Kids and technology
Somehow, the back-to-school season is upon us. As we prepare for another year of growing and learning in today’s digital age, parents may have some concerns and questions about how to help their children utilize technological tools effectively and appropriately. I sat down with Emily Cherkin, also known as “The Screentime Consultant,” to discuss how…
Taking kids out to eat
A few years into raising my eldest daughter, I was convinced that we had it all figured out when it came to kids and mealtime. From her first days eating solid food she was a superb eater and readily tried and enjoyed all sorts of new foods, from kalamata olives to blue cheese to kale.…
Get ready for a new school year
The start of a new school year with a new routine that takes over most of the kids’ waking hours is a significant transition from the long, lazy days of the summer. Whether your child is just beginning school for the first time or a seasoned student, a new grade level or school with new…
Learning disabilities and ADHD: What parents need to know
Approximately 10% of American school-age children suffer from a learning disability (LD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control. About 4% of children have both. But for many kids, these disorders go undetected despite their ongoing struggles with school work and behavior issues that often accompany…
Family event calendar
ONGOING Kidzeum Sensory-Friendly Visit Times First Sunday of every month through Dec. 1, 9-11am. Lights and noises are turned down to make the museum more comfortable for visitors with sensory differences so they can explore and discover the galleries at their own pace. Headphones available for loan at the admissions desk. kidzeum.org. Admission. Kidzeum of…
Encouragement for young entrepreneurs
It was not intentional, but this summer I read a couple of books that would be great reads for children who have an entrepreneurial spirit. I remember when I was a young junior high student, a few of my friends and I got together with every intention of becoming our own local version of The…
Miniature Butter Cow contest back again
It’s August – that means the Illinois State Fair and its must-see, iconic butter cow sculpture is back again. And so is the annual miniature butter cow contest sponsored by Illinois Times and Prairie Farms Dairy. The contest, which started in 2020 when the fair was canceled because of the COIVD-19 pandemic, invites people to…
