Education is a topic of great importance nationwide, and here in Arizona, the landscape of educational choices is constantly expanding. Families navigate a variety of options, from traditional to online, charter to private schools, to best meet their children’s unique needs. If you’re thinking about making a move to a private school but are concerned about affordability, planning and budgeting can help alleviate the stress on your family’s finances. Every situation is unique, but starting to plan and budget now can help take the stress out of your family’s education costs for years to come. S ..read more

It is almost that time of year again. Before you know it, your child is ready to enter their first year of school. Along with the lengthy checklist of back-to-school items, don’t forget a crucial element to the success of your child: Their well visit with their pediatrician. The importance of visiting the pediatrician before school starts Your pediatrician can help your family promote school readiness. Per the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), the physical, social, language and emotional development are all crucial components to help your child transition to school. Even if your child is ..read more

Understanding the benefits of preschool and how to best prepare your child for kindergarten As a teacher for over 33 years who has taught both preschool and kindergarten, I have seen firsthand the benefits of preschool in preparing children for kindergarten. However, I understand that not all children attend preschool—some stay home and spend quality time with a parent or family member until beginning kindergarten. If you are a parent to a toddler, you may be wondering which route is best for you. Is preschool necessary in order to set your child up for success in kindergarten? Here is a brea ..read more

Determining the appropriate start date for a child’s entry into kindergarten often revolves around a calendar day cutoff. However, while calendar dates are a significant consideration, parents should also evaluate additional factors in the decision-making process. Indicators of Readiness Ability to use a writing utensil, engage in listening to stories, and counting activities Seeking help with appropriate language skills Regulating emotions in new situations Independently managing basic needs Successfully following rules within a group setting Academic Readiness: One aspect to assess is t ..read more

Get ready to feel like a kid again when you plan your next date night at Dave & Buster’s. With an arcade full of games, and a full service menu of delicious food and refreshing drinks, you’ve got everything you need for a fun date night all in one place. About Dave & Buster’s Back in the late 1970s, Buster opened a restaurant known for its tasty food and friendly service. Just a few doors down, Dave opened an outrageous place for entertainment and games where adults were drawn for fun. The two young entrepreneurs noticed people rotating between their establishments, and an idea starte ..read more

Passover, or Pesach, is an important Jewish holiday that highlights themes of liberation, empathy, and steadfastness. This year, Passover will start on Monday, April 22nd in the evening and run through April 30th. As fans of Prince of Egypt might know, Passover is a celebration and retelling of the story of the Ancient Israelites’ escape and eventual liberation from slavery in Egypt. Egypt, in the context of Passover, should not be confused with the modern day country! Understanding the history of Passover The story of Passover follows Moses from his childhood as an adopted member of the Phar ..read more

“Keep Our Planet Neat, Recycle Your Car Seat” Has your child outgrown their seat? Is it expired? Has it been in an accident?… Don’t throw it out – RECYCLE IT! Hi-Tech Car Care in Phoenix is collecting old, expired, and damaged car seats which they will then take apart for proper recycling. Car seats don’t last forever, and over time their components will break down, especially in the hot Arizona sun. Older car seats or those that have been involved in an accident may not have visible damage, but they should not be used. This opportunity helps those with older, expired, or damaged car seats get ..read more

Activities, Books & Recipes for the Whole Family From the evening of April 22nd to April 30th, Jews across the world partake in the annual celebration of Passover, one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the Jewish calendar. PJ Library, one of the leading resources for Jewish families across North America, offers up dozens of ways to help celebrate, whether you need a refresher on a few traditions, you just want to learn more about the history of the holiday, or you’re celebrating Passover for the very first time. Passover Activities For families looking for fun, unique resources, g ..read more

Kids love trains! And let’s face it — plenty of adults do, too. In honor of National Train Day on May 13th—which marks both the day in 1869 when railroads first connected America from coast-to-coast, and Amtrak’s birthday in 1971—we’ve pulled together a list of places in Arizona with immersive train rides for the whole family and even a cocktail-themed train experience for adults! Full-Scale Trains Grand Canyon Railway 233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams 800-THE-TRAIN (843-8724) • thetrain.com The historic Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona to the awe-inspiring Grand Ca ..read more

Get ready for the most Instagram-worthy experience when you dine at Mon Cheri, a new French-inspired restaurant tucked inside a 1954 historical home in Old Town Scottsdale. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Paris when you step inside this beautiful rose-budding destination. The unique dining concept was brought to life by Mon Cheri’s Brand Founder, Elexsis Caliskan who, despite having no prior experience in hospitality, ventured into the opportunity to revolutionize her relationship with food and the culture she encountered in Scottsdale to create Mon Cheri. I recently had the chance ..read more