www.redmond-reporter.com[8] March 4, 2011

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466020Sales Appraisals Repairs Rentals

Third Generation Violin Maker

www.hkbviolins.com425.822.0717

466016

“Voted Evening Magazine’sBest of Western WA

Musical Instrument Store!”

Get in the Game

DigiPen institute of technologytechnologytpresents a two-week summer workshop series that introduces participants of all levels in Grade 8 or beyond to the fundamentals of:

n Video Game Programmingn 3D Computer animationn Game Designn Robotics

not yet in Grade 8? ProjectFUN also offers workshops in both video game design and animation for students in Grades 5-7.

http://projectfun.digipen.edu/previewday

Preview DayPreview DayPreview DayGet a sneak peek of the Workshops at Preview DayPreview DayPreview DayPreview DayPreview Day on Preview DaySaturday, April 23! Attendees will receive a $100.00 discount

Preview Day$100.00 discount

Preview Daytoward any one of the Workshops. Find out more at:

9931 Willows Road NE, Redmond, WA 98052 Phone: (425) 558-0299 • Toll-Free (866) 478-5236

466055

...TODAY’S pArenT

Most of us are guilty

of needing a little pick-me-up to start our day or a caffeine charge to temporarily fix lack of sleep or a tiring

afternoon. But when does this habit become harmful or an addiction? And what about when it comes to our children?

More studies are show-

ing that caffeine has the potential to actually be harmful for youth, espe-cially when it comes to energy drinks which are increasing in popularity every year. In fact, as many as 50 percent of teens are now consuming energy drinks on a regular basis.

Nutritional labels on energy drinks offer caffeine amounts, but they don’t tell the whole story. Herbs such as guarana, kola nut, cocoa and yerba mate are

not required to be listed, yet many contain high, understudied and unregu-lated amounts of caffeine. Thus, the total amount of caffeine in many energy boosting beverages is sig-nificantly higher and can cause serious side effects such as dehydration, vom-iting, tremors, insomnia, delirium, seizures and increased heart rhythms.

Kids are particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine. According to the

Journal of Pediatrics, youth younger than 19 accounted for almost half of the caf-feine overdoses reported in 2007. And emergency room doctors are report-ing an increase in “caffeine attacks” or patients whose symptoms mirror heart attacks – racing pulse and chest pain – but are actu-ally caffeine overdoses.

As to caffeine’s addic-tiveness, if you’ve ever tried to quit it, you know there are physical symp-toms of withdrawal which can be mild to severe including irritability, head-

aches, fatigue or drowsi-ness, muscle stiffness, dif-ficulty concentrating and chills and/or hot spells.

Talk with your children, so they are aware and open about the risks associated with caffeine consumption. Make sure they understand that there are many ingre-dients that aren’t listed and encourage them to limit their intake. Patti Skelton-McGougan is Executive Director of Youth Eastside Services (YES). For more information, visit www.YouthEastsideServices.org.

Caffeine and popular energy drinks may pose risk for kidsPA

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• Jazz • Tap • Hip Hop• Lyrical • Ballet

Summer Camps Ages 3 - 12Camp Enchanted II June 27- July 1Dance Camp Rocks! July 22 - July 15On Broadway July 25 - July 29Catch the Dance Wave! Aug. 23 - Aug. 25

Dance Camp Intensives Ages 9 - 15Tap, Musical Theatre, Modern, Hip Hop

July 18 - July 22

Summer Camps 2011

Call Today • (425) 861-545417945 NE 65th • Suite 100 • Redmond, WA 98052

465928

www.redmond-reporter.com [9]March 4, 2011

Transitioning your toddler from the

playpen to preschool and kindergarten doesn’t have to be as overwhelming a task as it may seem, if you know what to expect.

Experts on education say children who are engaged in learning activities at an early age can most easily adapt to the new formal school environment. Parents can help make the transition easier by preparing a home environment similar to the classroom and engaging children in educational ac-tivities. Young children are naturally curious and eager to learn. Instilling a love of learning at an early age will help make the transition a positive experience.

� e following activities will help foster a child’s love of learning even before entering the classroom.

READINGSince literacy skills devel-

op in toddlerhood, parents can give their children an early start by exposing them to printed material. Read aloud to your children daily. � is activity exposes them to language, teaches them about books and helps them start identifying words and their sounds.

MATHNumeracy skills develop-

ment has become a high

priority for many school systems. Aid your children’s number savvy with simple and fun activ-ities. Count random objects from � ngers and toes to fruits and vegetables. Once

children learn basic numbers, they’ll probably want to count everything they see. Sing and say common counting rhymes such as “one-two-buckle my shoe” and “one potato, two potato” to reinforce numbers or be creative and make up your own.

SOCIAL SKILLSLearning social skills is

an essential part of early childhood development. � e more children interact with people other than their parents or siblings, the bet-ter they will be able to adapt to classmates and teachers. Participate in a “playdate.” � e intention of a playdate is to give children time to interact freely with others while fostering friendships. Search parenting websites for information on groups nearby. Denise Ensign is the director

of the Kumon Math and Reading Center of Redmond.

For more information, call (425) 869-3939.

ToTem Lake CLiniC12710 Totem Lake Blvd NE Kirkland, WA 98034 425-821-4040 Hours: M-Th: 8AM – 7PM F: 8AM – 5PM

Kurt R. Billett, M.D. Swapna J. Bobba, M.D.Paul E. Buehrens, M.D. Debra M. Chaput, M.D. Alexis R. David, M.D. Peter J. Lallas, D.P.M. Paul K. Mayeda, M.D. Larry E. Nacht, M.D. Paul E. Sandstrom, M.D. Roohi H. Wani, M.D. Chao-Ching Wu, M.D.

BoTheLL CLiniC10025 NE 186th St Bothell, WA 98011 425-486-9131 Hours: M-F: 8AM – 6PM S: 9AM – 4PM

Buckley A. Eckert, M.D. Sally R. Esser, M.D. David A. Higginbotham, D.O. Lilaine Leonardo, M.D. Ann S. Lu, M.D.Theresa A. Platz, M.D. Peter V. Sefton, M.D. Thomas A. Wilson, M.D.

• Accepting new patients• Same day & Saturday appointments• On-site lab and x-ray• Two locations for your convenience

www.LakeshoreCLiniC.Com

Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics & Podiatry

saTurdayappoinTmenTs

9am – 4pm

461763

suzukistringsofredmond.com

462964

Cello, Violin or ViolaGuiding you and your childon your musical path.Contact us for a FREE trial lesson

8250 165th Ave. NESte. #100Redmond, WA

of Redmondsuzuki strings

4 Lessons for the price

of three.

New students only.

• H O R S E B A C K •

R I D I N G L E S S O N S★ WESTERN and ENGLISH★ Show program consistently produces world champions★ National and world level training★ Monthly events for young riders★ Indoor & outdoor arenas/heated viewing room

www.capstonetrainingstables.com

(425) 891-1560FARM

466086

• Preferred provider for MICROSOFT PREMERA• New patients welcome!• State-of-the-art equipment and a caring dental team• Comprehensive Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics conveniently in one location

16650 NE 79th St., #100, Redmond, WA 98052(425) 558-4562

www.redmondkidsdentistry.com

sMembers of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

456923

Dr. Stephanie’s children, Alex and Kira.

• Preferred provider for MICROSOFT PREMERA

Dr. Stephanie’s children, Alex and Kira.

Redmond Toddler Group Annual Fundraising

CARNIVALSaturday, March 13, 2010

9am – 2pm

Evergreen Junior High School Cafeteria6900 208th Ave NE (Union Hill)

Redmond 98053

Fun games with prizes especially for kids ages 1-5

Games, Crafts, Cake Walk,Prizes and Raffle

Food & Drink available for purchase

Cash Only!Family Admission: $5.00 at the door

Game Tickets: 2 for $1.00*Raffle Tickets: $2.00 each

*Bring a nonperishable food

item to be donated to Hopelink & receive

ONE free game ticket per child

www.redmondtoddler.org

425.869.5605

461409

465929

...TODAY’S PARENTMaking the move from playtime to preschool

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