Helping good parents raise better kids.™ ParentsMay 2018 Guideof Las Vegas Camps Summer FREE Early Childhood Education By Carolyn Henry As you both enter the tall colorful music ents disappear into the next few hours of Parents have you ever wondered what filled preschool center your son or daugh- errands or work demands. actually goes on after you exit the building? ter footsteps began to stagger. Preschool, where I found my passion for It is not only their first day of preschool but The dreadful goodbye,and reassurance early childhood education. The center that yours as well. After all it’s been 3 years in that you will return later just as you both first hired me in 2015 served as a curricu- the making,the first day your lovely child discussed days, maybe months prior to lum based preschool with extended care will meet his/her teacher outside of imme- this exact day.The tears are pouring like for parents who needed the assistance. diate family.The ride or walk to the pre- a flood,the screams,the clawing at your Kudos to parents that work both outside school center your speaking to your pre- clothing,the ear piercing “No,don’t go” and inside the home.I had the opportu- schooler with every intention to cast away the sobbing,trembling voice that says to nity to stay at home with both my children anxieties,fear,and uncertainties. He or she the teacher “leave me alone,your not my until kindergarten years. During those appears to be excited,and ready for the day! mommy”. The class door closes,and par- … continued on page 29 Start Early. Start Right. Challenger School offers uniquely fun and academic classes for preschool to eighth grade students. Our students learn to think for themselves and to value independence. The results are unmatched at any price! Come see for yourself! Observe our classrooms any time—no appointment needed. An independent private school offering preschool through eighth grade Desert Hills 410-7225 Green Valley 990-7300 Los Prados 839-1900 Summerlin 878-6418 8175 West Badura Ave. 1725 East Serene Ave. 5150 North Jones Blvd. 9900 Isaac Newton Way Inspiring Children to Achieve Since 1963 © 2018 Challenger Schools. Challenger School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. 2 ParentsGuide of Las Vegas May 2018 Saturday, May 12 • 10 am-4 pm Springs Preserve Pile on the fun with all-you-can-eat ice cream cones, sundaes, floats and more! This event will sell out. Buy your tickets now at springspreserve.org! Events at the Springs Preserve are supported by the generous contributions of our sponsors May 2018 Helping good parents raise better kids.™ Contents ParentsGuide of Las Vegas Signpost ParentsGuide Team Editorial Contributors Lexy Lionel Harvey J. Simon, MD Dr. Stephen Fife, PhD Dr. Sabra R. Smith Christy M. Collins Dr. Meena Vohra Dr. Ray Huntington Dr. Maria Martinez Cassie Rice Icia Reid-Sandulak 2 Early Childhood Dr. Michelle A. Audrey Sherwood Education Fontenelle-Gilmer, MD Kirsten Lopez, MA Publisher 4 What to Expect Mark Rudy at Your Child’s Editor Swim Lessons AJ Walsh Creative Director 8 6 Simple Fun Ways to Hugh Roper Keep your Children Photographer 16 Summer Family Fun Sarah Jackson-Vanderpool Learning in Summer Graphic Designers From the Las Vegas Jason Pribble Brittany Lish 10 Preparing for Strip to Downtown Jeffrey Bona Mosquito Season Contact 18 Family Events Advertising 12 Summer Camps Calendar To advertise in Nevada’s largest family magazine call 702-843-8350. 15 Daycare and Calendar Items Preschools To suggest events to be included on the monthly family calendar, send an e-mail to vegasmagazines@outlook. com. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month. Distribution To have copies of Parents Guide of Las Vegas distributed at your business, office or community event call Parents Guide of Las Vegas 702-843-8350. is available monthly at ParentsGuideLV.com hundreds of family friendly facebook Facebook.com/ParentsGuide locations throughout Twitter Twitter.com/ParentsGuideLV Las Vegas, including: The views and opinions expressed in articles and advertisements do not necessarily represent the views of ParentsGuide of Las Vegas. 4 ParentsGuide of Las Vegas May 2018 What to Expect at Your Child’s Swim Lessons By Katrina Brandhagen as possible as your child establishes a rela- the pool with their child and incorporate in Owner/Director All Star Swim Academy tionship with the swim instructor. When some of the skills that the child is practic- Nervousness a parent maintains a relaxed energy about ing at their swim lessons. Dive toys can also Many children have nerves and anxiety them, and assures the child that they can be helpful as parents can have the student to overcome when they start swim lessons. trust their instructor and the water, the practice submersion skills to retrieve dive Some young students may struggle just child will gradually reflect that energy. It is sticks or rings from the pool. with the idea of being away from their par- best to attend class as consistently as pos- Progress ents, so going to an instructor can be a chal- sible. Many parents view learning to swim as lenge. Other students may have an innate Excitement a one-time event. Often we hear a mom or fear of the water to overcome depending on While some students may be nervous dad say, “My child learned to swim on such how much they have been around the pool around the water, others may be overly and such a day.” In reality, learning to swim and what their prior experiences have been excited at their lessons. Keep in mind that is not a one-time event, but rather a jour- like. With adults and children alike, learn- before a child starts swim lessons, they ney that consists of many phases and steps. ing a new skill can sometimes be intimidat- often view the pool as a “playground,” if Like learning any motor skill such as gym- ing, as it forces the student outside of their they come from a family that swims rec- nastics, dance, or playing a musical instru- comfort zone. reationally. Sometimes it can be an adjust- ment, the length of the journey of learning The key to overcoming nervousness and ment for a student to realize that swim les- to swim is dependent upon many things. anxiety at swim lessons is to find a healthy sons are essentially an aquatic classroom, Variables that influence a child’s progress in learning environment where the student where they have to follow directions and the water are the student’s listening-skills, can learn to trust the water and to trust the abide by a structure. their water comfort, the extent of a child’s instructor. A swim program that is based For children who struggle with these separation anxiety, and his or her athletic on a gentle-touch philosophy is usually the behaviors, it helps for the parent to take a ability. In considering all of these variables, most successful place for a child to gain that play-based learning approach when they one can understand why it is impossible to water comfort that is necessary for them to swim for fun with their child. For instance, give a set time frame as to how long it will progress in aquatics. Try to interfere as little a parent can play games like Simon Says in take for a child to learn to swim. 6 ParentsGuide of Las Vegas May 2018 Explore real human BODIES and discover what you are really made of. $7 OFF LOCAL RESIDENTS Relive the story of TITANIC through more than 350 artifacts. For more information visit www.Luxor.com or call 702.262.4400 Redeem at Luxor Box Offi ce or online to $7 off admission to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition or Bodies...The Exhibition full price adult admission. No double discounts. Limit 4 persons per coupon. Open 10am-10pm daily. Last admission one hour prior to close. Management reserves all rights to this disclaimer. Valid local I.D. Required. CODE: _IL 6 Simple Fun Ways to Keep your Children Learning in Summer un-filled days at the pool, adven- turous family vacations, no alarm Sclocks, and extended bedtimes. These are just a few visions that many students have as they long for the care- free days of summer. As parents plan family vacations and activities to keep their children busy, it’s important to remember that learning can and should still continue in the summer months! You see, for children, learning is an ongo- ing process and one that continues even after the last bell of the school year. Just because families are gearing up for fun, sun and relaxation, that doesn’t mean educa- tional activities can’t be incorporated into vacation plans. Kumon, the world’s oldest and largest math and reading program, would like to remind parents that a break from school School. Libraries are the most affordable phy, history, and social studies lesson all shouldn’t mean a vacation from learning. resource to replenish your book supply or wrapped in one. Studies show that children can lose up to get access to over 100,000 downloadable Weekly Game Night. Pick a night of the two months of their knowledge and skills audio and e-books. You can get reading week and host a family friendly weekly between school grades. A child’s learn- recommendations based on your child’s game night. For younger kids, you can play ing not only stagnates during this time, interest and ability.