CityKin

13 August 2009

Rural Childhood

Met this kid at a plastic playground inside a Burger King, which was attached to a gas station at a freeway exit in northern Tennessee.

He was alone and said he got to play here all day, and has no friends. His momma's boyfriend works at Burger King and his mom works at a different one across town. He can't see his dad, because daddy's girlfriend showed him some pills, and the police got involved. His momma says when he was little they knew he was tough becaue he would run into walls and not cry. He wants to grow up and be a cage fighter. And he has decided that he only wants to move one last time, after that, no more moving.

New Homes Shrinking

A CNN article:

The size of newly built homes fell in 2008 for the first time in almost 15 years. Is the McMansion era on the wane?

... "A new ethic is arising right now that will become commonplace -- as commonplace as is recycling today, when just a few decades ago it was rarely, if ever, done," said Sarah Susanka, author of the book, "The Not So Big House."

...She believes the current shrinking trend mimics one of 100 years ago, when simple bungalows supplanted elaborate Victorian homes as the design choice for many Americans...

Or maybe it is just the recession. We'll see what the numbers look like in a few years.

12 August 2009

The Place For Families

The Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center in Northside is hosting the following parenting workshops and classes next month. The Place for Families.

Raising Healthy Kids in a Super-Size-It World
...Juice Plus experts will share practical, every day simple solutions for a lifetime of improved health habits. Smoothies and healthy snacks will be served.
Sat., Sept. 12th @ 11:15 - 12:15, Free!

Baby Food: Made At Home, Made Simple
Sat., Sept. 26th @ 11:15-12:15, Free!

Mom-to-Mom
....support, encouragement, understanding, and answers to your “new mom” questions?
...Group meets Thursdays (Sept. 3rd-24th) @ 10:30 & Sept. 19th @ 11:30, Free!

Circle of Life - Belly Dancing
... Women at all stages of life welcomed
Saturdays (Sept. 12-26) 11:30-12:15pm. $50/5-class package or $13/class.

CLASSES/EVENTS FOR FAMILIES

Whale of a Tale , interactive story time
September Story Time Themes:
9/1 & 3: What Flower is Taller than You? Sunflowers!
9/8, 10 & 12: It’s Fall! Where are all the Birds Going?
9/14, 17 & 19: Mr. Bear Says all he wants to do is Sleep!
9/22, 24 & 26: Bubbles - not just Summer Time Fun!
9/29: Bzzzzzz!
Ages: Birth to 5 years @ 10:30am, Free!

Jammin' in our Jammies! musical play for families
Thursdays, Sept. 3-24 @ 6:00pm
Ages: families with children 1-3 years, $100 for 10-classes or $13/class.

Little Sprout Yogis baby & me yoga
Sundays, Sept. 12-27 @ 1:30, $100/10-class package or $13/class.

Family Fiesta Spanish for the whole family
Tuesdays,, Sept. 1-29 @ 9:30 & 10:30, $100 for a 10-class package or $13/class
Ages: 19 months - 12 years

CLASSES FOR KIDS - BIRTH TO 5 YEARS

TummyTime!
...facilitated open-play sessions you’ll discover creative ways to stimulate your infant’s senses, learn simple play activities to promote motor development, as well as practice infant massage and reflexology techniques which promote brain development, lessen colic symptoms, enhance sleep patterns, and promote infant bonding and attachment.
Thursdays, Sept. 3-24 @ 9:30, $100/10-class package or $13/class

Tiny Tunes musical play
9:30, 10:30 & 11:30, Birth to age 5 on Mondays, Sept. 7-28 or Wednesdays, Sept. 2-30
$100/10-class package or $13/class.

Head & Shoulder, Knees & Toes Brain Play
Our infant behavioral specialist will share specific techniques to promote your baby’s awareness and thinking skills, as well as activities to enhance sensory development and promote the brain-body connection, all through “play”!
Thursdays, Sept. 3-24 at 10:30, $100/10-class package or $13/class

Movers & Shakers, crawler-toddler developmental play
Tuesdays, beginning Aug. 11th @ 9:30, $100/10-class package or $13/class.

The Next Step
...let’s clap our hands, stomp our feet, and explore fun ways to fine-tune your child's motor skills and enhance their language development.
Tuesdays, Sept. 1-29 @ 10:30, $100/10-class package or $13/class

TOT (Time Out Together) - parent-Infant/toddler enrichment
...focus on increasing young children’s attention spans. Each class will include themed “learning times” during which we’ll engage in hands-on learning activies and practical life skills, focus on cognitive and motor skill development, and promote language and social skills. During our healthy snack time our facilitator will discuss topics like nutrition, discipline, sleeping issues, & preschool preparation.
Wednesdays, Sept. 2-30 @ 9:30, ages: 12-35 months
$250/10-class package or $30/class.

Signing Safari
Join your child in singing, signing, playing, & rhyming! ...Children can “talk” with their hands as early as 9 months. Why whine when you can sign?!
weekly @ 9:30 & 10:30am
ages 6 months to 5 years, on Mondays, Sept. 7-28 or Saturdays, Sept. 12-26
$115/10-class package or $13/class and includes a Signing Safari DVD.

Imagination Station , artistic play
...We’ll explore with a wide variety of mediums, such as paint, clay, sand, products from nature, and everyday recyclable items.
weekly @ 9:30 & 10:30am
ages 19 mo-12 yrs, Fridays, Sept. 4-25, Cost: $100/10-class package or $13/class.

CHILDREN’S CLASSES - 6 TO 12 YEARS:

A Signing Safari
...The ASL alphabet and number system will also be learned and reinforced through real-life role-play. Deaf culture awareness will be emphasized, as well.
Saturdays, Sept. 12-26 at 11:30am, 6-12 year olds, $100/10-class package or $13/class.

African Drumming
.. the drum beat is heard every day for communication, celebration and fun. We’ll even learn how to make our own drum. Let’s celebrate our global citizenship!
Tuesdays, Sept. 1-29 @ 4:30 & 5:30, 6-12 year olds, $100/10-classes or $13/class.

For all the classes: rsvp at website or call 513-591-2332.