Parents as Reading Partners

1. We all know reading to children every day is important and this week, Bedford schools celebrate the idea with a week of activities around engaging young kids with books. Today, Laurie Lichtenstein’s column reminds us that picture books are still appropriate for older children; later in the week she’ll report on story night from Bedford Village Elementary school. What are you waiting for? Grab a your favorite kid and her favorite picture book and snuggle up.

No Junk Food Week

2. Over at Pound Ridge Elementary School, another event it wouldn’t hurt to take part in, with spring approaching and summer not too far behind (a girl can dream…). It’s “No Junk Food Week,” a program cooked up by the Westchester County Department of Health to promote healthy eating by kids. Students will be encouraged to eat five fruits and vegetables a day and they’ll chart their progress. We hear that school principal, Peter Politi, will announce over the school intercom what produce he’s had to encourage them. Now that’s an idea I will try at home.

St. Pat’s Parade

3. If you missed the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Mt. Kisco over the weekend, the Chappaqua-Mt. Kisco Patch has a nice photo gallery and video highlights. Many Bedford groups and schools participated, so check it out.

Northern Westchester Parent Child Group Mini-Classes

4. They start tomorrow: Amazing Animals is on Tuesdays, for 3 – 5 year olds, and Fantasy, Fun and Art is on Wednesdays for 4 and 5 year olds. Click here for more information. Don’t know what the group is all about? Read our feature story here.

Delay Your Gray

5. Too late for me—my gray is in—but the talk sounds like something every parent of a teenager could benefit from. Psychotherapist Liz Jorgensen, a certified alcohol and substance abuse counselor, offers a workshop to parents of today’s teens Tuesday night at the Harvey School in Katonah. some advice to “delay their gray”, as the popular workshop presenter puts it. Click here for the announcement and details.