Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/1064453
hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 33 Finding socialization outside of school Outside of school, other ways to encourage social skill-building experiences for only children include playdates and extra-curricular interest- based sports and classes. Jessica Carola of Fishkill employs all three. "When she was young, my daughter was involved in Mommy and Me music classes, swimming, dance, and gymnastics," says Carola. "We also had playdates with friends and family." These days, Carola states, "At age 8, my daughter takes karate and still has playdates all the time." Opportunities for only children to socialize should not end with the preschool years. Offer socialization experiences to older only children to expose them to a variety of peer groups while also combatting loneliness and isolating feelings that older children may have. Libraries are a great place for only children. Many public libraries in the region offer story hours during the week. There are also great clubs for teens with different interests. Parks and playgrounds are full of kids, especially in the warmer months. Whenever my youngest goes to the park she ends up making a new friend! Summer camp gives only children the daily peer socialization they are used to receiving at school, but with curricula tailored to their own interests. Jill Valentino is a wife, mom of two, elementary educator, and lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley. In the wee hours of the evening she moonlights as an essayist, wannabe novelist and classic rock mommy review blogger. To read more, visit her website at DoublesMom77.com. Wing Supremacy. This year we host the Golden 10 awards, awarded to the Best Darn High School Football Players. We will also showcase the Best Mascot Competition and Wackiest Wingiest Battle of the Booth. Music acts to be announced and stay tune for King of the Wings "Bad to the Bone" Eating Competition for the Top prize $1047.00. This year VIP Bad to the Bone tickets will showcase Unlimited Wings and 90 min early entry with lotsa Wing Goodies TBA! Thanks for making us the Northeasts top 3 Wing Events! 5-9pm. Mid Hudson Civic Center. 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie. 454-5800. 27: Sunday Telltale Tracks. Join a naturalist on a wintry walk to discover "secrets in the snow" left by active winter animals. Go on a track "hunt", learn how to identify animal tracks and create a track shirt. Each person must bring a plain white pre-washed T-shirt. 10am. Hudson Highlands Nature Musuem Outdoor Discovery Center. 120 Muser Dr., Cornwall. 534-5506. 28: Monday Sensory Story Time. Sensory story and social time for children ages 3-5 along with an adult. Geared towards children with special needs, this program will feature simple stories, flannel boards, songs, and appropriate movement activities. A social time will follow with special sensory toys to encourage small and large motor skills. 11:15am-12pm. Howland Public Library. 313 Main St., Beacon. 831-1134. 29: Tuesday Tarot Club. Discuss the cards, their meaning, books and readings. Do fun exercises and spreads to explore Tarot use in everyday life. All ages and levels of experience welcome. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a deck if you have one! 6-7:30pm. Woodstock Library. 5 Library Ln., Woodstock. 679-2213 30: Wednesday Crazy 8 Math Club. Want your child to be ahead of the curve? In this program, children will get fired up about math using hands-on games, building stuff and making a mess. It's math gone wild! Students in kindergarten through second grade are welcome. 5-6pm. Beekman Library. 11 Town Center Blvd., Hopewell Junction. 724-3414. Family Storytime. Enjoy thematic stories, songs and crafts for the whole family. For children of all ages and their caregivers. 10:30-11:30am. Wallkill Public Library. 7 Bona Ventura Ave., Wallkill. 895-3707. Mommy and Me Class. Our Mommy and Me class is designed for children 18-36 months and their caregivers. The class will include singing, story time, a sensory based activity/game, snack and a craft! Each week, a new theme is introduced such as colors, numbers, nursery rhymes, and seasons. Mommy and ME is a wonderful first introduction to a school setting and socialization. Classes meet every Wednesday. 10-11:15am. Montgomery Nursery School. 21 Wallkill Ave., Montgomery. 457-7415. 31: Thursday Super Science Storytime. Full steam ahead with our preschoolers as they learn about winter. Chil- dren will experiment with snow, ice, weather and animals. 1-2pm. Florida Public Library. 4 Cohen Circle, Florida. 651-7659. ONLY CHILD (Continued from Page 27)