Some Fenced and Gated Parks in the East Bay, CA

Here are some fenced and gated parks in the East Bay of  California.

Berkeley-  Aquatic Park-  80 Bolivar Drive
                 (Bancroft between University/Ashby.
Castro Valley- Parsons Park (top of Almond and Walnut Roads)
                      Castro Valley Community Park- 18988 Lake Chabot Road.
Concord- Hillcrest Park- 2086 Olivera Rd.
Dublin- Bray Commons- 3300 Finnian Way (at Keegan.)
Hayward- D Street Playground (between Foothill and Mission.)
Pleasant Hill- Gregory Land & Cleaveland
Lafayette- 500 St. Mary's Road (Behind Community Center.)
              - Brook Street and Moraga Road
              -Lafayette Reservoir
San Leandro- Halycon Park- 1245  147th Avenue
Santa Cruz- Frederick Street (By the Marina- great views!)

75th annual Walnut Festival, 9/20-9/23, Walnut Creek

The 75th annual Walnut Festival is starting today and ending this coming Sunday, September 23rd. This is a big festival in Walnut Creek at Heather Farms Park with the following amenities:

-carnival
-fishing
-3 stages of live entertertainment  (I'd recommend earplugs or a kid-friendly headphone as the music can get really loud at these festivals.  I took my son to the Lafayette art and wine festival last weekend and it was really loud!
-arts and crafts
-kidzone
-food and drinks

How Important is Play in Kindergarten?

     According to an article published by the Alliance for childhood entitled, Crisis in the Kindergarten, "Why Children Need to Play in School," child-initiated play should be restored to kindergarten.  Since my own son is currently in preschool, I am very interested in this current debate.  How much play should be incorporated in preschool and kindergarten curriculum and what should the play look like?
    Most teachers would agree that what used to be first grade curriculum looks more like kindergarten curriculum.  The argument is that school should be a place for learning, and that there is plenty of time for play at home.  Is this true?  What time do most kindergarten and preschool children actually arrive home, especially if both parents are working?  In upcoming blogs I hope to explore this debate further.
   
Resources:
www.allianceforchildhood

Apples and Honey for a Sweet New Year

The Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah began last night at sundown.  Cut apples and honey are foods almost always eaten together on this holiday.  The apple slices are dipped into honey and a prayer is given asking for a sweet new year.  Having apple slices with honey was such a treat for my son!  He was actually excited to eat apples!

Mr. Mopps 50th anniversary party on September 16

Mr. Mopps children's books and toys in Berkeley, CA, is having a 50th anniversary party tomorrow, September 16th, 2012.  There will be balloon animals created by a fairy and a pirate, face painting, chalk drawing, and live music.  The Family Book Lab a couple of doors down will offer free commemorative posters, and another neighbor, Music Connects, will also have an open house.

Resources:

Mr. Mopp's Children's books and toys
1405 MLK Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA

Date:  September 16, 2012

Time:  11AM- 3PM

Music:  11:00-11:45AM- Ukalady Band

            12:00- 12:45 PM  Brass Menazeri Band

Chabot Space and Science Museum

I visited the Chabot Space and Science Museum this past labor day, on September 3rd.  My preschool age son loved the preschool area of the museum with lots of hands on exploration experiences.  I also discovered that the museum has a Tyke Explorers workshop for children 2 1/2 to 5 years old.  There should be upcoming dates listed on the website, ChabotSpace.org/tyke-explorers.

There are also night hikes, numerous exhibits, as well as even an overnight experience at the museum for older children!

Resources:

Chabot Space & Science Center
www.chabotspace.org

Remembering