| Daily |
| Today Is Teacher Appreciation Day |
| Are your pupils dilated yet? |
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Present your teachers with this sweet Teacher Appreciation Certificate |
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From manners to arithmetic, teachers drop wisdom every day. Discover more life lessons in the fun book, If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don’t! By Elise Parsley. |
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| Make the head of the classroom a gift from the heart. Here are 9 creative ideas to get you started. |
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{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Little, Brown and Company }
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When it comes to children’s book authors, the DMV has no shortage of all stars. From beloved classics to freshly pressed favorites and covering topics from sports to zoos to nature, we’ve rounded up a must-read list that kids of all ages and interest can enjoy. Read on for our picks by local literary heroes.
Judy Sierra
Whether you’ve sung your way through Zoozical or witnessed the Big Bad Wolf’s rehabilitation in Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf, you’re likely familiar with the work of Judy Sierra. The Wild About Books author now lives in Portland, Oregon but grew up nearby in Falls Church, Va. Wonder if she had any local places in mind when she wrote We Love Our School!
Online: judysierra.net
Judith Viorst
Yes, it’s true. Alexander’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day startedright here in D.C. Author Judith Viorst has lived in the area since 1960. And besides stories about Alexander (there are three beyond the original that has since become a movie), she’s written dozens of other titles including another series about a precocious little girl named Lulu.
Online: authors.simonandschuster.com/Judith-Viorst
Katherine Paterson
Do you remember reading The Bridge to Terabithia? It, and Paterson’s equally awarded The Great Gilly Hopkins were set in Virginia. Jacob I Have Loved, another classic favorite, was set in the Chesapeake Bay. Although she now lives in Vermont, her childhood and early adulthood in Virginia continues to inspire her legendary stories.
Online: katherinepaterson.com
Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Unlike some of the others in this list, you won’t recognize elements from the district in Maya Was Grumpy. But you’ll definitely want to read it when the snow days get long and tempers get short as a way to help everyone feel a little less crispy. And then, maybe see if Pippin-Mathur could do a visit at your school!
Online: pippinmathur.com
Fred Bowen
Got a sports fan in your home? Spend the off-season reading the short, fast-paced sports fiction stories crafted by local author and Silver Spring resident, Fred Bowen. With titles about Football, Baseball, Soccer, and Basketball, there’s sure to be something to keep your kids’ head in the game until spring. And in between books, check out his weekly sports column for kids in the Washington Post!
Online: fredbowen.com
Henry Cole
Author, illustrator, and Alexandria native, Henry Cole infuses the beautiful nature of our area into his books. See the Chesapeake Bay come alive in On the Way to the Beach or hear his childhood days in Loudon County come through in I Took a Walk.
Online: henrycole.net
Who are your favorite local authors?
—Tricia Mirchandani
feature photo: Kevin Davenport via flickr
Beyond the obligatory “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir,” it would also be nice to convince your kid that his shorts are not his napkin. Persistence in the please and thank you game can pay off. Read on for our picks for Atlanta etiquette classes and send your child into their future more confident and considerate.
Charm Ettiquette
Charm Etiquette, the brain child of Atlanta mom and entrepreneur Erika Preval, promises a modern spin on etiquette and leadership. Erika believes that kiddos who master manners early are more socially savvy and successful. Her classes provide a place for kids to learn the foundation of manners in a fun in memorable way.
Yes, please: Charm keeps it local, with all classes taking place within neighborhood restaurants. Your little one gets to learn in a real world atmosphere and you get to join them at the table of yummy dining spot.
Dazzling Manners
Beyond just where to put your napkin and which fork to use, the education learned in a manners and etiquette class increases a kid’s confidence and self-esteem. Manners coach Patti Davis teaches everything from polishing table manners to helping little ones deal with bullies.
Yes, please: Dazzling Manners reviews the topics of proper hygiene and dress with your kiddos, because we all know how hard it can be to convince certain little ones it’s not okay to wear their Batman cape everywhere.
Peachtree Etiquette, LLC
If anyone can coax your kiddo into thinking that manners are fun, it’s the folks at Peachtree Etiquette. Set in a cozy, home like environment Peachtree Etiquette teaches decorum and dining skills using fun games and activities.
Yes, please: Start them young! Peachtree Etiquette has a “Pre-Etiquette” class perfect for building the confidence and age appropriate manners for kiddos as young as three!
Etiquette Atlanta
On a mission to improve self-esteem and teach good manners as a way of life, Etiquette Atlanta offers unique classes for the needs of boys, girls or teens. Young ladies can start polishing poise and confidence as early as Kindergarten. Topics covered will include entertaining, the finer points of posture and proper sitting. Classes for little men start in the third grade and review topics like table manners, the art of being a gentleman and good sportsmanship.
Yes, please: Why not check out a Summer Boot Camp? During this three week course, kids will learn everything from how to tie a tie to how navigate a formal dinner. You’re sure to be grinning big as you watch your little practice their perfected manners as the camp comes to an end with a final luncheon.
How do you teach you tot manners? Please share your secrets with us in the comments section below. Thank you!
—Candice Rose
Photos courtesy of Charm Etiquette, Etiquette Atlanta and Peachtree Etiquette, LLC via Facebook
Swiping food from grandma’s plate, forgetting to say thank you to auntie who splurged on the X-Box, or interrupting during a big family announcement with pointless tattle-telling…Has this last round of holiday dinners left you wondering if your kids were actually raised by a pack of wolves? Never fear—we’ve rounded up some of the most fun places where kids can be schooled on social graces and modern manners. No need to thank us.
Sidwell Friends School
Crystal Bailey says it was her classy godmother that encouraged her to learn and teach good manners. Now the Director of the Etiquette Institute of Washington, she teaches table manners and “netiquette” to kids. Her mantra? An attitude of gratitude starts at a young age (#touche). Bailey says six to seven years old is the “sweet spot” to start teaching manners. Her three-week class at Sidwell Friends School starts at seven years old, so until then you’re in charge of making sure Junior doesn’t pick his nose at the table.
When: Wednesdays, year-round (6:30 pm-7:30 pm)
Ages: 7-14
Cost: $175/per three-week session
3825 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (Cleveland Park)
202-670-7349
Online: washingtonetiquette.com
The Dandelion Patch
Christine Chen of Global Professional Protocol is an expert on filling young people in on why manners matter. For two decades she’s been teaching children (and grown-ups) the importance of good etiquette. She focuses on role playing, where—for example—kids dress as knights to explain a handshake. But Chen goes beyond the meaningful handshake. Kids also learn about social media manners, how to properly say thank you, and the fine art of letter writing.
When: Jan. 21
Ages: 5-18
Cost: $40
111 Church Street, NW (Vienna, Va)
703-319-9099
Online: thedandelionpatch.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City
If your kids already know the basics of etiquette, take them to The Ritz where they can practice their Ps and Qs over afternoon tea. At the Teddy Bear Children’s Tea, kids will love the selection of sandwiches and pastries sized just for them. If she’s not into an herbal blend, ask for hot cocoa, which will keep her warm and on her best behavior. Honestly, though, is there a better way to encourage grown-up attitude (from adults, too) like tea at the Ritz!
When: Saturdays, 2:30 pm-4:30 pm; Sundays, 3 pm-4:30 pm
Ages: 5 and up
Cost: $16
1250 South Hayes St. (Arlington, Va)
703-415-5000
Online: ritzcarlton.com
How do you teach your kids good manners and etiquette? Tell us in the comments section below.
—Sonya Gavankar
Photo courtesy of Etikids via Flickr
