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Ages 3 months - 6th Grade
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and you will
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Montessori APRIL 2021
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4 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2021
FIRST WORD
Supporting Young Athletes
O PJ Feinstein
Editor pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com
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Email us
Let us know what’s on your mind.
info@thefamilymagazine.com n Saturdays when the weather is cooperative,
a group of kids from my son’s first grade class
meets in our neighborhood park for a pickup
soccer game. They divide themselves into teams and
spend an hour or so running up and down the grassy
field until a few get bored and decide it’s time to play
football instead.
One of the dads usually takes on the role of referee
while the rest of us parents socially distance on sidelines,
chatting or checking our phones. Except lately I’ve
been paying more attention to the game than the
conversations around me, shouting instructions at my
7-year-old who, while not terrible, is probably not the
next Messi or Ronaldo. My intention is to help him learn,
not to pressure him to win, but my sideline coaching
obviously annoys him because he yells back at me, “I
know what to do!” (Readers, he doesn’t.)
As youth sports leagues across the DMV start their
spring season, many parents may be wondering how they
can best support their young athletes from the stands. In
this issue, writer Jennifer Marino Walters shares tips from
local sports psychologists on how to be a winning sports
parent in her story, “Sideline Sportsmanship.” Turns out
shouting instructions from the sidelines isn’t one of them.
April is Autism Awareness Month, and our friends
at D.C. Public Library are back with an assortment of
books to help kids better understand autism and related
disorders. We also have a personal essay from local
mom Hannah Grieco about the unexpected effect word
searches have on her three children, including one who is
on the autism spectrum.
Earth Day is April 22, and many kids are understandably
worried about the future of our planet. In this issue,
Aliza Friedlander writes about eco-anxiety and age-
appropriate ways to talk about climate change. We also
have a recipe for rainbow rock candy and tips for weaning
kids off their electronic devices.
Happy reading, and stay safe!
EXPANDING PRIMARY
PROGRAM 2 019
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EXPLORE • WONDER • GROW
Washington FAMILY
The Area’s Leader in STEM Education
Winner for Best STEM Program for the 2nd consecutive year
Now Enrolling Ages 2 to 6
Toddler Program • Before & After Care
Please call 301-770-4370
to learn more!
Montessori Kindergarten & Preschool
Advanced Academic Curriculum
McLean, VA • 703-356-5437 • www.brooksfieldschool.org
Preschool-8th Grade
www.feynmanschool.org WashingtonFAMILY.com 5