Flicks On The Field This Saturday August 25th! Featuring "SING"!

Join Parent Talk for a night under the stars featuring the movie "SING"

Needham, MA – Parent Talk is hosting it’s 12^th Annual Outdoor Movie Night, Flicks on the Field. The event will be held on Saturday, August 25^th *Rain Date August 26^th* at Memorial Field in front of Needham High School.

Friends and families from surrounding MetroWest towns will convene on the field beginning at 6:30 pm for children’s entertainment featuring Davey the Clown, face painting, music, games, and more. At sundown (7:45 pm), attendees will gather blankets and chairs and enjoy this year’s feature film, Sing, on the big screen. Light concessions and refreshments including popcorn and cotton candy will be available. The cost of the event is FREE. Families are encouraged to bring a food donation to help support the Needham Community Council. A big thank you to this year’s Flicks on the Field sponsors: Copley Motor Cars, Louise Condon Realty, and Wegmans, as well as our Parent Talk sponsors: Needham Bank, Charles River School, Dedham Country Day, and Goldfish Swim School.

Questions? Download our Frequently Asked Questions here: FAQs

 

Parent Talk Flicks on the Field featuring ‘SING’

Saturday, August 25th^th *Rain Date: August 26^th*

6:30 pm Children’s Entertainment, 7:45 Movie Begins

Memorial Field (In front of Needham High School), 92 Rosemary Street, Needham MA

Cost of entry: FREE! Please bring a food donation to help support the Needham Community Council.

For more information, please email flicksonthefield@parenttalk.info or visit www.parenttalk.info.

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About Parent Talk

Parent Talk is a community-based organization helping families with young children connect, learn, play, and grow together. We offer comprehensive enrichment activities designed to help members build relationships as well as educational tools and vehicles focused on child development and parenting. Our membership is comprised of approximately 500 families residing in Needham, Dover, Westwood, Natick and surrounding towns.

Parent Talk members enjoy numerous benefits including playgroups, lectures, free access to our indoor playspace, free museum passes, retail discounts, reduced rates on select children’s classes, family activities, and social events for children and parents. In addition, Parent Talk offers clubs and committees designed to engage members in the community and develop lifelong friendships.

Founded in 1991, Parent Talk is a non-profit organization run entirely by a network of dedicated volunteers and holds a large and active presence in the local community.

Keeping Cool with the Kids This Summer - Area Splash Pads, Sprinkler Parks & Wading Pools

   

As summer temperatures rise, what better way to get the kids outdoors without overheating than hitting one of the many splash pads, sprinkler parks and wading pools in the area!  

Massachusetts is home to a few full-on water themed resorts, most of which offer day passes, with the exception of Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, which is an overnight-only resort. In no particular order:
CoCo Key Water Resort in Danvers
Hurricane Harbor at 6 Flags in Agawam
Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis
John Carver Inn and Spa in Plymouth
Water Wizz in Wareham
Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg

Looking for a place you can just stop by and cool off on the fly? Try one of these great spots:

Artesani Park & Wading Pool (free) in Brighton - my personal favorite, Artesani is not only free - it also has loads of parking, clean restrooms, life guards, a sprinkler park AND separate wading pool, playground, picnic area, and is located right on the beautiful Charles River. The entire facility was upgraded about 2 years ago. IT'S AWESOME.

Rings Fountain on the Greenway (free) in Boston - located right near the Aquarium, it's a great place to stop by and cool off after a trip to see the fishies. Every summer my daughter and I hit the Figment Art Festival (this year planned for Saturday and Sunday July 22 & 23) on the Greenway to check out the music and interactive art installations, and we always visit the Rings Fountain for a good soaking. In fact, there are fountains all along the Greenway, so you can take dips the whole way through.

Frog Pond on the Boston Common (free) - it's easy to spend the whole day on Boston Common with the kiddos, whether there's an event going on or not. Check out the enormous wading pool, the sprinkler park, the playground, the carousel, maybe even take a ride on a Swan Boat - not to mention the gardens are stunningly beautiful, great for a stroll with an ice cream cone before you head home. There are also lots of fun activities planned for the summer months, like free evening yoga, so check out their website to find out more.
Minot Rose Garden Playground (free) in Brookline - I live near this one, so we hit it a lot, and the roses are in full bloom right now. The splash pad is the usual playground sprinkler set up, nothing fancy. The fancy part is its location - right next to a fantastic playground that is itself located inside a large, shady, fully fenced in park with a paved loop perfect for scooters or bikes. This park is named and known for it's gorgeous rose gardens, and makes a great spot for a picnic or catching a free morning yoga class on a Sunday.
Daniel Ford Playground at Emerson Park (free) in Brookline - another great Brookline playground, along with a separate sprinkler/fountain area, in a large sunny park where summertime often finds my daughter and I (and a hundred or so other families) sharing some takeout pizza with friends and listening to some live music at the Brookline Summer Concert Series Wednesday evenings.

Those are my personal favorites, but there are so many more:

Soule Recreation Center (free) - Chestnut Hill
Charlesbank Playground & Spray Deck (free) - Boston
North Point Park & Splash Pad (free) - Cambridge
Danehy Park Splash Pad (free) - Cambridge
Johnson Playground & Stonybrook Spray Deck (free) - Jamaica Plain
Bradley Palmer State Park & Wading Pool $ - Topsfield
Beaver Brook Spray Deck & Playground (free) - Belmont
Luciano Park Spray Pool (free) - Arlington
Artemas Ward Wading Pool (free) - Marlborough
Nelson Memorial Park & Splash Pad (free) - Plymouth
Davis Farmland $ - Sterling (Yes, this is a farm with a spray park. I cannot WAIT to take my daughter here.)
Petersen Splash Pad at Watson Park (free) - Braintree
Cellucci Skate & Splash Park (free) - Hudson
Lynch Park Splash Pad (free) - Beverly

Or look them up yourself:

Waltham alone has 9 parks with splash pads, so depending where your day takes you, there may be a place to cool off nearby : Spray Parks and Pools

Wherever you go to stay cool this summer, be safe, have fun, and don't forget your SPF!

About the Author:
Laura Perras is a mom and Realtor who grew up in Needham, where she now works as part of the Perras Group at the William Raveis Needham office. In addition to mom-ing and selling houses, Laura enjoys djing, yoga, and arts and crafts. She’s involved in Parent Talk as Board CoChair of Marketing and Communications, Blog Coordinator, and Sale Committee Member.  Please reach out if you would like to submit a post to the blog or have feedback or ideas regarding what you’d like to see here : Laura.Perras.Realtor@gmail.com

Ready, Set, Play Outside!

It took a while, but finally it's here  -- perfect weather to visit area playgrounds.  Researchers have found that being outside is important for developing and keeping eyesight keen, so get ready for some outdoor time!

Parent Talk members can access a helpful list of local playgrounds on the PT website.  Parent Talk Matters Blog has also posted recommendations worth a revisit:   It's Playground Time! and Local Playgrounds for the Littles.  These are mainly for offerings in Dedham, Dover, Needham, Natick, Newton, and Wellesley.

I'm adding info for a couple of my favorites to the list of recommendations.  Two are local in Westwood, and one is a little off the beaten path.

Playing in Westwood's Tot Lot is fun when dressed for cooler weather, too!

AGE 3 AND UNDER

Westwood Tot Lot
This quiet, small playground on Nahatan Street is ideal for the littlest ones.  Swings are tot-sized buckets, and the slides on two climbing structures are a few feet above ground.  There are toys scattered about that usually include shovels, trucks, and ride-on cars.  The lot is well shaded for hot days.  One con is limited parking.  A handful of spaces can be accessed by driving through the adjacent Westwood Council on Aging parking lot (where no playground parking is allowed), to the back side of the playground.  But I have used parking in the front of the adjacent EW Thurston Middle School when it's not too busy at the school.

AGE 3 AND OLDER

School Street Playground
This Westwood playground is great for a wide age range, and could be ideal for family outings with kids who are not very close in age.  It includes a climbing wall and a tall, rope-web climbing structure for the older kids (that could be challenging even for adults!).  For tots, there is small climbing structure with a slide and tot-sized swings.  For a wide range of ages, there are spinning tulip cups, see saw, tire swing, elevated roundabout, and 15 foot tall slides, among other things.  The caveat is that almost the entire playground  is open to the sun.  Plan to visit a few hours before or after the hottest part of the day, to avoid arriving when the play structures are too hot.

This is the Dragon Boat at Alexander Kemp Playground.  "Figurehead" by Andrew Watson

Alexander Kemp Playground
If you have the chance to trek to Cambridge, the Alexander Kemp playground is well worth a visit for its unique offerings.  Highlights include a water pump with a series of descending trays, allowing for play with cascading water and pools.  It also has a roundabout and various types of pulleys and bucket apparatuses.  There is a real sandbox (not just wood chips, here!) of decent size, with a good mix of sun and shade.  A caveat is that water features are turned off when the weather gets cold, so be sure to visit before October rolls around.  Parking along the adjacent streets can be challenging and limited to residents, but is not impossible to find.

READY, SET, PLAY OUTSIDE!

Armed with all of these playground options, hopefully you can rest assured that you won't ever hear your kids complain about "visiting the same, old playground again!"


About the Author
Darlene W. Cancell is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom, and most recently, blog coordinator for Parent Talk.

How to Choose a Summer Camp

There are many reasons why you should send your child to camp this summer.  It may be as simple as needing a good daycare option, or maybe you want your child to put down the iPad and gain some new experiences or friendships.

Campers enjoy splashing in the pond at Hale Reservation.  Photo by Eve Elizondo.

Whatever your reason, camp is a smart choice.  Summer camp has been proven to increase a child's sense of independence and confidence, while also enhancing social skills as children learn to explore a new environment with their peers.  In addition, camps often provide the physical exercise and outlet that children so rarely get these days.  However, with over 12,000 summer camps across the country, how do you know which camp to choose?  Here are a few things to think about when deciding which camp is right for your child.

WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAM IS A GOOD FIT?

Begin by asking yourself a few basic questions like:

• Do I want a rustic, outdoor camp with trekking and exploration of nature?
• Do I want something indoors with a clean, polished campus feel? 
• Am I ready for my child to spend the night away for a week or two at a residential camp?
• Do I want to hear about the day camp experience each night at the dinner table? 

After deciding on a type of program, consider a few more questions about activities, staff, and whether the camp is licensed and accredited.

WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE OFFERED?

Ask yourself why you are sending your child to camp.  Do you want your child to have a traditional camp experience, or do you want your child to be the next Serena Williams or David Beckham?  Do you want your son to come home having learned how to swim or make a layup?  Do you want your daughter to explore an artistic side, or learn about robotics?

In the wide world of camp, there are both specialty camps which can help your child develop a skill, and traditional camps which offer a more well-rounded summer experience.  Either way, your child will be stepping out from under your umbrella and experiencing something on his or her own.

This is how to play Gaga Ball.  Photo by Eve Elizondo.

WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT THE STAFF?

You would not leave your child with the bagger at the grocery store without a thorough background check.  Camp should be no different.  Make sure that the camp you choose completes a criminal background check on all of their employees before they begin working.  Find out what certifications the counselors and instructors have.  All staff at camp should be at least CPR and First Aid certified.

Ask about staff to camper ratios.  If your child is in a very large group overseen by one staffer, it could be time to find another camp.  In general, the younger the campers are, the more supervision they should have.  A quality camp will make sure that your child is supervised by qualified, attentive staffers who will not be distracted by too many other children.

For a day camp, transportation is a very important component that you will probably have to deal with every day.  Find out what are the pick-up and drop-off times and where are the bus stops.   Ask the camp if it offers transportation.  You may need to pay extra for transportation, or some camps will provide transportation free of charge.  In the end, you need to figure out how much your time is worth.  The last thing you want is to be late for work because of the wait in line to drop off your child.

Campers take a break on a long hike.  Photo by Eve Elizondo.

IS THIS CAMP LICENSED AND ACCREDITED?

The camp that you choose should at the very least be licensed, meaning that the town or state is verifying that the staff is qualified to watch children, and that the camp is a safe place.

If you want to make sure the camp has been evaluated by experts in the field, choose a camp that is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).  This guarantees that the camp is held to high standards.  The staff of an ACA camp will be trained for a minimum of 40 hours, compared to other camps that may have little to no training requirement.  All camp staffers are certified.  The staff to camper ratios will be reasonable and ACA camps are visited regularly by ACA officials.

You have already made the first, hard decision just by choosing to send your child to camp.  Now, it's time to figure out which camp is the best fit for you and your family, and then watch your child bloom.

About the Author
Shannon Obey has been the Director of Membership and Events at Hale Reservation for the past four years.  Hale offers a wide variety of summer camp experiences from Traditional Camp to Specialty Camps, and a Family Membership Program.


EDITOR'S NOTE:  Parent Talk's 4th Annual Summer Camp Fair will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2016, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Newman Elementary School Cafeteria.  With representatives of 40 camps expected (including Hale Day Camp, Exxcell Gymnastics & Climbing, LINX Camps, Nobles Day Camp, and Summer at Tobin Beaudet) and available to answer your questions, there is a good chance that your family will find a perfect fit.  All attendees will have a chance to win prizes, including camp certificates and one week of free LINX Camps.  Parent Talk members attend for free; nonmembers pay $10.  Advance registration is not required.  The snow date is February 2, 2016.

Making New Year's Resolutions for the Entire Family

Some people think that New Year's resolutions are doomed to failure.  But statistics show that making resolutions can be effective in moving you closer to your goals.  Why not make setting New Year's resolutions a time for reflection and a family tradition? 

"Resolving to Write More - a Worthy Thought" by Carol VanHook

Every family member can put forth a few ideas for both personal and family improvement.  To keep it positive, reflect on things achieved along with what needs improvement.  Keep resolutions few and simple for younger kids, and make sure resolutions are realistically achievable.   Anticipate hurdles and strategize in advance about how to deal with them.  Write out goals (for the littlest ones, use pictures) where the whole family can see them, and create a chart measuring progress toward practicing a new habit. 

There are unlimited resolutions that one can undertake, but below are five that families can do together, and the ways to go about them.

1.  GET FIT TOGETHER

Take a simple stroll to school or around the neighborhood together.  Incorporate a family stroll into your dog walking routine. Plan a family hike.

"Walking/Strolling in the Cold" by Jim Larrison

Look for opportunities to be active together.  Make a list of national parks to visit, or in Massachusetts, Trustees of the Reservation lands.  Don't forget that Parent Talk offers retail discounts to gyms, dance classes, and other activities.  The Charles River YMCA provides kids with a supervised space to tumble and play while parents use the gym equipment in a room viewable through a window.  And if you attended PT's Preschool and Kindergarten Fair, you might have picked up a coupon to Energy Fitness which lets parents have a cardio workout for free while they watch their child's gym class through a glass wall.

Other creative, fun ideas I have come across include: (a) joining in a family game of hop scotch; (b) family play at the playground (as long as it is safe, climb up that climbing structure and slide down that slide!); (c) ice skating; (d) family swims; and (e) going on a treasure (scavenger) hunt.

2.  SCHEDULE MORE FAMILY TIME

"Give Thanks to Family" by OakleyOriginals

Eat together.  Nowadays, it is not uncommon for family members to eat at separate times because everyone has an individual schedule.  However, research shows that children of families that regularly eat together are less likely to get involved in substance use and physical violence when they become teenagers.  Make a commitment to dine in (or out!) together one or more days a week.

Be entertained together.  Put on some music, bring out a few board games, and have a weekly/monthly family game night. Pop the popcorn, and cozy up on the couch for a regularly scheduled family movie night.  Take a field trip together to a museum, park, or historic site.  Start a family hobby that is suitable for all ages.

"Chicken Cobb Salad" by Nan Palermo

3. START HEALTHIER EATING HABITS

Cook together.  Little ones love to mix and measure ingredients.  With lower fat and sodium content than restaurant food, home cooked meals can be healthier.   If, like me, you have not been in the practice of cooking, do a search for quick, easy five-star recipes and try them out one or more times a week.  Your cooking will get more efficient over time and you will soon have a few quick go-to recipes to choose from!

Include a vegetable and/or fruit with every meal. Frozen and canned options that are low in fat and sodium can help create a balanced meal given a time crunch.

Prepare healthier snacks (like cut fruits and vegetables) in advance and keep the refrigerator stocked with them.

4.  BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

Once a week, have your family select a person to give special attention.  Bake cookies, send a handwritten card, help with shoveling snow or other chore, and take some time to provide a listening ear.

"who stole the cookie. . ." by Kiran Foster

Volunteer together.  Visit a senior with a meal and bring some cheer to shut-ins.  The whole family can help at Spread the Bread or a homeless shelter or soup kitchen (but check for minimum age requirements).  If going onsite to the location is not an option, find a church or other community organization that sponsors such efforts to which you can contribute.  There may be a coat or clothing drive for the homeless at which your family can drop off donations.

Discuss with your kids the idea of donations, and find something to donate. It is not for everyone, but  kidscangivetoo.com is an interesting option that asks kids to have guests donate money instead of giving a traditional birthday gift.  The donations are then split between the birthday boy or birthday girl and the charity of his or her choice.

5.  UNPLUG

Have everyone take a break from screen time and cell phones a couple of hours a day or week, or one or more days a month (whichever you can handle!).  Reducing kids' screen time can help avoid associated risks of sleeplessness, problems of attention, anxiety and depression, and obesity.

I hope you counted many successes and celebrations in 2015.  Here's to finding many more of them (with a little resolve) in 2016!


About the Author
Darlene W. Cancell is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom, and most recently, blog coordinator for Parent Talk.





Sources

1. http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/News/NewsAndFeatures/Pages/Family-New-Years-resolutions-Top-five.aspx

2. http://www.parents.com/holiday/new-years/resolution/8-ways-to-help-kids-make-new-years-resolutions/

3. https://uk.style.yahoo.com/new-year-resolutions-for-the-family.html

How Preschoolers and Kindergarteners Learn

"Amalie tests the obstacle course she built" by Lars Plougmann

Finding the right balance between play-time and academic learning is a problem every parent faces with their child.  We instinctively know that kids need to run around but that they also need intellectual stimulation.  Play provides young children with both.

You might picture learning taking place in a classroom led by a teacher who gives students drills and instructions.  But research on early childhood learning has found that it is more helpful to guide a child than to give her direct instruction.  In fact, one study found that over time, children performed worse in preschools focusing on direct instruction and preschools that combined play-centered and teacher-centered approaches, compared to children in play-based preschools.  Rather than telling a child the "right" way to do something, allowing her to explore with guidance fosters greater creativity in thinking and problem-solving.

"Adventures in Preschool Science" by San Jose Library

For parents concerned with academic achievement, it is important to know that play-based learning does not need to exclude academics.  A child should have opportunity for unstructured play, which can help develop gross and fine motor skills along with imagination.  But bringing adult guidance into exploratory play can take the learning to another level.  A child enjoying the outdoors can learn about science through rocks (geology) and animals (biology).  A child playing with toys can learn about math by adding and subtracting a few members from a group of stuffed animals.

"Mountain kids" by Travis Swan

With all that has been said about play-based learning, there is still a place for direct instruction.  In writing, a child needs to know how to form each letter and how to place them in the right order.  Practice drills and direct instructions can be an effective writing lesson.  (But the lesson might be even better learned if it can also be made into a playful game!)

"Lyra teachers her dinosaurs how to write" by Jenny Lee Silver

There are many early education philosophies that focus on different play-based and/or academic-based activities.  Parents can decide which philosophy best matches their goals and their child's individual learning style.

On Wednesday, October 28th, 2015, parents can meet representatives of area preschools and kindergartens at Parent Talk's 11th Annual Preschool & Kindergarten Fair.  The fair will be held at  Christ Episcopal Church in Needham from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Registration is not required for this popular event.  Admission is free for Parent Talk members and $10 for non-members.

About the Author

Darlene W. Cancell is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom, and most recently blog coordinator for Parent Talk.

Do you have thoughts related to this post? Please share them in the Comments section below.  

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