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One of my favorite memories from elementary school was square dancing. About a month of my 5th grade year was devoted to learning how to do-si-do and how to swing a partner. I remember I was matched up with a boy named John. Every day, we would meet in the playground and dance and dance. We put on a final square dance show so our parents could see what we learned. I loved wearing a square dancing dress and my cowgirl boots. It was just plain fun to “circle round” a square and laugh together.

Square dancing can be great fun for children. Not only does it combine learning, listening, and exercise, but it also is a great way for kids to socialize. Planning your own square dance may be a great idea for a birthday party or youth group function. Kids can put on their kids cowboy boots and girls roper boots and say “Hee Haw!”

How to Teach Square Dancing to Kids:

Eight people are needed to form a square. It is best if four boys and four girls form each square, but if two little girls have to dance together they probably won’t mind since they’ll just love dancing together and enjoying their girls cowboy boots.

Ask an adult to do the teaching and announcing. It is best that the announcer be someone familiar with square dancing.

There is a variety of music available for square dancing that includes an announcer calling the steps.

Teach the children very easy to learn and simple square dances.

Suggest that the kids wear western clothing, kids cowboy boots, and cowboys hats. Make sure the hats are strapped on tightly so they don’t fall off while the kids are dancing.

Food can be simple at your square dancing party. Hot dogs, popcorn, and punch will do.

Some moves children enjoy doing are do-si-do steps where dancers approach each other and circle back to back and then return to their original positions, and swinging partners while facing opposite directions and linking arms.

Little girls and boys will enjoy doing bows and curtseys when each dance ends.

Patience is important. Do not expect children to do square dances perfectly.

Laugh together and have fun!

Further Reading:

Square Dance Steps for Kids

Square Dancing Music for Kids

The author of this article is Jo Ann Schneider Farris, About.com’s Guide to Figure Skating and the mother of three children.

My children grew up at a mall. I know that statement may sound odd, but it’s true. You see, I worked at a mall with an ice rink. My kids skated and skated all day long as I taught group and private skating lessons.

I must admit that it was quite a challenge to bring three little kids to an ice rink on a daily basis, but at the mall, every day was an adventure for my family. Not only did the rink provide a wonderful place to play, but after I was done teaching, I would put my kids in a sit-and-stand stroller and we would “hit the mall.” The children would eat, play, and explore! Of course, once in awhile, we did some shopping. The mall sold plenty of children’s clothing and cute girls clothes. The kids especially enjoyed going on mini shopping sprees.

I dressed my youngest daughter in cute baby girls clothes for those shopping sprees. I always had to have a change of cheap baby clothes on hand since I never knew what kind of “accident” might occur.

How to Take Young Children to a Mall:

Find parking as close as possible to an entrance with a handicap accessible door. Getting a stroller up a handicap ramp and pushing the automatic door to enter a mall will make things much easier for a busy parent.

Make sure to pack extra clothing, extra diapers, newborn girls clothes, wipes, tissues, and napkins or paper towels.

Bring some large tote bags with you to put in any items that you may purchase during your visit to the mall. The tote bags can be tied to your stroller.

Don’t plan on doing much shopping unless you come to the mall with your spouse or another adult. One adult can watch the children while the other adult shops.

Avoid escalators; use the mall’s elevators.

Call the mall in advance and make sure there is a play area at the mall. Kids love mall play areas. Play areas will make your children want to visit the mall over and over again.

Bring your own food instead of spending a lot of money at the mall’s food court. Food makes a mall visit extra fun!

Many malls have special events going on geared for children. Take advantage of those events.

Visit the mall’s pet store. That can be an adventure in itself!

Treat your children to a hot pretzel, an ice cream cone, or take a quick visit to the mall’s candy store.

Many malls have bookstores that host children’s activities or have areas where kids can cuddle up with their parents and read. Find those areas and spend a lot of time there.

Make sure you know where the family restrooms are located. Plan spending extra time there once in awhile…

Further Reading:

Taking Kids to the Mall: Make it Easy!

The author of this article is Jo Ann Schneider Farris, About.com’s Guide to Figure Skating and the mother of three children.

It’s just plain fun to get into the winter holiday spirit during the summer by visiting a Christmas centered theme park. Visitors can enjoy candy canes, baby girl Christmas dresses and Christmas dresses for toddlers, sing holiday songs, and also visit with Santa Claus in a relaxed and happy setting.

The best part of an experience at a Christmas theme park is a chance for children of all ages to interact with Santa Class in the summer. Dressed up in their infant Christmas dresses and toddler Christmas dresses, kids can ask Santa in advance to be put on the “good list.”

Did you know that the first franchised theme parks in the world were centered around Christmas and Santa Claus? In fact, there are still several Christmas based theme parks in the United States. For example, during the summer, one of the favorite spots for locals and tourists in Colorado to visit is the Northpole, located quite close to Pikes Peak. Other places children can meet Santa are at Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire and in Dundee, Illinois.

There’s also were Santa’s Villages in Lake Arrowhead and in Santa Cruz, California, but sadly, those parks have closed. Even though not all of Santa’s summer homes remain open, Santa must be very busy during the summer since there is also a North Pole near Lake Placid, New York.

Famous Christmas Centered Theme Parks:

Santa’s Workshop/North Pole – Near Pikes Peak, Colorado

Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole – Near Lake Placid, New York

Santa’s Village – Jefferson, New Hampshire

Santa’s Village Azoosment Park – Dundee, Illinois

Santa’s Land Family Theme Park and Zoo – Cherokee, North Carolina

Santa’s Land – Vermont

Further Reading:

History of Santa Village Theme Parks

The author of this article is Jo Ann Schneider Farris, About.com’s Guide to Figure Skating and the mother of three children.

Summer is a happy time. Summer is also the time for picnics and outdoor parties. Some parents avoid picnics since some advance planning and packing is necessary, but packing for picnics doesn’t have to be complicated.

I always bring several outfits to picnics for my children just in case one of them needs to change clothes. I don’t want them to miss the fun just because their rare editions get soiled. You see, a rare editions dress and picnics don’t always mix. Dressing up is not necessary for picnics, but sometimes my little girl loves to wear her rare editions Christmas dress to make picnic time an extra special occasion.

Sometimes I do a lot of planning before going on a picnic, but other times, I just stop at Subway or at a local convenience store, get a few sandwiches, and drinks, and off we go!

Easy Picnic Packing Basics:

Pack foods that don’t need utensils. Finger foods work great.

Suggested foods: Chips, pre-made sandwiches, cut up fresh fruit, grapes, cut up fresh veggies, crackers, and nuts.

Pack an ice chest that includes water bottles, flavored water, or sports drinks. Juice boxes are favorites for kids.

Ice can be purchased in large bags at a convenience store just before the picnic.

Don’t forget paper plates, plastic or paper cups, napkins, paper towels, and wipes.

Bring hand sanitizer too.

If you do need utensils, don’t forget plastic forks, knives, and spoons.

Don’t forget the trash bags. Make sure that you leave no trash at the picnic site.

A plastic tablecloth to cover the table will make the picnic festive and fun.

Portable camp chairs and umbrellas are easy to tote and may make the picnic more comfortable.

Bring balls, scooters, and other outdoor toys for the kids.

Don’t forget the camera!

Further Reading:

Picnic Packing Checklist – From RealSimple.com

Picnics With Kids – From About.com Work-at-Home Moms

Picnic Ideas Gallery – From Disney Family Fun

The author of this article is Jo Ann Schneider Farris, About.com’s Guide to Figure Skating and the mother of three children.

My children love to dance. They’ve done ballet, modern dance, jazz, and ballroom dancing. In fact, they are accomplished ice dancers. Recently, they were in a musical play that included lots of dancing. I loved seeing the fun they had dancing on the stage. There’s something delightful about moving to a piece of music and being creative.

When I signed my girls up for their first ballet class, we found that “dressing the part” was almost as fun as the dancing was! Girls dancewear and toddler dancewear is just so cute. I love the pink tights, the jazz pants, the leotards, the tutus, the skirts, the shoes, and the hair!

Types of Dance Your Child Might Like to Try:

** Ballet

Every child should take at least one ballet class. It’s the basis of all forms of dancing. Little girls love wearing toddler dance clothes to ballet classes.

** Jazz

Jazz dancing is creative, original, and fun. Jazz dance clothes for girls can be purchased everywhere.

** Tap Dancing

Tap dancers wear special tap shoes that have metal taps on the bottom. The dancers’ feet create special rhythmic patterns that are enjoyable to do and watch.

** Modern Dance

Modern dance has rebelled against the strict rules of classical ballet, but uses some of the same techniques. This branch of dancing emphasizes creativity and expression.

** Hip-Hop

In Hip-Hop dancing, the dancer does moves such as breaking and popping. Dancers dance to Hip-Hop music. This form of dancing evolved from dancing on the streets.

** Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing is done with a partner. Dancers do waltzes, foxtrots, swing dances, and tangos

** Ice Dancing

Ice Dancing is ballroom dancing on the ice. Of course, if a child wishes to pursue ice dancing, he or she will need to learn how to skate first!

** Folk Dancing

Some types of folk dancing includes clogging, Israeli dancing, English country dancing, line dancing, international folk dancing, and Irish folk dancing. If opportunities for folk dancing come up in your community, children and adults will have an evening or an afternoon of great fun and exercise.

** Square Dancing

In square dancing, four couples or eight dancers form a square. They do a set dance as a group. Callers teach and call out the steps to country western type music. Square dancing is a great way to socialize. Some schools teach children square dancing as part of the school’s physical education program.

Further Reading:

* Everything You May Want to Know About Dancing – From About.com Dance

_{The author of this article is Jo Ann Schneider Farris, About.com’s Guide to Figure Skating and the mother of three children.}

Would you like to spend more time with your little girl or boy? Homeschooling is an option that may make that idea a reality. Picture yourself taking your time on a beautiful day while others are rushing around getting their children to school.

Your relaxed lifestyle might make it possible for you to dress your child in little girls clothes, go to the mall, go to a museum, or to the park.  Wouldn’t it be fun for your little girl to spend time with her younger sister who is dressed in cute baby girls clothes? They could play together on the swings or in the sandbox. They could do crafts, watch an educational DVD, or go to the library. How about going to the zoo? You could push your toddler dressed in little girls dresses or baby girls clothes in her stroller.  Your children could learn all about animals. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

In recent years, many different homeschooling methods have been developed. Finding the best educational option for your family is the key to homeschooling success. Some homeschooling options are listed below.

Public Online Education

State-funded virtual schools that use a standardized curriculum from sources such as K12.com or from Connections Academy, are very popular ways to educate children at home.

Private Online Education, Correspondence Schools, and Distance Learning Programs

Many parents do not want to be limited to a standardized public school curriculum. Instead of using a public virtual school, some homeschooling families choose to purchase curriculum from private online schools such as Laurel Springs School or the American School of Correspondence.

Unschooling, Relaxed Homeschooling, and Eclectic Homeschooling Methods

Unschooling is child led learning and is also a way for a family to do whatever they wish to do to develop their children’s education. Sometimes a curriculum and/or traditional school materials are used; sometimes the family may just go to a museum or experience an educational experience in another way. A variety of systems and/or educational options and styles are used.

Homeschool Support Groups, Co-Ops, and Play Groups

In most cities, those new to homeschooling will find support groups that can not only help families with homeschooling methods, but these groups can also provide socialization options for homeschoolers. Girls and boys (and parents too) get a chance to make friends with other homeschooling families. Sometimes young girls put on their best little girls clothes when they go to a homeschool co-op or play group.

Public Homeschool Supplemental Programs

Some public school districts are offering once a week homeschool supplemental programs. Children attend these programs once a week for a full day. Families retain their homeschooling status and parents are able to educate their children any way they wish.

More About Homeschooling:

• About.com Homeschooling
• What Is Unschooling?

_{The author of this article is Jo Ann Schneider Farris, About.com’s Guide to Figure Skating and the mother of three children.}