Imagine communicating with your baby before he or she can even speak. Baby sign language reduces frustration, accelerates verbal development and strengthens cognitive skills. It also enhances child-parent bonding through time spent teaching signs to your baby.

Research shows that pre-verbal infants can communicate through the use of sign language long before they can verbalize their needs. For example, an NIH funded study compared two groups of 11 month old babies. One group was taught baby sign language. The second group was given verbal training. Overall it proved to be the signing babies who were more advanced talkers. A follow up when the babies were 2 years old found that the signers continued to be more verbal. The signing children tested approximately 3 months ahead of the non-signers at 2 years old.*

The authors of the NIH study, followed up with the children at 8 years old. Surprisingly, there was still a difference. Signers showed IQ’s 12 points higher than the non-signers, even though they had long since stopped signing. This put the signers in the top-25% of eight year olds, compared to the non-signers who were close to average.**

My Smart Hands is an international, award winning, 100% ASL program designed to teach sign language to pre-verbal infants and young children. My Smart Hands not only recognizes the value of giving children the gift of self-expression, they also know that baby signing is FUN!

The My Smart Hands program is designed to engage both the minds and the giggles of their students.

My Smart Hands is now available in Savannah! My Smart Hands offers 4 to 8 week classes as well as weekend workshops. The cost ranges from $75 to $130 and includes all handbooks and materials. Evening classes are available and dates, times and locations are determined by consultation with, and consideration for the needs of students.

Want to join My Smart Hands? See the Savannah My Smart Hands website  by clicking here for detailed information on the courses themselves, to contact My Smart Hands with any questions or to sign up. So go ahead, take a peek! Sign up for a few giggles for you and your little one. My Smart Hands can’t wait to meet you!

Please “like” My Smart Hands in Savannah on Facebook by clicking here to stay connected.

My Smart Hands, www.mysmarthandswithsundi.com, On Facebook here, My Smart Hands is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

* Susan W. Goodwyn, Linda P. Acredolo and Catherine A. Brown. Impact of Symbolic Gesturing on Early Language Development, Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 24, 81-103 (2000).

** Linda P. Acredolo, and Susan W. Goodwyn, The Longterm Impact of Symbolic Gesturing During Infancy on IQ at Age 8, International Conference on Infant Studies (July 18, 2000: Brighton, UK)

What: Day Camp Opportunity

When: July 8-12, 2013

Where: Burton 4-H Center, Tybee Island GA

Cost:$170 per child

Information: www.burton4h.org or 912.786.5534

Burton 4-H Center Day Camp on Tybee Island July 8-12, 2013

The day camp program is open to all children 9 to 14yrs of age. Children can be dropped off as early as 7:30am each morning and picked up between 5:15 and 6:15pm each day at the 4-H Center. There will also be free bus service every day from Whitemarsh Island for those parents wanting to take advantage of the service. Camp fee includes fun, educational programming every day, beach time, bus service, lunch every day provided

by the 4-H Center, as well as a hamburger and hot dog cookout on Thursday evening for families of the campers. Camp cost for the week is $170 per child. All materials needed to register for camp are available at the website www.burton4h.org.

Cloth diapers have come a long way in the past ten years and The Great cloth Diaper Change event serves to raise awareness of cloth diapering and create some added buzz and excitement, too!

To do this, several people in the cloth diapering movement, including locally owned Bottoms Up (a Savannah owned Home-Based and Online Store providing cloth diapering essentials and education) and the Low Country Real Diaper Circle (The Low Country Real Diaper Circle connects cloth diapering parents for support, education and advocacy in the greater Savannah area including Hinesville) have joined forces with the nonprofit Real Diaper Association to participate in the third annual Great Cloth Diaper Change international event taking place two days before Earth Day on Saturday, April 20,

What: “The Great Cloth Diaper Change” Savannah site event hosted by Bottoms Up and Low Country Real Diaper Circle. The Savannah location will be hosting a Green Baby Expo from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM featuring local vendors and Work at Home Moms. There will be a raffle with many amazing prizes and a diaper walk.

When: Saturday, April 20, 2013. Diaper Change is at 11:00 AM sharp with staging starting at 10:30 AM. The Green Baby Expo is from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Where: The American Legion Post 135 Ballroom – 1108 Bull Street Savannah, GA 31401

Why: Each year billions of disposable diapers enter landfills where it will take hundreds of years for them to decompose. The Great Cloth Diaper Change is an eye-opening experience for thousands of modern parents who choose to use a more planet-friendly alternative or those who deserve to know about their eco-friendly diapering options. It doesn’t hurt that cloth diapering also saves cash-strapped families a substantial amount of money too, especially during these tough economic times.

For more info, contact Stacy Mojica, 518-231-7876, lowcountryrdc@gmail.com or June Moore, Media Coordinator, 404-819-5570 junebug1990@gmail.com

The Great Cloth Diaper Change, Savannah, www.facebook.com/GREATCLOTHSAVANNAH, www.twitter.com/c4eb

Skidaway Island Preschool Summer Camps

What: Skidaway Island Preschool Summer Camp for children ages 2-8

Where: Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church, 50 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411

When: Three sessions June 3-7, June 10-14, June 17-21 from 9AM-Noon

Contact: Maria Rogers 912 598-0151 or www.skidawaypreschool.com

Skidaway Island Preschool (SIPS) Summer Camp is scheduled for the first three weeks of June 2013. The camps are Monday – Friday from 9:00 A.M. until Noon each day for children ages 2-8. “Explorer Camp” is available for children 3 to 8 and runs two extra hours.

The following are dates and themes for each of the three sessions. June 3-7: Let’s Get Fit!, June 10-14: Hooray for Hollywood!, June 17-21: Ooey Gooey Sticky Fun!. Allow your child to enjoy arts & crafts, music, cooking, drama science, water play, physical fitness and much, much more.

SIPS is sponsored by Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church. For more information contact Maria Rogers at 912 598-0151. Registration forms are available on line at www.skidawaypreschool.com .

Meet and Greet with new  Tybee Island Maritime Academy Principal, Doug Clark
Monday, April 15
6:30 pm @ the school (714 Lovell Street, Tybee Island, GA 31328)

Whether you’ve already applied or are still thinking about it, please join  Tybee Island Maritime Academy   to meet the new principal for  and learn all about the school’s exciting, hands-on, project-based curriculum!

Tybee Island Maritime Academy will be a charter school operated by a governing board, approved by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School Board and the Georgia Board of Education. Charter Schools are independent, tuition-free, public schools that operate under a performance contract with the local school district and the state of Georgia.

The school will be located at 714 Lovell Avenue, Tybee Island, GA 31328. The site includes classrooms for up to 300 students, a cafeteria/gymnasium and a multi-purpose room. The school will also plan to use additional resources such as: The Tybee Island Library, the U.S. Coast Guard Station, the Tybee Island Lighthouse Station.

The school’s tentative opening date is August, 2013.

Cloth diapers have come a long way in the past ten years and The Great Cloth Diaper Change event serves to raise awareness of cloth diapering and create some added buzz and excitement, too!

To do this, several people in the cloth diapering movement, including locally owned Bottoms Up (a Savannah owned Home-Based and Online Store providing cloth diapering essentials and education) and the Low Country Real Diaper Circle (The Low Country Real Diaper Circle connects cloth diapering parents for support, education and advocacy in the greater Savannah area including Hinesville) have joined forces with the nonprofit Real Diaper Association to participate in the third annual Great Cloth Diaper Change international event taking place two days before Earth Day on Saturday, April 20,

What: “The Great Cloth Diaper Change” Savannah site event hosted by Bottoms Up and Low Country Real Diaper Circle. The Savannah location will be hosting a Green Baby Expo from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM featuring local vendors and Work at Home Moms. There will be a raffle with many amazing prizes and a diaper walk.

When: Saturday, April 20, 2013. Diaper Change is at 11:00 AM sharp with staging starting at 10:30 AM. The Green Baby Expo is from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Where: The American Legion Post 135 Ballroom – 1108 Bull Street Savannah, GA 31401

Why: Each year billions of disposable diapers enter landfills where it will take hundreds of years for them to decompose. The Great Cloth Diaper Change is an eye-opening experience for thousands of modern parents who choose to use a more planet-friendly alternative or those who deserve to know about their eco-friendly diapering options. It doesn’t hurt that cloth diapering also saves cash-strapped families a substantial amount of money too, especially during these tough economic times.

For more info, contact Stacy Mojica, 518-231-7876, lowcountryrdc@gmail.com  or June Moore, Media Coordinator, 404-819-5570 junebug1990@gmail.com

The Great Cloth Diaper Change, Savannah, www.facebook.com/GREATCLOTHSAVANNAH,  www.twitter.com/c4eb

Planning about having family or children’s portraits shot this spring to take advantage of Savannah’s blooming backdrops?

You’re in luck! SouthernMamas Readers can take $50 off Spring Mini Sessions with Catie Hickman Photography ! Catie Hickman Photography is offering SouthernMamas Readers $50 off their Spring Mini Sessions to celebrate their Grand Opening.

Call Catie at (912) 713-4634 to schedule your Mini Session today! See more of Catie’s work by clicking here.

Catie’s prices for newborn portraits, family/children portraits and more are extremely affordable. High quality portraits at reasonable prices – you can’t beat that.

Stay connected by liking the Catie Hickman Photography on Facebook by clicking here.

Catie Hickman Photography, www.facebook.com/catiehickmanphotography , email catiehickmanphotography@gmail.com , tel: (912) 713-4634 Catie Hickman Photography is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

If you’ve got a little Padawan, Stormtrooper, or Wookie in your home then visiting Disney’s Star Wars Weekends is a must!

Starting May 17th through June 9th, each weekend Disney’s Hollywood Studios will celebrate the legendary saga and animated series with high-energy fun for everyone.

There are celebrity meet & greets/autographs with actors (& actresses), a parade featuring the largest ensemble of costumed Star Wars characters, special shows, and more! Not to mention every evening ends with Hyperspace Hoopla featuring all things Star Wars and pop culture. Best described as dance-off meets comedy show… simply can’t miss this!!! And did I mention that all of this is included in your regular park admission??

This event is truly for kids of all ages, and adults too! And you don’t have to be a geeky to have a great time at Star Wars Weekends. In my opinion, this is the most high-energy and just overall fun special event at Disney.

It’s not too late to make your plans to attend Disney’s Star Wars Weekends 2013. Complete the online form for a no-obligation vacation quote. And remember, as a wise Jedi master once said… “Experience Star Wars Weekends you must!!”

Contact Tara McCoy at Enchanted Travel for your no-obligation vacation quote or details.

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Summer Camps 2013 @ All American Gymnastics include the following. Registration info available by clicking here.

Fit & Fun Gymnastics Camp :
This camp is full of gymnastics fun, fitness, games, arts and crafts, pit & rope time, and guaranteed to keep your child active and having a great time. All American Gymnastics will have weekly themes that we will incorporate that theme into their weekly activities.
• Ages 3 & up (Girls & Boys)
• Time: Camp will run Monday- Friday from 9-12 & Extended Stay option of 9-3
• Cost: $150 and Extended Stay is $200
• Snack & Drink included daily

Wednesday Fun Days:
This is a one day Fit & Fun camp. A great camp for something fun, out of hot sun, but also keeping your child active in the middle of the week.
• Ages 3 & up
• Time: 9-12
• Cost: $30 each day or sign up for 3 and pay only $75

Cheer/ Tumbling Camps
Join All American Gymnastics for to help improve your tumbling skills this summer. Your child will work basics, drills, conditioning, flexibility, and of course lots of BACKHANDSPRINGS!
• Ages 5 & up
• Days & Times: 3 day camp is Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12-3, and you may also sign up for only one of the 3 days.
• Cost: 3 day camp (same week) $75, One day: $30

Cheerleading clinics & free tryouts:
All American Gymnastics is also offering 2 cheer clinics in April to help prepare for Cheer tryouts and also for your child to get more information about All American Gymnastics’ All Star cheer program the Cheer Cats:
April 13th & 27th from 3:30-5:30 and cost is only $10

Cheer Cat Tryouts are May 11th & May 12th from 2-5 PM. All tryouts are free. Email : coastalcheercats@gmail.com  for more info.

For more information on camps please contact All American Gymnastics:
• Phone: 354-4343
• www.aagsavannah.com
• Located at 7808 White Bluff Rd., Savannah, GA 31406

All American Gymnastics, 7808 White Bluff (across from Hunter AAF) (912) 354-4343, email sam.allamericangymnastics@gmail.com, www.aagsavannah.com  On Facebook here. All American Gymnastics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Who is Southern Baby Nurse and Nannies?

Southern Baby Nurse was born to help new moms ease into, rather than stumble through, new motherhood. We believe that Mother’s health and well-being is just as important as baby’s; after all, a happy, well-rested mommy is best! Southern Baby Nurse exists to provide the kind of comprehensive care and support that allows both mother and baby to flourish at such a crucial time.

That’s where our staff of comes in. Relatives and friends are wonderful and should absolutely be a part of baby’s life, but when it comes to establishing a regular feeding schedule, sticking to nap times, and providing tier-one healthcare, a professional caregiver is a must. Southern Baby Nurse employs only highly qualified and experienced caregivers and will work closely with you to ensure your Baby Nurse, Nanny or Babysitter is a perfect fit. Your peace of mind is assured. With a Southern Baby Nurse professional on hand, you can take a nap, go to the gym, or just relax with your spouse, secure in the knowledge that baby is in the best of hands – second to yours, of course.

We realize that entrusting the care of your child to an outsider can be daunting. You may relax, however, in the knowledge that Southern Baby Nurse thoroughly vets each candidate. All staff are required without exception to provide strong childcare references and demonstrable evidence of extensive experience caring for newborns and children. We also perform exhaustive background checks (state and federal) and carefully evaluate new candidates’ personality, temperament, and suitability for work with children.

In addition to , Southern Baby Nurse can provide Nannies and Babysitters for both long- and short-term assignments. Please contact us at your convenience to discuss your childcare needs.

Not sure where to send your child to preschool for the upcoming school year 2013-14? Check out the new JEA Preschool Savannah , which will host a Meet and Greet for prospective parents and caregivers at 5:30 PM Thurs. April 25 2013.

This dynamic new preschool, located at the Jewish Educational Alliance at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors to children ages 16 months to 4 years in August, 2013. Enrollment is now open for all classes.

During the Meet and Greet, attendees will have an opportunity to meet preschool director Jodi Sadler and the teaching staff, view model classroom furnishings and learn about the enriched preschool JEA Camp Savannah program for 3 and 4 year olds. The evening will include a light snacks; free childcare will be available. Reservations are required. Please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228) or email preschool@savj.org  to reserve a spot.

JEA Preschool Savannah has been in the planning stages for the past two years. The school was created to provide for the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The age-appropriate curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, will focus on literacy, writing, math, science, music, art and movement all within the special facilities of the JEA.

“I am truly excited about the creation of our program of excellence, JEA Preschool Savannah,” said Sadler, a longtime educator and former assistant principal at Chatham Academy. “When parents and children walk into the school, I want them to see and feel two things: love and security. I know that the quality of the program, excellence of the facilities, and perfect location will make this one of the most attractive and dynamic programs in the area.”

The dynamic preschool will include spacious classrooms and an innovative outdoor space where children can explore, interact with and connect to the environment. The preschool’s core curriculum will be available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children have the option of attending three or five days per week. Extended hours are available daily as early as 7 a.m. and until 6 p.m. to serve the needs of working families.

JEA Preschool Savannah is open to both JEA members and non members.

About JEA Preschool Savannah
JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors in August 2013. The school, which will serve the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years, focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The core curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  or visit www.savannahjea.org .

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Book a babysitter or pet sitter today with Guardian Angels Sitting Service . Try their services for the first time with no daily fee! The $10 daily fee will be waived. This offer is valid one time only. Hourly fees and mileage still apply. This deal is available now thru the end of April 30.

Visit Guardian Angels Sitting Service website by clicking here to reserve your sitter today !

Guardian Angels Sitting Service is a local babysitting, pet sitting and elderly sitting referral agency. They are licensed, bonded and insured in multiple locations, from Cape May to Atlantic City NJ and Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Charleston area. Guardian Angels is also located in Savannah.

Guardian Angel babysitters are infant and Child CPR-certified and are background checked. All sitters also provide personal, childcare and employer reference checks. Sitters are available on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis.

“Like” Guardian Angels Sitting Service on Facebook here. Learn more about how Guardian Angel Sitting Services works on YouTube here.

Guardian Angels Sitting Service, serving Savannah, Hilton Head Is., Bluffton & beyond, www.guardianangelssittingservice.com/, Toll Free Phone/Fax: 877-470-4277, Local: 843-681-4277, email SCinfo@guardianangelssittingservice.com Guardian Angels Sitting Service is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah (formerly the Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens) pick-your-own strawberry fields are open, weather permitting! More info here.

Call 912-912-921-5460 to confirm the fields have not been temporarily closed due to being picked out.

Best time to pick is 9 AM, before it gets too hot and before the field is over-picked.

HOURS: Open for picking, 9 AM-4 PM Mondays through Saturdays, closed on Sundays. Please call ahead to make sure fields have not temporarily closed.

COST: $2 per pound. Containers provided. Bring cash.

The gardens have picnic tables scattered around the grounds if you want to make a picnic out of your strawberry picking.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens is at 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, GA 31419. For directions, click here.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, 31419. Please call 912-921-5460 for information, www.coastalgeorgiabg.org  On Facebook here

2013 Kids Pottery and Sculpture Classes & Summer Camp Offerings @ Tiffany Drabek Studio in Ardsley Park, Savannah

Take a sculpture or pottery class to learn something new…or continue a flourishing hobby! Classes are centrally located @ Tiffany Drabek Studio in Midtown Savannah.

The sculpture classes include instruction in different hand building techniques such as coiling, slab work, pinching, carving, and bas-relief designs. The pottery instruction involves learning how to center the clay on the wheel, how to make plates, bowls and cylinders, and how to attach handles and make surface designs. At the end of the session children will apply either underglaze paints or glazes to complete their work with a splash of color. All work will be finished with a gloss glaze and fired.

The fees include all materials and firings. The work will be available for pick up after all of the firings have been done. Please call or email Tiffany with any questions or to register. To complete registration, please send a $20 deposit to Tiffany Drabek to the address below. The balance of the tuition will be due at the first class. $10 off total family tuition if an additional sibling signs up. For more information and registration contact: tiffanydrabek@gmail.com  .

Spring Classes:
Sculpture $84
6 Tuesdays April 16-May 28(skip May 7 for Testing) from 3:00-4:00 P.M. (ages 4 and up)

Pottery $130
7 Wednesdays April 17-May 29 from 3:30-5:00 P.M. (ages 7 and up)

Summer Camp Pottery and Sculpture Classes:

Pottery Session 1 $95
Monday-Friday, June 10-14, 9:30-11:00 A.M. (ages 7 and up)

Pottery Session 2 $95
Monday-Friday, June 24-28, 9:30-11 A.M. (ages 7 and up)
Note: $10 off total tuition if student registers for both summer pottery sessions

Sculpture $70
Monday-Friday, July 15-19, 9:30-10:30 A.M. (ages 4 and up)

If you are looking for an ALL-TEENS class, email Tiffany tiffanydrabek@gmail.com
& she’ll arrange a class

About Tiffany Drabek: Tiffany is a local potter and ceramic sculptor. She has a BA in Art and French from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and has been working in her medium since graduation in Dec. ’91. In Savannah, she has been teaching clay classes to adults and children since 1999, and she has specifically taught home school students pottery, sculpture, and art history since 2001. She offers pottery birthday parties throughout the year to children as well as adults. She home schools her three boys and is the Director of the Classical Conversations Savannah home school community.

Tiffany Drabek Studio, 215 East 64th Street Savannah, 31405 tel. (912) 692-0659 email tiffanydrabek@gmail.com   www.tiffanydrabekdesigns.com Tiffany Drabek Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Savannah College of Art and Design will host its 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 27, in Forsyth Park, between Whitaker and Drayton streets.

An imaginative, family-friendly FREE event, the festival is synonymous with spring in the heart of the historic district and draws thousands of visitors to view the temporary chalk masterpieces created by SCAD students, alumni and prospective students.

Entries in student, alumni and prospective student categories are judged during the chalk-art competition and monetary prizes are awarded at the end of the event.

The festival will be preceded by two nights of Films in Forsyth, which feature family-friendly films shown on the big screen of the park’s band shell. Disney’s “Wreck-it Ralph” will show 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, and the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will show 8 p.m., Friday, April 26.

In addition, the Sidewalk Arts Festival includes areas for children and young artists and musical entertainment throughout the day. Food from local vendors will be available for purchase during the event. The festivities are held in conjunction with SCAD Alumni Weekend 2013. All events are free and open to the public.

Allied Barton, Dixon Ticonderoga, Bahama Joe’s, Bebe Blinds and Coca-Cola generously support the 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival.

More info here.

Bull Street Baptist Church is hosting a special event, ‘God on Marriage and Family’ with speaker Dr. Daniel Akin (president of Southeastern Theological Seminary).

The event will be Saturday, May 11th, from 3pm-8pm. Cost is $20 per person, and $5 for child care (per child). Dinner is included.

Dr. Daniel Akin will be speaking on topics such as: ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’, ‘Fanning the Flames of Romance’, ‘Keys for Effective Communication’ and a few others.

The event is open to the public. To register, visit the church web site by clicking here or by coming to the church office @ 17 E. Anderson St. Savannah, 31401, M-F, 10a-5p.

Bull Street Baptist Church, 17 E. Anderson St. Savannah, 31401 tel. (912) 236-1511, www.bullstreet.org. Bull Street Baptist Church is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Savannah’s Women In Business Expo is currently partnering with local businesses in the Greater Savannah Area for the premier event ticket sales.

Your organization name will be listed on the Savannah’s Women In Business Expo Event website, fan page, and event flyers as a place where attendees and guest can purchase tickets. In return, 50% of tickets sales will be given to you for partnering and participating with the premier event. This can also be used as a great fundraiser for your organization!
Example: (40) Ticket Sales = $200.00
Example: (60) Ticket Sales = $400.00
Example: (80) Ticket Sales = $600.00

The Savannah’s Women In Business Expo will take place at the Hyatt Regency in the downtown Savannah.

Check out the website at www.SavWomenInBusinessExpo.com for more great details about how you can participate.

Savannah’s Women In Business Expo Event, 1-877-WIB-EXPO or email womeninbusinessexpo@yahoo.com, www.savwomeninbusinessexpo.com

At Fort Pulaski, free admission days for National Park Week (April 22-26). More info here.

2013 Fee Free Days

There are no entrance fees charged on these days.

April 22-26
National Park Week

August 25
National Park Service Birthday

September 28
National Public Lands Day

November 9-11
Veterans Day weekend

From Interstate I-95, take Exit 99 onto Interstate I-16 East (James L Gillis Memorial Hwy) for 7 miles.
Take Exit 164A onto Interstate I-516 East toward US-80 East.
Take Exit 3 (US-17 S/US-80 E) toward US-80 East.
Turn left onto Ocean Highway, Ogeechee Rd (US-17 N, US-80 East).
Bear right onto West Victory Drive (US-80 East).
Continue on US-80 East for 13 miles.

Savannah College of Art and Design’s 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival 2013 will be preceded by two nights of Films in Forsyth, which feature family-friendly films shown on the big screen of the park’s band shell. Disney’s “Wreck-it Ralph” will show 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, and the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will show 8 p.m., Friday, April 26.

For details about the 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival on Sat. April 27 in Forsyth Park, click here.

Savannah College of Art and Design’s 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival will be preceded by two nights of Films in Forsyth, which feature family-friendly films shown on the big screen of the park’s band shell. Disney’s “Wreck-it Ralph” will show 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, and the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will show 8 p.m., Friday, April 26.

For details about the 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival on Sat. April 27 in Forsyth Park, click here.

First Annual SCM Bug Festival
Coastal Heritage Society
May 4-5, 2013
Come learn all about our insect friends with family-friendly programming and activities all day!
Free for members, Regular admission ($7.50) for non-members.
Activities occurring throughout both days. Check schedule online for exact times.
For more information, click here.

Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, 31401 email info@savannahchildrensmuseum.org , tel. 912-651-4292

Savannah College of Art and Design will host its 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 27, in Forsyth Park, between Whitaker and Drayton streets.

An imaginative, family-friendly FREE event, the festival is synonymous with spring in the heart of the historic district and draws thousands of visitors to view the temporary chalk masterpieces created by SCAD students, alumni and prospective students.

Entries in student, alumni and prospective student categories are judged during the chalk-art competition and monetary prizes are awarded at the end of the event.

The festival will be preceded by two nights of Films in Forsyth, which feature family-friendly films shown on the big screen of the park’s band shell. Disney’s “Wreck-it Ralph” will show 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, and the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will show 8 p.m., Friday, April 26.

In addition, the Sidewalk Arts Festival includes areas for children and young artists and musical entertainment throughout the day. Food from local vendors will be available for purchase during the event. The festivities are held in conjunction with SCAD Alumni Weekend 2013. All events are free and open to the public.

Allied Barton, Dixon Ticonderoga, Bahama Joe’s, Bebe Blinds and Coca-Cola generously support the 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival.

More info here.

Don’t miss the FREE spring family stargazing & astronomy day @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (formerly called The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens ) on Sat. April 20 in Savannah

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in conjunction with the Oglethorpe Astronomical Association invite you to see a scale model of our solar system, watch our conference center become a portable planetarium, find out how much you would weigh on Mars and how old you would be on Jupiter. Daytime gazing and children’s activities. End the day by watching the 1950’s Sci-Fi flick, “The Day the Earth Stood Still” followed by stargazing on the great lawn.

Free! April 20th from 2pm – 10pm

During the stargazing in the garden, telescopes will be set up for observation. Free & open to the public.

This is a great family event!

Here’s a list of children’s books on astronomy:

“Night Sky Atlas” by Robin Seagell
“Astronomy” by Kristen Lippincott
“Black Holes & Other Space Oddities” by Alex Barnett
“Space” by Simon Holland
“The Solar System: An A-Z Guide” by Christina Wilsdon
“Cosmic Light Shows” by Bobbie Kalman & April Fast
“Find the Constellations” by H.A. Rey
“The Stars: A New Way to See Them” by H.A. Rey

This event is free & open to the public.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (Formerly The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens), 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, GA. 31419. Please enter the gate on US Hwy. 17. Please call 912-921-5460 for information, http://bamboo.caes.uga.edu/, On Facebook here

St. Andrew’s School announces 1st grade screening
Saturday, April 27
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon

Is your child ready for first grade?
An advanced first grade curriculum includes:
· Balanced Literacy (advanced reading, authorship of stories and books, and public speaking)
· Math Challenge (numeration, computation, geometry and patterns, and functions and Algebra)
· Social Instruction (behavior and conduct, leadership and service, and character education)

St. Andrew’s School , a nationally accredited leader in early childhood education, invites your family to participate in a First Grade Screening to assess your child’s kindergarten progress and appropriate preparation for an advanced first grade curriculum. St. Andrew’s team of educators, including math and literacy specialists, will host a one-day only event to assess cognitive, social, and emotional readiness and answer your questions about what’s next.

Please call to make a reservation to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. They will meet at 10:30 a.m. While students are testing, parents can tour the school and speak with administration and current parents. Contact Christine Sapp at sappc@saintschool.com or 897.4941, x. 400 to reserve your spot today.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.