In "Dinosaurs: T-Rex Face-to-Face," the dinosaurs don't just move and roar. They watch as you move around, react to what you do and may even roar if you get too close. They even react to each other. The animatronic creatures respond to visitors through face-recognition technology.
"Every experience is different," says Michael Anderson, museum marketing director.
The exhibit is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The 5,000-square-foot exhibit is part of the museum's "Summer of Science." It features a Tyrannosaurus Rex, two velociraptors and a mother triceratops and its nest with eggs and baby dinosaurs. The nearly life-size dinosaurs created by KumoTek Robotics, are outfitted with cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence. As they track your movement you will feel a little like you are being stalked by a prehistoric creature.
"The exhibition brings visitors closer than ever before to experiencing dinosaur movements and roars," says Scott Schweigert, museum curator of art and civilization.
The exhibit also includes a historical timeline of dinosaurs going back 67 million years during the Cretaceous period. Children can learn about the life cycles of dinosaurs, and see fossils and other specimens from the museum collection.
Little ones also can make archaeological finds in sand in the museum's dinosaur dig.
Also at the museum is "Toothpick World," an exhibit of famous buildings and towers constructed from toothpicks including an Eiffel Tower.Museum admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children age 3-18 and seniors. Regular hours are noon-5 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
I struggled to bring up my son in a non-gender specific way and it was tough enough with toy stores clearly delinieated with sparkly, pink, princess sections for girls and train, truck, and soldier sections for the boys. I thought since he had outgrown kiddy toys we were safe, but apparently now school supplies are being designed with gender-specific designs.
With its new Bic for Her, the pen manufacturer is pushing a line of pink and purple pens with jeweled accents "Just for Her." In the ad below, a teenage girl who needs a pen rejects all the manly black and blue pens offered up by male classmates and squeals with delight when presented with the pretty Bic for Her offered by the creepy Bic guy. Ugh.
Do we really need "boy" and "girl" pens? The ridiculous marketing ploy has generated a ton of snarky and hilarious comments on Amazon, Youtube and other sites.
"Be careful boys," writes Rachel on Amazon. "These pens are really dangerous to non-girls, they turned my brother into a unicorn and I've been hearing similar stories from others."
Shanna Hullaby writes that the pens are "almost as mighty as a girly plastic sword "
"I never knew I could write good before these Lady Pens," she conitnues. "I always thought my lady hands were for twiddling my lustrous locks idly through my tiny useless fingers. Now, I can use my pink and purple Bic for Her pens to write my dreams and aspirations in my Jonas Brothers Journal."
Although Winonah complained "I'd like the ink to be fuschia so it doesn't clash with my nail polish."
And Confused asks "Where are the BIC Pens For Men?" noting the the non-gendered Bic pens are "obviously" for non-gendered people.
It's a lot of fuss about a pen. Especially since my experience is that kids lose pens pretty frequently. My biggest criteria for a writing instrument for my son is something that works well and is cheap. So even if they do come out with Bic for Boys emblazoned with dinosaurs or rockets, I think I'll be sticking with basic black.
If you are a proud parent (or grandparent) who thinks your tot between the ages of three months and 4 years is the cutest of them all, enter a photo in the March of Dimes 5th annual Beatiful Baby Contest.
To enter send the photo of your baby taken after April 1 2012 online at www.themorningcall.com/beautifulbaby or by mail to The March of Dimes, 90 S. Commerce Way, Suite 320, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Entries must include contestants name, age, address, email address, and phone number as well as the name, date of birth of the baby and the date the photo was taken. There is a $15 entry fee. Enter one photo per child through noon Sept. 7. Amateur photographers only.
From Sept. 17 to 30, the photos will be online in a gallery at www.themorningcall.com/beautifulbaby and you can vote online for your favorite baby. Voting will be open all registered users of the Morning Call website there is a charge of $1 per vote.
The winner will be chosen based on both votes and an evaluation by a panel of judges. Winners will gets a trophy, gift cards to Lehigh Valley Mall and other prizes from WLEV and The Morning Call.
Winners also may be featured in an ad in The Morning Call on Oct. 7.
Pictured: Noah Candido-Devlin, the grandson of Anne Mills of Bethlehem, was 3 when he was in the top 5 of a national beautiful baby contest.
The annual extravaganza of animals, food, rides and entertainment at the Allentown Fairgrounds Tuesday through Sept. 3 always offers tons of fun for kids and this year is no exception with a new farm-themed activity center for kids and new shows.
As families enter the fair they will see the newest animal show – "Wild About Monkeys" in the main entrance plaza.
The show features five baboons, a Louisiana Catahoula leopard dog and a Conure parrot that will demonstrate natural and learned behaviors. Shows are at 5:30, 7:00 and 8:30 Tuesday and 3, 6 and 8 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
The monkeys joins popular returning shows “Elephant Encounter” and “Robinson’s Pig Paddling Porkers,” in Machinery Court.
“Elephant Encounter” brings back Asian elephant Cora and African elephant Shannon for an educational exhibit at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and 3:30, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
Also new this year is the Lil Farm Hands activity tent outside the Agri-Plex near the farm equipment. Designed for kids ages 3 to 10, the tent will include interactive displays about agriculture. Kids can learn shapes by matching apples, pears and peaches to the right tree; collect eggs fro under stuffed chickens; identify items by touch; a corn sand box; watch a DVD on dairy farming; corn cob shelling; planting box; memory game; pretend saddle to ride; bean bag toss using fruits and vegetables and a hand print art project.
The Lil Farm Hands join the other agriculture activities including the Passport to the World of Agriculture, in which children pick up a passport book at the Agri-Plex and get stamps at 14 sites throughout the fairgrounds to win prizes and the Lehigh County 4-H Petting Zoo where kids can pet farm animals and watch chicks hatch.
Test your skills at cow-mooing, rooster crowing, corn-husking and pedal tractor pulling during the Barnyard Olympics in the judging tent starting at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Da Vinci Science Center of Allentown will bring its “Catch the Wave” program to the Farmerama Theater at 1 p.m. Saturday. The hour-long show includes music and comedy featuring homemade instruments made from PVC pipes, a propane tank, and other unique materials. Kids also can change their voices with a machine as they learn about the science of sound,
Fair regulars Bounce and Ooo La La will present a “Command Performance” of comedy and juggling at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday in the music tent. From 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, the duo will be joined by Glenn Miller’s Big One Man Band.
Longtime fair clown Dapper Dan also will be strolling and entertaining families all through the fair.
Kids also can enter their Legos and K’Nex creations in the new display at the Agri-Plex.
It wouldn’t be a fair without rides and Powers Midway returns with its crowd-pleasing rides including the giant light-up Ferris wheel. New rides include “Alien Abduction” that pins riders against the wall with gravity and “Genesis” which spins a gondola 360 degrees.
Wristbands are available for $20 on site or $15 in advance.
Admission is free for kids under age 12 and $6 for adults.
Now they can join a new Peas & Qs Club that will entitle them to all types of goodies. For $25 a year, club members get an official Peas & Qs T-shirt, a free birthday cookie, a discount on classes, camps and birthday parties; advance reservations for Breakfast with St. Nick and a weekly emailed newsletter.
Membership fees support Arts Quest’s Arts Education programming and help keep shows free.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, bring the kids for a Zumbatomic, a Zumba class specially designed for children ages 4 to 12 as part of the Peas & Q’s series on the Creativity Commons.
Instructor Tracy Swanson will lead kids in a 30- to 45-minute dance fitness party. Kids will learn how to do basic steps, simple choreography and play games to popular music including hip-hop, reggaeton and cumbia. The program encourages kids to develop a healthy lifestyle and to incorporate fitness into their lives through dance and music. Participants should wear sneakers.
On Sept.1, take the kids to see “Mirror, Mirror,” the live action retelling of the Snow White story with Julia Roberts as the evil stepmother. The PG-rated movie will screen at 11 a.m. in the Banko Alehouse Cinema.
On Sept. 8, popular Lehigh Valley performer Dave Fry returns to Peas & Q’s. Fry, who is the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission artist of the year, was the series’ first performer when it debuted last year and he will bring his crowd favorites of freeze dancing, knock-knock jokes and a couple takes on peanut butter to Creativity Commons.
Q: My 28 year old daughter has two children, ages 5 and 7. She is living with a man who I believe is hitting her. I have seen bruises on her face, but she makes excuses. I am very concerned about my grandchildren being exposed to this man's violence. What can I do?
A: It is hard to get help for someone if they don’t want help, the Help for Families panel says. You probably feel helpless seeing your daughter in this situation
“It is difficult to have a conversation with a loved one in that situation,” says panelist Lorna Locascio-Clause. “Don’t tell her to leave, that’s being controlling and that’s what she lives with.”
Ask her if you and she can talk about says Locascio-Clause.
“Put it out there that you are open to having a conversation,” she says. “If she starts talking don’t tell her she should leave. Listen to her non-judgmentally. Steer her toward domestic violence information online.”
You need to approach cautiously agrees panelist Michael Daniels.
“Don’t be overprotective,” he says. “As parents we control our children and it’s too easy to jump into hat role.”
Your role as grandparents needs to be supportive for both your daughter and grandchildren, says panelist Mary Lou Scarf.
Help your grandchildren by taking them places and getting them out of the environment in a supportive way, says Nigito-Raftas.
“If there is chaos in the household, the children won’t feel safe,” Locasco-Clause says. “It even could affect their health and they could do poorly in school.”
Make grandma’s house a “safe place” says panelist Lizabeth Fox.
The kids could even be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, suggests Scarf.
“It’s like living in a war zone,” says Nigito-Raftas. “It changes the brain when children are around violence. Give her that information. More people leave for their children than for themselves.”
Ask her if this is what she wants her kids to remember when they grow up, Scarf says.
“When she finally acknowledges that something is going on, it’s like an “aha” moment,” says Locasco-Clause. “She may realize it’s affecting the children. However it usually takes someone 7 to 9 times to leave. She loves him and thinks she can change him.”
“Keep an eye on the pattern of bruises she see on your daughter,” Daniels says. “If you see bruises on the children call Childline at 800-932-0313. You can report anonymously.”
You or she also can call Turning Point’s 24-hour helpline at 610-437-3369 to report abuse or for advice.
However if you report her abuse it could alienate your daughter or endanger her, since he may take it out on her.
“It’s a delicate balance,” says Locasco-Clause. “We need to put the onus where it belongs and not blame the victim.”
This weekend, the hit PBS documentary series “Tracks Ahead” will film the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad as it runs its train rides.
The train leaves at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for 40-minute rides along a 6.6-mile track through scenic Berks County farmland from Kempton to Wanamaker and back. According to WK&S, the TV crew will be filming all weekend and will be interviewing families riding the train. The segment will air during the series’ ninth season in 2013 when the railroad celebrates its 50th anniversary. Riding the train does not guarantee you will be on the show.
For the cameras, the railroad will be running a freight train, and other seldom-seen equipment will be on display, in addition to the passenger train.
“Tracks Ahead” is hosted by Spencer Christian, formerly of ABC’s “Good Morning America” and features stories about steam locomotives, historic railroads, model trains and train art.
Tickets are $8 for ages 12 and up and $4 for ages 3-11.
A: It is great that you realize the importance of a father in a child’s life. However, you need to take it very slowly and consider what’s best for your son, the Help for Families panel says.
There are a lot of questions to consider here, says panelist Joanne Nigito-Raftas. Why was the father not involved up to this point? Why did he decide to get involved now and does he plan to stay in contact from now on?
“Don’t expect that everything will go fine,” she says.
You need to be realistic about the situation, agrees panelist Denise Continenza. “There will be bumps in the road,” she says.
Nigito-Raftas recommends you look for a therapist who can help you with introducing your son to his father. A therapist can do a reunification and work with both the father and the child to meet everyone’s needs. In reunification therapy, the counselor will meet with the father and slowly integrate him into his son’s life.
“You need to introduce his father slowly and with care,” says panelist Bill Vogler. “Don’t immediately send him overnight.”
Vogler also says professional guidance is a good idea.
The panel suggest you check with your insurance about coverage for therapy.
Is there another man who was a father-figure to your son, asks Continenza. Your son may identify that person as his father.
How you behave during this will also affect your son, says Nigito-Raftas. Think about how you want to present the role of father to your son.
Think about how you are feeling about this whole situation, adds panelist Michael Daniels.
“Children are not miniature adults,” says Vogler. “He will not react the same way you will and you can’t reason with him at this age. You have to accept that he is going to understand this differently.”
Also seek legal advice, says Nigito-Raftas. Do you have full legal custody?
“If you’ve never been to court, and the father’s name is on the birth certificate, you both have legal rights,” she says. “There is a lot to be considered before you start involving his father in his life. It’s important that you understand your rights and where you stand.”
Your son probably wants a father, Nigito-Raftas says.
“You can’t get away from images of a traditional family,” she says. “It’s so critical to have both parents in a child’s life. In the best case scenario it can be very beneficial but you have to be careful of your son’s feelings. Also how will you answer why he hasn’t been around until now.”
Q: I have a 3-year-old daughter who started crying at day care, and her teacher says she also started pushing other children. My husband has started working longer hours and often is not home until she is in bed. Could this be upsetting her?
A: Children can be very sensitive to changes in their environment, the Help for Families panel says.
“Kids pick up everything,” says panelist Joanne Nigito-Raftas. “Three-year-olds are people, too, and experience loss. Children can react to changes around them.”
“All behavior is trying to meet a need,” Continenza agrees.
You need to investigate to find out more details, the panel suggests.
“You need to find out what she is crying about,” says panelist Bill Vogler. “When is she crying? Is it at lunch, when she is dropped off, or picked up? It’s important to find what triggers it.”
Also find out what happens before she pushes another child, says panelist Denise Continenza. Ask how the pushing is responded to at the day care.
Maybe something is happening with another child, says Nigito-Raftas. Explore any changes in her relationship with the kids at day care.
Open up a conversation with her day care teacher and tell the teacher about the changes your daughter is experiencing at home, Continenza says.
“Work with the day care and not against them,” Vogler says. Ask what they would like you to do to reinforce positive behaviors.
“She is alone at day care without her family, and she needs to learn how to deal with her emotions and anger,” Vogler says.
Use feeling words when you talk to your daughter, Continenza says. “Say ‘you seem angry’ so she can learn to handle feelings in a positive way.”
Is your husband working longer hours making you upset? asks Nigito-Raftas. She could be picking up on your feelings. Make sure she spends time with her father to reinforce that he is still there for her.
Was her father involved in putting her to bed? asks panelist Michael Daniels. “Is she more emotional at bedtime and have there been other changes in her routine?”
When a child doesn’t get enough sleep it can make it more difficult for her to handle emotions, Nigito-Raftas says. “Help her get a good night’s sleep to help her deal with her feelings during the day,” she says.
Developmentally, there’s nothing to be alarmed about, Vogler says. “This may very well be a phase.”
Q: I am a single father of three children, ages 15, 13 and 12. I work full time and sometimes get home from work late in the evening. I’ve asked my kids to help with some chores during the summer but when I get home nothing is done and my children tell me they “forgot.” What can I do to get them to help out more around the house?
A: Your kids have learned that the chores still will get done if they don’t help, the Help for Families panel says.
You need to sit down with your children at a neutral time, perhaps on a weekend, and explain why their help is important, says panelist Denise Continenza.
“Build in incentives,” she says. “If they help, let them pick dinner on Friday. That way they feel they have a say.”
It is important to clearly communicate with your kids, agrees panelist Suzanne Mulhern.
“Have a family meeting and discuss what keeps the house clean,” she says. “Make a list and let them pick which tasks they prefer. Give your kids a choice rather than command.”
If you get home and things aren’t done, make your children stop doing what they are doing and finish the chores, Continenza says. If you get home late and have to do something yourself don’t make dinner.
“You need to take care of yourself,” Mulhern says.
However avoid being spiteful when doing this, says panelist Michael Daniels.
“Explain you needed to take care of yourself and suggest you talk about how to take care of each other,” he says
Leave a list of chores and be specific. Make sure the chores are do-able and don’t have too high expectations for an “A plus” job, warns Daniels.
“Recognize that they are trying,” Continenza says. “Otherwise they will think: ‘What’s the use, we’re being yelled at anyway.’”
Save larger chores for the weekend.
“Plan to take the kids on a special trip on a Saturday,” Daniels says. “Tell them there are things that need to be done first and everyone does two things. Make sure they are things that can be accomplished in the morning.”
When they are doing something check on them by saying “I wanted to see if you needed help,” he suggest. “Language is important.”
At this age, they are old enough to be in charge of their own laundry and will develop independent living skills, Mulhern says.
“Children do things when there is something in it for them,” Daniels says. “They need external motivators. Tell them if they help, you can order pizza or go to Burger King one night.”
“When you feel you don’t have control it can be frustrating,” Mulhern says. “How are you helping them to feel this is a good thing. Don’t call them chores. Call them household contributions and be sure to reinforce the positive by saying “you are really helping me.”
ArtsQuest offers free nationally known children's performers at 11 a.m. every Saturday t. The Peas & Q's shows are at Levitt Pavilion during the summer, or inside the ArtsQuest Center if it rains.
The New Jersey-based duo returns to Bethlehem after last appearing at Musikfest in 2011.
Wilde, an illustrator of children's books as well as a musician, originally joined the British Clarke for adult music before embarking on kids music and releasing their first CD "Rise and Shine," which features quirky songs with clever lyrics and a sound that melds country rock with folk and Latin rhythms.
The duo also contributed their version of ‘Lullaby For a Crying Baby” to the Barry Polisar tribute album “We’re Not Kidding! A Tribute to Barry Louis Polisar” and released a holiday album "Key Wilde & Mr Clarke Sing Songs of Christmas Cheer" last year.
In 2011 they also released a 6 song EP “Hey Pepito!” featuring the Sirius/XM favorite “Mary the Fairy”.
Since 2010 Wilde has worked with the Battery Park Conservancy leading sessions in the “Stories and Songs” series – a program that introduces and integrates musical performance into young children’s lives.
In addition to working on a new full-length CD, Key Wilde & Mr Clarke are working on “ScrapYard Rock” an original animated TV series.
At one time milking the cows was a daily chore for children who lived on colonial farms. "Dairy Daze" an interactive look at milk, dairy and cows is the offering Saturday of the new monthly kids program, "Back to Your Roots" presented by Historic Bethlehem Partnership at the Burnside Plantation .
Bethlehem's farm in the city is hosting events every third Saturday starting this weekend to teach children 12 and under about the agrarian lifestyle of Colonial times through hands-on activities. Kids are free with adult admission of $7.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday kids will interact with a real cow and learn how the large animal provides families with a very important ingredient: milk. Participants will use milk to churn and press butter. They will also work together to make cheese. As a takeaway, kids will create authentic butter press ornaments with various molds.
The program, which runs through October, is funded through the Seeking Excellence Capital Campaign and the Hands on Gallery at Burnside Plantation has featured prorgams on Native American planting, newly hatched chicks, and a sheep shearing demonstration.
Upcoming prorgams include "The Amazing Husk," about growing and husking corn on Sept. 15 and and "Cooking with the 3 Sisters" in a colonial summer kitchen Oct. 20.
The Burnside Plantation is at 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem. Info: 610-691-6055 or visit www.historicbethlehem.org.
The free family program, sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Beekeepers Association, will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus and includes education centers manned by local beekeepers to teach about the busy life of a bee, from a developing egg through honey production.
The Wildlands Conservancy will display its demonstration hive. Children can watch a live queen bee and her colony and learn about the duties of a honey bee, from nurses to builders to guards to foragers. Children can also take part in games in which they act the role of a queen, drone or worker bee.
Kids will also learn about the importance of pollination and what families can do in their own backyards to attract and support honey bees and get out free honey candy and bee activity books.
Local beekeepers will show the tools of beekeeping and demonstrate how they are used. At a taste center, everyone can sample and learn about the many things made from bees' hives. Local honey and products also will be available for sale.
The Pennsylvania Honey Queen, Jessica Long, 21, show the versatility of cooking with honey by conduction cooking demonstrations at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Long from Tyrone, Blair County, travels around the state promoting beekeeping and honey industries by attending schools, fairs and festivals
Events will be held rain or shine. Info: www.lehighvalleybeekeepers.org or 610-346-7875.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. families can enjoy interactive exhibits, activities and giveaways for kids and their families during the free event throughout the lifestyle center.
At 11 a.m. Upper Saucon Township Fire Department will raise a giant 20 foot x 30 foot American Flag from their ladder truck to kick off the event. The township will host a safety exhibit featuring fire trucks, police cruisers, ambulance, and other emergency vehicles for kids to explore near Barnes & Noble. Kids also will be able to go through the Fire Safety House, a two-story mobile classroom that provides children with a hands-on, realistic learning experience in dealing with a house fire.
Numerous organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Southern Lehigh, Wells Fargo and Barnes & Noble will be handing out pencils, bookmarks, coloring pages and booklets.
There will be activity stations in the patio food court at which children can make a Lego mini-model, do spin art, make strawberry lemonade, color dinosaur activity sheets and get glitter tattoos.
For $5 kids also can paint a personalized clay magnet that will be glazed and fired after the event by “Color Me Mine.”
Stores will offer special activities including jewelry making at Dandelion, coloring contests at Sneaker King and free ring pops and candy necklaces at Murphy Jewelers.
Mascots wil include QuBot from Quakertown National Bank, Subman from Subway, Miss Maggie Moo from Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream & Treatery, Red from Red Robin, and Nestle Bunny from Nestle Toll House Café.
The rain date is Sunday. Information will be available on www.thepromenadehopsatsauconvalley.com.
Admission is free Saturday and Sunday to the Easton history museum and home of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, where there will be lots of family friendly programs and activities.
The celebration begins with a procession led by Easton's Town Crier David Rose, members of the Whitehall Guard Fife & Drum, the Easton Fire Department Color Guard and others to the Easton Farmers Market in Centre Square. The procession will return to the museum, where there will be comments from local dignitaries and birthday cake cutting.
In the museum, representatives of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania will speak about the Lenape culture. Mary McGuire will demonstrate the art of spinning. Families can take a scavenger hunt through the museum, take an art workshop and learnto do fraktur and play historical Bingo. Outside, visitors can play quoits.
On Sunday there will be a "Sweet Treats and Tea Party" at 1 p.m. Adults, children, dolls and bears are invited to learn the social graces of taking tea. The menu includes hot and cold tea and sweet treats. Tickets are $5.
The birthday celebration also includes free tours of the 1753 Bachmann Publick House and Jacob Nicholas House.
The museum is at 342 Northampton St. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Info: sigalmuseum.org.
A new face to the fest is Rolie Polie Guacamole, a Brooklyn-based band that just released its fourth CD “Houses of the Moly” and performs at 12:30 and 2 p.m. Friday.
Frank Gallo and Andrew Tuzhilin created Rolie Polie Guacamole in 2006. Immediately their folk-rock songs featuring clever lyrics about bugs and trains were a hit in the Brooklyn children's band scene. Buoyed by their success, Gallo and Tuzhilin launched their own music and movement classes for preschoolers with percussion instruments, balls, scarves, books and puppets, to get kids up and moving to the beat.
The band will be followed by Robbi K, a nationally known singer/musician/storyteller who has relocated from New York to Bethlehem, at 3:30 and 5 p.m., and the Stacey Peasley Band at 6:30 p.m.
Peasley has been entertaining families in the Boston area since 2008 with energetic songs that capture the fun of childhood. Her second album “Summer Day” was released earlier this year. Peasley also performs at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Bethlehem yoga teacher and singer/songwriter Kira Willey will lead little ones in the mountain and other simple yoga poses when she performs her upbeat original tunes at 12:30 and 2 p.m. Thursday.
She is followed by three middle school math teachers who rock out to math concepts as “2 + 1 Math Rocks!” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Math Rocks! also plays today at 6:30 p.m.
Also performing this weekend is Miss Amy & Her Big Kids Band, a 2012 Grammy Award nominee who brings her fitness rock to the stage at 3:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday and the Hoboken family-friendly rock band The Fuzzy Lemons at 12:30 and 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Deedle Deedle Dees, who use rock ’n’ roll, hip-hop, New Orleans piano music, punk and other styles of music to teach kids about history, science and folklore from Marie Curie to Sojourner Truth, will play at 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Bethlehem’s own Dave Fry will play the final set at Banana Island at 6:30 p.m. to round out the family fare at Musikfest.
When my son was a preschooler, another mom described him as seeing the world as "full of friends he hasn't yet made." Sadly in the five years since then, he has learned a tough lesson - that not every kid wants to be your friend and some will actually go out of their way to hurt you.
In third grade he endured a year of bullying that I would not wish on anyone. And those were eight-year-olds! It just boggles my mind. Bullying became the main focus of our lives that year - not academics or activities - as I met with school officials trying unsucessfully to change the behavior in the classroom. In the end he switched schools.
But it left a mark. The child who once was always happy and approached new children eagerly, is now cautious and hesitant and smiles much less.
How does a child become a bully? I've seen bullying in action. The children who do the bullying seem to take a gleeful delight in hurting another child. You often hear that bullies feel bad about themselves and bully other kids to boost their own self-esteem. However, a report by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that bullies typically have "average or above-average self-esteem." It also found that bullies tend to have "an easier time making friends than children and youth who do not bully" and usually have a group of friends that encourage the bullying.
And it seems there is a national epidemic of bullying. There are many, many horrible stories of bullying - many far worse than my sons' experience. Locally some musicians even released an anti-bullying CD and it even won a Grammy this year. Everyone realizes the importance of stopping bullying, but how do we do that?
Q: My son is scheduled to begin kindergarten in a few weeks. I have grown more concerned over the summer about his readiness for school. It seems like many of the 5-year-olds starting school are so far ahead of him. Some of them can even print their names and read. Should I hold him back for another year?
A: Kindergarten readiness is not just about reading and writing your name, says the Help for Family panel.
“School readiness is a complex thing,” says panelist Denise Continenza. “It’s not just what your child knows but also physical, social and emotional development. The main thing kindergarten teachers say they like to see is children who show readiness to learn and attend to activities.”
Many parents are concerned about their children’s school readiness, the panel says.
A study found that only 25 percent of parents described kids are very prepared for learning
“That you are uncertain shows you are paying attention,” says panelist Michael Daniels. “Talk to his preschool or day care. Is he able to interact appropriately with peers?”
He says that no matter what level children are at in kindergarten, by the time they are in third or fourth grade they will be at their appropriate skill level.
“Everyone believes academics is the main issue but at some point every child will end up at the level at which they are capable,” he says.
All children develop at different paces in different areas, and it’s better not to compare your son to other children, says Continenza. Things such as colors, numbers and letters will be taught in school and you should look at your son in a holistic manner.
“The social-emotional component is huge,” says panelist Suzanne Mulhern. “Take him to the pool to see how he interacts with other children. Help him learn how to wait his turn and stand in line.”
Panelists agree it’s important to see how engaged he is with children his own age and if he is ready to separate.
“The most important part of being 5 is playing with other kids,” he says. “Also talk to him and gauge his emotions. Does he feel like he wants to go to kindergarten?”
Check the resources online at The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning at www.csefel.vanderbilt.edu. The center promotes the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5 and offers practical strategies.
Also you could read a book about kindergarten with your child such as “The Night Before Kindergarten” by Natasha Wing.
Consider the pros and cons of waiting a year. Some children may need another year but for others it may not be beneficial.
Q: There’s a house in our neighborhood where the kids run wild. Most of the other kids in the neighborhood are well-behaved, but these kids, all under age 10, have no respect for other people’s property. They run through flower beds and treat everyone’s yards as if they are their own. Should I confront their parents?
A: “Confront” is a strong word, the Help for Families panel says.
Think about what would be your goal in talking to the children’s parents, suggests panelist Michael Daniels. Have you ever talked to them before?
You are probably better off addressing the children as a group, says panelist Mary Lou Scarf.
“Meet with all the kids and go over the rules of the yards,” she says. “That way you aren’t targeting those kids.”
If that doesn’t help you may end up having to give the parents some feedback, says panelist Bill Vogler. “Say specific things about specific instances relating to your own property,” Vogler suggests. “The more specific you are the more likely you are to get a positive response.”
Rather than going over with the intention of complaining, go to the family and start chatting with them, Scarf says. Work into the conversation that you take pride in your yard and sometimes kids mess it up.
How well do you know this family? Have you ever talked to them before?
“If you don’t know the parents, start a relationship,” Daniels says.
You don’t know what issues the family may have, Scarf adds. Both parents may work and the children may have no supervision.
“Approach them positively,” agrees Vogler. “You may be absolutely right, but you have to keep judgments out of your conversation or it will go badly. Everyone is defensive about their own children’s behavior. However you have the right to maintain control of your own property, and you should stand up for that.”
Another option, instead of going to the parents, is talking to the kids directly, Daniels says.
“Give the kids some authority,” he says. “You don’t want to have to talk to the parents. Leave judgment out when you talk to the kids. Maybe their definition of respect of property is different from yours.”
Talk to your own kids and make sure they are not doing the same thing to other neighbors, Vogler says.
Usually all the kids know which neighbors don’t like them running through their yard, Daniels says.
And think it through before you take any action, the panel suggests.
“A neighborhood of kids who feel comfortable in each others’ yards is great,” Vogler says. “It’s nice they are out playing in the yards and not in front of the TV.”
Think about supporting the community in your neighborhood.
“If there is conflict, the sense of community is lost,” Daniels says. “ Building a community may be worth a few broken roses.”
“I really enjoy teen fiction,” says the Palmer Township mother of two. “Kids are so impressionable at that age and think they can change the world.”
Two years ago Murgia wrote her first novel, “Angel Star,” about a 17-year-old who falls in love with her guardian angel. She has since published the sequel, “Lemniscate.”
In January she approached her local library about hosting a festival celebrating young adult fiction.
The library agreed and the free YA Fest 2012 will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Palmer Branch of the Easton Area Public Library.
Participating are more than 30 authors of young adult and tween fiction, including Murgia and three other Lehigh Valley writers.
“Anything to get a book in a teen’s hand,” she says.
Quakertown young adult author Cyn Balog, who is participating, agrees. “Teens are a very hard group to reach,” she says.
“We’re planning on a day of games, raffles, panels and fun for teens,” Balog says.
YA Fest had attracted leading names in young adult fiction including Jonathan Maberry, Michelle Zink, Shannon Delaney, Chris Benoit, Hanover Township’s Josh Berk and Molly Cochran of Bethlehem, as well as tween authors Barbara Dee and P.G. Kain, says Stephanie Supinski, the Palmer branch manager.
“Although it’s primarily a young adult fest,” Murgia says, “we felt we should have tween authors since younger siblings will be attending and they are the future teen audience.”
Highlighting the day will be panel discussions aimed at young adult readers and aspiring writers.
For fans, there’s a panel discussion 11:15 am to 12:30 p.m. Maberry, author of the Joe Ledger series, will talk on “Dystopian/Post Apocalyptic Fiction for Teens.” Zink, author of the “Prophecy of the Sisters” series, will discuss “Hot Boys, Danger, Romance — What We Have & What You Want in YA.” Anne Greenwood Brown, author of the mermaid novel “Lies Beneath,” will talk about “Dangerous Characters — Why We Love Them.” Dee will discuss “Writing Middle Grade for Tweens Who will be Teens.”
A second panel 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. is designed for aspiring writers. Cochran will talk on “Getting through the Drought — Working through Writer’s Block.” Natalie Zaman and Charlotte Bennardo, who wrote the “Sirenz” books, will discuss “Co-Authoring — Writing Book 2 – Managing Solo Books.” Delaney, who pens paranormal mystery books, will talk about “Walking My Wacky Path to Publication.”
Berk will present his interactive “Master Berk Theatre” for the first time live following the panels. “A few years ago I started doing goofy videos where I'd read chapters from my friends' YA novels on YouTube,” Berk says. “I'd often ham it up and act really pretentious — smoking a pipe or wearing an ascot — and basically do my take on Alistair Cooke just because it was funny.”
For the presentation, he will read pretentiously from young adult books and have guest stars and a musical guest.
Here’s more on the Lehigh Valley authors involved in the festival:
She came up with the idea of a teen girl in love with a guardian angel one evening at home.
“It had always been my dream to write a book,” she says. “Writing was a hobby I was passionate about.”
It took her eight months to finish “Angel Star.” “I simply wrote it because it was a story I had in me,” she says.
She sent the manuscript around, and small publisher Lands Atlantic Publishing liked it. The book, which came out in May 2010, has been translated into four languages.
In “Lemniscate,” teen Teagan is now dating her guardian angel and becomes his protector against another dark angel.
“There is a little bit of a romantic triangle,” Murgia says. “Overall, the theme is we are more extraordinary than we might think.”
Murgia is working on a final installment to the trilogy.
Balog specializes in young adult paranormal novels. Her fourth novel for teens, “Touched,” on sale Aug. 14, tells the story of Nick Cross, who can see the future. “Touched,” like her previous books, is being published by Delacorte.
Balog released her first book, “Fairy Tale,” in 2009. It’s about a teen girl who learns that her boyfriend is a fairy. It was followed by “Sleepless” in 2010, about a Sandman who falls in love with a mortal girl whose sleep he controls, and “Starstruck,” a 2011 book about a girl who suspects her perfect boyfriend may be hiding a very dangerous secret.
All of her novels are set in either Pennsylvania or New Jersey, where she was born and raised. Her fifth book, “Dead River,” is scheduled for release in 2013.
She is the author of 26 books that span a variety of genres, from self-help to action-adventure, including the New York Times bestselling “Grandmaster” and “The Forever King,” co-authored with her former husband Warren Murphy.
“Legacy” is her first young adult novel. It tells the story of 16-year-old Katy, who discovers her family’s dark secrets after she is sent to a boarding school in Massachusetts. It was published by Simon & Schuster in December, and is in its second printing. The sequel, “Poison,” will be released in December.
His first book, “The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin,” was published in 2010 by Knopf Books for Young Readers. It was named best 2010 book for teens by Kirkus Reviews and Amazon.com.
Berk, executive director of Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, in March released his second young adult book, “Guy Langman: Crime Scene Procrastinator.”
The book is a murder mystery as well as a coming-of-age story. Berk, a fan of forensics shows such as “CSI,” made his protagonist a member of his high school forensics team, which discovers a corpse.
“He starts out depressed and ends with not just solving a mystery but having hope for the future,” Berk says. “I'm interested in what makes a boy become a man.”
Berk is working on his third book, aimed at younger readers ages 9-12. It's called “Strike Three, You're Dead,” and will be the first in a series about a 9-year-old Phillies fan who is obsessed with baseball.
What: More than 30 authors of young adult and tween fiction will sign books and talk in panel discussions.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 4
Where: Palmer branch of the Easton Public Library, 1 Weller Place, Palmer Township
How much: Free
Q: My 4-year-old fell and skinned his knee the other day. He cried and, of course, I rushed over to help him. However, my mother says I'm being overprotective and have to give him a chance to get over it on his own. But I don't feel like I'm being a good mom if I don't take care of him when he's hurt.
A: There's nothing wrong with responding to a child who is hurt as long as your reaction is in proportion to the injury, the Help for Families panel says.
"Comforting a 4-year-old kid who has a skinned knee is not overreacting," says panelist Bill Vogler. "At 4, kids still need to be nurtured and protected, but at 10 it's a different story. There needs to be appropriate developmental expectations."
However, don't prolong the issue with excessive attention, says panelist Mary Lou Scarf.
"Give him comfort and then steer him to a new activity," she says. "Redirect him and let him help in his own healing."
The important thing is have an appropriate response. Don't treat a skinned knee like a broken leg, warns Vogler.
"As parents, we have to go on our parenting instinct to nurture and protect," agrees panelist Michael Daniels. "The development of the parent changes just as the child develops. As he gets older, he has a greater sense of independence and a parent responds giving him more time to recover. He has the ability to let you know what he needs. If you rush over, you can make things more significant depending on your reaction."
Is this an isolated incidence or has this happened before?
"I'd be more concerned if this was combined with a whole pattern of over-protection," Vogler adds.
The panel wonders if your mother has other issues with your parenting.
"Your mother may be thinking about treating a 4-year-old like a 14-year-old," he says. "Sometimes parents tend to go overboard with judgments about their children's parenting. Parenting is a long, difficult journey and how you respond to this one thing won't determine how your son will grow up."
The panel suggests you sit down and talk to your mother about your concerns. Pick a time when you are not upset and talk calmly and without emotion.
Alternatively, you can always listen to what she has to say and then continue in the way you have been doing things. Politely tell her you appreciate her input but explain you have your own way of doing things, the panel says.
"You're the mom," Daniels says. "You have the right to respond to your son in the way that is most comfortable to you."
As a parent, our role is to not only protect our children but also to help them get stronger to be able to deal with things they are exposed to when we are not there.
Musikfest has returned Banana Island to the families. For the past few years the Bethlehem music festival switched the tunes to jazz, bluegrass and other “adult” styles of music after dark but this year the venue will remain all kids’ music.
So for the first time, there is is family music at Banana Island for the opening night of Musikfest when We Kids Rock takes the stage at 5:30 and 7 p.m. The children’s rock group that grew out of a music program for infants up to age five, will get the kids dancing with their hit song from WXPN’s Kids Corner – “Stink Bug.”
Saturday brings two children’s artists who have recently been honored for their work. Philly-based Steve Pullara and his Cool Beans Band perform at 3:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Pullara won a Grammy Award earlier this year for helping produce the children’s CD “All About Bullies ... Big and Small” and was nominated for a Grammy in 2011 for his contributions to last year’s “Healthy Food for Thought” CD.
He is followed by home-town favorite Dave Fry, who has been named 2012 Artist of the Year by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Fry, who is working on his first new kids CD in more than 10 years, also returns to Banana Island to offer more kids tunes at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and Aug 12.
There are fewer new family band faces at Banana Island, but that’s only because so much family music is being hosted year-round at the ArtsQuest Peas & Q’s series and during the summer at Levitt Pavilion. Many of the favorites from those series including Miss Amy & Her Big Kids Band (Aug.11), Stacey Peasley Band (Aug. 10 and 11) and The Deedle Deedle Dees (Aug.12)fi, will be showing up at Musikfest over its 10 days
The new faces this first week at Musikfest are Uncle Devin and Fuzzy Lollipops.
If your little one likes drums then Monday at Banana Island is the place to be with back-to-back drum shows .
The Baltimore-based co-founded of the ElectroKoustic Band, has created a show for kids that seeks to connect with them through the drum and the art of storytelling. Uncle Devin gets kids trying out percussive instruments as he teaches them lessons with songs such as “Tell The Truth” and “Don’t Put Yout Business on the Internet.”
Next Uncle Devin, Hector Rosado, who has drummed with both Tito Puente and David Byrne, will serve up a rocking drum workshop for children at 6:30 p.m. He also will give a workshop at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Before the drumming starts, Boston troubadour Alastair Moock returns at 12:30 and 2 p.m. Moock was inspired to make family music after his twin daughters were born in 2006. He and The Rowdy Roots band released their first CD, "A Cow Says Moock," and the disc won a NAPPA Gold Award and a Parent's Choice Recommended Award.
Fuzzy Lollipops, called “The B-52's for Kids,” will perform 3:30 and 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Hailing from New York's Hudson Valley,the band delivers original songs and lush harmonies, while wearing funny glasses. They cite their influences as James Brown, Sesame Street in the 70's and Shel Silverstein.
All week, Banana Island also will offer daily themed crafts, rides, and a scavenger hunt. The venue which is being sponsored by Bethlehem’s Peeps & Company also will feature surprise visits by the Peeps chick, Peepster car and giveaways of Peeps candy.
Other non-Banana Island kid-friendly acts inlcude the MarchFourth Marching Band which returns Tuesday to Aug. 9. This 20-piece ensemble mixes funk, rock and jazz, boiling it all together with high-stepping stilt acrobatics and dazzling dancers. The band will parade through the north side of Bethlehem Tuesday and Aug. 9; and the South Side on Wednesday, as well as give performances.
The free Project M stage will have entertainment 4-10 p.m. Saturday and Aug. 11. Presented by Bethlehem Area Youth Council, it is being designed by teens and for teens, with skateboarding demonstrations by Homebase Skateshop, dance competitions from 5-7 p.m. and dance party 7-10 p.m., with music by DJ Cap Cee.
Kids never tire of seeing the silent masked performer with a theatrical flourish play original music on the huge bell organ, or carillon -- the only one of its kind in the United States. Cast in Bronze plays on the hour from 5-9 p.m.daily at Handwerkplatz.
Also returning will be the PlayStation Experience, a mobile facility with PlayStation 3 gaming stations featuring new titles, at Festplatz.