Family Matters: Playing Outside & More

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Friday, February 18, 2011

Anisa Raoof, GoLocalProv Family Expert

With school vacations coming up next week for many, take advantage of great events in Providence and the great outdoors.

Kido Tip 1. Make it a movie weekend.

Movie watching doesn't have to be a passive activity. Watch, mingle, discuss, and learn how to make your own! Plan to attend the second annual Providence Children's Film Festival February 17-2, 2011. This six-day festival

celebrates the film as an art form and aims to introduce children and their families to the great variety of high-quality independent film — shorts and full-length (no Disney here) — made in the United States and around the world specifically for young audiences. There are films appropriate for all ages, some free and some require paid admission. Check out details and full schedule on the PCFF Web site. During the festival, my boys will be back again as “press kids” doing live coverage for their website, flickflackmovietalk.com—their hobby gone wild. When not watching films or attending workshops they will be interviewing the audience, staff and directors with their flip cameras. If you or your kids have an opinion about films, they will want to talk to you.

Kido Tip 2. Head outside.

After watching and making movies finding time to spend outdoors is this week’s kido favorite. Whether it’s strolling through a nature trail, a zoo, or just around the block, fresh air—without having to pack a ton of gear—is a priority this week. It might even be time to revisit a favorite playground or two. Remember your thermos full of cocoa and extra mittens.

Kido Tip 3. Celebrate Black History Month.

February is Black History Month and an ideal time to learn about and recognize the contributions and history of African Americans. The Reading Rockets Web site has great resources you can share with children now or any day of the year. Share/introduce some of our favorite local storytellers with your kids; Len Cabral, Rochel Garner Coleman, and Valerie Tutson.
Listen to them online, in person or order their recordings from the library.

Anisa Raoof is the publisher and founder of Kidoinfo, the parents' guide for Rhode Island and beyond.

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