look for books as learning sources later in life.

• Older children will read to younger siblings and mimic the voices and other story-telling techniques used by their parents. The child that makes up new stories has taken a significant developmental step to becoming a life-long learner and reader.


Children are born with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. From the earliest days, their future success depends on their ability to master the language. Having books read to them is an essential first step in learning how the language is used in written and oral forms. Each child’s cognitive development requires a supportive and nurturing environment that provides exposure to information in various forms.

Goodbye Summer; Hello School

Supplies. Books. New teachers and backpacks. It's official: summer is over, and school is back.

I know many moms who feel this day could not have come soon enough. For me, the change is bittersweet. Don't get me wrong - I can't think of a day where for at least 10 seconds I haven't wanted to pull my hair out. Entertaining your kids and lacking structure can challenge even the strongest of us. But on the other hand, the lack of structure, the absence of alarm clocks and the simplicity of choosing each day for itself can be a thing of beauty.

When I had just a young baby, I remember hearing from others - you know, since everyone is always willing to give you unsolicited advice re: parenting - that when your kids get into school, the years fly by. They couldn't have been more right. And for me, each passing summer now means they are another year older, another grade higher.

School does amazing things for kids. Education is just the beginning; the other aspects that are taught and learned are, in my mind, irreplaceable. And ironically enough, as I write this, I've had my office door open 3 - scratch that, now 4 - times, my kids, of course. My little one was just requesting a kiss ... and for that matter, they can open my door and prolong summer for as long as they want. But for now, we'll say goodbye to the swimming pool and instead replace it with recess and after school activities, and save the fun for the weekends.

Good luck with sending your kiddos off and here's to a super school year!

Uh-Oh Theater - Serious Fun for Little Ones!

I had no idea what to expect out of Uh-Oh Theater. I mean, how well can a 0-3 year-old actually engage in theater?

I was invited to a show today at ImaginOn, one that is running all week long. And I highly suggest it to any of you with little ones ages 3 and under.

I thought about taking the baby (he's almost 5 months) but opted to just take my newly-turned 3 year-old daughter for some quality time together. We arrived right before the show where there was a little interactive area for the wee ones. Then we entered in to the intimate area set up for us. There were three couches and some pillows along the floor; I'd say there were 30-some of us here for the play, and we all picked our seats which were literally right in front of the stage (set on the floor). With easy entry and exits, an engaging scene in front, my little one was engaged from the get-go.

For 30-40 minutes, the kids were entertained with lights, sound and music as Meredith and Mark (a husband and wife team - don't worry, you'd never know it unless you read their bios) who used fabric, instruments, a fan and more. Honestly, I thought they were like two grown two year-olds playing by the way they interacted. The kids thought they were fantastic. Little squeals were intertwined with giggles or a random "look there!" or "it's a cat!". There was one little girl in particular who chose to walk on the stage during the performance and use some of the props. Not to be disturbed by the little audience member, the duo simply let her be and at one point let her engage in their "play".

For the last 10 minutes, the rest of the kids were able to go onto the stage to try their arm at acting. My little girl took the props and did what she'd seen - for instance, she took the same chinese fan and walked around fanning the audience. I was amazed at all that she retained!

So ... back to my original question. How long can a child 3 and under be engaged in theater?
Actually, when the show is created for them, they'll sit the whole time. And they'll even ask for more.

Check out one of the shows this week, put on by The Children's Theater of Charlotte. Or find out more about PlayPlay! Theater by clicking here.

Immunization Awareness Month

Though quite a controversial subject - August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Guest columnist Amy Wadsworth shares some brief information on immunizing your child and the benefits to doing so.

Immunizations are important to prevent children from diseases that could kill, infect or cripple them. Infants and children should be immunized. Most vaccines are given during the first five to six years of a child’s life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children under the age of 5 are susceptible to disease because their immune systems are not built up to fight infection. Vaccinate your child by age 2 and you can protect your child from disease and protect others at child care centers and schools.

Deanna Matthews, child care health consultant with the Gaston County Health Department, works with licensed child care centers and family child care homes to help keep immunizations up-to-date. 

Matthews also offers free trainings including Communicable Diseases and Immunizations. This training educates on the various types of communicable diseases and precautions to protect staff and children from contracting and or spreading potential infectious diseases.

"Childcare providers can stay healthier by washing their hands properly and frequently and also maintaining their current immunizations, especially tetanus," says Matthews.

“Vaccines play an important role in protecting the health of children in child care," she continues. "When up-to-date on their immunizations, children are better protected against vaccine preventable diseases. 

The benefits extend beyond the individual. Vaccine-preventable diseases cause greater illness in children and vulnerable adults than healthy adults. The greater the number of people immunized, the greater the benefit to the community.”

Childcare centers are required to know the immunization status of children in their care. This information protects the children that the center provides care for as well as their staff.

Some of the vaccines your children need include Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Pertussis (or whooping cough), Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

Your pediatrician can let you know if your child is up-to-date with his shots; there are also those required for going back to school. Children can also receive immunizations at their local health department and most vaccines for childhood immunizations are provided at no cost.

For more information about immunizations, visit Immunize North Carolina at www.immunizenc.com. 

Amy Wadsworth is the Public Information Coordinator for the Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties. She can be reached at 704.922.0900.