Today's Parent | Parenting Resources… Articles, Advice, Help & Tips

“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

If you’re a parent, you know that babies are born with limitless curiosity. Just think about all of the things your little ones touch, grab, climb on, stare at, put in their mouths, etc. But for many kids, as they grow their curiosity is dulled. And by the time they reach adulthood, they’re merely going through the motions necessary to make it through each day instead of actively trying to understand and shape the world around them. Why is that?

In a nutshell, we’ve stopped placing an emphasis on the importance of curiosity. We all live in a culture that depends on TVs, computers, smartphones, books, magazines, and other people to keep us constantly occupied and entertained. Think of all the adults (and even kids!) you know who would have absolutely no idea what to do with themselves if you left them alone and took away their electronics.

Curiosity is the antidote to this plugged-in, entertainment-dependent lifestyle because it encourages and allows individuals to be intellectually self-sufficient.

Stimulating your children’s curiosity is a wonderful gift because it enables them to continually learn, grow, and question the world they live in. It also helps them to develop a healthy imagination and sense of creativity, and sets them up for a successful future.

The Molly Moccasins series, which features a bright, imaginative, and curious girl named Molly, was created to inspire young readers to find meaning, knowledge, and adventure in everyday life. As they follow Molly on her almost 70 story adventures through backyards, museums, farms, libraries, forests, and (much!) more, kids will learn to ask new questions, observe new things, and develop an increased curiosity about the world around them.

Here are seven compelling reasons why curiosity is such a valuable skill for kids to develop.

It’s a high complement to the hard skill set. In today’s hyper-competitive academic environment, parents tend to be zoom-focused on their kids’ “hard” skill sets: reading, writing, ’rithmetic, etc. What they often don’t realize is that “soft” skills like curiosity and creativity are what give academic knowledge its power and usefulness in the real world. The truth is, curiosity and creativity are some of the most valuable skills young people can have as they prepare to enter the global economy. As professionals, they’ll have to innovate on the go, think of better ways to solve old problems, create time- and money-saving solutions, and much more.

When a child is constantly asking questions and displaying curiosity about the world around her, she’s already well on her way to creating solutions. I recently attended an edu-event where this point was made in an unexpected way. A speaker broke down the process that engineers use to design and build amazing things: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Design, and Create. Most of us don’t tend to think of engineering, a very ‘technical’ job, as being dependent on curiosity and imagination—but it is! So the next time your child wants to build a rocket ship out of a box so that she can explore outer space, don’t redirect her to a more ‘educational’ activity. She’s developing a skill set that will serve her well throughout her life. Read More

With one in 10 children being considered obese, it’s becoming increasingly clear that something needs to change. What happened to the days when kids were able to eat anything without gaining a pound? The difference between then and now is that kids’ days used to be filled with outdoor play that kept kids active, allowing them to burn off the calories they consumed. Watching TV wasn’t nearly as exciting as playing outdoors because there weren’t round the clock cartoons available and multiple TV stations to watch them. Kids watched cartoons on Saturday morning for a couple hours and then went out to play. They spent hours running around getting exercise, without even realizing that’s what they were doing. It was just good clean fun. Check out these 20 blog entries that share playground games that educate, build teams and create fun to help get your kids moving again.

Educational

Teachers are often looking for ways to let their students burn off some extra energy while they are teaching a lesson. Here are some educational games that can be played outdoors on the playground so that kids can learn while they play. Read through these five blog posts for ideas.

• Spanish Song and Game for Kids—1, 2, 3, Momia Es This game is similar to Red Light/Green Light, but with a Spanish twist.
• Outdoor Games for Children Teachers can use this game to teach things about nature.
• {Play & Learn} Active Games for Kids Foam letter alphabet hunt, Color Run and Sort are just a couple of the games listed on this blog entry.
• Picture This! An Outdoor Game Take pictures of things that can be found outside, then have the kids use their observation skills to find where the pictures were taken.
• Outdoor Activities for Toddlers Because toddlers are constantly learning, just about any outdoor activity you engage them in can be used as a learning tool.

Read More

(Family Features) Who doesn’t love celebrating their special day with a bold, festive birthday party? Creating a memorable celebration can be as easy as gathering together family and friends, hanging a few simple decorations and lighting the candles on a show-stopping birthday cake.

From delicious single layer cakes to trendy cake pops to colorful cupcakes, cake is the one dessert that just says “birthday.” After all, the most anticipated moment of every birthday celebration is the cake being brought to the table and making that special wish.

Make your family’s next birthday moment truly photo worthy and memorable with a festive baking mix and Pillsbury® Funfetti® frosting which comes in new bold colors. These fun and simple-to-prepare baking mixes and frostings come with colorful candy bits to incorporate into the cake and sprinkle on top. The birthday boy or girl and party guests will love the vibrant cakes they create, and parents will appreciate how simple it is to celebrate more.

For more birthday cake ideas and recipes, visit www.PillsburyBaking.com.

©/® The J.M. Smucker Company.  Pillsbury, the Barrelhead logo and the Doughboy character are trademarks of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, used under license.

Pillsbury Celebration Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 package Pillsbury® Funfetti® Premium Cake Mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
• 3 large eggs
• 5 drops neon pink food color*
• 5 drops neon purple food color
• 10 drops blue food color
• 10 drops green food color
• 2 containers Pillsbury Funfetti Hot Pink Vanilla Flavored Frosting, or any color Pillsbury Funfetti Happy Birthday frosting

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper baking cups. Prepare cake mix according to package directions using water, oil and eggs.
2. Place 3/4 cup of cake batter into 4 small bowls. Tint first bowl with 5 drops pink food color, second bowl with 5 drops purple food color, third bowl with 10 drops blue food color and fourth bowl with 10 drops green food color. Do not tint remaining plain cake batter.
3. Spoon 1 teaspoon green batter and 1 teaspoon pink batter into each baking cup. Top with 2 teaspoons plain batter, 1 teaspoon blue batter and 1 teaspoon purple batter. Swirl batters using a toothpick.
4. Bake 19 to 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.
5. Place frosting in decorator bag fitted with a star decorating tip (1M). Starting at outside edge of cupcakes, pipe frosting in a circular pattern, moving toward the center to create a swirl effect on top of each cupcake. Top with colored candy bits from frosting.

Serves
Yield: 24 cupcakes

Notes, Tips & Suggestions

Color variation:

For 1 color, place 1-1/2 cups batter into small bowl. Tint batter with desired food color by doubling the amount of food color listed above. Divide remaining plain cake batter evenly into prepared baking cups. Top plain batter with 2 teaspoons of colored batter and swirl using a toothpick. For 2 or 3 colors, place 3/4 cup batter into 2 or 3 small bowls. Tint each batter with desired food color as directed. Divide remaining plain cake batter evenly into prepared baking cups. Top plain batter with 1 teaspoon of each colored batter and swirl using a toothpick.baking cups. Top plain batter with 1 teaspoon of each colored batter and swirl using a toothpick.

*Neon food color can be found in the baking aisle at your local grocery store.

Preparation Time:
90 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

SOURCE:
Pillsbury

It’s fun for parents to surprise children with new small pets, like guinea pigs and hamsters. Plus, these small animals are a great first pet for kids and can teach children responsibility. But before adding to the family, it’s important to make sure you are bringing home the right pet for your family.

“Small pets are great, playful new pals. And the best way for families to choose a pet and make them part of your home is to consider how the pet is going to fit into your lives,” says Dr. Kemba Marshall, veterinarian and pet care expert at PetSmart. “Families should first learn about each pet’s unique characteristics to prepare for a change in their daily habits and responsibilities in caring for their new pet.”

Online resources, including PetSmart’s Small Pet Center, have tips on how to choose a small pet, whether it’s a chinchilla, gerbil or hamster, based on children’s ages, pet-care experience and daily time requirements for care.

Take some time to learn how to best care for your small pet before you bring it home. Make sure you:

Choose the right habitat: Small pet habitats have varying requirements, and there are must-have supplies and accessories to keep your pet happy and healthy. For example, guinea pigs are easy to tame, affectionate and expressive, and need plenty of floor space to play. Hamsters, which are known for being playful and active, need a multilevel habitat large enough to include an exercise wheel and tunnels.

Nominate your pet’s care takers: Match your child’s maturity to the pet they will care for. For instance, gerbils are great beginner pets because they are gentle, social and enjoy the companionship of another gerbil. Or, your child may prefer a chinchilla as they have perky personalities and will bond with their pet parent through regular, gentle handling.

Understand the pet’s habits: Some small pets are nocturnal and are most likely to be active at night – which means you might not get as much daytime play time as you like. Ask about special care needs for your small pet, too. Chinchillas, which are known for their especially soft fur, need dust baths to clean themselves, and Syrian hamsters require grooming products like brushes and wipes help them look and smell good.

Provide proper nutrition: Each animal has its own nutritional needs. Guinea pigs and chinchillas are herbivores so they need diets that include at least 75 percent high-fiber hay. Guinea pigs also need vitamin C supplements. Many rodents’ teeth never stop growing, so providing wood chews or edible houses offers not only a yummy surprise but also helps keep teeth trimmed.

Talk to experts: Take a family trip to a store such as PetSmart, where associates can help with pet selection and walk you through the basics of habitat cleaning, feeding schedules and how to properly and safely handle small pets. Each store’s book section also carries pet health manuals and pet-specific handbooks.

For additional information on choosing and caring for small pets, visit www.petsmart.com.

Source: PetSmart

During the school year, kids focus on the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic. Make summer a time to explore their interests. Plan trips and activities that keep them learning and enjoying their favorite topics.

• Learning is as close as your computer. Both YouTube and Ted Talks feature short videos that educate and inspire.
• When visiting the library for books this summer, pick up a few DVDs covering your child’s favorite subject.
• Arrange a mini-internship. If one of your kids loves animals, ask a veterinarian if your child could observe at the office for an afternoon.
• Explore the great outdoors at summer camp. Instead of sending your kids away, look for local day camp options focusing on nature, sports or other activities.
• Volunteer opportunities abound. Look for charity work tailored to your child’s interest to combine learning with helping others.
• Connect with clubs in your community, such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and 4-H. Each group encourages learning, outdoor activities and friendship.

The most important part of summer should be family so use those extra days of freedom to spend more time together. Involve your child in the daily routine. A trip to the grocery store is a great place to see math, reading, problem solving, and decision making in action. They’ll learn a lot about etiquette and social skills just being along for the ride during “grown-up” activities.

Attend free outdoor movies, explore museums, visit relatives or play group games. Also set aside crafting afternoons to paint, play with modeling clay or make special projects, such as Stamped Alphabet Magnets. Not only will everyone have the fun of making them, they can be used on the refrigerator all summer to keep kids spelling or simply share special messages.

For more craft ideas, visit www.joann.com.

Stamped Alphabet Magnets

No experience necessary

Crafting Time: Less than 1 hour

Supplies and Tools:

Hero Arts Happy Upper Case Alphabet

3/4-inch ProMag round magnets

Mod Podge sparkle glue & sealer

3/4-inch circle punch

Black ink pad

4 sheets of colored cardstock

Paintbrush

1. Stamp the 26 letters of the alphabet on a variety of colored cardstock, using black ink.
2. Punch out each letter with a 3/4-inch circle punch.
3. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge sparkle glue & sealer to each magnet to glue the letters in place.
4. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge sparkle glue & sealer over the top of the alphabet letter. Allow to dry.

“No, my child would never do that.” Would this be your response if your child were accused of being a cyberbully? If so, you’re not alone. For one thing, no parent wants to believe that his or her child is capable of teasing or harassing other youngsters. For another, cyberbullying is, by its very nature, a relatively easy behavior for youngsters to keep under wraps: With the click of a mouse or the swipe of a finger, the evidence disappears. And most concerning of all, it’s easy for kids to get caught up in this destructive behavior without initially realizing how dangerous and hurtful it is.

Like it or not, the rapidly expanding digital landscape has allowed bullying to spread beyond playgrounds and school hallways to computer screens, smartphones, and more. Since this is a pressing issue that can affect any family, it’s crucial for parents to be able to recognize the signs that their children may be cyberbullies, and to know how to handle and prevent this behavior.

Specifically, tweens and teens (and in some instances, even younger kids) who are engaged in cyberbullying often exhibit behavior changes, just as victims do. Watch for the following signs:

• Your child may stop using the computer when you come into the room or quickly change screens or tabs.
• Your child may sharply increase time spent on the computer or on a smartphone.
• Your child may appear stressed or secretive when using these devices, and may become anxious, upset, or excessively angry when you limit or take away access.
• Your child may be spending more time with a new group of friends, or might no longer interact publicly with a long-time friend.

Regardless of whether your child’s behavior fits into any of these categories, it’s a good idea to proactively bring up the topic of cyberbullying. Make sure your kids know what cyberbullying is, why it’s harmful, and what your expectations are for their online conduct. By keeping an ongoing dialog going, you’ll not only gain insight into the digital world in which your kids live, but you may also discover warning signs that your child’s online group is participating in these types of activities.

Specifically, discuss the following topics with your children:

• Joking vs. harassment. The line between harmless joking and mean, harassing behaviors can often be a fine one, and younger children especially may have trouble recognizing when they’ve crossed it. Explain to your kids that any online behavior that makes another person feel upset, threatened, hurt, mocked, etc. can be considered bullying. If your child knows that one of his peers is uncomfortable with a specific online interaction—or if a particular online behavior would make your child feel upset if the shoe were on the other foot—it’s best not to participate.
• Appropriate online communication. While it may seem obvious to many adults, kids frequently don’t understand that what they write or share in a digital format can often be forwarded, saved, or accessed by others. On a continuous basis, talk to your kids about what is appropriate to share online and what is not. Put a special emphasis on why it’s important to keep friends’ secrets and personal communications private and where it is and isn’t safe to discuss these things. Read More

While many adults recall childhood summers of sunburned faces, grass-stained jeans and dirty fingernails, kids today have become so immersed in electronic media that a fishing pole is now a Wii controller, Dora is the only one exploring, and digging in the dirt – well, there’s an app. for that.

Sometimes the simplest things you do at home can be the spark that ignites a child’s lifelong passion and appreciation for nature. Below are some activities you can do with your children to help connect them with nature:

1. Put up a Hummingbird Feeder – Setting up a hummingbird feeder near your home gives an up-close-and-personal view of this amazing bird.

2. Bird Watching / I Spy a Bird – Watch for birds wherever you go for a week, and make a list of all the birds you saw and where you saw them (field, forest, marsh, yard, or park).

3. Listen & Observe Nature – By cupping their hands behind their ears for better hearing, guide your child to identify sounds made by insects, birds or mammals. Help them learn to identify birds they see and hear in their yard.

4. Help Birds to Build their Nests – Lend a helping hand to the birds by supplying them with simple nesting materials. Put out some wet mud, moss, small twigs, straw, short lengths of string or knitting yarn and see which birds use the different materials for their nest.

5. Make an Observation Blind for Observing Backyard Wildlife – Because getting close to birds can be a challenge, drop a sheet with some cut out observation holes around some lawn chairs or over a cardboard box and let your children get a sneak peek as they approach your bird feeder or bird bath.

John Schaust, Chief Naturalist at Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.

You can also enroll children in a nature camp. In fact, Wild Birds Unlimited, the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores, and the National Audubon Society, one of the nation’s leading conservation organizations, are teaming up to offer scholarships for children to attend a week of summer camp. Wild Birds Unlimited and Audubon share a belief that when children spend quality time outside, it can have a lasting, positive impact on their personal lives and the future of our great natural heritage.

Scholarship eligibility is determined by each Audubon Center. For more information about general registration, camp programs and scholarships, visit the Audubon website (http://education.audubon.org/programs/audubon-camps).

In a recent interview marking the anniversary of a school shooting that killed two students and wounded 13, the then-teenaged gunman shares the warning signs he displayed before his tragic meltdown.

“My dad noticed my grades slipping … I would come home with bruises and lie to him,” says Charles “Andy” Williams, now 27, in the Oprah Winfrey Network interview.

“I didn’t know how to communicate that somethin’ really, really bad was goin’ on. I didn’t know how to talk about it.”

Take Andy’s story and multiply it by hundreds of thousands of students across the country. Among them are the next Adam Lanza, James Holmes, or Andy Williams – people who have become so emotionally disturbed, they turn to killing strangers.

It’s the quiet kids who slip through the cracks and don’t get the help they need.

One high school for which I gathered data found that 750 of its 2,500 students reported having a substance abuse issue. But, in the year I studied, only 10 students were referred for substance abuse intervention, and just five of them connected with a program. Three completed it.

The loud and disruptive kids who are having problems get the attention they need; the quiet ones don’t. If we can identify them – and we can! — and intervene, we can help prevent future violence and suicides.

Schools can take some simple but effective steps right now to begin identifying troubled students.

1. Make it everybody’s job. From the lunch lady to the custodian to the bus driver to the teacher, many adults notice small signs, like Andy Williams’ declining grades and his bruises. If everyone reported the small signs they saw, the cumulative effect could be one big indicator of a problem. “The cafeteria worker may notice he’s not eating. The custodian may see him being bullied. One sign here or there gets overlooked, but if everyone knows that, if they see something that concerns them, they document it, then we’ll be able to connect those dots and make sure more kids get the help they need. School leadership should make it everyone’s job to report.

2. Provide a safe way to report. Some people say nothing because they’re afraid they’ll be expected to make a decision about what the behavior means or they’ll have to do something about it. Some fear reporting will make them legally accountable. Everyone involved with students needs to understand they are expected only to report what they see — changes in behavior, incidents that may cause emotional distress. A single, isolated incident will not necessarily result in action being taken. Schools also need to embed an infrastructure through which concerns can be documented securely as soon as an incident takes place. Read More

As a parent, you’re constantly offering important life lessons and skills to empower your children to become responsible adults. And one of the most powerful tools you can provide is financial know-how. A strong foundation early on can help your children make smart financial decisions not only when they’re young, but also as they reach different life stages. Especially because many adults struggle to manage their own finances, it’s important for everyone, regardless of age, to achieve financial independence. How you discuss money may differ depending on your child’s age, but here are a few essential tips for every age:

Map Out Goals:

Children are constantly surrounded by money, whether they’re just learning to count or receiving their first allowance. But an essential concept for them to understand is the purpose of money, particularly how it’s earned and used. It’s important to educate your children that people must work for their money. Once they understand that it comes in limited amounts, you’ll be able to help them map out their goals for using their money to prioritize their needs and wants, along with philanthropic giving.

Don’t be afraid to share your own experiences with your child. By providing children with relatable examples, they’ll be able to develop a stronger understanding of managing their money to meet specific goals. Whether it’s as simple as creating a grocery list together or discussing how you might be saving for a longer term goal such as tuition for their college education, you’ll be able to show your child the range of objectives you’re meeting. This can also help demonstrate the importance of careful planning to make sure your assets are able to meet your goals.

Save and Budget:

While your children may be too young to start their first jobs, they’re never too young to start saving. Encouraging your child to save can help them see the rewards of delayed gratification. A piggy bank is a simple and tangible way for younger children to store money away. Even if it’s as little as putting in a few coins a day or a couple of dollars a week, over time they’ll be able to feel the weight of their labor. As they get older, consider opening a high yield savings account together to introduce the concept of interest. They can store those birthday checks or allowance earnings and see how that amount can grow over time. To incentivize saving, you may also want to reward their efforts with matching contributions.

As they learn about the ways money can grow with steady saving, children should also understand how to create and stick to a budget. Budgeting will demonstrate how savings can be allocated and used to achieve goals. Helping children save for their objectives can teach them to build a relationship with their spending. You can also use major milestones such as graduations, weddings, and births to discuss examples of financial goals. Motivation to save and budget can foster solid financial habits. Read More

For a lot of parents, sending their kids off to college is a bittersweet experience. It’s a battle between being proud of their son or daughter for taking this next step and thinking back on how fast the time has gone—and how it seems like just yesterday that they were 2 years old.

It wasn’t that long ago that I was stepping onto a college campus for the first time, and I remember how thankful I was for the effort my parents put into preparing me for that experience. But I think a lot of teenagers head to college without any idea about how money works. Ten years from now, they’ll more than likely be loaded up with student loan bills. It’s a scary trend that keeps getting worse.

Don’t let that happen to your college kid. Help them understand these issues before they step into that first class.

Budget, Budget, Budget. If you haven’t been using a budget, it will be difficult to convince your kid to use one. So start by making sure you understand budgeting and have begun to use it as part of your financial plan. Then, just walk them through the process—spending all of their money on paper and on purpose before each month begins. Everything should be broken into categories—food, gas, clothing, etc.

Independence Means Responsibility. Stepping out on your own is a big deal, but it’s not all fun and games. Living away from home means you have to take care of yourself. Do your best to prepare your son or daughter for what that means. Food doesn’t just drop out of the sky, and gas doesn’t magically appear in their car. Independence means responsibility.

College Isn’t Cheap. Even if your kid is going to a small community college, they’ll still probably have a few thousand dollars of tuition to pay. If you break it down, one class can cost $1,000 at the very minimum! And that doesn’t even include books. That means skipping class or blowing off homework is a waste of money—and a big fat dent in the GPA.

Choose a Major Wisely. Help your teenager find his or her passion. This isn’t a must before they step on campus, but simply plant a seed that gets them started thinking about what they want to do with their life. You don’t want them graduating with a degree that leaves them unfulfilled or unable to find a job.

Friends Matter. New friends mean new opportunities and new social situations. Who you hang out with definitely influences how you spend money and the decisions you make. Without being overbearing, remind them how important it is to have positive friends who build them up instead of bringing them down.

If your soon-to-be college student doesn’t seem to care, it might just take them messing up a few times to understand how important it is to have a plan for their money. They’ll come around quicker than you think once they have that first-hand experience.

Remember, you can make all the right decisions and give all the right advice, and it’s still possible that they will mess up. As a parent, just be there for support and to reinforce these principles throughout their college experience.

Growing up as Dave Ramsey’s kid, Rachel Cruze learned the basic principles of money at an early age. She travels across the country teaching those same principles, in a personal and passionate message of money and hope, to teens and young adults. Rachel’s also the host of Generation Change, a course that teaches teens about money and empowers them with the skills they need to become financially responsible adults. To find out more about Rachel, visit daveramsey.com/speakers or follow her on Twitter at @RachelCruze.