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put your art skills to good use (UPDATED)
Kyle E. from Harrodsburg is 2008's Kentucky state winner.
Olivia E. from Aurora is 2008's Ohio state winner with this poster.
Fifth-grade students across the country are invited to submit a poster design for the upcoming 2009 Arbor Day, celebrated nationwide on April 24. The contest’s theme is “Trees are Terrific … In Cities and Towns,” encouraging young artists to focus on the importance of trees in urban areas. Deadline for submissions from Ohio students is Jan. 18; while Kentucky students have until March 17. Voting begins March 30. Download contest information and entry forms at arborday.org/postercontest. Celebrate Arbor Day in Ohio on April 24 and in Kentucky on April 3.
interested in homeschooling?
If you’re interested in educating your children at home, but aren’t sure where to begin, try contacting one of these homeschool networks to help get you started:
• The Homeschool Network of Greater Cincinnati — HSNcincy.com
• Christian Home Educators of Cincinnati — chechome.org
• Ohio Department of Education — ode.state.oh.us
• POINT Christian Homeschool Enrichment Program —
point-homeschool.org
• homeschoolinginohio.com
• Ohio Virtual Academy — k12.com/ohva
• Buckeye Online — go2boss.com
• Connections Academy — connectionsacademy.com
• Treca — treca.org
• ECOT — ecotohio.org
• Virtual Community School — vcslearn.org
• Teaching Homes in Northern Kentucky (THINK) —
thinkathome.com/phpnuke/
• Kentucky Department of Education — kde.state.ky.us
• Kentucky Home Education Association — khea.info
• Christian Home Educators of Kentucky (CHEK) — chek.org
• homeschoolinginkentucky.com
• Connections Academy — connectionsacademy.com
• Kentucky Virtual Schools — KYVS.org
design a new outfit for rufus
Rufus, the mascot of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Ham¬ilton County, needs a new outfit to go along with the library’s new Kidspace web site. Offering homework help, chat forums, games and music, the site is redesigned with a great deal of input from kids. Submit a costume idea for Rufus by Feb. 28 — winning entries will be posted on the site, and interviews with the winner will be posted online. Check out http://kidspace.cincinnatilibrary.org.
learning more about ... money
Teaching children about money — how to count it, save it, and even spend it — is important in our current economy where every penny counts. Financial lessons are simple and free with books from the Library.
• Give a Goat (Tilbury House; $16.95) by Jan West Schrock provides a lesson of sharing with those in need. After hearing the story of a girl in Uganda whose life is changed for the better by the gift of a goat, a class of fifth-graders raises funds to make a similar donation to someone else in need.
• When Isabel wants a certain doll, she goes into business with her friends, hoping everyone will make a profit. Isabel’s Car Wash (Albert Whitman & Co; $16.99) by Sheila Bair includes information on selling shares in a business.
• Money habits learned in childhood will stay with kids throughout their lives, so Wayne Dyer offers lessons on money and abundance in It’s Not What You’ve Got (Hay House; $15.95).
• Jenny Found a Penny (Millbrook Press; $23.93) by Trudy Harris lets readers count along as Jenny saves enough money to make a special purchase. Children will also learn a lesson about taxes!
• Money (Heinemann; $7.99) by Margaret Hall takes a brief look at the history of money, making the coins and paper money, and uses of money around the world.
• Learn to identify, stack and pile pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters with Jennifer Marks’ Sorting Money (Capstone Press; $23.93).
For these and more books about money, come to the Library. It’s one of the most economical things you can do!
Carolyn Janssen, Children’s Librarian, Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
science for homeschoolers
Drake Planetarium offers programming specifically for homeschooled kids. This month, a General Science program for grades 3 - 6 focuses on architecture and engineering, while an Astronomy program gives students the chance to role-play while “launching” spacecraft on the Internet. General Science meets Wednesdays from 1 - 3 p.m., Jan. 7 - 28; Beyond the Milky Way meets Thursdays from 1 - 3 p.m., Jan. 8 - 29. All classes take place at the Drake Planetarium, 2020 Sherman Ave. in Norwood. Register at 513-396-5578 or drakeplanetarium.org.
enrichment for kids
The Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center offers a range of classes for babies through adults. Courses for 6 - 12-year-olds begin this month, and include: Signing Safari, an introduction to American Sign Language; Tune-In to the World, a musical tour around the world; Psyched About Science; African Drumming; Mathematical Madness; and Rhyme in Time, a poetry and songwriting course. The courses meet at the Center, 4244 Hamilton Ave., and cost $80 for an eight-week session. Register at 513-591-2332 or theplaceforfamilies.com.
take the little ones out
Rowe Woods at Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, hosts Little Adventurers and Baby Adventurers, beginning this month. The enrichment programs incorporate nature into math, literature, music and art for ages 3 - 5, and movement, sign language and discovery programs for ages 1 - 2. Cost for Little Adventurers is $100, members; $130, non-members. Baby Adventurers is $48, members; $66, non-members. Get a complete schedule and register at 513-831-1711 or cincynature.org.
new health sites for babies, families, teens
babies can click
What? Newborns online? That’s right — a new Web site, productiveparenting.com, created by local mom Susan Dineen and her daughter, Emily Rempe, provides developmental activities for ages 0 - 5. The mother daughter duo developed the site with the help of early childhood experts. Cost of an annual membership is $24.99; sign up at productiveparenting.com.
families with autism
Simple daily tasks — like brushing teeth — can be a struggle for the parent of an autistic child, and no one knows that better than Tammy Andersson, a local mom and a supporter of autism awareness. After learning that most autism resources focus on research findings rather than actual tools to help parents care for their children, Andersson and her employer, Hydrotech, created got-autism.com. The site offers a range of specially designed products for parents with autistic children. Along with books, DVDs, and therapeutic toys and games that enhance family communication, the site also provides materials for parents needing help with personal care, calming activities, oral health, and father-child bonding.
diabetes and teens
There’s a new social networking site for teens, only this one is different. Juvenation.org, founded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), is a site spe¬cifically for ages 15 - 19 with type I diabetes. The site allows teens to connect with others around the world, share their experiences of living with diabetes, and receive advice on managing the disease. Check out the site at juvenation.org or learn about the JDRF at jdrf.org.
easy does it with baby skin
Everyone wants skin like a baby — it’s so soft and smooth. But sometimes, even babies have skin troubles. From diaper rash to cradle cap, some of the most common skin irritations include:
Diaper Rash — Red skin in the diaper area usually means a too-tight diaper, a diaper that has been left on too long, or a new kind of detergent or baby wipe. Change your baby’s diaper often and treat the rash with a topical cream.
Baby Acne — Even babies can get pimples, but these usually clear up on their own, so there’s no need to treat them. In fact, lotions can make it worse.
Birthmarks — Sometimes birthmarks can show up a few months after your baby is born. Usually nothing to worry about, but be sure your pediatrician is aware of their appearance.
Eczema — This itchy rash shows up on the chest, arms, behind the knees and sometimes the face. Stick with mild soaps and detergents and consult your pediatrician to control itching.
Cradle Cap — The scaly scalp rash usually clears up within the first year; your pediatrician may recommend using a special shampoo, lotion or brush.
Heat Rash — Dressing your baby too warmly in the winter can result in tiny, pinkish bumps in the areas where he tends to sweat. Keep clothing loose and layered.
Source: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child (AAP; $20)
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