Gabriella Bautista, 7, reads to therapy dog, Crosby, as part of the Reading to a Dog program at Irvine Heritage Park Library. (Photo Courtesy of Adam and Claudia Photography) From dogs and goats to cows and horses, animals offer calm, joy and acceptance for children with all needs.  Third Mondays are bustling every month at the Irvine Heritage Park Library with kids, parents — and dogs.  It’s when the library’s Read to a Dog program takes place, giving children the chance to read a book to a therapy dog in a relaxed setting to a very non-judgmental listener. On a recent program day ..read more

Alex Martin with his father Alan Martin winning gold metals in their Unified Golf competition Learn how children with special needs benefit from sports, dance, swim and other types of physical activities.   If you peek into Elizabeth Rose Chacon’s dance class, you might see children yelling. They could be spinning uncontrollably or flapping their arms — behaviors that teachers elsewhere might find too distracting. But not here. Not at A Dance Class For Me! in Irvine where children with special needs — mostly autism — get to be themselves and do whatever they need to calm down and cop ..read more

How can I help foster the emotional health and well-being of my child? All ages  As a parent, fostering emotional well-being in your school-aged child is crucial for their overall development and resilience. Emotional well-being encompasses a range of factors including self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills and a positive outlook on life. Here are some ways you can support your child’s emotional health: 1. Healthy Relationships: Building strong and healthy relationships within the family and beyond is essential for a child’s emotional well-being. As a parent, prioritize creating ..read more

Spring time now means the return of annual food festivals at Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland Resort.  The dark purple smear across the faces of the six people in the pie-eating contest at Knott’s Berry Farm is a pretty good indication that spring has arrived.  Like the wildflowers, Daylight Savings Time and the start of baseball season, the spring food festivals at Orange County’s local theme parks have become synonymous with the vernal equinox. It’s a pleasant trend that benefits locals the most. Why Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks have bec ..read more

(Photo by maddimadevegan.com) These lemon bars are light, airy and the epitome of spring. Made with a shortbread crust and zingy lemon filling — it melts in your mouth! The origins of lemon bars can be traced back to the 1960s. Sometimes referred to as “lemon squares,” over the decades this dessert has cemented its status as a cherished classic that is easy enough for even kitchen novices. We’ve adapted this recipe to be allergy-friendly, free from eggs, dairy, nuts and gluten. But still bright, cheerful and tasty as can be. Now little chefs, let’s get baking. Ingredients: Crust 1/4 cup sugar ..read more

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Learn about this powerful approach to help in raising your special needs child. Parenting a child with special needs can be a unique and rewarding journey filled with joys and challenges. It requires patience, understanding and unconditional love that goes beyond what most parents experience. Here we will explore the concept of mindfulness parenting and how it can positively impact the well-being of both the child and the parent. What is Mindfulness Parenting? Mindfulness parenting is the practice of being fully present and engaged at the moment with your child. It involves cultivating a non ..read more

(Photo Courtesy of Beyond Blindness) Learn how to help your child with special needs have an enriching summer camp experience.  Choosing a summer camp — and preparing your child with special needs for the experience — can be a daunting task for parents and caregivers. But the reward is well worth the effort when kids can make positive, enriching summer camp memories.  The first step is finding a camp that is supportive of your child’s unique needs, provides inclusive and adaptive programming, has trained staff members, and is supportive of children’s imagination and exploration. For ..read more

Parenting OC Magazine is teaming up with local businesses for a Deserving Mom Makeover Contest for two lucky moms to win a fabulous makeover package and a mini-portrait session to show off the final results. Each submission should include an essay about why a mother: parent, significant other, or friend is deserving of a makeover. Stay tuned for the winner announcement on our social media @parentingocmag on Instagram and Facebook! The two winning moms will also be featured in our May Issue. Nominate your deserving mother below… The post Mother’s Day Makeover Giveaway —2024 first appeared on ..read more

From north to south Orange County, here all the egg-citing activities for the Easter season. North OC  Bunny Hop Westminster will have you hopping to keep up its Bunny Hops activities. The city will host these festive spring events at its four city parks. Hops happen at Gillespie Park (10 am-11:30 am) and Liberty Park (1 pm-2:30 pm) on March 23 and Bolsa Chica Park (10 am-11:30 am) and Sigler Park (1 pm-2:30 pm) on the 30th. No matter the location, all the Hops will feature spring crafts, fun activities, treats and an egg hunt.  westminster-ca.gov Egg Night & Eggstravaganza Morn ..read more