Sledding and ice-skating in Northwest Indiana

As a thin layer of frost makes its way across the glass and the walls creak and groan against the assault of the elements, the temptation grows. Birds do it. Bees do it. So why shouldn’t we all take the forbidding winter weather as a cue to snuggle in and reacquaint ourselves with the warm, cozy joys of the great indoors? It seems clear, after all, that Mother Nature is not terribly interested in playing with us, so perhaps it’s best to simply respect her wishes and check back in March or April when she might be feeling a bit more reasonable.

The pull of hibernation, of course, only seems to grow as we get older. A workweek spent battling the snow and ice in the course of our daily grind only serves to breed a general lack of patience with the season, making the bunker of hearth and home that much more attractive an option by the time Saturday rolls around. But here, as is so often the case, kids tend to provide the necessary sense of perspective that adults seem to lose with the passage of time.

Mentoring young girls in the underrepresented areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics

A study from the National Council for Research on Women found that although 45 percent of the work force is comprised of females, careers in science and engineering are still held primarily by men, who make up 88 percent of the work force in those areas.

For years it was a common belief that boys excelled in math and science areas and that females didn’t grasp the concepts as easily. However, a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, shows that girls’ performance on standardized tests now matches that of boys at the high school level. It stated that about 20 years ago, the genders were equal in those areas in elementary school, but that girls lagged behind at the high school level. That change is partly attributed to the larger numbers of girls now taking advanced math and science courses in high school.

Profiles of three exceptional Northwest Indiana leaders: Tyler Goodman, Rudy Becerra and Micayla Watroba.

Tyler Goodman, 11

Tyler Goodman is a familiar face at Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County’s South Haven Unit.

Since becoming a member three years ago, Goodman has become a regular, going to the club each day it is open. When he’s not meeting friends or playing in the game room, he likes helping out the staff. He’ll pitch in to clean up messes, pick up in the lounge or even work the phones at the front desk if asked.

His club dedication has been recognized three times with a Member of the Month award, which recognizes members for outstanding behavior and positive involvement in the club.

Everyone loves Halloween. Everyone you’ve met. Everyone you’ve seen.

But not in our house high above Booville. The Halloween Grinch (my oldest son Tommy) is living there still.

He won’t wear a costume. He won’t trick or treat. He won’t even hand out candy to people he meets.

The Grinch hates Halloween—the whole Halloween season. Now, please don’t ask why; no one quite knows the reason.

I’ve given up trying to figure it out. I’ve given up asking him what it’s about.

For though I’m the Grinch’s father, I have two more boys. They both love Halloween candy, and they both love Halloween toys.

They love wearing the costumes, and ringing the bell. And I always love going along as well. I love watching their joy as the candy goes plop, from the first house we visit until we finally stop. But because the Halloween Grinch is the one left at home, he won’t answer the door when he’s all alone. So we end up with candy that isn’t given away, and the next day I’m home with a candy buffet.

From financial aid to academics, it’s never too early to start preparing

Families should begin making financial plans for their children’s education when the children are in elementary school, and students can begin preparing for college as high school freshmen.

AS FRESHMAN, STUDENTS SHOULD:

☐ Identify adults who will serve as advocates and support their desire to attend college.
☐ Study smart. High school students need to work hard, complete assignments, and earn good grades.
☐ Talk with school counselors to ensure that courses taken meet the college entrance requirements.

As parents know, the scariest creatures of Halloween are not the ghouls and goblins lurking about, but the tiny, colorful, sweet ones peering up at your children from inside the trick-or-treat bags. And the empty calories, fat and sugar all add up to a big headache for parents trying to keep kids from becoming a statistic in the childhood obesity epidemic.

Plus, dentists say a little bit of sugar here and there all day long has a more damaging effect on teeth than if you devoured an entire bag in one sitting. The suckers and hard candy and anything gooey or sticky are the worst, they say, as they provide prolonged exposure to sugar on the teeth. From a dental point of view, it’s not the amount of sugar ingested but the frequency of exposure.

One way to combat cavities during the post-Halloween season is to be extra diligent about mouth hygiene, because the cleaner the mouth, the less bacteria are available to break down sugar into an acid that attacks teeth.

The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University celebrates its 15th season with a slew of upcoming shows for kids featuring live animals, Snow White, trick or treating and The Nutcracker.

“Since 1995 there’s always been the idea of engaging, educating and entertaining our family audiences,” says Center Executive Director Burt Dikelsky. “Our shows are usually based on what children might be reading in schools or things popular with kids in this particular time, along with some of the classics.”

Snow White would fall into that category, and the Center will present a new musical adaption of the Grimm Brothers’ fairytale as part of its “Especially for Kids” series on Saturday, November 21, at 11 a.m.

Preceding Snow White at the Center is the Dave Rudolf “Halloween Spooktacular” October 31 at 11 a.m. Kids can come dressed in costume and share in a “ghoulishly delightful” concert featuring Chicago musician Dave Rudolf. In addition to games and snacks, the highlight of the event promises to be the chance to trick or treat around Governors State University’s world-famous Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.

Elsa Weber is associate professor of early childhood development at Purdue University Calumet and coordinator of early childhood development programs. She raised three children, taught preschool and kindergarten for 15 years, and is interested in children’s social development.

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My 7-year-old daughter still sucks her thumb, even though I thought only toddlers did that. She doesn’t do it in public or at school, but she does suck her thumb when reading, watching TV and sleeping. Why is she still compelled to do this, and how can we get her to stop?

Thumb-sucking is natural and normal. It is one resource that babies and young children have to begin to soothe themselves and feel better without help from adults. Many children don’t suck their thumbs at all, and most children who do, give it up on their own by around 5 years old. Most others give it up eventually as well, though I have read accounts of people who continued into their teens or even adulthood.

In European countries, it’s common for elementary school students to learn a second language during that window when experts say it most easily sinks in. In secondary school, students are often learning two foreign languages.

Although it is recognized that learning different languages is beneficial during the early years, in the United States it’s often not until junior high or high school that new languages are introduced.

Through private instruction or Montessori education, some youngsters are learning another language early on. Two area schools, Montessori School of Valparaiso and Constructive Pathways Montessori School in Michigan City, include Spanish in their instruction.

A parent’s guide to youth sports and exercise

Playing sports is a great way for your child to stay fit and healthy, as well as to learn about teamwork, make friends, and develop a sense of personal satisfaction. In spite of all the benefits playing sports and participating in exercise can offer, kids’ injuries from sports are on the rise, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, so follow these simple guidelines to keep your kids safe.

Get Ready

Before you start signing up your kids for this season’s hottest sports team or have them begin their conditioning exercises, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the National SAFE Kids Campaign offer these recommendations: