KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: February is Children’s Dental Health Month, which means it's the perfect time to talk about LYING. The first lie my daughter Madison ever attempted was when she was about 3. "Did you brush your teeth?” I asked as she was getting ready for bed. She nodded earnestly, but I had my doubts; a check of the toothbrush revealed it was dry as the Sahara. "Looks like
we need a do-over," I said. "Try again." In a 2025 Delta Dental study of 1000 parents of kids age 12 and under, 67% of respondents reported difficulty in getting their kids to brush their teeth. And in a related but thoroughly unscientific survey, 100%
of the friends I asked told me that their own kids have lied about tooth brushing at least once. See, young children don’t experience truth as adults do; their developing minds blur the line between reality and hope, between what happened and what they would prefer had happened. Brushing is tedious, being done is better. Add a desire to please Mom, and those wires can cross. In those early years, our job is to help kids gradually separate fact from wishful thinking. You might
think that prosecuting dishonesty harshly might scare kids into telling the truth, but that often just scares them into hiding more cleverly. Our goal as parents isn't just to have kids who brush their teeth and do their own homework and someday file tax returns without creative interpretations of “business mileage,” although we do want all those things. But overall, we want kids who are brave enough to be, rather than seem to be. If they see early that
mistakes can be brought into the light and fixed with a do-over, they’re far less likely to build a life around pretending they didn't happen. So my best recommendation for Children's Dental Health Month is to model both scrupulous honesty and scrupulous teeth-brushing yourself. In case you need an immediate solution, though, I hunted down a list of kids' best tooth-brushing songs thoughtfully supplied by the American Dental Association. Grit your teeth and hum along.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong
Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Summer fun starts at the YMCA of Greenwich—and registration is now open for our 2026 Summer Camps! With spots filling quickly, now is the time to plan a season of adventure, learning, and connection. This year, we’re excited to introduce all-new outdoor
camps at Camp Seton, offering a nature-rich experience with hiking, archery, water activities, and more. We offer camps for every age, from infants and preschoolers to school-age kids, middle schoolers, and high schoolers. Tweens and teens can build leadership skills through specialty programs and work toward future employment opportunities at the Y. Plus, families love our one-week specialty camps, perfect for kids who want to dive into a favorite interest like coding, archery, or creative
technology. There’s truly something for everyone this summer at the Y!
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At Hudson Country Montessori School (Danbury and New Rochelle locations), your child is seen, supported, and celebrated. Our Toddler and Primary Programs are thoughtfully designed to nurture each child’s natural curiosity, independence, and joy for
learning. From the boundless energy of toddlers to the growing confidence of preschoolers, we guide children to explore at their own pace in classrooms that feel like family. With Montessori-trained educators, hands-on materials, and a deep respect for every child’s unique strengths, we help students build a strong foundation for lifelong success. At Hudson, children don’t just learn—they discover who they are, what they love, and how to thrive.
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Give your child a true Waldorf Experience this summer -- Immersive time in nature, imaginative play, and a gentle, summer rhythm that nourishes children's head, heart and hands. This summer we will move, explore, be creative and have fun both in nature as
well as indoors! Each day will include ample time in nature, movement opportunities both indoors and out, a nutritious and organic snack and time for creativity and play. Each week will have a different craft project that the children will be working on.Weekly Activities include building, gardening, cooking, puppetry, watercolor painting, crafts, circle games, drumming and plenty of free play. A flowing gentle rhythm will guide the children through the day. The day will end with story time and
lunch (brought from home). A homemade, organic snack is included daily. Our extended-care program includes an afternoon nap, snack and free play.
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Save 15% with our Early Bird Special! Registration is now open for Darien Arts Center summer camps, offering children and teens the chance to explore dance, visual arts, music, and theater in a supportive and inspiring environment. With programs for
all ages and experience levels, campers build skills, confidence, and friendships while learning from professional instructors. Highlights include dynamic dance camps, visual arts camps, an immersive acting camp, and individualized music instruction. The 15% discount applies to Dance Academy camps and Visual Arts camps through March 15th, and space is limited. Register today at darienarts.org.
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Sat and Sun, Feb 21-22: Get ready for a town-wide celebration filled with winter magic and small-town charm: Winter Weekend in Norfolk is back for its 9th year! Affectionately known as the "Icebox of Connecticut," Norfolk invites visitors of all ages to
experience two unforgettable days of arts, culture, music, and adventure with activities all over town.
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It’s a winter wonderland at Grace Farms! Families can enjoy special programming inspired by a cozy staycation. Pick up a passport at the Welcome Desk — or bring a passport from previous “vacations” at Grace Farms — and venture through the
River building for wintertime activities. Collect stamps at each activity for a small treat.
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Late winter is the perfect time to take part in the New England tradition of maple sugaring. Join us for a walk in the woods to learn about the history of maple sugaring and how to identify maple trees. Help tap a tree to collect sap, discover how to make
your own maple syrup at home, and taste fresh maple sap, syrups, and other maple treats around the campfire. Ages 3+
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Experience the beauty and solitude of the lower Connecticut River during this wonderful time of year! It is so different than it is any other time of the year. There are no other vessels on the water, and with no leaves on the trees, our wildlife viewing is
easy and fun. RiverQuest has a heated cabin, but we suggest that you dress in warm layers since the best views will be from the open decks. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars! …No binoculars? No worries, we have plenty on board for you to borrow! We will also provide complimentary coffee and tea.
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Celebrate Black History Month with immersive programming that highlights and honors the stories, art, and triumphs that have shaped the African American experience. Free Admission all day!
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Didn’t get a chance to catch the Eras Tour, or missing the feels of a fantastic Taylor Swift concert? Well, this tribute show is for you! Get ready for an immersive experience of all the hits, fan favorites, and surprises that make a Taylor show the
masterpiece that it is. From Fearless to Midnights, and iconic bits from her debut album down to The Life of a Showgirl, it’s bound to be a night that’ll get you shaking it all off, filling in that blank space, and probably shedding a tear. Every single Swiftie deserves to experience what a Taylor Swift concert is like, and LET’S SING TAYLOR makes it all possible. Made and sponsored by fans themselves, this tribute show not only offers a night of song, but a chance to celebrate the wonderful
community that make Swifties the wonderful fandom they are today.
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Reserve your time to visit the Sugar House as staff and volunteers demonstrate turning sap into syrup with an entertaining mix of science, stories and humor. The entire family will be fascinated by the maple sugar-making process. There is a $5 per person
donation suggested, which supports Flanders future maple sugar programming.
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- First AMI Montessori Infant Program - Willow Tree Montessori, Willow Tree Montessori, Feb 20-22, 8:30 - 3:30pm
- Family Programs at Yale Peabody Museum - Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT, Feb 21, See website for specific program times
- Access for All Community Day | Black History Month at The New Britain Museum of American Art - Lexington Street, New Britain, CT, Feb 21, 11 am
- Take or Make Craft at Southbury Public Library - Poverty Road, Southbury, CT, Feb 21, All day
- Winter Weekend in Norfolk 2026 - The Norfolk Hub, 2 Station Place, Norfolk, CT, Feb 21-22, Check website for schedule
- Little Red Bar[n] Live Music at Bishop's Orchards - Bishop's Orchards, 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT, Feb 20-21, 6:30 pm
- 9:30 pm
- Open House for 2026-27 Enrollment - Willow Tree Montessori, 171 Amity
Road, Bethany, CT, Feb 22, 1:00pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Fairfield County area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour
the schools.
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Fairfield COunty area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're
escaping a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Fairfield County area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's Top 20 Places to Take Fairfield County Kids: Once again, our readers have spoken! Thousands of parents voted in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners
in special categories like favorite spot for indoor play, favorite nature center, favorite museum, and much more!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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