DECEMBER 2019 IN 2020: PUT DOWN THAT PHONE Holiday Gift Guide S MPS IDE CA GU LS & O HO SC washingtonFAMILY.com Now – December 30, 2019 ICE! featuring Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! is Washington, D.C. Region’s Must-See indoor winter wonderland featuring: • A colorful walk-through holiday attraction with larger than life sized ice sculptures carved from over two million pounds of ice • Kept at a chilly 9 degrees • Hand-crafted by 40 artisans from Harbin, China • Enjoy four two-story tall colorful ice slides and a full Nativity in stunning crystal clear ice Tickets and Packages on Sale Now! ChristmasOnThePotomac.com | A PART OF (301) 965-4000 Located in National Harbor, MD – Conveniently located minutes from Washington, D.C. and across the river from Old Town Alexandria. PEPSI, PEPSI-COLA and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc. TM & © 2019 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. Discover your capable, confident Montessori child. 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. Now Enrolling! Visit us online today to RSVP for an event or schedule a tour! guidepostmontessori.com/northern-virginia Open House at Chantilly Campus Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aldie 24328 Marrwood Drive Aldie, VA 20105 (703) 542-5522 Broadlands 42945 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA 20148 (703) 723-3364 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 Montclair NEW CAMPUS! 3551 Waterway Drive Montclair, VA 22025 (571) 402-1888 Chantilly GP111219 4550 Walney Road Chantilly, VA 20151 (571) 321-0364 Spanish and Mandarin Immersion programs available at selected campuses Infant • Toddler Preschool • Kindergarten Elementary CONTENTS DECEMBER 2019 It’s time to put down our devices and plug back into life.  Page 20 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 15 8 CALENDAR TOYS FOR YOUR TOTS Local fun experts share the best gifts to give this holiday season. 18 NEEDLE AND THREAD Gwen Van Velsor of Yellow Arrow Publishing remembers learning to sew with her grandma. 20 LOOK UP! Resolve to take a break from your phone in 2020. 12 14 DMV FUN Holiday happenings for the whole family. AT A GLANCE “Santa’s Ride” in Fairfax County celebrates 31 years of delivering joy to hospitalized kids. 32 HEALTHY FAMILY 34 YOUR SPECIAL CHILD The importance of keeping your young athlete’s mental health in mind. One family explores medical marijuana for their daughter’s seizures. 36 BOOKMARKED Our favorite books of 2019. 38 LAST WORD How to help a child who thinks they’re being bullied. GUIDES READERS’ RESPONSES WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK We welcome your comments on specific articles, overall themes and anything else related to editorial content. Send us a message using the Feedback tab on our website: www.washingtonfamily.com. Please note we reserve the right to edit or refrain from publishing comments we deem inappropriate. 4  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 22 CAMPS 24 SCHOOLS 30 MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Sunday, December 15, 2019 1 - 4pm Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Fun-filled activities for all ages: Children’s crafts and activities Visits from Santa and Dr. Bear Pop-up Shops Holiday décor auction Musical performances and Light fare and refreshments youth entertainers Tickets and Sponsorships www.childrensnational.org/lightuptheseason Season’s gree tings from our family to yours! From all of us at washingtonfamily.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  5 OUR TEAM Cover 1 SENIOR LIFESTYLE NEWS ARTFUL AFTERNOON AMOS OZ DIES Page 20 Page 6 YO U S H O U L D KNOW DOWN FOR DUMPLINGS Page 35 January 11, 2019/5 Shevat 5779 washingto ER 2019 AUGUST/SEPTEMB m nFAMILY.co A MAGAZINE FOR PARENTS IN PRINT e er’ s Ey Co ns um F % 25 OF PHARMACY n Vitamins CEM 1/31/19 Expires Life 1 Extensio per customer. Limit TER per HABITS Rd Smallwood MD 8541 Ft. • Pasadena, Ste G Rd MD 3820 Mountain Pasadena, Ste G • In the New 410-255-0099 410-255-1800 PHARMACY ON WCBM MIKE’S Your Neighb Road 21122 3820 Mountain , MD • Pasadena 9 Suite G 5-009 410-25 ResQ Limit 1 resident and member of Tikvat Congregation looks ahead to compet- al Nutrition Brand ents CEM 1/31/19 Supplem Rd Expires Mountain MD per customer. Rd Smallwood MD 8541 Ft. • Pasadena, Ste G Pharmacy 410-255-1800 410-255-0099 HELPING CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT BETTER AGES SLEEP PAS 410-25 FREE BRAKE INSPECT ION 12 OFF TER WIN $ Service® Signature Jiffy Lube nal Oil Change be.com Conventio Visit us at TEACH YOUR BLUES or used in the Child Does Your al Have Season ion? HIGHWAY, 2610 ANNAPOLIS AT: 7101 RITCHIE PASADENA • OFFER VALID RITCHIE HIGHWAY, • 8037 1 15 OFF or a the nationals. Maryland Her 2018 SPEECH women’s doubles and mixed doubles UNDERSTANDING DISORDERS she took silvers in two badminton; AND LANGUAGE 50-yard swim events, women’s breast THE CHILDREN RING golds were in D.COM one VALUE OF VOLUNTEE in those swim events and at least ERICKSCHIL BREAK badminton event. SPRING CAMPS ’S CHILD ONLINE AT WWW.FRED Competition is generally stiff er in the age VIEW FREDERICK nationals. She will be in an older 84, bracket than in recent years — 80 to D which may work in her favor. “Every IRED ES SNOW-INSP & STORI OLYMPICS, page 14 ® WORRY BEHIND www.booker.Jiffylu in addition LEAVE any other offer with Lube locations in any cannot be combined at participating Jiffy or altered This coupon reproduced value 1/100 c. Only valid Cash CONEYESS12 to fleet discounts. Not to be sold, transferred, trademarks Expires 1/31/19. or restricted. United States. prohibited, taxed mark are registered Inc. where ® MILLERSVILLE way. 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 Get Ready for Winter THE Senior Olympics set ing in the National HOW TO AVOID Albuquerque, N.M. — her for June in PAINS my second trip to the nationals. “It’s ACHES AND hope to bring home S a national ribbon FROM BACKPACK medal.” It would be her fi rst in 3820 Pasadena, Ste G • PAS BACK TO schoo stroke and freestyle. She’ll compete l HOME BACK TO class FEBRUAR Y 2019 some turn to study Lev Bar-Av’s National Photo keeps the art of image-making alive Baltimor esChild. Story begins on page 24 homeservic t’s Thursday morning and Paul Werner is sitting inside the Yeshiva of Greater Washington with the Book of Esther open. He’s not a student at the yeshiva but this isn’t a normal is Thursday. The federal government shut down and employees like Werner — who would only say that he works in the executive branch — have been esmag.com I Center. Th ey work in the kitchen at Father McKenna D25 day of Jaron Bourke, left , and Sarinah Kalb Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center’s were among 700 volunteers for the service on Dec. 25. See page 25. Photo by Lloyd Wolf Netanyahu dogged by inquiry as election looms By Marcy Oster ERUSALEM — Israel’s attorney gen- eral likely will wait until aft er na- tional elections to announce whether he will indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in three corruption inves- be tigations, but the allegations could central to the early elections. Sources reported to be close to Avichai Mandelblit told Hebrew media includ- that ing the KAN national broadcaster J See ELECTION, page 15 74470 0 1977 7447 19778 8 2 See SHUTDOWN, page 13 S M AG AZIN ANNE ARUNDEL FOOD ALLERGIES ONE MOM'S SEE PAGE 30 CAMP FAIR VICE Fall 2018 Sum mer Camps furloughed. For Werner, the shutdown has its up- his sides. He can spend more time with family and use an otherwise lazy week- the day morning to learn Torah. But at to end of the day, he wants to get back work as soon as possible as the prospect of a missed paycheck looms. I “I have six children,” he says, “and pay private school tuition.” Werner is one of about 400,000 on “non-essential” federal employees furlough as President Donald Trump demands more than $5 billion from Congress to build a wall on the border • FEB. 24 TEAC HING BOYS YOU SHOULD KNOW TALKING MASSAGE IN THE ERA #METOO Read ers' Choi IS BACK ce 10 Lo ve BOOKS to toto CHECK THE STATS NOW! Highway 7101 Ritchie MD 21061 Glen Burnie, 0183 410-760- At This Location Available Road 2610 Annapolis MD 21144 Severn, 4002 410-551- At This Location Available $ Depress Service® Oil Change Signature Jiffy Lube Synthetic Blend & High Milage be.com Full Synthetic, ® BEHIND WORRY www.booker.Jiffylu Visit us at other offer or used in addition in the LEAVE with any Lube locations in any cannot be combined at participating Jiffy or altered This coupon reproduced value 1/100 c. Only valid Cash CONEYESS15 to fleet discounts. Not to be sold, transferred, trademarks Expires 1/31/19. or restricted. United States. prohibited, taxed mark are registered Inc. where ® MILLERSVILLE way. 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 G APPS 5 GOAL-TRACKIN CRAF TS Pictured: Student at Reston Montessori School See PAGE 12 jewishtimes.com 1 HIGHWAY, 2610 ANNAPOLIS AT: 7101 RITCHIE PASADENA • OFFER VALID RITCHIE HIGHWAY, • 8037 Highway 8071 Veterans MD 21108 Millersville, 9693 410-969- At This Location Available E COUNTY FIGHT SEE PAGE 51 with Mexico. an- 0 6> It appeared that Democrats and Re- Mandelblit has decided to wait to would be able to narrowly nounce his decision in the cases known publicans the avoid the third shutdown of the Trump as 1000, 2000, and 4000 until aft er 0 com SER By Jared Foretek Staff Writer ack when Judy Davis was the young- est of four children growing up in Bakersfi eld, Calif., she swam and played badminton — but never competitively, unless vying against her siblings counts. Th at changed about 13 years ago. “My fi rst time competing was the Maryland TO FOCUS Olympics,” the 79-year-old says. FIVE AREAS Senior medaled in swimming Now, having TO ON FOR and BACK badminton in the 2018 Maryland Olympics, the longtime Rockville SCHOOL Senior HYGIENE Israel Year % 25 OFF AS FEATURED cies: d Road Smallwoo MD 21122 8541 Ft. • Pasadena, Suite G 5-1800 Pharma PHOTOS closed, Many hands, light work FREE Senior B 410-255-0099 410-255-1800 PHARMACY MIKE’S Toys & Doug 1/31/19 CEM Expires Melissa customer. Limit 1 Pharmacy orhood January 3, 2019 By Andrea F. Siegel Special to WJW Rd 3820 Mountain MD Pasadena, Ste G • Rd Smallwood MD 8541 Ft. • Pasadena, Ste G BET % OFF DY 25 STU Pharmacy mac om Phar armacy.c mikesph www.my $1.00 | washingtonjewishweek.com | Havdalah 5:44 | Tevet 26, 5779 Vol. 55, No. 1 | Candlelighting 4:41 $0.75 MIKE’S Candle Lighting: 4:45 p.m. A LIFE IN With govt. 6 athlete looks to national Olympics JANUARY 2019 PASADENA 2018-2019 WINTER om n e .c a z i M a g HAPPY 30 years! for over & Pasadena serving HOLIDAYS Gratefully EROUS A PROSP y NEW YEAR! & ONLINE VOLUME 28, ISSUE Highway 8037 Ritchie MD 21122 Pasadena, 3311 410-768- At This Location Available Brake Service To advertise please call: 410-902-2300 | Anne Arundel County | homeservices mag.com 410-349-95 WadeLands 07 capes.com 1 Brake Service Brake Service Brake Service MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA has been covering both Beltways in a MAJOR LEAGUE way for nearly a century. DECEMBER 2019 WashingtonFAMILY.com • 301-230-2222 Craig Burke, Publisher ADVERTISING Account Executives Kim Coates, Tamara Morris, Mary Ramsdale, Stacie Shapero, Sylvia Witaschek BUSINESS Kris Ries, Accounting Coordinator • 443-471-5355 • kries@midatlanticmedia.com EDITORIAL Jessica Gregg, Lifestyle Editor • 410-902-2319 • jgregg@midatlanticmedia.com PJ Feinstein, Managing Editor • 301-230-6696 • pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com Adranisha Stephens, Staff Writer • 410-902-2328 • astephens@midatlanticmedia.com PU BLICATIO N EST. Baltimore Jewish Times .......................................... 19 19 Washington Jewish Week ..................................... 19 30 Baltimore’s Child .................. .......................................... 19 83 Baltimore Style ........................ ........................................ 19 89 Consumer’s Eye Magazin e .................................... 1991 Frederick’s Child ........................ ..................................... 19 91 Washington Family .................. ..................................... 19 92 Mid-Atlantic Custom Me dia .................................. 2004 Home Services Magazin e ....................................... 2018 Contributors Thomas Franklin, Gina Gallucci-White, Courtney McGee, Melanie Switzer Reilly Erica Rimlinger, Molly Szymanski, Gwen Van Velsor CREATIVE Lonna Koblick, Art Director Bethany Skadin, Graphic Design Intern James Meskunas, Digital Media Manager David Stuck, Staff Photographer MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher • cburke@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 301-230-2222 410-902-2300 midatlanticmedia.com 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  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 FIRST WORD Endings and Beginnings B PJ Feinstein Managing Editor pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook @WashingtonFamilyMagazine​ Twitter @FAMILYMagDC Pinterest @familymagazine Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@thefamilymagazine.com etween the start of the holiday season and the end of the year, it’s hard not to feel nos- talgic in December. And there’s even more to consider this month as we approach the end of a decade. Think back to where you were 10 years ago. How much has your life changed since then? This has been a momentous decade for me, to say the least. Most significantly, I became a mom! My first son, Levi, was born in 2011, and his brother, Asa, arrived in 2014. Professionally speaking, the past 10 years have been a whirlwind as well. I spent much of the decade working as a freelance writer with the goal of earning a spot on the editorial staff of a magazine. With one month left in the year, here I am: the new editor of Washington FAMILY. What a way to end 2019! Looking ahead to 2020, I want the content we’re publishing in our magazine and sharing online to continue to be meaningful to you. In order to make that happen, I’d love to know about the issues that keep you up at night and what you talk about when you’re grabbing coffee with friends. What are you struggling with as a par- ent? How can we help you feel more confident in your role as mom or dad? Shoot me an email or find me on social media, and let me know what’s on your mind. In the meantime, the team at Washington FAMILY has put together a fantastic last issue of 2019. There’s our annual calendar of holiday happenings around the DMV and a gift guide from local “fun experts.” Dr. Thomas Franklin, a psychiatrist, offers advice on how we can unplug from our smartphone, and writer Erica Rimlinger shares one family’s exploration into medical mar- ijuana for their daughter. Then there’s a moving personal essay from Gwen Van Velsor, founder of Yellow Arrow Publishing, about how sewing connects her to her grandmother. From our FAMILY to yours, I wish you a magical holiday season and a very happy New Year!  ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com  7 CALENDAR {  d e c e m b e r } SUNDAY 1 “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas” Everyone’s favorite insect is back — just in time for Christmas. Watch as the colorful caterpillar and other friends embark on a holiday adventure inspired by the original storybook classic. Center for the Arts, Fairfax, Va., 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. $10-$15. cfa.gmu.edu Chanticleer Listen to the beautiful Chanticleer ensemble as they perform a holiday- inspired musical show. This men’s chorus will not only be performing classic Christmas carols but also Renaissance motets and gospel melodies that will entertain the entire family. Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, Va. at 4 p.m. $33-$55. cvpa. gmu.edu MONDAY 2 FREE Funday Monday Spend the morning enjoying a creative kids’ activity with guidance from Paint Your Own Pottery. Enjoy music and movement-based fun as well with local favorites Mr. Skip and My Gym. Cabin John Ice Rink, Rockville, Md. at 11:15 a.m. $5. montgomeryparks.org Woogie Bennie as they perform their award-winning hits for kids. THURSDAY 5 Jammin’ Java, Fairfax, Va. at 10:30 a.m. $5. jamminjava.com “The Velveteen Rabbit” SATURDAY 7 In this family-focused production, everyone’s favorite rabbit comes to life Holidays on the Farm in a story that will surely get everyone Kick-off the holiday season with a day in the holiday spirit! full of hands-on activities, a miniature Adventure Theatre, Glen Echo, Md., train display, marshmallow toasting 10 a.m. and noon. $21. and a holiday-themed performance adventuretheatre-mtc.org by Ray Owens. Santa will be making a special appearance as well, so get the cameras ready. FRIDAY 6 Encore Stage & Studio’s “CSI: Christmas Scene Investigators” Christmas is soon approaching, but Santa Claus is missing. Follow along as an ambitious group of students known as the Clue Club embark on an investigative journey to find Santa before the big day. Along the way, they just might discover the true meaning of Christmas, too. Gunston Arts Center, Arlington, Va. at 7:30 p.m. $12-$15. wscavantbard.org Rock with the Rocknoceros This awesome musical trio is a true local favorite. Sing and dance along with Coach Cotton, Williebob and The Children’s Museum of Rose Hill Manor Park, Frederick, Md. Check website for times. $5. recreater.com FREE 7th Annual Tree Lighting Feel the Christmas cheer all around at One Loudoun’s annual holiday tree lighting event. After the celebration, enjoy a family dinner at one of One Loudoun’s great local restaurants. One Loudoun Downtown, Ashburn, Va. at 5 p.m. oneloudoun.com SUNDAY 8 Holiday Teen Tea Kids ages 11 and older with an accompanying adult can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the 1867 Dower House with tasty treats such as sandwiches, scones and desserts. After tea, explore the festive decor of Tudor Place on a guided tour. Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, Washington, D.C. at noon. $30-$35. tudorplace.org FREE Foxcroft School Christmas Pageant Foxcroft students have been putting on this holiday event for the community for more than 100 years, which includes live animals, colorful costumes and non-stop singing. Santa will make an appearance after the show. Foxcroft School Engelhard Gymnasium, Middleburg, Va. at 2 p.m. foxcroft.org MONDAY 9 FREE Get Your Spell On Spellers of all abilities are invited to Bellevue Library’s educational event. With prizes and tons of encouragement, the program aims at boosting kids’ spelling skills in a safe and accepting environment. 115 Atlantic St. SW, Washington, D.C. at 5 p.m. dclibrary.org THE WIZARD SCHOOL SCAVENGER HUNT Dec. 28 | 2 P.M. | $17-$19 3999 University Dr., Fairfax, Va. at 10:30 a.m. fairfaxva.gov TUESDAY 3 Bring Your Own Baby: Rothko & Co. Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center’s program provides adults with an enriching educational experience while allowing them to meet other caregivers in the community. The group will walk to the National Gallery of Art to explore the work of Mark Rothko and his modern art contemporaries. National History Museum, Washington, D.C., 10:15-11:45 a.m. $15. si.edu/seec WEDNESDAY 4 ‘Tis the season to take the kids ice skating! This family skating event is aimed at children age 4 and under and includes pushing skate aids for no additional charge. Harry Potter fans unite! Spend the afternoon enjoying a magical Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt for kids. Roam through the National Gallery of Art in search of art that correlates with people, places and objects found in the Harry Potter series. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. at 2 p.m. $17-$19. watsonadventures.com 8  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 PROVIDED Parent and Tot Skate CALENDAR the holiday season at this annual Christmas in Purcellville festivity. THURSDAY 12 “Fiddler on the Roof” Take the family out into the District to catch this beloved musical. Directed by Tony-winner Bartlett Sher, this heart-warming tale focuses on family, faith and timeless traditions. Ideal for ages 8 and up. National Theatre, Washington, D.C. at 7:30 p.m. $54-114. thenationaldc.org stories before bed. Enjoy a festive brunch with the family 1801 Hamlin St. NE, Washington, D.C. at the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg. Dress at 6 p.m. dclibrary.org Historic Downtown Purcellville, Purcellville, Va. 10 a.m. purcellvilleva.gov the kids in their Christmas finery for a professional photo with Santa Claus! WEDNESDAY 18 Prince William Little Theatre: Reservations are required. Crafty Critters “Charlie Brown Christmas” Charlie Brown tries to bring back the true meaning of Christmas to his community by directing his school’s Christmas pageant. Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, Va. at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. $15-25. cvpa.gmu.edu FRIDAY 13 Brunch with Santa 2 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg This alphabet adventure includes a Md. 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. $15-$22 (6 and story, craft and meet-and-greet with a under, free). HarvestGaithersburg.com live animal. After storytime, spend the rest of the afternoon visiting all of the park’s unique animals. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” The Herdman kids might just be the most awful kids in history. Can Vienna Boys Choir a local couple figure out how to get The angelic voices of the Vienna Boys them to cooperate in the local church Choir are out of this world. Experience SUNDAY 15 Christmas pageant? Full of craziness their talents live with a holiday- Artful Afternoons: Movement and fun, this play is a laugh-out-loud focused performance that includes Join the Smithsonian Early Enrichment good time for ages 8 and up. classical masterpieces, contemporary Center for a creative afternoon that Arts Barn, Gaithersburg, Md. at 2 p.m. pop favorites, carols and more. focuses on movement. Students in $12-20. gaithersburgmd.gov Center for the Arts, Fairfax, Va. at 8 p.m. grades K-3 can participate in different $33-$55. cfa.gmu.edu activity stations around the museum’s TUESDAY 17 art studio and learn about artists Jackson Pollack, Soto and Otero. FREE Pajama Story Time SATURDAY 14 Need helping getting the kids to wind National Museum of American History, FREE Christmas in Purcellville down after dinner? Put them in their Washington, D.C. at 2-4 p.m. $32 per Face painting, live music, pictures family. seecstories.com jammies and head on over to the with Santa, an ornament workshop Woodridge Library for an evening of and more. Soak in the magic of A fun-filled music performance for young audiences from the Netherlands! What do colors sound like? Who can understand the moon? How do you sing a tree? This concert presented by Dutch music company Oorkaan transports young audiences to an enchanted world in which music, artists, images, and technology interact with one another. Jazzy melodies mix with bright visuals, forming a captivating new way to relate to music and sounds. Age 2–4 Kennedy-Center.org (202) 467-4600 THURSDAY 19 FREE Wiggle Time It’s not always easy for little ones to stay still, and that’s OK. This program at Francis A. Gregory Library encourages guided movement and play during story time to enhance comprehension. 3660 Alabama Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. at 10:30 a.m. dclibrary.org Winter Lanterns Glimpse January 11 & 12 Terrace Gallery Leesburg Animal Park, Leesburg, Va. at 10:30 a.m. $10.95-15.95 leesburganimalpark.com NSO Family Concert Beauty and the Beat See NSO principal second violinist Marissa Regni and NSO principal percussionist Eric Shin in an exciting new program exploring the magic created when the violin and percussion join together. This melodic and rhythmic ride for families proves that no matter how different the instruments are, they can come together to make some beautiful music. January 18 & 26 Family Theater Age 3+ The REACH at night glows with the D.C. debut of approximately 100 stunning Winter Lanterns crafted by Chinese artisans made up of 10,000 colored LED lights. Jan. 22–Feb. 2 The REACH grounds Chinese Family Day The popular event returns! A number of free activities will be offered including: arts and crafts, traditional costume photo booth, zodiac stickers, and demonstrations of calligraphy, plus exciting performances of traditional music, a magician from Shenzhen, the Lion Dance, and more. January 25 The REACH grounds All Ages My Fair Lady From Lincoln Center Theater comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady. It tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed? Dec. 17–Jan. 19 Opera House Age 8+ Groups call (202) 416-8400 Bank of America is the Presenting Sponsor of Performances for Young Audiences. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540 Additional support is provided by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather, and the U.S. Department of Education Additional support for Glimpse is provided by Dutch Performing Arts Major support for education programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David M. Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program. Major Theater Supporters: International programming at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts. WashingtonFAMILY.com  9 CALENDAR THE DISTRICT’S HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE Dec. 7 | FREE FRIDAY 20 Daddy-Daughter Date Night There will be dancing, music, snacks, drinks and a photo booth for dads and their little girl(s) at the Zen Lounge. All guests get to take home a goodie bag to remember their special night. The Zen Lounge, Manassas, Va. at 6:30 p.m. $7-$25. SATURDAY 21 Gingerbreadpalooza Take a kid-friendly architecture tour around historic Tudor Place, enjoy a quick story time and then design your own gingerbread house, cottage or mansion to take home. 1644 31st St. NW, Washington, D.C. at noon and 2 p.m. $5-$15. tudorplace.org Head over to the Wharf to watch the enchanting holiday boat show while sipping hot cocoa, listening to live music, making smores and taking pictures around the lighted Christmas tree. Plus, parents can enjoy adult winter drinks at the Waterfront Wine & Beer Garden. The Wharf, Washington, D.C. at 6 p.m., wharfdc.com First Studio: Story & Workshop Children ages 3-5 can explore the gallery, listen to a story and partake in a hands-on art project at The Kreeger Museum with an accompanying adult. The program 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. ® 601 S. Stonestreet Ave. Rockville, MD 20850 240-252-2555 mchumane.org 10  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 CALENDAR aims at activating children’s imaginations. Pre- registration required. 2401 Foxhall Rd. NW, Washington, D.C. at 10 a.m. kreegermuseum.org SUNDAY 22 “Snow Queen” TUESDAY 24 FRIDAY 27 MONDAY 30 FREE Santa’s Wonderland “The Magical Pinata” FREE Magic Monday Series: Physical Theatre Workshop Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops includes rustic cabins, holiday characters, remote-control trucks and a toy arcade. Visitors can make festive crafts and write last-minute letters to Santa. In this family-friendly story, a little girl 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, Md. ventures across far lands with a magic at noon. basspro.com mirror to save her best friend from the Snow Queen. Synetic Theater, Arlington, Va. $15-$30 at 4 p.m. synetictheater.org MONDAY 23 “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (The Musical!)” THURSDAY 26 1742 Church St. NW, Washington, D.C. at 11 a.m. $20. keegantheatre.com SATURDAY 28 FREE Read to Rover It’s true — dogs are great listeners! Kids ages 5 to 12 can practice literacy skills by reading aloud to some cute and well-behaved furry friends at Northeast Neighborhood Library. All dogs are trained and certified by the nonprofit People Animals Love. Enjoy a live version of the beloved bedtime favorite by Mo Willems at the Kennedy Center Family 330 7th St. NE, Washington, D.C. at 6:30 Theater. Watch as the characters p.m. dclibrary.org come to life through a combination of puppets and actors. 2700 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. at 1:30 p.m. $20. kennedy-center.org In this Keegan Theatre play, a magical clay pot transports a girl from her home in Mexico to a mysterious jungle. There she discovers a wide range of interesting characters who encourage her to take pride in her home and her cultural background. Science Saturday Synetic Theater’s Children’s programming artists introduce kids in grades K-5 to physical theater through hilarious sketches, fun activities and games at Central Library. Bring your imagination and willingness to participate! 1015 North Quincy St,, Arlington, Va. at 2 p,m. library.arlingtonva.us TUESDAY 31 Enjoy engineering- and chemistry- Hands-On History based activities related to this month’s Kids ages 3-8 can play dress up in theme, “Bomb Squad Science,” at the 18th-century clothing, learn about National Law Enforcement Museum. George Washington, read books, 444 E St. NW, Washington, D.C. at 1 make crafts and even meet the p.m. Free with admission to the museum. first president’s farm animals at the lawenforcementmuseum.org Donald W. Reynolds Museum & Educational Center at Mount Vernon. 3200 Mount Vernon Hwy, Mt Vernon, Va. at noon. Free with admission. mountvernon.org  ■ life changing With a dedication to compassionate, personalized care and comprehensive resources, Sheppard Pratt is a source of hope and healing for every patient and family it serves. 410.938.3000 | sheppardpratt.org MENTAL HEALTH | SUBSTANCE USE | SPECIAL EDUCATION | DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY | SOCIAL SERVICES WashingtonFAMILY.com  11 DMV FUN Holiday HAPPENINGS BY PJ FEINSTEIN There’s never a shortage of family-friendly events happening in the DMV, and that’s especially true during the holiday season. From festive lights and icy adventures to enchanting ballets and (believe it or not) a waterskiing Santa, December around the District is a magical time for children of all ages. Whether you celebrate Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or any combination of the above, here are some exciting holiday happenings — a mix of traditional and non-traditional events — you and your kids won’t want to miss. ‖ LIGHT BRIGHT ‖ ‖ FROZEN FESTIVITIES ‖ WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL Experience the wonder of 450 illuminated displays and enchantingly lit trees from the warmth of your car on a 3.5-mile drive through Seneca Creek State Park. Tickets required. Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg, MD, through Dec. 31, Sunday-Thursday: 6-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday: 6-10 p.m. visitmontgomery.com BETHESDA’S ANNUAL WINTER WONDERLAND Local school choirs sing songs of the season while talented sculptors carve blocks of ice into holiday masterpieces on the streets of downtown Bethesda. Keep your eyes open for a visit from Santa. Free. Veterans Park, Bethesda, MD, Dec. 7, 1-4 p.m. bethesda.org ZOOLIGHTS New additions to the National Zoo’s dazzling annual holiday tradition include animal-shaped lanterns, an Instagram- worthy interactive art installation and no- snow-required tubing. Free. National Zoo, Washington, D.C., through Jan. 1, 5-8 p.m. nationalzoo.si.edu CHANUKAH ON ICE! Lace up your skates and celebrate the first night of Chanukah on the ice, which kicks off with the lighting of a 6-foot menorah. Latkes and kosher hot dogs are available to purchase. Tickets required. Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Rink, Arlington, VA, Dec. 22, 6-8:30 p.m. chabadalexandria.org BULL RUN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Follow the magical glow of holiday lights on this 2.5-mile drive through Bull Run Regional Park. Santa will be waiting in the holiday village on select nights for family photos. Tickets required. Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA, through Jan. 5, Monday-Thursday: 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Friday-Sunday (and holidays): 5:30-10 p.m. novaparks.com GAYLORD NATIONAL’S ICE! Two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures depict favorite scenes from Dr. Seuss’s “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” Dress warmly for your stroll through icy Whoville. Tickets required. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD, through Dec. 30. tickets. gaylordnational.com GEORGETOWN GLOW The 6th edition of this curated exhibit of outdoor public light art installations shines a light on D.C.’s oldest neighborhood. Free. Georgetown, Washington, D.C., through Jan. 5, 5-10 p.m. georgetownglowdc.com HOLIDAY SING-A-LONG Gates open at 2:30 p.m. for a performance by the U. S. Marine Band and a sing-a-long of Christmas carols and Chanukah songs with local choir and vocal groups. Bring a bell for the “Jing-A-Long,” a candle for the traditional 12  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 candlelight processional and your holiday cheer! Free. Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA, Dec. 7, 4 p.m. wolftrap.org KWANZAA CELEBRATION AT DANCE PLACE Join Coyaba Dance Theater, Coyaba Academy and special guests as they celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa through dance. Tickets required. Dance Place, 3225 8th St., N.E., Washington, D.C., Dec. 14, 7 p.m.; Dec. 15, 3 p.m. danceplace.org THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER A remixed and reimagined version of the Christmas classic, this holiday mash-up updates Tchaikovsky’s classic score with a DJ, an electric violin and awe-inspiring contemporary and hip-hop dancers. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD, Dec. 17-19, 8 p.m. strathmore.org THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS PRESENTS: NUTCRACKER IN A NUTSHELL At one hour and 15 minutes, this abridged version of the beloved classic is the perfect length for the whole family to enjoy. Tickets required. Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Alexandria, VA, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 22, 3 p.m. thecenterforballetarts.com SEASONS OF LIGHT Now in its 20th season, this interactive event for elementary-aged children celebrates the history and customs DMV FUN of Diwali, Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Santa Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas and the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice. Tickets required. Discovery Theater, Ripley Center, Washington, D.C., through Dec. 20, 10:15 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. discoverytheater.org A FAMILY CHRISTMAS Presented by the Choral Arts Society of Washington, this one-hour sing-along of favorite children’s holiday songs includes a visit from Frosty, Rudolph and Santa. Tickets required. The Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., Dec. 24, 11 a.m. kennedy-center.org ‖ MERRY MAKING ‖ ENCHANT CHRISTMAS Nationals Park becomes a winter wonderland with a 90,000-square-foot light maze in the outfield and an ice skating trail in the infield. Shop for gifts in the Christmas market and enjoy holiday-themed food and drink. Tickets required. 1500 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C., through Dec. 29. enchantchristmas. com/dc 74TH ANNUAL GREATER MANASSAS CHRISTMAS PARADE Grab a spot on the sidewalk for one of the largest holiday parades in Northern Virginia, featuring marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons and more. Free. Historic Downtown Manassas, Manassas, VA, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. gmchristmasparade.org NATIONAL MENORAH: CHANUKAH ON THE ELLIPSE The annual lighting of the National Menorah includes musical performances from the U.S. Marine Band and Dreidelman and the Maccabees, delicious Chanukah treats and free dreidels and menorah kits. Free, but tickets required. The White House Ellipse, Washington, D.C., Dec. 22, 4 p.m. nationalmenorah.org WATERSKIING SANTA For the 34th year, Santa swaps his sled for water skis as he and his merry crew take to the Potomac River for a most unusual Christmas Eve tradition. Free. Old Town Alexandria, Alexandria, VA, Dec. 24, 1 p.m. waterskiingsanta.com CHRISTMAS AT MOUNT VERNON Costumed characters tell stories of Christmases past at George Washington’s estate. Holiday-themed tours and programs take place throughout the month, including chocolate-making demonstrations and ornament decorating. Tickets required. Mount Vernon, VA, through Dec. 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. mountvernon.org  ■ NOW OPEN! • Homemade Ice Cream • Freshly Baked Cupcakes Daily • Pupcakes • Milkshakes • Cookies & More! • Catering • Special Events • Made to Order Cakes Join us at Harvest Plates and Pints for a Sunday-Thursday 10:30am-9:30pm Breakfast wit h Santa Friday-Saturday 10:30am-10pm Celebrate the holiday season with the family and jolly ole’ Saint Nicholas! All your Brunch Favorites! Sunday, December 15, 2019 • 11:30am-3:00pm Adults (Ages 13+): $22; Children (Ages 6-12): $15; (6 and under, free) Reservations preferred. Call 240-238-1132 for reservations Register by December 8th to receive a complimentary gift ! Holiday Inn Gaithersburg 2 Mongomery Village Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20879 HarvestGaithersburg.com Facebook.com/HarvestGaithersburg 488 N. Frederick Avenue • Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Located next to Ross & Chuck E Cheese www.lilcakesandcreamery.com • 240-474-5850 Buy 1 Cupcake, Get 2nd Cupcake 50% OFF With this Off er. Must Present off er. Valid 12/1/19 – 1/5/20. Buy 1 Ice Cream Scoop, Get 2nd Ice Cream Scoop FREE With this Off er. Must Present off er. Valid 12/1/19 – 1/5/20. Half Dozen Cupcakes (6) One Dozen Cupcakes (12) 18.99 $ 37.99 $ Reg $22.99 Reg. $41.99 With this Off er. Must Present off er. Valid 12/1/19 – 1/5/20. With this Off er. Must Present off er. Valid 12/1/19 – 1/5/20. WashingtonFAMILY.com  13 AT A GLANCE COMMUNITY Among the many things that children look forward to during the holiday season is discovering whether Santa has rewarded their “nice behavior” with a favorite toy (or two!) under the Christmas tree. But what happens when a child is hospitalized during the holidays and unable to be home on Christmas morning to open presents? In Fairfax County, those children get an early visit from Santa himself. For 31 years, Santa has been swapping his sled and reindeer for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and police escort in early Dec. to collect toys for children at local hospitals. He and his merry crew will ride into town on Dec. 11-12 to deliver gifts and yuletide spirit at INOVA Children’s Hospital - Life Services Center and the Georgetown Hospital Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. This annual tradition traces its origins to 1987 when Fairfax County Police Department motor officers Buddy Sekely and John Burdette were invited by the Montgomery County Police Department’s motor squad to help deliver Christmas gifts to D.C. Children’s Hospital, now Children’s National Hospital. Sekely and Burdette were so inspired by the positive impact the event had on the children and their parents that they wasted no time starting their own ride the following year. Officer Sekely, now retired, played Santa until 1993. He remembers the challenges he faced recruiting elves for Fairfax County’s inaugural Santa’s Ride in 1988. “I had a little resistance from some of the guys in the department at first since a lot of them were not too keen on the idea of wearing an elf costume, but it only took one time participating and everyone was hooked,” he says. “Shortly after that, I got the chief onboard, and the whole thing took off.” Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and Frosty were soon added to the lineup, and eventually the ride got so big that a second day was added to visit more hospitals. Needless to say, the event is no small undertaking, and the Fairfax County Police Department’s motor squad scrambles like Santa’s elves on Christmas Eve to pick up donations of unwrapped toys from local police stations, various local businesses and participating Fairfax county schools. More than 100 boxes of toys are typically collected, and the gifts — including games, books and even bikes — are sorted in a warehouse by age and gender to make it easier for distribution at the hospitals. Nurses will help Santa figure out what kinds of toys each child prefers. Coordinating this year’s event is Fairfax County police Pfc. Charles Reinhard. “Seeing the joy on these kids’ faces is so gratifying, and the parents are so grateful as well. The fact that we help take these kids’ minds off being sick and in the hospital, if only for a brief moment, makes it all worth it,” Reinhard says. Santa will also leave some toys to be delivered on Christmas morning and other times throughout the year. Any remaining gifts will be given to various local charities, including the INOVA Life with Cancer Center. If you’d like to donate to this special cause, you can drop off a new and unwrapped toy, game, book or other gift to any Fairfax County Police Station, Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, Fairfax County Print Shop at the Government Center, Fairfax City Police Department, Vienna Police Department or the lobbies of the Pennino and Herrity Office Buildings. All donations should be made before 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 9.   ■ —MELANIE SWITZER REILLY Santa, Mrs. Claus and their friends will be rolling into Fairfax County on their motorcycles during the second week of December to deliver toys to young hospital patients. 14  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 PROVIDED Delivering Christmas Cheer To Hospitalized Kids y a d i l o H t Guide Gif TOYS FOR YOUR TOTS Fun gift ideas from the area’s fun experts BY WF STAFF G ot a kid to buy for and no clue what to get? Steven Aarons is your guy. As owner of Barstons Child’s Play, which has stores in Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean and Rockville, Aarons gets as excited as any child about toys. “We believe in a lot of open-ended play,” Aarons says, and his choices for this year’s shoppers reflect that. Let’s start with the dragon that breathes steam. Yep, Hearthsong’s Steam Breathing Dragon ($40) breathes hours of imagi- native play with all that hot air. Not the animal of choice for the wee folk in your house? How about a Tumbling Hedgehog ($40) from Thames and Kosmos? This cute-faced critter is a programmable pet that reacts to sounds and handclaps. For kids who would like a toy that’s even more active, Aarons recommends B4 Adventure’s Cosmic Mini Golf ($120- $160) — basically a “make-your-own miniature golf course” that comes in a variety of course lengths. IMAGINATION REQUIRED Other toys that make Aarons’ list include BRIO’s Wooden Pinball Game ($50) and a Gumball Machine Maker ($40), also from Thames and Kosmos, which is exactly what it sounds like and also somewhat “like a marble run but with gumballs.” Many parents are familiar with Our Gen- eration Dolls, the reasonably priced cousin of American Girl dolls and a line known for its range of accessories. The popular sleepover set, for example, even has its THAMES AND KOSMOS TUMBLING HEDGEHOG $ 40 B4 ADVENTURE COSMIC MINI GOLF $ 120 – $ 160 BLUE ORANGE TUMBLE MAZE $ 28 WashingtonFAMILY.com  15 y a d i l o H t Guide Gif OUR GENERATION DOLLS GRILL TO GO FOOD TRUCK $ 120 LEGO’S IDEAS TREE HOUSE $ 200 own full deck of doll-sized cards. New this year, the line is offering a Grill to Go Food Truck ($120), which is expected to ride the popularity of the line’s ice cream truck. LEGO’s IDEAS series offers a Tree House ($200) with leaves that can be changed out with the seasons. And speaking of being green, Bio Buddi, a Dup- lo-compatible set of bricks, is made from plant-based materials, which make for a “better long-term” toy, Aarons says. (Set prices start at $20.) Toy shoppers can expect to see some of the familiar this year as well — “Star Wars,” “Frozen” and that boy wizard, Harry Potter, remain popular, as do Pokémon, fidgets and games, Aarons says. YELLOW SCOPE SCIENCE KITS $ 50 16  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 This recommendation comes from aMuse toys, which has stores in Fells Point and Quarry Lake, and we love it: Yellow Scope Science Kits ($50). These award-winning kits, created by moms and scientists for creative girls interested in STEM, include Foundation Chemistry, Paper Chroma- tography and Acids, Bases and pH. Their newest kit, DNA and Traits, comes with lab equipment, a notebook and outlines for many activities that explore DNA. The founders at Yellow Scope are passionate about educating and inspiring girls, and their science-based gifts will enthrall any curious mind. Got a puzzle lover to buy for? Check out Blue Orange’s Tumble Maze ($28), a logic game that involves creating a maze SNOWFLAKES: GETTY IMAGES/DIGITALVISION VECTORS/ ALEKSANDARVELASEVIC; ALL OTHERS PROVIDED BRAIN TEASERS to get a marble through a series of tracks to a finishing point. “We can’t stop play- ing it,” says Flora Stelzer, co-owner of Shananigans in Baltimore. “There are so many levels to get through, so we’re always entertained.” With 40 levels that increase in complexity, this gravity-pow- ered puzzle engages children and parents alike, challenging even the brainiest. Kathleen Donahue, owner of Labyrinth Games & Puzzles in Washington, D.C., is a big fan of Little Likes Kids, a brand of memory games and puzzles created by Takoma Park mother Kemi Tignor “It’s so hard to find puzzles that have diversity,” Donahue says. “The art for these puzzles is absolutely gorgeous, and it’s super inclusive. I really love it.” A favorite is the Sweetgrass Head Basket Memory Game ($17), but the line also has Santa puzzles that feature an African-American Santa ($14). Shashibo Shape-Shifting Box ($20) is a seemingly simple toy that offers any child endless ways to play. A magnetic puzzle cube that can be used as a creative medium or just a quiet fidget toy, the box is avail- able in four mesmerizing patterns and can be transformed into more than 70 shapes. And you heard it here first: Archery is back! Featuring foam-tip arrowheads, Two Bros Bows Archery Set ($53) is a safe alternative to traditional bows and arrows for kids with a wild sense of adventure. We think this set has the potential to be a new child (and parent!) favorite. TRENDY TOTS Fashion-forward babies will look extra adorable in unique threads from Emer- son & Friends Baby Apparel ($22 per onesie). This apparel line features witty slogans and soft fabrics. Another good one for the littlest ones on your list: Indestructibles Baby Books ($6), which are rip-proof, chew-proof, non- toxic and 100 percent washable. They offer original stories based on classic nursery rhymes. Happy shopping, parents!  ■ With reporting from Molly Szymanski LITTLE LIKES KIDS UNDER $ 20 SHASHIBO SHAPE SHIFTING BOX $ 20 EMERSON & FRIENDS BABY APPAREL $ 22 WashingtonFAMILY.com  17 Needle and Thread BY GWEN VAN VELSOR ountains of paper piles sit crookedly on my kitchen table. Paper cutters, awls, bone fold- ers and rulers are strewn about. Pages are printed, covers are cut to size, paper is folded and punched with holes. At last, all the pieces come together, and it’s time to bind the book. It takes weeks to make several dozen books this way. Every single time this process starts, I ask myself if it is worth it. I know how much easier, and per- haps neater, the product would turn out if it were sent off to a printing compa- ny. I could simply email the file and a perfectly packed box would arrive at my doorstep. Instead, I sit at my table night after night, folding and cutting, stitching and trimming. I slide my glasses on and slip the waxed thread through the eye of an over- sized needle. The needle glides through the cover, into signature one and out sig- nature two. Again and again the needle dives between the pages until it meets its tail in the middle. I pull the thread taut, snip it off and tie a knot. Another book is born. The pages are sewn together, one by one, hour by hour, until my fingertips ache. It’s in the sewing, the act of pulling needle and thread to create something new, that I think of my grandmother. I remember the sunshine beams cut- ting through the crystal gems that hung over the kitchen window in my grandpar- ent’s trailer, making little rainbows on the table. I was about 8 years old, sitting on a backless bench and attempting to re-thread a needle with adeptness and confidence like grandma. As she waited for me, she didn’t stop talking; she never stopped talking. But I liked to listen. She told me about making dress patterns from brown paper during the Depression and the time she received a single sacred orange for Christmas. That summer, it was decided that my grandmother, Wanita, would give me sewing lessons. I was an eager student, longing to embroider my own hankies with delicate violets or to make fashion- able skirts that no one else had. During my first lesson, we used the sewing machine and our hands to make a lit- tle stuffed lion with button eyes and an embroidered nose. Grandma wouldn’t have called herself a seamstress, but she could sew any- thing, so it seems like the right word. She made my mother’s wedding dress and made matching Easter dresses for Cabbage Patch dolls. She embroidered pillow cases and crocheted lap blankets. There were glamorous taffeta gowns for Christmas, and one Halloween, she made me a spot-on Sleeping Beauty cos- tume. She made things for my numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, too. Never forgetting a birthday or holiday, Grandma took the time to make some- thing special for each of us. It was her way of self-expression, her way of creat- ing space in a world where having a voice outside of the sewing room was rare. Today, my own projects consume the kitchen table just like hers did, but I’m not sewing dresses. I’m making 18  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 books. As I stitch away at them, mak- ing a neat pile after finishing each one, my breathing slows and the light in the room feels warm. I’ve found a way to fuse the personal nature of the words in these books with a product that feels like it was made just for the reader. Because it was. In this way, I know she is here. She’s part of me in the joints of my fingers, in the quietness of my mind, as I was once a part of her. A peaceful presence. Yes, it seems a little crazy to make all these books when it would be so easy to have them printed. But in the tranquility of this process, thinking of my grand- mother, it becomes clear. This making of books slows me down, way down, enough to impart some good thoughts and prayers into each book I sew. It allows me to create space for expression. My three year old marvels at the sup- plies on the table, longing to pull the heavy arm of the paper cutter. Usually I wait until she is sleeping to sew, but this time I show her my tools, and she watches as another book comes together. I teach her how to make a simple folded book, and she writes intently in the pages with a chubby blue marker. Maybe one day, when she’s older, my daughter will remember me sewing at our kitchen table and decide to create something of her own using a needle and thread.  ■ Gwen Van Velsor is founder of Yellow Arrow Publishing, a Baltimore-based nonprofit that supports writers identifying as women through literary events and a biannual journal that is bound by hand. BALLET, HIP-HOP, JAZZ/TAP & MORE! + ICE CREAM TRUCK Professional Instruction Free Leotard with Registration Children & Adult Classes 301-515-8908 BOOK NOW FOR YOUR Summer Programs School Fairs Corporate Venues Birthdays 571-283-2408 ❤  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 info@commotiondance.com commotiondance.com D A N C E. L E A R N. S H I N E. 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 Book Your Child’s Party Today! 713-412-7600 www.confettiteepees.com Register Now for Summer Classes, DANCE Register JOIN Now OUR for Summer Classes, Camps, and FAMILY 2018/2019 School Year! TODAY! Camps, and 2018/2019 School Year! REGISTER NOW! GERMANTOWN, MD FAMILIES SCHOOL GROUPS SCOUTS BIRTHDAYS 703-533-8830 • perfectpointe.com/arlington 2499 N. Harrison St., Suite 1-LL, Arlington, VA 22207 Register for 2018/2019 School JOIN OUR now DANCE FAMILY TODAY! Year Classes, don’t miss out! 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 (Weekdays by request) www.carouselpuppets.com glenechopark.org/aquarium 8060 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22153 • 703-440-9000 • perfectpointe.com/springfield Follow us on An Abridged version of the beloved classic Friday, December 20 at 7:30 pm  Sunday, December 22 at 3:00 pm Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center 4915 E Campus Dr, Alexandria, VA 22311 WashingtonFAMILY.com  19 Look Up! IN 2020, TAKE YOUR EYES OFF YOUR PHONE BY DR. THOMAS FRANKLIN I We are currently raising a generation of young people who struggle to tolerate boredom. Instead of learning to sit with their thoughts, they compulsively reach for their phones. t’s that time of year when we all resolve to be better. Perhaps in 2020, you’ll resolve to lose weight, quit smoking or be more kind. These are good resolutions. But I believe an important resolution you can make in the new year is this: Look up! Put down your phone and engage with the world around you. We have all become addicted to our phones. It is understandable. Our smart- phones provide real value to our lives. We use them to connect with friends, listen to music, take photos, follow the news or research any and every passing thought that pops into our head. But their constant presence has brought us to the precipice of a mental health crisis. Children are using devices and inter- acting with media at a growing rate. They are being put in front of screens instead of interacting with other humans and caretakers. According to Common Sense Media, children as young as 5 years consume over two hours of media a day. Adults often use these devices in lieu of spending quality time with their children, spouses and each other. And despite being more “connected,” we feel lonelier than ever. Suicide and depression are rampant, even when we know that actual, real-life social con- nectedness is one of the most effective preventatives of both. iCRISIS As a psychiatrist at Sheppard Pratt Health System, I’ve witnessed firsthand an alarming rise in the incidences of sui- cide and reports of depression among the general population, but especially in adolescents. Research points to a dis- turbingly strong correlation between the cumulative time that teenagers spend on their devices with depressive thoughts 20  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 and suicidal actions. And a 2017 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the number of high schoolers considering suicide has increased by 25 percent between 2009 and 2017. It is this younger generation that concerns me the most. Readers from Generation X (of which I am a member) and older had the benefit of experienc- ing their formative years without the crutch of being able to text their par- ents or friends whenever they felt bored or lonely. As a teen, I did not experience daily FOMO — “fear of missing out” — because I wasn’t exposed to an endless feed of photos and messages from every party to which I was not invited. The synapses and circuitry in my brain were allowed to form without a constant bar- rage of stimuli that has been shown to short-circuit attention spans and limit deeper cognitive processes. As a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and addictions specialist, I can tell you that we are currently raising a generation of young people who struggle to tolerate boredom. Instead of learning to sit with their thoughts, they compulsively reach for their phones. Instead of interact- ing spontaneously and deeply with each other and their environment, many are scrolling endlessly. These attempts to cure boredom with devices leave users feeling depleted, uncomfortable and unable to actually think. YOUR BRAIN ON SMARTPHONES Do you remember that commercial that aired in the late 1980s during the height of the cocaine epidemic? An actor held up an egg and said, “This is your brain.” He showed us a pan and told us it was drugs. Then he cracked the egg into a pan and we watched it sizzle as he said, “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?” It was an alarming mental image that I can still remember all these years later. Your brain on smartphones is not quite as dramatic. Certainly, most of us can still function in spite of our digital addiction. But the statistics are alarming enough to make everyone think about the impact of the constant barrage of social media and access to 24/7 technology on our mental health. Smartphones render our minds like a pinball, bounced around as we respond to texts, then bumped back to check our sta- tus and then knocked back over to answer an email. It’s a lot of work that leaves us feeling anxious and exhausted. Our devices feed us these constant stimuli, and we gorge on it despite its use- lessness, often to the exclusion of what’s going on around us. PLUG BACK INTO LIFE So what is the solution? I wish I had a sil- ver bullet to fix our overdependence on technology. The fact is, smartphones are here to stay. It’s not realistic for most of us to completely unplug. But we can try to limit its impact on our mental health. Simply being aware of your use of technology will help you rein it in.  ■ Dr. Thomas Franklin is a psychiatrist at The Retreat at Sheppard Pratt. He is board certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine. For more information, visit sheppardpratt.org. NEED HELP UNPLUGGING? a Turn off all notifications on your smartphone so that you’re checking it on your timeframe, not because of some app’s insistence. a Limit the amount of time children use their devices by banning them at the dinner table or after a certain time in the evening. a Try taking a day off each week entirely — for example, “No Electronics Sundays.” Your family may start off complaining, but it could end up as the best day of the week. a Swap mindless scrolling for intentional activities like old-fashioned board games or jigsaw puzzles, family walks or face-to-face conversations. a Spend a week or two away from social media every year. People come up with their best ideas when their minds can wander. Daydream. Be bored. (And let your kids be bored, too!) a Look up! Put the phone down while your daughter is doing something cute. Look at your spouse while they are sharing a story. Make eye contact and smile as you walk down the street. You might just make someone’s day.   ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com  21 CAMP GUIDE 2019 Holiday and Spring Break Camp Guide 22  WashingtonFAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 CAMP GRIFFIN AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com; kmock@westminsterschool.com 703-340-7268 3819 Gallows Rd., Annandale, VA Ages: 3-14 Winter Camp 2019-2020 12/23, 12/26-12/27, 12/30-12/31 and 1/2-1/3 Camp Hours: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Spring Camp 2020 March 30 - April 6, 2020 Hours: Early Care: 7:15-9 a.m.; Regular Camp Hours: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.; Extended Care, 3-6 p.m. Spring has sprung at Camp Griffin! Join us March 30 - April 6, 2020 for field trips, arts, outdoor adventures, cooking and so much more! Get a taste of what our Summer camp has to offer! CAMP KEETOV 11810 Falls Road Potomac, Maryland 20854 (301) 279-7505 https://www.whctemple.org/education hgroeger@whctemple.org Ages: Toddlers to 5 years Day Camp ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO SPRING BREAK CAMPS encorestageva.org/camps; camp@ encorestage.org 703-548-1154 Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 4000 Lorcom Ln., Arlington, VA When school is out, Encore is in! While school is on a short vacation, Encore will take its students on a vacation of a lifetime–into literary destinations! Encore is pleased to offer holiday mini-camps for students in Kindergarten – 2nd grade and Play in a Day for 3rd-5th grade on days when schools are closed. GLEN ECHO PARK AQUARIUM: A CHESAPEAKE BAY DISCOVERY CENTER gepaquarium.org; info@gepaquarium.org 301-955-6256 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD Enjoy an exciting day of exploration and learning as we discover the amazing life of our rivers and oceans while meeting live animals. KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS kidsfirstswimschools.com; contact@ kidsfirstswimschools.com Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 301-540-SWIM 18066 Mateny Rd., Germantown, MD 301-638-SWIM 3307 Crain Hwy., Waldorf, MD 703-444-9673 21800 Town Center Plaza, Ste. 215, Sterling, VA 703-488-9800 Sully Plaza Shopping Center, 13985 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly, VA 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. PINECREST SCHOOL pinecrestschool.org; admissions@pinecrestschool.org 703-354-3446 Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. 7209 Quiet Cove, Annandale, VA Pinecrest School offers spring break care for current families from April 6-10, 2020, and June Care from June 8-12, 2020. Children will enjoy fun-filled days with indoor and outdoor play, games and more! PINECREST SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP / PINECREST PAVILION pinecrestschool.org; camp@pinecrestschool.org 703-354-3446 7209 Quiet Cove, Annandale, VA Creative and enriching theme classes: an exciting mix of STEM, arts and crafts, physical activity and games for preschoolers through 6th graders. Scavenger hunts, science experiments, engineering challenges and much more will be part of each day’s fun! Before-care beginning 7AM and after-care until 6PM available.  ■ GETTY IMAGES / E+ / SKYNESHER CAMP ARISTOTLE AT THE AUBURN SCHOOL scott.swick@catapultlearning.com 201-588-8048 9115 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD larissa.vlassich@catapultlearning.com 703-793-9353 3800 Concorde Parkway, Chantilly VA Accepting Applications for the 2020-2021 School Year • Apply for admission • Schedule a shadow visit pallottihs.org | admissions@pallottihs.org 301-725-3228 | Laurel, MD SAVE THE DATE! • Raff les and prizes • Family-fun activities • Exhibitors from all over the DMV • Giveaway bags 2020 Join Us For a Day of Family Fun! Northern Virginia: Sunday, January 19, 2020 Noon-4pm • Fair Oaks Mall Register: WFCampFair2020NOVA.eventbrite.com Maryland: Sunday, February 9, 2020 Noon-4pm Westfield Montgomery Mall Register: WFCampFair2020MD.eventbrite.com Contact your account executive to become an exhibitor Contact advertising@washingtonfamily.com or call 301-230-2222, ext. 4 WashingtonFAMILY.com  23 EDUCATION GUIDE 2019 EDUCATION GUIDE 24  WashingtonFAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 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. SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI sunsethillsmontessori.com 703-476-7477 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. Hours: 7:00 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. 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 GLEN ECHO PARK AQUARIUM knowledge and skills by working gepaquarium.org for an extended period of time info@gepaquarium.org to investigate and respond to an 301-955-6256 authentic, engaging and complex 7300 Macarthur Blvd. question, problem, or challenge. Glen Echo, Md. All students enjoy small class sizes Celebrate with the fishes! The and make use of our 45- acre Glen Echo Park Aquarium, a wooded campus on a daily basis. Chesapeake Bay Discovery Center, Barrie is located in Silver Spring, offers a unique party experience. Maryland, minutes from the Follow the flow of water from local ICC and Glenmont Metro. Our streams, to rivers, the Bay and close proximity to downtown the ocean. Tour the exhibit hall, Washington, D.C. enables students touch live sea creatures, craft and to take full advantage of the celebrate in a party room. cultural and educational resources available in the area. RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS restonmontessori.com thecenterforballetarts.com office@restonmontessori.com ctrbalarts@aol.com 703-481-2922 703-273-5344 1928 Isaac Newton Square 3955 Pender Drive, Ste. 103, West, Reston, Va. Fairfax, Va. Hours: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Ages: 3-Adult Established in 1986, Reston The Center for Ballet Arts provides Montessori School is a private, a well-rounded curriculum and coeducational school for children pleasant encouraging environment from 3 months through 3rd grade. for dance training in many RMS provides academic school different disciplines. Classes are day, enrichment programs and designed to promote flexibility, before/after school activities. strength, artistry, coordination and technique. GETTY IMAGES / E+ / KALI9 ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT & FIELD TRIPS EDUCATION GUIDE 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. N.E, 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. instruction, operating 20 locations across 5 states, teaching over 100,000 students annually. REVELS AFTER-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS revelsdc.org/revels-kids/ education info@revelsdc.org 301-587-3835 531 Dale Dr., Silver Spring, MD Winter & Spring 2020 4:15-5:45 PM Give your child a great foundation in the arts in Washington Revels’ play-based, globally minded after- school workshops. “Revels Kids” develop an inclusive worldview through traditional songs, dances, games and stories from around the world. 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 INTERNATIONAL Check website for list of all SCHOOL OF MUSIC locations. ismw.org; info@ismw.org The Kids First Swim Schools are 301-365-5888 America’s largest provider of year 10450 Auto Park Ave. round warm water swimming Bethesda, Md. 11325 Seven Locks Rd, Suite 255 instruction, operating 20 locations across 5 states, teaching over Potomac, MD 100,000 students annually. Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. MUSIC, ART & Voted best in music instruction, the PERFORMING ARTS International School of Music offers music lessons in all instruments COMMOTION DANCE STUDIO and voice to students of all levels 13097 Wisteria Drive, L1 and ages. Preschool music classes Germantown, Md. and adult music instructions commotiondance.com are also available in addition to info@commotiondance.com the optional performances and 301-515-8908 certificate programs. Book your Be encouraged, engaged, trial lessons today. excellent! CoMMotion is more than a dance studio, it’s a place KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS where you learn life-long lessons, kidsfirstswimschools.com of integrity, patience, leadership contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com and achievement. Intro classes, Check website for list of all Free Uniform, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, locations. Contemporary, Hip Hop, Poms. The Kids First Swim Schools are America’s largest provider of year round warm water swimming Celebrate HAPPINESS// CHALLENGE// Unique Minds Encourage CURIOSITY// Now Enrolling! Campuses in Fairfax VA, Silver Spring MD and Baltimore MD ▪ www.theauburnschool.org ▪ A school for academic and social success! WashingtonFAMILY.com  25 EDUCATION GUIDE HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ART harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301 204-F Mill St. N.E., Vienna, Va. Hours: Monday-Friday 12-8:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 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 offers music lessons in all instruments and voice to students of all levels and ages. Preschool music classes and adult music instructions are also available in addition to the optional performances and certificate programs. Book your trial lessons today. 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. 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. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com admissions@ westminsterschool.com 703-256-3620 K-8 3819 Gallows Road Annandale, Va. Preschool (3 and 4-year-olds): 6800 Columbia Pike Annandale, Va. Hours 8 a.m.-5 p.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. PERFECT POINTE MUSIC & DANCE STUDIO perfectpointe.com/springfield springfield@perfectpointe.com 703-440-9000 8060 Rolling Road Springfield, Va. Offering classes in ballet, tap, PRIVATE SCHOOLS & PRESCHOOLS AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL aidanschool.org 202-387-2700 2700 27th St., N.W. Washington, D.C. Aidan Montessori School is a co-ed independent school located in Woodley Park. Aidan has served children’s natural development, innate curiosity, and pursuit of independence since its founding as one of the nation’s first Montessori schools in 1961. ​ THE AUBURN SCHOOL theauburnschool.org admissions@theauburnschool.org 703-793-9353, 301-588-8048 3800 Concorde Pkwy., Ste. 500 Chantilly, Va. 9115 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, Md. 7401 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, Md. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The Auburn School is an independent day-school with a specialized program which offers JOY AND MATH CAN BE USED IN THE SAME SENTENCE. EXPLORE • WONDER • GROW Beauvoir offers an extraordinary education designed for early learners. Accepting applications for pre-kindergarten to third grade for the 2020-2021 school year. Now Enrolling Ages 2 to 6 Toddler Program • Before & After Care NEW Outdoor Education Classroom Montessori Kindergarten & Preschool Advanced Academic Curriculum McLean, VA • 703-356-5437 • www.brooksfieldschool.org 26  WashingtonFAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 EDUCATION GUIDE BEAUVOIR, THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL beauvoirschool.org 202-537-6493 3500 Woodley Road, N.W. Washington, D.C. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Beauvoir provides an educational environment fostering a lifetime of enthusiasm for learning and growth while nurturing the spiritual, ethical, intellectual, emotional, physical and social development of every child. 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. FEYNMAN SCHOOL feynmanschool.org admissions@feynmanschool.org 301-770-4211 11810 Falls Road, Potomac, Md. Grades: Preschool-Grade 5 Open House: Sunday, December 15, 2019 2 PM - 4 PM (parents and prospective students welcome) Thursday, January 9, 2020 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (adults only) 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. 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. 3551 Waterway Drive Montclair, Va Ages: Infant to elementary Guidepost Montessori in Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William counties is among a growing, worldwide network of schools that offer language immersion for ages infant through elementary. 2 019 W IN ER 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. 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. N a stimulating educational program for intellectually engaged students with challenges in the areas of communication, socialization, language, and organization. Auburn’s program simultaneously supports the development of academic skills, social 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. Washington FAMILY The Area’s Leader in STEM Education Best for Families Winner for Best STEM Program for the 2nd consecutive year Open Houses: Sunday, December 15, 2019 2 PM - 4 PM (adults and prospective students welcome) Thursday, January 9, 2020 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (adults only) Or contact us for a private tour: admissions@feynmanschool.org or 301.770.4370 Preschool-8th Grade www.feynmanschool.org Autism is treatable. Early intervention is critical. 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 WashingtonFAMILY.com  27 THE THE WORLD’S WORLD’S LARGEST LARGEST PROVIDER PROVIDER OF OF CHILDREN’S C CHILDREN H H I I L L D D R R E E N N S S SWIMMING S SWI W W I I M M M MING I I N N G G INSTRUCTION I I INSTRUCTION NS CHILDREN’S SWIMMING C CHILDREN S SWI M MING NS S S T T R R U U C C T T ION ION N N GIVE GIVE THE THE GIFT GIFT THAT THAT WILL WILL LAST A LIFETIME! LAST A LIFETIME! Teach Teach a a child child to to swim swim at at KID’S FIRST KID’S FIRST Swim Swim Schools! Schools! V V is is it o f f a a c c e it b o o o u u r r p p a a g g e e b f o o o k k a a li li st o e f fo r r s lo lo c c a t t o io f n o o u u r r atio n s s We We Offer: Offer: • • Group Group or or Private Private instruction instruction • • Mommy Mommy & & Me Me Classes Classes • • Developmental Developmental Swim Swim Team Team • • Homeschoolers Programs Homeschoolers Programs • • Birthday Birthday Parties Parties M Bowie: 443-755-0111 301-262-SWIM Columbia: Columbia: 443-755-0111 A Columbia: 443-755-0111 Rockville: 301-217-5910 R Rockville: 301-217-5910 Germantown: 301-540-SWIM Germantown: 301-540-SWIM Y Germantown: 301-540-SWIM Laurel: VA: 301-725-SWIM Chantilly, 703-488-9800 L Chantilly, VA: 703-488-9800 301-984-SWIM A North Bethesda: Waldorf: 301-638-SWIM Waldorf: 301-638-SWIM N Rockville: 301-217-5910 Falls Church: 703-534-SWIM Falls D Waldorf: Church: 301-638-SWIM 703-534-SWIM $10 OFF NEW NEW CUSTOMERS CUSTOMERS ONLY ONLY TO TO RECEIVE RECEIVE DISCOUNT DISCOUNT PRESENT PRESENT COUPON COUPON AT AT REGISTRATION. REGISTRATION. V Chantilly: 703-488-9800 Bowie: 301-262-SWIM 301-262-SWIM I Bowie: Falls Church: 703-534-SWIM VA: 703-444-9673 R Sterling, Sterling, VA: 703-392-SWIM 703-444-9673 Manassas: 703-392-SWIM G Manassas: Manassas: 703-392-SWIM Midlothian: 804-744-6513 MD: 301-725-SWIM I Laurel, Laurel, MD: 703-321-SWIM 301-725-SWIM Springfield: N North North Bethesda: Bethesda: 301-984-SWIM 301-984-SWIM I Sterling: 703-444-9673 A Does your child need… A place to make friends with support? A camp with structure & consistency ? A supportive & highly trained group of staff? A more understanding camp environment? A low camper to teacher ratio? A small camp environment? Camp Aristotle at The Auburn School a camp program that supports social development through fun and friendship! Fairfax, Silver Spring and Baltimore www.camparistotle.org 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 NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR Kay School Offering preschool, prekindergarten, kindergarten and School Age before and after care options. A NATURE BASED AND ARTS INTEGRATED PROGRAM IN HERNDON, VA b UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE DATES a Dec. 7, Jan. 18 and Feb. 1 Each Sat. from 9-11 RSVP to director@kayschool.org www.kayschool.org • 703.264.9078 3006 Dower House Dr., Herndon, VA 28  WashingtonFAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 EDUCATION GUIDE KAY SCHOOL kayschool.org director@kayschool.org 703.264.9078 3005 Dower House Drive Herndon, VA Ages: 2 1/2 through kindergarten Open Houses: All from 9-11 a.m. Dec. 7, Jan. 18, Feb. 1 Kay School provides a safe, loving and caring environment for children ages two-and-a-half through kindergarten, as well as for school-age children through middle school in our before and after school programs. 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 -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: Thursday, Dec. 12th, 9:00 a.m. 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. 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: 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. 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. Since 1967, Spring Bilingual Montessori Academy (SBMA) has protected and encouraged children, and at the same time challenged and stretched them to the limits of their intellect and imagination. This is, above all, where children learn how it feels to do one’s best work, and to have the effort as well as the product recognized and celebrated. Programs available in Spanish and French. EDUCATION GUIDE WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com admissions@ westminsterschool.com 703-256-3620 Grades: Preschool-8th Grade 3819 Gallows Road Annandale, Va. Hours: 7:00 a.m.-6:15 p.m. Open House: Monday, Jan. 27th, 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. 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 Ste. 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 SPORTS & FITNESS partner with each family to develop KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS and implement an individualized kidsfirstswimschools.com therapeutic plan. We also help contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com families coordinate the logistics Check website for list of all of therapy so that they can focus locations. their time on what really matters The Kids First Swim Schools are – caring for their children. Our America’s largest provider of year team is staff by professionals who round warm water swimming are passionate about working instruction, operating 20 locations with children. Our program is across 5 states, teaching over supervised by master’s and 100,000 students annually. doctoral level Board Certified SKATEQUEST Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) skatequest.com and delivered by highly-trained info@skatequest.com therapists. We believe that our 703-709-1010 children’s families and caregivers 1800 Michael Faraday Ct., are integral members of the Reston, Va. treatment team and we treat them Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. that way. We serve the DC-NoVa- SkateQuest is a twin sheet indoor Baltimore area.  ■ 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. Follow us on WashingtonFAMILY.com  29 MONTESSORI GUIDE Discovering Montessori DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA VIRGINIA AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL aidanschool.org admissions@aidanschool.org 2700 27th Street NW Washington, DC Ages: 18 Months to Grade 6 202-387-2700 MARYLAND THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org brksfield@aol.com 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages: 2-6 703-356-KIDS COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL cmsreston.com bonnieredcms@gmail.com 1700 Reston Pkwy., Reston, Va. Ages: Infants-6 years 703-478-3656 HOLLY BROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@hollybrookmontessori.com 2455 Gallows Road Dunn Loring, Va. Ages: 3-5 703-573-7800 preschoolmontessori.com info@huntermillmontessori.com 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, Va. Ages: 2 years 9 months-5 703-938-7755 MONARCH CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI kidslovemonarch.com kidslovemonarch@gmail.com 15120 Enterprise Ct., Ste. 100 Chantilly, Va. Ages: 18 months-6 703-961-8281 MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax, Va. Ages: 3-6 703-560-4379 ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS / FATCAMERA Montessori School Guide bethesdamontessori.com admissions@bethesdamontessori.com 7611 Clarendon Road Bethesda, Md. Ages: 3-6 301-986-1260 BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL HUNTER MILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL 30  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 MONTESSORI GUIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL AT GOOSE CREEK PRESERVE SPRING BILINGUAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY goosecreekmontessori.com 42470 Rosalind St., Ashburn, Va. Ages: 16 months to 6 years 571-417-3999 spring-bilingual.org 301-962-7262 3514 Plyers Mill Road Kensington, Md. Ages: 2-6; Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.  ■ RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com 1928 Isaac Newton Sq., Reston, Va. Ages: 3 months-Grade 6 703-481-2922 Follow us on ALL THE RIGHT RESOURCES … AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! WashingtonFamily.com/guides/ A parent’s resource for Education, Special Needs, Party Planning, Arts, Music and Sports Programs … and more! C OMMUNITY M ONTESSORI S CHOOL ♦ STEM ♦ Music ♦ Spanish ♦ PE & Yoga ♦ Infants to 6 years CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! ➾ Back-to-School • Education Theater & Arts •Party Extravaganza Private Schools •Special Kids Welcome to Washington Baby & Maternity •Camps Dentist & Orthodontist •Entertainment Indoor Play •Preschool & Child Care Private School Open House Spring Break Camps/Holiday Camps Tutoring, Therapy & Special Needs Virtual Camp Fair Open House: December 6th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. 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  31 HEALTHY FAMILY Head in the Game An athlete’s mental health is also important BY COURTNEY MCGEE Are today’s athletes under more pressure or are we just more attuned to it now and better prepared to recognize it? It’s a multifactorial issue. First, participation in sports and almost elite-level performance expectations are being tied to a promise of scholarships and admissions to higher-level education. Second, we live in the day and age of data analytics; for every level, we now have access to performance data that is being shared widely. This has inadver- tently led to performance pressures in younger athletes, thereby moving the focus away from joy and camaraderie to competitive advantage. Third, social media has enabled individuals to express themselves in ways that were pre- viously unknown or not possible. For exam- ple, someone may be physically isolated, yet able to communicate their thoughts and feelings with hundreds and thousands on a social media platform. Hence, we are now aware of something that previously would have gone unnoticed. 32  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 Are teams today becoming more likely to address mental health issues? With growing appreciation of mental health issues and their negative impact on over- all health, society is paying relatively more attention to an athlete’s emotional state now compared to the past. Teams are try- ing to address these issues; however, the outcomes are highly variable depending upon the openness of the stakeholders and available resources. Unfortunately, stigma and disjointed health care continues to impede progress. Are some activities higher risk for kids who may be more vulnerable to anxiety or depression? Athletes are representative of the general population. Some sports have more of a risk of physical injury, thereby increasing the risk of mental health sequela. However, there is no one sport that can be identified as particularly stressful. It is important to understand that the individual and the surroundings can affect the stress level. If done right, sports participation should be a net positive for an individual. Do student-athletes feel more pressure from peers, from coaches or from themselves? Student-athletes feel pressure from all of the above. Just like they can be motivated from within and from their peers, coaches and family, they can also feel pressured to perform a certain way by all of these. What are the signs of distress to look for? And what sort of actions should we take if we see warning signs? Isolation, lack of interest, missing prac- tices, bodily symptoms right before performance, drug/alcohol use, poor sleep ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/DTIBERIO W hen it comes to youth and sports, intensity seems to be growing at an alarming rate. Rampant pressure coupled with hectic schedules and little down time for rest and reflection can create an environment of high stress. As such, the mental health needs of young athletes have become a real concern. Dr. Deepak Prabhakar serves as med- ical director of outpatient services at Sheppard Pratt Health Systems and spe- cializes in sport psychiatry; he is certi- fied by both the National Football League and Major League Baseball. His goal is to address athletes’ mental health needs so that players as well as their teams are better served. Washington FAMILY asked Prabhakar about youth sports and mental health concerns. HEALTHY FAMILY and poor nutrition choices are some of executive-function skills. All of these fos- the warning signs. If you see any of these ter mental health and overall wellness. signs, you should seek professional help, leading to appropriate and timely diagnosis >> Three more takeaways: • “Sports is part and parcel of life and and management transitions,” Prabhakar says. At transi- tion age points, pay attention to what How can we foster good the child’s needs are elsewhere, not mental health from the start? just in the sport setting. It is import- By focusing on the overall growth and ant to consider academic stress, social development needs of an individual rather issues and familial issues. than looking at sports through the solitary • There is a longstanding belief in sports lens of performance outcomes. A key point culture that pushing through pain for parents to remember is that partici- is somehow a good thing. “For kids, pation in sports should be a matter of joy that mentality can be harmful not not only for the student athlete, but for the only physically, but psychologically,” family as well. Prabhakar says. Being attentive to appropriate safety measures includes How does involvement in not only protection from injury, but sports present positive also awareness and evaluation of how opportunities for good mental the athlete is feeling. health in young athletes? • Sports provide fundamental oppor- Participating in sports can offer oppor- tunities to grow and learn and are in tunities for physical activity, positive and general a valuable and positive expe- age-appropriate social engagement, sense rience for kids. “Not all learning is of belonging, responsibility and account- books,” Prabhakar reminds us.  ■ ability to self and others, planning and COMING IN JANUARY Camps! A key point for parents to remember is that participation in sports should be a matter of joy not only for the student athlete, but for the family as well. —DR. DEEPAK PRABHAKAR Healthy Smile... Healthy Child Follow 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. Overnight Camps Camp Fairs: January 19, 2020 (NOVA) & February 9, 2020 (MD)  Print readership 147,000  Website page views 34,776  E-news subscribers 22,657  Social Media Followers 15,330 Call to advertise: 301-230-2222, Ext. 4 or email advertising@washingtonfamily.com • • • • • • • • • • • • 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 Fairfax office: 9901 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030. Springfield office: 6120 Brandon Ave. Suite 114, Springfield, VA 22150 WashingtonFAMILY.com  33 YOUR SPECIAL CHILD Can Medical Marijuana Help Kids with Seizures? One family looks for answers W “There are so many different types. You’re just buying one and trying it to see if it works. It’s really been hard.” — TINA STROUP hen Maryland licensed its first medical marijuana dispensaries in 2015, Trent and Tina Stroup believed the move might hold promise for their teenage daughter, Addie, who faces multiple medical challenges including epilepsy and autism. The Stroups heard through multiple advocacy groups and resources that medical marijuana could be a panacea for people who, like Addie, faced frequent seizures that persisted despite years of medical effort. “We heard of other families that have used cannabis and have had some success going seizure-free and pharmaceutical med-free,” Trent says. Could medical marijuana work for Addie? The medical marijuana industry has exploded since the first Maryland providers were licensed. According to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC), there are currently 82 dispensaries, 17 grow- ers and 17 processors with licenses. As of August 2019, there were 73,433 patients cer- tified through the state compared to 10,341 in December 2017. That’s a 610% increase in less than two years. After registering his daughter as a patient with MMCC, Trent searched for a provider from one of more than 500 doc- tors and medical professionals registered with the commission who can “certify” patients. Certification is not a prescrip- tion: Prescribing medical cannabis is illegal under federal law. Doctors and other health- care providers can only recommend or issue certifications. In order to be certified, patients must be diagnosed with a condition that is, accord- ing to MMCC’s requirements, “severe” and for which other medical treatments have been ineffective and for which the symp- toms “reasonably can be expected to be 34  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 relieved” by the medical use of marijuana. Addie met all of those requirements. But Trent encountered delays during every administrative step in acquiring Addie’s medical marijuana card, and the process took 10 months from start to finish. When Washington FAMILY asked MMCC via email about the delays in Addie’s application, the commission replied that it could not discuss specific cases due to HIPAA concerns. Addie’s original medical team hadn’t directed them to try marijuana, but for the Stroups, whose child’s seizures were severe and seemingly unstoppable, marijuana’s reputation found them first. In the decade-plus since Addie’s diag- nosis, Tina and Trent have plugged in to several advocacy groups through social media and the internet, where they and other parents share challenges and solutions for their children’s medical conditions. Communicating with other parents in groups created to discuss epi- lepsy “always seems to help,” says Tina, “because they’re the ones who have tried” the most solutions. The Stroups first tried cannabidiol, or CBD. “We’ve seen a lot of things where CBD oil helps people sleep. We’ve been using that for two to three years. It does help her sleep,” Trent says. But it had no impact on Addie’s seizures. Dr. Anne Comi, a pediatric neurologist at Kennedy Krieger Institute, has been researching the effects of CBD on kids with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a condition that can cause seizures. Children with this syn- drome, says Comi, “are at very high risk for epilepsy, strokes and stroke-like episodes.” Comi uses Epidiolex in her research, which is a brand-name “pharmaceuti- cal-grade, highly purified” CBD product “derived from marijuana.” The amount ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/JITTIMA KUMRUEN BY ERICA RIMLINGER YOUR SPECIAL CHILD of THC (the intoxicating chemical that occurs naturally in marijuana) is “minis- cule” in Epidiolex. Comi says research into Epidiolex for epilepsy began about 10 years ago and yielded “dramatic” results. Comi and her colleagues at Kennedy Krieger started studying Epidiolex with kids whose seizures failed to stop despite trying multiple — “sometimes eight to 10” — dif- ferent medications. In their two published studies, there was a “small subset of patients who had become seizure free, which was remarkable,” says Comi, who saw a huge improvement in the cognitive abilities and quality of life of these patients. In addition, “Epidiolex reduced seizure frequency by 50 percent in 40 percent of patients,” she says. “That doesn’t seem like a whole lot, but remember: These are patients for whom nothing seemed to help. For them, it was a tremendous help.” Comi understands that parents in desperate situations might pursue medical marijuana, but she doesn’t recommend it to her patients. “There is a lot of misunderstanding in this field,” she says. According to Comi, pre-clinical studies have raised concerns about THC on the immature brain. And without product reg- ulation protocols in place, consumers may not know exactly what they’re getting with these products. Whereas every bottle of Epidiolex is formulated to identical spec- ifications of purity, she explains, medical marijuana sold in dispensaries holds no such guarantee. The Stroups had been warned by their peers about the trial-and-error involved in finding the correct strain and dose of medical marijuana, but they’d already spent 15 years navigating the trial-and-error of mainstream pharmaceuticals to no avail. Tina asked about THC in one of her online groups and received “a slew of information” in response, she says. Adding that she was asking from Maryland, the information became even more specific. Other parents began recommending certain strains of marijuana and the dispensaries that offered pediatric discounts. The Stroups decided to try incorporating THC into Addie’s medical regimen. “We added a little bit in, a very small amount,” Trent says. “It seemed to dramatically, exponentially increase her appetite. We only added 3 milli- grams of THC, and her appetite went through the roof.” Because of this, and because they saw no improvement in their daughter’s seizures, the Stroups stopped using it. Addie’s parents understand they’re nav- igating through new territory. “There’s no, ‘This is the amount you take, this is the type you take,’” Tina says. “There are so many different types. You’re just buy- ing one and trying it to see if it works. It’s really been hard.” Despite the early promise of cannabis in the treatment of seizures, Tina and Trent are learning that, for Addie, cannabis does not yet offer “the magic solution.” But they aren’t giving up yet. Tina says they’ve recently heard of another strain that might work for Addie. “Trent was going to go to another dispensary and find this other kind that another family sug- gested,” she says. Hopefully this one does the trick. ■ Parenting isn’t easy, but there are strategies that can help. Find support and resources at familytreemd.org/flip or our 24-hour Parenting HelpLine at 800-243-7337. WashingtonFAMILY.com  35 BOOK MARKED Best of the Year Here are a few of our favorite books of 2019 These wonderful tales, all published this past year, are perfect for gift-giving and library-borrowing. BOARD/TODDLER “Baby Play” by Skye Silver A wide variety of babies, caregivers and families are featured dancing, laughing, splashing and building. Eye-catching pho- tographs and easy-to-read text will engage even the youngest readers. PICTURE BOOKS “Pokko and the Drum” by Matthew Forsythe The biggest mistake Pokko’s parents make is giving her a drum, as they live in a quiet forest and do not want to draw any atten- tion. When Pokko goes outside to play her drum, she attracts others who want join in and enjoy the music. If you or your little ones march to your own beat, this is the perfect story for you. “Small in the City” by Sydney Smith This quiet picture book follows a young child who wanders through the city provid- ing encouragement and advice on how to navigate the big city. In a twist at the end, we find out who “you” is. “The Upper Case: Trouble in Capital City” by Tara Lazar Private I, the detective introduced in 2017’s “7 Ate 9,” is back on the case when he learns from Exclamation and Question Mark that all of the other capital letters have disap- peared from Capital City. This picture book for older readers will warrant a re-read, as wordplay and sight gags combine with a traditional mystery story. MIDDLE READERS “Look Both Ways” by Jason Reynolds Jason Reynolds is a New York Times- bestselling author, a Newbery Award hon- oree, a Printz Award honoree, a National Book Award honoree, a Kirkus Award win- ner, a two-time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, a NAACP Image Award winner and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. His latest work is 10 inter- connected slice-of-life short stories, each following different middle-graders as they walk home from school. This is storytelling at its finest. YOUNG READERS “Strange Birds” “Frank and Bean” It’s the summer before seventh grade, and four girls who have never met before form a club, an anti-scout group of sorts, in response to a pretentious girl scouting group called the Floras that focuses on social etiquette and hosts a pageant where the winner is crowned with a hat made of unethically sourced feathers. The girls learn about friendship as they grow to sup- port one another over their common cause. All four narrate in alternating chapters, by Jamie Michalak Frank is a hot dog who just wants to be left alone at his campsite to write in his secret journal. Bean is, well, a bean who loves to make noise. It is most definitely not like-at- first-sight for these two, but Frank comes around and the two form an unlikely friend- ship and a band, The Chili Dogs. Four short chapters are perfect for emerging readers looking for lots of laughs. 36  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 by Celia Perez Happy MARKED Birthday, BOOK E.B. Lewis! Each month, we celebrate a birthday of literary significance. allowing for each of their unique character arcs to be explored as well as their differ- ent perspectives of the shared experience. Perfect for middle schoolers learning how complicated friendships can be. YOUNG ADULT “With the Fire on High” by Elizabeth Acevedo The multiple award-winning author returns with her second novel, this one featur- ing Emoni Santiago, a teen mother who is starting her senior year of high school in Philadelphia. Always comfortable in the kitchen, she enrolls in an immersive course with the opportunity to spend a week in Spain learning from master chefs. Her home life features her “Buela,” who helps raise 2-year-old Emma and gives Emoni the push she needs to discover her pas- sion. Acevedo, a former Prince George’s County schoolteacher, strikes gold again in this moving work, which also features mouthwatering recipes. There is a good chance that you have picked up a book illustrated by E.B. Lewis at one time or another. Lewis has created art for more than 70 books, several of which have won awards. During his career, he has received the Coretta Scott King Award, the Caldecott Honor Medal and the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. Lewis became interested in art in third grade. He went to Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture, where he discovered his love and preference for watercolor. His primary focus has been on the African-American experience, and many of the books he has illustrated are the retelling of stories generally not found in history books. Some of his best-known work includes “Talkin’ About Bessie” by Nikki Grimes, “D is for Drinking Gourd” by Nancy I. Sanders and “Each Kindness” by Jaqueline Woodson. Lewis, who was born on Dec. 16, 1956, teaches at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and regularly visits schools and holds book signings, workshops and art exhibits. “Deposing Nathan” by Zack Smedley Told in a nonlinear chronology, this sur- prising debut novel deftly tackles major issues facing the two protagonists. Nate has been raised in a staunchly Catholic family. Cam has no interest in God. They meet on the first day of their junior year of high school and hit it off immediately. Until one night, when tragedy strikes and their relationship changes forever. Written by a recent UMBC grad, this novel’s deep dive into aspects of religion, sexuality and the legal system makes for a fascinating and heartbreaking read.  n Compiled by the Baltimore County Public Library’s Collection Development Staff WashingtonFAMILY.com  37 LAST WORD What’s Bullying And What’s Not BY GINA GALLUCCI-WHITE L Bullying is when somebody with more power, or believed to have more power, repeatedly tries to cause harm or exclude someone. ately I’ve noticed that the word “bullying” is being used a lot more frequently in con- versations with friends and family as well as on social media. But are we too quick to label any hurtful situation as bullying? While doing some research, I came across a post titled “What Bullying Is Not” by the Frank- lin County Community School Corporation in Indiana that explores incidences where bullying is not occurring, such as accidentally bumping into someone, making other kids play games or activities a certain way, or not being friends with someone. “It is very natural that people do not like every- one around them and as unpleasant as it may be to know someone does not like you, verbal and non-verbal messages of ‘I don’t like you’ are not acts of bullying,” according to the educators who wrote the article. Bullying, on the other hand, is when some- body with more power, or believed to have more power, repeatedly tries to cause harm or exclude someone. It’s aggressive and also reoccurring, according to the website StopBullying.gov, a site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Because the ramifications of bullying can include depression and even suicide, society has stopped dismissing certain incidents by saying “boys will be boys” or calling it “just kid behav- ior,” says Megghan Thompson, owner and clinical director of Thompson Child Therapy in Mount Airy, Maryland. “I think with the increase in awareness of the consequences of bullying, it has TOP: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/ COURTNEY HALE; RIGHT: GETTY IMAGES/E+/ SOLSTOCK 38  Washington FAMILY  DECEMBER 2019 lead parents to ask more questions about what really is bullying,” she says. Parents can help kids understand the difference between bullying and isolated non-bullying inci- dents by asking questions and empathizing with their child, which validates their feelings. “That can be their key tool in investigating,” Thomp- son says. “Not only does your child feel heard and understood, which is the perfect way to combat the effects of actual bullying, but it also gives you more details if you need to advocate for your child.” She always tells parents to get specifics before moving on to teaching moments. “We don’t want to close the door if the child really is being bullied, and have our child shut down or clam up because we jumped straight into advice giving or teaching mode, or what I like to call ‘fix it mode,’” she says. Parents should also be careful not to escalate situations that are already tense, which Thomp- son believes happens because they want their child to feel safe. Asking the child how they’d like the situation to be handled may help parents col- lect more information about the incident. “When we are curious, we can then figure out if [the] child is seeing whether or not this instance is true bullying, and then we can teach,” she says. Thompson also encourages parents to think about how they would react if their best friend was telling them the same story about his or her child. “If you can pause and have that conversa- tion with yourself or your spouse before you call the principal the same day ... that can help you get some perspective of what questions need to be answered by the school, if any,” she says.  ■ STEP INTO A WORLD OF HOLIDAY FUN. Immerse yourself in a world of holiday spirit at the return of WinterFest at Kings Dominion. The whole park will be transformed into a glittering winter landscape, with ice skating, festive characters, rides, live shows, and more. And don’t miss out on the New Year’s Eve Celebration. Visit kingsdominion.com to learn more. SELECT DATES NOV 23 – JAN 1 Discover the Washington, D.C.’s Capital of Christmas Gaylord National’s Christmas on the Potomac is the ultimate holiday destination with over a dozen holiday events, spectacular decorations, amazing shows and more including ICE! a walk-through attraction carved from over two-million pounds of ice. ICE! Featuring Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! * Ice Skating NEW Reindeer Rush Tubing * NEW Feast with The Grinch * Cirque Dreams Photos with Santa * Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions and much more! Stay overnight to experience it all! Tickets and Packages on Sale Now. ChristmasOnThePotomac.com | (301) 965-4000 TM & © 2019 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved. PEPSI, PEPSI-COLA and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc. NATIONAL HARBOR, MD