Lessons Tip!

Practice!!

We teach our kids that ‘practice makes perfect’ so does this rule apply for swim lessons as well. Practicing regularly outside of the lessons is the same concept as homework for school by taking those learned skills and apply them to the outside world. You will definitely see progress, whether it’s classes for yourself or for your kids, if you add regular practice into the routine. We offer weekday and weekend swim times at the pool/s if you don’t have access to a pool, then take advantage of the year-round, warm pools to practice for your family. Get in to the water as much as you can before Summer and make the Summer a more water-safe and fun time for this year! Call us for Swim Times. 408-358-7049

Family Times

Culturally Diverse Children

Teaching your children from an early age to be culturally diverse, not only expands their knowledge of other cultures, but makes them more tolerant individuals as well. ‘A good portion of bullying is ‘bias-oriented’: It happens when kids have trouble accepting another child’s differences.’* So teaching children empathy and respect for one another is a great starting place for change. Now days, many of us either come from a culturally blended family ourselves or speak multiple languages at home. This is great! We can start with our own heritage and cultures, creating your families personal traditions, if you haven’t already. Next we can expand beyond our own cultures and learn about other cultures, outside of our own.

Teaching children about culture doesn’t have to be only in the race and the countries themselves, but could be in the holidays, traditions, languages, history or foods of another culture or country. It’s not only learning for your child, but probably for yourself as well and it’s fun! I thoroughly enjoy learning along side my daughter.

*ParentingMagazine, Issue 263, May 2012, page 60. ‘Culture Blind’, Teri Cettina

Healthy Families

Whole Wheat crust Mediterranean Hummus Pizza!

Buy a whole wheat pizza dough. Kids will have fun helping you flour and roll out the crust! Give them little aprons and/or a chef hat. Have the kids choose the vegetables (at least 5 kinds and colors is a must!), be it; different color bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, spinach, pineapple chunks, cherry tomatoes (red or golden, golden are sweeter). Have kids help chop the softer vegetables (age appropriate and with a butter knife. My 4 year old loves to chop and peel, with supervision). Once the crust is rolled out and all the veggies are chopped, have kids help spread on hummus, any flavor, to the crust and then sprinkle the veggies on anywhere and everywhere. The hummus not only adds hidden fiber, protein and a delicious flavor change for a pizza, but it’s much less messy than the traditional red sauce! Put in the oven and set a timer (based on instructions on the pizza dough wrapper). Delicious, fun, fresh and healthy for the WHOLE family!

 

Healthy Families

Healthy families thrive together! Looking for an easy, healthy recipe the whole family will LOVE? Here’s my one-pan vegetable meal!
One sweet potato (or white potato), 2 zucchini, 1 bunch of asparagus, 1 box of
mushrooms (sliced), half a jalapeno (optional) or substitute a bell pepper or
any other kind of pepper. Peel and chop potato, place in a skillet with some
zero calorie non-stick spray and ¼ cup of water. Once potatoes start to become
soft (test by poking a fork in), add chopped zucchini and asparagus (discard
ends and slice lengthwise and then in half), stir frequently. Add in peppers
and mushrooms. If you used sweet potatoes, then season to taste with honey,
yellow curry and nutmeg! Kids WILL love this (and even dads too), my daughter
thinks the sweet potatoes are candy. If you used white potatoes, you may prefer
to season with garlic and curry, salt and pepper. For a true one-pan meal, you
can add any kind of cooked sausage or tofu and voila! I served this dish
along-side a fillet of salmon!

Family Times

Spring into Spring with the entire family! Plant vegetables/flowers. Bring the kids with you to the gardening store to learn about all the different vegetables and plants,
differing textures and colors etc. Have your kid/s pick out their favorites
(making sure it’s season appropriate & with the right about of sun &
water, etc. Ask an associate if you’re not sure). Plant together! I pre-made my
own raised vegetable beds (research before doing this because you need treated
wood and an EPA approved sealant). The kids will enjoy watching these grow,
watering them, and picking the vegetables, fruits or flowers when they bloom!
They’ll be so proud and learn a lot while giving thanks back to Mother Nature,
all at the same time. Spring is the perfect time to plant before Summer.

Maki News

March Kids Night Out!

March Kids Night Out!

March Kid's Night Out!

March Kid’s Night Out!

March Kid's Night Out!

March Kid’s Night Out!

March Kid’s Night Out was a success! Thanks to everyone who came, we had a lot of fun swimming with you and look forward to the next event on April 20th! Reserve your space, this is a great way for kids to swim with their friends and for you to have a few kid-free hours!