Are you looking for ways to teach your toddler? Not quite ready for preschool but still want your child to learn at home? Frustrated with trying to find at the best ways to teach your child? If you answered yes, then give ABC’s for Everyone a try.

ABC’s for Everyone offers tips, techniques, and resources to making teaching easier for you and learning fun for your child!

Call (912) 388-1368 for a FREE phone consultation and to schedule your first session.

ABC’s for Everyone is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

A new indoor play spot on Hilton Head Is. that encourages students to build unique creations, play games, and have loads of fun using LEGO® bricks

Bricks 4 Kidz offers programs and activities that let children play and socialize while learning fundamentals of science, technology and engineering in a noncompetitive setting.

Current Programs include: (please check website for details – www.Bricks4Kidz.com )
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS (In the Bricks4Kidz Creativity Center and at elementary schools)
We offer afterschool enrichments classes for grades K-5 in our Creativity Center every Monday from 4:00 – 5:00 pm, as well as at schools across the county (please check actual schedules and price on our website).

PROGRAMS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS (In Bricks4Kidz Creativity Center)
Students will love learning science and technology in a lab-type setting using LEGO® Technic bricks and an integrated science curriculum. Designed for students grades 3-5, our homeschooling curriculum ensures that the fun gets back into learning science and technology. Please sign-up online.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES (In the Creativity Center or at a place of your choice)
Let Bricks4Kidz organize your next birthday party and experience how much fun it will be for your child and guests and how easy for you!
The base party package is available for $190 and includes 90 min of LEGO® fun and activities (2 hrs total) for 10 children ($5.00 each additional child), with party host, invitations and thank-you cards, lots of games and challenges, model building, free-play time. Bricks 4 Kidz® – T-shirt for the birthday child (signed by all kids), Duplo® for smaller children. Please check the website for more details.

KIDS NIGHT OUT (KNO) (In the Creativity Center)
Enjoy yourself for a couple of hours while Bricks4Kidz takes care of your child in a safe place, being entertained in a playful and enriching setting by our trained and screened teachers. Kids will spend their time building proprietary LEGO® models; participate in creative playing and games, or simply enjoy LEGO® free play. Kids will have so much fun, they’ll beg to come back every week! Admission is $25 per child ($5 sibling discount). Ages: 4 – 12

MOMMY/DADDY & ME (In the Creativity Center)
Mommy and Me classes (for ages 1-4) are available on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 am and can be booked in units of 4 weeks for $35. The classes are designed to create a time of fun, learning and bonding between children and mothers or other caregivers. It is also an avenue for mother and child to socialize with other mothers and children in an educational yet relaxed environment. Our trained teacher offers educational play with LEGO® Duplo and other materials. Wireless internet access and coffee available.

WALK-IN AND PLAY (In the Creativity Center)
Children ages 5 to 12 walk in and play at our Creativity Center with tons of LEGO® bricks. They can build cars and race them on our racing ramp, or just let their imagination go wild with building and playing. Parents can leave their children with us if they want to, or stay and play with them. Admission is $10 per child.

Bricks 4 Kidz, 42 New Orleans Road, Hilton Head, 29928, tel: 843-686-2829, www.bricks4kidz.com

Free kid-friendly structured activities are regularly held at the park. For a complete listing of September 2011 Free Skidaway Island State Park Kid-Friendly Events, visit our new Skidaway State Park children’s activities page by clicking here.

The park’s Interpretive Center (i.e. Nature Center) is surrounded by easy hiking trails including the 1-mile Avian Loop Trail, 1-mile Sandpiper Trail Loop, and the 3-mile Big Ferry Trail Loop.

The Interpretive Center includes a display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica (pictured here); wildlife exhibits; live reptiles including a terrapin turtle; and birding station.

Interpretive Center hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10 AM-5 PM at Skidaway Island State Park. Cost: $5 for parking.
52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, 31411, 912-598-2300, http://www.gastateparks.org/SkidawayIsland

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, SC has lots of events planned for Fall 2011. Read all about them on the new Riverbanks page on SouthernMamas.com. Click here for details.

Kid-friendly events at the zoo include Animal Enrichment Day when zookeepers give animals special treats designed to encourage and stimulate natural behaviors: Boo at the Zoo, a spook-fest for costumed children 12 and younger that includes a trick-or-treat trail with candy and more; a Pumpkin Smash when the zoo’s mammals, birds, reptiles and fish enjoy their own trick-or-treats, a form of animal enrichment designed to encourage and stimulate natural behaviors; free admisison for active duty and retired military personnel on Veterans Day; Lights Before Christmas, when the Zoo shines with nearly one million twinkling lights and more than 350 handcrafted images. Take your photo with Santa, roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire and be sure to wear your hat – it snows nightly during the Lights Before Christmas.

Visit the SouthernMamas.com Riverbanks page here for more information.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES include Behind-the-Scenes Adventure Tours; Homeschool Mondays; Overnights and Night Howls; and two new 30 minute, 3-D movies:
TURTLE VISION
From the warm waters of the tropics to the icy Antarctic, join Sammy the sea turtle and his friends on an exciting journey through the ocean. Swim through colorful coral reefs and enjoy a dazzling ride on a fun-loving octopus. Dive into icy polar waters to meet a friendly whale and learn the importance of protecting our oceans.
DINOSAURS
If it weren’t for a series of cataclysmic events, a comet impact being first on the list, our planet could still be the domain of dinosaurs. Deeply rooted in science, the film will carry you back in time to witness these amazing beasts come to life. Meet the largest living animals to have ever walked the Earth; the titanesque plant-eating Argenitsaur and its nemesis the Gigantosaur, a bipedal carnivore that could easily challenge the T-rex!

Admission: $3 for one show, $5 for both, in addition to regular Zoo admission.

Visit the SouthernMamas.com Riverbanks page for more information. Details here.

UPDATE: winner is Mary Sibley! Congratulations Mary!

We’re thrilled to tell you about Inspire Creativity Workshops: customized workshops for children and teens. Inspire Creativity Workshops come to you!

Three types of workshops are offered: just for fun; content-based; skill-based. Creativity workshops are perfect for families with children of all ages; after-school programs; child care facilities; homeschool families/groups and more.

September Special: $10 off a customized creativity workshops in your home! (up to 8 children per workshop)

September Contest: Win a FREE Time-Out for Mommy! (up to 8 children per workshop) Like Inspire Creativity on Facebook here & send email to director@inspiresav.com  with your name and email address. Only one entry per household, please. Winner will be announced here and on Inspire Creativity Website  on Sept. 16, 2011. Winner will also be contacted by email to schedule some fun! Please tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you! This would be a perfect, EASY and creative birthday party for your child.

Like Inspire Creativity on Facebook here to stay connected about deals & giveaways.

Inspire Creativity Workshops, www.inspiresav.com; On Facebook here; email director@inspiresav.com, 330-687-7956

Friday and Saturday June 17-18 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Family Admission: $26
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Sue Patrick, Creator of the Workbox System!
The Workbox system is an effective teaching system to reduce your organizational time and increase your child’s self-control, independence and learning. Specialized for: Autism, ADD/ ADHD, and Large Home School Families. This system will complement your existing curriculum!
Sue ‘s system is an easy approach to optimize and organize your homeschool from preschool to high school, and will allow you to teach your child more effectively and at the same time help you to better organize your school day! Sue will also share her tips for problem-solving your curriculum , behavioral, comprehension, and answer general homeschooling questions. MORE INFO HERE: http://www.ceheconference.com/index.html
Also Offering Workshops By:
Cara Ellison
Homeschool to High School, College, Military and BeyondCara Ellison homeschooled three sons from Kindergarten through High School. She’ll share her experiences and insight on College and Military Admission and the homeschooled child, the benefits of homeschoolers receiving Hope and other financial aid for college, and State Laws and how they affect homeschoolers. Cara will also share her philosophy of homeschooling and the methods she used and discuss what really counts in homeschooling.
The Matthew Reardon Center for Autism
Educating a Special Needs ChildThe Matthew Reardon Center will address such topics as modifying curriculum to accommodate learning styles, behavior techniques, setting goals, and much more
Homeschool 101
Getting Started
Discuss Homeschool Approaches from Classical Education to Unschooling
Hear how local parents implement home education
Legal Requirements of Homeschooling
Q&A

College Options
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Find out what AASU higher education options are available for your children.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
How to Prepare a Dynamic Artistic Portfolio
Learn helpful tips on preparing a dynamic artistic portfolio! This session presents the fundamentals of successful portfolios and what our review committee looks for in portfolio submissions.
Georgia Southern University
Discover what Georgia Southern University has to offer your children.
Georgia Tech Savannah
Discover the differences between careers in science, technology, and engineering as well as summer camps offered by Ga Tech Savannah.

Savannah artist Torrey S. Kist’s Art on the Park children’s classes are so popular, several classes are already full. So don’t miss out enrolling for these late fall six-week art classes.

Spots available:
Tuesdays: “famous Artists” for ages 5 & 6. Nov 9-Dec 14, 4-5:30 PM

Wednesdays: “foundational & fun fine arts” for ages 10-12. Nov 3-Dec 15, 3:30-4:30 PM

Private students are welcome for select hours of the day.

Contact Torrey S. Kist for enrollment fees by calling 912.354.5988 or emailing tskart@yahoo.com

Studio Address:
1311 Washington Ave. (Daffin Park)

Instructor Torrey S. Kist, MFA
Torrey loves teaching children to tap into their natural creativity! Torrey received a BA in Visual Arts from Gettysburg College, and an MFA in Painting from SCAD. For the past 5 years, she worked for the Telfair Museum’s education department- directing, designing, (and often teaching) all of the youth & adult studio programming.
Torrey recently resigned from this position to pursue her two passions: teaching children and painting!

Art on the Park Studio
Situated directly on Daffin Park, the studio is a great place to spread out, get messy, and take play breaks if needed. Small classes, so register today!

Contact: tskart@yahoo.com or 912.354.5988.

Please forward this info to your friends and families.

Below is a guest post from Lowcountry homeschool expert Donna Cartwright of Beaufort-County-based Mama & Company:

Interested in homeschooling but don’t know where to start?
Click here! Southern Mama Readers get a ONE FREE CONSULTATION email. Email your question to mama@mamaandcompany.com

Are you a thinking of homeschooling? I was in your shoes not too long ago! She did a lot of research and asked a few friends who homeschooled what they do. I learned more about curriculums they use and local support groups. Joining a local homeschool cooperative allowed me to talk to other mamas and see what they like as a curriculum and also how they taught inside their homes. I just loved meeting new people and making new friends. Homeschoolers are a unique commmunity.

If you’re a military family like we are, the only stability really for the children is the parent who stays home with the child. Let’s face it, the other parent (whether Mama or Daddy) deploys for months to years at a time. Homeschooling is taking this ‘stability’ to the next level.

Check out some books at the library about home schooling to help you decide if you want to do this. Only you can make the decision but be realistic with what you can handle and cannot. You certainly don’t want to take the kids out of school and realize this is not for you.

Take advantage of the ONE FREE CONSULTATION email offer to get your homeschool question answered. Email mama@mamaandcompany.com. For more homeschooling info, click here.

The above was a guest post from homeschooling expert Donna Cartwright of Mama & Company.

For more homeschooling resources in Savannah and the Lowcountry, click here.

KOOLSCIENCES4KIDZ presents: Saturday morning sessions of physical science activities at Southwest Middle School, 6030 Ogeechee Road, Savannah.
One session for grades k-5; a second session for grades 6-8. Medical students from Mercer University Medical Mentors program will be involved with teaching and will present free science sessions related to the medical field.
For session dates, sample topics, or to sign up, click here.
Cost.: $48 a month. Includes materials
912-660-3442 email: Mathscmatters@aol.com

Starlight Pottery at 7070 Hodgson Memorial Drive offers tons of kid-friendly, as well as mom-friendly, activities.

First, Starlight Pottery has teamed with Amanda Reed’s Tippy Toes Pottery, famous throughout our area for personalizing pottery – using your child’s footprints, hand prints or finger prints to create a whimsical painting on mugs, plates and more.  The Tippy Toes line is on display at Starlight Pottery and parent’s can bring their children to get handprints and footprints. Amanda will turn them in to the beautiful works of art that she’s known for.

Moms can still book Tippy Toes Parties and receive discounts on pottery. They can even host their event at Starlight Pottery‘s studio.

Starlight Pottery offers Kids Night Out 6-8 PM Sat. Sept. 25. It’s for ages 5 and up. Children will make a Halloween plate. Cost is $25 and that includes pottery painting, pizza, drinks, and games. Yes, this is a drop off event . Parents can use this time for a childfree dinner out. Think date night. 

Starlight Pottery also offers Ladies Night Out 6-8 PM Thurs., Sept. 30. Ladies can get a group of friends together, reserve a table, and bring food and drink to have a fun evening out. It’s a great time to start making gifts. No additional fees, just the price of the pottery that you choose to paint.

Starlight Pottery will do on-site storytimes for preK and Kindergarten classes. Price is $10-$12 per child. Startlight will come to a classroom to read a story and the children paint a piece of pottery related to the story. Or class can come to Starlight Pottery studio for a Storytime Field Trip.

SouthernMamas readers receive a Startlight Pottery discount through Dec. 31 , 2010: Book a birthday party with 8 or more guests and the birthday child paints free (Up to a $15 value).

For more info or to make reservations for a Tippy Toes party, Kids Night Out, or Ladies Night Out , call 912.303.9599.

Starlight Pottery’s paint-your-own-pottery studio is in mid-town Savannah. The studio is in the Eisenhower Shopping Plaza at the intersection of Eisenhower and Hodgson Memorial Drive. Starlight Pottery is a great place to host your next birthday party, bridal shower, baby shower, youth group, ladies group, etc. Become a fan on Facebook and receive special announcements and offers.

Looking for a way to introduce your preschooler to Savannah’s downtown historic architecture?

Check out  “Savannah Safari,”  a $6 booklet that takes kids on a quick and easy walking adventure through Historic Savannah. Today, I took my 20-month-old daughter and 3-year-old son on the tour. Although my daughter may be a little young to “get it”, my 3-year-old son really enjoyed the search for architectural animals in gardens and squares (horse hitching posts, lion statues, frog fountain, dolphin downspouts, gargoyles)  

You can order a copy on the Savannah Safari Web site. The illustrated booklet complete with a map is also available at  Girl Scout First Headquarters, 330 Drayton Street, or the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace (10 E. Oglethorpe Ave).

For more info on another kid-friendly self-guided downtown Savannah walking tour/scavenger hunt, click here

Toddler Tuesdays are back at Oatland Island Wildlife Center after a summer hiatus!

This season, there will be TWO Toddler Tuesdays timeslots each week, as opposed to one. Same topic and activities for each one. One program will be at 10 AM and the second at 11 AM.

Michele Mazzei, the beloved leader of the popular weekly programs, said the goal of having two sessions is to keep the classes small and intimate.

Preregistration via phone at 912.395.1500 $3 program fee per child and adults free!

The theme of Tues. Sept. 7 is Welcome Back Toddlers! and will feature a visit from Daisy, Oatland’s resident opossum.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center is located just outside Savannah. Click here for info.

Group art fall lessons in Savannah for the pre-K set!

Savannah artist Carrie Christian is now hosting Saturday Pre-K art classes.
10:30-11:30AM
10 classes offered
$10 a class (includes all supplies)
Sign up now!

Lessons are designed to help create a foundation on which your child’s artistic education will grow and blossom. Students will learn basic concepts such as color, composition, and perspective, while creating drawings, paintings, sculptures, and mixed media projects.

Students will work with a variety of materials, including colored pencils, oil pastels, acrylic, watercolor, and collage.

Dates:
Sept. 11-Nov. 6. Please call or email with any questions!

Carrie’s studio – pictured here flooded with natural light and some extremely busy preschoolers – is located at 212 E. 37th St., directly behind Bella Mia (bridal shop) at the corner of 37th and Abercorn Streets.
Phone: 912-323-0123
Email: carrieachristian@hotmail.com

Artist Carrie Christian

Carrie Christian received her MFA in Painting and her BFA in Illustration from Savannah Collage of Art and Design. Her works have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

She was included in the 2007 & 2009 Southern Editions of New American Paintings publication. Her work has been exhibited both in the Mobile Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum in New Orleans and included among many private collections.

Lots of Lowcountry fall workshops for children offered at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Is., S.C.

Here are the highlights. For details, click here.

• After-school art club for ages 6-10. Oct. 18-Nov. 22. Culminates with an exhibit at the Arts Center.
• Fall home-school art for ages 5-12.
• Fall home-school art for ages 13-17. Sept. 21-Oct. 19.
• Beginner acrylics for ages 11-15. Oct. 7-28.
• Puppet sculpting for ages 9-14. Nov. 11-Dec. 9.
• Nutty Nature Drawing: Using natural objects, kids ages 8-12 create original work of art using chalk pastels and colored pencils.
• Artstart classes designed to help children ages 2-5 (accompanied by an adult) develop fine motor skills and encourage creativity while creating one-of-a-kind artworks.
• Suzuki Violin Classes  for ages 3-5. Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
• Juggle Stuff for children ages 8-12 to learn basic and advanced three-ball juggling patterns and tricks, as well as the foundations for four and five-ball juggling.

Pre-registration is required for all classes and must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Instructor bios can be found by clicking here. To register, contact the Education Office at 843.686.3945 Ext. 233 or email jrichey@artshhi.com. Or download a registration form from the Website here.

Live Oak Public Libraries storytimes are a wonderful FREE way to expose your child to storybooks read aloud by a librarian as well as songs and fingerplays. Plus, attending storytimes regularly helps your child to become accustomed to visiting the library. Here’s the breakdown of regular storytimes at Live Oak Public Libraries. For branch locations, click here.

Bull Street Library, 652-3630
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 and 4
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 2

Forest City Library, 238-0614
Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for ages 3 to 4

Hinesville Library, 368-4003
Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 and up
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 2

Islands Library, 897-6233
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 5

Oglethorpe Mall Library, 925-5432
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 4

Pooler Library, 748-0471
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 to 4

Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 1 to 2

Port City Library, 964-8013
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 to 4

Rincon Library, 826-2222
Wednesdays at 10:15 for ages 1 to 2 years
Wednesdays at 11 a.m. for ages 2 to 4 years

Southwest Chatham Library, 925-8305
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 2.
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 4
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 to 5

Springfield Library, 754-3003
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 2 to 4 years

Thunderbolt Library, 354-5864
Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for ages 0 to 5

Tybee Library, 786-7733
Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for ages 0 to 5

Attention teachers and home-schooling parents: archaeology workshops are available to come to elementary schools or homeschool groups to teach Georgia Performance Standards in a variety of subjects, using archaeology as the hook.

ArchaeoFest is an educational program sponsored by the Coastal Heritage Society in Savannah that uses hands on-activities and the excitement of archaeology to teach a range of Georgia Performance Standards in 4th and 5th grade Language Arts, Science, Math, and Social Studies.

Participants practice critical thinking, observations and inferences, identification, classification, matching, measuring, logic, and inductive & deductive reasoning.

Choose (Each program accommodates 25-30 students):
•2 hour program, given three times in a day at same location ($500 Flat Rate for all three programs) [averages $5.50-$6.70 per student depending on number of students]
•3 hour program, given twice in a day at same location ($450 flat rate for both programs) [averages $7.50-$9.00 depending on number of students]

Programs available for Chatham County area Sept. 13-Oct. 8, 2010.

Reservations required and can be made beginning Aug. 12. For more info, contact: Rita Elliott, relliott@chsgeorgia.org; 912.651.6850.

Brought to you by Coastal Heritage Society, Savannah. www.chsgeorgia.org

Homeschool extracurricular activities/classes

Homeschool gymnastics and tumbling classes at Summit Gymnastics. Summit can tailor classes to fit your schedule. Summit Gymnastics, 74 W. Montgomery Crossroads Savannah, (912) 921-1034, email: summitgymnastics@yahoo.com, www.summitgymnasticssav.com

Homeschool music at Crossroad Music. Musical instruction on three levels (beginner, intermediate & advanced). Opportunities for students to perform, as well as leadership opportunities for older students who assist the directors and teachers.
Crossroad Music: music lessons, music studio, music store. www.crossroadmusiconline.com, 106 E. US Hwy 80, Bloomingdale, (conveniently located near Pooler, West Chatham and Southbridge) 912.330.0985, kris@crossroadmusiconline.com

Homeschool associations and support groups

The Classical Conversations group of Savannah helps equip, encourage, and support parents in their homeschooling endeavors. Contact Kristin Bigalke, Director of CC Savannah, at 912-655-8173 or rkadb004-education@yahoo.com.

Savannah Unlimited Homeschooling Network, SUHN, an all-inclusive homeschool group supporting Savannah and surrounding area. Provides educational and social opportunities through co-op classes, clubs, field trips, social get-togethers, weekly park days, etc. Open to anyone who homeschools or unschools and those who would like to learn more about “teaching at home”. www.SavannahUnlimitedHomeschoolNetwork.com

Family Education for Christ is a Christian homeschool support group serving Savannah and surrounding areas. http://www.fefconline.com/

Effingham Christian Homeschool Organization, (912) 728-3813, E-mail: dero5@juno.com

Fort Stewart Homeschool Group can be contacted through the SLO (School Liaison Officer) by clicking here.

For more homeschool info, click here.

Looking for top-quality gymnastics classes provided in a safe environment? SouthernMamas readers receive 10 percent off your first session at Summit Gymnastics . Fall session classes start Aug. 23.

Summit Gymnastics on Savannah’s Southside offers classes for a variety of ages including preschoolers (ages 18 months to 5 year olds); recreational and tumbling classes for children ages 6 and up; as well as active babies Saturday sessions for children 24 months and younger.  The Fall 2010 session starts this upcoming Mon. Aug. 23 and runs until Oct. 17.  Click here for more info.

 The preschool classes are split into different age groups including a separate group for 18 months to 2 year olds. For class times, age groups and costs, click here.

For parents who work during the week or don’t want to commit to a full fall session, there’s an active babies class, a 90-minute open gym class offered one Saturday per month. Cost: $7 per child or $10 per family. This class is for 24 months and younger, but older siblings are encouraged to participate as well. Come explore and interact with Summit’s fun, safe, padded gymnastics area for tiny tikes!

Recreational and Tumbling classes for ages 6 and older include beginner, intermediate and advanced classes that are each 60 minutes long and focus on tumbling skills, strength and flexibility. The Beginner class works up through the standing back handspring. It is great for correcting bad habits and learning proper technique. The Intermediate class focuses on developing skills further and teaches up through the round-off back handspring. The Advanced class (instructor approved) works standing back and front tucks, etc.  For tumbling class times and costs, click here.

Special Events at Summit Gymnastics

Open Gym: Every Friday from 2-4 PM.
Cost: $7 per person per day

A treat for busy parents: Parent’s Night Out! Drop off the kids at 7 PM and pick up at 11 PM. Kids get adult-supervised gym time: trampoline, snacks, pit time, games. Reservations required. Check at the gym for the next date. Cost: $20 for members; $15 for team members; $25 for non-members

Birthday Parties: Parties consist of 60 minutes of gym time with an instructor and 30 minutes for cake and presents. Cost: $100 for up to 10 kids; $10 for each additional child. Call today to reserve your day and time.

Classes for Home Schoolers:  Summit Gymnastics offers specialized classes specifically for home schoolers and their particular needs. Having a flexible schedule, Summit can tailor classes to fit your needs.

Mention SouthernMamas to receive your 10 percent discount off your first session. Summit also provides a 20 percent military discount.

Summit Gymnastics, 74 W. Montgomery Crossroads Savannah, (912) 921-1034, email: summitgymnastics@yahoo.com, www.summitgymnasticssav.com

KOOLSCIENCE4KIDZ is a Saturday morning Hands-on Science Program for elementary and middle grades students designed to improve and excite your child’s curiosity in the physical sciences.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: 1 hour of science fun/week; 2-3 hands-on experiments/week; different themes each month; monthly sign up; no registration fee. It’s held at Southwest Middle School. 6030 Ogeechee Road, Savannah.

PROGRAM TOPICS 2010-2011
AUG 7, 14, 21 Does it Matter? (3 states of matter). Dry Ice.
SEPT 4,11, 18 Wow! It’s Chemical Excitement
OCT 2, 9, 16 Where did it go? Dissolving/melting/ temperature
NOV 6, 13, 20 Amazing Slime and Polymers; Separations
NO DEC SESSIONS
JAN 8, 15, 22 So what’s with acid rain? Making indicators.
FEB 5, 12, 19 Awesome machines; pressure, density
MAR 5, 12, 19 Sounds and making music.
APR 2, 9, 16 Light, Colors & Optical Illusions.
MAY 7,14, 21 All about Magnetic Attractions.
JUNE 4,11, 18 So WATT’S this about? (electricity)
NO JULY SESSIONS

TIMES: 9 AM- 10 AM (ELEMENTARY)
10:15 AM- 11:15 AM (MIDDLE GRADES)

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Dr Sabitra Brush
COST: $48/month- there are 3 one hour sessions/month
TO REGISTER & FOR MORE DETAILS, click here. Call 912-660-3442 or email: Mathscmatters@aol.com

Back to school means homework, projects and lots of independent research.

Of course, the Internet is one of the best resources, but is bursting with over 100 million sites. How do you find the best? Do you really want your children randomly using Google? With Usborne Internet-Linked (IL) books, the searching has been done for you.

Usborne’s IL books make recommendations about carefully selected, screened, and regularly updated websites where readers can find out more about a subject. All the websites can be located via links at www.usborne-quicklinks.com. The link is available at the website of Melissa Mallory, a local Usborne Educational Consultant, at www.EsteemReading.com in the Parent Resources section.

Many of the IL books are also approved Accelerated Reader titles. Internet links are either found on the back of the book (Internet Referenced-IR) or links throughout the book (Internet Linked-IL). View our selection of Internet-Linked books here. What can you discover with Usborne’s IL titles?
• Puzzles
• Quizzes
• Coloring sheets
• Maps
• Templates
• Parent/teacher resources
• Language pronunciation guides
• Much more with over 15,000 websites

Enter Usborne’s monthly drawing for a chance to win $50 in FREE BOOKS at www.EsteemReading.com. Check back each month and re-enter! Get Double Hostess Dollars, plus an additional $50 in FREE BOOKS (with a qualifying show) by having an Educational Home Show in August! Contact Melissa Mallory at mmallory@myubah.com for more details.

Follow Usborne on Facebook at Esteem Reading-Usborne Books and More for literacy tidbits, event information, contests, and specials!

Remember, read aloud to your child EVERYDAY!

We’ve heard great things about preschool gymnastics All American Gymnastics at 7808 White Bluff, which is now registering for Fall Classes. Classes Start on Aug. 9.

All American Gymnastics offers:
Preschool & Recreational Gymnastics
Cheer/ Tumbling
Boys Fit & Fun
Competitive Gymnastics
Developmental All Star Cheer

All American also is a fun spot for children’s birthday parties. These gymnastic birthday parties include one hour of time in the gymnastics area; 30 minutes for celebration time. All American provides: Tables and Chairs; Tablecloths, Utensils, napkins, cups & plates; goodie bag for each child. Click here for birthday pricing.

All American Gymnastics, 7808 White Bluff, www.aagsavannah.com, 912.354.4343, email: sam.allamericangymnastics@gmail.com

The Classical Conversations group of Savannah will host open houses – by reservation only – during the next few weeks.

Learn how the Classical Conversations of Savannah community can help equip, encourage, and support parents in their homeschooling endeavors. Open houses start at 9 AM with a short explanation of the Classical Method of Education as well as a brief overview of Classical Conversations. At 9:15 AM, there will be an opening ceremony and dismiss for classes at 9:30 AM. During morning class time, learn and review information from English Grammar, Geography, History, Latin, Science and Math and an entire history timeline from a Biblical perspective. Enjoy watching the class presentations, hands-on science experiments, and Fine Arts sessions of the Foundations programs. Pack a lunch if you would like to eat lunch with the group.

Hear and observe the Essentials program from 1-3pm. This is when 3rd – 6th graders learn grammar, writing and play math games.

Reservations are required to ensure enough space is available. Meet on Tuesdays in Effingham county. The following dates are available for reservation: Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10. More dates will be available in 2010.

If you are interested, please contact Kristin Bigalke, Director of CC Savannah, at 912-655-8173 or rkadb004-education@yahoo.com.

Butterfly kisses were my 2-year-old son’s main objective during a recent visit to the Karen Wertheimer
Butterfly Enclosure on Hilton Head Island. He was all about trying to touch a swallowtail to find out if they really felt like eyelashes fluttering on his cheek. Fortunately for the butterflies, he wasn’t quick enough.

The butterfly habitat is a treat for kids. The small screened enclosure includes a variety of butterflies as well as nectar plants to feed the butterflies and host plants to feed the butterfly larvae.

Kids can see a live caterpillar and see butterflies in all four stages of their metamorphosis up close.

The habitat is at the Coastal Discovery Museum in Honey Horn Plantation on Hilton Head Is, which also has other children’s activities. For the butterfly habitat’s hours click here. 

Visiting the habitat is FREE. $3 museum donations are suggested.

There’s also a weekly Butterfly Discovery Tour, a guided tour through the butterfly enclosure to get up close and personal with native butterflies. Kids learn about the different stages of a butterfly’s life cycle, see a living caterpillar and a chrysalis. Museum guides also share how to help butterflies survive and thrive and also explain their adaptations and characteristics. Reservations suggested. 843-689-6767 ext 223.

Click here for more info about Hilton Head Island’s butterfly habitat.

If you’re planning a day trip to Hilton Head Is. from the Savannah area, visiting the butterfly enclosure won’t take up too much time. It’s a good kids’ activity to pair with a visit to the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum or to the animal farm at Lawton Stables, which also has horseback riding, pony rides, birthday parties, trail rides and more. All of which make up a great outing for Savannah moms groups.