(ARA) - Remember the summer days when you held a camping adventure under the stars in your own backyard, played board games with your parents or enjoyed an ice cream bar on a hot night? Do you remember learning to ride a bike through the neighborhood, waving to everyone sitting out on the front porch or working on their landscaping?
Now that you have children of your own, summer is a great opportunity to repeat those memories and share them with your kids. Here are some ideas to bring back the memories:
Camp in the backyard
Remember making s'mores and chasing fireflies while camping in your backyard? Recruit help from your kids to set up the campsite and then spend the afternoon playing games, looking at the clouds and talking about bugs. After grilling out and roasting marshmallows over a fire pit, make the experience an educational one and teach your children about the planets and stars they'll be sleeping under.
Decorate the sidewalk
Who hasn't drawn oversized pictures on the sidewalks and driveway? Bring the kids outside for a day of fun and creativity - decorating the sidewalk with chalk drawings is a creative outlet for young artists. Trace the outlines of your kids' bodies and teach them about different body parts. And there's easy clean-up - either wait for rain from Mother Nature or wash away the art with a hose for a clean canvas.
Cool off with an ice cream treat
For 90 years, the familiar jingle of the Good Humor ice cream truck has brought smiles to many children in neighborhoods across America. And for adults, the ice cream man brings back special happy memories from their own childhoods. Memories of when they played hard all day and their moms let them visit the truck when dinner was finished. Parents can treat their families to classic nostalgic frozen treats all summer when they see (or hear) the ice cream truck coming down the street. It's the perfect opportunity for parents to share with their kids stories from when they were young.
This summer, that specially marked 4 oz. single-serve Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Eclair, Toasted Almond or Candy Center Crunch bar could win you $10,000 - or one of 10,000 instant-win prizes. Check the stick to see if your ice cream bar is an "instant winner" or, for free instant-win game play, mail a 3x5 paper with your name, date of birth and full address to Good Humor. Log on to www.GoodHumor.com to redeem prizes, enter to win the $10,000 cash sweepstakes and review the full sweepstakes rules.
Announce a family games tournament
The games of your childhood can entertain your children for hours - especially if they haven't played them before. Organize various competitions and races, such as an egg-carrying race, an obstacle course and a soccer ball dribbling contest. Fashion a challenge to see who can create the most delicious or craziest ice cream sundae. Bring all the fixings to the patio, and if there's a mess, turn on the sprinkler for a fun way to clean up sticky hands and faces.
Create a backyard adventure
Bring back the homemade stage by having your children bring their favorite books to life. Don't forget to share the stories you loved when you were a child - they might become favorites of your children. If there's a sandbox, dress as pirates and have a buried treasure hunt. For mystery fans, set up a scavenger hunt with clues hidden around the house and yard. And for young playwrights, the backyard area provides the perfect stage to decorate, dress up and play out a scene.
About the sweepstakes
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. The 10,000 Winners Sweet-Stakes is sponsored by Conopco, Inc. doing business as Unilever. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., ages 13 and older (for Maine residents, 18 and older). For free game play, send a 3 inch by 5 inch paper with name, date of birth and full address to: Good Humor Request, P.O. Box 7999, Melville, NY 11775-7999, by Sept. 14. The contest ends at 11:59:59 p.m. pacific time on Sept. 6. For official rules, visit www.GoodHumor.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Showing posts with label tyrone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tyrone. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Ten Ways Parents Can Keep Children Safe This Summer
/PRNewswire/ -- School is out and summer is an exciting time for kids. What are your child's plans? Will he or she be spending time home alone or going to local parks and swimming pools with friends? The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children says there are ten things parents can do to keep their children safe this summer.
1. MAKE SURE children know their full names, address, telephone numbers
and how to use the telephone.
2. BE SURE children know what to do in case of an emergency and how to
reach you using cell phone or pager number. Children should have a
neighbor or trusted adult they may call if they're scared or there's an
emergency.
3. REVIEW the rules with your children about whose homes they may visit
and discuss the boundaries of where they may and may not go in the
neighborhood.
4. MAKE SURE children know to stay away from pools, creeks, or any body of
water without adult supervision
5. CAUTION children to keep the door locked and not to open the door or
talk to anyone who comes to the door when they are home alone.
6. DON'T drop your children off at malls, movies, video arcades or parks.
These are not safe places for children to be alone. Make certain a
responsible adult supervises your younger children at all times when
they are outside and away from home.
7. TEACH your children in whose vehicle they may ride. Children should be
cautioned to never approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless
accompanied by a parent or other trusted adult.
8. BE SURE your children know their curfew and check in with you if they
are going to be late. If children are playing outside after dark, make
sure they wear reflective clothing and stay close to home.
9. CHOOSE babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends,
and neighbors. Many states now have registries for public access to
check criminal history or sex-offender status. Observe the
babysitter's interaction with your children, and ask your children how
they feel about the babysitter.
10. CHECK out camp and other summer programs before enrolling your
children. See if a background screening check is completed on the
individuals working with the children. Make sure there will be adult
supervision of your children at all times, and make sure you are made
aware of all activities and field trips offered by the camp or
program.
"Child safety is important all year, but summer is an especially important time for parents and children to include safety in their activities," according to Ernie Allen, President & CEO of NCMEC. "Always listen to your children and keep the lines of communication open. Your children are your best source for determining if everything is okay. Teach your children to get out of dangerous or uncomfortable situations right away and practice basic safety skills with them. Make sure they know they are able to tell you about anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused."
NCMEC also recommends that parents be sure all custody documents are in order and certified copies are available in case your children are not returned from a scheduled summer visit.
For additional safety tips and information visit www.missingkids.com or www.netsmartz.org.
NCMEC is the leading nonprofit organization dealing with the issues of missing and sexually exploited children and operates a 24-hour toll free national hotline for reporting missing child cases. NCMEC has played a role in the recovery of more than 151,000 children and today, more children come home safely than ever before. Last year alone we helped recover 13,075 children, improving our recovery rate from 62 percent in 1990 to 97.4 percent today. And more of those who prey on children are being identified and prosecuted. Yet too many children are still missing and too many children are still the victims of sexual exploitation. There is much more that needs to be done.
-----
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1. MAKE SURE children know their full names, address, telephone numbers
and how to use the telephone.
2. BE SURE children know what to do in case of an emergency and how to
reach you using cell phone or pager number. Children should have a
neighbor or trusted adult they may call if they're scared or there's an
emergency.
3. REVIEW the rules with your children about whose homes they may visit
and discuss the boundaries of where they may and may not go in the
neighborhood.
4. MAKE SURE children know to stay away from pools, creeks, or any body of
water without adult supervision
5. CAUTION children to keep the door locked and not to open the door or
talk to anyone who comes to the door when they are home alone.
6. DON'T drop your children off at malls, movies, video arcades or parks.
These are not safe places for children to be alone. Make certain a
responsible adult supervises your younger children at all times when
they are outside and away from home.
7. TEACH your children in whose vehicle they may ride. Children should be
cautioned to never approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless
accompanied by a parent or other trusted adult.
8. BE SURE your children know their curfew and check in with you if they
are going to be late. If children are playing outside after dark, make
sure they wear reflective clothing and stay close to home.
9. CHOOSE babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends,
and neighbors. Many states now have registries for public access to
check criminal history or sex-offender status. Observe the
babysitter's interaction with your children, and ask your children how
they feel about the babysitter.
10. CHECK out camp and other summer programs before enrolling your
children. See if a background screening check is completed on the
individuals working with the children. Make sure there will be adult
supervision of your children at all times, and make sure you are made
aware of all activities and field trips offered by the camp or
program.
"Child safety is important all year, but summer is an especially important time for parents and children to include safety in their activities," according to Ernie Allen, President & CEO of NCMEC. "Always listen to your children and keep the lines of communication open. Your children are your best source for determining if everything is okay. Teach your children to get out of dangerous or uncomfortable situations right away and practice basic safety skills with them. Make sure they know they are able to tell you about anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused."
NCMEC also recommends that parents be sure all custody documents are in order and certified copies are available in case your children are not returned from a scheduled summer visit.
For additional safety tips and information visit www.missingkids.com or www.netsmartz.org.
NCMEC is the leading nonprofit organization dealing with the issues of missing and sexually exploited children and operates a 24-hour toll free national hotline for reporting missing child cases. NCMEC has played a role in the recovery of more than 151,000 children and today, more children come home safely than ever before. Last year alone we helped recover 13,075 children, improving our recovery rate from 62 percent in 1990 to 97.4 percent today. And more of those who prey on children are being identified and prosecuted. Yet too many children are still missing and too many children are still the victims of sexual exploitation. There is much more that needs to be done.
-----
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Monday, June 7, 2010
Ten Steps to Help Prevent Common Illnesses at Summer Camp
/PRNewswire/ -- As summer sets in, nearly six million campers will attend summer camps in the U.S.(1) And while summer is typically not know as cold or flu season, illnesses and injuries - some very serious - occur every year at hundreds of camps.
Flu viruses and infectious diseases spread quickly through camps due to the close contact of campers, soiled skin and surfaces and sharing of towels or clothes. Infectious diseases cause 20 percent of all illnesses among campers and staff members.(2) Additionally, sports camps have the added feature of common sports injuries that then make campers susceptible - through open wounds - to infection.
To help prepare for camp, parents should understand how to help prevent these illnesses and talk to their children.
"Talking about how to stay safe from infection and illness is a very important part of preparing for camp," said Grant Doornbos, M.D. in Louisville, Ky. and former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athlete. "Especially those going to sports camps, if you have to show them what some infections look like in pictures, while sometimes scary, it can help them understand what to look for on their skin or their teammates' skin."
Ten prevention tips parents should share with their campers:
1. Throughout the day, wash hands with antimicrobial antiseptic soap or
alcohol sanitizers, if a sink is not available.
2. Wash hands and forearms above the elbow immediately before sports using
an antimicrobial wash or wipe that contains chlorhexidine gluconate
(CHG), such as Hibiclens soap or Hibistat® wipes. This protects the
skin from bacteria for up to 6 hours during skin-to-skin contact
sports.
3. Shower as soon as possible after sports activity in hot water with an
antimicrobial cleaner with four percent CHG, which kills germs
(including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], a type
of staph infection that is resistant to many common antibiotics(2)) on
contact and for up to six hours after washing.
4. Clean sports equipment after use and ensure it dries completely after
cleaning. Use antimicrobial wipes or sprays on equipment that cannot
be washed. Make sure the contact time is observed from the label
instructions to insure disinfection.
5. Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages. Have them checked by a
doctor if they are red or won't heal or if flu like symptoms develop
(fever).
6. Put dirty clothes and towels in a separate bag, not in backpacks or
sports bags with clean clothing.
7. Wash and dry clothes and towels on the hottest setting possible. Make
sure all fabrics are completely dry before removing from the dryer.
8. Do not share any personal hygiene items, towels or clothing with
others.
9. Know the signs and symptoms of common skin-to-skin contact illnesses
including impetigo, ringworm and MRSA.
10. Tell a coach or camp counselor about a rash, bite or painful sore
immediately.
"I wish there had been sprays, wipes and soaps that killed these potentially dangerous bugs when I went to wrestling camp," said Dr. Doornbos. "I had to experience too many of these infections myself before I knew how to prevent them. Now, I don't go anywhere, especially the gym, without Hibistat wipes. We still see too many cases of athletes with bad infections that could have been prevented."
Free educational materials are available at http://www.hibiclens.com/parents.html to help parents, coaches and campers. Hibiclens® and Hibistat® are available at drug stores including CVS, Rite Aid and Stop & Shop in the first aid section. Hibiclens is available at Walgreens, Walmart and Target in first aid as well.
-----
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Flu viruses and infectious diseases spread quickly through camps due to the close contact of campers, soiled skin and surfaces and sharing of towels or clothes. Infectious diseases cause 20 percent of all illnesses among campers and staff members.(2) Additionally, sports camps have the added feature of common sports injuries that then make campers susceptible - through open wounds - to infection.
To help prepare for camp, parents should understand how to help prevent these illnesses and talk to their children.
"Talking about how to stay safe from infection and illness is a very important part of preparing for camp," said Grant Doornbos, M.D. in Louisville, Ky. and former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athlete. "Especially those going to sports camps, if you have to show them what some infections look like in pictures, while sometimes scary, it can help them understand what to look for on their skin or their teammates' skin."
Ten prevention tips parents should share with their campers:
1. Throughout the day, wash hands with antimicrobial antiseptic soap or
alcohol sanitizers, if a sink is not available.
2. Wash hands and forearms above the elbow immediately before sports using
an antimicrobial wash or wipe that contains chlorhexidine gluconate
(CHG), such as Hibiclens soap or Hibistat® wipes. This protects the
skin from bacteria for up to 6 hours during skin-to-skin contact
sports.
3. Shower as soon as possible after sports activity in hot water with an
antimicrobial cleaner with four percent CHG, which kills germs
(including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], a type
of staph infection that is resistant to many common antibiotics(2)) on
contact and for up to six hours after washing.
4. Clean sports equipment after use and ensure it dries completely after
cleaning. Use antimicrobial wipes or sprays on equipment that cannot
be washed. Make sure the contact time is observed from the label
instructions to insure disinfection.
5. Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages. Have them checked by a
doctor if they are red or won't heal or if flu like symptoms develop
(fever).
6. Put dirty clothes and towels in a separate bag, not in backpacks or
sports bags with clean clothing.
7. Wash and dry clothes and towels on the hottest setting possible. Make
sure all fabrics are completely dry before removing from the dryer.
8. Do not share any personal hygiene items, towels or clothing with
others.
9. Know the signs and symptoms of common skin-to-skin contact illnesses
including impetigo, ringworm and MRSA.
10. Tell a coach or camp counselor about a rash, bite or painful sore
immediately.
"I wish there had been sprays, wipes and soaps that killed these potentially dangerous bugs when I went to wrestling camp," said Dr. Doornbos. "I had to experience too many of these infections myself before I knew how to prevent them. Now, I don't go anywhere, especially the gym, without Hibistat wipes. We still see too many cases of athletes with bad infections that could have been prevented."
Free educational materials are available at http://www.hibiclens.com/parents.html to help parents, coaches and campers. Hibiclens® and Hibistat® are available at drug stores including CVS, Rite Aid and Stop & Shop in the first aid section. Hibiclens is available at Walgreens, Walmart and Target in first aid as well.
-----
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Parents: Help Your Teens Party Right at Graduation
/PRNewswire/ -- Graduation...
Graduation is a time to celebrate. But before your graduates party, take the time to talk with them about alcohol -- it just may save a life.
It's About Your Teen...
A teenager's brain is still developing and it is very sensitive to alcohol's effects on judgment and decision-making.
Alcohol Can Be Tricky...
If your graduates drink, they may temporarily feel elated and happy, but they should not be fooled. Ask them to consider these risks.
Their inhibitions and memory soon become affected--so they may say and do things that they will regret and possibly will not remember doing at all.
Their decision-making skills are also affected. They may become restless and aggressive. They may be more at risk for having an alcohol-related traffic crash, getting into fights, trashing a house, or making unwise decisions about sex.
Then there is what happens to their physical control--loss of balance, slurred speech, and blurred vision. Normal activities--even crossing a busy intersection--can become truly dangerous.
Too Much Alcohol Becomes a Deadly Poison...
If your graduates drink enough, they will eventually get sleepy and pass out. Reflexes like gagging and breathing can be suppressed. That means they could vomit and choke to death or just stop breathing. They may even be at risk for alcohol poisoning.
Before the celebrations begin, take a few minutes to talk with your graduate about the dangers of alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex, which prevents choking. Someone who drinks a fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop breathing. Even if someone survives an alcohol overdose, he or she can suffer irreversible brain damage. Rapid binge drinking (which often happens on a bet or a dare) is especially dangerous because the victim can drink a fatal dose before losing consciousness.
A person's blood alcohol concentration can continue to rise even while he or she is passed out. Even after someone stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the blood-stream and circulate throughout the body. A person who appears to be sleeping it off may be in real danger.
Critical signs of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, stupor, coma, or the person cannot be roused; vomiting; seizures; slow (fewer than eight breaths per minute) or irregular (10 seconds or more between breaths) breathing; and hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, and paleness.
Know the danger signals. If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, don't wait for all the critical signs to be present. If you suspect an alcohol overdose, call 911 immediately for help.
Think About It!
If graduates drink too much, it can mean trips to the emergency room, arrests, and sexual assaults. They could put themselves and their friends in real danger. Ask them to consider this: Is that any way to celebrate?
Talk With Your Graduate...
Research shows that parents do make a difference. Talking with your graduate about alcohol now could prevent serious problems later.
Remember...
Tell your graduate to play it safe and party right at graduation.
For more information, please visit www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov.
-----
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Graduation is a time to celebrate. But before your graduates party, take the time to talk with them about alcohol -- it just may save a life.
It's About Your Teen...
A teenager's brain is still developing and it is very sensitive to alcohol's effects on judgment and decision-making.
Alcohol Can Be Tricky...
If your graduates drink, they may temporarily feel elated and happy, but they should not be fooled. Ask them to consider these risks.
Their inhibitions and memory soon become affected--so they may say and do things that they will regret and possibly will not remember doing at all.
Their decision-making skills are also affected. They may become restless and aggressive. They may be more at risk for having an alcohol-related traffic crash, getting into fights, trashing a house, or making unwise decisions about sex.
Then there is what happens to their physical control--loss of balance, slurred speech, and blurred vision. Normal activities--even crossing a busy intersection--can become truly dangerous.
Too Much Alcohol Becomes a Deadly Poison...
If your graduates drink enough, they will eventually get sleepy and pass out. Reflexes like gagging and breathing can be suppressed. That means they could vomit and choke to death or just stop breathing. They may even be at risk for alcohol poisoning.
Before the celebrations begin, take a few minutes to talk with your graduate about the dangers of alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex, which prevents choking. Someone who drinks a fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop breathing. Even if someone survives an alcohol overdose, he or she can suffer irreversible brain damage. Rapid binge drinking (which often happens on a bet or a dare) is especially dangerous because the victim can drink a fatal dose before losing consciousness.
A person's blood alcohol concentration can continue to rise even while he or she is passed out. Even after someone stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the blood-stream and circulate throughout the body. A person who appears to be sleeping it off may be in real danger.
Critical signs of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, stupor, coma, or the person cannot be roused; vomiting; seizures; slow (fewer than eight breaths per minute) or irregular (10 seconds or more between breaths) breathing; and hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, and paleness.
Know the danger signals. If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, don't wait for all the critical signs to be present. If you suspect an alcohol overdose, call 911 immediately for help.
Think About It!
If graduates drink too much, it can mean trips to the emergency room, arrests, and sexual assaults. They could put themselves and their friends in real danger. Ask them to consider this: Is that any way to celebrate?
Talk With Your Graduate...
Research shows that parents do make a difference. Talking with your graduate about alcohol now could prevent serious problems later.
Remember...
Tell your graduate to play it safe and party right at graduation.
For more information, please visit www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov.
-----
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Anti-Bullying Workshop Set for May 20 in Fayetteville
Bullying is an unfortunate reality for many school children. Around 160,000 students miss school each day for fear of being bullied; 77 percent of children are bullied mentally, verbally and physically; and 3.2 million students in 6th-10th grade say they are victims of bullying each day.
These statistics are why the Fayette County Public School System, in partnership with local law enforcement and the Association of Village PRIDE, is offering an anti-bullying workshop on May 20, 7:30 p.m., at the Sams Auditorium on the campus of the LaFayette Educational Center.
The focus of the workshop will be on prevention and how to decrease bully/victim behavior at home and school. Participants will become better informed and equipped to access, manage, and respond to bullying behaviors and situations. Parents of elementary and middle school students are encouraged to attend.
Michael R. Carpenter, PhD and author of “Waging Peace,” will conduct the workshop. Carpenter is a nationally certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Program trainer, as well as a violence, drug, and student assistance consultant who lives in metropolitan Atlanta. The workshop will include a panel of local experts and a parent panel for questions and answers.
Tickets are available through the school system’s elementary and middle schools for a $5 donation each. They are also available at the Fayetteville and Peachtree City public libraries and at the door. All proceeds will be donated to Promise Place, which prevents domestic violence through awareness programs, educational training, and providing safe environments for victims and their families by utilizing legal advocacy, emergency shelters and transitional housing.
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These statistics are why the Fayette County Public School System, in partnership with local law enforcement and the Association of Village PRIDE, is offering an anti-bullying workshop on May 20, 7:30 p.m., at the Sams Auditorium on the campus of the LaFayette Educational Center.
The focus of the workshop will be on prevention and how to decrease bully/victim behavior at home and school. Participants will become better informed and equipped to access, manage, and respond to bullying behaviors and situations. Parents of elementary and middle school students are encouraged to attend.
Michael R. Carpenter, PhD and author of “Waging Peace,” will conduct the workshop. Carpenter is a nationally certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Program trainer, as well as a violence, drug, and student assistance consultant who lives in metropolitan Atlanta. The workshop will include a panel of local experts and a parent panel for questions and answers.
Tickets are available through the school system’s elementary and middle schools for a $5 donation each. They are also available at the Fayetteville and Peachtree City public libraries and at the door. All proceeds will be donated to Promise Place, which prevents domestic violence through awareness programs, educational training, and providing safe environments for victims and their families by utilizing legal advocacy, emergency shelters and transitional housing.
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Join PTC First Presbyterian for an Experience of Discovery June 21-25
To register, click on www.firstpresptc.com and go to the Events tab. For more information, please call the church office at 770-487-7757.
The VBS discovery takes place:
June 21-25
9 am - 12 pm
First Presbyterian Church
206 Willow Bend Rd
Peachtree City
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Thursday, May 6, 2010
Georgia State University offers summer camps for youth
Area K-12 schools will soon be dismissed for summer, but Georgia State University offers a variety of programs to keep students learning and having fun during the break.
GSU’s College of Education, for example, will host a “Mystery Festival: Who Done It?” camp during the week of June 7-11 for students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade.
Presented by the Saturday School for Scholars and Leaders – the college’s yearlong program to provide educational enrichment for gifted students in metro Atlanta – the “Mystery Festival” camp will give students a chance to do forensic science tests of “crime scenes,” sort through evidence and use critical thinking skills to solve mysteries. Students will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day on the GSU campus.
“Our camp gives students hands-on activities and creative problem solving skills they may or may not be getting in the regular classroom,” said John Kesner, associate professor of early childhood education and director of the Saturday School for Scholars and Leaders.
The camp costs $295 per student. For more information on the “Mystery Festival” camp including an application, visit: http://education.gsu.edu/saturdayschool/NewFolder/DAYCAMP/Daycamp_2010.htm
For musically-inclined students, Georgia State’s School of Music is hosting the “Jazz Orchestra Atlanta Summer Camp” for rising 8th graders through high school seniors who want to grow their brass, woodwinds or rhythm section skills.
The camp will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21-25 on the GSU campus and will be taught by nationally recognized faculty, such a Gordon Vernick, associate professor of music and coordinator of jazz studies at Georgia State. The camp is MARTA accessible and lunch will be provided by Chick-fil-A. Special guest artists will also present master classes for students. Cost of the one week camp is $240 per student. A limited number of camp scholarships are available. Information and registration forms are available at www.orchestraatlanta.org or by calling 770-992-2559.
For students interested in leading the band, the School of Music and the GSU Marching Band are hosting the first “Student Leadership Institute” that will focus on developing the leadership skills for the state’s top band students in an exciting and interactive environment.
Students will participate in seminars, workshops and experience downtown Atlanta during June 4-5. Registration is $95 per student, but group rates are available upon request. The registration deadline is May 7. For more information, contact Mariel Reynolds, coordinator of community music programs, at 404-413-5902 or mareynolds@gsu.edu
Georgia State’s athletic coaches for football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball and soccer offer youth camps as well. For more information and registration, visit: www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12700&ATCLID=3724735
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GSU’s College of Education, for example, will host a “Mystery Festival: Who Done It?” camp during the week of June 7-11 for students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade.
Presented by the Saturday School for Scholars and Leaders – the college’s yearlong program to provide educational enrichment for gifted students in metro Atlanta – the “Mystery Festival” camp will give students a chance to do forensic science tests of “crime scenes,” sort through evidence and use critical thinking skills to solve mysteries. Students will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day on the GSU campus.
“Our camp gives students hands-on activities and creative problem solving skills they may or may not be getting in the regular classroom,” said John Kesner, associate professor of early childhood education and director of the Saturday School for Scholars and Leaders.
The camp costs $295 per student. For more information on the “Mystery Festival” camp including an application, visit: http://education.gsu.edu/saturdayschool/NewFolder/DAYCAMP/Daycamp_2010.htm
For musically-inclined students, Georgia State’s School of Music is hosting the “Jazz Orchestra Atlanta Summer Camp” for rising 8th graders through high school seniors who want to grow their brass, woodwinds or rhythm section skills.
The camp will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21-25 on the GSU campus and will be taught by nationally recognized faculty, such a Gordon Vernick, associate professor of music and coordinator of jazz studies at Georgia State. The camp is MARTA accessible and lunch will be provided by Chick-fil-A. Special guest artists will also present master classes for students. Cost of the one week camp is $240 per student. A limited number of camp scholarships are available. Information and registration forms are available at www.orchestraatlanta.org or by calling 770-992-2559.
For students interested in leading the band, the School of Music and the GSU Marching Band are hosting the first “Student Leadership Institute” that will focus on developing the leadership skills for the state’s top band students in an exciting and interactive environment.
Students will participate in seminars, workshops and experience downtown Atlanta during June 4-5. Registration is $95 per student, but group rates are available upon request. The registration deadline is May 7. For more information, contact Mariel Reynolds, coordinator of community music programs, at 404-413-5902 or mareynolds@gsu.edu
Georgia State’s athletic coaches for football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball and soccer offer youth camps as well. For more information and registration, visit: www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12700&ATCLID=3724735
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How To Keep Children's Minds Sharp During Summer
(StatePoint) School may be out for summer, but that doesn't mean your children should take a vacation from using their brains.
Kids need to keep their minds sharp or risk what is known as summer learning loss -- the erosion of academic skills gained during the school year. According to several studies, children lose the equivalent of one to three months of reading and math classes if they stop using these skills over the summer.
"That old refrain about no more pencils and no more books shouldn't hold true if you want your children to stay mentally active and keep up with their peers," says Susan Bolotin, editor-in-chief of Workman Publishing, publisher of the "Brain Quest" educational card game series.
"The best way to maintain academic skills is to make reading and math fun through enjoyable activities," she points out.
Here are some ways to avoid the dreaded summer slide:
* Let Kids Run Wild -- In the Library: Take your child to get a library card and make regular trips to check out books. Let kids pick anything they want, so long as it's age-appropriate. Experts say reading four or five books over a summer will maintain reading skills. Just make sure book selections are challenging enough.
As a special treat, let your child choose a book or two from the bookstore to keep permanently. Any topic works, so long as the books get finished!
* Use Educational Games and Workbooks: Play together at home using educational reading and math games and workbooks that reinforce skills learned at school. Mix things up to keep kids interested.
You should also include younger pre-school children, so they don't feel left out. Try playing with re-usable card games, such as "Brain Quest Write & Erase" sets. Geared to give little ones a leg up on writing, reading and using numbers, these new educational games prepare kids for kindergarten by focusing on the alphabet, numbers, phonics, shapes and colors.
* Take Learning Adventures: Take excursions to museums, national parks, zoos or aquariums. Try a hike focusing on birds, plants or any special theme. Read about this theme in advance, so your child will connect real life to reading. Or take the family to a concert -- it doesn't matter the type of music, as long as everybody enjoys it.
* Make Car Trips Educational: Turn family car rides into learning time. Play games counting animals, cars or buildings, or matching shapes or colors that go by. And bring along educational toys or games, such as crossword puzzles or a "Brain Quest For The Car" trivia deck, which focuses on America and its people, geography, nature and history.
* Encourage Personal Interests: Have your child keep a journal or start a collection -- be it stamps, seashells, baseball cards or anything else. Collecting involves counting and reading, allowing children to connect the real world to educational skills.
For more educational games and activities, visit brainquest.com.
"The summer is great for getting kids to learn in relaxing settings, using approaches that seem more like playing than learning," says Bolotin.
By making summer learning fun, your kids can be ahead of the curve when its time for school.
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Kids need to keep their minds sharp or risk what is known as summer learning loss -- the erosion of academic skills gained during the school year. According to several studies, children lose the equivalent of one to three months of reading and math classes if they stop using these skills over the summer.
"That old refrain about no more pencils and no more books shouldn't hold true if you want your children to stay mentally active and keep up with their peers," says Susan Bolotin, editor-in-chief of Workman Publishing, publisher of the "Brain Quest" educational card game series.
"The best way to maintain academic skills is to make reading and math fun through enjoyable activities," she points out.
Here are some ways to avoid the dreaded summer slide:
* Let Kids Run Wild -- In the Library: Take your child to get a library card and make regular trips to check out books. Let kids pick anything they want, so long as it's age-appropriate. Experts say reading four or five books over a summer will maintain reading skills. Just make sure book selections are challenging enough.
As a special treat, let your child choose a book or two from the bookstore to keep permanently. Any topic works, so long as the books get finished!
* Use Educational Games and Workbooks: Play together at home using educational reading and math games and workbooks that reinforce skills learned at school. Mix things up to keep kids interested.
You should also include younger pre-school children, so they don't feel left out. Try playing with re-usable card games, such as "Brain Quest Write & Erase" sets. Geared to give little ones a leg up on writing, reading and using numbers, these new educational games prepare kids for kindergarten by focusing on the alphabet, numbers, phonics, shapes and colors.
* Take Learning Adventures: Take excursions to museums, national parks, zoos or aquariums. Try a hike focusing on birds, plants or any special theme. Read about this theme in advance, so your child will connect real life to reading. Or take the family to a concert -- it doesn't matter the type of music, as long as everybody enjoys it.
* Make Car Trips Educational: Turn family car rides into learning time. Play games counting animals, cars or buildings, or matching shapes or colors that go by. And bring along educational toys or games, such as crossword puzzles or a "Brain Quest For The Car" trivia deck, which focuses on America and its people, geography, nature and history.
* Encourage Personal Interests: Have your child keep a journal or start a collection -- be it stamps, seashells, baseball cards or anything else. Collecting involves counting and reading, allowing children to connect the real world to educational skills.
For more educational games and activities, visit brainquest.com.
"The summer is great for getting kids to learn in relaxing settings, using approaches that seem more like playing than learning," says Bolotin.
By making summer learning fun, your kids can be ahead of the curve when its time for school.
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Nearly Three in Four Americans Say Bullying Serious Problem in Their Local Schools
/PRNewswire/ -- Nearly three-quarters of Americans consider bullying and harassment a serious problem in their local public schools, though not as serious as illegal drugs and lack of respect for teachers, according to a new survey by the nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization Public Agenda.
More than one-third of Americans (35 percent), including 39 percent of parents, say they were bullied themselves when growing up. But only 8 percent of the public and 10 percent of parents say they were bullied "a lot." These findings are based on a Public Agenda survey of 1,001 people, including 262 parents of children under 18, conducted from April 8 - 11, 2010.
The recent tragedy in South Hadley, Mass., where six teenagers currently face criminal charges in connection with bullying that prosecutors say led to the suicide of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince, has reopened fresh debate over how pervasive bullying is in American schools and what can be done about it.
Public Agenda found that 74 percent of those surveyed say bullying and harassment are serious problems in their local schools, with 47 percent calling these actions "very serious" problems. Roughly three-quarters (76 percent) of the public say illegal drugs and students treating teachers with a lack of respect are serious problems, with 53 percent calling illegal drugs and 50 percent saying disrespect for teachers was "very serious."
Parents are actually slightly less concerned about these problems than the public overall. Sixty-nine percent of parents say bullying is a serious problem (40 percent say "very serious"), seventy percent say disrespect for teachers is a serious problem (45 percent say "very serious"), and 68 percent say illegal drugs are a serious problem (39 percent say "very serious").
Physical fighting and cheating in schools are lesser concerns for both the total public (59 percent and 55 percent, respectively) and parents (55 percent for fighting, 48 percent for cheating).
Adults who say they were bullied in school are more likely to say bullying is a "very serious" problem (49 percent versus 42 percent of those who said they weren't bullied). Men are more likely to say they were bullied (41 percent compared with 30 percent of women), but women are more likely to consider bullying a "very serious" problem (53 percent of women compared with 41 percent of men).
For full results of this survey, visit: www.publicagenda.org/pages/bullying-2010.
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More than one-third of Americans (35 percent), including 39 percent of parents, say they were bullied themselves when growing up. But only 8 percent of the public and 10 percent of parents say they were bullied "a lot." These findings are based on a Public Agenda survey of 1,001 people, including 262 parents of children under 18, conducted from April 8 - 11, 2010.
The recent tragedy in South Hadley, Mass., where six teenagers currently face criminal charges in connection with bullying that prosecutors say led to the suicide of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince, has reopened fresh debate over how pervasive bullying is in American schools and what can be done about it.
Public Agenda found that 74 percent of those surveyed say bullying and harassment are serious problems in their local schools, with 47 percent calling these actions "very serious" problems. Roughly three-quarters (76 percent) of the public say illegal drugs and students treating teachers with a lack of respect are serious problems, with 53 percent calling illegal drugs and 50 percent saying disrespect for teachers was "very serious."
Parents are actually slightly less concerned about these problems than the public overall. Sixty-nine percent of parents say bullying is a serious problem (40 percent say "very serious"), seventy percent say disrespect for teachers is a serious problem (45 percent say "very serious"), and 68 percent say illegal drugs are a serious problem (39 percent say "very serious").
Physical fighting and cheating in schools are lesser concerns for both the total public (59 percent and 55 percent, respectively) and parents (55 percent for fighting, 48 percent for cheating).
Adults who say they were bullied in school are more likely to say bullying is a "very serious" problem (49 percent versus 42 percent of those who said they weren't bullied). Men are more likely to say they were bullied (41 percent compared with 30 percent of women), but women are more likely to consider bullying a "very serious" problem (53 percent of women compared with 41 percent of men).
For full results of this survey, visit: www.publicagenda.org/pages/bullying-2010.
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Friday, April 9, 2010
Great American Cookies(R) Asks 'Are you the Great American Grad?'
/PRNewswire/ -- Great American Cookies® announced today that the company has launched the 2010 Great American Grad Contest. The contest, which runs through May 2, was developed as a way to honor and reward graduates from across the country.
To enter, graduates are asked to describe, in 200 words or less, what makes them the "Great American Grad." Prizes for the contest will be awarded in June, when one lucky graduate will receive a $5,000 Grand Prize. Five Runner Ups will also be selected and will each receive a $50.00 gift certificate to Great American Cookies.
The contest will be conducted completely online, with submissions accepted only through the entry form available at www.greatamericancookies.com. Visitors to the site will also have the chance to help Great American Cookies select the winner by voting for their favorite entries online. The contest is supported by NexCen Franchise Management, Inc., a subsidiary of NexCen Brands, Inc.
"Graduation from high school or college is an incredibly proud and memorable moment for students and their families," said Jenn Johnston, senior vice president of brand marketing for NexCen Franchise Management. "We're thrilled to sponsor this contest and look forward to hearing from today's graduates as they share their stories with readers from all over the United States."
Customers can stay up to date on all of Great American Cookies' new products and promotions by becoming a fan of the brand on Facebook (www.facebook.com/greatamericancookies), following the brand on Twitter (www.twitter.com/Gr8AmCookies) or by joining Great American Cookies' e-mail fan club (CookiE-mail) at www.greatamericancookies.com.
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To enter, graduates are asked to describe, in 200 words or less, what makes them the "Great American Grad." Prizes for the contest will be awarded in June, when one lucky graduate will receive a $5,000 Grand Prize. Five Runner Ups will also be selected and will each receive a $50.00 gift certificate to Great American Cookies.
The contest will be conducted completely online, with submissions accepted only through the entry form available at www.greatamericancookies.com. Visitors to the site will also have the chance to help Great American Cookies select the winner by voting for their favorite entries online. The contest is supported by NexCen Franchise Management, Inc., a subsidiary of NexCen Brands, Inc.
"Graduation from high school or college is an incredibly proud and memorable moment for students and their families," said Jenn Johnston, senior vice president of brand marketing for NexCen Franchise Management. "We're thrilled to sponsor this contest and look forward to hearing from today's graduates as they share their stories with readers from all over the United States."
Customers can stay up to date on all of Great American Cookies' new products and promotions by becoming a fan of the brand on Facebook (www.facebook.com/greatamericancookies), following the brand on Twitter (www.twitter.com/Gr8AmCookies) or by joining Great American Cookies' e-mail fan club (CookiE-mail) at www.greatamericancookies.com.
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Farm Rich Launches Kids Who Give
/PRNewswire/ -- From raising money for a sick classmate through a lemonade stand to mowing the lawns of elderly neighbors free of charge, the good deeds of youth across America make the world a better place. Now Farm Rich, the popular frozen snacks and appetizers brand, plans to recognize these efforts through the launch of its Kids Who Give (www.kidswhogive.com) program.
"At Farm Rich, we want to keep people happy," explains Jennifer Meetz, Director of Marketing. "We have spoken with so many kids and parents who share that desire to spread happiness and help others. Kids Who Give highlights how the individual actions of youth can make a big difference."
Kids Who Give kicks off with a national contest to find outstanding adolescents with a strong understanding of the meaning and purpose behind giving to others. The effort is open to kids in the United States aged seven to seventeen that voluntarily donate their time to benefit local charities or individuals in need. Five winners will each receive a $300 gift card, $1,000 to contribute to the charities of their choice and a special Farm Rich care package. To learn more and view online entry forms, visit www.kidswhogive.com. Submissions will be accepted until June 15, 2010.
In addition to recognizing youth already involved, Kids Who Give aims to empower more adolescents and teens to pursue community outreach. The web site will feature practical tips and tools for getting started, interviews with kids and video diaries of the contest winners being active in their neighborhoods.
Kids Who Give is an integral part of the Farm Rich brand's commitment to bettering the communities they serve. Over the years, Farm Rich has supported individual sports leagues and volunteer organizations that benefit children and families. In addition, Rich Products Corporation supports People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH), a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the West Side of Buffalo, New York.
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"At Farm Rich, we want to keep people happy," explains Jennifer Meetz, Director of Marketing. "We have spoken with so many kids and parents who share that desire to spread happiness and help others. Kids Who Give highlights how the individual actions of youth can make a big difference."
Kids Who Give kicks off with a national contest to find outstanding adolescents with a strong understanding of the meaning and purpose behind giving to others. The effort is open to kids in the United States aged seven to seventeen that voluntarily donate their time to benefit local charities or individuals in need. Five winners will each receive a $300 gift card, $1,000 to contribute to the charities of their choice and a special Farm Rich care package. To learn more and view online entry forms, visit www.kidswhogive.com. Submissions will be accepted until June 15, 2010.
In addition to recognizing youth already involved, Kids Who Give aims to empower more adolescents and teens to pursue community outreach. The web site will feature practical tips and tools for getting started, interviews with kids and video diaries of the contest winners being active in their neighborhoods.
Kids Who Give is an integral part of the Farm Rich brand's commitment to bettering the communities they serve. Over the years, Farm Rich has supported individual sports leagues and volunteer organizations that benefit children and families. In addition, Rich Products Corporation supports People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH), a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the West Side of Buffalo, New York.
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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Responding To Your Child's Nightmare
(SPM Wire) Children often need reassurance after having nightmares. Unfortunately, you may not always be there when they have bad dreams, such as at a sleepover or at overnight camp.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a security object such as a favorite stuffed animal or a blanket can help a child feel relaxed and safe in bed. Another thing that can help is a relaxation technique. For example, having your child imagine a relaxing scene, such as being on the beach or watching a sunset, can help him or her relax after a scary dream.
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According to the National Sleep Foundation, a security object such as a favorite stuffed animal or a blanket can help a child feel relaxed and safe in bed. Another thing that can help is a relaxation technique. For example, having your child imagine a relaxing scene, such as being on the beach or watching a sunset, can help him or her relax after a scary dream.
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Wednesday, December 30, 2009
New Online Program Gives Parents and Schools an Innovative Tool to Prevent Substance Use Among Youth
/PRNewswire/ -- National Institute For Alcohol Recovery (NIFAR®) is unveiling a new online program, Youth Awareness, a practical tool to help concerned parents and educators prevent teen alcohol and drug use. This endeavor is one of several new programs launched by NIFAR, a progressive organization dedicated to alcohol prevention and recovery programs for home use.
Currently, alcohol use is widespread among youth. Surprisingly, 62% of high school seniors report they have been drunk -- and 31% say they have had five or more drinks in a row in the last two weeks[1]. Concurrently, each day young people are injured or fatally killed in alcohol-related incidents. Further, a survey of female college students found a significant relationship between the amount of reported weekly drinking and experiences of sexual victimization[2].
Youth Awareness explains what alcohol and drugs are and how they can impact a young person's future. The program is designed to be fun as well as informative. "Today's teens don't want to be lectured. They just want the info so they can make up their own minds", said Kamran Loghman, Executive Director of NIFAR. Further, the program is available at Nifar.com via high-speed streaming audio and downloads for an iPod® or mp3 player -- a modern format kids know and love.
Youth Awareness has received the support of leading experts in addiction medicine, including Dr. Devang Gandhi, a board-certified physician in addiction medicine, and Dr. Thomas Goldbaum, a board-certified cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University.
This program is being launched at a critical time. Alcohol addiction is now the number one health problem in the U.S. and in more than forty countries worldwide[2,3]. Sadly, underage drinking lays the foundation for alcoholism and related health problems later in life, such as heart disease, cancer, and brain damage. Even advanced brain imaging has shown that kids who drink develop a smaller brain than those who do not[4].
NIFAR seeks to reduce the social and economic impact of problem drinking with Youth Awareness and other breakthrough programs in alcohol recovery and family support. To learn more, please visit www.nifar.com. Or contact Kamran Loghman, Executive Director, at nifar@nifar.org.
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Currently, alcohol use is widespread among youth. Surprisingly, 62% of high school seniors report they have been drunk -- and 31% say they have had five or more drinks in a row in the last two weeks[1]. Concurrently, each day young people are injured or fatally killed in alcohol-related incidents. Further, a survey of female college students found a significant relationship between the amount of reported weekly drinking and experiences of sexual victimization[2].
Youth Awareness explains what alcohol and drugs are and how they can impact a young person's future. The program is designed to be fun as well as informative. "Today's teens don't want to be lectured. They just want the info so they can make up their own minds", said Kamran Loghman, Executive Director of NIFAR. Further, the program is available at Nifar.com via high-speed streaming audio and downloads for an iPod® or mp3 player -- a modern format kids know and love.
Youth Awareness has received the support of leading experts in addiction medicine, including Dr. Devang Gandhi, a board-certified physician in addiction medicine, and Dr. Thomas Goldbaum, a board-certified cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University.
This program is being launched at a critical time. Alcohol addiction is now the number one health problem in the U.S. and in more than forty countries worldwide[2,3]. Sadly, underage drinking lays the foundation for alcoholism and related health problems later in life, such as heart disease, cancer, and brain damage. Even advanced brain imaging has shown that kids who drink develop a smaller brain than those who do not[4].
NIFAR seeks to reduce the social and economic impact of problem drinking with Youth Awareness and other breakthrough programs in alcohol recovery and family support. To learn more, please visit www.nifar.com. Or contact Kamran Loghman, Executive Director, at nifar@nifar.org.
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Mom, in 2010 I Will... Parents Should Encourage Family Goals, Not New Year's Resolutions
/PRNewswire/ -- Resolutions will be the talk of New Year's parties across the country later this month, and for many people a resolution will provide positive direction for 2010. For children, however, psychologists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center recommend this annual practice be approached carefully.
Because children often mimic their parents, the cycle of resolutions -- make one, stick to it for a few weeks, then forget it -- doesn't always set a healthy example. But Robert Ammerman, Ph.D., and Wendi Lopez, PsyD, agree that structured goal setting can be beneficial to the whole family.
Goal setting can be an annual family activity. This process teaches children about planning ahead and making commitments.
"Children should make New Year's goals that are reasonable, measurable and concrete," explains Dr. Lopez. "'I will go a week at school without any infractions' or 'I will be on the honor roll this upcoming semester.' Resolutions that are overly ambitious and can't realistically be achieved should be avoided. Keep them simple, achievable, and positive," says Dr. Lopez. "Parents should never encourage a goal if it is unhealthy or unattainable," she says.
Dr. Lopez also recommends parents have similar goals to their child. If a child wants to become healthier, for example, parents should encourage healthy behavior and lead by example, such as buying less junk food. A concrete goal could be playing the Wii Fit three times a week together. This will not only help the child from struggling alone, but will also demonstrate the importance of teamwork and support, she says.
Because children like to see results, Dr. Lopez suggests a sticker chart for young children who can measure their goals on a daily or weekly basis. For older children, weekly rewards may help keep motivation up.
"Making New Year's resolutions is not essential for children, and there are many other ways for families to bond," says Dr. Ammerman. "However, the value of goal setting is that we own it and are self-motivated to achieve the goals. When children fulfill a goal or resolution, they feel satisfaction because they have set a goal and met it."
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Because children often mimic their parents, the cycle of resolutions -- make one, stick to it for a few weeks, then forget it -- doesn't always set a healthy example. But Robert Ammerman, Ph.D., and Wendi Lopez, PsyD, agree that structured goal setting can be beneficial to the whole family.
Goal setting can be an annual family activity. This process teaches children about planning ahead and making commitments.
"Children should make New Year's goals that are reasonable, measurable and concrete," explains Dr. Lopez. "'I will go a week at school without any infractions' or 'I will be on the honor roll this upcoming semester.' Resolutions that are overly ambitious and can't realistically be achieved should be avoided. Keep them simple, achievable, and positive," says Dr. Lopez. "Parents should never encourage a goal if it is unhealthy or unattainable," she says.
Dr. Lopez also recommends parents have similar goals to their child. If a child wants to become healthier, for example, parents should encourage healthy behavior and lead by example, such as buying less junk food. A concrete goal could be playing the Wii Fit three times a week together. This will not only help the child from struggling alone, but will also demonstrate the importance of teamwork and support, she says.
Because children like to see results, Dr. Lopez suggests a sticker chart for young children who can measure their goals on a daily or weekly basis. For older children, weekly rewards may help keep motivation up.
"Making New Year's resolutions is not essential for children, and there are many other ways for families to bond," says Dr. Ammerman. "However, the value of goal setting is that we own it and are self-motivated to achieve the goals. When children fulfill a goal or resolution, they feel satisfaction because they have set a goal and met it."
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Monday, December 28, 2009
ParentingCounts.org Provides Parenting Tips for the New Year
/PRNewswire/ -- "Resolution day" (Jan. 1) is almost here. Are you ready? Have you decided on your resolutions? For parents, every year offers new joys and challenges. Here are a few ideas for increasing the joy -- and preparing for the challenges -- of parenting in 2010 from ParentingCounts.org.
Love your child for who they are: Every child is unique with different temperaments and different interests. Every day they are learning and growing - and the new year is a perfect time to take a new look at what makes your child special. You can support them as they struggle to master more difficult skills and celebrate their unique successes with them.
Be a part of playtime: Play is how young children learn about the world and practice new cognitive, emotional, and social skills. A parent can learn a lot about their child's developing skills and interests by participating in their play. Your questions, ideas, and attention support your child's curiosity and creativity. Play interactions with you can also help them to develop skills to use when they are playing alone or with peers.
Talk about feelings: Understanding and managing feelings is one of the hardest skills children under five have to tackle. So respect what they are feeling by recognizing their emotions, listening to their thoughts and helping them to work through their emotions.
Be an example: Though your voice, your expressions, your gestures and your actions, your child learns from you how to interact with other people and with the world. You are in a wonderful position to set a positive example for everything from solving problems to showing compassion to buckling seatbelts.
Create routines and stick to them: Children respond to the expected. If you create a bedtime routine that has three steps and you do the same things every night, your child finds comfort in knowing what comes next and will respond in positive ways as a result of sticking to the plan.
Make mealtime special: Whenever possible, make mealtime a time to be together and enjoy a healthy meal. This not only develops a good pattern for eating, but it creates an opportunity to connect as a family.
Make books a part of your child's life: Make reading fun. Cuddle up. Let your child choose the books. By reading to your children, you are helping them to increase their vocabulary, inspiring their imagination, and setting the groundwork for a love of reading.
For more information on parenting and child development, visit www.ParentingCounts.org.
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Love your child for who they are: Every child is unique with different temperaments and different interests. Every day they are learning and growing - and the new year is a perfect time to take a new look at what makes your child special. You can support them as they struggle to master more difficult skills and celebrate their unique successes with them.
Be a part of playtime: Play is how young children learn about the world and practice new cognitive, emotional, and social skills. A parent can learn a lot about their child's developing skills and interests by participating in their play. Your questions, ideas, and attention support your child's curiosity and creativity. Play interactions with you can also help them to develop skills to use when they are playing alone or with peers.
Talk about feelings: Understanding and managing feelings is one of the hardest skills children under five have to tackle. So respect what they are feeling by recognizing their emotions, listening to their thoughts and helping them to work through their emotions.
Be an example: Though your voice, your expressions, your gestures and your actions, your child learns from you how to interact with other people and with the world. You are in a wonderful position to set a positive example for everything from solving problems to showing compassion to buckling seatbelts.
Create routines and stick to them: Children respond to the expected. If you create a bedtime routine that has three steps and you do the same things every night, your child finds comfort in knowing what comes next and will respond in positive ways as a result of sticking to the plan.
Make mealtime special: Whenever possible, make mealtime a time to be together and enjoy a healthy meal. This not only develops a good pattern for eating, but it creates an opportunity to connect as a family.
Make books a part of your child's life: Make reading fun. Cuddle up. Let your child choose the books. By reading to your children, you are helping them to increase their vocabulary, inspiring their imagination, and setting the groundwork for a love of reading.
For more information on parenting and child development, visit www.ParentingCounts.org.
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Monday, December 14, 2009
NASA Launches Web Site for Teenagers That Want More Class
/PRNewswire/ -- NASA has launched a new Web site created specifically for teenagers that provides teens access to current NASA spacecraft data for use in school science projects, allows them to conduct real experiments with NASA scientists, and helps them locate space-related summer internships.
Called "Mission:Science," the site is designed to showcase NASA's educational science resources and encourage students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.
"This site will allow teenagers, who have their own unique language and style, to get information faster and have fun at the same time," said Ruth Netting, manager of education and outreach activities in NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "NASA provides a vast amount of STEM information online for students of all ages, but this Web site boosts the content available for this age group."
The site also features social networking tools, links to enter science contests or participate in a family science night, information about college research programs, and an array of NASA images, animation, videos and podcasts.
NASA's Science Mission Directorate studies Earth, explores the planetary bodies of our solar system, examines the sun and its influence throughout the solar system and scans the universe to gauge its expanse while searching for Earth-like planets. To access the Mission:Science Web site, visit: http://missionscience.nasa.gov/
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Called "Mission:Science," the site is designed to showcase NASA's educational science resources and encourage students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.
"This site will allow teenagers, who have their own unique language and style, to get information faster and have fun at the same time," said Ruth Netting, manager of education and outreach activities in NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "NASA provides a vast amount of STEM information online for students of all ages, but this Web site boosts the content available for this age group."
The site also features social networking tools, links to enter science contests or participate in a family science night, information about college research programs, and an array of NASA images, animation, videos and podcasts.
NASA's Science Mission Directorate studies Earth, explores the planetary bodies of our solar system, examines the sun and its influence throughout the solar system and scans the universe to gauge its expanse while searching for Earth-like planets. To access the Mission:Science Web site, visit: http://missionscience.nasa.gov/
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Five Ways for Parents to Teach Children the True Spirit of the Holiday Season
/PRNewswire/ -- The holiday gift-giving season is an appropriate time to involve children in charitable giving and teach them why the old adage, "It is better to give than to receive," is true. Here are five great ways for parents to lead by example and teach their children the true spirit of the holidays.
Five ways for parents to teach children the true spirit of the holidays:
1. As a family, select a charitable organization you'd like to support.
Use online tools like Charity Navigator to find an organization that
you trust. Give your children a budget and encourage them to decide
how your family will donate to that organization this holiday.
2. Cherish the stories of your family. Have your children talk to their
grandparents and write down the stories of their past. Create a book to
share with the entire family or record it online through Story Corps.
3. Consider do-it-yourself gifts, like no-sew fleece blankets, that you
can make with your children. Donate those blankets to a local homeless
shelter. Find other homemade gift ideas at About.com's Family Crafts
page.
4. Work with your children to create a coupon book for your neighbors that
might need an extra hand this year. Coupons could include shoveling
their sidewalk, watching their children, or providing a meal.
5. Bake cookies or sweets with your children and deliver them to your
local nursing home or school-in-need. Get started with this list of
holiday recipes.
Devin Hermanson, a charitable giving expert and national director of World Vision's Gift Catalog, is seeing a return to meaningful giving through the Gift Catalog. Despite the recession, Gift Catalog sales are higher than last year's figures at this time.
"The holiday season can be a stressful time of year. There are gifts to purchase and wrap, cookies to bake, and family and friends to visit, but when we pause to help our neighbors in need, we all experience Christmas in a more meaningful way," says Hermanson.
For each item in World Vision's Gift Catalog, the giver makes the purchase in the name of a friend, family member or business associate. World Vision then sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact. Last year alone, World Vision's Gift Catalog raised $25 million and provided assistance to more than 500,000 people worldwide. The Gift Catalog launched in 1996, and while a goat ($75) is still World Vision's number one seller, there are many affordable items for $35 or less.
-----
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Five ways for parents to teach children the true spirit of the holidays:
1. As a family, select a charitable organization you'd like to support.
Use online tools like Charity Navigator to find an organization that
you trust. Give your children a budget and encourage them to decide
how your family will donate to that organization this holiday.
2. Cherish the stories of your family. Have your children talk to their
grandparents and write down the stories of their past. Create a book to
share with the entire family or record it online through Story Corps.
3. Consider do-it-yourself gifts, like no-sew fleece blankets, that you
can make with your children. Donate those blankets to a local homeless
shelter. Find other homemade gift ideas at About.com's Family Crafts
page.
4. Work with your children to create a coupon book for your neighbors that
might need an extra hand this year. Coupons could include shoveling
their sidewalk, watching their children, or providing a meal.
5. Bake cookies or sweets with your children and deliver them to your
local nursing home or school-in-need. Get started with this list of
holiday recipes.
Devin Hermanson, a charitable giving expert and national director of World Vision's Gift Catalog, is seeing a return to meaningful giving through the Gift Catalog. Despite the recession, Gift Catalog sales are higher than last year's figures at this time.
"The holiday season can be a stressful time of year. There are gifts to purchase and wrap, cookies to bake, and family and friends to visit, but when we pause to help our neighbors in need, we all experience Christmas in a more meaningful way," says Hermanson.
For each item in World Vision's Gift Catalog, the giver makes the purchase in the name of a friend, family member or business associate. World Vision then sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact. Last year alone, World Vision's Gift Catalog raised $25 million and provided assistance to more than 500,000 people worldwide. The Gift Catalog launched in 1996, and while a goat ($75) is still World Vision's number one seller, there are many affordable items for $35 or less.
-----
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Friday, December 11, 2009
Santa Webcasts LIVE Daily from the North Pole
/PRNewswire/ -- ChatWithSanta.com today announced the provisioning of LIVE broadband video access via the Internet to Santa Claus at the North Pole.
Starting December 10th, 2009, Santa will be appearing on the web daily to personally take Christmas requests from children around the world. Using the latest in satellite and Internet technologies, Santa will be brought to Internet computers where he will tell stories, take phone calls, play games and interact with children all from the comfort of their own homes. The live webcast site is located at http://www.chatwithsanta.com/.
Now in its fifth year of production, ChatWithSanta.com has become so popular that millions of children access the site - and the sheer volume is overwhelming for Santa. To manage effective site access, for the first time ChatWithSanta.com will be available through a pay-per-view membership. Additionally, Santa really wanted to be able to give back to the community and is donating partial proceeds from every membership to the SPCA so that all the animals can have a Merry Christmas, too!
Daily 24-hour passes to chat and watch Santa's North Pole video are $2.95 and a full season pass costs only $9.95.
Santa expressed his delight at being able to be beamed down from the North Pole for yet another year. "Ho, Ho, Ho! I can't wait to chat with all the little boys and girls around the world through the magic of the Internet. Ho, Ho, Ho!"
The North Pole webcasts will be held daily through December 23rd. A schedule is posted on the website along with an interactive world map to help with the time-zone calculations.
About ChatWithSanta.com
The ChatWithSanta.com website and webcast is the cumulative result of a group of dedicated volunteers who want to make Christmas happier for the children of the world. Now in its 5th year of operation, ChatWithSanta.com allows all children the opportunity to be closer to Santa Claus while also helping the animals of the SPCA. The website is at ChatWithSanta.com.
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Starting December 10th, 2009, Santa will be appearing on the web daily to personally take Christmas requests from children around the world. Using the latest in satellite and Internet technologies, Santa will be brought to Internet computers where he will tell stories, take phone calls, play games and interact with children all from the comfort of their own homes. The live webcast site is located at http://www.chatwithsanta.com/.
Now in its fifth year of production, ChatWithSanta.com has become so popular that millions of children access the site - and the sheer volume is overwhelming for Santa. To manage effective site access, for the first time ChatWithSanta.com will be available through a pay-per-view membership. Additionally, Santa really wanted to be able to give back to the community and is donating partial proceeds from every membership to the SPCA so that all the animals can have a Merry Christmas, too!
Daily 24-hour passes to chat and watch Santa's North Pole video are $2.95 and a full season pass costs only $9.95.
Santa expressed his delight at being able to be beamed down from the North Pole for yet another year. "Ho, Ho, Ho! I can't wait to chat with all the little boys and girls around the world through the magic of the Internet. Ho, Ho, Ho!"
The North Pole webcasts will be held daily through December 23rd. A schedule is posted on the website along with an interactive world map to help with the time-zone calculations.
About ChatWithSanta.com
The ChatWithSanta.com website and webcast is the cumulative result of a group of dedicated volunteers who want to make Christmas happier for the children of the world. Now in its 5th year of operation, ChatWithSanta.com allows all children the opportunity to be closer to Santa Claus while also helping the animals of the SPCA. The website is at ChatWithSanta.com.
-----
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Thursday, December 10, 2009
Parents' Most Important Resolution: Help Your Kids Get Healthier in the New Year
/PRNewswire/ -- What's the most important New Year's resolution for parents this year? Keeping their kids healthy! With increased attention to juvenile obesity and related health problems, finding ways to improve lifestyle behaviors is emerging as a top priority for many parents nationwide.
This is why Alere LLC, a leader in personal health support solutions, offers Healthy Kids, a program that provides parents with clear, easy-to-implement strategies that they can incorporate into their daily lives. Developed with a team of clinicians experienced in working with families to address obesity, the online program is personalized to a range of criteria, such as age, activity level, and even frequency of family meals.
"As we parents think about our New Year's resolutions for 2010, it's important to look beyond just the typical goal of losing a few pounds for ourselves," notes Heather Zeitz, RD, CDN, vice president of Health Programming and Content for Alere. "If we are going to combat the frightening increase in obesity and associated diseases in children, parents and caregivers need to find ways to lead by example and to help their children learn healthier diet and exercise habits for life."
Here are some important recommendations and tips from Alere that can help families make and keep healthier New Year's resolutions:
1. Talk About It: Alere's nutritionists encourage parents to sit down with their children to discuss healthy resolutions for 2010. Changing your children's eating and activity habits means committing to changing your own habits. So look for resolutions that the entire family can embrace. "Make sure to listen to what your kids are saying when it comes to food and activity," says Zeitz. "Then commit to providing the support and encouragement they need to be successful."
2. Make Healthy Choices Easier: You can't always control your kids, but you can control the environment at home. Encourage better choices by:
-- Keeping healthier foods on hand, such as whole-grain, low-sugar
breakfast foods and portable healthy snacks
-- Eating together often -- at least three or four times a week!
-- Having active games available -- for use during "no TV" times!
3. Make Healthy Food Fun: Children can and do understand the importance of healthy eating. "It's our job as parents to show our kids that healthy eating is not only important, it can also be fun and help them to feel better and get more from life," says Zeitz. She encourages families to grocery shop together to find healthy, new foods. "Make it interesting for younger children by going on a scavenger hunt in the produce aisle," she suggests. "Challenge older kids to see if they can find healthier ingredients for their favorite burritos or pizza."
4. Make It Taste Good: Kids won't eat if it doesn't taste good. Look for recipes - starting with favorite and familiar foods - that can easily be made healthier. Alere's Healthy Kids features hundreds of easy recipes for healthy burritos, pizzas and turkey bites, as well as ways to make better choices when buying school lunches. Zeitz also recommends encouraging youngsters to get involved in preparing foods with fun, age-appropriate activities.
5. Get Active Together: Make being more active a family affair. Your children will learn healthy habits from watching you. Find activities you can do together as a family, everything from walking to school together to spending the day hiking or biking. Remember, this is a long-term commitment. If you go back to old habits yourself, your children will probably follow suit.
6. Keep Track: Record your family's food choices and activity level. Over time this can be a useful tool in noticing changes and keeping you and your family accountable. Remember, if you stray off course, don't quit. Determine what led to the lapse - a busier schedule, lack of planning, etc., and find ways to get back on track. Remember to stay with it! Your family will benefit.
7. Be Positive! This may be one of the most important things you can do when encouraging better health for your kids. Maintaining an upbeat attitude -- and avoiding nagging or negative comments -- can help build confidence and make your child more willing to stay with a plan for a healthier lifestyle.
Healthy Kids was developed to reflect Alere's personal health support philosophy of behavior change. This means focusing on realistic, sustainable actions that can help reduce health risks. The program is offered to health plans and employers as part of Alere's suite of wellness solutions, a comprehensive approach to personal health management that focuses on improving health based on the specific needs of each individual.
-----
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This is why Alere LLC, a leader in personal health support solutions, offers Healthy Kids, a program that provides parents with clear, easy-to-implement strategies that they can incorporate into their daily lives. Developed with a team of clinicians experienced in working with families to address obesity, the online program is personalized to a range of criteria, such as age, activity level, and even frequency of family meals.
"As we parents think about our New Year's resolutions for 2010, it's important to look beyond just the typical goal of losing a few pounds for ourselves," notes Heather Zeitz, RD, CDN, vice president of Health Programming and Content for Alere. "If we are going to combat the frightening increase in obesity and associated diseases in children, parents and caregivers need to find ways to lead by example and to help their children learn healthier diet and exercise habits for life."
Here are some important recommendations and tips from Alere that can help families make and keep healthier New Year's resolutions:
1. Talk About It: Alere's nutritionists encourage parents to sit down with their children to discuss healthy resolutions for 2010. Changing your children's eating and activity habits means committing to changing your own habits. So look for resolutions that the entire family can embrace. "Make sure to listen to what your kids are saying when it comes to food and activity," says Zeitz. "Then commit to providing the support and encouragement they need to be successful."
2. Make Healthy Choices Easier: You can't always control your kids, but you can control the environment at home. Encourage better choices by:
-- Keeping healthier foods on hand, such as whole-grain, low-sugar
breakfast foods and portable healthy snacks
-- Eating together often -- at least three or four times a week!
-- Having active games available -- for use during "no TV" times!
3. Make Healthy Food Fun: Children can and do understand the importance of healthy eating. "It's our job as parents to show our kids that healthy eating is not only important, it can also be fun and help them to feel better and get more from life," says Zeitz. She encourages families to grocery shop together to find healthy, new foods. "Make it interesting for younger children by going on a scavenger hunt in the produce aisle," she suggests. "Challenge older kids to see if they can find healthier ingredients for their favorite burritos or pizza."
4. Make It Taste Good: Kids won't eat if it doesn't taste good. Look for recipes - starting with favorite and familiar foods - that can easily be made healthier. Alere's Healthy Kids features hundreds of easy recipes for healthy burritos, pizzas and turkey bites, as well as ways to make better choices when buying school lunches. Zeitz also recommends encouraging youngsters to get involved in preparing foods with fun, age-appropriate activities.
5. Get Active Together: Make being more active a family affair. Your children will learn healthy habits from watching you. Find activities you can do together as a family, everything from walking to school together to spending the day hiking or biking. Remember, this is a long-term commitment. If you go back to old habits yourself, your children will probably follow suit.
6. Keep Track: Record your family's food choices and activity level. Over time this can be a useful tool in noticing changes and keeping you and your family accountable. Remember, if you stray off course, don't quit. Determine what led to the lapse - a busier schedule, lack of planning, etc., and find ways to get back on track. Remember to stay with it! Your family will benefit.
7. Be Positive! This may be one of the most important things you can do when encouraging better health for your kids. Maintaining an upbeat attitude -- and avoiding nagging or negative comments -- can help build confidence and make your child more willing to stay with a plan for a healthier lifestyle.
Healthy Kids was developed to reflect Alere's personal health support philosophy of behavior change. This means focusing on realistic, sustainable actions that can help reduce health risks. The program is offered to health plans and employers as part of Alere's suite of wellness solutions, a comprehensive approach to personal health management that focuses on improving health based on the specific needs of each individual.
-----
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009
When it Comes to Children's Safety, Where You Shop Is as Important as What You Buy
/PRNewswire/ -- People are making their list and checking it twice, and while the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has ensured concerned parents that the number of recalls has fallen sharply from prior levels, holiday shoppers must be cautious when shopping for gifts for that special young person on their list. ExpertRECALL is putting shoppers on alert.
One thing is clear as shopping and spending data for the holiday season floods in. Recent data on retailers' November performance shows that, in general, shoppers favored lower priced items. According to data from the National Retail Federation, more than 40 percent of shoppers over the age of 18 shopped at discount stores during Black Friday weekend. When including thrift stores, resale shops and outlet stores, nearly 60 percent of shoppers over the age of 18 did their holiday shopping at these discounted retailers. In a continuing trend, less-expensive retailers, discounters or lower-priced apparel sellers are outperforming their competitors.
For those shoppers who are contributing to this trend, ExpertRECALL issues the following warning: where you shop may be as important as what you buy.
"When buying at deep discount stores and second-hand shops, take extra care to watch for recalled goods," explained Mike Rozembajgier, Director of Recalls at ExpertRECALL, the industry leader in managing consumer and juvenile product recalls. "Once a manufacturer's product leaves its primary supply chain, it can be difficult to track and remove goods from the marketplace. Also be careful of hand-me-down toys and items purchased at thrift stores and second-hand shops."
But there is good news for parents and shoppers. The number of toy recalls is down sharply from a few years ago. We experienced nearly 150 toy recall events in 2007 alone, with toy recall events down to roughly 40 to date in 2009.
Consumers should rest assured that manufacturers and retailers are doing what they can to protect their customers. But consumers can also take matters in their own hands. "There are several cautionary steps that consumers can take to protect themselves and the people they love during the holidays and throughout year to come," said Rozembajgier.
Important tips to consumers:
-- Check your shopping list in advance. Consumer safety websites,
parenting websites, the CPSC and others provide helpful information on
children's product safety. As shoppers go online to look for sales and
discount coupons, they might also cross check their shopping list for
safety. All product recall announcements are archived and easily
searchable on the CPSC website (www.cpsc.gov).
-- Remember to check the toys twice. Look again at toys that have been
sitting in lay-away or that were purchased throughout the year and
stored.
-- Be aware of current product safety issues. Most consumers know to look
for lead paint levels or toys with small parts that can cause choking.
Don't forget prior recalls as you shop at deep-discount stores who
purchase unsold lots, which could contain hazardous toys.
-- Complete registration cards for the products you purchase. By doing
so, you are allowing the company to contact you directly in the event
the product poses a safety or health hazard to you or your child.
-- Watch for product recall data after the holiday season. Just because
your gift wasn't recalled when you purchased it, doesn't mean it won't
be. Keep an eye on recall news in case you need to remove the toy and
make a return.
Manufacturers, under the vigilant eye of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ever watchful consumers, are taking the necessary steps to manufacture safer toys. Similarly, some retailers are taking matters into their own hands by testing products before stocking their shelves. But ExpertRECALL reminds and encourages consumers to do their part in keeping their children, families and loved ones safe this holiday season.
-----
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One thing is clear as shopping and spending data for the holiday season floods in. Recent data on retailers' November performance shows that, in general, shoppers favored lower priced items. According to data from the National Retail Federation, more than 40 percent of shoppers over the age of 18 shopped at discount stores during Black Friday weekend. When including thrift stores, resale shops and outlet stores, nearly 60 percent of shoppers over the age of 18 did their holiday shopping at these discounted retailers. In a continuing trend, less-expensive retailers, discounters or lower-priced apparel sellers are outperforming their competitors.
For those shoppers who are contributing to this trend, ExpertRECALL issues the following warning: where you shop may be as important as what you buy.
"When buying at deep discount stores and second-hand shops, take extra care to watch for recalled goods," explained Mike Rozembajgier, Director of Recalls at ExpertRECALL, the industry leader in managing consumer and juvenile product recalls. "Once a manufacturer's product leaves its primary supply chain, it can be difficult to track and remove goods from the marketplace. Also be careful of hand-me-down toys and items purchased at thrift stores and second-hand shops."
But there is good news for parents and shoppers. The number of toy recalls is down sharply from a few years ago. We experienced nearly 150 toy recall events in 2007 alone, with toy recall events down to roughly 40 to date in 2009.
Consumers should rest assured that manufacturers and retailers are doing what they can to protect their customers. But consumers can also take matters in their own hands. "There are several cautionary steps that consumers can take to protect themselves and the people they love during the holidays and throughout year to come," said Rozembajgier.
Important tips to consumers:
-- Check your shopping list in advance. Consumer safety websites,
parenting websites, the CPSC and others provide helpful information on
children's product safety. As shoppers go online to look for sales and
discount coupons, they might also cross check their shopping list for
safety. All product recall announcements are archived and easily
searchable on the CPSC website (www.cpsc.gov).
-- Remember to check the toys twice. Look again at toys that have been
sitting in lay-away or that were purchased throughout the year and
stored.
-- Be aware of current product safety issues. Most consumers know to look
for lead paint levels or toys with small parts that can cause choking.
Don't forget prior recalls as you shop at deep-discount stores who
purchase unsold lots, which could contain hazardous toys.
-- Complete registration cards for the products you purchase. By doing
so, you are allowing the company to contact you directly in the event
the product poses a safety or health hazard to you or your child.
-- Watch for product recall data after the holiday season. Just because
your gift wasn't recalled when you purchased it, doesn't mean it won't
be. Keep an eye on recall news in case you need to remove the toy and
make a return.
Manufacturers, under the vigilant eye of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ever watchful consumers, are taking the necessary steps to manufacture safer toys. Similarly, some retailers are taking matters into their own hands by testing products before stocking their shelves. But ExpertRECALL reminds and encourages consumers to do their part in keeping their children, families and loved ones safe this holiday season.
-----
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