Capital City Parent

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

The holidays not only bring gift giving and family get-togethers but a plethora of movies at the multiplex.  This is the busiest time of year for the film industry, and in order to fill any downtime families may have, the studios have conspired to release nine family-friendly films during the months of November and December. […]

Books on StageNov 17-18, 11am, 3pm and 5pm Sat, 3pm Sun. A children’s ballet by the Springfield Youth Performance Group. Sensory-friendly performance at 11am Sat. $5. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.Memorial’s Festival of TreesNov 17-25, 10am-8pm Mon-Wed and Fri-Sat, 4-8pm Thu, 10am-5pm Sun. Nine-day holiday event featuring more than 200 […]

The Kidzeum of Health and Science in downtown Springfield is a high-energy, bright, colorful and sometimes noisy place where children are actively engaged, using all of their senses.  Exhibits focus on health and science, and kids are encouraged to jump, climb, crawl, explore, listen, touch, splash and create.  Walk into Kidzeum, and you will see […]

Community brings out the best in people, and for the owners of Underdog Sports, Memorabilia & Games it’s what drives their entire business. Co-owners Kelly Pulliam and Paul Layton, who are also engaged, are currently preparing to open their new sporting goods store in the Town and Country Shopping Center on MacArthur Boulevard. Paul Layton […]

At 1 p.m. on a recent afternoon, the doors open and five regulars trickle in, taking their places at the computers, in the rocking chair and at the table with the ipad.  Most of them are children living in the Enos Park neighborhood and students at McClernand Elementary School. The oldest of the bunch proudly […]

On Sept. 8 downtown Springfield will see its first Family FunFest, which will serve as a fundraiser for Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. The event will provide entertainment and activities for children and families while bringing awareness of PCA’s efforts and support the expansion of its various programs throughout the state. The nonprofit organization is a […]

Do timeouts work in your household? Do they extinguish your kids’ bad behavior? Do you find detentions and other punishments used at school pretty effective too? Great! You’ll have no use for “The Good News About Bad Behavior.” If there are one or two readers out there, however, who suspect that there’s a better way […]

AnnieAug 9-12, 8pm Thu-Sun. Directed by Carly Shank. Sponsored by RSM. themuni.org. The Muni, 815 E. Lake Dr., 793-MUNI. Illinois State FairAug 9-19, Thu-Sun. So much to do we can’t list everything. Food, entertainment, midway, exhibits and more. Admission. illinois.gov. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661. Trinity Block PartyAug 11, 12-2pm Sat. Annual block […]

 Many families’ back-to-school shopping list will include a new backpack this fall. Don’t buy the cheapest one you can find, advises Dr. Paul Venturini, a Springfield chiropractic physician. Correct backpack design, size and usage help keep children’s backs, shoulders and necks properly aligned and pain free.  In fact, “A 2016 study on back pain published […]