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FREE
MARCH 2021
What are camps
going to look like
Summer 2021?
Pregnant
during a pandemic
All Things Babies
MARCH Number 3 Volume 34
4
what’s inside
your 16
community
parenting
resource for
over 30 years!
featured topics
2 Editor’sNote 4
in this issue
Baby quirks – strange but normal
21
C
ongrats to moms who gave birth
during the pandemic! 10
Ways to support a new mom
3 H
umorMe
12
What are camps going to look
like this summer?
Parenthood is no picnic – it’s a
Safari 16
Talking to your child about
personal finances
6 CoverStory
Pregnant during a pandemic 20
A wee bit of fun for St. Patrick’s
Day
18 EducationConnection
How to calculate reading speed Around&About - Calendar of activities & events
22 Around&About This issue of Pittsburgh Parent includes our Around&About calendar of activities
March activities and events and events. Please submit your upcoming events to calendar.pittsburghparent@gmail.
com - the deadline for our April issue is March 28, 2021. Visit pittsburghparent.com to
add your event to our online calendar.
special section Remember to check all event’s websites since cancellations due to the pandemic are
still taking place in some cases.
4 – 11 All Things Babies Our thanks to our readers for your continued patience and partnership as we evolve
to meet the needs of our clients and our community!
READ
Online Today
www.pittsburghparent.com
• Why co-parenting matters during a pandemic
on the cover
• College Prep for sophomores and juniors:
Advice from an expert Cover: Ella – born during the 2020
pandemic to Christina and Tom
• Study reveals THESE crafts distract your Otroba of Canonsburg
kids for up to 34 minutes!
PittsburghParent.com MARCH 2021 1
Editor’sNote Patricia Poshard
Congrats to moms who gave birth during the pandemic!
I want to offer my most sincere congratulations to all the
moms who have given birth since last March when Covid-19
hit the US. To say the least, giving birth is a major event and Pittsburgh Parent is published 12 times
a little scary even during normal times. During my first and a year by Honey Hill Publishing, Inc.
only pregnancy I was told at five months I was carrying twins,
at seven months my husband was transferred from northern P.O. Box 674, Valencia, PA 16059
Minnesota back to our hometown of Pittsburgh – that was a 724-898-1898 • PittsburghParent.com
move we will never forget. The complications and unknowns kept me in a constant Office hours: Mon - Thurs, 9am-3pm
state of anxiety! Looking back, that was really no big deal compared to what preg-
nant moms have gone through to have a baby during the last year! Publisher: Lynn Honeywill-Norris
When it comes to birth, you simply cannot plan for every contingency. This is true manager@pittsburghparent.com
even without a pandemic. Editor: Patricia Poshard
Our writer Ann Howley has done a great job telling the stories of three local editor@pittsburghparent.com
moms in our cover story “Having a baby during a pandemic.” Since last March Calendar: Tracy Ashbaugh
medical professionals and moms have been unraveling the scientific facts associ- calendar.pittsburghparent@gmail.com
ated with pregnancy and Covid-19. Talk about dealing with the unknown – from day
Marketing & Finance:
to day it seemed the information was changing. Did or didn’t the virus have effects
manager@pittsburghparent.com
the unborn child? Who could enter a hospital safely to be with mom during her birth
experience? How can moms recover with a newborn without support when the family Production • Web • Social Media:
is quarantined for weeks at a time? Kathy Geib • web@pittsburghparent.com
But, babies do bring joy Media Account Executive:
Corina Shutack
According to mom Sarah Ezrinn, “To begin, having a baby requires us be present.
Advertising Sales:
Fear is often the brain jumping forward to what could happen in the future, but when
sales1@pittsburghparent.com
you are taking care of someone else — someone who relies on you for survival —
you must be fully in the moment. It is hard to think about anything else, when you’re Editorial • Social Media:
dealing with a blowout emergency or singing songs together.” Maria Castello
“To act afraid when babies can be so sensitive to even the slightest shift in our at- Founding Publisher:
tention changes the dynamic. The minute that my mind wanders toward fear or I start Marilyn McCabe Honeywill
to scroll on my phone for updates, our baby seems to sense it and reacts. He draws 1931 - 2013
me back to him with gentle squawks and squeals or sometimes, quite literally, with
his hands pulling my face toward his.” Follow Us on Social Media
She continues, “At a time when we are being asked to stay away from one facebook.com/pittsburghparentmagazine
another and to practice “social distancing,” babies are a powerful source of connec-
tion. Feeling their tiny hands wrap around your fingers or the way they gaze deeply instagram.com/pghparentmag
into your eyes brings you back to the moment.”
pinterest.com/pghparentmag
Babies elicit calm
“When a parent and baby connect chest to chest, whether for a snuggle or in twitter.com/pghparentmag
a carrier, the heart rates of both the baby and the parent not only lower but even
seem to synchronize. There is nothing more calming than hugging my son in close. www.PittsburghParent.com
An instant feeling of relief washes over me. They are powerful healers.”
@ Sign Up For Our E-Blast at
Babies are a source of joy
PittsburghParent.com
“Literally. Spending time with babies increases two key pleasure hormones in our Pittsburgh Parent is produced monthly with circulation
brains — dopamine and oxytocin. No matter how bad the news of the day or how targeted in and around Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver,
upset I may be, when I hold my baby close, and he flashes me a toothless grin, my Butler, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. Due
to the COVID-19 pandemic the publication is online
mood is immediately lifted.” at pittsburghparent.com and e-mailed to the homes
And they are hilarious of over 55,000 parents. Distribution of this magazine
does not constitute an endorsement of information,
Sarah says, “From being super smooshy as newborns to their little laughs and products or services. The publisher reserves the
developing senses of humor. I find myself belly laughing with our son multiple times right to reject any advertisement or listing which is
not in keeping with this publication’s standards. The
a day, and we all know laughter is the best medicine.” entire contents of the publication are copyrighted
and may not be reproduced or copied in any form
“Finally, I would do anything for my son and our family. During this pandemic, this
without the permission of the publisher. Copyright
has meant making decisions to take care of myself better than I perhaps would have Honey Hill Publishing, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved.
otherwise. By taking care of my son, I am learning how to take care of myself better
at a time when my health is important for the greater good.”
Yes, a baby can bring joy even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic! n
2 MARCH 2021 PittsburghParent.com
HumorMe Rick Epstein
Parenthood
is no picnic
(It’s a…
Safari)
obody ever said parenthood is a
picnic. Really it’s more of a safari.
shiping eyes, and the woman
reels back into the shrubbery. And pervading each scene and
You meet someone, you get Your daughter is about to start transaction, is parenthood’s true
married and you blithely plan a kindergarten, all dressed up and carry- purpose – to produce another lov-
family. It’s as if you are in a settlement at ing a new lunchbox. With smartphone ing person. That’s the mission and it’s
the edge of the jungle, buying supplies, in hand, you pose her in front of the the biggest thing any of us will ever
trying on sporty khaki outfits with ep- school. “Stand over there right next to attempt. Yes, every so often you’ll find
aulets, then celebrating with a drink in that cauldron and smile.” A red-faced yourself in the tightening coils of a huge
a bar with zebra skins on the walls and man sits chest-deep in the steaming wa- snake, but parenthood is really all about
ceiling fans turning slowly. On the stool ter amid sliced carrots and celery. One love, yours and theirs. n
beside you is an unshaven man in filthy eye is swollen shut and he is weeping
khakis. The whites of his eyes are yel- and wailing. Rick Epstein can be reached at
low and he smells bad. He grabs your “Hey, Mister,” you say. “Could you rickepstein@yahoo.com.
lapel with a shaking hand and says, “My keep it down? I’m trying to get a nice
daughter is marrying a guy that I can’t picture.”
stand, and the wedding is going to cost “I just p-p-put myself $150,000 in
me $30,000.” You look away, thinking, debt to p-p-pay for college,” he sobs, Attention Advertisers
“A crank. The tropics are full of them.” “and my son dropped out in the last se-
Conception occurs and the baby mester before g-g-graduation.” A tear
rolls from his good eye, down a bruised
Look What’s Coming
grows and begins kicking. Now you in the April Issue of
are in the jungle, marching at the head cheek and into the hot water.
of your entourage. The rhythmic throb “You should’ve saved up,” you say. Pittsburgh Parent
of native drums begins at dawn and Then, as if tossing a bay leaf into his
continues all day. It seems to be coming
from every direction and it does not
soup, you add, “You probably didn’t
read to him when he was little.”
Summer fun begins with
stop. There is agitation in the ranks.
You look to your guide, and there
You take your child by the hand and
go to meet her first teacher.
Pittsburgh Parent
are beads of sweat on his waxy skin. ***
He says, “Bwana, the drums warn of Twenty years ago, I announced to
childbirth. They foretell 36 hours of my father that my wife and I were ex-
labor and unspeakable agony.” You pecting our first baby. Dad said, “Son,
turn around to find all the porters have you are embarking upon an adventure
vanished with the food and ammo. the likes of which you cannot imagine.”
“Haven’t these primitive drummers The old man knew what he was talk-
heard of Lamaze?” you say and march ing about. Unless you’ve raised a child
on. or two, you haven’t lived; you’ve merely
The baby is born after 36 hours of skimmed across Life’s surface, glanced
labor and unspeakable agony. A perfect through its brochure or “liked” it on
little girl. Three months later you put Facebook.
her in a stroller and take her to the park.
There is a crashing in the bushes and a
In any given day, raising kids can PITTSBURGH PARENT
woman stumbles into the clearing. She
be as challenging as taming hyenas, as
exciting as discovering a lost tribe, as
SUMMER ACTIVITIES &CAMP GUIDE
is wild-eyed, her clothes hang in shreds
and her body has been raked by claws.
painful as a pantload of fire ants, and as April Issue Space Deadline
fun as tickling a monkey. March 5, 2021
She raves, “My daughter is 13 and she Parenthood will propel you through
thinks I’m an idiot and only her so-called For More Information on Advertising
emotional landscapes as jolly as a field
friends know anything. But they are of Easter eggs, as scary as an Emergen- (724)
malignant dopes!” sales1@pittsburghparent.com
Your baby looks up at you with wor-
cy Room, and as eerie as the front seat 898-1898
of a car with your child at the wheel.
PittsburghParent.com MARCH 2021 3
All Things
BABY
Baby quirks
Strange (but normal!) things babies do
By Christa Melnyk Hines
very new parent at some point about seizures when their infant sud- Mellick says.
wonders: Is my baby supposed to denly throws out their ams and legs as if If you’re ever concerned about
do that? Is this normal? they’re falling. strange movements that your baby
Morgan Shandler recalls Pediatrician Jennifer Mellick, MD, makes, try to video record it, suggests
several moments of new mama anxiety FAAP, says that the startle or Moro Jennifer McBride, MD, internal medi-
during the first few weeks home with Reflex is a normal neurological infantile cine and pediatric specialist.
her daughter, who is now a busy one reflex that disappears as the nervous “Nine times out of ten, baby won’t
year old. system matures. do the motion when in the office with
“One thing that particularly freaked “If you believe in evolution, there’s us. If parents record it, I can see what
me out was when Violet would bob probably some reason why mammals the baby looks like when they are do-
her head when attempting to nurse. and homo sapiens have this instinctual ing that movement and either reassure
It almost looked like she was having a need to grasp, and if they’re falling, them or decide if we need to do some-
seizure or like she was a broken down reach out to find something and grab thing else,” McBride says.
robot,” Shandler says. “But my pedia- on. Babies do that same kind of thing.
Funny breathing. Babies have
trician assured me it was a completely If they feel like they are falling, they are
breathing patterns that alarm many
normal part of ‘rooting’ for the breast.” going to throw their arms and legs out
newbie parents. Physicians call it “peri-
wide to find their caregiver and grab,”
Startle reflex. Parents also worry odic breathing of the newborn” – and
4 MARCH 2021 All Things BABY PittsburghParent.com
it’s completely normal. color or lacking in the brown
“They will almost pant for a period or green tones or if there is
of time and then they will pause for sev- ever blood or red in the
eral seconds – several seconds in baby diaper,” McBride says.
breathing seems like a really, really long Difficulty
time. Then, they take a deep breath, let pooping. Your
out a deep sigh and they pant again,” baby may
Mellick says. appear to
Babies also often make lots of struggle
“gurgly, snorty sounds,” says Michael
Greenfield, MD, internal medicine and
pediatric specialist.
“This is pretty normal because ba-
bies have to breath through their nose
when they’re eating and a lot of babies
have congestion so it will make their
breathing sound much worse than it
really is,” Greenfield says.
Bless you! Just as babies make
funny sounds when they breath, they
often sneeze, which leads parents to
wonder if their child suffers from aller-
gies or is getting sick.
“That’s just how the baby clears
out his nose because they can’t
blow their nose like we can,”
McBride says.
Hiccups. Just like
the rest of us, babies Did you know?
experience hic- your physician.
cups, which are Baby girls born with an intact More zzz’s...
sudden con- uterus can sometimes have a little Photo by Katie Smith
pretty please?
tractions blood in their diaper after birth. on Unsplash Among the most popular
of the dia-
phragm. This “mini period” happens be- questions pediatricians field
from tired parents has to do
Often a cause they are no longer receiving with sleep and when everyone in
baby can get their mother’s estrogen. the family can get more of it.
when they
hiccups after a “Sleep is the Holy Grail of parent-
go, but as long as
feeding. -Source: Jennifer McBride, MD hood,” Mellick says.
their poop is soft and
“Babies will hic- Babies generally don’t sleep for long
doesn’t look like pellets
cup for hours on end, periods of time because they need to
or rocks (a sign of constipa-
which doesn’t bother eat every few hours. Their tiny tummies
tion), don’t worry.
them at all,” Greenfield can only hold so much milk.
Babies can have dirty dia-
says. “As they get older, they still need
pers anywhere from once a day to
Scaly scalp. Cradle cap, every few days. to eat frequently because they need a
which is a greasy, yellowish, scaly “Formula-fed babies don’t neces- large volume to get the calories they
rash on the head, may not look cute, sarily poop every day and sometimes need to grow,” Mellick says.
but it’s usually nothing to worry about. that concerns parents, but the body By about six months, your baby
Try brushing your baby’s hair or head doesn’t process formula as fast as it should be sleeping for a seven to eight
once a day with a soft baby brush, does breastmilk,” McBride explains. hour stretch.
which will help loosen the natural oils If your little one is passing watery Wait, they changed. What is
on the scalp to avoid build up. Moistur- diarrhea, contact your doctor as this can normal today probably won’t last since
izers like baby oil, mineral oil or coconut be a sign of an infection. babies grow and change rapidly, but al-
oil can also help. ways consult your family physician with
Jeepers, creepers... It may look
“If it seems to be getting worse or any concerns.
weird, but babies sometimes sleep with
looking really red, that would be a time “We’d rather you call with a ques-
their eyes half open or appear as if their
to see the pediatrician. It could be a tion that isn’t really something to be
eyes are rolling around in their head.
sign that baby is going to have ec- alarmed about than miss something that
“I don’t know that anyone knows
zema, which typically runs in families,” is,” Mellick says. n
why eyes roll around the head. It’s
McBride says.
probably something to do with their
Strange colored poop. Depending sleep patterns. They don’t have well- Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk
on whether your baby is breast-fed or organized R.E.M. sleep at that age,” Hines and her husband are the parents
formula-fed, the color of their poop can Mellick says. of two adolescent sons, who still do
range from green and yellow to brown. Occasionally, it may appear that strange things! Christa is the author
Breast-fed babies will have more color your baby’s eyes are crossing, which is of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected:
variations since breastmilk is comprised normal up to 18 months of age. If your Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a
of mom’s diet. baby’s eyes seem persistently crossed Digital World.
“I get worried if the poop is a gray or turned in or out, however, talk with
PittsburghParent.com All Things BABY MARCH 2021 5
Pregnant
during a pandemic
By Ann K. Howley
n March, I was eight months pregnant,” says first-time South Park mom,
Emma Cencich. “Everything was locked down. It was unnerving.”
Pennsylvania recorded its first two cases of COVID-19 on March 6,
2020. Less than two weeks later, the Department of Health announced
the first death in the state. As the virus continued to spread through the com-
monwealth and case counts climbed, Governor Tom Wolf ordered all non-life
sustaining business to close, and on March 23, 2020, Allegheny County was
included among the first counties to be issued a stay-at-home order.
From that point on, Emma’s husband, Sebastian, was no longer
allowed to go with her to her bi-weekly doctor checkups. Emma
remembers how eerie her doctor’s office felt. There was no
administrative staff in the office, only the doctor and a nurse
were there. The waiting room was empty, chairs were sepa-
rated, and everything looked sterile.
“It was like one of those sci-fi movies” Emma says. “I
never thought this would happen.”
There was much uncertainty at that time, and her doc-
tor advised her to be as cautious as possible, warning her
that being pregnant could potentially put her in a high risk
category for COVID.
What are the risks for pregnant women?
At the beginning of the pandemic, doctors initially feared
that COVID might spread from mother to fetus, which they
now believe is not the case.
However, according to local Dr. Michael Aziz, a Maternal-
Fetal Medicine Specialist and State Liaison for the Society
Emma for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the bigger fear was that COVID
would be like two other recent viral outbreaks.
“MERS and SARS were deadly for pregnant women,”
Dr. Aziz says. “In those outbreaks, 25 percent to 35 percent of
pregnant women who contracted those viruses died, and when this
pandemic started, we feared COVID would be just as deadly.”
Although the overall risks are generally low for women of reproductive
age, studies indicate that pregnant women who develop symptoms are indeed
at significantly higher risk for severe illness.
“Pregnant mothers are more likely to end up in intensive care and require
intubation,” Dr. Aziz says. “They are also more likely to need ECMO treatment,”
which, in laymen’s terms, means being hooked up to a heart/lung machine.
The risks are even greater for black and Latina women who are pregnant.
Although they comprise only about 14 percent of sample cases, they represent
37 percent of COVID deaths.
“It spreads like wildfire.”
Julie Watkins and her husband, Devin, who live in Belle Vernon, didn’t want
to wait to have a baby.
“We’ve been wanting kids for so long,” Julie says.
The couple found out that she was pregnant in June 2020 which means
that their baby, due in February 2021, will be one of the millions of “pandemic
babies” around the world conceived and born during this international health
crisis.
In November, Devin tested positive for COVID.
“He had cold symptoms and was achy for a few days,” she says. “One thing
Dr. Michael Aziz scared him, it was hard to breathe. It takes your breath away.”
6 MARCH 2021 All Things BABY PittsburghParent.com
Fortunately, his symptoms were expect. Christina fortunately did not
minor, but his illness raised additional have a high risk pregnancy, so the
questions and concerns and Julie only appointments she had to attend
wasn’t sure how worried she and her in-person were for important visits,
husband should be. like at 20 weeks, when she was
“When Devin got sick, we won- scheduled for an ultrasound.
dered if I should go to my parents’ Tom was allowed to come
house? But if I had it, I couldn’t go to with her, but some
my parents. I was afraid of giving it to of her pregnant
them.” friends told her
Julie got tested, and was relieved they had to do their
when both the rapid test and the diag- ultrasounds alone,
nostic test sent to the lab were nega- which Christina
tive, but she still didn’t know what she thought would be a
should do. “sad thing to have
“Should I get tested again?” she to do by yourself.”
wondered. The hardest part
Ultimately, the couple decided to for Christina was
“ride it out.” She and Devin quaran- not hearing the
tined for 14 days. At home, they tried heartbeat every
to stay away from each other as much visit.
as possible, sleeping in separate “You always
rooms for a few weeks. want to hear the Julie & Devin
“I didn’t get it,” Julie says, but in heartbeat, which
hindsight, she wonders if maybe she shows the baby is
did contract the coronavirus first, as okay and still alive
she remembers feeling achy and tired in there. You have
after the Halloween weekend. At the to have faith that
time, she thought she was just worn everything is okay,” she
out, but Devin got sick shortly after says.
that. Her delivery felt very different
“I wish I knew where he got it? compared to when her son, Oliver,
Even people who are being so cau- was born two years ago. This time, ev-
tious are still getting it. It spreads like eryone had to wear masks, the medi-
wildfire.” cal staff took temperature checks, Advice for pregnant and
and asked questions about whether breastfeeding women
The protocols had to change or not she had been exposed to or
The coronavirus pandemic has The Centers for Disease Control
tested for COVID. When her daughter
forced hospitals, doctors, nurses and (CDC) recommends that pregnant and
Ella arrived on October 30, 2020 via
medical personnel to change the way breastfeeding women take the follow-
C-section, Tom was allowed to be
they provide prenatal and postpartum ing steps to protect themselves from
with her during delivery, but hospital
care. COVID:
personnel asked him to stay at the
Canonsburg mom, Christina •• Limit interactions with people
hospital the whole time and not leave.
Otroba, noticed the difference. She who might have been exposed
No other visitors were allowed.
and her husband, Tom, found out that to or infected with COVID-19,
Christina also noticed that this
she was pregnant in early February including people within your
time the hospital didn’t offer any
right before the pandemic hit. household, as much as possible.
special programs. For example, “there
“At first we thought it was no big •• When going out or interacting
was no photographer or entertain-
deal,” she says, but after her first gy- with others outside your imme-
ers. There used to be a class about
necological appointment, she recon- diate household, wear a mask,
the newborn environment where they
sidered. “Okay, this is going to be an stay at least six feet away from
showed a video, but none of that hap-
issue,” she realized. others outside your household,
pened. It was very different.”
Over the next eight months, half and frequently wash your hands
“Desperation breeds innovation,”
of her office visits were conducted with soap and water for at least
reminds Dr. Aziz. “COVID protocols
virtually. She bought a blood pressure 20 seconds.
are just a stopgap.”
cuff so that she could keep track of •• Avoid activities where taking
He believes that some of the
her blood pressure and weight on her protective measures may be dif-
changes worked well. For example,
own and report it during each virtual ficult and where social distanc-
he thinks the video visits have been
visit. Her doctor also gave her a script ing can’t be maintained.
helpful. Some research indicates that
to buy urinalysis testing strips which •• Don’t skip your healthcare ap-
there has been a significant drop in
she obediently used before every pointments during and after
preterm birth rate.
appointment so her doctor could re- pregnancy.
“This would be a good outcome,”
motely assess her bladder and kidney •• Get recommended vaccines,
he says. “We don’t think that this is
function and watch for any signs of including the vaccine against in-
from visiting the doctor less. It may be
preeclampsia or diabetes. fluenza and the whooping cough
from being able to stay home or work
“If this was my first pregnancy, it (Tdap) vaccine to help protect
less. This is probably why these trends
would have been nerve wracking,” you and your baby.
were not present in minority women.
Christina says. But since this was her But we will find out in the long term if To vaccinate or not?
second pregnancy, she felt comfort- care protocols were beneficial or not,” At the time of this writing, the
able and had a better idea of what to he concludes.
Continued on page 8…
PittsburghParent.com All Things BABY MARCH 2021 7
Joint Statement issued in support helps track her pregnancy week by
of public health measures to week. The app includes a chat forum
combat COVID-19. The Joint with women from all over the world.
Statement also recom- “I’m on it all the time,” she says.
mends that “eligible
patient popula-
Christina
tions, including Christina admits that she’s not
pregnant women, certain if she and her husband would
consult with their have tried to get pregnant if they
trusted physicians knew there would be a pandemic, but
when considering for them, everything turned out fine.
whether to take In fact, she tells me that she thought
the vaccine.” that 2020 “was the perfect time to get
In addition, the pregnant.”
American College When I ask her what she means,
of Obstetricians she pauses for a moment before she
and Gynecologists explains.
states that vac- “Obviously I don’t want to get
cines “should not COVID or risk the baby getting COVID,
be withheld from but I got to work from home the entire
pregnant individu- length of my pregnancy. If I felt nau-
Christina seous, I was at home. I could climb into
als who meet crite-
ria for vaccination,” my bed and work from there. It was
as well as lactating wonderful. The other part is that I never
women. had to wear nice maternity clothes.
The CDC similarly I had old T shirts, but I never had to
agrees that “people who are spend money on clothes to look good.”
pregnant and part of a group rec- She admits that trying to work
ommended to receive the coronavirus from home now with an infant and a
vaccine, such as health-care personal, toddler is hard, but when she was still
may choose to be vaccinated.” pregnant and people would ask her
Continued from page 7… “One thing I take seriously,“ Dr. Aziz how it was going, she almost sounded
says, “is that the medical society needs apologetic.
Food and Drug Administration to go on the offensive. It’s easy to sit “Actually it’s fantastic,” she would
(FDA) recently issued emergency back and get drowned out by people tell them.
use authorization for two vaccines who are not experts in the field.” Emma
for the prevention of COVID-19
There is a bright side March and April 2020 were tough
manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech
months. As her due date approached,
and Moderna. Federal and state Pregnancy is supposed to be a the worry of contracting COVID added
governments are currently in the time of joyful anticipation for couples, to the typical third trimester stress
process of distributing both vac- families and friends. Even as distribu- that pregnant women experience.
cines and the Pennsylvania De- tion of the COVID vaccine ramps up On top of that, she lost her job doing
partment of Health is rolling out a across the country, there continues social media, marketing and e-com-
phased distribution approach based to be uncertainty about the future. No merce for a local business, and her
on supply, demand and risk. one knows how long this pandemic husband experienced a sudden health
Dr. Aziz points out that pregnant will last. Despite the strain of being issue unrelated to COVID that required
and breastfeeding women were not pregnant during a pandemic, I found him to be hospitalized for a few days.
included in the initial vaccine trials. it encouraging that all three women I “I had just lost my income and my
Instead these women were excluded spoke to still expressed happiness and husband was in the hospital. I wanted
from the trials. In the meantime, spon- optimism about their pregnancies. to feel like I had some kind of control
sors conducted developmental and
Julie over the situation.” So she decided
reproductive toxicity (DART) studies to
to start her own social media and e-
ensure the safety of the vaccine. “So far, it’s been good.”
commerce business, Cencich Cre-
However, knowing that the vaccine Devin completely recovered from
ative, right before her son, Carter, was
is administered via an RNA delivery his bout with COVID in the fall, and
born on April 14, 2020.
system, Dr. Aziz says “it is not scientifi- the two of them are looking forward
She chuckles. “New baby and new
cally plausible that the vaccine could to the birth of their (spoiler alert!) son,
business in one month during a pan-
be transmitted to the baby.” It is also who is due in February.
demic,” she says, summing it up.
encouraging, he notes, that no major Julie is currently in the third tri-
Since then, she has been balanc-
safety problems have been reported mester of her pregnancy. As her belly
ing work with nursing and taking care
in both human and animal studies, grows bigger, she is feeling more fa-
of Carter. She loves both being a
and pregnant and breastfeeding tigued, especially because she has to
mother and having her own business.
women are expected to participate in be on her feet working as a hair stylist
“I am making it work,” Emma says.
upcoming trials. in her salon.
“Being a mom brings a lot of creativity
“Right now we think the benefit of “I’m wearing two masks now to be
to everything I do.” n
the vaccine outweighs the risk,” says extra cautious,” she says.
Dr. Aziz, referencing the conclusion Despite the pandemic, Julie has
While Pittsburgh writer, Ann K.
reached by the Society for Maternal- found a way to connect with other
Howley, was writing this article, she
Fetal Medicine and other influential mothers-to-be. She enjoys using an
was thrilled to learn that she was going
women’s health organizations in a app called What to Expect, which
to be a grandma for the first time.
8 MARCH 2021 All Things BABY PittsburghParent.comTips for choosing the
right OB-GYN
By Rachael Moshman
d been having heavy bleeding for asking the nurses who receptionist
days before I called my gynecolo- work in the department basically said it
gist for an appointment. I was able at the hospital. “We know wasn’t her problem.”
to get an appointment that day, but which doctors tend to have Schedule a consultation
spent hours waiting to be seen. When the patients with the most post-op
the doctor finally came in, he curtly complications. We also know which OB- If an OB-GYN is reluctant to
asked a few questions, did a quick GYN doctors specialize in specific is- meet with you in the office prior, steer
exam, called it a “missed pregnancy” sues such as pregnancy complications.” clear. You are considering hiring them
and left the room. as your doctor. An interview isn’t out
Make your wish list of the question. Heidi, the mother of
I had no idea what that meant. The
nurse explained that it was more com- This is different from determining a teenage girl, says, “If you are not
monly known as a miscarriage. I thought your needs. These are the items that comfortable sitting across a desk from
my late period was due to stress. aren’t deal breakers, but will score a someone then you will not be comfort-
Pregnancy hadn’t even occurred to me. doctor bonus points. I look for someone able with them examining you.”
I was crushed. who is located within twenty minutes Trust your instincts
Thankfully, I had a kind nurse who of my office and has early morning ap-
pointments, since I work full time. My Freelance writer, Kim, says, “I
explained what was happening to me switched doctors because my OB-GYN
since the doctor didn’t. I never returned sister prefers female doctors.
My friend Patrick crashed the Face- was dismissive when I said I wanted to
to that OB-GYN office. try natural remedies first.” Travel agent,
A woman’s OB-GYN sees her at her book conversation with advice from
the male perspective, “Check to see Danielle, adds, “Many people don’t
most vulnerable, both physically and realize that an OB-GYN isn’t the only
emotionally. Finding someone you trust what year the doctor graduated college
and look for the most recent date to option when you’re pregnant. After
and are comfortable with are important some not so great experiences with
factors in ensuring you receive the high- increase the chances of him being cute.
Also, see if the stirrup thing has a warm- an OB-GYN, I went with a professional
est quality of care. midwife and loved every second!”
Here are some tips from other er so that it’s not cold on your legs.”
If I had known these tips five years
women on choosing an OB-GYN. Visit the office ago, perhaps I would have been with
Determine your needs You can tell a lot about an office by a more compassionate doctor when I
Are you primarily seeking birth con- observing the patients in the waiting found out I was experiencing a miscar-
trol? Do you have any specific condi- room and the front office staff. Were riage. We rely on our OB-GYN to get us
tions or concerns? Are you pregnant or you greeted when you walked in? If not, through some of the most delicate times
trying to conceive? take a seat and see if anyone notices of our life – while we’re naked with our
Lynn, a graphic designer, says her you. How long are patients waiting? legs spread. We owe it to ourselves to
priorities have changed over time. “I’m Katrina, an occupational therapist find the right person for the job. n
done conceiving so I want someone to assistant, quickly scratched a practice
just help me stay healthy and write my off her list of possibilities after observ- Rachael Moshman is a mom, freelance
Rx for birth control. When I was trying ing for just a few minutes. “Several very writer and blogger. She lives with her
to conceive (and for both pregnancies) pregnant women were complaining husband, daughter, three cats and a
it was really important to me to find that they had been waiting two hours or mannequin named Vivian. Find her at
out their policies for birth and delivery. more past their appointment time. The www.rachaelmoshman.com.
Would ‘my’ doctor be the one deliver-
ing? Or would I simply be at the mercy
of the doctor on-call at the time?”
Ask around
Social worker, Mary Ellen, asks
her friends for recommendations PENN HILLS & IRWIN LOCATIONS Evening and Weekend
when seeking a new OB-GYN. She
says, “It may seem awkward, but just SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT: Hours Available
ask. Most women are happy to tell you 833-PMA-DOC1
who they see.” If you’re uncomfort-
able asking people in person, turn to
Facebook. That’s what I did for this ar-
ticle. As you can see, my friend’s weren’t
embarrassed to talk about it at all.
Do your research PremierMedicalAssociates.com Member of the Allegheny
Health Network
Cheryl, an OB-GYN nurse, suggests
PremierMedicalAssociates.com
PittsburghParent.com All Things BABY MARCH 2021 9Ways to support a new mom
By Sarah Lyons
djusting to having a new baby in the Bring the family their
house can be difficult for the whole favorite take out or send a
family. Sleepless nights and a gift card.
change in routine can leave mom
Set up a train
feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
Offering support to a family with a new When one meal just
baby can help them adjust to their new doesn’t cover it, set up a
normal. Often when you ask, mom isn’t meal train using websites
able to think of the exact way she needs like www.signupgenius.
help. Here are some ideas: com or www.taketh-
emameal.com. Discuss
Stop by the store with the family the
Going to the store with newborn and most convenient dates
possibly older children for the first time and times to de-
can be a daunting task. Offer to pick up liver meals and solicit
a few things the family needs. This is friends to fill all the
especially easy if you will be out running open spots. Social media is a
errands already. Many grocery stores great place to recruit people you might
now offer drive through pick up. Have not think to ask.
the family order and pay for groceries another great way to bring cheer and
Let her shower
online, then pick them up and deliver make mom feel special.
them. Helping to put them away would A new mom may feel she doesn’t
have time for basic things like a shower, Don’t stay too long
be an extra bonus.
rest or time to eat a meal. One of the Families who have newborns gener-
Help around the house simplest ways to help a new mom is ally like to have company, especially if
Sweep the floor, fold laundry, to hold the baby and watch the other they pitch in around the house and with
vacuum or do dishes.. Even a little bit children while she eats lunch, enjoys a the kids. However, don’t overstay your
of tidying up can make a big difference. relaxing shower, or takes a short nap. welcome. New parents tire easily. Visit
A clean house during a time of transi- When mom is rested, fed and freshened the family, bring a meal and help out but
tion can bring order to a time that feels up, it can really make her feel ready to watch for clues from mom as to when
chaotic. However, mom may prefer to take on the rest of the day. the family would like some alone time.
clean herself. Offer to care for the baby Take her somewhere
Help with the older kids
and other children while she works on a
household project. Show support by offering to pick Mom may not be able to drive for a
up the older kids, even if it’s just for a few weeks after birth. Offer to take her
Come when others don’t couple hours. If you are taking your own on errands or just out for coffee. Being
Not all new moms are “new moms”. children to the park, swing by and pick able to get out of the house can do
Families that are adding their second, up her’s for the afternoon. This gets wonders for someone’s attitude.
third or fourth child need help just as them out of the house and gives mom Don’t give advice
much as first time moms, if not more. a break. Driving the kids to school or
When there are older children there is activities is also a big help for a family An important tip for anyone chatting
no time for resting when the baby rests. with a new baby. Time alone with baby with a new mom is to listen but don’t
Older children do not stop activities may be just what mom needs. give advice unless you are asked. It can
just because a new baby has arrived be frustrating and overwhelming to get
Ask about her birth story unsolicited advice from everyone she
and mom and dad are tired. It can be
very difficult to entertain a toddler while Giving birth is a huge milestone, an bumps into.
mom is nursing or changing diapers. experience no mom will ever forget. It’s important to ask mom what would
Offer to take care of the older children Every birth has a story and many times, help her. Would she prefer to have help
for mom or offer to take care of baby so there aren’t a lot of chances to tell it. with housework? Would she like you
she can spend some alone time with her Ask about her birth story and listen. Be- to hold the baby while she gets some
older children. coming a mom is a joyful, stressful, awe things done? Some moms would prefer
inspiring and life changing experience. to have someone to chat with for awhile
Provide a meal Telling the birth story helps women to and some moms may want to get out of
Friends and family often send ver- process and embrace this new journey. the house for a bit. Offer several options
satile casseroles like lasagna after the
Bring a gift for mom and see what sounds most appealing
new baby is home. Try thinking outside to the new mom. Any offer to help is
the 13x9 pan. Why not bring the family Many people bring gifts for the
baby, but mom is usually the one doing always appreciated by a family adjusting
the fixings for breakfast and lunch rather to having a new baby in the house. n
than just dinner?. Stock the freezer with all the work. Bring a snack or treat for
easy, ready to make items like pizza, mom to enjoy. Other great gifts are
ones that pamper mom or make her Sarah Lyons, mom of six, has learned
pasta dishes, soups and crock pot first hand what it is like to adjust to a
meals. Then the family can pull some- feel beautiful and comfortable in her
postpartum body. Lotion, perfume, a new baby in the house. She is so grate-
thing out of the freezer when they are ful for the family and friends that helped
not up for cooking. Crunched for time new nightgown or slippers are some
good ideas. A delivery of flowers is her as each baby came home and loves
or don’t feel like making an extra meal? to return the favor to others.
10 MARCH 2021 All Things BABY PittsburghParent.comPittsburghParent.com All Things BABY MARCH 2021 11
What are
camps going
to look like
this summer?
By Ann K. Howley
ummer camps already experi-
enced one COVID season in 2020,
and it appears there’s a good
chance the novel coronavirus will
still be around for the foreseeable
future.
Last year, some camps opted not
to hold summer youth programs, and
in-person camps that chose to con-
tinue to operate during the pandemic
incorporated stringent health and
safety measures. The introduction of
virtual camping was a creative new
option that allowed kids to enjoy
summer camp activities from the
comfort and safety of home.
This year, camp providers
have had a valuable head
start as they prepare for the
upcoming camping season.
Here is an overview of the
strategies local camp
providers have planned
for the summer
of 2021.
Camp Deer Creek
12 MARCH 2021Full speed ahead
Carnegie Science Center
Camp Deer Creek . . . since 1933
carnegiesciencecenter.org
The big news at the Carnegie Sci-
ence Center is that the Buhl Planetarium
upgrade is complete and ready for sum-
mer campers. Equipped with a brand
new projection system and canvas, the
planetarium now offers improved ac-
cessibility for people with hearing and
visual impairments.
“Students can actually be immersed
Pittsburgh’s Oldest & Finest Family Owned & Operated Children’s Day Camp
in the cosmos and check out the weath- June 14 - August 6, 2021 • Transportation provided in many Pittsburgh areas
er via International Space Station,” Ages 4 - 15 • campdeercreekonline.com • 412-767-5351
says Connie George, Senior Director
of Marketing and Community Relations
at the Science Center. “We are social
distancing in the theater and limiting The show must go on
the capacity to 28, as well as enhanced Little Lake Theatre www.littlelake.org
surface cleaning and air filtration.”
Little Lake Theatre is ready for
The Science Center is also moving anything. Last summer, the camps were
forward with 2021 in-person summer fully enrolled and they were all set to go
camps for kids ages 6 to17 encom- when COVID hit.
passing a wide range of interests. The “We made the decision in March to
youngest campers can enjoy topics like go online,” says artistic director, Jena
Grossology and Camp Magic School Oberg.
Bus, while older kids will have the op- The Zoom camps consisted of 25 to
portunity to learn how to make rockets, 30 minute sessions with a fun break in
robots, animation, and how to survive a the middle.
zombie apocalypse. “These were fun things that inspired
creativity and problem solving,” Jena
Continued on page 14…
PittsburghParent.com MARCH 2021 13Continued from page 13… “By April or May, it might be clear which direction we
will go,” Jena says. “It’s been an interesting year.”
says. For example,
the kids would have
to create a mon- Business as usual
ster costume with Camp Deer Creek
whatever was in campdeercreekonline.com
the room, or pick
When you’ve been providing the summer camp expe-
an object in the
rience to generations of Pittsburghers since 1933, there’s
room to make a
not much that can stop you. Not even a pandemic.
commercial.
This year marks the 89th season for Camp Deer Creek,
When parents
the area’s oldest children’s day camp located in Cheswick,
saw how fun the
Pennsylvania.
online classes
Director Wes Weitzel, whose family has owned and
operated the camp for almost 50 years, says “Camp Deer
Creek is a genuine, old school, day camp
Virtual Zoom Camp
with horses, a pool, a climbing wall and
archery. We are not sports specific, or just an arts
were, many ended
and crafts camp. We do a little bit of every-
up registering their children
thing… and we provide transportation and lunch
up for multiple sessions, and
every day.”
because of the interest and
Last summer, despite the pandemic, the camp
success of the summer Zoom
was able to operate status quo, primarily because
classes, the Theatre contin-
everything is 100 percent outdoors, which is the
ued to offer fall and winter
optimal environment to protect campers from
classes for both kids and
infection.
adults.
“The biggest building is still like a big, screened
This summer, they are
porch,” Wes says.
hoping to hold in-person
Still, campers, counsellors, and staff had regular
camps, using a big tent so Virtual Zoom Camp temperature checks and Wes does not recall that
kids can be outdoors in the
anyone got sick or had to be sent home.
fresh air with plenty of room, even
“We tried to be as safe as possible.”
with masks and special distancing. The backup plan is to
Even Residence Week, which allows campers
continue the virtual Zoom camps.
aged 7 to 16 to spend extra time doing their favorite activity,
AMPS
ACADEMIC C
TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS from 9 a.m. − 3 p.m.
DATES: June 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & July 1
Open to girls entering 6th, 7th & 8th grade.
SPORTS
S
SESSIONKILL
S
E
FOR GIRLS ENTERING 6 -8 GRAD
TH TH
WEDNESDAYS from 9 a.m. − 12 p.m.
BECAUSE ACADEMICS + DATES: June 16, 23 & 30
ATHLETICS MATTER Open to girls entering 6th, 7th & 8th grade.
For more information, visit
www.oaklandcatholic.org/admissions/summer
14 MARCH 2021 PittsburghParent.comAges 4 - 17
Camp Deer Creek 412-243-6464 | www.geminitheater.org
such as horseback riding or swimming,
went off without a hitch.
Specialized
SUMMER CAMP
“That was fine, too,” says Wes.
The two main priorities at Camp
Deer Creek are for kids to be safe and
have fun, and it doesn’t look like the
coronavirus will derail those plans in the June 21 - July 2 & August 2 - 13
summer of 2021.
Mon. - Fri., 9am - 3pm
Satisfaction guaranteed
Designed for children with moderate to
Camp Invention invent.org high functioning autism spectrum disorders.
For years, area schools and educa- Any child ages 8 to 18 in need of social skill development is considered.
tors have teamed up with nationally
recognized Camp Invention, a program
of the National Inventors Hall of Fame,
VISIT www.gladerun.org OR CALL 724-452-4453 TO REGISTER.
to offer fun, STEM-centric summer
camps for students in kindergar-
ten through 6th grade. Normally,
the Camp Invention modules
Looking Forward to Brighter Days!
are one-week, in-person camps.
What’s different this summer is
the new 2021 format is designed
to run both in-person and at
home, so all children
will get an
Camp Invention
to switch their experience
format up to six weeks before their
camp start date.
The activities for summer 2021
include modules to design a mor-
phing road rally vehicle, reverse
Camp Invention engineer a wireless microphone,
build a rubber duck launching
device, or construct a solar-powered
engaging cricket, which sounds like fun whether
and fun experience while kids attend camp at a local campus or
attending camp. Kids who are camp- stay at home. n
ing at home will have on and off screen
learning options and materials will be Pittsburgh writer Ann K. Howley Summer 2021
shipped directly to them. recommends that parents check out the Join us at one of our two locations,
To address any uncertainty that annual Summer Activities & Camp Expo Bridgeville or Robinson
families face when planning for the at pittsburghparent.com for a helpful Call: 412-257-2000 or
upcoming summer camp season, Camp listing of art, sports, academic, and spe- Visit: www.thomasdance.com
Invention offers what they call a “Peace cialty camping options in the area. Camps, Classes, and Workshops for
of Mind Promise,” which allows parents all ages, all summer long!
PittsburghParent.com MARCH 2021 15Talking to your child about
personal finance By Angela Wu and Alina Zaidi
ou successfully taught them their ABC’s. You taught them to say “please” and don’t know what there is to learn.
“thank you”. You taught them how to tie their shoes. But what about teaching But the basics aren’t enough;
them how to manage money? It might seem absurd to teach a five-year-old kids need to know the specifics
about mortgages and credit reports, but learning about finance should start at a to actually succeed. Parents need
young age, just like everything else. You don’t expect a first grader to learn calculus, to educate themselves about the
but you teach them how to add. Likewise, personal financial literacy starts from the specifics so they can transfer their
basics. knowledge in an easy-to-under-
According to a Next Gen Personal Finance report, only 1 in 6 high schools stand manner to their kids.
require students to take a personal finance course, which is why parents play a huge • Start early. Young children are
role in teaching their children the skills necessary for financial success. thrust into a new world with new
things to discover every day.
What should I do? Make personal finance another
• Educate yourself first. Before you attempt to explain what treasury bonds are, fascinating topic to discover.
you need to first understand what they are yourself. A 2015 Standard & Poor Knowledge builds up over time,
survey found that only 57 percent of U.S. adults were financially literate. There and that requires a good base.
are plenty of resources available in books and online. Investopedia is a great While your child is ages 3-5, you
resource that offers many finance related articles. Oftentimes, parents find can introduce them to the concept
themselves at a loss for what to teach their children because they themselves of money. From ages 6-10, you
can teach them about saving and
spending. In their teen years, you
can introduce them to more spe-
cifics, like how to get a personal
loan from a bank, or how to open
a brokerage account. That way,
when it’s time for them to leave
the house, they know how to
take care of their money for their
future, instead of scrambling to
learn everything that they could
have learned earlier.
• Monkey see, monkey do. Children,
especially young children, learn
through observation and expe-
rience. Model good financial
behavior, and they will learn good
financial behavior. When you go
about your daily life, let your child
be part of it too. When you shop
on Amazon, have your child watch
you as you show them how to
comparison shop. When you go
to make a deposit at the bank,
teach your child about savings
accounts. When you pay your
monthly bills, explain to your child
which bills you have to pay. It can
even be as simple as letting your
child cross items off the grocery
list as you get groceries. Anything
that makes them feel like these
financial activities are part of your
everyday life helps them both
learn the concepts and realize
their importance.
16 MARCH 2021 PittsburghParent.comWhat are some concepts goals. Start off by teaching them to navigate the world of finance. Do
to teach? about wants versus needs: they
don’t need to buy the newest
your part in making it easier for your
children. n
• Everything has a cost. As every iPad each year, but they do need
economist knows, there’s no such Angela Wu and Alina Zaidi are high
food to survive. You can also teach school juniors. Upon realizing that many
thing as a free lunch. Everything them the importance of having
has a cost, whether it is monetary, youth know little to nothing about
a savings category in a budget. finance, they made it their mission to
or time. Give your child compen- Have them set goals, like saving
sation for doing chores to teach spread financial literacy among youths.
up for a new bike, for practice. Thus, they wrote and published Grow-
them that money isn’t free; it’s
earned. You can also teach them The specifics of how and when you ing Your Money Tree: An Introduction
about opportunity costs: when teach your child will differ for each par- to Personal Finance, a book about
you make a decision, you lose ent. Each child develops at a different personal finance geared towards middle
something else. By spending their pace, and each child learns better with and high school students. Additionally,
money on a new pair of shoes, different methods. We’ve outlined the they created a biweekly workshop series
they are giving up the chance to basics of how to talk about personal called “Money Not Magic”, through
buy a new toy. finance to your child, but you are free which they teach personal finance to
to take it in any direction. As children kids. Visit www.moneynotmagic.wixsite.
• Time-value of money. The value of a ourselves, we know how difficult it is com/personalfinance to learn more.
dollar is not constant. The value
of your dollar today is greater
than its value tomorrow. That’s
why it is important to invest your
money rather than holding on to
it, because the longer you hold
on to it, the more it depreciates.
It also explains why the longer the
term of the loan, the more interest
you have to pay. It is better to
get money sooner because it has
Divorce • Child Custody • Support • Adoption
more value. Thus, for someone to
part with their money for a longer
period of time, you have to pay One Oxford Centre, Suite 270
them more. 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
• Budgeting. Teaching budgeting to 412-849-6831 • www.darbouzelawgroup.com
your child will help them learn
how to work towards their future
PittsburghParent.com MARCH 2021 17EducationConnection Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts
Dear Teacher not know what your child’s independent Should doing homework
Q:
reading level is, go to our Dear Teacher be rewarded?
website and look for “Find Your Child’s
Q:
How to calculate reading speed Reading Level.” We are tired of nagging our
children to do their homework.
With so many standardized One caution: If children’s indepen- Do you have any suggestions
tests being given by schools, dent reading level is below grade level, about how to turn things around? Is
I know that reading speed is they are likely to have some problems giving rewards a good idea? – New
with standardized tests that are de-
A:
part of being successful on these tests. Approach
How can I find out how fast my children signed on grade level.
read? I know that comprehension is very Here are some techniques that you Few children are happy to do
important, but speed is also critical! – can use with your children to help them their homework. Yet this is an
A:
Need to Know increase their reading speed: essential task that needs to
be done. Of course, having the intrinsic
There are several ways to • S
elect a definite time when the (internal) motivation to do homework
calculate your children’s children can practice their read- for the feeling of accomplishment of
reading rate which is typically ing. A good time is usually the actually learning something is what we
expressed in words per minute (WPM). ten minutes before your children would like children to have.
One way is to use the formula which is start their homework so that they
“Number of Words Read” divided by Rewards are an extrinsic (exter-
are regularly working on increas- nal) motivation. The danger of giving
“Time in Seconds” times 60. ing their reading speed. them is that they may cause children
Another way is simply to measure a to put forth a minimal effort and even
• C
ut an index card at a slant so
minute on a watch with a second hand decrease intrinsic motivation. Never-
that it will cover the beginning
or a stopwatch. Then count the number theless, all extrinsic motivation is not
of a line when your children are
of words read. bad, especially if children buy into the
reading the end of a line. You will
You can also search online for “read- want your children to pace them- goal of doing well at school. So, we
ing words per minute” and have your selves down the page. This makes are giving you some rewards that may
children take one of these tests. sure that they do not waste time help you push your children through
There is one important consideration rereading a line of print. dull homework assignments without
no matter which method used to deter- nagging.
• T
rain your children to try and look
mine silent reading speed. The mate-
rial read should be on your children’s
at the middle of each line or to 1. Promise a fun activity if home-
make only two or three stops at work is completed. It works
independent reading level. If you do
the most in each line. best if children can choose the
DON’T CHANGE THE WAY THEY LEARN.
CHANGE THE WAY THEY’RE TAUGHT.
TO ENROLL NOW, GO TO AGORA.ORG.
enrollment@agora.org | Phone: 844-462-4672 | Agora.org | Public School Tuition Paid By PA. Taxpayers
18 MARCH 2021 PittsburghParent.comYou can also read
