Warren County Connection - September 2022

Warren County Connection A Publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County

September 2022

Gardening as You Age

By Carol Papas, Master Gardener, Allegheny County, Penn State Extension

In this issue:

Learn ways to reduce challenges in the garden and adapt to gardening as you age gracefully.

The physical benefits of working in the garden are a perfect complement to the tangible rewards of creating a beautiful space or harvesting the freshest vegetables. It might creep up on you, but the physical demands of garden work can become a challenge with age. To that end, a gardener whose body was up to the rigors of wielding bags of potting soil, wheelbarrows laden with compost, or digging holes to accommodate balled and burlap-wrapped plants will have to adapt as the body balks at such chores. If you find that the challenge of creating the garden of your dreams no longer aligns with your body’s reality, it’s time to reevaluate how you work in the garden and adapt to those changes.

Ergonomic garden tools: garden tools pictured (left to right): ratcheting pruner, telescoping pruner, fulcrum weeder, quick release hose connector and lightweight expandable garden hose. Photo: Marilyn Orr, Penn State Master Gardener

Be a realist. Consider your time, budget, and physical abilities. Prioritize from there—your garden should be a pleasure, not a burden. It may mean eliminating areas you’ve tended in the past and turning them over to less labor-intensive plantings.

Ask for help. If you can afford a garden helper for things you can no Abandon perfectionism. This can be longer do yourself, go for it. Knowing hard if you’ve held your garden to a that someone is coming for even half standard that required gobs of atten- a day each week is liberating and can tion and care. Prioritize areas of your keep you excited about working in garden where you spend time or are the garden, rather than feeling like ever-present views from inside your it’s a millstone around your neck. home. Re-think areas that you rarely see or use. Make conscious decisions Embrace raised beds. Planting, about where the tended garden ends maintaining, and harvesting vegetaand either plant a border of easybles without straining your back will care shrubs or weed whack the space make your garden a pleasure rather a couple of times a season.

(Continued on page 3)

Storing Leftover Garden Seed

3

Fall Soil Amendment

4

Cluster Flies

5

Battery-Powered Chain-saws: Quiet But Dangerous

6

Investing Basics: Making Your Money Work For You

7

Increase Productivity

By Finding Flow

8

Stress Busting Activities For Young Children

9

How Kids Learn To Read

10

Special points of interest: • 4-H BOTTLE DRIVE

Warren County Connection

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Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Warren County

Warren County Connection

Please visit our website for more events www.cce.cornell.edu/warren

377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885

Phone: (518) 623-3291 or (518) 668-4881

Visit Our Web Site: www.cce.cornell.edu/warren

Who We Are Nation-wide, thousands of people in each state tap into their state’s land-grant university research and know-how to make sound confident decisions concerning family, home, business, finances, and the future. In New York State, the land-grant university is Cornell University.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension network brings you the expertise of Cornell University, other land-grant universities across the country and locally-based Extension Educators, volunteers, and other experts through such programs as: horticulture, youth and families, leadership, environment, food, nutrition & health, home environment, and financial management.

Staff Dr. James Seeley, Executive Director John Bowe, Associate Team Leader Dan Carusone, 4-H Natural Resources Coordinator Roxanne Westcott, 4-H Family Living Educator Rebecca Devaney, Community Horticulture Coordinator Sharon Bellamy, Finance Manager Amy Sabattis, Public Relations/Publications Manager Michele Baker, Administrative Assistant Chris Dittus, Administrative Assistant Joe Phillips, Maintenance

Help Support Our Youth by DoIf your bottles and cans have been piling up...you can drop your them off at It’s Your Nickel Bottle Redemption Center at 84 Dix Avenue in Glens Falls or at the Direct Deposit Bottle Redemption Center at 3746 Main Street in Warrensburg and tell them they are for the Warren County 4-H Program.

All you need to do is stop by the retrieval centers anytime Monday-Saturday between 8am & 5pm...drop off your clean containers (please leave the caps off & place glass bottles in boxes)...and tell them it’s for Warren County 4-H...you don’t even have to count them, they’ll do that for you! Please stick a note on your bags saying "Warren County 4-H Donation" so they don't get mixed up!

Thank you for supporting youth programs in Warren County!

Board of Directors David Strainer - President Jim Kneeshaw - Vice President Dan Bruno - Secretary William Hamelin - Treasurer Aimee Azaert CheriLyn Dempsey Lisa Earl Maureen Folk Ed Griesmer David Little Cynthia Muratori

Extension Service Committee Chair - Ben Driscoll Daniel Bruno Andrea Hogan Brad Magowan Debra Runyon

If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and need assistance with attending these workshops, please make your needs known by the registration deadline. Reasonable efforts will be made for accommodations.

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Warren County Connection (Continued from page 1)

than a burden. Ornamental containers, elevated from the ground, whether at your front door or in areas where you spend time relaxing outdoors, allow you to tweak and maintain pretty vignettes without strain and hassle.

They can punctuate areas you’ve simplified, whether with hardscape or plantings that require minimal care.

Storing Leftover Garden Seed

By Rosie Lerner, Purdue University Extension

Employ containers as large as your space and budget allow. Think about the time required to maintain a 4-inch pot versus a 24-inch pot, one requires daily attention, and the other gives you wiggle room, except for the hottest and driest times of the year. Better to care for a couple of capacious containers than a passel of puny pots.

Carrot seed, photo provided by Rosie Lerner

Plant shrubs. Choose those that colonize and take over a bed in lieu of perennial plantings that require more time to maintain. Carefully chosen, they can add interest the entire year. From lower growing plants such as fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low') to larger options such as Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus), there are plants that will shrug off deer, drought, and poor soil, filling space and adding interest without adding maintenance.

Employ groundcovers. Once you’ve planted shrubs, add groundcovers to complement them. A sunny hillside planted with junipers or ornamental grasses can be underplanted with moss phlox (Phlox subulata) or sedum species.

Both will battle erosion and look beautiful throughout the growing season. Choose creeping phlox (Phlox divaricata) or bugleweed (Ajuga species) rather than bark under an old planting of rhododendron or boxwood and create a pretty vignette. A shady spot under a tree can hold ferns and Canadian ginger (Asarum canadense). Both options look beautiful, suppress weeds, and obviate the expense of spreading bark mulch year after year.

Work smarter, not harder. Tools abound to make chores easier in the garden. Look for kneelers and scooters as stooping and bending become a challenge. Extended or wider handles can make life easier for stiff backs or arthritic hands. Lightweight coiled or fabric hoses can make watering easier than lugging the older, heavier versions around the garden.

A proactive approach to meeting the challenges of age or physical changes can make your garden a pleasure, not a burden. Having a place to re-charge and relax can bring health benefits not found in a bottle or at a doctor’s office and can be a great way to keep your body at its best with age.

If you didn’t use up all the garden seed you bought this year, much of it can be stored for use in next year’s garden – depending on the plant species. Seeds of some plants, such as corn, parsley, onion, viola (pansies), verbena, phlox, and salvia, are not very long lived, lasting only 1 or 2 years at best. Other seeds, including beans, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes, snapdragon, cosmos, sweet William, and zinnia, will remain viable (capable of germinating) for 3-5 years.

Seeds need to be kept cool, dark, and dry so that they retain stored carbohydrates and minimize fungal infection. You can keep the seeds in their original packets to preserve their labeling information. If you transfer the seeds to another container, be sure to label them with at least the plant name and the year the seed was purchased. Either way, be sure the seed is as dry as possible before placing in storage.

One of the more practical methods for storing small quantities is to place leftover seed in sealable jars or other airtight containers and store in a cool, dark area, such as the refrigerator (not the freezer). A layer of powdered milk or uncooked rice at the bottom of the container will absorb excess moisture. Use a paper towel to separate the seed from the absorptive material.

When it’s time to plant next season, you can do a germination test on a few seeds to see if they sprout before you plant the rest. But these days, many seed packets have only a few seeds to begin with, so the germination test may be a moot point! On the other hand, saving even a few seeds can make a big impact on next year’s gardening budget.

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Warren County Connection

Fall Soil Amendment

plants in acidic soils. In acidic soils with pH below 6.0, the activity of beneficial soil bacteria is significantly reduced.

Acidic soil conditions also reduce the effectiveness of some herbicides.

Most plants grow best when soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0, except for some acid loving plants such as blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons that require a lower soil pH between 4.5 and 5.2. Due to the climate and geology of New England, our soils tend to be naturally acidic, with pH ranging between 4.5 and 5.5. Adding amendments in the fall to adjust pH allows time for the chemical reactions to take place that are necessary for pH change to occur.

Amendments for raising soil pH Agricultural limestone is the most common material used for raising soil pH. Limestone consists of either calcium carbonate (calcitic limestone) or calcium and magnesium carbonate (dolomitic limestone). In soils low in magnesium, dolomitic limestone is preferred. Apply lime as recommended by soil test results. The soil testing lab determines the amount of lime using the target pH (based on the plants identified on the submission form) and the soil’s buffering capacity (soil’s tendency to resist pH change). When lime is added to the soil, chemical reactions neutralize the active acidity (hydrogen ions in the soil solution) and exchangeable acidity or buffering capacity (hydrogen and aluminum ions held on soil particle surfaces) to raise the pH.

Although fall marks the end of the growing season, it is a great time to improve the soil for next season. Adding soil amendments in the fall allows time for soil reactions to take place that are necessary to realize benefits.

A soil test is the best method to determine the need for soil amendments. It is very important to collect a representative sample of soil from the area to be tested. The soil’s physical appearance, texture, color, slope, drainage and past management practices should be similar throughout the test area. Separate samples should be collected from areas that differ in soil texture, soil color, slope, drainage and kinds of plants previously grown. Do not collect samples when soil is very wet.

Amendments for soil pH modification Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity. This is a very important chemical property of the soil because it affects the availability of nutrients to plants and the activity of microorganisms in the soil. Micronutrients such as iron and manganese are more soluble and more available to

Amendments for lowering soil pH Lowering soil pH is required when growing acid loving plants. Lowering the pH may also be needed if the level of calcium and magnesium is too high in the soil. Elemental sulfur is the most common material recommended for lowering soil pH and should be applied as recommended by soil test results. The lab determines the amount of elemental sulfur needed to lower the soil’s pH based on the soil texture, the current pH, and the target pH. Elemental sulfur reacts slowly with soil and is best applied in the fall and incorporated into the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Apply elemental sulfur as recommended by soil test results. Sandy soil requires lower amounts of elemental sulfur than clay soils. For example, a sandy soil with pH 6.0 requires 4 pounds of elemental sulfur per 1000 sq. ft. to lower the pH to 5.5, while a clay soil requires 16 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. Large amounts of elemental sulfur are required to make even a small change in soil pH. Apply no more than 15 pounds of elemental sulfur per 1000 square feet at any one time.

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Warren County Connection (Continued from page 4)

Organic amendments to improve soil Adding organic matter to the soil improves soil structure, increases nutrient holding capacity, improves drainage and water holding capacity, provides plant nutrients, and increases biological activity in the soil. Organic amendments can be added to the soil such as manure or compost. Manure or compost should be thoroughly incorporated into the soil when dry to prevent layering. This can be done by thoroughly rototilling the compost or manure after applying on the soil surface. Fall manure or compost application gives enough time for these to break down to provide plant nutrients and other soil benefits in the spring.

Application rates vary from 1/2 to 3 inches applied to the surface of the soil and incorporated into the top 6 inches of the soil. For fall application of organic amendments to vegetable gardens, apply in conjunction with the planting of a cover crop for best results. For established turf, topdress with approximately 1/8 to ¼ inch of finished compost, in conjunction with core aeration if possible.

When added to loose, sandy soil, organic amendments help bind the particles together and increase the soil’s ability to hold moisture and nutrients. In heavy clay soils, organic amendments bind to the small clay particles, forming larger particles that have larger air spaces between them, allowing for better drainage and air exchange.

While manures and composts are excellent soil amendments, they contain high levels of phosphorus. Regular soil testing is important to avoid soil phosphorus buildup from continuously applying manures and composts.

Source: University of Massachusetts Amherst

Cluster Flies During the fall, many flies may enter homes. They usually are unwelcome visitors, especially when they plan to stay for the duration of the winter.

One common type of fly is called a cluster fly.

Cluster flies are similar in appearance to houseflies, but they are larger, nonmetallic and dark gray in color. They have golden hairs on their bodies. Cluster flies enter homes and structures one at a time and may begin to collect throughout the house in swarms. In large numbers, cluster flies may seem like a swarm of bees.

Once inside, these flies occupy many places in the home, such as nooks, dark corners, beneath curtains, and in the angles of walls. Also, they will rest under the edges of closets, in hats, and behind pictures or furniture. Cluster flies usually are found in the upper portions of the house, especially the attic. During sunny days many of them may be in clusters on window sills trying to find their way outdoors.

The life cycle of cluster flies is short, spanning only a few months. They lay single eggs in cracks in soil, during the summer. The eggs hatch within three days and the emerging maggots (larvae) are parasitic on earthworms. The maggot stage lasts 13 to 22 days and the pupal stage lasts 11 to 14 days. Outdoors, adult cluster flies primarily are found around fruit and flowers.

Cluster flies are nuisance pests. They are not destructive and do not harm humans or damage homes. Problems are most noticeable during the springtime when the flies begin to emerge in large numbers to exit the structure.

There are no practical means of controlling cluster flies.

The best way to prevent them from entering the home is to use exclusion methods such as window screens, screening around attic vents, and weather stripping around doors and windows. If cluster flies do gain entry into a home, use a vacuum to physically remove them. Be sure to discard the vacuum bag in a sealed container and place in an outside receptacle. If cluster fly numbers are so large that insecticide applications are necessary, only spray where flies may enter the home, and where the flies are harboring.

Source: Clemson Cooperative Extension

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Warren County Connection

Battery-Powered Chainsaws: Quiet but Dangerous

personal protective equipment (PPE) at home,” said Beau Brodbeck, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System community forestry and arboriculture specialist. “These saws are powerful and equally dangerous.”

Regardless of your chainsaw choice, safety while operating any piece of equipment is imperative. Review the following tips to ensure your safety as well as others around you.

Chainsaw Safety Tips Before operating a chainsaw, don’t forget your PPE, which could – most importantly – save your life. Accidents happen in the blink of eye for both inexperienced and overconfident operators.

Many tool manufacturers are offering batteries as an alternative power source to gasoline in today’s market.

Chainsaws are one of the newest pieces of equipment that are now utilizing rechargeable batteries. These newer chainsaws are often quieter and require less maintenance than traditional saws. However, just because they are battery-powered, doesn’t mean they are not dangerous. No matter what make or model of saw you operate, one component remains the same, safety.

“It does not matter if you plan to run the saw for five minutes or five hours,” Brodbeck said. “You must wear the following safety equipment.”    

Electrical Revolution Similar to the automotive industry, the tool industry is also converting iconic equipment to battery operation.

Popular brands are pushing this source of power in order to combat carbon emissions and climate change. Two of the most appealing aspects of electrical equipment are convenience and easy maintenance. Many people prefer to use batteries instead of mixing gasoline and oil. Furthering the appeal is a negligible difference in sustained performance output between the two power sources.

Combustion engines can deliver damaging decibels to your ears and emit carbon dioxide (CO2) as well as harmful particulate matter. With the environment and human health in mind, manufacturers are moving in the electrical direction to combat noise and gaseous pollution. For example, running a small two-cycle engine (e.g., a chainsaw) for one hour emits the same amount of pollution as driving the average car 1,100 miles. Battery motors are fumeless, making them better suited for the environment – especially for gas saw operators, who are exposed to three to eight times more air pollutants than the average person. Electric saws are also tremendously quieter, making them ideal for residential areas.

 

Chainsaw chaps. Chaps prevent injuries to your legs where half of saw accidents occur.

Safety glasses. Protect your eyes from flying debris.

Earmuffs or plug. Even electric powered saws, if run long enough, can cause long-term hearing loss.

Hardhats. When working in or around trees, branches can become dislodged and strike operators.

Boots. Wear sturdy footwear that protects your feet from saw teeth.

Gloves. Hand protection should always be worn, especially when maintaining saws.

More Information Don’t put yourself or others around you in potential danger by leaving your PPE at home. Safety standards are vital when operating any chainsaw. More chainsaw safety information is available in the Alabama Extension publications Chainsaw Safety: Safety Features and Maintenance and Chainsaw Safety: Personal Protective Equipment.

For more information on chainsaw safety and operation, visit the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu.

Trade and brand names used in this publication are given for information purposes only. No guarantee, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System

“Don’t allow the ease of operation and reduced sound from battery-powered saws lull you into leaving your

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Warren County Connection

Investing Basics: Making Your Money Work For You Investing your money wisely can help it grow over time. Like compost in a garden, investment products are tools to promote financial growth. Each product has unique value and risk. With higher risk comes the potential for higher reward (or loss). Before investing, be sure you understand the basics of each product.

TYPES OF INVESTMENT PRODUCTS Your investment portfolio is a collection of the different financial investments you’ve made at any one time. A portfolio may contain a wide range of assets including real estate, art, or private and public investments. There are several types of investment products, but three common choices are stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. 

Stocks represent a fraction of a corporation’s ownership. When you own stock, it entitles you to a percentage of the company’s profits. Units of stock are called “shares.” Stocks offer long-term potential for growth over time. However, stock prices can vary greatly and fluctuate with the market and economy.

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Bonds are one-time loans you make to the government or a company for a set period time. In exchange for your money, you receive interest payments. Bonds are generally viewed as “safer” investments than stocks because they are less volatile, or subject to change. If the bonds are held to maturity, you may earn back the principal (i.e., the initial amount invested), plus any interest earned.

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Mutual Funds are professionally managed investment pools where companies invest combined money from investors into a variety of different securities like stocks and bonds. When you invest in a mutual fund, you receive income from its portfolio, or its combined holdings.

INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS As you build an investment portfolio, there are different strategies you can use to generate wealth based on your personal preferences, financial situation, and willingness to take risk. There are four important considerations for investing: time, risk, diversification, and fees. Ask yourself four questions:

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Time. When do I want to invest? Time is essential in investing. The longer you invest, the more time your money has to grow. Time also allows for fluctuations in the economy and financial market.

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Risk. What amount of risk am I willing to take? Most investments come with some risk. Consider your current financial situation and select an option that feels comfortable. Do not invest more than you can afford to lose.

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Diversification. Are my investments diversified, or varied? Diversifying your investments means spreading them out to help minimize risk. In other words, diversification is “not putting all your eggs in one basket.” If one investment doesn’t do as well as you hoped, you still have other investments to fall back on.



Fees. How much am I paying in investment fees? Investments have fees, especially if you are paying someone else to manage investments for you. Always read all the fine print before investing and consider how fees affect your bottom dollar.

GETTING STARTED To begin investing, think about your budget. How much money can you reasonably invest each month after paying bills, contributing to your savings and retirement funds, etc.? Like savings accounts, investments can start small — especially while you learn to invest wisely. Also, consider how much time you can dedicate to managing your investments. Hiring a licensed professional may be a good option if you lack the knowledge or time to manage investments effectively.

You also can invest through a retirement fund. Whether through your employer or on your own, retirement funds can kickstart an investing journey. Some retirement funds allow you to manage how your money is invested.

Others manage the investments for you. For more information on investing through retirement plans, visit https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans.

Finally, when considering investment opportunities, always take time to learn. For a detailed guide on getting started with investing, visit https://www.sec.gov/ investor/pubs/sec-guide-to-savings-and-investing.pdf.

You also can contact the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with questions at (800) SEC0330 or at https://www.investor.gov/.

Source: MoneyWi$e, Caldwell County Extension, University of Kentucky

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Increase Productivity By Finding Flow FLOW IS ACHIEVED WHEN BOTH CHALLENGE AND SKILL ARE ALIGNED, CAUSING YOU TO PERFORM AT YOUR PEAK CAPACITY

Warren County Connection

organizing your workspace. Prefer to socialize? Kick start the process with a quick brainstorming meeting. Tasks are more enjoyable when they allow you to use your best skills. And you can find more enjoyment in the work itself when it is work you find worthwhile.

REFERENCES: Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper Perennial. Establishing Priorities and Building Focus.

(2022). #FRM-TWS.003. From the curriculum Time Well Spent: Productivity Skills for Success, Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

(Continued from page 10)

the success of systematic phonics instruction versus nonsystematic or no phonics instruction. They found that children who were taught phonics systematically in kindergarten or first grade were significantly better at decoding, spelling, and comprehending text.

Have you ever been so engaged in an activity that time seemed to melt away? This is “flow,” and it could happen at work, school, or play. Flow can increase concentration and improve personal productivity. With some effort, flow can be intentionally achieved.

BALANCE CHALLENGE AND SKILL Another key factor to encouraging flow is to strike a balance between challenge and skill. If a task is too challenging, it causes anxiety. However, if a task is too simple and does not require your best skills, it causes boredom. Flow is achieved when both challenge and skill are aligned, causing you to perform at your peak capacity. Regularly challenging your skill set leads to personal growth. Each time we find flow through this process, we get better at the task at hand.

As the book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, states: “One cannot enjoy doing the same thing at the same level for long. We grow either bored or frustrated; and then the desire to enjoy ourselves again pushes us to stretch our skills, or to discover new opportunities for using them.”

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET Attitude is a critical factor to achieving flow. When you set out to complete a task, don’t focus on the future reward it will bring. Instead, try to find enjoyment in the work itself. Even if something isn’t enjoyable, or is difficult or stressful, try viewing it as a challenge instead of a threat. Controlling our mindset can help us control our stress level.

Flow activities also should play to your strengths. Like to organize? Start your project strong with a task list or by

There is also evidence that readers at all levels — even adults — use the skills they learned through phonics to read new words they’ve never seen before. Think of the popular Harry Potter books, which introduced an entire set of wizarding words such as “muggle” and “squib;” people of all ages read those words for the first time by sounding them out.

But the research finds that reading instruction can’t stop with phonics. In order to understand texts (which is the point of reading, after all) the reader can’t sound out every word. They must learn to recognize words automatically so that they can understand their meanings quickly and move on to the next word. The evidence shows this is a gradual transition where children start by sounding out most words and then slowly move towards recognizing and understanding more words automatically.

In the transition to recognizing and understanding words, it helps if students have a broad vocabulary and if people read aloud to them, allowing them to understand more complex meanings than what they can read on their own.

This is where whole language instruction comes in. And, as any teacher or parent will tell you, it’s a great benefit if the student is interested in what they are reading!

The more kids know and understand about the world, and the more words they learn, the better they will be able to understand what they are reading, and the less they will have to rely on phonics to sound out words.

The take-home message: Beginning readers need to learn phonics and pay attention to the meaning of the words they are reading. The evidence shows this combined method of teaching kids to read is most effective.

Source: Cornell University Evidence-Based Learning

Warren County Connection

Stress Busting Activities for Young Children

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are lying down. The activity starts at the top of the head; each child works his way down to the tips of his toes. The child simply tenses up each muscle group, then releases it and continues on to the next group until he has gone through his whole body.

Visual imagery This is a way for children to create positive and relaxing images and thoughts that can be used to block out upsetting ones. Children identify a favorite place, a relaxing point in time, or a special happy memory. Then the children close their eyes and imagine that they are at that favorite place.

Stress is often thought of as a grown-up condition, but children can also experience stress. Stress in children can result from school, homework, friends, family disruptions, changes in routines, and many other situations.

Stress can be observed as an obvious physical reaction such as crying or a headache, or it can be an emotional or behavioral reaction such as worrying or shyness.

Reactions to stress can vary with the child’s age and stage of development. If early childhood practitioners can identify stress in young children, they can intervene with stress-relief strategies before little pressures turn into big problems. There are several strategies children can be taught to help them cope with stress.

Exercise This is one of the best stress relief activities for children (and adults too!). Children can participate in an organized sport, be part of a team, or just spend time outside playing with friends. Regular exercise can help children feel less stressed, and if children experience a particularly stressful day, a few hours of active play can reduce their stress.

Deep breathing Any child old enough to count to four can learn to how to do deep breathing exercises to lower stress. Children, with the help of adults, slowly count to four as they inhale, and then count to four as they exhale. This exercise should be done for several minutes until the child is calm.

Muscle relaxation Children can relieve stress by using muscle relaxation exercises. Children, with the help of adults, can easily learn to tense and relax each muscle group while they

Sensory activities These can have a calming effect on children when they experience stress. Play dough is a popular childhood material that provides a wonderful sensory experience.

When children feel stress, give them play dough to squeeze, pound, and manipulate. A stress ball offers a similar experience for children because they can squeeze the squishy ball. Finger painting and playing with water or sand are other sensory activities that can be used to reduce stress.

Journaling Journaling offers a place for older children to release their feelings about a stressful situation. A journal can be as simple as a plain notebook decorated by the child. Encourage children to write about their thoughts and feelings. Younger children can draw pictures. A journal may help children figure out how to handle a particular stressful situation.

Hobbies These can be any activity that the child enjoys doing. Encourage the child to participate on a regular basis. Engaging in a favorite hobby brings children enjoyment, gives them a break from the stressful situation, and may provide a fresh look at the situation. Offer children different activities to try if they don’t have a favorite hobby. Providers may plan experiences in art, music, board games, reading, puzzles, or science for the children to try.

Music Some children are able to reduce stress and boost feelings by listening, exercising, or dancing to music. Practitioners can work with children to experiment with different types and styles of music to help encourage relaxation.

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Warren County Connection

How Kids Learn To Read

Healthy lifestyles Children should eat nutritious regular meals and snacks throughout the day to give them the energy they need to tackle the day. Foods filled with sugar and caffeine provide energy for a short time, but once it wears off children feel sluggish and tired. Getting the correct amount of sleep is important to help children think clearly and face the challenges of the day ahead.

Talking about stress Caregivers can be good listeners when children come with even the slightest “problem.” The caregiver can listen to them and help them with advice if they want it, but some children just want to talk things out with a trusted adult. Use books and stories to talk about stressful and everyday events. Stories can help young children relate to characters that are in stressful situations and learn how to work out their problems.

Some suggested books for young children include: • Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst • Stress Can Really Get on Your Nerves by Trevor Romain and Elizabeth Verdick • A Boy and a Turtle by Lori Lite Early educators teach children valuable life skills such as sharing, critical thinking, and independence. Teaching children how to cope with stressful situations is another very valuable skill that supports children’s growth into successful adults.

Even though it’s the dog days of summer vacation, many schools across the country are getting ready to bring students back into the classroom — and that means giving serious thought to the best ways to teach the youngest students to read.

For centuries, reading has been the holy grail of learning; you need to be able to read to learn about almost any other subject.

The two main theories of reading instruction are phonics and whole language. Phonics instruction focuses on building reading skills from the ground up by teaching children the sounds letters make and how to piece those letters together to make words. Whole language instruction emphasizes the meaning of what children are reading instead of the sounds that make up individual words; it encourages them to combine speaking, listening, reading, and writing to figure out the words on the page.

For decades, proponents of these two methods have argued over which is the best way to teach children to read — a debate often referred to as “the reading wars.” Over the past year, new systematic reviews have shed light on what the evidence really says about teaching kids to read.

The simple conclusion is that a combination of phonics and whole language instruction is essential to teaching kids to read. How does this work?

At the most basic levels of learning to read, children need to learn that letters represent sounds. This is where phonics comes in. The most comprehensive analysis of phonics research was conducted by the National Reading Panel convened by the U.S. Congress in the 1990s. The panel conducted a systematic review of 38 studies comparing

Source: Better Kid Care, PennState University (Continued on page 8)

Warren County Connection Warren County Connection

Facts About Figs Even though you can purchase dried figs throughout the year, there is nothing like the unique taste and texture of fresh figs. In season now the fresh fruit are lusciously sweet with a texture that combines the chewiness of their flesh, the smoothness of their skin, and the crunchiness of their seeds. Figs range dramatically in color and subtly in texture depending upon the variety.

Figs are often called one of the “world’s healthiest foods” because of the numerous health benefits they provide. One medium fig contains only 37 calories. Figs are known to:  Aid in cancer prevention, regular consumption of figs can reduce the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.  Reduce cholesterol, the soluble fiber found in figs called pectin helps in reducing blood cholesterol.  Prevent high blood pressure and heart attack. The content of potassium, omega 3 and omega 6 on fig fruit helps to maintain blood pressure and coronary heart attacks.  Reduce fatigue, improve brain memory and prevent anemia.  Aid in weight loss, due to the high fiber content.

Ginger-Glazed Figs & Yams Ingredients  1½ pounds yams (about 3 medium)  1 cup (4 ounces) thinly sliced fresh figs  3 tablespoons butter or margarine  1½ teaspoons grated fresh gingerroot or 1 teaspoon ground ginger  ⅓ cup packed brown sugar  1½ teaspoons lemon juice  ¼ teaspoon salt  ⅛ teaspoon pepper Directions 1. Heat oven to 375°F. Peel yams and cut into ½-inch thick slices. In large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. Add yams and cover. Cook until just tender when pierced with a knife, about 8 minutes.

2. In shallow, greased 1 or 1½-quart baking dish, arrange yams, slightly overlapping, and top with figs. (Recipe can be made one day in advance up to this point.)

3. Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Stir in ginger and heat about 1 minute. Add brown sugar and stir until dissolved; add lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pour mixture evenly over yams and figs and

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bake until the yams are lightly glazed on top, about 15 minutes.

Serves 6. Each serving contains: 226 calories, 6 g fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 2 g protein, 41 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 1 mg iron, 186 mg sodium, 65 mg calcium, 411 mg potassium.

Roasted Pork with Spicy Fig Sauce Ingredients  1 tablespoon vegetable oil  1 medium onion, chopped  1 can (4 to 5 ounces) chopped mild green chilies  2 cloves garlic, chopped  ½ teaspoon dried marjoram  1 packet (1⅜ ounce or 1.5 ounce) enchilada sauce mix, divided  14 ounces reduced sodium chicken broth  1 cup chopped fresh figs  2½ pounds pork tenderloin  2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro Directions 1. For sauce: heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.

Stir in onion; cook 4 minutes. Add canned chilies, garlic, and marjoram; cook 3 minutes. Stir ¼ cup dry enchilada sauce mix into skillet; reserve remaining mix (about 1 tablespoon) to rub on pork. Add broth, stirring to dissolve sauce mix. Add figs, cover and simmer 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and puree half the sauce mixture in a blender or food processor; stir back into remaining sauce in skillet. Sauce will be thick. Add ¼- to ½-cup (or more) water and thin sauce to desired consistency.

2. To cook pork, heat oven to 325ºF. Rub reserved enchilada sauce mix on pork tenderloins and place on roasting pan. Cook until internal temperature of thickest part of tenderloins registers 160ºF on meat thermometer, about 35 to 45 minutes. To serve, gently reheat fig sauce; stir in cilantro. Slice pork and arrange on a serving platter; top with sauce.

TIP: The spicy fig sauce is even better made a few hours or a day ahead. Refrigerate sauce and reheat gently before serving.

Serves 8. Each serving contains: 299 calories, 6 g fat, 83 mg cholesterol, 30 g protein, 28 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 2 mg iron, 409 mg sodium, 64 mg calcium, 677 mg potassium.

Source: North Carolina Cooperative Extension

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