CALENDAR
{ november }
storytimes include short stories,
action rhymes, songs and
fingerplays. Independent Hill
Neighborhood Library, Manassas,
Va., 10:30 a.m. pwcgov.org
THURSDAY 7
‘Edward Albee’s Occupant’
In this production, a little Jewish
FRIDAY 1
girl from Russia immigrates to the
U.S. and becomes the renowned
FREE Friday Fun
WEDNESDAY 6
sculptor Louise Nevelson. Diving
It’s time for some Friday fun! Every
deep into her world and getting to
first Friday, families can enjoy
FREE Musical Storytime
witness her mental struggles and
movies, music, dance or books
For little musical lovers, this
career triumphs, the audience will
while also making friends with
musical storytime is a must.

leave with a better understanding
others in the community. Contact Barnes & Noble is partnering with
of this famous artist’s mind and
the library for specific activities.

Crescendo Studios to combine
how she became a free-thinking
Chinn Park Regional Library, Price book and music together to
woman who inspired many.

William, Va., 10:30 a.m. pwcgov.org get kids excited about reading.

Theater J, Washington, D.C.,
Barnes & Noble (Mosaic
8 p.m. $34-$64. theaterj.org.

SATURDAY 2
District), Fairfax, Va., 11 a.m.

barnesandnoble.com FRIDAY 8
‘Matilda the Musical’
Other Voices Theatre presents
FREE Sensory Yoga
Northern Virginia
Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the
While all children are welcome, this Christmas Show
Musical”, which tells the story of a
beneficial yoga program is geared With more than 250 fine artisans,
brilliant girl with newly discovered
toward kids with autism. It aims at
this award-winning holiday show
powers who uses her abilities and
helping kids with their sensory skills is the perfect way to kick off
intelligence to take a dramatic
as well as helping to strengthe their the Christmas season. Browse
and positive stand in her life.

mind-body connections. Grades
through tons of fine arts, pottery,
The Performing Arts Factory,
K-6 with caregiver. Montclair
jewelry, photography, fiber arts
Frederick, Md., 8 p.m. $18-$22.

Community Library, Dumfries, Va.,
and more to find the perfect
othervoicestheatre.org 5:45 p.m. pwcgov.org
Christmas gift for your loved ones.

Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, Va.,
SUNDAY 3
10 a.m. $8. dullesexpo.com
FREE Reading to Dogs
Did you know that dogs love books,
too? Children can practice their
reading skills by reading aloud to
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
a therapy dog at the library. For
readers in grades K- 5. Attendees
can bring their own book or read
one from the library. Chinn Park
Regional Library, Prince William,
Va., 1 p.m. pwcgov.org
SATURDAY 9
‘Taj Express’
Think about those magical Indian
Bollywood movies and that’s
what this performance delivers.

“Taj Express” follows the story of
one man’s passion and another’s
genius and is packed with all
kinds of joy, theatrics and fun. The
spectacular dance numbers
and music will have you smiling
and dancing along. Center for the
Arts, Fairfax, Va., 8 p.m. $29-$48.

cfa.gmu.edu SUNDAY 10
‘The Four Seasons’
Enjoy this reimagined version of
the beloved “The Four Seasons.”
Led my music director and
violinist Daniel Hope, he pairs
Vivaldi’s iconic masterpiece with
neo-classical composer Max
Richter’s piece, “Recomposed.”
Center for the Arts, Fairfax, Va.,
2 p.m. $29-$48. cfa.gmu.edu
DISNEY’S ‘NEWSIES’
MONDAY 4
FREE Funday Monday
Make Monday less than boring
with a day full of crafts, music,
movement and fun. Organizations
like Mr. Skip, My Gym and
Paint Your Own Pottery will be
in attendance. Old Town Hall,
Fairfax, Va., 10:30 a.m.

fairfaxva.gov Baby Storytime
Storytimes are great for
developing children’s reading
and pre-reading skills as well as
their imaginations. The library’s
8 Washington FAMILY
Don’t miss out on seeing this Tony-Award-winning musical! In the summer of 1899, the New
York newsboys took on two of the most powerful men in the country, Joseph Pulitzer and
William Randolph Hearst, and won. Based on true events, this musical inspires audiences to
stand up for what is right and let their voices be heard. Arena Stage, Washington, D.C., 8 p.m.

$92. arenastage.org
NOVEMBER 2019
PROVIDED TUESDAY 5



— ADVERTORIAL —
Why Outdoor Play Should Be
a Part of Every Child’s Day
A s the temperatures drop, children
will likely spend more and more time
indoors. Outdoor play is just as criti-
cal in the fall and winter as it is in the spring
and summer. In fact, studies show that chil-
dren perform better in school and are physi-
cally and mentally healthier when they enjoy
the great outdoors. Children develop cre-
ativity and learn how to overcome boredom
on their own when they experience nature
and find ways to entertain themselves out-
side. Dr. Claire McCarthy, Faculty Editor of
Harvard Health Publishing points out the
benefits to executive skills, “These are the
skills that help us plan, prioritize, trouble-
shoot, negotiate, and multitask; they are
crucial for our success. Creativity falls in
here, too, and using our imagination to prob-
lem-solve and entertain ourselves. These are
skills that must be learned and practiced —
and to do this, children need unstructured
time. They need time alone and with other
children, and to be allowed (perhaps forced)
to make up their own games, figure things
out, and amuse themselves. Being outside
gives them opportunities to practice these
important life skills.”
With the increasing obsession with elec-
tronic devices and screens, and the typical
family’s busy schedule, it is more challeng-
ing now than ever for parents to find time
for outdoor activities on a regular basis.

Therefore, the ideal solution is that a child
spends some time outside at school every
day. At Westminster School in Annandale,
VA, children enjoy recess once or twice every
day depending on the grade level and all stu-
dents have PE class every day. If it’s a cold
day, children bundle up and head outside to
play on the playground or field, or they go
for a nice walk around the campus. The cold
is not an excuse to stay inside; in fact, the
crisp air is invigorating! Only in the most
extreme temperatures or weather condi-
tions will Westminster students have indoor
recess. Team sports are offered beginning in
the 5th grade, which provides the students
additional exercise, and which instills the
value of teamwork and winning/losing with
grace. Optional after-school sports enrich-
ment is offered to the younger students.

Westminster offers an outward-bound
program to students in grades 4-8. These
experiences challenge the students
to work together in teams to to over-
come physical and intellectual challeng-
es. Children go rock climbing, canoeing,
camping, and zip lining. In addition to the
physical benefits of this program, there
are mental benefits as well, since the chil-
dren must work in teams to solve prob-
lems. For instance, how will a team get
every person over a six-foot wall without
the use of a ladder?
Westminster recommends that all chil-
dren take a break after school and play
outside before beginning their homework.

This outdoor play provides a pause from
the focused attention at school and gets
the blood pumping to the brain, reener-
gizing the children for the time they will
spend on their homework. While parents
may be reluctant to give up the time prior
to homework/study time, Westminster
says that the 20-30 minutes outside will
pay dividends when a more focused stu-
dent can complete his homework in a
timely manner.

Many schools have cut back on the
amount of recess and PE students receive
in a week, in favor of more technology
classes. Westminster, however, remains
resolute in its commitment to daily play,
recognizing that outdoor activities are
beneficial to students in countless ways
and must be part of the everyday life
of a child. ■
WashingtonFAMILY.com 9