SanTan Sun News
hello spring
Parents can address kids’ fears with calm behavior, reassurance
By Max Kraust
Terrorist attacks are never easy to comprehend, and for children it’s even harder.
With the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels that left 30 people killed and more than 200 injured, it is likely that children will hear rumblings through news outlets or fellow students and worry about their own safety. Children are very curious and when they ask questions about serious topics such as terrorism, it can be difficult to know how to react.
The American Red Cross, in partnership with the American Psychological Association, has offered tips for parents on how to handle these topics.
Talk to your children
It is important to make sure the situation is addressed with children, even if they do not approach with questions. And if children do ask questions, be prepared to answer. These are teaching moments for how to handle unfavorable situations and should be approached in a calm manner. By not reaching out to children, they may have unknown concerns that are left unaddressed.
“We know children are connected to the media. They hear things and see things on TV,” said American Red Cross Regional Mental Health Adviser Shannon Durham. “They should bring it up in as calm a way as possible, whatever their family tradition is for death.”
Make sure you are OK with the situation
It is vital that parents are not
overwhelmed. Often, it can be a good idea to discuss the situation with other adults before approaching children. This strategy can prevent unwanted reactions and keep children from feeling their parents’ concern, adding to their own apprehensions.
“Make sure you are in a good place yourself before you talk to your children,” said Durham. “It’s not a good time to talk to your children if you aren’t in a good state.”
Protect your children
Parents are the protectors of their children and, like in any other situation, it is important to make them feel safe. Though the recent attacks have been overseas, children need to be reassured that their home is a safe place. Mention that law enforcement is doing its job to find the parties responsible and protect the victims and citizens, no matter where the attacks occur.
“We tell our children that home is a safe place no matter what. It is the place to be and parents still need to be emphasizing that with their children,” said Durham. “Parents have picked their children up, cleaned off their knees and kept them safe. There are surprises sometimes, but by and large, people are safe.”
Listen to your children
Parents are able to direct the conversation with their children, but it is also equally important to listen to what they have to say. Kids may not always use their words to express how they are feeling, making it also important to pay attention to their body language and reactions.
“Parents, me included, frequently say they will talk to their children about something, but really it is important to listen to your children. Listen with all of your senses,” said Durham. “Parents need to watch their children to see if they are having any kinds of reactions so that they can react appropriately.”
Limit time exposed to the news
When events like Brussels attacks occur, news stations will often focus all of their attention on them. When children are seeing this information hours or days later, they might believe that these are separate incidents.
“The truth is, most children don’t have any idea of where Belgium or Brussels are, but if they see the news over and over, they could become upset,” said Durham. “Parents can get their fill of news when the children aren’t around. Children don’t need to see the news being recycled over and over.”
Dealing with these situations is not easy, it is necessary to reassure youngsters.
“Parents’ jobs are so hard because we are tasked with being truthful and real at the same time,” said Durham. “There are still lots of good things happening every day that are quite wonderful. We need to help our children put things in perspective.”
Parents can reassure children with calm words and demeanor after a highly publicized act of terrorism.
2 Chandler Jazz Festival, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.. Come and enjoy a spectacular weekend of great jazz in a variety of outdoor venues. All performances are free. While you enjoy many of the free performances you can also visit the galleries, restaurants and shops that make Downtown Chandler a great place to visit. The downtown area has plenty of free parking available. You may want to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the outdoor performances. Downtown Chandler, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., www.chandleraz.gov/jazz.
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Arizona Railway Museum, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit Chandler’s railway museum at Tumbleweed Park. The Arizona Railway Museum was founded and incorporated in 1983 as a nonprofit, educational and historical organization. The museum is dedicated to the railways of Arizona and the Southwest. The interest and fascination of railways and trains has no boundaries and so railways of all kinds are included in the scope of the museum. Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Rd., Chandler. Display yard and building free; display cars $2 per person or $5 per family/ group. For information, call Tim at (480) 8334353 or Bart Barton at (480) 831-6520, www.azrymuseum.org.
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ImprovMANIA, 7 p.m. Join ImprovMANIA every Friday and Saturday night for a family-friendly comedy show. ImprovMANIA’s improv comedy shows are fast-paced, live comedy shows made up on the spot based on audience suggestions like the show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Prepare for a night of laughter in Downtown Chandler. ImprovMANIA, 250 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $10 per person. (480) 699-4598, www.improvmania.net
2 Monthly Family Birdwalks, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Veterans Oasis Park the first Saturday of every month from November to April. One-hour walks begin every 30 minutes starting at 8 a.m. Be prepared for the outdoors. Sun protection, closed-toe footwear, and drinking water are recommended. Meet at the Red-Tailed Hawk Pavilion. Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec
3 Rocks That Talk, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. What would rocks tell you if they could talk? What secrets do they keep about themselves? To find out, join Ranger Tish on this fun and informative program about the things that crunch under your feet while you hike. Meet at the main trailhead area and explore a portion of the Goldmine trail. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring water and dress according to the weather. San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Phillips Rd., Queen Creek. $6 park entry fee per vehicle. www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan.
4 Chefs in the Making, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Make a cute apron and then cook something yummy while wearing your new kitchen fashion statement. Each class is a stand-alone class, however, a variety of treats will be made, so sign up for multiple classes. Ages 7 to 12. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $8 to $11 registration fee and $20 supply fee. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.
4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29 Tumbleweed Tots, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This indoor play area is designed for children 5 years of age and younger to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and
clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $2 to $3 registration fee. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.
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Desert Walk N Talk, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Join the park host for an easy 1-mile walk and talk program about the beautiful desert. Learn how to identify plants while also learning the answers to some interesting questions, such as: Do you know how to identify a cholla cactus? Do cholla cactus really jump? How many seeds do saguaros produce and why don’t we see more of them? For all the answers, meet the host at the flag pole. Bring extra water and wear closed-toed shoes. San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Phillips Rd., Queen Creek. $6 park entry fee per vehicle. www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan.
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Tumbleweed Tumble Tots, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This indoor play area is designed for children 5 years of age and younger to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $2 to $3 registration fee. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed
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STEAM Club, 4-5 p.m. Come to the Chandler Library STEAM Club and have fun every Tuesday with science, technology, engineering, art and math. Play games, dig up dinos, weird science, fun crafts, LEGO cars and more. Win prizes just for showing up! Ages 6 to 11. STEAM Club is a VERTEX program, where Chandler Public Library intersects with STEAM and Makerspace. Downtown Library Cactus Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
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Exploring Mandalas, 4:30 p.m. to p.m. Create your own unique mandala, an imaginative circular image steeped in many cultures. The group will be using colored pencils, oil pastels and 3-D objects. Ages 6 to 12. Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $8 to $11 registration fee. (480) 782-2730, www.chandleraz.gov/registration.
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Family Night at the TRC, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On the first and third Wednesdays of the month enjoy a variety of different recreational activities and entertainment. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $2 to $5 registrations fee. For more information, contact Michael Fenzel, (480) 782-2908. www.chandleraz.gov/registration.
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Kids Club, powered by National Geographic Kids, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. April’s theme is dinosaurs. The Chandler Fashion Center Kids Club is a great opportunity for children to learn in a fun, interactive setting. Chandler Fashion Center teamed up with National Geographic Kids to create activities and games that focus on discovery through play. Chandler Fashion Center, in the Gap wing near the Food Court, 3111 W Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Free. (480) 812-8488, www.ShopChandlerFashionCenter.com/KidsClub
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Chandler Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m. The market offers fresh local produce, prepared goods, desserts and some crafts on select days. All items are grown in Arizona or are homemade from local
vendors. 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Free. www.chandlerfarmersmarket.com.
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Community Nights – Family Fun Fridays at the Courtyard, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Every Friday in the month of April, the Community Center will have a plethora of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Carnival games, arts and crafts, ping pong and more will be featured for a night of family fun. There will be prizes and raffles throughout the events, so come on out and enjoy a fun Friday at the courtyard. Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $3 to $5. (480) 782-2727, www.chandleraz.gov/registration.
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Goodnight Moon, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. The world’s most loved bedtime story comes to life. It’s 7 in the great green room. It’s time to go to sleep, but Bunny isn’t ready. With the help of his friends and a few moments of pure magic, he is finally ready to say goodnight. Imagine alongside the kittens and mittens, the bears and the chairs, the red balloon, and of course, the moon. Make wonderful memories with this musical version of the delightful tale. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkw., Tempe. Tickets $12 to $26. (480) 350-2822, www.childsplayaz.org.
9 Meet the Creature! 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. In this interactive program, children will get up close and personal with live animals while receiving a fun lesson in wildlife rescue and conservation. Each program features different fascinating animals from around the world. Registration required. Children ages 2 to 12 must be accompanied by a paid adult. Instructor: Lisa Limbert of Lisa’s Creatures & East Valley Wildlife, Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9 registration fee. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec.
9 Read to Dogs, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Each child can spend 10 minutes reading to an assistance dog in training. Ages 3 to 12. Downtown Library Copper Room North, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
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Science Story Book Series, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Find out what adventures Ms. Frizzle takes her students on during this story series. Class will begin with a Magic School Bus story followed by a craft or experiment from the book’s topic. Learn about animals, plants, their functions and much more! Environmental Education Center Coyote Room 101, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $12 to $17 registration fee and $6 supply fee. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec.
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Mommy and Me – Personalized Bookmarks, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come make this fun, personalized bookmark (bring a small picture – optional) to use in all of your favorite books. Each bookmark will be laminated in class. See TRC lobby case for sample. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $9 to $13 registration fee and $5 supply fee. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed
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Animal Explorations, 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
This class is for curious kids who wonder what makes us tick. We’ll go on a hunt for some animal tracks and learn all about the different ways they have adapted to their habitats. We will explore wondrous human and animal bodies in this fun, hands-on, multisensory modalities class. Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler
Heights Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9 registration fee. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec
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Chandler Art Walk, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Art Walk provides a fun, family atmosphere where you can browse the many different types of art available from our talented artists. It is a monthly event featuring local artists and musicians, and is a great opportunity to visit all of the unique establishments in downtown Chandler. Every third Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., downtown Chandler welcomes more than 50 local artists to the historic square. All artists must go through a jury process to be accepted in the Art Walk. Only fine art and fine craft submissions will be considered. TechShop Chandler, 249 E. Chicago St., Chandler. Free. www.chandlerartwalk.com.
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Friday Feeding Frenzy! 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Have you ever wondered what the live animals at the EEC eat for dinner? Have you ever seen a snake stalk its prey? Join the EEC staff on the first and third Friday of each month for a live animal feeding. Meet the animals in our nature center and learn about their diets. Stick around and watch the animals feed. Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Free. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec.
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Sonoran Desert 101, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. New to the desert? Wondering what is out there in this amazing land? This will be a short 1.3-mile hike on our Littleleaf trail and talk about all the amazing plants and animals that live in the desert. Once finished, you will never see the desert the same way again. Wear closed-toed shoes, hat, and sunscreen. Bring water. Meet the host at the flag pole. San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Phillips Rd., Queen Creek. $6 park entry fee per vehicle. www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan.
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Ballet Etudes’ Cinderella, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. The classic tale of beautiful Cinderella, her clumsy stepsisters, a magical fairy godmother, and a handsome prince comes to life in Ballet Etudes’ fan-favorite production. With magical sets and costumes and original choreography set to Prokofiev’s breathtaking score, this production of Cinderella will leave you believing in magic. Backstage tours are offered following most performances. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $16 to $22 for tickets. (480) 782-2683, www.chandlercenter.org.
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Milkshakes with Mom, 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Come make milkshakes with your mom. Create these tasty treats and enjoy spending time together. Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. $6 to $9 registration fee and $15 supply fee. (480) 782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.
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Discovering Fossils, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. More than 300 million years ago, most of Arizona was covered by a shallow inland sea that left behind thousands of marine fossils. Learn about the basic properties of how fossils form and what types are common to Arizona. Children must be accompanied by a guardian. Ages 7 and older. Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. $3 to $5 registration fee. (480) 782-2890, www.chandleraz.gov/eec
Spring Landscaping Spruce-Up
We offer hundreds of opportunities for you and your family to discover hidden talents, develop new skills and have fun through our classes, programs and events. For a complete listing of upcoming activities or for more information on programs highlighted below pick up Break Time magazine at Chandler facilities, visit www.chandleraz.gov/registration or call 480-782-2727.
Summer LEADERS IN TRAINING
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 22
The Leaders In Training program places youth in a work environment within the City of Chandler over the summer where they learn about real jobs and gain great experience! Hours can be used towards scholarships and looks great on resumes. Contact Shawn Peoples for more information at 480-782-2746. Registration is $17 Residents / $23 Non-residents.
at the E NVIRONMENTAL E DUCATION CENTER
9 a.m.- noon
Recreational SWIM TEAMS
REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 11
This program is designed to teach basic competitive swimming skills, build self esteem, and improve strokes. It’s a great way to meet new friends, keep your kids active, and introduce them to a swim team program. We offer one morning and three evening programs. For more information please call 480-782-2756.
CHANDLER TRACK & FIELD MEET
This year’s event features hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle from on-site vendors and exhibitors. Call the Environmental Education Center at 480-782-2889 for more information.
Decades Dance
FRIDAY, APRIL 15 • 6:30 - 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16 • 7:30 a.m.
Cut a rug at the City of Chandler’s Decades Dance sponsored by Recreation and Athletics for Individuals with Disabilities. Join us at the Chandler Community Center as with dance throughout the decades paying tribute to the 50s, 70s and 90s . Don’t forget to come dressed as your favorite era. For more information, please contact Collette Prather at 480-782-2709.
Lace up your sneakers and get running! The annual Track & Field Meet at Chandler High School features sprints, relays, the standing long jump, and the softball throw for youths in various age categories. Open to girls and boys ages 6 -14 years, the Meet does not required track and field experience. Registration is required and $5 Residents/ $7 Non-residents. For more information, please contact Teo Ruiz at 480-782-2704.
Senior SPRING FLING
SATURDAY, APRIL 9 • 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Join Chandler’s Active Adult community at the Chandler Senior Center for a fun-filled afternoon of musical entertainment, dancing, games and backyard BBQ. Registration is $5 for Residents / $7 for Non-residents. For more information, please call the Senior Center at 480-782-2720.
Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and the Chandler City Council
April Pools Day is April 30
To help children build the skills they need to stay safe in and around water there will be an April Pools Day, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday April 30, at the Hamilton Aquatic Center, 3838 S. Arizona Ave.
A family-friendly afternoon, the event includes free public swimming, games, water rescue and CPR demonstrations. Chandler Aquatics staff will give swim tests 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to assist parents in determining their child’s swim class level.
The Hamilton Aquatic Center has two one-meter diving boards, two water slides, a water vortex, current river, zero-depth play pool and interactive water play feature. Info: (480) 782-2750.
