Check out our Tween Lock In and Lightning Thief Book Club, Legos and Leap Day Fun at the Bridgewater Library, plus Dinosaurs at the Children’s Museum and an early childhood educator’s plea to let kids PLAY.

Reminder, we have NO Baby Times, Toddler Times, Pajama Times and Storytimes this coming week  but will resume on March 1st.

On February 29th we have a special Music & Movement program – registration required.

Click HERE to register for any of these programs.

Around the Community:

 

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF SOMERSET COUNTY PRESENTS JOURNEY BACK IN TIME SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20TH

Dinosaurs, Rocks, Minerals and Volcanoes take center stage at the Children’s Museum on Saturday February 20^th from 10AM to 3PM at The PeopleCare Center, 120 Finderne Ave., Bridgewater. Activities will include Dino fossils, Dino puppets, Dino 3D puzzles, a Rock and Mineral Quiz, colorful kid-sized volcanoes, an audio-kinetic sculpture by George Rhodes (Odyssey of the Spheres), and much more! Suggested donation is $3 per child.

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FREE FAMILY ORCHESTRA CONCERT PUTS KIDS, INSTRUMENTS UP FRONT

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CRESCENT CONCERTS TO SHOWCASE EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG ARTISTS

More Info here: http://www.njartsmaven.com/2016/02/crescent-concerts-to-showcase.html

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IMPROV FOR TWEENS @ THE THEATER PROJECT

Improv for Tweens

Improv is great for tweens and teens! It is lots of fun and helps kids to open up and gain confidence. I will engage the class in simple ensemble building theater games and various other improv exercises. Students will build up to learning and playing short-form improv games which will eventually be performed for an audience at our end of term Improv Showcase. Get ready to think fast and laugh a lot!

6th - 9th grades (5th graders with approval)
Offered through The Theater Project Classroom

WHEN: Fridays,  4:00 to 5:00; Feb. 19, 26; March 4, 11, 18; April 1, 8, 22, 29; May 6, 13. SHOWCASE May 19 @ 7:00
WHERE: The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Rd., Maplewood
TUITION: 11 sessions plus a showcase $240

http://www.thetheaterproject.org/improv.html

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NEW AT THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM

Dr. Seuss Family FestivalSaturday, February 27, 11:00AM - 4:00PM

Celebrate the birthday of one of the most beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss. Mix up a batch of Oobleck, enjoy readings by the Cat in the Hat, or craft a pet from the new Seuss book What Pet Would You Get. Plus, two showings of the hilarious playSeussology in the Theatre. learn more

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RVCC PLANETARIUM ROMANCES THE STARS IN FEBRUARY

Romancing the Stars in February  More Info: http://www.raritanval.edu/comm/planet/index.html

February is the perfect month to fall in love with the Planetarium.  Families will want to join an alien family taking a vacation in "Perfect Little Planet." 

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Perfect Little Planet & Laser Magic

Saturday afternoon shows just for the family.

WHEN: "Perfect Little Planet" at 3:00 pm;"Laser Magic" at 4:00 pm

(recommended for ages 6 and older)

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Exploding Universe

WHEN: Saturdays, Feb  20, & 27, 7:00 pm

Discover how the Universe has transformed and nature has participated in rebirth and renewal.

(Recommended for ages 10 to adult)

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19TH ANNUAL STAGES FESTIVAL TO OPEN FEB. 27 AND RUN THROUGH MARCH AT VARIOUS VENUES AROUND NJ

New Jersey Theatre Alliance presents

THE 19th ANNUAL STAGES FESTIVAL

The state’s largest celebration of theatre with FREE and discounted tickets to over 85 professional performances, workshops, and events throughout New Jersey in March 2016.

WHEN: starts February 27th and runs through March
WHERE: theatres, arts centers, libraries, schools, hospitals, and other community venues throughout the state
ADMISSION: free of charge or at significantly discounted rates

New Jersey Theatre Alliance and its partners and funders are pleased to present the 19th annual Stages Festival (Stages), a statewide, month-long festival of theatre offering over 85 theatre performances and programs for children and adultsfree of charge or at significantly discounted rates. Events will take place at theatres, arts centers, libraries, schools, hospitals, and other community venues throughout the state.Most events require registration. For a full listing of events, program details, and registration information visit stagesfestival.org. (Top: Performance at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey during the 2015 Stages Festival—returning to New Jersey in March 2016! Photo by Ruth Zamoyta; Above Right: Performance at Passage Theatre in Trenton. Photo by Jerry Dalia)

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UPCOMING FAMILY THEATER PROGRAMS AT RVCC

LET YOUR FINGERS DO MORE WALKING:

What Kids Need From Grown-Ups (But Aren't Getting)

February 9, 2016 12:33 PM   Annelise Capossela for NPR

 

 

 

NPR ED    Why Kindergarten Is The New First Grade

Erika Christakis' new book, The Importance of Being Little, is an impassioned plea for educators and parents to put down the worksheets and flash cards, ditch the tired craft projects (yes, you, Thanksgiving Handprint Turkey) and exotic vocabulary lessons, and double-down on one, simple word:

Play.

That's because, she writes, "the distinction between early education and official school seems to be disappearing." If kindergarten is the new first grade, Christakis argues, preschool is quickly becoming the new kindergarten. And that is "a real threat to our society's future."  Read More.

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8 Ways Not to Get Sick When Your Kids Get Sick

Tired of getting sick every time your kid does? Here’s how to stay healthy.  BY VICKY VALET   

Your kid goes to school, brings home a cough and before long, the whole family is hacking away. Sound familiar? 

“It’s frustrating when a child is sick—especially when it’s spreading through the household,” says Dr. Jeffrey M. Bienstock, vice president of the American Academy of Pediatrics NJ Chapter and director of pediatrics at The Valley Hospital in Ringwood with practices in Fair Lawn, Mahwah and Pompton Plains. “And it’s usually because parents are not taking all the proper precautions.” 

The good news? There are easy steps you can take to ensure you’ll stay in tip-top shape while you’re caring for your little sickie.  Read MORE.