Family event calendar
Junie B. Jones, Jr. Feb 8-10, 15-17, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Admission. Presented by Springfield Theatre Centre. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787. Scholastic Art ExhibitionFeb 8-22, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat. Enjoy art work created by central Illinois junior high and high school students. The Mid-Central Illinois Art Region consists…
Healthy habits start early
It’s never too late to adopt better eating habits and experiment with natural, fresh and whole foods. Avoiding processed foods and added sugar are keys to eating a more nutritious diet. People of all ages can benefit by eating more vegetables and unprocessed foods. Many who change their diet, instead of “going on a diet,”…
Preventing youth sports injuries
Athletic activity in youth offers many benefits, including the development of fitness, motor skills and social skills, as well as learning structure and teamwork, and fostering a lifelong appreciation for physical activity. With all sports, there is some inherent risk involved, but by understanding factors which are known to increase injury and by following certain…
Fractured fairy tales
Fairy tales are classic stories that generations of children have read or heard and usually stand the test of time. Recently, there’s been an increase in the number of “fractured” fairy tales published, which are altered versions of those classic stories. These can be very engaging for children of all ages, especially if they already…
Financial literacy for kids
Recently, I was walking my 6-year-old into school when I noticed a wad of cash sticking out of her backpack. I asked where the money came from and why she was taking it to school. She admitted that the cash ($36 in all) came from the jar where she stashes all her birthday money and…
Fun with international foods
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of visits to a tiny Asian grocery store close to the Capitol building, which has long since closed. I remember walking up the steps into the old-fashioned storefront and hearing the chimes tinkle as I pushed open the heavy door. The little shop was bursting at the seams,…
Why parents need to read to their children – starting at birth
As a high school English teacher, I often read aloud to students when starting a new book. For my poorer readers, it was understandable why they liked this: their slow pace prevented them from comprehending but by reading aloud to them, they could follow along, learn words and practice pacing. But, when my best, most…
