Features

Preschool Music Classes
The Sound of Learning and Fun

By Elizabeth Heubeck
“I don’t think there’s any way possible to have music too early. … Music in the lives of the young is probably as important as the breath in their lungs or the blood in their veins. The child who is permitted to brush with music, to cope with it, to dance to it, to feel it, to express it, to make it, is a child who is several plateaus higher.”—Virgil Fox, child prodigy/organist, 1912
[... whole story]

Portrait of a Bully

By Emily Parks
The first step in helping a child end aggressive bullying behavior is trying to better understand what that child is feeling.

[... whole story]

Packing It All In
Easy School-Day Breakfasts and Lunches

By Ahn Ei Sweeney
In the past few years, we have seen a great push in the U.S. to practice healthier lifestyles. We know for a fact that what we eat greatly affects how we function, both physically and mentally.
So, as we begin another school year, parents everywhere are searching for quick, healthy—and affordable—breakfasts and lunches. If you fall into this group and would like a few ideas to help you get started, keep reading. [... whole story]

Addressing the School Bully
A Parent’s Best Moves

By Michele Wojciechowski
It’s a sad fact that school bullies are nothing new. And, as a parent, now that your kids are returning to school, you may be wondering how to best handle the situation if one of them becomes the target of a school bully.
But, first, what exactly constitutes bullying? [... whole story]

In Case of Emergency
Information Your Child Should Know

By Joyce Heid
This past spring, I served as a chaperone on a field trip to Sandy Point State Park with my son Matthew’s fifth-grade class. I rode the bus with several other parents, two teachers, and approximately 40 very excited students. All was going well until we reached the park, and our bus was involved in a minor accident at the entrance. [... whole story]

Columns

Musical Notes - September 2010
Half a Loaf

By Charlotte Bohn
Toy Story Favorites
www.disneymusic.com
I have to admit that I have never seen any of the Toy Story movies. I've heard that all three are funny, sweet, and touching, and I plan on watching them one of these days. If the soundtracks are any indication of the quality of the films, then I know I won’t be disappointed. [... whole story]

Family Health Bulletin - September 2010

By Jim Giza
Sickle Cell Anemia Month
In the U.S., September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month, National Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, and National Children’s Cancer Awareness Month. It is also National Sickle Cell Awareness month. [... whole story]

Family Health and Fitness - September 2010
Money Can Buy Happiness--Somewhat

By Jim Giza
We know intuitively that being happy is a healthier state than being depressed. Happiness, or the various current social scientific buzz words for happiness—subjective well-being, life satisfaction, or simply judging one's life as “favorable”—is a moving target for happiness researchers, mainly because it's difficult to define happiness for everyone. [... whole story]

Your Special Child - September 2010
Reading with Rex…er, Matilda.

By Amy Landsman
“I love her so much!” exclaims Jen Hlavay, 11, of Gambrills, her ponytail bouncing.
“Matilda loves you, too,” replies Stephanie Cooper-Greenberg. [... whole story]

Tech Talk - September 2010
Your child and cyberbullies

By Melissa Stanton
Today's schoolyard thugs have a worldwide reach.
Laura knew something was wrong when she noticed that her seventh-grade son, Kyle, was visibly agitated while he texted from his cell phone. [... whole story]

A Woman's Place - September 2010
Herstory at the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center.

By Joyce Heid
If you’ve ever wondered what “Baltimore's Mother Teresa,” Bea Gaddy, has in common with Mary Young Pickersgill, maker of the American flag during the War of 1812, and U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, you need look no further than the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center.
Located in the former Baltimore Gas & Electric Company Building, on W. Lexington St. in downtown Baltimore, the Heritage Center celebrated its grand opening this past May. It is home to the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame, which honors more than 150 women whose contributions have shaped Maryland’s past, present, and future. [... whole story]

What’s On the Menu - September 2010
A pizza night tonight.

By Susan C. Davis
Back-to-school time means busier schedules. Even if there’s no time to prepare a home-cooked meal, you can still enjoy a great treat. Why not make tonight a pizza night? Rent a movie, pick up a few pizzas, and take a break together. [... whole story]

Last But Not Least - September 2010
Nipping mean behavior in the bud.

By Lisa Robinson
“They’re picking on me!”
This is one of those phrases parents hate to hear from their children. It makes this mother conjure up some of her worst memories of having to deal with mean girls. [... whole story]

Bookworms - September 2010
Storied school days

By Kate Marley
Besides studying the three Rs, the typical school day brings opportunities for making friends, dealing with bullies, and figuring out good social choices. [... whole story]

Baby & Toddler - September 2010
Your baby’s physical development in the first year of life

By Elizabeth Heubeck
If you are the first-time parent of a newborn, you probably marvel at the 1-year-olds you see tottering around on two feet. Your baby can't even roll over yet, so it's hard to believe that, within a year's time, your infant will most likely be on his or her way to attempting those first steps. [... whole story]

Going, Going, Green - September 2010
Green packaging for lunches

By Dianne R. McCann

According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, a student who carries a daily, average-size school lunch can generate 67 pounds of waste during one school year. So, as families everywhere resume the ritual of packing school lunches this fall, now’s a good time to note a few of the environmentally friendly food storage products available to help cut down on waste while keeping everything fresh and ready to eat. [... whole story]

Focus on Fathers - September 2010
Local program to strengthen dads and families

By Mike Strzelecki
President Barack Obama has voiced his special interest in fatherhood and just recently launched The Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative to encourage individuals, especially fathers, to be involved in the lives of their children, and to be positive role models and mentors for the children in their lives and communities.
For inspiration, he might look to Baltimore. [... whole story]

Family Matters - September 2010
Bullying: something to write home about

By Molly Brown Koch

Are bullies often bullied by their siblings? [... whole story]

Educational Exchange - September 2010
The Children’s Guild’s mental health services outreach to area schools

By Emily Parks
For some parents, getting mental health services for their child to help deal with a traumatic event, such as a death in the family, a divorce, abuse or neglect, is no small challenge. Work or the lack of reliable transportation can make getting the child to a therapist’s office a real problem. [... whole story]

Family Dining Guide - September 2010

Compiled by Susan C. Davis
Looking for a family-friendly place that everyone can enjoy? These restaurants are ready to serve you and are happy to welcome your children.
Just keep in mind that menus, prices, and hours may change—call ahead for details. (Updated July 2010.) [... whole story]