washingtonFAMILY.com AUGUST 2019 GOOD NEWS on FOOD ALLERGIES Back to School ISSUE THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC MUSIC LESSONS FOR ALL AGES FEARLESS IS BRAVING THE WAVES carefi rst.com/everydayfearless mommy & me AUGUST IN Australia AUG 21 st WEDNESDAY · 11AM SUITE 710 NEAR THE PLAYGROUND Enjoy Mommy’s Lounge while your children play and nurture their creative side. Interactive entertainment provided by Christalene with Crystalooneys Creative Arts. Christalene will perform her Authentic Australia show which is sure to entertain and educate! ENJOY EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FROM RETAILERS SUCH AS COLUMBIA FACTORY STORE • YANKEE CANDLE • CROCS OUTLET • J.CREW FACTORY & MORE! I-95 & I-295 | 6800 Oxon Hill Road | (301) 567-3880 | TangerOutlets.com CONTENTS AUGUST 2019 An August camping trip can bring lots of smiles.  Page 28 ON THE COVER International School of Music FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 20 8 BACKPACK READY Several area organizations are helping with much-needed school supplies. 24 END-OF-SUMMER CAMPING 28 KIDS AND FOOD ALLERGIES How to make the great outdoors fun and less stressful. We give you the latest on treatment and prevention. FAMILY CALENDAR 22 FAMILY BLOG 30 HEALTHY FAMILY 32 DMV FUN How one father learned to tolerate ‘Frozen’ Taking the pain out of your child’s visit to the doctor The best local fruit-picking farms 33 GOOD EATS Popcorn treats for outdoor movie nights 34 BOOKMARKED 38 Newly released back-t0-school books LAST WORD The importance of recess and lessons learned GUIDES READERS’ RESPONSES WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback — on specific articles, overall themes and anything else related to editorial content. Enter your comments on the Feedback tab of our website: info@washingtonfamily.com. Please note we reserve the right to edit or refrain from publishing comments we deem inappropriate. 4  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 13 BACK TO SCHOOL 23 MONTESSORI SCHOOLS CAMMPER: GETTY IMAGES/E+/FATCAMERA; COVER IMAGE: PROVIDED Opening Day May 25t h! @ cbw OUR TEAM aterpark _ beachcomber lap pool speed 25% OFF Admission Tickets Use Promo Code 25Washington (Up to 4 tickets, Monday-Friday only) www.chesapeakebeach waterpark.com lazy river AUGUST 2019 WashingtonFAMILY.com • 301-230-2222 waterfalls character days slides grille Craig Burke, Publisher birthday parties ADVERTISING Rob Leinson, Director of Sales 301-230-0819 • rleinson@midatlanticmedia.com Account Executives Kim Coates, Tamara Morris, Mary Ramsdale, Stacie Shapero, Julie Turco, Sylvia Witaschek BUSINESS Pattie-Ann Lamp, Accounting Coordinator • 410-902-2311 • plamp@midatlanticmedia.com EDITORIAL 4079 Gordon Stinnett Ave Chesapeake Beach, MD Jessica Gregg, Lifestyle Editor • 410-902-2319 • jgregg@midatlanticmedia.com Britni Petersen, Managing Editor • 301-230-6696 • bpetersen@midatlanticmedia.com Adranisha Stephens, Staff Writer • 410-902-2328 • astephens@midatlanticmedia.com Contributors Melanie Switzer Reilly, Kathryn Streeter, Irene-Myers Thompson, Amy Whitley CREATIVE Lonna Koblick, Art Director Sherley Taliaferro, Graphic Designer James Meskunas, Digital Media Manager David Stuck, Staff Photographer MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher • cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Liz Spikol, Editorial Director • lspikol@midatlanticmedia.com Jennifer Perkins-Frantz, Director of Production • jperkinsfrantz@midatlanticmedia.com Bill Sims, Director of Circulation & Audience Development • bsims@midatlanticmedia.com Jeni Mann, Director of Marketing & Custom Media • jmann@midatlanticmedia.com Table of Contents Single Page Design Calendar of Events © Washington Family. Washington Family is published 12 times a year by Mid-Atlantic Media, and is distributed free of charge throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Correspondence and editorial submissions from our readers are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment on all editorial and advertising material submitted. We are not responsible for the return of any unsolicited materials. The acceptance of advertising by Washington Family does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without expressed written permission. 11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 300 | Rockville, MD 20852 | 301-230-2222 or 703-318-1385 | washingtonfamily.com 6  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 FIRST WORD End of Summer Vs. Back to School W Britni Petersen Managing Editor bpetersen@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook facebook.com/WashingtonFamilyMagazine​ Follow us on Pinterest @familymagazine and Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@thefamilymagazine.com Story Ideas Have a story idea? We want to hear it. Email us at editor@thefamilymagazine.com ait, summer’s almost over? How did this happen? Feels like yesterday we were kicking off the summer festi- val season, planning our vacations and getting ourselves ready for weekly neighborhood pool hangouts with the family. Now it’s August, which we all know means we’ll be seeing those hip, dancing and stylish Tar- get kids commercials showing off the trendiest looks in children’s back-to-school wear any day now. Ah, it never fails to make us sigh at the tele- vision as we commentate aloud, “Back-to-school time … already?” But, it is still August. So, it’s still that in-be- tween time between summer and school. That month that gently transitions families into the starkly different routine that is the school year without dropping us into it head-on come September 1st. So, that’s kind of what we’re doing for you readers this month. A mix of end-of-summer fun and a bit of back-to-school transition. Because the end of summer is always a popular time to head out camping, we have a great camping with families guide on page 24 to make sure kids and parents leave with smiles and an overall feeling of togetherness, not frustration. We also have some tasty popcorn treats to try out on page 33 for a fun outdoor movie night, and a list of picturesque local pick-your-own fruit farms when the summer boredom hits. New school lunches and kids with food aller- gies can always be an issue during this time of the year, so we have some helpful advice for parents on page 28. And we have our annual “Back-to- School Guide” on page 13, which includes local school and after-school resources. We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer, taking in some last few pool days, reading that summer book you’ve been wanting to finish and remembering that full-on school mode can hold off for just another day longer … if you’d like it to. Either way, we’re always here to give you just the right family content you’re looking for. Happy reading!  ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com  7 CALENDAR {  a u g u s t } THURSDAY 1 FREE Library of Congress Summer Movies on the Lawn: ‘Jaws’ Watch the classic thriller and heart stopper on the North Lawn to kick off the last month of summer. Library of Congress, 8:30 p.m. culturecapital.com FRIDAY 2 FREE 2019 Asian American Literature Festival Experience English classes, children’s literature panels and spooky ghost stories all focused around this year’s theme of care and caregiving. Library of Congress and Smithsonian Freer/ Sackler Galleries, 10:45 a.m. smithsonianapa.org FREE United States Airforce Band Concert THURSDAY 8 SATURDAY 10 The Three Billy Goats Gruff FREE Artist Talk See the classic fairy-tail in a 40-minute marionette puppet show. The Puppet Co. Playhouse, Glen Echo. 11 a.m. $12. culturecapital.com FRIDAY 9 Rossini’s ‘The Barber of Seville’ with the Wolf Trap Opera Come watch this comedy and listen to the classic tune of “Figaro, Figaro, Figaro” being belted out over the audience. Wolf Trap, 8:15 p.m. $25-$75. culturecapital.com Mission Impossible: Party Protocol Bring your secret identity to the first ever after-hours party at the ISM and get an insider look at the new building and exhibits. The International Spy Museum, Washington, D.C., 8:30 p.m. $65- $80. spymuseum.org Listen to music ranging from patriotic melodies to foot-tapping jazz or even classical. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, 11 a.m. airandspace.si.edu with Shani Shih Shani Shih works primarily with illustrations, painting and street art. Come listen to her journey through the art world and about her exhibit, A Right to the City. Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, 11 a.m. anacostia.si.edu/Events TUESDAY 13 Shawn Mendes Come hear Shawn Mendes perform hits, such as “In My Blood” and “If I Can’t Have You” on Tuesday night. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C., 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $26. songkick.com WEDNESDAY 14 FREE Conservation Conversation: Preserving SAAM’s Collection Museum, Washington, D.C., 3 p.m. americanart.si.edu THURSDAY 15 Jonas Brothers Rock out with the Jonas Brothers along with Bebe Rexha and Jordan McGraw on Thursday night. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C., 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $85. songkick.com FRIDAY 16 FREE Movies at the Mansion Grab a blanket and your kids and settle in for a moonlit film under the stars at Kentlands Mansion. This week’s entertainment on the lawn is “The Greatest Showman” and will start at sunset. Light concessions, as well as adult beverages, are available for purchase, cash only. 7-11 p.m. gaithersburgmd.gov Learn how conservators use science, art history and skill to preserve the museums precious works. Smithsonian American Art Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta Saturday, August 10 | FREE | Noon-6 p.m. SATURDAY 3 FREE Dixie Power Trio Dance to interactive music including Louisiana-influenced jazz, Cajun, blues and more. Reston Town Center, 10 a.m. culturecapital.com SUNDAY 4 2019 Summer Georgetown 5K, 10K, & 10-Miler Run, walk or stroll along the scenic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal path. Walter Street, Washington, D.C. 7:30 a.m. $15- $50. bishopsevents.com TUESDAY 6 This family-friendly play is about a mouse who makes an unlikely friendship with a poet. Sit back and enjoy the show with your family. Arlington Public Library, Columbia Pike Branch, 7 p.m. culturecapital.com Over 70 teams will construct and decorate life-size cardboard boats and race them on Lake Anne in timed heats. Perfect for a family-fun afternoon outing, there will also be kids’ activities as well. Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, Va. 8  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 PROVIDED FREE ‘Mouse in House’ Discover your capable, confident Montessori child. Now Enrolling! From infancy through elementary school, children learn best when they’re working with activities they love. At Guidepost, your child will enter the wonderful world of Montessori lessons and learning materials, designed to captivate and inspire. Visit us online today to RSVP for an event or schedule a tour! guidepostmontessori.com/northern-virginia Aldie 24328 Marrwood Aldie, VA 20105 (703) 542-5522 Broadlands 42945 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA 20148 (703) 723-3364 Chantilly 4550 Walney Road Chantilly, VA 20151 (571) 321-0364 Fairfax 3909 Oak Street Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 934-0920 Herndon 13251 Woodland Park Road Herndon, VA 20171 (571) 203-8686 Reston 11579 Cedar Chase Road Herndon, VA 20170 (703) 404-9733 Infant • Toddler • Preschool Kindergarten • Elementary Spanish and Mandarin Immersion programs available at selected campuses CALENDAR SATURDAY 17 World Heritage Festival & Festival of Kites FREE Tour: Portrait Saturday, August 24 | FREE | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Party for Young Learners This fun and educational tour, exclusively for children ages 3 to 6 and their guardians, is designed to get little bodies moving, brains working, hands making and mouths talking about works of art. Little learners will also study about the museum, practice museum manners, and discover art concepts through various hands-on activities. 10-11 a.m., Washington, D.C., nmwa.org/events SUNDAY 18 FREE The Arlington County Fair The Arlington County Fair, one of the biggest in the region, takes place this year at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Adventure happens both indoors and out, with an interactive aquarium, arts and crafts, jewelry vendors and competitive displays in the cooled exhibit hall. Outside you can also find thrill rides and kiddie activities like pony rides, an obstacle course and animal races. Times vary. admission. arlingtoncountyfair.us MONDAY 19 FREE Family Yoga Taste delicious ethnic food, get refreshed with a scoop of ice cream or shaved ice or even a fresh smoothie while enjoying a cultural show on the main stage! There will be more than 60 artists displaying everything from fine art to jewelry, ceramics to crafts and every creative item in between. The kids’ zone will have activities and games throughout the day. Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, Leesburg, Va. Unwind and relax with this family- friendly yoga class, where members practice together, no matter their age, level of experience, or disability. Participants should bring a mat and towel. 7-8 p.m. Sterling, Va., library.loudoun.gov superstars Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Daniel Ho, and Peter Luongo along with a mass strum-along. The Mansion at Strathmore. strathmore.org Mathnasium. Montclair Regional Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. montclairlibrary.org Curry and Barry Wood. 3 p.m., $30-$40. Washington, D.C., catchmeshow.com SATURDAY 24 MONDAY 26 THURSDAY 22 FREE Doughnuts Storytime TUESDAY 20 FREE Baby Storytime Sing-Along ‘Sound of Music’ FREE Reading to Dogs-Saturday Edition Attention all dog lovers, this one is for you. Children in grades K-5 can have fun learning to a special PAL (People Animals Love), aka registered therapy dogs. Prince William County Library, Chinn Park Branch, 11 a.m. pwcgov.org. WEDNESDAY 21 FREE Live from the Lawn: UkeFest Finale It’s time to rejoice in the wonderful musicality of the ukulele. This year’s 11th annual UkeFest features ukulele Experience a pre-reading interactive program designed for babies 6-24 months and their caregivers. Caregivers will also get the chance to talk, read, play, and learn together with their children after the program. Prince William County Library, Central Community Branch, 10:30-11 a.m. pwcgov.org Give those vocals a warm up and get ready to celebrate a 50-year-old family classic with this one-of-a-kind sing-a-long event. The film returns to the screen in Technicolor … with a twist. Chant along using on-screen lyrics and become a singing superstar with the kiddos. A costume contest follows the performance. 7:15 p.m. $25-$45. wolftrap.org FRIDAY 23 SUNDAY 25 FREE Family Math Night Tricks Are For Kids Enjoy an exciting and educational STEM night where children explore math at their levels through interactive games and activities. Sponsored by 10  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 Grab the kids and enjoy a day of family fun with some magic, laughs and plenty of audience participation. This event is hosted by award-winning magicians Brian and decorating Workshop Who doesn’t love doughnuts? Add in some reading, singing, rhyming, decorating donuts, and you have a fun and dynamic story time, all morning long. This one is sure to be a hole lot of fun, trust us. All ages welcome. Prince William County Library, Chinn Park Regional Branch, 10:30-11:30 a.m. pwcgov.org. TUESDAY 27 FREE Sketching: Draw and Discover Sketch inspiration from the thousands of objects on display in the Luce Foundation Center. Some materials are provided, but young artists are encouraged to bring small CALENDAR sketchbook and pencils. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. americanart.si.edu WEDNESDAY 28 FREE Live-Concert Series on the Plaza Get to grooving with lunchtime performances featuring the area’s best entertainers. There’s a genre for everyone, including jazz, neo-soul, bluegrass, reggae, country, pop rock and more. Woodrow Wilson Plaza, noon to 1 p.m. downtownD.C.org THURSDAY 29 FREE A Garden at Zero G Lettuce, peas and radishes are just a sample of popular veggies that can be found in a growing garden. But did you know they can also be grown in space? Crewmembers aboard the International Space Station have been growing such plants for years in their “space garden.” Learn from the best as the Master Gardener volunteers host an “out of this world” lesson. For grades 1-5. Montclair Library, 10:30- 11:30 a.m. montclairlibrary.org FRIDAY 30 FREE Movie Night on the Museum Lawn Explore the adventures of young Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life, and shipped to San Francisco. Watch as she tries to navigate a new city, house and school in the kid-friendly film Coco. Downtown Manassas, starts at dusk. manassascity.org Arlington County Fair August 12-18 | FREE | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. SATURDAY 31 FREE DinoRoars Get ready for a summer of prehistoric fun and learning. Dino-lovers can take a self-guided safari around the Zoo to meet dinosaurs that travel, roar and even dribble water. Be sure to search for all six animatronic dinosaurs, from a baby stegosaurus to an enormous T. rex weighing more than 5,000 pounds and measuring roughly 40 feet long. National Zoo, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. nationalzoo.si.edu  T FAMILIES SCHOOL GROUPS SCOUTS BIRTHDAYS 7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD 20812 301-955-6256 OPEN: Saturdays 9-5 Sundays 12-5 is Mention th t a ad and ge ! FREE GIFT The Arlington County Fair has been providing quality entertainment for over 40 years. Enjoy competitive exhibits, midway rides and games, entertainment, vendors and more! 3501 2nd Street South, Arlington, Va. F i n D FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE DMV DANCE. LEARN. SHINE. (Weekdays by request) glenechopark.org/aquarium Fall Registration NOW OPEN + ICE CREAM TRUCK BOOK NOW FOR YOUR Summer Programs School Fairs Corporate Venues Birthdays 571-283-2408 ❤  BALLET, HIP-HOP, JAZZ/TAP & MORE! WEEKEND GUIDES @ washingtonfamily.com/ fun_things_to_do/ Professional Instruction Free Tights with Registration Children & Adult Classes 301-515-8908 info@commotiondance.com commotiondance.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  11 THE WORLD’S LARGEST PROVIDER OF CHILDREN’S SWIMMING C CHILDREN H I L D R E N S S SWI W I M M MING I N G I INSTRUCTION NSST R U C T IONN GIVE THE GIFT THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME! Teach a child to swim at KID’S FIRST Swim Schools! V is it o f a c e b o o u r pa g e k a list of fo r lo c atio n o u r s We Offer: • Group or Private instruction • Mommy & Me Classes • Developmental Swim Team • Homeschoolers Programs • Birthday Parties Columbia: 443-755-0111 Rockville: 301-217-5910 Germantown: 301-540-SWIM Chantilly, VA: 703-488-9800 Waldorf: 301-638-SWIM Autism is treatable. Early intervention is critical. $10 OFF NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT PRESENT COUPON AT REGISTRATION. Bowie: 301-262-SWIM Sterling, VA: 703-444-9673 Manassas: 703-392-SWIM Laurel, MD: 301-725-SWIM North Bethesda: 301-984-SWIM Falls Church: 703-534-SWIM www.littleleaves.org 202-420-8359 info@littleleaves.org en Op ! w ay N c o tod i in nfo C s l e i or u B d r m le i L � ll fo Ca ity iv t c a r o l o o h ew sc n r o f g in k o Lo ? . . . n e r d il h c r u o options for y hem? t s it f y l l a e chools One that r e private s ir to se DMV. a f e h 9 t 1 r 0 e 2 v e o h l Come to t nt activities from al alore • iveaways G e G • m t h n c e i m r nd en Entertain a rship! la o h c S ly i n Fam E.COM Washingto VENTBRIT y • DJ • Famil Win a $100 Find that “just right” ol for private scho ! your children TION WFEDUCA FAIR2019.E k-in at event to win. Must chec Fair Oaks Mall Saturday, Oct. 5 • 11 am to 4 pm To reserve a table for your school or activity program, email advertising@washingtonfamily.com or call 301-230-2222, ext. 4 12  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE BACK-TO-SCHOOL, AFTERCARE AND OPEN HOUSE Guide After a summer of fun, are your kids ready to try something new this fall or eager to restart something they love? Our Back-to-School Guide is filled with listings of academic enrichment, musical instruction and after-school activities. You’ll also find helpful aftercare programs and information on local private schools. AFTER SCHOOL & ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES BARRIE SCHOOL barrie.org; admission@barrie.org 301-576-2800; 13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Md. Barrie School inspires intellectual curiosity, emotional resiliency, and social engagement for students age 18 months to Grade 12. Students from 18-month old Toddlers through Grade 5 Upper Elementary are taught using the Montessori Method, a child-centered educational approach. Students in Grades 6-12 engage in Project Based Learning, a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. All students enjoy small class sizes and make use of our 45- acre wooded campus on a daily basis. Barrie is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, minutes from the ICC and Glenmont Metro. Our close proximity to downtown Washington, D.C. enables students to take full advantage of the cultural and educational resources available in the area. ACTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE afyp.org 4260 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 703-554-4931 Celebrating 20 + years of fun, challenging classes for ages 5 to adult taught by theater professionals. After-school, student showcases, summer acting camps, and school tours. BARRIE SCHOOL barrie.org; admission@barrie.org 301-576-2800 13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Md. Barrie School inspires intellectual curiosity, emotional resiliency, and social engagement for students age 18 months to Grade 12. Students from 18-month old Toddlers through Grade 5 Upper Elementary are taught using the Montessori Method, a child-centered educational approach. Students in Grades 6-12 engage in Project Based Learning, a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. All students enjoy small class sizes and make use of our 45- acre wooded campus on a daily basis. Barrie is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, minutes from the ICC and Glenmont Metro. Our close proximity to downtown Washington, D.C. enables students to take full advantage of the cultural and educational resources available in the area. GLEN ECHO PARK AQUARIUM gepaquarium.org info@gepaquarium.org 301-955-6256; 7300 Macarthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md. Celebrate with the fishes! The Glen Echo Park Aquarium, a Chesapeake Bay Discovery Center, offers a unique party experience. Follow the flow of water from local streams, to rivers, the Bay and the ocean. Tour the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, NATIONAL exhibit hall, touch live sea creatures, craft and CAPITAL AREA COUNCIL celebrate in a party room. NCACBSA.org; info@ncacbsa.org 301-530-9360 RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. restonmontessori.com Hours: Mon-Fri: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. office@restonmontessori.com 703-481-2922; 1928 Isaac Newton Square Scouts make the most of right now. With fun and discovery at every turn, they build West, Reston, Va. a foundation they can stand on to embrace Hours: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. opportunity, overcome obstacles & make new Established in 1986, Reston Montessori discoveries. Make Scouting the foundation of School is a private, coeducational school your future; build an adventure today! Now for children from 3 months through 3rd for boys AND girls ages 5-11! grade. RMS provides academic school day, enrichment programs and before/after THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS school activities. thecenterforballetarts.com ctrbalarts@aol.com SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI 703-273-5344 sunsethillsmontessori.com 3955 Pender Drive, Ste. 103, Fairfax, Va. 703-476-7477 Ages: 3-Adult 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. The Center for Ballet Arts provides a Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. well-rounded curriculum and pleasant At SHMS we are committed to recognizing encouraging environment for dance training and cultivating the uniqueness of each in many different disciplines. Classes are individual child. We have a community of educators, and wonderful families, that have designed to promote flexibility, strength, chosen SHMS because of a shared vision for artistry, coordination and technique. early childhood and elementary education. COOKOLOGY CULINARY SCHOOL cookologyonline.com 703-433-1909 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. Our award-winning kids’ cooking program has taught thousands of children since 2009. We have created a safe, nurturing environment for kids to learn how to cook. In our kids’ hands-on cooking classes at WashingtonFAMILY.com  13 GETTY IMAGES / E+ / KALI9 2019 ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT & FIELD TRIPS BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE Ballston Quarter and Dulles Town Center, children as young as three learn to measure, mix, and roll, while tweens and teens learn to reference recipes, ingredient identification, and proper measuring techniques. In every class they’ll work with our professional chef to learn true culinary techniques: knife skills, sautéing, grilling, boiling, braising, baking and more, all while exploring new world cuisines, healthy menus, and seasonal dishes, vegetable cookery, pasta making and even gluten-free baking as they make sophisticated, delicious dishes! ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO encorestage.org; info@encorestage.org 703-548-1154 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, Va. Encore offers learning opportunities for students in K-12. Our after-school programs and year-round classes help students develop creativity and self-confidence. They are targeted to all levels of experience, from introductory to advanced. Course offerings for grades 8-12 include topics in acting, movement, music and playwriting for bilingual/ESOL students. Encore can also work with you to customize a class based on your school’s needs or help direct or produce your school’s play or musical. HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ART harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301 204-F Mill St. NE, Vienna, Va. Hours: 12-8:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Saturday) Harmonia provides music lessons in all instruments and voice, as well as musical theater instruction and productions. Our quality programs and experienced teachers make our school the best choice for performing arts education, all under one roof. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC ismw.org; info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 10450 Auto Park Ave. Bethesda, Md. 4701 Sangamore Road,. #LL-03 Bethesda, Md. Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Voted best in music instruction, the International School of Music offer music lessons in all instruments and voice to students of all levels and ages. Preschool music classes and adult music instructions is also available in addition to the optional performances and certificate programs. Book your trial lessons today. KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS kidsfirstswimschools.com contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com Check website for list of all locations. The Kids First Swim Schools are America’s largest provider of year round warm water swimming instruction, operating 20 locations across 5 states, teaching over 100,000 students annually. SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI sunsethillsmontessori.com 703-476-7477 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. At SHMS we are committed to recognizing and cultivating the uniqueness of each individual child. We have a community of educators, and wonderful families, that have chosen SHMS because of a shared vision for early childhood and elementary education. INDOOR SWIMMING KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS kidsfirstswimschools.com contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com Check website for list of all locations. The Kids First Swim Schools are America’s largest provider of year round warm water swimming instruction, operating 20 locations across 5 states, teaching over 100,000 students annually. PERFECT POINTE DANCE STUDIO perfectpointe.com/arlington arlington@perfectpointe.com 703-533-8830 2499 N. Harrison St., Ste. 1-LL, Arlington, Va. Offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, musical theater, dance and acrobatics for ages 18 months through adult! Qualified and caring staff, family-friendly atmosphere, fun performance opportunities. PERFECT POINTE MUSIC & DANCE STUDIO perfectpointe.com/springfield springfield@perfectpointe.com 703-440-9000 8060 Rolling Road, Springfield, Va. Offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hiphop, modern, acrobatics, contemporary & musical theater dance styles. Private music lessons include guitar, ukulele, violin/viola, drums, voice and more! Highly qualified staff, family- friendly atmosphere and fun performance opportunities. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com admissions@westminsterschool.com COMMOTION DANCE STUDIO 703-256-3620 13097 Wisteria Drive, L1 K-8 Germantown, Maryland 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, Va. Commotiondance.com Preschool (3 and 4-year-olds): info@commotiondance.com 6800 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Va. 301-515-8908 Hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Open House: August 17th 9:30-12:00 Westminster School provides a unique Be encouraged, engaged, excellent! Preschool-Middle School education based CoMMotion is more than a dance studio, it’s on a classical curriculum; accelerated a place where you learn life-long lessons, academics enhanced by the arts; and an of integrity, patience, leadership and emphasis on personal responsibility and achievement. Intro classes, Free Uniform, Jazz, good character. Students enjoy small Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Poms. classes taught by teachers who specialize in their field. HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ART harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org PRIVATE SCHOOLS 703-938-7301 & PRESCHOOLS 204-F Mill St. N.E., Vienna, Va. AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Hours: Monday-Friday 12-8:30 p.m. aidanschool.org Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 202-387-2700 Harmonia provides music lessons in all 2700 27th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. instruments and voice, as well as musical Aidan Montessori School is a co-ed theater instruction and productions. Our independent school located in Woodley quality programs and experienced teachers Park. Aidan has served children’s natural make our school the best choice for performing arts education, all under one roof. development, innate curiosity, and pursuit of independence since its founding as one of INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC the nation’s first Montessori schools in 1961. ​ ismw.org; info@ismw.org THE AUBURN SCHOOL 301-365-5888 theauburnschool.org 10450 Auto Park Ave., Bethesda, Md. admissions@theauburnschool.org 4701 Sangamore Road, #LL-03 703-793-9353, 301-588-8048 Bethesda, Md. 3800 Concorde Parkway, Suite 500 Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Chantilly, Va. Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 9115 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Voted best in music instruction, the 7401 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, Md. International School of Music offer music Open House: Call to schedule a tour. lessons in all instruments and voice to The Auburn School is an independent day- students of all levels and ages. Preschool school with a specialized program which music classes and adult music instructions offers a stimulating educational program is also available in addition to the optional performances and certificate programs. Book for intellectually engaged students with challenges in the areas of communication, your trial lessons today. socialization, language, and organization. Auburn’s program simultaneously supports the development of academic skills, social MUSIC, ART & PERFORMING ARTS 14  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 competency and pragmatic language in an engaging educational environment. Our program is appropriate for students who can learn successfully and appropriately in a small classroom setting. BARRIE SCHOOL barrie.org; admission@barrie.org 301-576-2800 13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Md. Barrie School inspires intellectual curiosity, emotional resiliency, and social engagement for students age 18 months to Grade 12. Students from 18-month old Toddlers through Grade 5 Upper Elementary are taught using the Montessori Method, a child-centered educational approach. Students in Grades 6-12 engage in Project Based Learning, a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. All students enjoy small class sizes and make use of our 45- acre wooded campus on a daily basis. Barrie is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, minutes from the ICC and Glenmont Metro. Our close proximity to downtown Washington, D.C. enables students to take full advantage of the cultural and educational resources available in the area. BEANTREE ASHBURN CAMPUS beantreelearning.com; 571-223-3110 43629 Greenway Corporate Drive, Ashburn, Va. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. BeanTree Learning in Ashburn provides unparalleled care and nurturing for infants through PreK. Led by a team of experienced and caring educators, BeanTree provides children with a safe and stimulating environment for academic success and provides parents with peace of mind. Year-round enrollment available for fully- accredited academic and specialty programs. BEANTREE WESTFIELDS CAMPUS beantreelearning.com 703-961-8222 5003 Westfields Blvd., Chantilly, Va. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Fully accredited, discover the BeanTree difference at our Westfields/ Chantilly Campus! Offering unprecedented educational offerings for your child in every stage of academic development, BeanTree offers infant care through full-day private kindergarten, before/after school and summer camp. Year-round enrollment for full and part-time academic and specialty programs. BEAUVOIR, THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL beauvoirschool.org 202-537-6493 3500 Woodley Road, NW Washington, D.C. Open House: Thursday, Oct. 18th 9:15-11 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 11th, 1-3 p.m. Beauvoir provides an educational environment fostering a lifetime of enthusiasm for learning and growth while nurturing the spiritual, ethical, intellectual, BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE emotional, physical and social development of every child. university-preparatory school. Call today for your private tour and educational consultation. BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org sarah@brooksfieldschool.org 703-356-5437 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages Served: 3-10 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Mindfulness, nutrition, Spanish, dance, music & art, outdoor adventure program, extracurricular activities and summer camp. FEYNMAN SCHOOL feynmanschool.org admissions@feynmanschool.org 301-770-4211 11810 Falls Road, Potomac, Md. Grades: Preschool-Grade 5 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The area’s leader in educating academically- gifted children, Feynman School features extraordinary programs in science, math, language arts, theater and music designed to maximize your child’s potential. CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL congressionalschool.org gherbst@congressionalschool.org 703-533-1064 3229 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Va. A co-ed independent day school for infants to eighth graders in Falls Church, Va.. Congressional School prepares young learners for future success, inspiring them to question, collaborate, create, and lead. FAIRFAX CHRISTIAN SCHOOL fairfaxchristianschool.com admissions@studyfcs.com 703-759-5100 22870 Pacific Blvd., Dulles, Va. Ages: K-12th Grade Fairfax Christian School is an independent, Schedule Your Tour Today. GLENBROOK COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL glenbrookschool.org membership@glenbrookschool.org 301-365-3190; 10010 Fernwood Road Bethesda, Md. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. At Glenbrook, we nurture our children in the early, formative years so they can define themselves as individuals. We strive for this through spontaneous play in a controlled and time structured environment. We believe that children can feel secure only when they understand and trust a set of limits. Their imagination, curiosity, and interests need time to wander, expand, and develop within these limits. Cooperative nursery schools are administered and maintained by the parents, allowing everyone to grow and learn together. The special nature of Glenbrook is the close working relationship between parents and teachers. Our approach builds a sense of community and togetherness for parents and children. GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI guidepostmontessori.com/ northern-virginia 866-202-8593 24328 Marrwood Drive, Aldie, Va.. 42945 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, Va.. 4550 Walney Road, Chantilly, Va. 13251 Woodland Park Road, Herndon, Va. Ages: Infant to elementary Guidepost Montessori in Loudoun and Fairfax counties is among a growing, worldwide network of schools that offer language immersion for ages infant through elementary. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com 703-560-4379 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax, Va. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Montessori School of Cedar Lane has been providing over 40 years of Montessori tradition to Northern Virginia. We offer a complete educational and social environment and utilize the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help the child develop more fully the potential within him. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF MCLEAN mcleanmontessori.org 703-790-1049 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages: 2 ½-12 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Preschool and elementary classes. Spanish, French, science, drama, music, P.E., computer, art, summer school, transportation available. NYSMITH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED nysmith.com; ebalberde@nysmith.com 703-713-3332 13625 EDS Drive, Herndon, Va. Ages Served: 3 yrs.-8th Grade Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The award winning Nysmith School for the Gifted is committed to making school fun. We nurture your student’s love of learning and help your child learn to their potential. Our 1:9 ratio allows us to differentiate the academic program up to 4 grade levels above grade. 90 % of Graduates are Accepted to Their First Choice High Schools 30 + After School Activities and Extended Hours to Help Your Busy Schedule 13 Average Class Size with Talented Teachers Who Truly Know Their Students Preschool - Grade 8 Private, Co-ed School in Falls Church • Contact us about our Infant and Toddler Program WashingtonFAMILY.com  15 PINECREST SCHOOL pinecrestschool.org admissions@pinecrestschool.org 703-354-3446 Ages: 3-12 7209 Quiet Cove, Alexandria, Va. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Open House: November 11, 9:30-11:30 a.m. January 12, 1-3 p.m. February 9, 1-3 p.m. April 19, 1-3 p.m. Pinecrest School is a fully accredited progressive school offering small class sizes, hands on curriculum, individualized approach, and a focus on a balance of academics and social and emotional well being. Offers preschool-6th, summer camp and before/ after care. RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com 703-481-2922 1928 Isaac Newton Sq. West, Reston, Va. Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Established in 1986, Reston Montessori School is a private, coeducational school for children from 3 months through 6th grade. RMS provides academic school day, enrichment programs and before/ after school activities. THE SIENA SCHOOL thesienaschool.org info@thesiennaschool.org 301-244-3600 1300 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, Md. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The Siena School provides highly individualized, research-based, multisensory instruction and curriculum-related field trips. Our students develop critical thinking skills and acquire the tools and strategies needed to become successful and independent learners, prepared for college. SPRING BILINGUAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY spring-bilingual.org 301-962-7262 3514 Plyers Mill Road, Kensington, Md. Ages: 2-6; Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Montessori preschool with Foreign Language programs. SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI sunsethillsmontessori.com 703-476-7477 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. Hours: 7 am - 6:30 pm At SHMS we are committed to recognizing and cultivating the uniqueness of each individual child. We have a community of educators, and wonderful families, that have chosen SHMS because of a shared vision for early childhood and elementary education. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com admissions@westminsterschool.com 703-256-3620 Grades: K-8 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, Va. Preschool (3 and 4-year-olds): 6800 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Va. 16  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 Hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Open House Dates: Oct. 17th 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 12th & Jan. 15th 9-10:30 a.m. Westminster School provides a unique Preschool-Middle School education based on a classical curriculum; accelerated academics enhanced by the arts; and an emphasis on personal responsibility and good character. Students enjoy small classes taught by teachers who specialize in their field. SPORTS & FITNESS KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS kidsfirstswimschools.com; contact@ kidsfirstswimschools.com Check website for list of all locations. The Kids First Swim Schools are America’s largest provider of year round warm water swimming instruction, operating 20 locations across 5 states, teaching over 100,000 students annually. SKATEQUEST skatequest.com; info@skatequest.com 703-709-1010 1800 Michael Faraday Ct. Reston, Va. Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. SkateQuest is a twin sheet indoor ice skating center in Reston, with full service pro shop, café, and party rooms. Open year round, SkateQuest has been home to recreational skaters, figure skaters, and hockey players since 1993. TUTORING, THERAPY & SPECIAL NEEDS LITTLE LEAVES BEHAVIORAL SERVICES littleleaves.org; info@littleleaves.org 202-420-8359 9727 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, Md. 11480 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 220W Reston, Va. Little Leaves is dedicated to helping people with social, communication, and behavioral challenges grow and succeed so that they can participate as fully as possible in their families and communities. Using evidenced-based practices based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), our professionals partner with each family to develop and implement an individualized therapeutic plan. We also help families coordinate the logistics of therapy so that they can focus their time on what really matters – caring for their children. Our team is staff by professionals who are passionate about working with children. Our program is supervised by master’s and doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and delivered by highly-trained therapists. We believe that our children’s families and caregivers are integral members of the treatment team and we treat them that way. We serve the DC-NoVa- Baltimore area.  ■ OFFERING the best in MONTESSORI EDUCATION for 30 years LOWER CAMPUS 6701 Wisconsin Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS 9411 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20895 301-652-7751 admissions@onenessfamily.org VOTED “BEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN THE DC-AREA” — 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 — MUSIC LESSONS Suzuki Programs for Violin & Cello All Ages & Levels All Instruments & Voice OPEN HOUSES OCTOBER 4 | NOVEMBER 6 | DECEMBER 6 REGISTERING NOW for 2019-20! MUSICAL THEATER Musical Theater & Acting Classes ages 5-7 & 8-14 RISING STARS! 101 Dalmatians ages 8-12 FALL MAIN STAGE BRING IT ON! Register now & get the audition time ages 10+ www.harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301 Vienna, VA AGE 18 MONTHS TO GRADE 6 Preparing children to learn confidently, think independently, and succeed wherever they go. SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT AT AIDANSCHOOL .ORG | 202.387.2700 | 2700 27TH STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS Celebrate HAPPINESS// CHALLENGE// Unique Minds Encourage CURIOSITY// Classes include art, animation, coding, cooking, dance, Legos, music, Spanish, sports, theater, yoga and more!  www.baroodycamps.com info@baroodycamps.com 703-539-2602 Now Enrolling! Campuses in Fairfax VA, Silver Spring MD and Baltimore MD ▪ www.theauburnschool.org ▪ A school for academic and social success! Play-based preschool for parents and children 2 to 5 years old. Join us for a tour today! 10010 Fernwood Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817 301.365.3190 membership@glenbrookschool.org www.glenbrookschool.org 18  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 Pinecrest School N U R T U R I N G C U R I O S I T Y, CO N F I D E N C E, A N D A L O V E O F L E A R N I N G S I N C E 1957 • Preschool Age 3 - Grade 6 • Before-Care & After-Care • Summer, Winter & Spring Camps • Diff erentiated Instruction • Small Classes • Challenging Academics • Positive Social & Emotional Development Annandale, Virginia 703.354.3446 • pinecrestschool.org 10% OFF IN-HOME PIANO & VIOLIN LESSONS Enroll NOW to receive discount. Visit chansonmusic.com A Progressive Independent School & Learning Community School Admission Events LOWER SCHOOL Discover Montessori 12 months - Grade 5 Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10 am j MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL The Power of Project-Based Learning Grades 6-12 Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 pm RSVP Today! admission@barrie.org 301-576-2800 barrie.org 13500 Layhill Road • Silver Spring, MD Minutes from the ICC & Glenmont Metro Bus Transportation & Extended Day Available Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center SEEC Family Workshops 2 019 W IN N ER Preschool & Kindergarten Family Workshops Birthday Parties SEECstories.com Washington FAMILY The Area’s Leader in STEM Education Thank you for voting Feynman School as a Best for Families Winner for Best STEM Program for the 2nd consecutive year. Email us for a private tour. admissions@feynmanschool.org 301.770.4370 Preschool-8th Grade www.feynmanschool.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  19 SEEC_WashParent_EighthPage_Ad_F2 FULL BACKPACKS, Ready Kids LOC AL ORG ANIZ AT IONS HOS T SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE S BY ADRANISHA STEPHENS SCH OO L IS A LM O ST B AC K I N S E S S I O N. TH AT M EANS T HAT YOU R K I DS MAY NE E D NE W CLOTH E S, BACKPACKS A N D, O F CO U R S E , S C H O O L SU PPL I E S — ALL TH E F R ESH PA P E R , FO L DE R S A ND PE N S TH E Y CA N GET T HEIR HA N D S O N. But not every family is fortunate enough to be able to buy all the school supplies needed at the beginning of the year. Fam- ilies with children in elementary through high school can spend an average of $685 on back-to-school supplies, including electronics, clothing and shoes for their growing brood, according to a recent sur- vey from the National Retail Federation. This is a significant reason why this August, organizations such as The Need- iest Kids program, United Way of Central Maryland and The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington D.C. will host fun back-to-school events throughout the region to help children in challenged neighborhoods start the school year right. Each organization has its specialized mission, with supplies to spare. The Neediest Kids program in Bethesda, which is an entity of National Center for 20  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 Children’s and Families, aims to provide resources to students across Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, says program director Jermaine Lemons. On average, it serves 40,000 students, he says. “This is something that has been around for 40 years. We work with nine local school districts, and we help the homeless and economically disadvantaged students in those districts receive some of the basic necessities that they need to thrive,” he says. “Anything a child needs to focus and stay in school — we try to remove that barrier.” In addition to school supplies, children can receive haircuts, new clothing, school uniforms, an eye examination and eye- glasses, personal care items and bedding, among other services. Volunteers help fill backpacks with school supplies and dis- tribute them to young students who are eager to learn, he adds. COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES “Everything is done discreetly. We mostly work with social workers and pupil personnel workers inside the schools to pass along the vouchers to the students,” he says. “We are all about making sure that the family who needs this service is not singled out.” Beth Littrell, who has been with United Way in Maryland for six years as the assis- tant director of community relations and volunteerism, also agrees that school supply drives are needed. “We have done this for the past six years and it has grown into something quite enormous, which is a good thing,” Littrell says. “Last year, we had about 35 drives that we ran. We collect the school supplies through different outlets. One is we have a lot of corporate partners. I reach out to them to say hey, we need school supplies, here are the supplies we need, who is interested in running a drive? We have partners who will put things in their lobbies, or internally to gather donations.” Another way to collect school supplies is through the schools and online regis- tries, Littrell adds. “Last year, we even had some high school kids who wanted to run a drive through their school. In addition to that, we have added a component where people can do an online registry, where people can go out and get supplies. They can order straight to our site, and those items get shipped directly to us. Right now, we have a registry set up at Target, she says. Last year, the United Way gave out sup- plies to 1,200 students. Volunteers drove a colorful back-to-school shuttle around the city to pick up supplies from organizations participating in the drive, including Under Armour, Miles & Stockbridge, T. Rowe Price and Johns Hopkins Medicine. And they hope to provide just as many back- packs to students this year, Littrell says. “With the backpack drives in particu- lar, there is nothing cuter than seeing a kid get a brand new backpack full of supplies, throwing it over their shoulder and just seeing them so excited,” she says. “You wouldn’t think that something that small would be a big impact, but it is.” The organization also hosts back-to- school giveaways in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. The Ronald McDonald House’s school supply drives are one of the most popular ways to mobilize a community and help students in need, says Sarah Quillen, vice president of development and marketing. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile/ KIDS Mobile Medical Clinic provides free healthcare to children in D.C. Wards 4 to 8. The second Care Mobile, which was successfully piloted in D.C. in 2017, is home to the FITNESS (Fun in Teaching Nutrition and Exercise to Suc- cessful Students) program. What does it do? It partners with schools across D.C. to deliver a curriculum focusing on healthy eating and the importance of physical activity to students grades K-8, Quillen says. In addition to the mobiles backpack drives, families can also receive food, toiletry and toys from the organization’s donation drives. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles currently serve 4,254 patients, with more than 1,237 medical visits and has hosted 34 outreach events across the area. And across the three core programs, including housing for families in D.C. and Virginia, approximately, 7785 children were served in 2017, Quillen explains. “We partner with MedStar George- town University Hospital with the two Care Mobiles, and they are the ones that drive the 40-foot medical unit around and come to schools. Over the summer, they also go to community centers. They park them there, and they serve where the kids are, which is much more conve- nient for them. We also do certain drives through the houses, when children and their families are staying with us.” As for other ways, the community can help? Some options include donating time, supplies and vehicles as well as par- ticipating in a wish-list drive. Donations can even be dropped off to either the D.C. or Virginia house. “What I enjoy most is raising money and raising awareness for a stellar cause,” she says. “The beauty of this organiza- tion, especially in the D.C. area where there are so many charities, is that we are small but mighty. We have a small staff and an army of volunteers that donate, and I am always so honored and proud to be a part of this effort and continue this effort of helping families.”  ■ R E ADY TO D ONAT E ? THE N E E DIE ST K IDS PR OGR AM S UPPLY DR IVE August 14 from 6-7 p.m. Location: 6301 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD “There is nothing cuter than seeing a kid get a brand new backpack full of supplies, throwing it over their shoulder and just seeing them so excited.” BETH LITTRELL ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND VOLUNTEERISM, UNITED WAY OF MARYLAND WashingtonFAMILY.com  21 WF BLOG Cool Acceptance How I Learned to Tolerate ‘Frozen’ BY DANIEL LEADERMAN W hen my oldest daughter was born, and even before, I worried about princesses the way people worry about bedbugs. I was afraid that once they got into our lives, they would never leave and that the child would be obsessed by the celebration of wealth, beauty, privilege and the need to be rescued by men that I felt (per- haps unfairly) these characters embodied. More specifically, I was worried about “Frozen,” a film that I had yet to see but whose defiant, show-stopping anthem-that- shall-not-be-named I had already heard — and dismissed as embarrassing, sub-Lloyd-Webber drivel. But I had witnessed the hypnotic power this movie has over children and had seen, on multiple non-Halloween occasions, little girls walking around in public — in public! — wearing their Elsa costumes. No way, I thought. Not my kid. For three years, I actively kept this film from my daughter, steering her instead toward fare that was more tolerable (to me), such as “Moana” and the Pixar library. Was it her I was trying to protect, or was it me? I plead the Fifth. But the week after our second I had been the father of a daughter. Now, I was the father of sisters. Luckily, older girl thought — and still thinks — younger girl is wonderful and has taken a mostly protec- tive attitude toward the baby since day one. The baby seems to adore her big sister, who is often the greatest show in town. It’s been moving to watch them interact and see their relationship develop. “Frozen,” for the blissfully uninitiated, is about two strong, confident sisters trying to protect each other. There’s a bit of romance, too, but it’s mostly subplot; it doesn’t drive the action of the story the way the bond between the two young women does. And so, driving my oldest to school, listening to “Do You Want to Build a Snow- man” for the three-dozenth time, I suddenly found myself getting, well, a little emotional. Those sisters are so devoted to each other, I thought with a burst of clarity. All they want is for the other to be safe and happy! That’s what I want for my girls. That’s all I want! Resistance, it would appear, was futile. From then on, my objections to the film have more or less evaporated. The Song is still I was afraid that once [princesses] got into our lives, they would never leave and that [my daughters] would be obsessed by the celebration of wealth, beauty, privilege and the need to be rescued by men. GETTY IMAGES/E+/SKASHKIN 22  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 daughter was born, while I was awash in the rekindled joy and exhaustion of bringing a newborn home, I let down my guard for a few crucial minutes. Older daughter heard the song when it began playing after the “Lion King” clips we’d been watching on YouTube, declared “I want to watch that movie,” and, too weak to fight it any longer, I relented. The first few viewings were hard. So were the next few mornings on which she wanted to hear only “Frozen” songs on the drive to school. Weeks passed. Elsa sang. “This is your life now, you dumb bas- tard,” I thought to myself. But life had also changed in more important ways. Before, mediocre, Olaf the Snowman still feels like he was hastily dreamed up so the team in the writers’ room could break early for lunch, and the movie is still about princesses in pretty clothes rather than ordinary-looking people with regular jobs. But ... it’s OK. It’s got two great sisters, and that will do for now. I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to ... I mean, you have to take your anger and ... we’ve all just got to let ... sigh … Oh, reader, don’t make me say it. I still can’t bear to type the words …  n Daniel Leaderman is author of the blog, Dad Reckoning. MONTESSORI GUIDE Discovering Montessori DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF WASHINGTON thechildrenshouseofwashington.com chowdirector@gmail.com 3133 Dumbarton St., N.W. Washington, D.C. Toddler: Nearly 2-3 • Primary: 3-6 202-342-2551 MARYLAND THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL bethesdamontessori.com admissions@bethesdamontessori.com 7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda, Md. Ages: 3-6 301-986-1260 BUTLER SCHOOL butlerschool.org amy@butlerschool.org 15951 Germantown Road, Darnestown, Md. Ages: 18 months-14 301-977-6600 CHILDREN'S HOUSE AT HOLLY HILL MONTESSORI hollyhillmontessori.com hollyhillmontessori@gmail.com 19137 Mateny Hill Road, Germantown, Md. Ages: 2-5 202-246-0547 VIRGINIA BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org brksfield@aol.com 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages: 2-6 703-356-KIDS CARDINAL MONTESSORI cardinalmontessori.com cardinalmontessori@gmail.com 1424 G St., Woodbridge, Va. Ages: 3-12 703-491-3810 CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL montessoriofarlington.com office@chms-arlington.com 2425-A North Glebe Road, Arlington, Va. Ages: 2-6 703-276-1360 COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL cmsreston.com bonnieredcms@gmail.com 1700 Reston Pkwy., Reston, Va. Ages: Infants-6 years 703-478-3656 HUNTER MILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@huntermillmontessori.com 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, Va. Ages: 2 years 9 months-5 703-938-7755 MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax, Va. Ages: 3-6 703-560-4379 ONENESS-FAMILY SCHOOL onenessfamily.org admissions@onenessfamily.org 6701 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. High School: 9411 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, Md. Ages: 2-High School 301-652-7751 RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com 1928 Isaac Newton Sq., Reston, Va. Ages: 3 months-Grade 6 703-481-2922 SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI sunsethillsmontessori.com office@sunsethillsmontessori.com 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. 703-476-7477  ■ Open House: December 6th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. C OMMUNITY M ONTESSORI S CHOOL ♦ STEM ♦ Music ♦ Spanish ♦ PE & Yoga ♦ Infants to 6 years CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! ➾ HOLLY BROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@hollybrookmontessori.com 2455 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, Va. Ages: 3-5 703-573-7800 MONARCH CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI kidslovemonarch.com kidslovemonarch@gmail.com 15120 Enterprise Ct., Ste. 100, Chantilly, Va. Ages: 18 months-6 703-961-8281 ENROLLING NOW 7:30am to 6:30pm 1700 Reston Parkway, Suite 1, Reston, VA 20194 703-478-3656 ♦ cmsreston.com Email bonnieredcms@gmail.com to schedule a tour. WashingtonFAMILY.com  23 C A M P ● ● ● LIKE A PRO Tips to make your end-of-summer family camping trip a success BY AMY WHITLEY h, the family camping trip: fun-filled days at the lake or by the river, restful afternoons lying in a ham- mock slung between two trees, roasting marshmallows by the fire and snuggling into cozy sleep- ing bags at night. At least, that’s what campground brochures would have you believe about the experience. If this idealized version of events doesn’t exactly mirror your own camping experiences, you’re not alone. Often, excursions into the great outdoors with kids involves more work than play, more chaos than relaxation and far more dirt (on everything) than bar- gained for. But there are some tricks of the trade that can turn your camping trip into an (almost) postcard version. Want to ensure that your next camping trip is relaxing, stress free and focused on the fun, not the chores, in the outdoors? The following camping tips will ensure 24  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 more time in the hammock and less time over a camp stove. • Simplification is the key to creating a relaxed camping atmosphere. Reduce clutter around the campsite and shorten your packing list by bringing a few ordinary objects that can double as useful camping tools. • Instead of hauling bags of ice (and dealing with the mess), freeze plas- tic water bottles and let them slowly melt, first cooling your food, then ensuring hydration. • Skip the bulky camping lantern. Instead, simply wrap a standard head- lamp around a clear plastic water jug. It will light up the entire picnic area for games of cards after dark. • No need to bring sleeping pads and water toys. Sleep on plastic blow-up air mattresses that can go straight from the tent to the lake. Float on them during the day (or take a nap!), then return them to the campsite each night. • Don’t buy an expensive camp kitchen set. Bring a hanging shoe organizer to store camp kitchen supplies such as spices or grilling tools. • Why buy fire starter or chemi- cal-based gel? Use dryer lint as your fire-starter: simply save lint in card- board egg carton pockets, pour wax over each pod and then bring along to start your fire. • If you buy coffee at home, there’s no need to buy a toilet paper roll container. Store toilet paper rolls in your empty plastic coffee containers (the big ones work best). The toilet paper will stay dry and be easy for kids to find when they need it. Unfortunately, not every camping item can be “MacGyvered” from items you already own. A few camping “luxury” items can go a long way toward ultimate comfort and fun in the outdoors. • A good hammock: The Grand Trunk double hammock (PracticalTravelGear. C ● A ● M ● P CLOSE TO HOME PITCH A TENT ... at one of these nearby camping spots LITTLE BENNETT CAMPGROUND LAKE FAIRFAX PARK CAMPGROUND montgomeryparks.org fairfaxcounty.gov CHERRY HILL PARK HARPERS FERRY CAMPGROUND cherryhillpark.com riverriders.com Clarksburg, Maryland College Park, Maryland Reston, Virginia Harpers Ferry, West Virginia GREENBRIER STATE PARK MAPLE TREE CAMPGROUND dnr.maryland.gov thetreehousecamp.com Boonsboro, Maryland Rohrersville, Maryland GREENBELT PARK SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK nps.gov nps.gov Greenbelt, Maryland Near Front Royal, Virginia TOP: GETTY IMAGES/E+/FATCAMERA; ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/SUDOWOODO WashingtonFAMILY.com  25 OFTEN, excursions into the great outdoors with kids involves more work than play, more chaos than relaxation and far more dirt (on everything) than bargained for. com) is a quality choice. It’s is easy to set up, comes in a compact stuff sack and fits two people comfortably. • Headlamps for everyone: A headlamp can be picked up for under $10 and allows for hands-free illumination. You’ll never return to clumsy flashlights again. • Hydration packs: Want kids to stay hydrated? Outfit them with small hydration packs (one liter will do). Most day packs now fit hydration pack bladders, which can be purchased solo for under $30. • Water shoes for the family: Say goodbye to stubbed toes and splinters in little feet. Water shoes can be worn in and out of water, performing double duty as light hiking shoes. • A dining set for every family member: Check out Light My Fire. This camp- ing product company makes individual meal kits that include a plate, bowl, cup and utensils that all fit together. Kids take pride in ownership, which means they’ll do their own dishes. • Mosquito bands, candles, or clothing: Mosquitoes are an unfortunate evil of outdoor recreation, and repellent spray is often unhealthy and smelly. Mosquito bands are a nonintrusive alternative, and they can be bought for just a few dollars. Ditto for citronella candles, which can be set out on picnic tables after dark. If you want to go high tech, try insecticide-treated clothing, with repellent infused directly into the fabric. Exofficio.com and Columbia. com both make shirts, pants and ban- danas in this fashion, but they won’t come cheap. 26  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 • Sun and shade shelter: Everyone remembers a tent, but many camp- ers overlook the convenience and comfort offered by a sun and shade shelter. Simple canopies like ones from REI can be set up over picnic tables for shaded meals and card games or brought to the lakeshore to protect kids from the sun. DINING HACKS Families can have all the right gear and convenient household items, but if you’re still slaving over the camp stove, your trip won’t be relaxing. The following din- ing hacks make meal prep and planning a breeze. Cooking most of your meals over the campfire or on the barbecue makes food fun and clean-up simple. • Grill fruit on the barbecue: Fruit is more appealing than grilled veggies to kids, and with a little whipped cream, you can skip the marshmallows. Try creating fruit kabobs with stone fruit such as peaches, pineapple, grapes (cut in half for young children) and straw- berries. Local berries bought at farm stands or even picked by the family work well, too. • Make “pocket” dinners: Create pockets of tin foil and fill with sliced potatoes, zucchini, onions and other veggies, and then let them cook in the coals. It’s best to use heavy-duty foil to ensure that ashes don’t get into your meal. Each pocket is customizable and fun to eat. • Pack milk substitutes instead of cow milk: Milk substitutes like soy, almond and rice milk don’t have to be refrig- erated, and vanilla or chocolate flavors are appealing to most kids, so there’s no need to worry about keeping milk cold for breakfast cereal. • Skip the dishes: Use empty snack-size chip bags as individual serving “bowls” for chili, stew or even oatmeal. Kids love these “on-the-go” containers. • Don’t get fancier than boiled water: If you really want to simplify mealtime, buy dehydrated backpacking single- or double-serving meals. They taste just fine in the wilderness, require only boiling water and take about five minutes to prepare. CAMP CLOSE TO HOME There is no need to drive hours for a fam- ily camping trip. Find a campground close to home to keep stress at a minimum. Plus, being near home allows for sponta- neous camping or quick returns home for forgotten items. There are a lot of options for camping around the DMV. Check Maryland and Virginia state park listings and then search for available sites online. KOA.com is a good resource for campsites with kid-friendly amenities such as pools or mini golf courses. A short drive and familiarity with the surroundings helps campers to relax more quickly.  ■ Amy Whitley is a travel writer who specializes in planning outdoors adventures for kids. She founded the family travel site PitStopsForKids.com. Cover 1 FESTYLE SENIOR LI ARTFUL AFTERNOON NEWS AMOS OZ DIES Page 20 YO U S H O U KNOW m FAMILY.com January JANUARY 2019 PASADENA 2018-2019 WINTER om n e .c a z i M a g HAPPY 30 years! for over & Pasadena HOLIDAYS ROUS A PROSPE NEW YEAR! MIKE’S PHARMACY Vitamins CEM 1/31/19 Expires Life 1 Extension per customer. serving Limit Rd 3820 Mountain MD Pasadena, Ste G • BET TER Rd Smallwood MD 8541 Ft. • Pasadena, Ste G Pharmacy 410-255-0099 410-255-1800 PHARMACY MIKE’S Toys & Doug 1/31/19 CEM Expires Melissa customer. 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Void ® and the Jiffy Lube design Jiffy Lube International HIGHWAY, ONLY. LOCATIONS Jiffy Lube ® International, Inc. ©2018 • 8071 VETERANS ROAD, SEVERN GLEN BURNIE of Jiffy Lube CRAFT 5 GOAL-TRACKIN Pictured: Student at Reston J Montessori 410-760- At This Location Available 4002 410-551- At This Location Available ild.com HOME PHOTOS FOOD ALLERGIES Summ er Camps Story begins on page 24 SEE PAGE 51 SER homeservice smag.com ONE MOM'S FIGHT SEE PAGE 30 CAMP FAIR • FEB. 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The Werner employees like shut down and he works Davis was the young- only say that ack when Judy been growing up in — who would branch — have est of four children played in the executive she swam and Bakersfi eld, Calif., furloughed. its up- but never competitively, shutdown has badminton — his For Werner, the her siblings counts. more time with unless vying against 13 years ago. “My week- sides. He can spend an otherwise lazy Th at changed about at the family and use was the Maryland learn Torah. But fi rst time competing 79-year-old says. day morning to back to the he wants to get Senior Olympics,” end of the day, prospect Th ey possible as the medaled in swimming McKenna Center. of Now, having work as soon as kitchen at Father D25 day looms. in the 2018 Maryland Kalb work in the Jewish Community Center’s I of a missed paycheck left , and Sarinah DC and badminton he says, “and the longtime Rockville Jaron Bourke, 700 volunteers for the Edlavitch Wolf “I have six children,” Photo by Lloyd Senior Olympics, of Tikvat Israel were among Dec. 25. See page 25. tuition.” school member pay private resident and compet- service on of about 400,000 looks ahead to on Werner is one set Congregation federal employees Senior Olympics “non-essential” ing in the National Donald Trump N.M. — her furlough as President $5 billion from for June in Albuquerque, “It’s my than the nationals. demands more border second trip to ribbon a wall on the home a national Congress to build in hope to bring rst fi Re- It would be her with Mexico. or a medal.” Democrats and It appeared that able to narrowly to an- the nationals. be decided to wait golds were in publicans would Trump Mandelblit has Her 2018 Maryland mixed doubles in the cases known shutdown of the and Oster nounce his decision 4000 until aft er the avoid the third women’s doubles in two By Marcy 2000, and took silvers page 13 gen- as 1000, badminton; she See SHUTDOWN, — Israel’s attorney na- women’s breast events, ERUSALEM er 15 50-yard swim wait until aft ELECTION, , page She’ll compete See ELECTION eral likely will whether stroke and freestyle. and at least one to announce events tional elections in those swim Minister Benjamin will indict Prime inves- badminton event. in the he three corruption 0 74470 0 1977 7447 19778 8 generally stiff er Netanyahu in could be Competition is older age but the allegations will be in an 84, tigations, to the early elections. nationals. She to 80 — central recent years to be close to Avichai bracket than in “Every Sources reported in her favor. includ- Hebrew media which may work Mandelblit told broadcaster that KAN national 14 ing the School See OLYMPICS, page AS FEATURED Road 21122 3820 Mountain , MD • Pasadena Suite G | washingtonjewishweek.co work B New Year % 25 OFF ResQ | Tevet 26, 5779 By Andrea F. Siegel Special to WJW % OFF DY 25 STU ITS macy om Phar armacy.c mikesph 5:44 4:41 | Havdalah Many hands, light $0.75 Gratefully | Candlelighting Senior athlete looks to national Olympics e er’ s Ey Co nsum % 25 OFF www.my Vol. 55, No. 1 3, 2019 LD DOWN FOR DUMPLINGS Page 35 Page 6 washington Brake Service Brake Service Brake Service THE ST ATS MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA has been covering both Beltways in a MAJO R LEAGU E way for 100 years. PUBLICATION EST. Baltimore Jewish Times ...................................... 1919 Washington Jewish Week ................................. 1930 Baltimore’s Child ........................................................ 1983 Baltimore Style ............................................................ 1989 Consumer’s Eye Magazine ................................ 1991 Washington Family ................................................... 1992 Mid-Atlantic Custom Media .............................. 2004 Home Services Magazine ................................... 2018 301-230-2222 410-902-2300 midatlanticmedia.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  27 New Rules ON FOOD ALLERGIES Here’s the latest on treatment and prevention BY MELANIE SWITZER REILLY 28  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 COURTESTY OF GETTY IMAGES s parents these days, we are constantly being remind- ed about the dangers of food allergies. We have to be careful not only about what our kids eat a home, but also about what is served at birthday par- ties, play dates, and even school with the snacks that are provided. At some summer camps, children wear color-coded bracelets to indicate specif- ic allergies. A by-product of helicopter parenting? It would be easy to dismiss it as that, until we hear that one in every 13 children, or roughly two in every class- room, has a food allergy. And about 40 percent of kids with food allergies are allergic to more than one food. There has been some research to sug- gest that our modern-day need to germ proof absolutely everything has led to an overuse of hand sanitizers and anti- bacterial soap — and that this kills off too much good bacteria, leaving us sus- ceptible to more allergies. This is what’s known as the “hygiene hypothesis,” says Dr. Theodore Kim, principal physician at Allergy Partners of Northern Virginia. “Around the turn of the last century, humans used to get a lot sicker on a reg- ular basis, and our bodies were constantly fighting off major infection,” Kim says. “Now that we have such effective vac- cines and advances in modern medicine, our immune system is ‘confused,’ which can result in immune system overreaction such as in allergies.” In May of this year, the American Acad- emy of Pediatrics turned what we thought we knew about kids’ food allergies on its head. It has confirmed, as a result of ongoing studies, that now expectant mothers do not need to avoid peanuts or other foods known to cause allergies, or avoid giving those foods to infants, even if there is a family history of allergies. This erases the guidelines set in 2000 that advised giving hydrolyzed (broken down) infant formulas to babies at risk for food allergies and avoiding allergenic foods like milk and nuts until after age 1. “The latest studies support introduc- ing foods early to babies to help prevent future food allergies,” Kim says. “Intro- ducing eggs between 4 to 6 months of age and peanuts between 4 and 11 months of age to children without high risk for food allergies can help prevent egg and peanut allergies, respectively.” Although these new findings are both promising and exciting, if one has high- risk factors, such as a family history of food allergies or moderate to severe eczema, then these recommendations may not apply. Best bet: Always check with your doctor first. Thankfully, if your child suffers with food allergies, time can also be on your side, as kids can outgrow allergies, but little is still known as to why. Just as suddenly as they can develop, they can inexplicably vanish, and the body ceases reacting to the allergen. Research has shown that one in five kids will outgrow their peanut allergies, one in 10 will outgrow their tree nut aller- gy, and many kids eventually outgrow their milk, egg, soy and wheat allergy. Kim suggests retesting your child for aller- gies once a year in your allergist’s office. Recently, he and his colleagues have seen great success with food oral immuno- therapy, where they give the patient small amounts of the allergen over time to help the body outgrow it. “With our oral immunotherapy program for peanuts, the patients start out eating very tiny amounts of peanut protein,” Kim says. “The amounts steadily increase until they have reached a maintenance dose, which is typically eight peanuts a day after 10 months of treatment. The main goal is to prevent anaphylactic reaction from an accidental exposure.” one in every 13 children, o r r o u g h ly two in every classroom, has a f o o d a l l e r g y. It is always a good idea to check with your pediatrician if you think your child is having any bad reaction to something they are eating or drinking. Your doctor may have the answers you need or they may refer you to an allergist to see if there is something more targeted going on. Then you will know what the next course of action should be while keeping the health and safety of your child at the forefront.  T Melanie Switzer Reilly is a Washington, D.C.-based mom, television producer and print journalist. WashingtonFAMILY.com  29 HEALTHY FAMILY Is Your Child Afraid of the Doctor? Five ways to ease their fears BY IRENE-MYERS THOMPSON W Having something positive to look forward to after the appointment may make them less anxious during the visit. hile children’s reactions to the doctors can vary depend- ing on age and temperament, the doctor’s office can be an unfamiliar, stressful and scary place for a young child. During the toddler and preschool years, healthcare visits are more frequent with regular well visits and preventative care such as vaccinations and if illnesses or injuries hit. The experience can be stressful for both the kids and parents, making it difficult for a youngster to understand why these visits are important. Fear of the doctor is an issue that res- onates with many families. A C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital national poll surveyed parents of kids between the ages of 2 to 5 and found that half said their child is afraid of going to the doctor. Further studies show that children ages 2 to 5 have most fear of getting a shot, have stranger anxiety or have bad memories of a previous illness. If you are struggling to get your child in for checkups, you’re not alone. Consider these five tips for putting their anxiety at ease—as well as yours. Prepare your child for what to expect. Be clear and talk about what may happen at their next checkup. For kids, know- ing what to expect can be a big help, but avoid making promises that may be bro- ken during the visit, like whether they are getting a shot or not. Lay out how the appointment will go step-by-step by reading a book or watching a show to help manage a child’s anxiety. GETTY IMAGES/TOP: E+/IMGORTHAND; BOTTOM: MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES 30  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 Build patient-doctor trust. Although seeing a different doctor from the child’s normal pediatrician might be inevi- table, to avoid stranger anxiety, try to see the same doctor so your child can get to know him or her over time. If kids are able to put a face to their doctor, it may make the experience less scary. Ensure you’ll be together. Many children worry they will be separated from their parent during a doctor’s visit. Explain to them ahead of time that you’ll be there the whole time to ease any con- cerns. And if they have a favorite toy or stuffed animal that brings them comfort, bring that along. Plan a rewarding experience. Incentivize your child with good behav- ior at the doctor’s with a treat or a trip to the park after the exam. Having some- thing positive to look forward to after the appointment may make them less anxious during the visit. Be calm. While it is natural to feel nervous or upset when your child is, he or she likely senses your energy. It is important to manage your anxiety in the appropriate way as not to further heighten their anxiousness. If you are calm and comfortable, they’re more likely to mirror those feelings. Your child may struggle to get over their fear of the doctor, but these tips may make the next visit easier. If you’re concerned with your child’s level of anxiety, talk with their pediatrician. Creating positive affiliations with healthcare can help create healthy hab- its and attitudes toward medical care that children carry throughout their life.  n Irene-Myers Thompson is the wellness director for UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic. WE TREAT THE SOURCE OF YOUR PAIN BE ST PHYSICA L E TH Personalized and Patient Specifi c ➤ Orthopedic Rehab ➤ Sports Rehab ➤ Dry Needling ➤ IASTM ➤ Cupping ➤ Manual Therapy ➤ Return to Sports Rehab ➤ Patient Education ➤ Post-Surgical Rehab Y RAP ➤ 1033 S. Edgewood St, Arlington, VA 22204 ➤ 703-884-7084 ➤ rehabmma.com Healthy Smile... Healthy Child Find us on pediatric dental care John Han, DDS Pediatric Dentist Fernanda Fontes, DDS Pediatric Dentist Jenny Ha, DDS Pediatric Dentist Harold Fleming, DDS Orthodontist Dr. Han voted one of the Top Dentists in Northern VA Magazine & VA Living Magazine. F i n D FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE DMV • • • • • • • • • • • • Sedations Laughing Gas/Nitrous Oxide Emergency Care Digital X-ray & Technology Free Orthodontic Consultation Sealants White Fillings School Exams Kid PDC s C Fluoride Treatment Firs ome Early Orthodontics t Cleanings Check up exams * No Referrals Required Accepting all major insurances and Smiles for Children www.mypdcdentists.com Pediatric Dental Care WashingtonFAMILY WEEKEND GUIDES @ washingtonfamily.com/fun_things_to_do/ Fairfax office: 9901 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030. Springfield office: 6120 Brandon Ave. Suite 114, Springfield, VA 22150 WashingtonFAMILY.com  31 DMV FUN Fruit Picking Fun BY WF STAFF Pools and parks aren’t the only outdoor places to take kids this summer. One great way to get outside is to do some fruit picking. Here are seven local farms that offer pick-your-own opportunities in August and September. Take a bite of this fun and follow up with an afternoon of pie baking. Enjoy! Tuesday through Sunday, pick black raspberries and blueberries starting at 8:30 a.m. Take a hay-filled tractor ride around the farm or reserve a space to roast marshmallows with your friends. You can even come back in September and October for their Pumpkin Festival, which includes hayrides and cider. Visitors can also pick peas, strawberries, tart cherries, blackberries, red raspberries and apples within the summer and early fall months as well as choose Christmas trees in late November through December. The farm market has even more choices, including veggies and kitchen décor — not to mention a bakery. Day pass, $3; season pass, $25. butlersorchard.com BURNSIDE FARMS, NOKESVILLE, VA. From mid-June through Labor Day, cut sunflowers or explore one of the nation’s only sunflower mazes. There are also gardens of gladiolus and clouds of cosmos to be cut and paired with those freshly cut sunflowers. Burnside Farm also has a bounce house, a two-story slide, a bubble station, cornhole games and more. Season pass, $15; flowers are priced by stem and run from 50 cents a stem for cosmos to $1.50 a stem for sunflowers. burnsidefarms.com GREAT COUNTRY FARMS, BLUEMONT, VA. On Tuesdays, pick blackberries and peaches through the month of August. The farm hosts the Big Potato Dig on Aug. 18-19 for all the spuds fans out there (and who isn’t a fan?). Apple picking starts in late August and goes through September, when you can head to the fields to pick grapes and then pumpkins. The farm market offers all of this produce as well as eggs, local honey and cider doughnuts. Children, $8; adults, $10. greatcountryfarms.com WEGMEYER FARMS, HAMILTON, VA. Wegmeyer Farms is known for its strawberries in the spring and its pumpkins in the fall. In the fall, go to its Wayside Farm playground 32  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 for a corn maze, hay rides and even pig races on Saturdays and Sundays. Free. wegmeyerfarms.com HOMESTEAD FARM, POOLESVILLE, MD. plums, through August. The fall months offer apple and pumpkin picking as well as digging your own peanuts and potatoes. The farm also gives customers the option to purchase local Angus beef with the next slaughter date being Aug. 12. Free. hollinfarms.com Pick peaches, blueberries and blackberries seven days a week this summer. During other seasons, the farm grows apples, pumpkins and tart cherries. In its market, you can purchase pre-picked fruits and veggies, Monday through Saturday, preservatives and local honey. $2 pick your own peaches, red per person. homestead-farm.net raspberries, blackberries, tomatoes and apples through August. In September and During the summer months, pick October, you can pick from 12 from a large variety of fruits and types of apples, pumpkins and veggies, including peaches and winter squash. Besides the market, the Sweet Shop offers 12 kinds of handmade fudge, eight varieties of ice cream and fresh fruit slushes. When you are not picking your own fruits and veggies, you can explore the playground, take a wagon ride or try out the farm’s cow train activity. Free. markermillerorchards.com  T MARKER-MILLERS ORCHARDS FARM, WINCHESTER, VA. HOLLIN FARMS, DELAPLANE, VA. COURTESY OF GETTY IMGAES BUTLER’S ORCHARD, GERMANTOWN, MD. GOOD EATS Pop Up a Movie Night I nvite your friends and neighbors over, spread out some comfy seating and dim the lights. We all know that August is the time when “summer boredom” hits. So, why not try something new like hosting an end-of-summer movie night in the comfort of your own home or on a projector in the yard? Of course, tasty snacks only add to the fun. Light and airy popcorn is a movie watching staple and one you can feel good about eating. At only 30 calories per cup, whole-grain, freshly popped popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO, gluten-free, contains no artificial additives or preservatives and is sugar-free. Enjoyed a handful at a time or as part of creative, flavorful snack recipes – like Popcorn Pepperoni Pizza Dippers, Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix and Truffle Popcorn – popcorn offers plenty of versatility to fit nearly any theme. Popcorn Pepperoni Pizza Dippers Yield: 16 squares Nonstick cooking spray 2 eggs ½ cup tomato and basil reduced-fat cooking cream 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese ⅛ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper 10 cups popped popcorn 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ⅓ cup thinly sliced pepperoni, coarsely chopped marinara sauce, for dipping Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, whisk eggs, cooking cream, parmesan cheese and black pepper. Stir in popcorn, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Spread mixture in prepared pan, patting down with spatula or spoon. Bake about 15 minutes until set and lightly browned. Let sit 5 minutes. Cut into 16 bars. Serve warm with marinara sauce. ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/ CHILD: MAX-KEGFIRE; TRUFFLE OIL: PICTUREPARTNERS Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix Yield: 14 cups 10 cups popped popcorn 2 cups miniature pretzel twists 1 cup pecans 1 cup peanuts 2 cups rice, wheat or corn cereal squares ½ cup butter (1 stick) ½ cup packed brown sugar ¼ cup corn syrup ½ teaspoon baking soda Heat oven to 300 degrees. In large bowl, combine popcorn, pretzels, pecans, peanuts and cereal squares; set aside. In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir mixture until it begins to boil. Boil 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Note: Mixture will foam. Pour syrup over popcorn mixture and stir until evenly coated. Pour mixture onto large, rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Bake 30 minutes, stirring twice during baking. Stir mixture several times as it cools. Store in airtight container. In large, heavy-bottomed pot with lid, combine olive oil and 1 tablespoon truffle oil. Add about three popcorn kernels. Heat medium-high until one kernel pops. Add remaining popcorn kernels; cover. Once corn begins to pop, shake pot constantly over heat. When popping slows, remove pot from heat and transfer popcorn to large serving bowl. Melt butter and mix in remaining truffle oil. Pour mixture over popcorn; toss. Sprinkle parmesan cheese, salt and pepper over popcorn; toss to distribute evenly. Serve immediately or store in airtight container.  ■ Find more recipes perfect for serving at your next movie night at popcorn.org. — Family Features Truffle Popcorn Yield: 10 cups 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons, white truffle oil, divided ½ cup popcorn kernels 1 tablespoon butter 3 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese ½ teaspoon sea salt freshly ground black pepper WashingtonFAMILY.com  33 BOOK MARKED 11 Books to Get Your Kids Excited About Back to School BY WF STAFF With the new school year approaching, get your kids excited for their first day back with one of these newly released books that focus on themes like making new friends, starting new routines, gaining confidence in school subjects and having fun in the classroom! ‘The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!’ Who knew preschool could be so much fun? Just don’t forget your groovy back- By Mo Willems Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? pack and your yummy snack, Pete the Kitty! He already knows everything! And what Preschoolers and little ones getting ready if he doesn’t like it? What if the teach- to go to preschool for the first time will er doesn’t like him? What if he learns too enjoy cheering Pete the Kitty’s fun entry to much? Discover what Pigeon learns about preschool. Ages 3-6. the importance of school. Ages 4-7. ‘When Pencil Met Eraser’ By Karen Kilpatrick ‘The King of Kindergarten’ Ever wonder why there’s a little pink eras- By Derrick Barnes Starting kindergarten is a big milestone, er on every pencil? Find out in this funny, and this kindergartener is ready to make his clever picture book that tells the true story mark! He’s dressed himself, eaten a pile of of how Pencil and Eraser became the best pancakes and can’t wait to be part of a whole of friends. When Pencil draws on the pages new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam- of this book, Eraser erases parts of Pencil’s packed, but he’s up to the challenge. And work, and the book itself becomes a canvas afterward, he can’t wait to tell his proud for their different takes on creativity — until parents all about his achievements. Ages 3-6. the two discover their artwork is even better when they work together. Ages 3-6. ‘I Will Be Fierce’ ‘First Day of Groot!’ By Bea Birdsong This is a powerful picture book about cour- By Brendan Deneen age, confidence, kindness and finding the Just like the rest of us, Groot’s learning extraordinary in everyday moments. It’s that there’s a first time (and a first day!) a brand new day, and a young girl decides for everything. Follow Rocket and Groot as to take on the world like a brave explorer they set off across the galaxy learning new heading off on an epic fairy-tale quest. From lessons, developing new skills and making home to school and back again, our hero new memories with friends along the way. conquers the library, forges new friendships With so many new experiences on the hori- and leads the victorious charge home on her zon, Groot’s sure to have a first day rooted in spectacular fun, heroics and everything in school bus. Ages 3-6. between. Ages 4-7. ‘Pete the Kitty’s First ‘Life According to Og the Frog’ Day of Preschool’ By James Dean By Betty G. Birney It’s a big day for Pete the Kitty: his first day Og the Frog has just moved into Room 26 of preschool! He meets his cool teacher, at the school, and the place is hopping. sings a few fun songs and even gets to paint. There are lively kids, new routines and a 34  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 Happy BOOK Birthday, MARKED Suzanne Collins! furry neighbor who seems to squeak all day. Luckily, everyone seems friendly. But just as Og is getting used to this new life, there is talk of sending him back to the pond. But will his classmates decide to keep Og as their classroom pet or take him back to his old life at the pond? Ages 6-9. ‘Take Your Pet to School Day’ By Linda Ashman When pets show up with their kids at Maple View Elementary, it’s total chaos! These animals have no respect for school rules, and every class quickly gets out of hand. But why did they show up in the first place? Who said they could come? Could it have been … the pets themselves? It turns out they just wanted in on the fun! Now, if they want to stay, they’ll just have to behave. Ages 3-7. ‘My Teacher is a Robot’ By Jeffrey Brown Fred does not want to go to school because it’s boring. Especially since he thinks his teacher is a robot. If only Fred could imag- ine a way for his day to be more exciting. This inventively funny picture book cel- ebrates the boundlessness of a child’s imagination and celebrates the teachers, families and friends who get wrapped up in the fantastic worlds of children. Ages 3-7. ‘Bunny’s Book Club Goes to School’ By Annie Silvestro Bunny and his forest friends meet at the town library every Saturday morning for book club. But one summer day, their library buddy, Josie, confesses to Bunny that she’s nervous about starting school. Bunny has an idea: He’ll go with her! Soon, Bunny’s friends, Bear, Raccoon, Bird, Porcupine, Squirrel, Mole, Mouse and Frog, decide to join him — and Josie’s first day of school turns into a critter-filled adventure. Ages 3-7. ‘Maisy’s Preschool’ By Lucy Cousins It’s time for school! Maisy and her friends play with building blocks, practice their counting and sit down for story time. A pop-up classroom scene waits at the end of the book with paper press-outs of Maisy and her pals. Kids will relish the chance to play teacher and decide the lessons, all while putting their imaginations to the test and learning about the routines that make up a day at school. Ages 3-5.  ■ Each month, we celebrate a birthday of literary significance. “What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again,” Katniss Everdeen says in the final chapter of “Mockingjay,” the third and final installment of much-loved “Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins. Her words revealed the long-awaited conclusion of a series-long love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale, characters who became household names. The 2008 novel once reigned at the top of the bestseller lists of The New York Times, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. It was read by teens and young adults alike and became a popular movie in 2012. In addition to this series, Collins is known for her “Underland Chronicles” series about sewer-dwellers in New York City which, like “The Hunger Games” series, created a fascinatingly grim universe in which young people could immerse themselves. Collins’ father was in the military which required her family to move frequently — she lived in Indiana and Belgium before graduating high school Alabama — and inspired her writing. She told Scholastic that her father’s storytelling made her feel like she was at the battlefield herself, which she tries to mimic in her writing. Since the conclusion of “The Hunger Games” series, Collins has focused on authoring children’s books like “Year of The Jungle” and “When Charlie McButton Lost Power.”   ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com  35 Consumer ’s Eye M a g a z i n e Track Your Inbound Phone Calls OPTIMIZE YOUR BUSINESS! With Consumer’s Eye and call tracking, your business can learn vital information about the phone calls you receive from potential customers and how to better serve them. There is no need to hope your ads are working because now there is proof that they are. Every tracked call gains insight to better your business for the future. With Consumer’s Eye, the more you know the more you grow. The response has been the best response of any direct mail publication I have done. “ — Areen Movsessian, Classic Bakery “ We have been using Consumer’s Eye for the last two years and have been very pleased with the return on investment. “ “ — George L Boarman, Boarman’s Meats RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY! Register Now for Spring Session Classes! Summer Camps and Classes coming soon! 410-902-2309 | consumerseyemag.com sshapiro@midatlanticmedia.com COMING IN SEPTEMBER The Arts! formerly HeartBeats Music & Dance Visual & Performing Arts Guides Open House Dates & Education Guide Register Now for Spring Session, Summer Camps, and Summer Classes - Don't Miss Out! Education Fair - October 5th Let’s get creative and make this the best school year ever!  Monthly readership 147,000  Website page views 15,300  E-news subscribers 24,000  Facebook Followers 6,022 Call to advertise: 301-230-2222, Ext. 4 or email advertising@washingtonfamily.com 36  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 Classes • Birthday Parties • Open Gym • Competitive Team • Camps Your best friend is waiting... Montgomery County Humane Society is a private, non-profit, no-kill cat and dog rescue that does not receive any operational funding from the government or from national humane societies. It relies on the support of the community to keep its doors open. Cats and dogs available for adoption today. Come meet your new best friend. It’s Not Just Gymnastics, It’s Gymtastic! REGISTER NOW! SUMMER CAMP • CLASSES FOR ALL AGES ONLINE AT WWW.GOSILVERSTARS.COM *FREE Little Stars trial for new students *weekdays only Two Great Locations! ® 2701 Pittman Drive Silver Spring, MD 301-589-0938 601 S. Stonestreet Ave. Rockville, MD 20850 240-252-2555 14201 Woodcliff Court Bowie, MD 301-352-5777 9100 Gaither Rd. Gaithersburg, MD 240-224-7766 mchumane.org ag.com www.castlelasert Arca Rope de & s at Ga Course ithers Locati burg on! Check out our other location! 14201 Woodcliff Ct, Bowie, MD 301-352-8413 Registration is open for Capital Gymnastics • Recreational and Competitive Gymnastics • Cheer All Stars • Tumbling and Trampoline • Preschool gymnastics • Homeschool Gymnastics Treat your child to a magical sleepover party We create bespoke sleepover themes for boys and girls Select your date and package We deliver, set-up and style. next day we collect Registration information call: 703-239-0044 www.capitalgymnasticsntc.com 10400 Premier Ct. Burke, VA 22015 Book Your Child’s Party Today! 703-563-1567 www.confettiteepees.com Puppet Shows For All Occasions (703) 444-9426 • Large and colorful marionettes and hand puppets • Lively music • Audience participation • Puppet-making workshops • Goody bags Susan Wall's www.carouselpuppets.com The Center for Ballet Arts Register Now Fall Registration Begins August 1 st Ballet . Pointe . Modern . Jazz Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet Ages 3 thru Adults 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030 • 703.273.5344 • thecenterballetarts.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  37 LAST WORD Dealing with the Chaos Called School Recess BY KATHRYN STREETER A s school commences and kids enjoy the organized chaos on the playground at recess, you’re probably not alone in thinking, “What about my kids playing with kids who don’t share the values we’re teaching them at home?” I’ll never forget my firstborn, a kin- dergartener, asking after school about the word she’d heard at recess — starting with an “f” and ending with a “k.” I reminded myself what I bra- zenly told friends about my parenting approach: I strive to equip, not shelter my kids. Yet it’s a real tension, to raise kids in today’s messy world with- out the added pressure of them engaging on the playground daily with kids who come from very different home environments, some which may hold directly opposing world views. I approached syndicated columnist Lori Borgman, national speaker, author of “I Was A Better Mother Before I Had Kids” and most importantly, she says, proud grandmother of 11 grandkids, to address this concern. Why should I put my kids in a play environment where their values may be confronted? Borgman: The ability to smoothly navigate difficult situations is a sign of maturity. Such maturity is built on communication skills, con- fidence, grace and, yes, experience. Our young people need exposure to the sharp edges of life. What better time to get exposure to and expe- rience worldviews different from our own than under the watchful eyes of caring parents? GETTY IMAGES/E+/KALI9 But I’d like to protect my child from negative influences. How can I justify them playing with kids whose speech is laced with swear words or who may blatantly cheat in games? Borgman: As parents, we often undervalue the benefits of conflict. Our instinct is to be in protec- tion mode 24/7, always ready to put on our helmets and shoulder pads and run defense for our kids. But the truth is, there is value in the struggle. Dr. Paul Tough, author of an excellent book titled “How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character” unpacks a growing concern over young people’s inability to cope with difficulties. Tough writes, “American children, especially those who grow up in relative 38  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2019 comfort, are, more than ever, shielded from fail- ure as they grow up. If this new research is right, their schools, their families and their culture may all be doing them a disservice by not giving them more opportunities to struggle.” Tough contends that what matters most in chil- dren’s development is not how much information we can stuff into their brains, but whether we are able to help them develop a very different set of qualities, such as persistence, self-control, curiosity and self-confidence. How do I use these playground encounters as teaching moments? Borgman: Perhaps the greatest benefit of young people experiencing conflict, adversity and a clash of worldviews under a parent’s watchful eye is the discussion that follows. How did you handle that situation and would you handle it differently next time? And you can be sure there will be a next time: on the ballfield, in the neighborhood, with a new group of friends or even in your extended family. Each encounter is an opportunity to discuss when to say something and when to hold your tongue, how to offer an opposing opinion, the value of asking questions over making statements, how to diffuse another person’s anger and when you should simply find the nearest exit and run. Our young people need exposure to the sharp edges of life. Interacting with those with different worl- dviews and worldviews hostile to our own is inevitable. Practice may not make for perfect, but it can make for a well-adjusted young person. I don’t expect perfect kids, but well-adjusted sits well with me as it probably does you. That’s what I’m hoping will come of all this practice my kids—and likely yours—are going through on the playground.  n Kathryn Streeter is a Washington, D.C.-based mom and blogger. 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We have created a safe, nurturing environment for kids to learn how to cook. 2 019 W IN N ER Washington FAMILY In our kids hands-on cooking classes at Ballston Quarter and Dulles Town Center, children from ages 5-7 learn to measure, mix, and complete a dish, while kids 8 to 17 learn knife skills, how to identify ingredients and understand recipes, and proper measuring and portioning techniques. In every class, no matter their age, they’ll work with our professional chefs to learn true culinary techniques: sautéing, roasting, grilling, boiling, braising, baking, and more, all while exploring new world cuisines, healthy menus, and seasonal dishes, vegetable cookery, pasta making and even gluten-free baking, as they make sophisticated, delicious dishes DULLES TOWN CENTER AND BALLSTON QUARTER Since 2009, we’ve offered hands-on cooking classes to adults too! Join us for corporate team building classes, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners, interactive adult birthdays & anniversaries, and mixology courses! www.cookologyonline.com (703) 433-1909