CAMP GUIDE INSIDE washingtonFAMILY.com FEBRUARY 2022 Sm a r t. Loca l. Pa re nt ing for t he DMV. a Super Summer at Camp Heart-Healthy Habits to Teach Your Child Now DIY Your Valentine’s Day Go ahead and freestyle your me-style. The UNCOMMON IS CALLING. PA slopes are a little more casual than your typical skiing destinations. Sure we have some black diamonds, but there are plenty of freestyle slopes and bunny hills, as well. So whatever your style, you can show it off here. Go to visitPA.com to find out more. CONTENTS COURTESY CAMP PEGASUS IMGORTHAND/E+/GETTY IMAGES FEBRUARY 2022 Children with special needs can reap a host of good things from summer camp.  Pg. 10 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 10 06 SUMMER CAMP BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Camps around the mid-Atlantic region offer fun, inclusive programming for kids. 19 COMMEMORATE BLACK HISTORY Discover six historic sites around the DMV that delve into stories of Black Americans. 26 DENTAL DETAILS Get answers to questions about children’s oral health. 29 HEART-HEALTHY HABITS Diet, exercise and proper sleep form the building blocks for children’s wellness. DIRECTORIES 15 22 SUMMER CAMPS EDUCATION GUIDE TOP 10 FEBRUARY EVENTS Plan your family’s fun this month. 08 DIY Make a Valentine’s Day heart garland. 09 WF BLOG What questions should you ask when evaluating summer camp options? 18 PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW Meet NBC News4 anchor and reporter Erika Gonzalez. 31 HEALTHY FAMILY Find out how to prevent the most common children’s injuries. 32 BOOK MARKED Feel the love for good books this month. 34 MY TURN Contributor Cheryl Maguire offers some mom humor this Valentine’s Day. READERS’ RESPONSES WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback — on specific articles, overall themes and anything else related to editorial content. Enter your comments on the Feedback tab of our website: info@washingtonfamily.com. Please note we reserve the right to edit or refrain from publishing comments we deem inappropriate. WashingtonFAMILY.com  3 OUR TEAM EDITORIAL Michael Vyskocil, Editor mvyskocil@midatlanticmedia.com Eleanor Linafelt, Staff Writer elinafelt@midatlanticmedia.com FEBRUARY 2022 VOL. 30, NO. 2 WashingtonFamily.com/ 301-230-2222 Lindsay VanAsdalan, Staff Writer lvanasdalan@midatlanticmedia.com Craig Burke, Publisher Jeni Mann Tough, Associate Publisher Contributors Laura Farmer, Barbara Noe Kennedy Cheryl Maguire, Mimi Markopoulos Jennifer Rothschild ADVERTISING Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher cburke@midatlanticmedia.com ©2022 Washington FAMILY. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with this publication’s standards. All rights reserved. 11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852. 2021 2021 Overall Writing 2021 Overall Design Publisher’s/ Editor’s Note 2021 Briefs/ Short Stuff 2021 2021 News Feature Feature Layout EXPANDING PRIMARY PROGRAM CIRCULATION 301-230-2222, ext. 1 Sales Consultants Lisa Gaglia Alan Gurwitz Pam Kuperschmidt Jodi Lipson David Pintzow Sara Priebe Mary Ramsdale Kim Coates Schofield Stacie Shapero Sylvia Witaschek CREATIVE Jay Sevidal, Art Director Sherley Taliaferro, Graphic Designer Rachel S. Levitan, Graphic Designer Paul McGuigan, Graphic Designer James Meskunas, Digital Media Manager Carl Weigel, Graphic Designer MARKETING Julia Olaguer, Audience Development Coordinator BUSINESS Pattie-Ann Lamp Accounting Manager 410-902-2300 plamp@midatlanticmedia.com 2021 2021 Single-Page Design 2021 Profile Column: Family Fun MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Jeni Mann Tough, Associate Publisher jmann@midatlanticmedia.com 2021 2021 Personal Essay Q & A Interview 2021 Feature Layout “my growth as an actor was immediately evident” EXPLORE • WONDER • GROW Grades 3-6 Acting Camps in Tysons Now Enrolling Ages 2 to 6 Toddler Program • Before & After Care Montessori Kindergarten & Preschool Summer & Spring Break SMALL BY DESIGN • AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE Sleep Away Acting Camps Advanced Academic Curriculum 1 hour from DC; grades 4-12 McLean, VA • 703-356-5437 • www.brooksfieldschool.org travelingplayers.org • 703-987-1712 • Visit Our Tysons Corner Studio 4  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 FIRST WORD Lots to Love About February W Michael Vyskocil Editor mvyskocil@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook @WashingtonFamilyMagazine​ Twitter @FAMILYMagDC Pinterest @familymagazine Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@thefamilymagazine.com elcome to February, moms and dads! I hope that the beginning of this month finds you and your family safe and healthy as our nation and world continue to navigate the uncertainities of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of us at Washington FAMILY hope that this month’s issue offers you a chance to connect with your loved ones and learn something new inside these pages. February is the perfect time to start planning ahead for your child’s summer of fun at summer camp. Look for stories that present questions to consider when selecting a camp for your child and the benefits of summer camp for children with special needs. In addition to the summer camp stories you can read in this issue, be sure to visit our website, washingtonfamily.com, for more articles and resources to help you with summer camp planning. Turn to page 15 for our summer camps directory and visit our website for information about the diversity of summer camps and programs available for children throughout the DMV region. February is American Heart Month and National Children’s Dental Health Month. Read and share our articles on heart-healthy habits to teach your kids (page 29) and answers to questions about children’s oral health (page 26). Look for stories on ways to commemorate Black History Month in the DMV (page 19) and DIY-loving mom Mimi Markopoulos (whom you met in our November 2021 issue) shares a simple project for a Valentine’s Day heart garland (page 8). What did you think about the stories in this issue? What topics would you like to see us cover? Email me at mvyskocil@midatlanticmedia.com. Stay connected with Washington FAMILY by subscribing to our newsletters at washingtonfamily.com. Happy reading! P SUMMER CAMP & SCHOOL GUIDES INSIDE washing tonFAMIL Y.com JANUARY 2022 Smart. Local. Parenting for the DMV. PMA AWARD Wins for W ASHINGTON FAMILY A Call to Care at Summer Camp 17 Places to Visi t This Winter Find Your Indoor Fun in the DMV Mentors Matter Advertise in our March Issue! YOUTH ARTS Camps, Education Programs, Family Entertainment and more news that parents need. EMAIL us at advertising@ washingtonfamily.com OR CALL us at 301-230-2222, EXT. 2 LOCAL. PARENTING PARENTING FOR FOR THE DMV. SMART. SMART. LOCAL. THE DMV. Print | Digital | Parenting isn’t easy, but there are strategies that can help. Parenting HelpLine: 800.243.7337 familytreemd.org/flip WashingtonFAMILY.com  5 CALENDAR Celebrate Valentine’s Day and explore musicals and cartoons with this month’s events. BY LINDSAY C. VANASDALAN 3 1 FEB. 4-6 “TROLLS LIVE!” If you fell in love with Poppy, Branch and the rest of the gang from DreamWorks’ “Trolls,” you’ll love the live show coming to EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. The trolls are back with a mission to protect their Hug Time, and families can be a witness to all the music, glitter and humor that comes with it this dynamic performance. Tickets start at $15. trollslive.com 2 FEB. 5 PARENT & ME VALENTINE’S DRIP CAKE WITH A SUGAR COOKIE CAKE TOPPER Join Dawn Alston of Food Network fame to make a 6-inch, two-layered cake with a pro. A team of parent and child (ages 6 and older) will meet at Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies in Fairfax, Virginia, to create their Valentine’s Day–themed masterpiece and learn expert pastry techniques. Tickets are $125; includes parent and child. franscakeandcandy.com FEB. 5-20 BALOONACY Watch your toddler light up at this movement-based show providing a modern take on the classic “Red Balloon” story. This time, the young boy who was visited by a red balloon is all grown up. Antics ensue with physical comedy made famous by Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Tickets are $12. imaginationstage.org FEB. 11 4 6  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 ROCKVILLE LANTERN FESTIVAL The Rockville Sister Cities Corporation celebrates the Maryland city’s connections with Asia through a festival at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville. The events features cultural performances, food and personalized calligraphy for kids to take home after the celebration. Tickets are free; sales end Feb. 12. rockvillemd.gov; tickets on Eventbrite 5 FEB. 13 HIKE & SEEK: I [HEART] NATURE Challenge your family to a heart-themed scavenger hunt in honor of Valentine’s Day. Work together and test your knowledge of nature trivia in this Hike & Seek adventure at Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda. Register before Feb. 11 to receive a prize for completing the hunt. Ages 2 and older must reserve a time slot in advance online; tickets are $3. montgomeryparks.org 1: COURTESY TROLLSLIVE.COM; 2: CMFOTOWORKS/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 3: MASTERZPHOTOIS/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 4: COURTESY ROCKVILLEMD.GOV; 5: FLUXFACTORY/E TOP 10 Family Events for February 6: COURTESY SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM; 7: COURTESY WOODLAWN MANOR CULTURAL PARK; 8: PROSTOCK-STUDIO/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 9: COURTESY IMAGINATIONSTAGE.ORG 6 7 FEB. 19 AIR AND SPACE ADVENTURES VIRTUAL GAME Stay safe with virtual games from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Complete missions, activities and photo challenges with friends and family and earn points by downloading the GooseChase app. You’ll have a three-hour block from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to submit activities. Free si.edu FEB. 25 8 SWEETHEART PARENT-CHILD DANCE FEB. 19 BLACK HISTORY MONTH FAMILY DAY Families can drop in at the visitor center at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring, Maryland, to pick up take-home activities for children ages 5-12 and trail maps for a self-guided walk through the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Learn with your children during Black History Month. Free montgomeryparks.org FEB. 26-28 Don’t forget your true Valentine this month. Spend some quality time with mom, dad or a favorite adult at the McLean Community Center on Friday evening. All ages will enjoy the light refreshments, DJ, photo booth and craft at this soiree. Tickets start at $20; register in advance. mcleancenter.org FEB. 27-28 ART JAM - CARTOONING AND MANGA WORKSHOPS 9 “P.NOKIO: A HIP- HOP MUSICAL” A modern reimagining of the classic story of Pinocchio finds G.Petto discovering that his newest game character, P.Nokio, can live outside the computer. He calls on the Graffiti Fairy to help him teach his creation how to be a real boy. Dates through April 9 in Bethesda. Best suited for ages 5-11. Tickets start at $28. imaginationstage.org Learn drawing, comic-making and storytelling techniques from professional cartoonists Caitlin Gumb (Waistcoat Stories apparel) and Jenna Ayoub (local illustrator for Adventure Time, The Regular Show) in this new workshop at The Clay and Metal Loft in Leesburg, Virginia, for ages 10-15. Tickets are $50. Puppet Shows Puppet Shows Puppet Shows theclayandmetalloft.com For For All All Occasions For Occasions All Occasions (703) 444-9426 (703) 444-9426 (703)444-9426 10 Large and and colorful • Large marionettes and colorful marionettes • • Large colorful marionettes hand puppets puppets and hand puppets and and hand Lively music music • Lively music • • Lively • • Audience participation Audience participation • Audience participation • • Puppet-making Puppet-making workshops • workshops Puppet-making workshops Goody bags bags • Goody bags • • Goody Susan Wall's Susan Wall's PayYourNanny.com We’re here to help families Payyournanny.com provides payroll and tax compliance services to household employers (703) 819-9796 byudd@payyournanny.com www.carouselpuppets.com www.carouselpuppets.com payyournanny.com (703) WashingtonFAMILY.com  819-9796 (703) 819-9796 7 DIY Make a Valentine’s Day Heart Garland Gather your supplies Start crafting I   feel strongly that crafting and creating is a win-win for parents and children. If there’s one thing that I learned from being a mom is that kids want nothing more but to spend quality time with you. Add some crafting fun to it, and you’ve created memorable holiday traditions that will last a lifetime and that hopefully one day they will carry on with their kids. My daughter Sofia and I decided to make a fun and easy Valentine’s Day garland together that we used to decorate her new market cart. A garland is a great craft to create with your children; it’s very simple and can be used as a décor piece anywhere in your home. Valentine’s Day Heart Garland Materials • Scissors or a cricut cutting machine (available from michaels.com) • Baker’s twine (my favorite for garlands) • Cardstock (choose any color—we chose pink and white) • Hot glue gun (you can also use a craft tacky glue) 8  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 s n Way u F e Mor elebrate to C tine’s B coo ake Vale Cre alen kies V ntin ate h t Mak e o geth eart e a c Day er. Wear m -sha oup D p Directions 1. Decide how long you want to make your garland. We made ed f o ay–t atchi one for a market cart, so we ood hem ng V date n for a o . M ed p alen cut our twine for the garland with ne-o ajam tine you n-on th ake Va as to ’s r kid e l about 24 inches long. e e m to ntin geth Dre dos. the es an ss in er. 2. Cut your hearts from the O n d eigh d e red pink o m rganiz bors liver toge e cardstock. We cut about five r o a v Rea . V ie n ther ight alentin . P Day d a Val hearts to fit nicely with about . e’s D repa –the enti ay med ne’s sm re a 2 ½ inches of space between each ooth “ber boo k. straw ie w ry” d heart. You can keep the cutouts as i rasp berrie th fre eliciou berr s or sh s close or as far away from each other ies. Plan as you’d like. a Day Vale 3. Position the hearts over the twine so pho family ntine’s that you can visualize the placement of shoo to t. each one in the garland. 4. Hot glue two spots on each side of the heart at the top of the cutout. joy and fulfillment. I know these memories 5. Place the twine on the hot glue spots will last a lifetime, and we both will cherish on the hearts and press to close. Keep them forever.  T applying until you finish the garland. Here’s to creating more holiday traditions with Sofia enjoyed placing the twine on the glue your children and making memories that will leave spots while I focused on hot gluing each heart a long-lasting impression. XO, in the garland. There is something about Mimi crafting with my kids that brings me so much PHOTOS COURTESY MIMI MARKOPOULOS BY MIMI MARKOPOULOS WF BLOG Questions to Consider When Selecting a Summer Camp for Your Child BY MICHAEL VYSKOCIL • What’s the condition and safety of equipment? How does the camp ensure campers’ safety? Find out what types of safety and security protocols are in effect. • How is medical care handled? • What’s the camp’s mission? • What are the types of activities planned? • What does a typical day at camp look like? • What is the age range of campers? • What are the camp’s hours? • What type of transportation is available? What to ask overnight camp staff In addition to the questions above, parents considering overnight camps for their children should also ask the following: I • Is the camp director available outside • What’s the ratio of staff to camp attendees? regular business hours? t may be cold outdoors, but summer The American Camp Association’s recom- camps in our region are thinking ahead to mended ratios range from one staff member • What type of overnight supervision does warmer weather and summer camp season. for every six campers ages 7 and 8, to one Explore the following questions to ask when the camp offer? staff member for every 10 campers ages 9 to considering camp options for your child. 14, to one for every 12 campers ages 15 to 17. • How do staff handle kids and homesickness? KALI9/E+/GETTY IMAGES What to ask day camp staff • What’s the background and experience of • What’s the expertise level of staff at specialty camps such as music, art and drama? the camp director? • What criteria do you consider for hiring staff? Does the camp check for ages, experience levels and criminal history backgrounds of its staff? • What are the sleeping arrangements like? Does the camp provide electricity in the cabins? Where are the bathrooms? • What’s the cost? Find out about camp fees and any other expenses. Inquire about To view camp offerings available in our region the possibility for financial aid. Ask about and beyond, browse the summer camp directory refund policies. on our website.  T WashingtonFAMILY.com  9 PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMP PEGASUS, LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION AND TIC CAMPS Camp Pegasus Living Classrooms Foundation Camp Pegasus Benefits of SUMMER 10  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 Summer camps around the mid-Atlantic region offer inclusive and fun programming for kids BY LAURA FARMER A s the chilly winds of winter blow through the mid-Atlantic region, many of us long for the sunny days of summer. For our kids, it’s not only the warmer weather that boosts summer’s appeal. They look forward to swapping school days for pool days at summer camp. Attending summer camps has long been a part of the quintessential childhood experience. And happily, the variety of summer camps available in our region are as varied as our children’s interests, offering everything from outdoor adventures and musical theater to coding, art and cooking-focused camps. Children reap a host of benefits from attending such camps, such as learning new skills, developing a new hobby and making new friends. THE SUMMER CAMP SEARCH TIC Camps Special Needs CAMPS Children with special needs, too, can find summer camp to be an especially valuable experience. Sometimes, however, finding an inclusive environment that supports your child’s unique needs requires some searching. “I found that summer was a time of great struggle for the children I worked with in the therapy office,” says Mike Fogel, MA, ATR-BC, LPC. Fogel is an art therapist with 27 years of clinical experience who also founded and serves as executive director of Camp Pegasus, a day camp located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, that focuses on social skills training. “Kids would get kicked out of camp because it wasn’t a good fit, or they had power struggles with parents because they were anxious and didn’t want to go to camp. For many of these kids, camp felt overwhelming to them because it wasn’t tailored to their needs.” The community need prompted Fogel to found Camp Pegasus, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Kelly Presnell, outreach and inclusion director for the YMCA of Frederick County, found a similar lack of resources in her community. WashingtonFAMILY.com  11 “We started Kids Unlimited in 2009 at the request of a parent who could not find appropriate camp experiences for her son. A lot of the camps that this parent looked into didn’t have the support system or weren’t able to make accommodations necessary to serve all kids,” she says. “We believe that every kid should be able to go to summer camp, so we spent a year researching and planning to create Kids Unlimited.” Camp Pegasus INCLUSIVE FUN! www.MedStarCapitalsIceplex.com • Arlington,VA• 571-224-0555 12  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 Many of the inclusive summer camps in the region offer an effective combination of classic summer camp fun infused with social and life skills training. “At Camp Pegasus, campers engage in sports, theater, computer play, art therapy, music therapy, dance-movement therapy and more,” says Fogel. “These activities provide the structure to support how kids interact. But we layer in an intensive therapy piece, which barely registers as therapy because the kids are having so much fun.” Camp Pegasus offers key supports to ease campers’ anxieties, such as providing the day’s schedule on a lanyard that campers wear around their necks. Plus, many staff members have advanced degrees in behavioral health, and the camp maintains a low staff-to-camper ratio. A low staff ratio is also a key component of TIC Summer Camp, an inclusive day camp with three locations in the Washington, D.C. metro area. TIC Summer Camp seeks to foster the minds and bodies of campers with equal half days of technology and athletics. “We have a low staff-to-camper ratio; kids with mild learning disabilities can be very successful at TIC,” says Emily Riedel, TIC Summer Camps’ owner and director of operations. “We believe that all children benefit from diversity. That includes Living Classrooms Foundation neurodiversity but also diversity of race and gender. Because a basic philosophy of inclusiveness guides our camp, we work hard to remove any barriers that would keep kids from participating.” Working to remove barriers was among the founding goals for the Living Classrooms Foundation, which provides experiential learning programs, including summer camps, for nearly 30,000 youth and adults in 30 sites across Baltimore and Washington, D.C. “For nearly two decades, Living Classrooms partnered with The Arc and schools to offer Bay Buddies,” says Living Classrooms Foundation President and CEO James Bond. “Bay Buddies was designed to provide fun, hands-on, skill- building opportunities for students with developmental disabilities with activities like sailing, horseback riding and gardening. “Participants benefit from low staff-to-student ratios, highly qualified staff and an inclusive, welcoming environment.” While all kids stand to benefit from a quality camp experience, the benefits for campers with special needs are amplified. A primary benefit for neurodiverse kids is an Come see why we won Best Restaurant! WINNE R Come see why we won WINNE R 1 BEST O 02 F Best Restaurant 2 PHOTO: CAMP PEGASUS BIG BENEFITS “For example, we foster their independence by taking field trips into the community to restaurants, the pool and a pediatric movement center, to name a few.” In addition, many of the campers may experience bullying during the school year, so an inclusive summer camp offers a safe space where kids can improve their self-esteem. “We (at Camp Pegasus) create a culture of positivity and affirmation and a structure in which kids can be successful,” explains Fogel. “We do a special kind of social coaching where we encourage the camper to do the social thinking instead of just telling them what to do. This sort of social training is invaluble for teaching the interpersonal skills the kids will need throughout their lives.” Max*, an alumnus of Camp Pegasus, has benefitted from this type of instruction. “Max still uses many of the phrases and lessons he learned during his time at Pegasus,” says his mother. “The camp is also an opportunity for quirky kids to understand that their peers are also struggling with the same opportunity to build their social and life skills. things, and sometimes these peers become “At our camp (Kids Unlimited), kids have friends who truly understand each other.”  n the opportunity to do a lot of the things they may not be able to do without the support *Max’s name has been changed to protect his system offered by our staff,” says Presnell. identity per parent/guardian request. WINNE R 2 years in a row! A neighborhood Italian restaurant using the freshest ingredients, serving our guests with “out of this world” hospitality www.gregoriostrattoria.com POTOMAC 7745 Tuckerman Lane 301-296-6168 BETHESDA 4611-A Sangamore Rd 301-347-6830 RESTON 1428 N. Point | Village Ctr 703-689-4894 Sessions from June 21 to August 26 summer drama camps for kids entering grades 1-8 theatrelab.org · 202-824-0449 900 Mass Ave NW, Washington, DC Check out our teen programs too! WashingtonFAMILY.com  13 Back for 2022! • SAVE THE DATES! Join Us fo raD ! n u ly F i m a ay of F Saturday • March 12, 2022 Noon to 3 pm Win a Fair Oaks Mall $ 10 m 0 p Ca ship! Scholar 11750 Fair Oaks Mall Saturday • March 26, 2022 Noon to 3 pm pfair2022 • washin Montgomery Mall, /VAcam gton m o c . y f 7101 Democracy Blvd. l ami mi a f l y n .com Bethesda, MD 20817 o ingt h /M s a Dca Register: w mpfa ir2022 For advertising opportunities contact us at advertising@washingtonfamily.com or call 301-230-2222 SUMMER CAMPS DIRECTORY W ith each new milestone that our children reach comes the need for information to guide them (and us) through this stage. This point is particularly true when our children are old enough to attend summer camp. How do we know which camp is right for them? In an education-centered community like ours, parents can find many options. Use our summer camp listings presented here to learn more about the camps, what they offer and the ages they serve. Visit WashingtonFAMILY.com for even more listings to help you in your search. Be sure to check our website and our digital issues for more stories about camps for your children. Good luck! Here’s to a great summer. DAY CAMPS MARYLAND ATMTC ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS Ages: Grades 1-12 adventuretheatre-mtc.org registrar@adventuretheatre-mtc.org 301-251-5766 837 D Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 Traditional day, day camps, coed camps, musical theater, fine arts CAMP ACCOMPLISH Ages: 5-18 melwood.org/recreation-programs/camp recreationcenter@melwood.org 301-870-3226 9035 Ironsides Road, Nanjemoy, MD 20662 Day camp, residential camp, boys and girls, teens, sibling discount, transportation, arts and crafts, cooking, drama and theater, educational activities, field trips, horseback riding, music, overnight camping, spe cial needs, sports, swimming and yoga KALI9 / E+ CAMP SHEEO – SHEEO ACADEMY Ages: 7-16 beasheeo.com/camp contact@beasheo.com Check website for locations in Maryland 866-697-4336 Girls only; educational activities CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP Ages: 5-12 chesterbrookacademy.com/camp 877-959-3746 More than 20 convenient locations Sibling discount, extended day, arts, educational activities, field trips and sports IMAGINATION STAGE SUMMER CAMPS Ages: 3 ½-18 imaginationstage.org/camps/ summer-camps registration@imaginationstage.org 301-280-1660 4908 Auburn Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 Drama, theater INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC Ages: 3-12 ismw.org info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 10450 Auto Park Ave. Bethesda, MD 20817 Drama, music MANOR MONTESSORI SUMMER CAMP manormontessori.com/summer-camp 10500 Oaklyn Drive Potomac, MD 20854 11200 Old Georgetown Road Rockville, MD 20852 5450 Massachusetts Ave. Bethesda, MD 20816 Educational activities, arts, music, swimming and sports SILVER STARS GYMNASTICS Ages: 3 ½-15 gosilverstars.com classregistration@gosilverstars.com 301-589-0938 2701 Pittman Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-352-5777 14201 Woodcliff Court, Bowie, MD 20720 Gymnastics SPRING BILINGUAL MONTESSORI SUMMER CAMP Ages: 2 1/2-6 spring-bilingual.org info@spring-bilingual.org 301-962-7262 3514 Plyers Mill Road Kensington, MD 20895 Sibling discount, extended day, arts and educational activities DAY CAMPS VIRGINIA BROOKSFIELD SUMMER CAMP Ages: 3-10 brooksfieldschool.org camp@brooksfieldschool.org 703-356-5437, ext. 2 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101 Extended day, arts, CIT, cooking, dance, educational activities, field trips, hiking, horseback riding, music, sports, swimming, yoga CAMP GRIFFIN AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL Ages: 3-14 westminsterschool.com/campgriffin campgriffin@westminsterschool.com 703-340-7268 Westminster School 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, VA 22003 Day camp, boys and girls, sibling discount, extended day, arts and crafts, cooking, dance, field trips, music, sports, swimming and travel CAMP MSNV - MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA msnv.org/page/programs/summer-camp 703-256-9577 6820 Pacific Lane, Annandale, VA 22003 Extended day camp CAMP SHEEO – SHEEO ACADEMY Ages: 7-16 beasheeo.com/camp contact@BEaSheEO.com Check website for various locations in Virginia 866-697-4336 Girls only, teens, educational activities CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP Ages: 5-12 chesterbrookacademy.com/camp 877-959-3746 More than 20 convenient locations Sibling discount, extended day, arts, educational activities, field trips and sports WashingtonFAMILY.com  15 A MULTI-ARTS SUMMER DAY CAMP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 8 – 16 Where community and art make magic! 3-WEEK SESSION July 5 – 22, 2022 2-WEEK SESSION July 25 – August 5, 2022 Monday – Friday, 9am– 4pm at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School REGISTER TODAY AT ARENASTAGE.ORG/CAMP CONGRESSIONAL CAMP Ages: 4-14 congocamp.org info@congocamp.org 703-533-0931 School Affiliation: Congressional School 3229 Sleepy Hollow Road Falls Church, VA 22042 Day camp, boys and girls, extended day, transportation, arts and crafts, CIT program, computers, cooking, field trips, horseback riding and swimming HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART Ages: 4-18 harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301 204-F Mill St., NE Vienna, VA 22180 Teens, sibling discount, extended day, arts, drama, music MASON GAME & TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY – GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY Ages: 9-18 mgta.gmu.edu mgta@gmu.edu 703-993-7101 10900 University Blvd., Bull Run Hall 147, MS 1J2 Manassas, VA 20110-2203 Teens, computers, cooking and other educational activities. Summer Camp is back! Whether in person on the National Mall or virtually from your home, plan a special Smithsonian experience this summer at SmithsonianAssociates.org/camp VIEW SCHEDULE  16  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 MEDSTAR CAPITALS ICEPLEX Ages: 4-14 627 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203 Categories: Coed, Sports medstarcapitalsiceplex.com 571-224-0555 Info@MedStarCapitalsIceplex.com MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF MCLEAN Ages: 3–6 years (must be potty trained) mcleanmontessori.org 703-790-1049 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101 Day camp, boys and girls, educational activities PINECREST PAVILION AT PINECREST SCHOOL Ages: 4-12 pinecrestschool.org camp@pinecrestschool.org 703-354-3446 7209 Quiet Cove, Annandale, VA 22030 Sibling discount, extended day, arts, computers, cooking, drama, educational activities and field trips RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ages: 3-9 restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com 703-481-2922 1928 Isaac Newton Square West Reston, VA 20190 Extended day, arts and field trips ROER’S ZOOFARI – JUNIOR SAFARI SUMMER CAMP roerszoofari.com 703-757-6222 1228 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna, VA 22182 Educational activities SUMMER DANCE CAMP AND INTENSIVE AT THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS Ages: 3-adult thecenterforballetarts.com ctrbalarts@aol.com 703-273-5344 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030 Teens, sibling discount, arts and crafts, dance and drama TRAVELING PLAYERS 1961 Chain Bridge Road Tysons, VA 22102 703-987-1712 info@travelingplayers.org Traveling Players brings out the best in every performer. Acting day camps are taught in our Tysons Studio; sleepaway camps are 1 hour outside of DC. DAY CAMPS WASHINGTON, D.C. CAMP ARENA STAGE Ages: 8-16 arenastage.org/camp camp@arenastage.org 202-600-4064 Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School 1524 34th St. NW, Washington, DC 20024 Camp Arena Stage is where community and art make magic. Campers ages 8-16 choose activities in theater, dance, music, visual art, filmmaking, writing and more, taught by professional artists and educators. Two- and three-week in-person sessions begin in July at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. Categories: day camp, boys & girls, teens, sibling discount, extended day, arts and crafts, dance, drama and theater, music SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES summercamp@si.edu 202-633-CAMP 1100 Jefferson Drive SW Washington, DC 20560 Smithsonian Summer Camp is back. With both in-person and online options, Smithsonian Associates brings the Smithsonian’s ever- expanding world to life. Camps are offered for kids in first through 11th grades. THE THEATRE LAB Grades 1-8 theatrelab.org/camp contact@theatrelab.org 202-842-0449 900 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 Boys & Girls, Teens, Extended Day, Drama/ Theatre 717-964-3121 1 Cut Off Road, Lebanon, PA 17402 Summer location: Lebanon County, PA Residential camp, outdoor adventures CAMP TALL TIMBERS Ages: 7-16 camptalltimbers.com info@camptalltimbers.com 301-874-0111 1115 Reflection Lane High View, WV 26808 Residential camp, sibling discount, transportation, aerial adventure park, archery, arts, canoeing, CIT program, dance, drama, educational activities, hiking, horseback riding, riflery, ropes course, swimming, tennis, tubing, zip line CAPITAL CAMPS Second-12th grades capitalcamps.org 301-468-2267 12750 Buchanan Trail East Waynesboro, PA 17268 Join us for the Jewish overnight camping experience of a lifetime! We empower campers of all abilities to lead while cultivating their boundless curiosity. From splashing in the lake to the glowing warmth of the campfire and throughout the entire spirited summer, Capital Camps is a wondrous playground for the mind, body and soul. n Are You ready for the best summer ever? REgister now for a summer of discovery, friendship & outdoor Fun! Camp Horizons is a sleep-away camp for kids, ages 6-16 Less than 3 hours away in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley 540.896.7600 • www.cAmphorizonsva.com OVERNIGHT CAMPS BURGUNDY CENTER FOR WILDLIFE STUDIES Ages: 8-15 burgundycenter.org bcwsdirector@burgundyfarm.org 703-842-0470 3700 Burgundy Road Alexandria, VA 22303 Summer Location: Capon Bridge, WV 26711 Hands-on workshops with art and nature themes CAMP HORIZONS Ages: 6-16 camphorizonsva.com camp@horizonsva.com 540-896-7600 3586 Horizons Way Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Residential camp, boys and girls, teens, sibling discount, arts and crafts, cooking, dance, drama and theater, hiking, horseback riding, music, overnight camping, photography and swimming CAMP KIRCHENWALD Grades: K-12 kirchenwald@lutherancamping.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  17 PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW Erika Gonzalez Loving the moments of motherhood INTERVIEW BY MICHAEL VYSKOCIL FAMILY FAVES RECIPE: Well, not that Isabela can have it, but my husband makes a mean coquito. It’s a coconut-based, Puerto Rican holiday beverage. He makes several batches every year, and we share them with close friends and family. We still have a few bottles we’re enjoying down to the last drop. WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND WITH YOUR FAMILY: We’re pretty active people, so we hope our love for exercise and the outdoors translates to our little one. Now that she’s getting bigger, we can’t wait to put her in the running stroller and go exploring through Rock Creek Park. Then, we can stop for some pizza and beer because ... balance. Am I right? BOOK TO READ TOGETHER: It’s hard to narrow it down to just one book. We’re big fans of the “Lil’ Libros” bilingual series which highlights important figures, places and favorite pastimes of the Hispanic community. How could I not read to her about “Loteria” and “Selena”? VACATION SPOT: E rika Gonzalez is an anchor and reporter for NBC News4 and Telemundo 44. She spearheads the “4 Your Home” segments where her storytelling revolves around home improvement, design and unique real estate in the DMV. She’s called the area home for the last 10 years, which is saying a lot for a native Texan. She and her husband, Jason, met and married here as well. In August 2021, they welcomed their first child, daughter Isabela Ivana, into their family. Together, they live in Chevy Chase, Maryland. My husband is Puerto Rican. We love traveling to the island to not only visit family, but also enjoy the beautiful beaches. How is new motherhood I can’t wait to see Isabela dip her toes in the treating you? sand for the first time. Motherhood has been the hardest, most rewarding experience of my life. My husband RAINY-DAY ACTIVITY: and I enjoyed six years of marriage before Does shopping at HomeGoods count? welcoming our baby girl. Now, we wonder I mean, that’s golden rain or shine. But, how we went so long without her. She’s the seriously, our basement is a cozy place best thing we never knew we needed. to watch a movie and enjoy her toys. We primarily live on the first two floors of the What excites you about house, so going down to the basement is a being a mom? nice change of scenery. I get such a kick out of hearing Isabela giggle. It’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard, 18  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 and I’d act like a complete fool just to get her to laugh. What do you love the most about raising your family in the DMV? Living and now raising a family in the DMV is such a privilege. We’re spoiled, really. There are wonderful parks all around us, scenic drives and a zoo that people travel to see. And it’s all in our backyard. How do you create balance between your career and your family? I’m writing from the comforts of maternity leave, but the time is coming—I’ll be back on the air in mid-February—when we’ll be navigating child care, workflow, dinnertime and house chores all at the same time. I know it’s going to be hard, and that’s probably the understatement of the year, but so many people do it. That gives me comfort ... knowing we won’t be alone and that someone is always around to share their perspective or provide a listening ear. A glass of wine at night doesn’t hurt either.  T PROVIDED PHOTO LIFE HACK: We’re still learning the ropes on this parenting thing. Pro tips are welcome. places to com oc mmemorate BLACK HISTORY MONTH DMV in the With Your Family BY BARBARA NOE KENNEDY February commemorates Black History Month, an ideal time to experience one of the DMV’s many related history and cultural sites with the family. Of course, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., is a must-visit site with its 35,000 treasured artifacts, but consider a day trip to Maryland or Virginia with your family. Start with the following six important sites that delve into the stories and lives of Black Americans, from iconic Harriet Tubman to a community that built a school for its kids during segregation. Some have special events taking place throughout the month. WashingtonFAMILY.com  19 2 1 ARLINGTON HOUSE, THE ROBERT E. LEE MEMORIAL Arlington, Virginia 703-235-1530; nps.gov/arho While Arlington House was the home of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, who fled the house when he joined the Confederate Army at the onset of the Civil War, it has recently undergone a multimillion-dollar restoration to provide a new narrative showcasing the lives of the more than 100 enslaved individuals who built the plantation house and lived and worked here. The interpretive exhibits don’t shy away from challenging questions, leaving much to discuss later at the family dinner table. Two surviving quarters of enslaved people Harriet Tubman are out back. Several artifacts of African American history are on display for the first time, including the bust of James Parks, who toiled on the plantation until 1861. He’s the only person born on the property who is buried at the cemetery. Exhibits, including family photos, letters and books, relate to the Syphaxes, Norrises and other enslaved families. As of press time, no tickets are needed to enter the plantation house, enslaved quarters or museum. All are free and open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking for Arlington House is available at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitor Center. 20  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 NPS.GOV/ARTICLES/AMERICAN-LIBERTY-AND-SLAVERY-IN-THE-CHESAPEAKE.HTM Gray family quarters Eastern Shore, Maryland harriettubmanbyway.org, nps.gov/hatu, adkinsarboretum.org After escaping to freedom from the Maryland Eastern Shore plantation where she was born, legendary freedom fighter Harriet Tubman—who celebrates her 200th birthday this year—risked her life time and again to return, freeing dozens of enslaved people along the Underground Railroad. Many of the sites relating to this daring history remain throughout the Eastern Shore, and they have been linked on a 125-mile route from Cambridge to the Delaware border—a fun family outing with plenty to think about along the way. Visit Church Creek, Maryland, site of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center (stop 13), where kids can see where Tubman lived and worked and learn about her life through multimedia exhibits. Walking trails and a memorial garden are also there. Another important site is Bucktown General Store (stop 17), where young Harriet received a near-death blow in the head when she defied authority to protect an enslaved boy. At the Adkins Arboretum (stop 34), trails wander through woodland and marshland very much resembling the terrain through which Tubman journeyed. Illustration of Charles Ball, slave and sailor, War of 1812 COURTESY OF HARRIETTUBMANBYWAY.ORG COURTESY OF ARLINGTON HOUSE James Parks bust HARRIET TUBMAN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BYWAY 3 JEFFERSON PATTERSON PARK & MUSEUM 10515 Mackall Road St. Leonard, MD 20685 410-586-8501; jefpat.maryland.gov The Battle of St. Leonard Creek unfolded during the War of 1812 on these present-day parklands overlooking the Patuxent River. Families can listen to the various tales via cell phone (call 410-246-1966) and read interpretive markers along the 1.8-mile “War of 1812” driving and walking trail. Different perspectives are shared, including that of Charles Ball, an enslaved man who had fled north to freedom. During the war, he enlisted under Commodore Joshua Barney as a free man, serving as a seaman and cook for the Chesapeake flotilla. Be sure to ask at the visitor center for access to the War of 1812 exhibit in the Exhibit Barn. The park also has miles of trails along St. Leonard Creek (where the War of 1812 battle occurred) and woodlands, and through the former lands of a Woodland Indian village. The park and grounds are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to dusk; admission is free. 6 LAUREL GROVE SCHOOL MUSEUM 1830s slave cabin 5 COURTESY OF LAURELGROVESCHOOL.ORG Laurel Grove School SOTTERLEY PLANTATION COURTESY SOTTERLEY.ORG 6840 Beulah St. Alexandria, VA 22310 703-313-4690; laurelgroveschool.org Kids may take a different stance toward school after visiting this 19th-century, one- room schoolhouse built by the first generation of African Americans born to freedom in Fairfax County to educate their community’s children. The schoolhouse is now a living museum, where intriguing insights come to light. Some kids had to walk up to 5 miles to attend this school, where students shared books and desks, studied geography without maps and helped cook meals with Sotterley Plantation items brought from their home gardens. Special programs include pictorial history exhibits, talks by history makers, children’s story hour and other topics that bring to life the school’s history. Visitation is currently by appointment only. 44300 Sotterley Lane Hollywood, MD 20636 301-373-2280; sotterley.org For centuries, enslaved people worked this 18th-century tobacco plantation overlooking the Patuxent River in Southern Maryland, at a site where many captured Africans first stepped ashore in America. This history is today recounted through a restored one-room, pine- log cabin from 1830, where a dozen or so people lived. Kids can duck their head to enter the low doorway and take in the dirt floor, simple pallet bed, and low stairs leading to an attic space. Throughout February, Sotterley celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Agnes Kane Callum, a historian and genealogist whose ancestors were enslaved at Sotterley during the 19th century. The grounds are open year-round, and the tour season runs May through October (Friday-Sunday). Call 301-373-2280 to reserve a tour time; tickets are $10 for adults, $6 youth (6-18), and children younger than 6 are free. SULLY HISTORIC SITE 3650 Historic Sully Way Chantilly, VA 20151 703-437-1794; fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully Northern Virginia’s first Congressman, Richard Bland Lee, built Sully Plantation, where enslaved people cultivated wheat, corn and rye. Today, thanks to archaeological evidence (such as squirrel and herring bones, broken pottery and coins), record- keeping and letters, researchers found a slave quarter. A slave cabin was built in 2000 to represent the enslaved community. Today, we know about Thornton, who cooked in the kitchen; Madam Juba, who laundered the clothes; Sam, who worked as a blacksmith and many others whose stories need to be shared. All this history can be discovered by visiting the site and taking a tour of the house and an outdoor walking tour—the Forgotten Road Tour. Several special events will take place this February, including a free virtual lecture on Saturday, Feb. 5, by Dr. Richard Bell on the “Fire of Frederick Douglass” and a “lunch and learn” on Saturday, Feb. 17, a chance to learn about Sully’s enslaved people. February tours, available Thursday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., will focus on the work and lives of Sully’s enslaved people. The grounds are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and the visitor center is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The fee for the house tour and Forgotten Road tour is $10 for adults and $8 for children (5-15); the grounds, outbuildings and garden are free. n COURTESY SULLY HISTORIC SITE 4 Slave quarters WashingtonFAMILY.com  21 EDUCATION DIRECTORY ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS BASIS INDEPENDENT MCLEAN 8000 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22102 703-854-1253 mclean.basisindependent.com mclean-info@basisindependent.com Ages 2-3 Students at BASIS Independent McLean get the best possible start to their education. The toddler and early learning programs, led by nurturing experts, are designed to empower curiosity, independence and social-emotional development from day one. (THE) BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 7611 Clarendon Road Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-1260 bethesdamontessori.com admissions@bethesdamontessori.com Ages: 3-6 BMS, established in 1983, is located in the heart of Bethesda, offering two years of preschool and a kindergarten year. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. AMI-trained teachers, art, French and computer are offered, plus after-school activities. 22  WashingtonFAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL 3229 Sleepy Hollow Road Falls Church, VA 22042 703-533-9711 congressionalschool.org gherbst@congressionalschool.org Discover this co-ed independent day school for infants to eighth graders in Falls Church, Virginia. Congressional School prepares young learners for future success, inspiring them to question, collaborate, create and lead. EARLY LEARNERS ACADEMY 474 Ridge St. NW Washington, DC 20001 703-589-0990 earlylearnersela.com At Early Learners Academy, each child learns how to identify letters and words, make letter and sound connections, use writing tools, build relationships, respond to text and conquer personal goals. Early Learners Academy is staffed by exceptional educators who have been trained to teach early learners. Early Learners Academy has received recognition by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. HUNTER MILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124 703-938-7755 preschoolmontessori.com info@huntermillmontessori.com Tours are available by appointment. Hunter Mill Montessori School provides an intimate and nurturing environment for children ages 2 years, 9 months to 6-year-old children to develop their independence through the Montessori experience. Hunter Mill offers a complete educational and social environment and uses the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help children develop more fully the potential within them. The school provides a program specially suited to a child’s needs and offers individual attention for whole development. (THE) MANOR MONTESSORI SCHOOL 10500 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD 20854 5450 Massachusetts Ave. Bethesda, MD 20816 11200 Old Georgetown Road ARTISTEER / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL 1830 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101 703-356-5437 brooksfieldschool.org sarah@brooksfieldschool.org Ages Served: 2-10 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Brooksfield School offers mindfulness, nutrition, Spanish, dance, music, art, outdoor adventure, extracurricular activities and summer camp. (THE) MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF MCLEAN 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101 703-790-1049 mcleanmontessori.org Ages: 2 -12 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Offering preschool and elementary classes, Spanish, French, science, drama, music, physical education, computer, art and summer school. Transportation available. Rockville, MD 20852 301-299-7400 manormontessori.com Ages: 2-9 Discover Maryland’s first Montessori School, teaching generations of children since 1962. Offering school day, extended day and summer day camp. MARVA COLLINS COTTAGE SCHOOL 703-942-9817 mccottageschool.org director@mccottageschool.org Private/Independent School Grades accepted: PreK-Second Ages accepted: 4-7 years Offering half- and full-day programs and culturally responsive education while prioritizing the joy of learning. Please visit the school’s website for information session and open house details. (THE) MONTESSORI SCHOOL AT GOOSE CREEK PRESERVE 42470 Rosalind St., Ashburn, VA 20148 571-417-3999 goosecreekmontessori.com info@goosecreekmontessori.com Tours available by appointment. Discover this brand-new Montessori school in the Broadlands area of Ashburn. All of the classrooms are spacious with an abundance of natural lighting. The classrooms open to the playground with patios allowing children to freely work inside and outside. Goose Creek offers a complete educational and social environment and uses the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help a child develop more fully the potential within him or her. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax, VA 22031 703-560-4379 preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Montessori School of Cedar Lane has been providing over 50 years of Montessori tradition to Northern Virginia. The school offers a complete educational and social environment and uses the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help a child develop more fully the potential within him or her. D M V FUN Find FAMILY fun in the DISTRICT, MARYLAND, and VIRGINIA. washingtonfamily.com NYSMITH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED 13625 EDS Drive, Herndon, VA 20171 703-713-3332 nysmith.com ebalberde@nysmith.com Ages Served: 3 years old to eighth grade Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The award-winning Nysmith School for the Gifted is committed to making school fun. Staff nurture your student’s love of learning and help your children learn to their potential. A 1-to-9 ratio allows Nysmith to differentiate the academic program up to four levels above a student’s current grade. RUNNER-UP RUNNER-UP 1 8 Summer Camp Special!!! Summer camp registration fee is waived when you enroll between january 5th & march 15th music theater & art camp Junior Music Camp private lessons main stage musical PERFORMING MAMA MIA RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL 1928 Isaac Newton Square West Reston, VA 20190 703-481-2922 restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com Hours: 7 a.m. to 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 sixth grade. RMS provides academic school day, enrichment programs and before- and after-school activities. Montessori School of McLean Where Authentic Montessori Meets the 21st Century: Ages 2-12 (THE) SEED SCHOOL OF MARYLAND 200 Font Hill Ave. Baltimore, MD 21223 410-843-9482 seedschoolmd.org Grades: 6-12 The SEED School of Maryland is a college- preparatory, tuition-free boarding school serving boys and girls in grades 6-12. Motivated children received an extraordinary educational THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 20 ENROLL FOR SPRING/SUMMER Join us for our 40th year ENROLL NOW FOR 2022 IN-PERSON ACADEMICS & AFTER CARE 8am – 6pm 7611 Clarendon Rd. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-1260 Email us to learn more and tour the school admissions@bethesdamontessori.com www.bethesdamontessori.com Cultivating each child’s unique ability to flourish in mind, body and spirit ENRICHMENTS • Science • Technology • Spanish • Outdoor Classroom • Library • Music • Drama • Art • Physical Education Extended Day • Transportation • Summer Camp 1711 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101 703-790-1049 Accredited by www.mcleanmontessori.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  23 Sister Montessori preschools, providing Northern Virginia’s preschool children with quality education for the past 50 years. experience that allows them to graduate with the proficiency for success in college and beyond. responsibility and good character. Students enjoy small classes taught by teachers who specialize in their field. (THE) SIENA SCHOOL 1300 Forest Glen Road Silver Spring, MD 20901 301-244-3600 2705 Hunter Mill Road Oakton, VA 22124 703-745-5900 thesienaschool.org info@thesienaschool.org The Siena School provides highly individualized, research-based, multisensory instruction and curriculum- related field trips. Students develop critical thinking skills and acquire the tools and strategies needed to become successful and independent learners who are prepared for college. (THE) YELLOW HOUSE SCHOOL 7012 Braeburn Place Bethesda, MD 20817 301-263-0952​ theyellowhouseschool.com info@theyellowhouseschool.com This bilingual, inclusive preschool is led by highly qualified early childhood educators. The school is enrolling children ages 2-5 and offers full-day and half-day enrollment. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL 3819 Gallows Road Annandale, VA 22003 703-256-3620 westminsterschool.com admissions@westminster-school.com Preschool (3- and 4-year-olds) to Grade 8 Westminster School provides a unique preschool to middle school education based on a classical curriculum, accelerated academics enhanced by the arts and an emphasis on personal ENRICHMENT AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ACTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 5506 Talon Court Fairfax, VA 22032 703-554-4931 afyp.org Acting for Young People celebrates more than 20 years of fun, challenging classes for ages 5 to adults taught by theater professionals. After-school programs, weekend and school holiday classes, summer acting camps and more teach skills that can be used on stage and off. (THE) CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22032 703-273-5344 thecenterforballetarts.com As Northern Virginia’s premier dance studio, The Center for Ballet Arts offers classes in ballet, pointe, modern dance, jazz, tap, Pilates and Body Barre Conditioning. Kinderballet is offered for children beginning at age 3. Intensive programs are offered for serious dance students, and classes are designed to promote strength, flexiblity and technique. ELEVATED LEARNING SOLUTIONS 301-466-5123 elevatedlearningsolutionsllc.com Elevated Learning Solutions is an educational support group that provides a variety of educational services and goes above and beyond for clients. Its staff helps clients understand how they learn and how to be better learners by expanding the focus beyond the academic habits to include physical and social well-being. ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO 4000 Lorcorm Lane Arlington, VA 22207 encoragestage.org info@encorestage.org Encore Stage & Studio provides accessiblity services throughout the year. Encore is delighted to provide an accessibility Make a Splash This Summer! Friends, fun, adventure and excitement: Dive in deep to Early Learning Academies’ “VOYAGER” summer camp options. Register Today elacommunity.com 24  WashingtonFAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 Early Learning Academies matinee performance for selected productions. Classes, camps and programs held throughout the year inspire young people to develop the creativity, empathy and confidence needed to make meaningful connections with peers and have a positive impact in their communities. HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART 204 F Mill St. NE, Vienna, VA 22180 703-938-7301 harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org Harmonia School offers outstanding performing arts programs. It includes instrumental and voice lessons and early childhood classes. Harmonia’s theater department offers one of the finest musical theater and acting programs that culminates in productions. The classes are offered to all ages and all levels. Highly educated and experienced teachers provide the instruction. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC 11325 Seven Locks Road, Suite 255 Potomac, MD 20854 4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL-03 Bethesda, MD 20816 301-365-5888 ismw.org; info@ismw.org 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 voices to students of all levels and ages. Preschool music classes and adult music instruction are also available in addition to the optional performances and certificate programs. Book your trial lessons today. MASON COMMUNITY ARTS ACADEMY 4260 Chain Bridge Road Fairfax, VA 22030 703-993-9889 masonacademy.gmu.edu Mason Arts Academy is the community arts education division of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Academy brings enriching arts instruction to the community through inspiring and innovative lessons, classes and summer programs in music, theater, visual arts, film and video, which are open to all ages and levels. It also offers programs focused on teacher education and enrichment. SCHOOL OF ROCK 3529 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008 202-893-8765 schoolofrock.com 3260 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22314 571-376-7625 20660 Ashburn Road Ashburn, VA 20147 703-858-0820 8634 Colesville Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-589-7625 111 Center St. South Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-2184 School of Rock is music school reimagined. Music programs are designed to encourage LITTLE LEAVES BEHAVIORAL SERVICES learning in a supportive environment where Various locations students of all skill levels are comfortable and 202-420-8359 engaged. School of Rock serves kids, teens littleleaves.org LIttle Leaves is a center-based Applied Behavior and adults with a variety of music lessons and subjects. n Analysis (ABA) program for children with an autism spectrum disorder run in a preschool- like setting. It is designed for children up to age 6 who have been recommended for intensive ABA services. Each client works one on one with a trained behavior technician on individualized goals with a focus on social communication, social interactions and school readiness skills. The SEED School of Maryland is a college-preparatory, tuition-free boarding school serving boys and girls in grades 6-12 OPEN HOUSE Saturday, March 12, 2022 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Please call to RSVP. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 1, 2022 From SEED’s dorm rooms to college campuses around the country. SEED students and graduates are blazing the trail to college completion. Apply to Join Us Today. SEED MD is now accepting applications for 6th graders for the 2022-2023 year. Join us at one of our open houses! WWW.SEEDSCHOOLMD.ORG | 410.843.9482 The Center Center for The The Center for for The Ballet Center Arts for Ballet Arts Ballet Arts Ballet Arts Register Now Now Register Register Now Register Now For Winter For For Winter Winter For Winter S sion Ballet . Jazz . Jazz Ballet . . Pointe . Pointe . . Modern . Modern Ballet Pointe Modern . Jazz Tap Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet . Pilates . Kinderballet Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet Ballet Ages . Pointe . Modern . Jazz 3 thru Adults Ages 3 thru 3 . thru Adults Adults Tap Ages . Pilates Kinderballet Ages 3 thru Adults 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030•703.273.5344•thecenterforballetarts.com Pender Drive, Drive, Suite Suite 105 105 Fairfax, Fairfax, VA VA 22030•703.273.5344•thecenterforballetarts.com 22030•703.273.5344•thecenterforballetarts.com 3955 Pender 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030•703.273.5344•thecenterforballetarts.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  25 Dental details Answers to questions about your child’s oral health BY LINDSAY C. VANASDALAN 26  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 W e all know that feeling: Uh-oh, my child has a cavity. Was it too much candy? Not enough time spent brushing? Should we have come in sooner for a checkup? Preventive care is always the goal with any dental visit, but many questions abound. What age should my child first come to the dentist? What measures can I take to ensure that first visit doesn’t have any unfriendly surprises? We polled dental professionals from across the mid-Atlantic region to address common questions in pediatric oral care. DR. MICHAEL VIRTS, DDS Mount Airy Children’s Dental Associates Frederick County, Maryland What causes cavities in children’s baby teeth? Bacteria causes cavities. The bacteria eat the sugar that is left on the teeth after eating or drinking, then create acid, and the acid erodes the teeth, making a cavity. Cavities are caused by a combination of bacteria and a carbohydrate source. If the bacteria were left on the teeth by not properly brushing or flossing, cavities can develop. And a proper diet low in carbohydrates is almost just as important as brushing and flossing to prevent cavities as well as seeing the dentist by the time your baby is 12 months old. WOWWA/ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS When should children get their first oral health exam? Children should see a dentist no later than 12 months of age or when the first tooth appears in the mouth—whatever comes first. For example, if a 6-month-old baby gets a tooth in, then it’s time to see the dentist. Unfortunately, many children end up seeing a dentist for cavities for their first visit instead of seeing a dentist preventively at any early age. Cavities are a very preventable but common disease of childhood. Dental illness accounts for millions of school hours lost each year. DR. MARIA CORDERO- RICARDO, DMD, MS, MPH Philadelphia Pediatric Dentistry Philadelphia, Pennsylvania When are children old enough to brush their teeth on their own? I use a helpful benchmark of when children can tie their shoes or cut food with a fork and a knife. That’s a good benchmark of manual DR. TRACY BOWDEN, DDS Kids First Pediatric Dentistry Baltimore County, Maryland What’s the best way for children to protect their teeth from injury due to sports and injuries? Many parents bring their children in with mouth injuries from sports, so custom mouthguards or mouthguards that you can buy over the counter dexterity. Until then, it’s great to let them are pretty good. That’s probably one of the best practice by doing it first and having a grown-up ways to not have mouth injuries, of course, and go over it (with them). Some kids are ready also to prevent concussions. Sixty percent of around age 6. Some kids need a little more concussions are supposedly from that fall where help until age 8 because we all develop at you hit your chin. (Also it’s) just wearing mouthguards in different rates. sports where children normally don’t. Kids in soccer don’t usually wear mouthguards. What’s the best way to encourage children to They don’t wear them in basketball, and brush their teeth correctly and regularly? Children learn best from modeling of that’s where we see all the injuries. behaviors. Make sure to include them in your own family’s routines and rhythms. DR. PETER The littlest children see you brushing, the MARKOV, DMD older children in the house—or if you have VK Pediatric just one child—brushing side by side and Dentistry making it part of a happy routine before bed Arlington, Virginia and sometime in the morning after breakfast is ideal. But I like making it part of family routines because children learn from what How effective is toothpaste containing the grown-ups do. fluoride for kids? Fluoride in kids’ toothpaste is one of the most effective and important ingredients to DR. DAVID R. ROSS, DDS, MS look for! In general, as soon as a child has teeth, we want to make sure there’s fluoride Orthodontist in their toothpaste. Baltimore County, Fluoride helps in a variety of ways, but most Maryland importantly, fluoride helps strengthen the teeth so they are more resistant to cavities. This (fluoride) is especially important for kids as their When should parents consider orthodontic teeth, and their hygiene habits, are still develop- treatment for their children? The best time to take your child to an ing. For kiddos who can’t spit out the toothpaste orthodontist for an evaluation is when they’re yet, aim for a grain-of-rice-sized smear of tooth- around 7 years old. Why 7? Well, by the time paste on the brush. For older kiddos, a pea-sized your kiddo is 7, they’ll have lost several baby amount is adequate for protection. teeth already and an orthodontist can look at their smile and see if any potential issues may At what age should parents consider sealants be popping up. Not only that, the American for their children’s teeth? Association of Orthodontists recommends Sealants are very effective at preventing cavities that all children see an orthodontist by the on the smooth biting surface of teeth. Although some children receive sealants on baby teeth, time they’re 7. During your child’s first visit, most children typically the first teeth to be sealed are the perma- find out that they don’t need early intervention nent molars which start coming in around age 6. Permanent molars have deep grooves that and are monitored every few months to make sure their teeth are coming in correctly. If can be difficult to fully clean, even for the most it turns out that your child does need early diligent of brushers. Adding a sealant to these intervention, this allows an orthodontist to teeth is a relatively easy process and can go a long guide your child’s teeth and jaw development way to protect the teeth and prevent cavities while their mouth is still growing, greatly in the future. Some studies show up to a 50% reducing the need for tooth extractions or reduction in cavities on sealed teeth! A benefit of surgery later. David Ross Orthodontics offers a sealant compared to a filling is that it requires free orthodontic evaluations for children ages no drilling or numbing and is a very conservative option that offers great protection.  n 7 and older. WashingtonFAMILY.com  27 Look, Mom and Dad, I Brushed My Teeth! NAME:................................................................................................................... MONTH:..................................................................................... MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY CHART ICONS: PP7/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; TEETH: WOWWA/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 28  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 WashingtonFAMILY.com  28 Heart- Healthy HEART: ELENA KOMONINA; PHOTO: MILAN_JOVIC/E+/GETTY IMAGES HABITS FOR KIDS Diet, exercise and proper sleep form the building blocks for wellness BY ELEANOR LINAFELT ebruary is American Heart Month. Now is a great time to think about your child’s cardiovascular health. Eating a well-rounded diet, exercising regularly and getting good sleep are all important habits to form as kids and carry into adulthood. By making heart-healthy choices a part of your family’s routine, everyone is more likely to sustain them. WashingtonFAMILY.com  29 recommends that kids get an hour of exercise five days a week. Although that number may seem daunting, Gaskin says that even 30 minutes of exercise a day would be great for young people. Clauss also says that the exercise can be broken up throughout the day into smaller increments. She recommends that especially for older kids, who are often more busy, scheduling exercise can help ensure they still do it. “If they put in their schedule 30 minutes of a walk or treadmill time, it’s more likely to get done than if it is not on the schedule,” she says. You don’t have to be an athlete or play a sport to make exercise a consistent part of your lifestyle. “Encourage the kids to turn on some music and dance to a few songs. They can do some situps and pushups. They can jump rope in the house, run up and down stairs or run around and play in the snow,” Gaskin says. “All those things are ways of getting some regular exercise.” Additionally, try to limit screen time and replace it with exercise that everyone in the family can do together. “Instilling limitations on screen time as a family—and in turn embracing daily activities that encourage movement, without singling out certain individuals who might be at higher risk due to weight—is important,” Favilla says. A heart-healthy diet includes multiple fruits and vegetables each day, a decent amount of fiber and a limit of fried foods. To make your child’s diet a bit more heart healthy, forego the sugar-sweetened beverages. “A lot of kids love juice; it’s nice and sweet, but that bleeds into sodas and energy drinks,” says Sarah Clauss, an advanced imaging cardiologist at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. “Try to encourage water and low-fat milk as much as possible.” Be creative in making healthy foods more appealing to your kids. “Serve it in a creative way, like making smiley faces or some unique presentation, to make it more appetizing to them,” Clauss says. Peter Gaskin, a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, says that when you can make changes in diet gradually, you should always keep moderation in mind. “There are many ways that you can eat healthy foods and have tasty healthy foods,” he says. “I’m not saying that you can’t have a steak or red meat, but don’t expect to do that three or four times a week. If you do that once a week that’s fine.” Maintaining a healthy diet is easier to do when everyone in the family does it together. “Cooking and eating meals as a family, when possible, is one of the ways children can feel supported and empowered in these habits,” says Emmanuelle Favilla, an attending Getting good sleep is also necessary for a physician with the division of cardiology at healthy heart. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “You really need a good night’s sleep to help with your body’s metabolism and to maintain a healthy weight,” Clauss says. Parents play an important role in making sure that their kids get regular sleep. Regular exercise is also a crucial part of “Make sure your kids have some kind maintaining a healthy heart. “Your heart is a muscle you need to of routine—that they’re going to bed at a condition and keep well-tuned,” Gaskin says. good hour, getting enough sleep and not The American Academy of Pediatrics having screen time right before bed because Sleep Exercise 30  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 that’s going to make it hard to fall asleep,” Clauss says. Holistic Benefits of Heart Health Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle at an early age pays off in the long term. “Our cardiac health as children and adolescents, as evaluated by proxy measures such as weight and blood pressure, reflects our risk of heart disease as adults,” Favilla says. “Thus, it is never too early to promote a heart-healthy lifestyle to our children. (It’s) instilling healthy habits for them to grow with and in turn more easily sustain in adolescence and adulthood.” Many occurrences of heart disease that adults develop start as kids. But parents can take preventive measures early on. “It’s very important if you can get your kids screened for cholesterol. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids get screened between 9 and 11,” Clauss says. “Get the screening and take care of it as best as you can early on because that is reversible, but once you get to be older, it’s not.” One can avoid many health issues by developing heart-healthy habits now. “If you have a heart-healthy lifestyle in place, you avoid things like obesity, hypertension and having an abnormal glucose profile leading to metabolic syndrome or diabetes,” Gaskin says. “By working on these things from childhood, it’s easier to develop those good habits rather than having to make changes in your lifestyle to fix something that has already happened.” By making heart-healthy habits a part of your family’s routine, kids will pick them up easier, and adults will also see the benefits in themselves. “A lot of what I talk about with my families is modeling good behaviors,” Clauss says. “I want parents to eat these foods, too, and the parents to exercise and limit their screen time. I want them to be role models.” n KIDS RUNNINH: TOMWANG112/E+/GETTY IMAGES ; SLEEPING: FLY VIEW PRODUCTIONS; FAMILY, SKYNESHER E+/GETTY IMAGES Diet HEALTHY FAMILY Emergency Room Injuries and How to Prevent Them BY ELEANOR LINAFELT Parents need to watch for certain signs after an accident that signal they should take their child to the emergency room. “If it’s a cut or a laceration—not just a scrape—those typically have to go to an ER or an urgent care center,” Taylor says. “If it’s a small laceration that might need a few stitches, or a staple or two, most urgent care centers can do that, and all emergency rooms can do that. If it’s a larger cut or laceration, definitely an emergency room.” If a child falls on an outstretched arm and is experiencing swelling, an ER professional needs to evaluate this injury. “Any type of injury on an outstretched arm where a kid is in a lot of pain and they’re swelling in the elbow especially needs to be evaluated pretty quickly or else there can be nerve damage,” Taylor says. “Any kind of injury where there is pain and swelling in a joint or extremity or ribs should be evaluated in an ER to make sure there’s no fracture.” G DEMAERRE/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS etting hurt is a part of childhood, but it’s essential to prevent serious injuries in children. Parents can take several steps—in the home, on the playground and in the car—to try to avoid a trip to the emergency room. But if your child gets seriously hurt, it’s crucial to know when a trip to the ER is necessary to get the care needed. Accidents According to Dan Taylor, medical director of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children outpatient clinic and associate professor of pediatrics for Drexel College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the most common injuries in children occur because of accidents such as falls or bike crashes. “Those are typically either broken bones or cuts, which we call lacerations or sprains,” he says. Winter injuries In the home During the winter, injuries in the home are more common since families spend more time inside. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a home safety checklist that Taylor recommends families review. “It includes things like stair gates and having cribs that have sides that are the right height so kids can’t crawl out of cribs and fall down,” he says. “Knowing the development milestones of kids is really important.” Burns Scalding burns are common for children during the winter. “Whether that’s pulling down mom or dad’s coffee from the table, or going to grandma or grandpa’s house and having the kettle on (the stove), scalding burns are deep, and they’re serious,” Galler says. “You want to be really cautious about placement of things, especially when you have family visiting.” Families should also be careful if they light Motor vehicle accidents More serious injuries can occur from motor fires in the fireplace or in outdoor fire pits. vehicle accidents, according to Marjorie Galler, “Make sure you’re thinking about having a an emergency department pediatrician at safe fire grate and constant supervision,” MedStar Georgetown University Hospital she says. and assistant professor of clinical pediatrics and emergency medicine at Georgetown Always a balance University School of Medicine. While parents should allow their kids freedom “While most of the injuries I see are not to play, they also need to be vigilant about the life-threatening, certainly the ones related to potential for serious injury. motor vehicle accidents can be,” she says. “That delicate balance is something that Prevention is key in avoiding life-threatening all parents have to struggle with a little bit,” injuries from car crashes. Taylor says. “Most kids are resilient and can “You want to have a really good infant bounce back from injuries, but it’s important car seat. You want to make sure people to ensure that there’s no chance for them to are transitioning out of the infant car seat have a major life-threatening injury.” into an appropriate toddler preschool-age But when serious injuries occur, emergency car seat when they hit that weight limit,” room pediatricians are available to address Galler says. Additionally, she notes that “the them. “You can always remember we’re American Academy of Pediatrics is pushing here 24/7,” Galler says. “Every emergency for people to keep children as rear-facing for department is prepared to care for your child as long as possible.” while in need.” n WashingtonFAMILY.com  31 BOOK MARKED 12 Heartfelt Books for February Discover Stories to Warm the Heart This Month BY JENNIFER ROTHSCHILD, COLLECTION ENGAGEMENT LIBRARIAN ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Love is in the air with these books about romance, Valentine’s Day and sweet treats. Explore stories of first crushes, elaborate Valentines and subverting romantic tropes. PICTURE BOOKS “Porcupine Cupid” by June Jason, illustrated by Lori Richmond Porcupine loves romance and decides to play Cupid for his friends. Unfortunately, he thinks this activity means he should stick them all with arrows (he uses his quills.) The reaction is not quite what he hoped, until he posts a sign for a party where everyone can complain about the “Poke-y Porcupine Problem.” As the animals complain, they each find someone to pair off with—even someone for Porcupine in this cute, pun-filled story. “Valenslime” by Joy Keller, illustrated by Ashley Belote Victoria Franken is a slime scientist. She even brought some of her slime to life to make her friend Goop. As Victoria makes Valentines for all her human friends, Goop realizes he would like some slime friends, so Victoria sets off to make the perfect slime companion for him. This book is filled with all types of slime and a few of Victoria’s nonsentient slime recipes to try at home. “Love, Violet” by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, illustrated by Charlene Chua Violet thinks that Mira is the greatest and wants to impress her with grand adventures and treasures, but every time Mira tries to play with her, Violet gets shy and can’t speak. In order 32  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 to tell Mira how she feels, Violet makes her a special Valentine. When the Valentine falls in the snow, Violet must find her courage to still give it to Mira with wonderful results. EARLY READERS “The Course to Chocolate” by Harriet Brundle Follow along with the Chocolate Box food truck to discover how chocolate is made and turned into some of our favorite treats. This book is part of the Drive Thru series, which uses food trucks to explore the journeys our favorite foods take to arrive on our plates. “Little Critter: Just a Little Love” by Mercer Mayer Little Critter has delighted generations of young readers. When Grandma gets sick, Little Critter and his family decide to visit to make her feel better. They make a card, pick flowers and apples and make egg salad to bring, but something goes wrong at each step. No matter what happens though, a little love at each hiccup can help solve any problem. “Teeny Houdini: The Super-Secret Valentine” by Katrina Moore, illustrated by Zoe Si Bessie Lee doesn’t let her lack of height stop her grand ideas. When she is asked to make a special Valentine to welcome a new student, she thinks big. Bessie’s Valentine has glitter, tape and her special brand of magic. When nothing works BOOK MARKED out the way she planned, will she be able to fix her problem? MIDDLE-GRADE READERS “The Big, Fun Kids Baking Book” from Food Network Magazine Aimed at beginning bakers, this book helps young chefs create the sweetest Valentine’s Day. A range of sweet cookies and cakes and savory muffins and quick breads give children much to explore. Kids will love the section of fakeout recipes, with cakes designed to look like grilled cheese sandwiches or spaghetti and meatballs. Tips, tricks, trivia and a photographic index help round out this useful (and delicious) book. “TBH, No One Can EVER Know” by Lisa Greenwald Victoria has been working hard to plan the school’s Valentine dance, but her mother’s anxiety-fueled overprotectiveness has hit new levels and now she may not even be allowed to go. Victoria will need the help of her best friends if she’s going to find a way to repair her relationship with her mother. Told entirely in text messages, emojis and notes, Greenwald makes full use of this communications form, from the perfect reaction emoji to misunderstanding the tone behind a friend’s text. “A Batch Made in Heaven” by Suzanne Nelson Mina is excited to get an internship at the local bakery. She wants to hone her baking skills so that she can win an upcoming cookie challenge and help her family, but she’s instead captioning Instagram photos because the owner’s son, Flynn, won’t let her anywhere near the kitchen. Will she be able to discover what Flynn is hiding and make her dreams come true? This light, sweet romance also includes recipes to help recreate Mina’s mouthwatering cookie creations. TEEN READERS “Happily Ever Afters” by Elise Bryant Tessa loves writing romance stories, but when she enrolls at a new school with a creative writing program, she develops a huge case of writer’s block. Her friend Caroline decides the thing Tessa needs is some real-life romance to get the words flowing again, and she’s picked out the perfect Prince Charming. Tessa follows Caroline’s program but finds she’s getting further away from her heart in the process. Maybe Tessa’s Happily Ever After isn’t the one she put down on the page, and she has a new story to tell. “Chocolate: Sweet Science and Dark Secrets” by Kay Frydenborg Enjoy this wide-ranging exploration of the many facets of chocolate. Frydenborg looks at how chocolate was used in Mesoamerica and how European conquest and colonization exported it around the globe. From examining the science behind why humans find it so delicious to the use of slavery in its cultivation, this book offers a fascinating and sweeping look at a favorite treat. “Fools in Love: Fresh Twists on Romance Tales” edited by Ashley Herring Blake and Rebecca Podos Fifteen short stories from authors such as Malinda Lo, Hannah Moskowitz and Sara Farizan each tackle a romance trope such as fake dating, secret royalty and being snowed-in together with a fun and intriguing new spin. From sports championships to Seder dinners, from boy bands to fleeing monsters, this collection offers a fun assortment of romance tales.  n WashingtonFAMILY.com  33 WF MY TURN 5 Things Only a Mom Would Say on Valentine’s Day O n Valentine’s Day, long before your mom days, you probably dined by candlelight in some swanky restaurant. Once you gave birth to your sweet little munchkins, your meal is more likely to involve baby spit up or chicken nuggets. Besides the lack of a romantic dining experience, you may also find yourself saying the following: 1. “Thank God this holiday doesn’t entail elves, fairies, leprechauns or any other magical night creatures.” I’m not sure who came up with the brilliant idea of having “magical night creatures,” but I can guarantee it wasn’t a mom. At night, moms are counting down the seconds until they can go to sleep. The last thing on a mom’s mind is remembering to move an elf, retrieve a tooth or paint green leprechaun footprints on the floor. Plus, who would want to create a “leprechaun mess” knowing who will have to clean it up later? Definitely not a mom. We have enough messes we already clean daily. Please don’t create a magical “Cupid” that comes in the night. We already have more magic than Harry Potter at our house—thanks but no thanks. 2. “I just need about 10 more hours on Pinterest to find the perfect Valentine’s Day craft, cupcake and card.” My Turn gives readers a voice. To submit a piece for consideration, email us at mvyskocil@ midatlanticmedia.com. My Turn opinion pieces do not reflect the views of Washington FAMILY. Pinterest is a black hole that will suck all of the hours out of your day. Just when you think you found the perfect craft, cupcake or card to replicate for the 25 kids in your child’s class, you will see another one and then another one. Before you know it, the whole day is gone and you still haven’t picked up a glue gun or spatula. 3. “I know you already have five Valentine’s Day T-shirts, but I couldn’t resist buying another one. I mean what other time 34  Washington FAMILY  FEBRUARY 2022 can you wear a shirt that reads ‘Love-a-saurus’ with an adorable red dinosaur on it?” Valentine’s Day kid shirts are adorable. Let’s face it ... your teens aren’t going to let you dress them up in a “Love-a-saurus” shirt, so I’m going to dress up the kids in as many as I can while I still can. Some of my favorites besides “Love-a-saurus” are “More Spice than Sugar,” “I Choo-Choo Choose You” and “You Have a Pizza of My Heart.” 4. “Roses are red. Violets are blue. I’ll give you some candy if you go number two—in the potty this time.” Oh, the joys of potty training on Valentine’s Day! Enough said. 5. “I think a fair cut of your Valentine’s Day school candy would be half since I wrote all 25 of your Valentine cards.” Not only do you have to write each kid’s name on the Valentine card, but then you have to lick each envelope and then put a candy or sticker on it. If you are lucky enough to have three kids, that is 75 cards in one night since, of course, you waited until the night before to do this “work.” Surely this effort warrants at least half of the candy take if not more—actually 60-40 is probably a fairer cut. Once that Hershey Kiss starts melting in your mouth, that hand cramp will be a distant memory—until next year.  T Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05. PROVIDED PHOTO BY CHERYL MAGUIRE THEY NEED US. WE NEED YOU. You can help keep Maryland seniors nourished, safe, and connected. Volunteer to pack or deliver meals, grocery shop, or make wellness calls. Learn more or sign up to volunteer at mealsonwheelsmd.org/volunteer-application 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