ML Interest Tag: socio-emotional

Study Says Kids Benefit When Their Moms Have Close Friends

by Shahrzad Warkentin

It’s easy to see why a strong support system of friends is important as a mom, especially when you have babies and young kids. However, new research shows the benefits of mom friends extend to your kids as well.

A new study conducted by Cornell University found that kids of moms who had strong social circles (aka an awesome mom tribe), scored higher on cognitive development tests, which measure language along with motor, socio-emotional and adaptive behaviors.

photo: Priscilla du Preez via Unsplash

The researchers believe the stronger scores could correlate with the fact that moms who have more close friends socialize more, which exposes their kids to more language and socialization early on. In other words the more time you spend chatting with your mom friends at the park, the more your kids pick up on.

Having a stronger social network could also mean that a mom feels more supported and less stressed and anxious, which could lead to improved parenting skills. Regardless of the reason, having great mom friends clearly has many benefits.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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#ArmMeWithGames: 20 Games for Good During Scary Times

By Sandhya Nankani

Photo: Literary Safari Media

There are two very different conversations happening around video games in the media today. On one hand, we hear tirades from politicians who decry video games as a cause of aggression amongst young people and scary stories of parents whose children are Fortnite addicts. On the other hand, we read reports and research from screen time experts which argue that the moral panic around video games is overstated and demonstrate that games can be a positive force in the lives of young people.

Research shows us that truth about games lies somewhere in between and the conversations we need to be having are more nuanced than “Games are good” versus “Games are bad.” As a children’s media producer, I’m familiar with the studies which show no evidence of the link between video games and aggressive behavior and with the work of educators who have successfully used games in their classrooms to build empathy and social-emotional learning—skills that children growing up in this age of mass gun violence, lockdown drills and mass school shootings need now, more than ever.

But as a mother, I recognize that many parents need help finding games for their children. That is one of the reasons that inspired my studio Literary Safari to create an #ArmMeWithGames list. We asked leading game designers, researchers and educators for recommendations of games for young people growing up in the shadow of mass school shootings.

In a week when we heard the heartbreaking news of three survivors of mass school shootings (two students and one parent) who died by suicide, we can’t ignore the mental health impact of mass gun violence. While gun reform legislation and school safety take center stage amongst legislators and in the media, what I see as being less discussed is the very real impact of lockdown drills and school shootings on the emotional lives of young people, educators and families.

Here is a sampling of the game recommendations we received, which ranged from elementary to high school levels and include adventure, puzzle, battle, narrative and live action role play games. A number of these games were also specifically designed to tackle difficult and complex topics like loneliness, depression, trauma, PTSD, social media use and bullying and to give young people an opportunity to practice empathy by walking in someone else’s shoes.

A Normal Lost Phone is an investigation game in which players search through a missing person’s phone to solve the puzzle of what happened to them. Players read text messages and emails and look through photos and apps which reveal intimate details about the main character’s life up until the evening they disappeared. The game touches on social media issues affecting teens today and is an opportunity to consider how devices and online activities can put our privacy and safety on the line.

Among the Sleep is an award-winning first-person narrative game played from the perspective of a two-year-old child experiencing parental neglect. The game begins with the player being awakened in the middle of the night by a mysterious sound and then setting out to find his/her mother in a nightmarish version of their home. This game assesses the effects an environment of alcohol abuse and domestic unrest can have on a young child.

Don’t Starve Together is a multi-player video game in which players have to gather supplies and assemble the tools they need to survive. Players navigate a mysterious land while trying to maintain their health, sanity and hunger levels, keeping away from darkness and deadly creatures. This game is a well-rounded survival game that allows players to play individually or collaboratively and to experience the mental toll of loneliness and unhealthy environments on an individual.

Elude is an exploration game that aims to enhance the understanding of what people suffering from depression are going through. It was created by the Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab. The game takes place in a forest—a metaphorical representation of varying moods—where players climb trees and resonate with passions that are represented by colorful birds. Ultimately and uncontrollably, players are dragged down, but through gameplay, are challenged to find their way back to the top, where true passions lie.

My Child Lebensborn is a mobile tamagotchi game set in post-WWII Norway in which players assume the role of foster mother/father to a child experiencing hate based on their biological parents’ Nazism. As caregivers, players must take care of the emotional and physical needs of a child who is ostracized by its surrounding society. The game is a portrait of exclusion and othering, but aims to change this narrative by demonstrating the power of social-emotional learning and care.

Night in the Woods is a narrative adventure game about the angst and confusion of being a young adult entering the real world. The game follows a cat named Mae, who recently dropped out of college and has returned to her hometown to find it isn’t how she remembers it and that the people she once knew have moved on with their lives. Players experience a coming-of-age story through animal characters that reflects on relationships, financial stress and personal responsibility.

Parable of the Polygons is a playable blog post on how harmless choices can lead to a harmful world. The game is formatted like an article but contains mini-games that use cute and colorful geometric shapes to show how individual biases can lead to institutional biases such as segregation and marginalization. This game is based on the work of Nobel Prize winning game theorist Thomas Schelling.

Please Knock on My Door is a narrative game in which players attempt to help a person suffering from depression and social anxiety. Through mundane daily activities, players walk alongside the game’s central character and watch as they try to cope through life, work and friendship. The game aims to help players understand the fears and struggles of what it’s like to live with depression and demonstrates the power of opening up to others.

Prism is a game for elementary school students where players assume the role of a nocturnal fox who seeks help from other animals to save their forest from an impending flood. Through the metaphor of the fox’s struggle of navigating during the daytime and communicating with diurnal animals, players experience the feeling of sensory overload and the difficulty of social communication that their peers with autism may experience. The game promotes empathy and ultimately teaches children how to be better friends to those with autism spectrum disorder.

Sign is a live action role-play game (played with direction cards) that is based on the experience of 50 deaf children in 1970s Nicaragua. At that time, the country did not have a form of sign language–if you were deaf, you had no tools for expression. In Sign, players follow a piece of this journey and experience the frustrations of not being able to communicate. Through gameplay, participants create connections and develop tools to express themselves.

Starbound is an open-ended, multi-player, adventure sandbox game in which players explore a galaxy full of planets, spaceships and unique alien civilizations. Players can build anything from a simple hut to towering fortresses. A game like this—similar to Roblox, Lego Worlds, Minecraft —provides opportunities to explore creativity, community building and even social-emotional skills, as it takes a lot of interpersonal communication to build a thriving starfaring civilization!

This War of Mine is a simulation war game in which players assume the role of average citizens attempting to survive a conflict that’s destroying their town. Inspired by the 1992-96 Siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, the game asks players to make difficult decisions in desperate situations. Through gameplay, players also experience a socio-emotional connection with the game’s supporting characters who may become depressed or disturbed as a result of their circumstances. A table top version of the game is available.

Unmanned is an unconventional war simulator game. Players assume the role of a soldier who controls an unmanned attack drone in his office by day and then goes home at night to lead a suburban life. Through gameplay that combines battle actions with everyday activities such as shaving, players learn that the conflict that grips the soldier is not on the battlefield, but in his mind.

Way is a two-person game, where both players (who are anonymous strangers) play together using only nonverbal communication. The players are separated by a split screen and must work together to overcome obstacles that they can only do with the help of the other person. At the very end, once the players win the 20-minute game together, they are finally in the same screen and can write messages to each other atop a map of the world.

What Remains of Edith Finch is a narrative exploration game in which players assume the role of protagonist Edith, who returns to her childhood home to investigate her family’s history. Players enter the elaborate Finch house and discover the eccentricities of Edith’s family, how they lived and how they died. The first-person perspective of the game promotes empathy formation by making players experience the unknowable thoughts of various family-members, which also helps Edith better understand herself.

Wonder City is a web-based game that puts the player into the shoes of a high-school girl who discovers she has superpower abilities. Through decision-making gameplay, players express themselves and discover their st‌yle of heroism. The game realistically represents race and body image by empowering young girls to adopt their superhero identity and championing their own values. It is an extension of an independent documentary film, Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines.

Zoo U is a choice game set in a school for young zookeepers. The game was designed by psychologists and therapists for school and classroom use and features a teacher interface. The gameplay invites kids to navigate social situations in a familiar setting that correlates to their own real-life experiences at school. Faced with solving social problems, players are reminded to consider the perspectives of all parties in question, the goal being to build social emotional skills such as compassion, friendship and confidence through adaptive gameplay.

You can download the complete games list here, along with letters to parents and teachers on the value of games from Joel Levin, co-founder of TeacherGaming and creator of MinecraftEdu and Dr. Karen Schrier, author of Knowledge Games: How Playing Games Can Solve Problems, Create Insight and Make Change.

I'm the founder of Literary Safari, a studio that creates inclusive, playful, and diverse media for kids and families everywhere, including the award-winning literacy app, HangArt, which was selected a Best of 2016 EdTech by Common Sense Media. I'm the mother of a nine-year-old and a collector of picture books.

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31 Things Your Kids Should Be Doing Instead of Homework

By Jessica Smock

There are many aspects of my more than decade-long career as a teacher that I’m proud of. My reputation for giving lots and lots of homework is not one of them.

For most of my teaching career, I taught fifth or sixth grade. Sometimes I gave more than two hours of homework. Kids complained a lot, though parents rarely did, at least not to my face. I think parents mostly felt the same way I did: that homework was the best way to practice new skills, that it teaches responsibility and helps to develop a strong work ethic, and that it’s an opportunity to reflect on new learning.

But most of all, my students’ parents and I were more than a little afraid that our kids would fall behind – behind their classmates in the next classroom, behind the kids in a neighboring school, behind the kids in other countries. Homework was considered one of many ways to prevent that from happening.

I wasn’t entirely wrong about all of that, and I still believe a lot of those things. But only for middle and high school students (and not hours of assignments). Not for elementary students, and certainly not for kindergarteners or preschoolers.

When I entered a doctoral program in education policy, I learned about the research that suggests that homework is not good for young kids. Not only does it fail to improve the academic performance of elementary students, but it might actually be damaging to kids’ attitudes toward school, and to their physical health. In a review of available research studies, Harris Cooper, a leading researcher who has spent decades studying the effect of homework, concluded that “there is no evidence that any amount of homework improves the academic performance of elementary students.”

When I became a parent during graduate school, I experienced for myself just how tired and overwhelmed kids can be after a full day at daycare, preschool, or elementary school, often followed by more after school activities. After hours spent sitting and engaging in mostly adult-directed activities, children’s minds and bodies need other kinds of experiences when they get home, not more academics.

It’s not just that homework itself has no academic benefits for little kids, and may even be harmful, it’s also that homework is replacing other fun, developmentally appropriate, and valuable activities – activities that help them grow into healthy, happy adults.

So, what are some of the things kids could be doing in those hours between the end of the school day and bed time?

1 | Jump rope.

An important part of how young kids’ minds develop is through free, self-directed play. According to David Elkind, Ph.D., author of The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children, free play is critical now more than ever, as recesses are shortened or eliminated, and kids’ calendars are busier than ever.

“Through play,” Elkind writes, “children create new learning experiences, and those self-created experiences enable them to acquire social, emotional, and intellectual skills they could not acquire any other way.”

2 | Talk with parents.

I’ve heard from countless friends about their daily battles with their elementary-aged kids struggling to do homework, and the way it’s negatively affected their relationships.

Instead, of parents nagging their overtired kids to do homework they’re too young to do independently, families should spent much time talking together about their day. In fact, conversation is the best way for all of us – especially young children – to learn about our world and cultivate empathy.

3 | Sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation estimates that between 25 and 30% of children aren’t getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can cause all sorts of problems in kids, including poor attention, behavior problems, academic difficulties, irritability, and weight gain. But even small amounts of additional sleep can have big impacts. One study found that only 20 additional minutes of sleep can improve kids’ grades.

4 | Independent reading.

Most of us know that developing good habits (and hopefully a love of reading) is critical to doing well at school. However, homework can actually interfere with the time that kids can spend on reading.

5 | Listen to a book.

Studies show that kids who are read aloud to do better in school and have better vocabularies.

6 | Work on a puzzle.

Being able to play on their own without adults (called “solitary play”) builds confidence in kids and makes them more relaxed.

7 | Go up a slide backwards.

“Risky” play — activities like climbing a tree — is good for kids. Children need to explore their own limits, to be able to assess risks, and to learn how to negotiate their environments.

Researchers theorize that risky play, found across all cultures and in other mammals, has a evolutionary role in preparing offspring for life without their caretakers.

8 | Dig in the dirt.

Another type of play, sensory play, is also critical for kids’ development. When kids knead clay or finger paint, they are stimulating their senses. “Sensory experiences,” explains one early childhood educator, “provide open-ended opportunities where the process is more important than the product; how children use materials is much more important than what they make with them.”

9 | Playing with a friend in a sandbox.

Parallel play, or the type of play in which kids play next to each other, begins in toddlers. But even for older kids, parallel play can help develop critical social skills.

10 | Help with dinner.

Kids who learn about new foods, and how to prepare them, may be more likely to choose more nutritious foods later on.

11 | Walk the dog.

Kids who help take care of family pets may be less anxious, less likely to develop allergies and asthma, and are more active.

12 | Volunteer at an animal shelter.

Even kids who don’t have pets at home can benefit from being around animals. The emotional and psychological benefits of being around animals can also be found when kids care for injured animals and take on care-taking responsibilities for other people’s pets.

13 | Plant a garden.

Kids who work in gardens may have higher achievement scores in science than those who don’t. That’s because they’re actively engaging in scientific concepts and practicing math skills as they learn about plants.

14 | Practice an instrument.

Kids who participate in musical activities – those who practice an instrument regularly and participate actively in music groups – may have brains who are better wired for literacy skills, according to one study.

15 | Hang out at Grandma’s.

Encouraging multi-generational relationships can yield many lessons for kids. They can learn how other adult role models in their lives who love them handle conflict, create and negotiate rules and routines, and embrace family traditions.

16 | Participate in a community service project.

Through volunteering, kids can become more grateful, empathetic, and feel more connected to the wider community.

17 | Draw a picture.

For kids who have trouble expressing themselves verbally, drawing can be a way for them to relax and communicate in a different way.

18 | Do a science experiment.

Kids are naturally curious and want to know how things work. Scientific exploration outside the classroom may be particularly effective at teaching kids about scientific thinking.

19 | Play dress up.

The significance of imaginative “pretend” or “fantasy” play for kids’ creativity and future problem-solving skills is difficult to overstate. When kids pretend they’re superheroes or talk to stuffed animals, they’re learning about social roles, setting the stage for later learning, and processing ideas from the world around them. In fact, some research suggests that kids who don’t engage in fantasy play may actually struggle in the classroom later.

20 | Wrestle with a sibling.

“Rough and tumble” play is not the same as aggression. It’s vigorous, free-form, whole-body, energetic, happy play.  Kids learn decision-making skills, relieve stress, improve their ability to read social cues, and enhance their cardio-vascular health.

21 | Clean their room.

When kids are spending their afternoons working on homework, there’s often not time for them to help out with housework and other chores. A University of Minnesota researcher, Marty Rossman, found that one of the best predictors of a kid’s future success is whether they contributed to household chores as a young child.

According to Rossman, “Through participating in household tasks, parents are teaching children responsibility, how to contribute to family life, a sense of empathy and how to take care of themselves.”

22 | Write a story.

By writing down stories, kids can express their feelings, stretch their imaginations, and practice their fine motor skills.

23 | Zone out.

Just as important as play is “down time.” The authors of “Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and Happy, Successful Kids“ argue that every kids needs PDF: playtime, downtime, and family time.

Downtime is when kids are allowed to literally do not much of anything, like sit around and listen to music or stare at the ceiling. These moments allow children to reflect, rest, and reset their minds and bodies.

24 | Meditate.

Kids also benefit from meditation. Studies have found that mindfulness and meditation can improve behavior, focus, and reduce impulsiveness.

25 | Create a collage.

“Constructive play” – building a fort, making a snowman – is goal-oriented and involves kids building something using tools and materials. Constructive play also has an important role in developing children’s communication, mathematical, and socio-emotional skills.

26 | Listen to classical music.

One study found that playing classical music to children can improve their listening and concentration skills, as well as self-discipline.

27 | Learn to knit.

Knitting, sewing, and crocheting are hobbies that can help enhance fine motor skills, improve coordination, and develop longer attention spans.

28 | Take pictures.

“Photography can help develop a child’s voice, vision and identity as it pertains to their family, friends and community,” according to one photographer who teaches photography to children in Canada.

29 | Ride a bike.

Kids who are physically active – as well as adults! – have stronger hearts, lungs, and bones. They are less likely to develop cancer or be overweight and more likely to feel good about themselves.

30 | Listen to a long bedtime story.

Babies, children, and adult sleep better when they have a regular (not rushed) bedtime routine. Kids who don’t have bedtime routines are more likely to have behavior problems, be hyperactive, and suffer from emotional difficulties.

31 | Play “Simon Says.”

During cooperative games, kids collaborate to reach a common goal. There may be a leader, and kids start to learn about social contracts and social rules.

When homework is assigned to young children, it doesn’t improve academic learning. In any case, the learning done in school is only one form of learning. Homework takes away from the time available to engage in endless other forms of learning, such as social, physical, and emotional, as well as rest.

Our kids deserve a chance to spend all their other hours outside of school doing their most important job of all: being a kid.

This post originally appeared on Parent.co.

Featured Photo Courtesy: Pexels

Jessica Smock is a writer, editor, former educator, and a mom to a six year old son and a toddler daughter. She has a doctorate in development and educational policy from Boston University. She can be found at School of Smock, where she blogs about parenting and education.

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October Hot List

by Jacqui Boland

-Sponsored Content-

This is the time of year to start planning holiday photos and we have some great deals. Also, we have a slew of great Halloween events to share and some great incentives to get in shape with fun new fitness programs. Check it out.

Photography and Holiday Greetings

Portrait special in time for the holidays!
Clare Marie Photography is offering a portrait special to help you get ready for the holidays. All baby and family sessions are $300 and include a disc of all high resolution files, ready for printing or creating your holiday cards. This is a special offer that is good through November 15th and is based on availability, so reserve your spot now!
Clare Marie Photography
206.228.0728
http://www.claremariephotography.com

Work With A True Photography Professional
Have you been disappointed with your last photography experience? Not satisfied with the creativity or felt like the photographer didn’t really know how to connect with your children. I specialize in working with just families and children and have been a professional in the Seattle area for over 10 years. We work either on location or at our fabulous natural light studio. Let me help you create your family heirlooms. Check out my blog for the latest images and tips for your next session. Mention Red Tricycle during September and October to receive two complimentary signed mattes.
Heather Quintans Photography
Children and Family Portraits
http://www.heatherquintans.com

Photography Workshop from Teddi Yaeger Photography
Have you ever wished that you could learn how to take better photographs from an expert? Do you want to improve the quality of the family photographs that you do take? Nothing could replace the priceless gift of a professional portrait, especially one that captures you with your children. But I know that you witness dozens of picture-worthy moments every day, and I want to help you to create the best photographs possible. I will explain what makes a photograph great (subject matter, composition, lighting, etc.), show you how to use the camera equipment that you already own, recommend some equipment to add to your arsenal, and teach you tricks to turn your children into the perfect subjects. The fee is $129 and includes beverages and snacks, as well as a DVD of the presentation to review at home. The workshop is currently capped at twenty participants, so you must contact me today to reserve your spot! Offered on Sunday, October 25th from 1-5 pm. Location TBA.
Teddi Yaeger Photography
teddi@teddiyaeger.com
http://www.teddiyaeger.com

Back to School Photos ::Great Idea:: Great Deal:: 20% off
Back to school is an exciting time for kids!! It was my favorite time of year growing up, the fall leaves, the new clothes seeing old friends – such great memories! What better way to capture these amazing moments than through photos! I’m running a back to school special where by mentioning Red-Tri you receive 10% off – but if you participate in my BLOG special you could be the one lucky winner of a FREE family portrait session!! Visit http://www.barbiehull.wordpress.com/ for rules & information.
Barbie Hull Photography
Seattle, WA

Seattle Wedding Photographer | Barbie Hull Photography, Seattle, WA

The Perfect Holiday Card – here’s a simple way to check this off
Making a list and checking it twice? Trying to figure out just how you’ll send the perfect holiday card this year without exhausting your mind or budget? Paper Locket’s cards are highly personalized, ultra stylish and luckily simple to order! Their hand-touch design process ensures that all your photos (1 to 6 of them) are sized, edited and artistically arranged in any one of their customizable 2-sided card designs. And finally your holiday greeting will say exactly what you want it to say. Click on a favorite design, pick the online proof you love, and in only a few days you’ll have impressive cards arrive on your doorstep filled with your very own holiday cheer. Order by November 11th and enjoy 20% off! Or use coupon red10 and receive $10 off your order any other time.
Paper Locket
206.228.0664
http://www.paperlocket.com

Halloween Fun and Playtime

Costume Party at Dizzy’s Bus Stop – October 24th
Come to our 3rd Annual Costume Party at Dizzy’s Bus Stop on Saturday, October 24th from 4 to 7pm. Dress up your little goblins in their Halloween costume for an evening of games, crafts, tumbling and of course trick-or-treating. Costumes are not required, but we’d love to see the little ones all dressed up! Cost $7/child. Mention Red Tricycle and save $1 off admission.
For Kids Crawling to 8 Yrs Old
Play & Learn Facility
http://www.dizzybus.com

Izilla Toys Free Events
Music with Doug Fleming Jr.: Bring your little ones to dance, sing, and try out a variety of instruments.
Tuesday Oct. 13th and Tues. Oct. 27th 10:30-11:30 am. Mini Pumpkin Painting: Paint some mini pumpkins with washable tempera to take home and Halloweenify your house. All ages.
Monday, October 19th 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Family Game Night: Join us as we play some of our new and classic favorite games and enjoy free, delicious Piecora’s Pizza and refreshments. We’ll be playing some “Halloweeny” games this month. Ages 4 and up
Wednesday, October 14th 5 to 8 pm. Izilla Toys Big Halloween Party: Join us for Piecora’s Pizza, face painting by the lovely and talented Jackie Brulotte, and screenings of fun and spooky(ish) Halloween shorts. Suitable for all ages. The first 25 families to RSVP to info@izillatoys.com will receive a special gift bag and coupon!
Friday, October 30th 5 to 8 pm.
Big Fun for Everyone
http://www.izillatoys.com

Halloween Spooktacular is back and spookier than ever!
Take your ghouls and goblins to KidsQuest Children’s Museum for their annual Halloween Spooktacular on Thursday, October 29th from 5-8pm! Make your own trick-or-treat bag and visit each station to fill it with crafty goodies to take home! Visit Dr. Jekyll’s Laboratory or take a stroll on the cake walk. There are lots of spooky, kooky activities to enjoy! Costumes are encouraged! Special event pricing of $5 for KidsQuest Children s Museum members, $7 for non-members. No PRIME Card, passes or additional discounts apply. Register online or just show up for a spectacularly spooky good time!
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
425-637-8100
http://www.kidsquestmuseum.org

Connections and Classes

Join a PEPS Group – Just the Support You Need
Since 1983, PEPS – the Program for Early Parent Support – has helped parents connect. PEPS Groups offer a chance to meet, share, learn, and grow together. Newborn Groups are offered in the daytime or evening: PEPS matches together groups of 12 parents (moms and dads) in the same neighborhood with babies who are all close in age, and they meet in the homes of group members for 12 consecutive weeks with a volunteer leader who ensures that everyone is heard and respected. Baby Peppers are for babies aged 5-12 months, and Little Peppers are for families with two children under the age of three. Programs are offered at 7 sites throughout King and Snohomish Counties. Fees are reasonable and scholarships are available. For more info and to register, please visit our website.
PEPS (Groups Everywhere)
206-547-8570
http://www.pepsgroup.org

Monday ClayDays at Paint the Town – Time to Get Your Hands Dirty
Come to Paint the Town every Monday in October to get your hands in clay and create whatever projects you want – coil pots, figurines, slab projects, you name it! We’ll have raw clay, tools and lots of samples and instruction to help you make fun and interesting pieces. Open to ages 3 – 103, and no reservations necessary. October 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th from 3:00 – 9:00pm. We’re charging $20 for a 2 1/2 pound chunk of clay, which includes return visits for painting and glaze firing. What a deal!
Paint the Town, U. Village
http://www.ceramics-painting.com

Canape Cooking Class on 10/22 , “Soups From Scratch”
Chef Jay DeLong is offering a “Soups From Scratch” cooking class at the J.F. Henry Store in West Seattle. Visit our website to see the menu & reserve your seat! Space is limited.
Thursday, October 22nd @ 7pm
$65.00 Per Person
http://www.canapechefservices.com

Music — A One-Stop Shop for Child Development
Did you know that there really isn’t a separate intelligence or talent for music? Music requires a synthesis of all the intelligences working together mathematical, motor-planning, spatial, language and socio-emotional. So, when you involve your child in a quality music program such as Musikgarten, with a clear sequence of instruction, you will be strengthening all those important life skills. Each of the 20 Musikgarten programs in the area is taught by a highly trained early childhood music specialist. Attend a free preview at a location near you. Classes by age for newborns through 9 years.
Musikgarten.
Come for the Fun, Stay for the Education.
http://www.NWmusikgarten.com

Shopping & Sales

Childish Things Turns One! Anniversary Sale October 17th.
That first year sure goes fast, sleepless nights and blurry days but it is all worth it. Our goal was to create a shop that was EASY for parents, easy to shop in and easy to sell to. Based on the compliments from our customers daily, we believe we have met that goal and would like to honor our customers with a traditional first anniversary gift of paper. Bring this paper to receive 20% off ALL gently-used items, and 10% of ALL new items including See Kai Run shoes, Ergo carriers, Hatley rainwear and more – one day only – Saturday, October 17th. Not combinable with other offers. P.S. Halloween will soon be here. We’ve been buying costumes all year. Stop by soon for the best selection!
Crown Hill/Greenwood
Seattle
http://www.childishthingsseattle.com

Big 20% OFF Sale – All gear and apparel!
TinyTrekker.com had a great selection of outstanding outdoor gear and apparel for those Tiny Trekkers in your family. Whether you are looking for a great family camping tent, awesome down jackets or even a new sport utility stroller, TinyTrekker.com had a ton of great options. Founded by outdoor minded parents for outdoor minded parents, we do our best to make sure we only sell the best gear for your family outdoor fun.
Use code REDTRI109 to get 20% OFF your purchase today!
Mercer Island, WA
http://www.tinytrekker.com

Mommy’s Night Out at Kibbn Oct 15, 6 -9 pm
Join us on the red carpet for this exclusive charity event for over 200 guests. Cal lthe girls and get this on the calendar! Complimentary champagne, Fall trunk show, 20% off your purchase with donation to Eastside Baby Corner, first 50 purchases over $50 receive oh-so-coveted swag bag and tons of raffle prizes for all guests, Doors open at 6 pm and there are no tickets required.
Kibbn
Redmond Town Center
http://www.kibbn.com

Fitness

Fun October Fitness – New Redmond Boot Camp and More!
Aim to be Fit Women’s Boot Camps has a new 30-minute boot camp at the Redmond Athletic Club! Starting Tues, October 6, the camp will meet Tues and Thurs at 8:30am and Saturdays at 10am. You do NOT need to be a RAC member to join. Try it out for 2 weeks before you commit (what gym or personal trainer have you ever tried that’s willing to let you try before you buy?) There are still spaces available in my Shoreline, Edmonds and Silver Lake boot camps, too. Come to our Mom’s Pampering Night in Lynnwood on Tues, October 13 from 6-9pm at Meadowdale Community Clubhouse. We’ll have various health and beautyprofessionals there to take care of your hair, nails, give massages, etc. The event is a FREE thank you to moms for all their hard work getting their families through the back to school rush. For more information, contact Mark at mark@readyaimfitness.com. I love you and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it!
30 Minute Women’s Boot Camps
Try It Out For 2 Weeks Free!
http://www.aimfitcamp.com

Early Bird Gets to Run for Less!
Learn to Run with strollers! Moms who want to start running, Mommy Caravan is geared for all levels. We start off walk/running and gradually run more and more and getting new runners geared up for the upcoming 5k s. 6 week classes starting soon!
Where: 2-Greenlake Classes
When: Wednesday class starts October 21st at 10:30 am.
Thursday class starts October 22nd at 10:30 am.
How Much: $85 for 6 sessions (1 x a week) $105 for 12 sessions (2 x a week)
Register and information – http://www.mommycaravan.com
Questions? coachbeth@runningevolution.com
$10 off for RT readers who register before October 10th.

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