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parenttalk December 2015

Resolutions To Ring In The New Year Setting Personal and Family Goals for the New Year - 7

December 2015

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parenttalk DECEMBER 2015 VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 12

Dear Parents

Publishers Ben Jones Jr Cody J. Blanchard

MANAGING EDITOR Kara Domangue

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are almost done with 2015 and I’m sure you and your child can find many things to be thankful for this past year. With 2016 only days away, check out this month’s feature on New Year’s Resolutions and how you and your family can put together some great ideas to stay motivated and successful in 2016. I hope you have been enjoying Parent Talk each month. Don’t forget, we welcome all ideas and any input from local parents looking to spread their message of

raising children in South Louisiana. Shoot us an email at info@fathomla.com if you have any suggestions and don’t forget to check out many of the local advertisers in this month’s issue!

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS Jasmine Richard, Joni Bascle, Anne Marie Naquin, Kim Thompson, Katherine Elias

TO ADVERTISE 985.441.7073

Keep talking, parents!

PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Waitz

Kara Domangue, Managing Editor

In This Issue

Business Address Fathom Media, LLC

4 5 7 10 12 13 14

The Toy Box The ABC's of Healthy Habits

P.O. Box 5702 | 1214 Canal Boulevard Thibodaux, LA 70302 985.441.7073 Parent Talk Magazine cannot be responsible for the

Resolutions to Ring in the New Year

return of unsolicited material such as manuscripts or photographs, with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Principal's List: Melynda Rodrigue

Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

Knowledge Is Power

The opinions expressed in Parent Talk Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Fathom Media, our employees or any of our advertisers.

Let's Get Fit Insight From The Inside

December 2015

The

Toy Box

JASMINE is a Technology and Media Librarian at the Lafourche Parish Public Library. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English and Psychology and a Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS). You can contact her at:

jrichard@lafourche.org (985) 446-1163

JASMINE RICHARD, SOCIAL MEDIA LIBRARIAN

Lafourche Parish Library 314 St. Mary Street Thibodaux, LA 70301

Toy of the Month Bright Beats Smart Touch Play Space

Price: $60 Age Range: 6 months + The interactive light bar responds to baby’s touch with music, lights, and songs. Grows with baby and teaches colors, numbers, the alphabet, and cause and effect, while keeping baby busy with ball ramps, a spinner, and more.

App of the Month Book of the Month

Umigo

http://www.umigo.com/ Ages: 6+ Funded in part by a U.S. Department Age Level: 4-8 of Education Ready to Learn grant and The Guardians of Childhood guided by a curriculum team of highly Discover how Jack Frost keeps the hearts respected educators, UMIGO helps of children happy in the third picture book children gain confidence in their math in Academy Award winner William Joyce’s literacy. The animated characters in the New York Times bestselling and “dazzlingly narrative stories show children how to inventive” (Publishers Weekly) The think about and use math while catchy Guardians of Childhood series. music videos reinforce the story's main educational concepts. Through fun, vibrant stories, music videos and games, UMIGO provides early elementary age children with the building blocks that will help them acquire early math skills, encouraging them to become active learners, critical thinkers and problem solvers.pt Jack Frost (The Guardians of Childhood) by William Joyce

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The ABC’s of

Healthy Habits! M is for MILK BY KATHERINE ELIAS, THIBODAUX

MMMmmm for Milk! Why should we drink it? — Milk makes your bones healthy and strong because the calcium in milk is easily absorbed by the body! — Milk not only keeps your bones strong, but it keeps your teeth strong as well! — Milk can help rehydrate your body. After you play outside or play a sport, drink a glass of milk!

What are some ways you can get milk (or other dairy products) in your diet? — Eat vanilla yogurt with your favorite berries (strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries) — Eat a piece of string cheese for a snack! — Have a glass of milk with your peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch!

Fun Facts about MILK! — It takes 29 cups of milk to make one pound of butter. — The average cow produces 90 glasses of milk each day! — A cow drinks over 117 gallons of water in a week to help produce the milk! Say MMMmmm for MILK and drink a glass today! pt

KATHERINE is Owner and Creator of Fusion Wellness. She is a Certified Wellness Coach, Personal Trainer and Exercise Group Instructor. You can contact her at:

Or visit her website at:

ktoups@wellwithfusion.com

www.wellwithfusion.com

Statistics from organicfacts.net

December 2015

PHOTOGRAPHY: JULIANA PENNISON

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RESOLUTIONS TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR BY BEN JONES JR, THIBODAUX

uring the month of December we tend to focus our energy and time discussing the Christmas holidays and the meaning of giving to one another. Although this is a great discussion to be having with your family, unfortunately it overlooks another important aspect of the month of December – the end of the year! December 31, 2015 is New Year’s Eve – typically a night filled with fireworks as we celebrate the closing of one year and the beginning of another – 2016! With the New Year comes the time to discuss New Year’s Resolutions. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a New Year’s Resolution is, “a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.” The beauty of New Year’s Resolutions is that you can tackle one as a personal goal or as a family goal. Here are a few ideas on New Year’s Resolutions for your family to kick off 2016 to a great start. December 2015

either. I mean, every kid has to have pizza and ice cream at some point, right?

Physical Activity Why not have fitness resolutions for the New Year? Ask your kids if they want to join a sports team or participate in activities like karate to keep them moving throughout the year. These are also great opportunities for the parents to keep fit and stay involved. Parents can take karate lessons with their children, go on bike rides in the evening, and participate in many different Wii or Xbox Kinect games in the comfort of their living rooms. Don’t limit yourself and your child to just one means of exercise!

Feel The Positivity

Clean and Organize Together As a family, choose multiple times a week for chores to be set-aside for everyone in the household. While the adults take care of the more intricate parts of cleaning and organizing, children can easily make their beds, pick up their toys, and even help fold laundry. There are many ways families can make time to clean together as a resolution. In the long run, it’s helping all members of the family if you can knock out certain tasks.

Healthy Eating Habits Although most people strive to eat healthier nowadays, the New Year is the best way to kick off this habit. Try to plan meals out for the week, including vegetables, fruits, and other healthier items from the grocery store that you can pick up in one trip at the beginning of each week. Don’t be afraid to have a cheat night with the family

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One of the best ways to experience a successful and happy New Year is through a positive mindset and outlook on life. Why not make your resolution to stop saying, “I can’t” and start saying, “I can!” Try to adopt a positive attitude about your day-to-day blessings and encourage your family members and those around you to be more positive by complimenting them often. A boost in confidence provided by a parent or child can go a long way! The important thing about New Year’s Resolutions is that you serve as a role model to your child. If you have a personal goal in mind for 2016, share it with your child and make sure they see you accomplishing this goal on a daily or weekly basis. Show them it can be done and you are sticking to it, and in turn, this will motivate them in a positive way to accomplish and stick with their own goal. So pick your resolutions as a family and/or individually and embrace 2016 and being a better you! pt

December 2015

, Principal s List Melynda Rodrigue, Bayou Black Elementary What is your educational background? I taught for nine years. I was an Educational Facilitator for nine years. This is my seventh year as an administrator. Tell us more about Bayou Black Elementary Bayou Black Elementary was built around 1930. We currently service students in grades PK through 6th grade. We have approximately 200 students. What is the #1 characteristic you hope to instill in your students before they move on? Students recite our mission statement every morning. “All students will learn the skills needed to be successful now and in the future!”

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What’s one of your favorite memories as being principal of your school? Before school started we held a Meet and Greet. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet the students and their parents. Any other information or thoughts you would like to share about yourself or your school? This is my first year as the principal of Bayou Black Elementary. I am working with our parents and community members to make positive changes so that all students can learn to their fullest capacity. We are currently a “B” school. The students, staff, and stakeholders of Bayou Black Elementary have a shared vision to make our school an “A” school. pt

December 2015

Knowledge is Power The Language of Mathematics BY ANNE MARIE NAQUIN, HOUMA

veryone speaks the language of numbers, whether in commerce, expressing age or calculating distance. Mathematics is the only language shared by all humans - regardless of native tongue, geography, economic background or culture. In today’s global economy, everyone, not just those who are mathematically inclined, must know how to speak math – understand mathematical concepts. The key to lifelong, academic and economic success is the development of critical thinking skills and numerical fluency in math curriculums from pre-kindergarten through high school. Students should begin to develop a good grasp of numbers while they are young. Although memorizing multiplication tables and solving calculations are important, developing a solid sense of numbers is essential. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, by focusing on mathematics – especially algebra - across all grades, we will ensure that students develop the analytical thinking and reasoning skills needed for success in school and beyond. Students who successfully complete higher level mathematics courses – beginning with algebra - are at an advantage. Traditionally, students cannot take advanced mathematics classes in secondary school until they have mastered the foundational math concepts learned in elementary school – decimals and fractions - and successfully completed Algebra 1. Success in Algebra 1 is pivotal because it is the language spoken in mathematics. An understanding of the importance of math in their lives puts students well on their way to academic success. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to all ages, grades and skill levels, encourages parents to play an active role in boosting their children’s numbers sense and discovering a love of higher mathematics.

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ANNE MARIE is Director of the Sylvan Learning Center. She is the mother of 2 children and has a Bachelor's Degree in English and Math from LSU. You can contact her at:

Or visit Sylvan's website at:

annemarie@sylvanhouma.com (985) 233-3798

www.sylvanlearning.com

Make math connections to everyday life. There are many opportunities for students to see the value of math. Think of tasks that you do everyday – rearranging a teenager’s room is a lesson in geometry and equally cutting slices of pie can teach fractions. The more parents talk about math while completing these tasks, the more students will realize its importance. Involve your children in real-life family decisions. Encourage them to plan a family activity while remaining in budget. For example, ask them to plan a night at the movies or create a budget for the family vacation. Demonstrate your math ability. Think out loud so your child can hear your analytical reasoning. For younger children, count your change or discuss which measuring cup is needed when baking a birthday cake. For older students, calculate discounts when shopping or estimate how much money will be needed to fill up the gas tank. “Mathematize” cool careers. Casually talk about mathematics while highlighting the types of math needed in your children’s chosen, “cool” careers. Video game designers, architects, doctors, football coaches, musicians and chefs utilize math skills every day. Praise your children’s academic progress. Tell them you are proud of their math efforts even when they struggle. When students are confident in their abilities, they enjoy learning. That love of learning leads to a willingness to try new, academic experiences. pt

Let s Get Fit Breaking Holiday Traditions

JONI is Manager and Certified Trainer of Koko FitClub, Advocare Distributor, Nationally Certified Personal Trainer and Master Certified Koko FitCoach. She is the mother of 1 son. Or visit these websites: YYY MQMQĆ‚VNEWD EQO You can contact her at:

jonibascle@yahoo.com

www.advocare.com/131030270

BY JONI BASCLE, THIBODAUX

appy December parents and families! It's easy to get lost in the Christmas shopping and meal prepping at this time of year, but don't fall victim to it! Don't get stuck in the usual holiday rut of planning everything around big meals and gatherings, grocery store trips, and last minute shopping at the mall and online! Instead, how about planning all of that around a fun and fit holiday season? Did you know that the holidays, beginning even before Thanksgiving, can be some of the worst times for people with stress, depression, and anxiety? That can be true for kids, adolescents, and adults alike. Sometimes we need to think outside of the box, outside of tradition, for the better of our health and the health of our family. With that in mind, if you or your kids dread the holidays and all of the hustle and bustle that come with it, you might consider breaking tradition this year. Instead of a huge Christmas gathering with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and other large groups that might bring on holiday anxiety for the whole family, perhaps a holiday vacation is the key to a happy and healthy holiday season. Can't bring yourself to forego the big family celebration? What about getting all of the family in on it? Plan a trip for the entire family to get away. Maybe a snow skiing trip for everyone will help to stave off the anxiety of who is preparing the turkey. One key way to fight off the winter blues is to maintain your body's level of vitamin D, so maybe Christmas break is the perfect time to get Grandma and Grandpa on a Caribbean cruise with

the kids! Some fun in the sun and a tan Santa might be just what everyone needs this year! Know what else is a mood enhancer? Exercise! Keep everyone jolly this Christmas by making sure to fit in some fun activity that you all can enjoy. Whether you stay home and stick with tradition, or take your holidays on the road, be sure to make time for everyone to keep up the fit life. Ice skating rinks pop up, even in the south for the holiday season. Balancing on thin blades while sliding on ice is a great total body workout for everyone! Not your family's thing? How about a fun trip to a trampoline park in New Orleans or Baton Rouge while you're out picking up gifts? Fitting in exercise doesn't have to mean a jog in the cold or an hour in the gym. Your entire family can feel the burn while playing a fun and exciting game of laser tag in between trips to the grocery store and the mall. Set realistic goals for yourself this holiday season, as well as your family. Feel the joy more than you feel the stress and your family is sure to have a happy and healthy Christmas. pt

December 2015

Insight from the Inside Magic of Mistletoe

KIM is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Counselor, Nicholls State University Instructor and has her MSW, LCSW, and LLC. She is the mother of 3 sons. You can contact her at:

kimthompson.lcsw@live.com

(985) 493-9304

BY KIM THOMPSON, THIBODAUX

ave you ever been summoned for a kiss under a green ball of pointed leaves adorned with small, red or white berries? Such folklore traditions date back to Norse mythology, where mistletoe symbolized love and friendship. During the Medieval period, people believed that mistletoe possessed mystical powers which could bring good luck and ward off evil spirits in the month of December. Moreover, Scandinavians considered mistletoe a plant of peace, under which enemies (or spouses) could declare a truce and start anew. Even today, various kissing traditions are practiced surrounding this magical plant. So does mistletoe really possess magical powers? I choose to BELIEVE! Any practice that involves physical touch can have positive effects on psychological and physiological health. Numerous studies have proven to us that physical touch can help all animals - from infants to elders; humans to apes - reduce stress, relieve pain, increase the ability to cope, and even improve pulmonary and immune functions. Dating back to World War II, psychoanalyst John Bowlby's keen observance of orphans who were deprived of physical contact documented that the children experienced stunted physical and psychological growth, to the extent of failing to thrive. In fact, many experts believe that physical touch is as important a basic human need as food. Dr. Gary Chapman, a renowned couples therapist, teaches that without it, a relationship will not survive. He formally categorizes Physical Touch as one of the 5 Love Languages couples innately need to both receive and give within a healthy, flourishing relationship. Physical touch in the forms of hugging, caressing, kissing, and even playing can greatly increase the safety and security that is expected in a relationship - be it parent-child or husband-wife. Think of receiving a warm and loving hug. Visualize someone close to you, your child perhaps, wrapping their arms lovingly

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around your back and staying a while. That firm and affectionate embrace stimulates pressure receptors under the skin, which in turn send a message to the vagus nerve in your brain (and your child's brain). The vagus nerve cues your heart rate, your blood pressure and even your stress hormone cortisol to lower, putting you both in a relaxed state. Top that sundae of with a kiss, and it's a sweet treat that releases serotonin and oxytocin, brain chemicals that promote positive feelings and balanced mood. And, voila, happiness is at your fingertips. Now, I'm not suggesting you invade the intimate personal space of everyone around you. But experiment with the following variations of welcomed, respectful physical touch to see what mood boosting effects it can have on you and those you care for or love. — Hugs - ranging from firm and lengthy for an intimate relationship, to quick and to the side for an informal alternative — Kiss - lips, cheek, or even on the hand, again based on the nature of the relationship — Holding hands - with partners, obviously, but also great for parent-child — Pats on the back or hand on shoulder for support — High fives and fist bumps - perfect for teammates or adolescents who may be "too cool" for hugs at the time — Handshake - great for introductions and business or social contact "To touch can be to give life,” said Michelangelo. Try kissing, hugging, or high fiving someone under the mistletoe today, and LIVE! pt

POP QUIZ!

Santa Has 9 Reindeer, Can You Name Them All? Please submit all answers via email to mindworkout@parenttalkmag.com by December 31, 2015.

December 2015

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