MAY 2020
LOCALLY RELEVANT // EXPERT ADVICE
Happy Mother's Day!
Play Is Never
Canceled
Ideas for Homeschooling
Day Camp Directory
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MAY 2020 3
CONTE NTS
MAY 2020
features
30 staying at home?: mom blogs to the rescue
Check out these great blogs by moms for creative activitiy ideas to keep you and your kiddos engaged and bonded.
32 play is never canceled Stay connected, keep laughing, and #KeepPlaying.
34 homeschooling ideas and
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free curriculum
With the need to practice social distancing has come the need for many parents to be first-time homeschool teachers.
36 a mother’s garden An inspirational story about motherhood.
38 mother’s day gift guide Publisher’s picks for great gift ideas.
40 day camp Where children learn skills that become habits of the heart.
42 camp directory 2020 Central Georgia day camps and summer programs.
departments
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ages and stages
18 20 22 24
baby: Go baby! preschool: Teaching reading skills elementary: Teaching writing skills teen: COVID-19 challenges and opportunities
lifestyles 08 24 46
TAKE NOTE: Timely news you can use family health: Latest research on health issues home & Garden: Porch perfect
every month 12 14 16 4
Dear teacher: Q & A with teachers special needs child: Struggling LEARNING: Maintaining your child’s focus during home learning GeorgiaFamily.com
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MAY 2020 5
editor’s note
Don’t miss an issue
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hroughout my life many optimists have seemingly taken pleasure in labeling me a pessimist. I was always quick to retort, "No, it's not that I am always looking for the negative; it’s that I try to be a realist, and it is often unrealistic to take a Pollyanna approach to life.”
So while the Pollyannas roam the grocery stores without a care in the world—without gloves or masks—I choose to heed the advice of the experts in science and medicine when it comes to COVID-19.
Bookmark Our Site! ✽ See the full print issue online. All the stories, events, reviews, tips, directories, guides, and more! ✽ Search our archives of past magazines ✽ Find links to other helpful sites ✽ Learn about upcoming events and fun things to do with children ✽ View our guides from past issues: Camp Guide Private School Guide Public School Guide Baby Guide ✽ Become a member to receive exclusive GIVEAWAY offers ✽ Read our blogs ✽ Check out our comprehensive DIRECTORIES & GUIDES (listings of local family-friendly businesses)
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It’s where families go to stay in the know! Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest
This tragic situation we find ourselves in just might have a silver lining. What might that be when people are dying and businesses are folding, you might ask? Well, I have to admit that it makes me smile a bit for the children of parents who ordinarily never get to spend much time with their children who can now do that because of work furloughs. I hope all of you parents who are marooned at home without job demands seize this opportunity to spend more time with your children. Life is fleeting, and I for one, am already mourning all the lost moments with my children that are gobbled up by work. My girls are just eleven, six, and two. So I ask myself now, “How will they view my mothering when they are adults?” Will I be viewed as the mother who was always too busy with other things that I valued more than them? I surely hope not! As Mother’s Day looms on the horizon, it reminds me to try and rise to the occasion everyday of being worthy of the immensity of that most important of job titles . . . mother. —Véronique F. Saiya, Executive Editor
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Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
Olya Fessard
Executive Editor & Creative Editor
Véronique F. Saiya
associate Editor
Chelsea Madden
Contributing Writers
Kimberly Blaker Sandra Gordon Lara Krupicka
Digital Graphic manager
Leslie Brasher
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JOM III Gallery, LLC ADVERTISING Manager Olya Fessard 478.471.7393
ACCOUNT executive Tammy Holloway 478.320.5700
Georgia Family Magazine 523 Sioux Drive Macon, GA 31210 478.471.7393 GeorgiaFamily.com Georgia Family Magazine is published monthly for a total of 12 issues annually. It is distributed both by subscription and distributed free of charge in almost 500 locations—one copy per reader. Back copies of Georgia Family are available for $2.50 per copy. Subscriptions are available at the rate of $25 per year for first class delivery. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
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MAY 2020 7
take note
Avery Scott wins big in American Legion Oratorical Contest
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Photo by JOM III Gallery, LLC
very year, the American Legion conducts an oratorical scholarship program for high school students called "A Constitutional Speech Contest." Sophomore Avery Scott was required to deliver an 8–10 minute prepared oration based on the U.S. Constitution. Her speech was entitled, "Freedom of Speech: Changing the World with Our Words." In addition, Avery was given 3–5 minutes to speak on an assigned topic based on a Constitutional Amendment. The competition began back in January, and she won 1st place at the post, district, then area levels over the course of two months. On March 15, she competed at the state level and won 3rd place!
Tattnall's Joey Hiller Inducted Into macon’s Sports Hall Of Fame
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f Joey Hiller had never played any sport and was just a baseball and softball coach, he still probably would have been inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame. His twelve state championships in baseball (11) and softball (1) combined with over 1,000 wins and a win percentage of over 80% obviously merit a great consideration, even at the rather young age of 48.
Hiller, one of eight members of the 2020 class who will be inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame in early May, joins other inductees Brannen Veal, Robert Slocumb, and Jeff Treadway. “It is an honor to go in with so many fantastic players and coaches. I’m especially thankful to be inducted with Tattnall alumnus Brannen Veal (‘88), who I had the opportunity to play with when I was 16. And it has been a privilege to coach against Jeff Treadway. I have learned so much from him through the years in baseball and especially softball. We have developed a nice friendship through many years of competition.” 8
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Tattnall’s Math Team Wins Again!
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he TSA Varsity Math Team placed 2nd and the JV Team placed 3rd at a meet at Middle Georgia State University. Jorja Ethridge won 1st place individual for JV and Pathik Desai won 1st place individual for Varsity. The Varsity Team also placed 1st at Columbus State! Jessica Norwood won 1st individual, Pathik Desai won 2nd individual, and Noah Johnson won 3rd.
ACE STUDENT antonia Kopp ACHIEVES the HIGHEST SAT IN THE COUNTY
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he Academy for Classical Education is extremely proud to announce Antonia Kopp as our STAR Student. Antonia has chosen Mr. Mitchel Wachtel as the STAR teacher. Antonia was also named Bibb County’s STAR Student for having the highest SAT in the county!
MAY 2020 9
dear teacher Teachers Peggy Gilbert and Marge Ebert Answer Education Questions
Dear Teacher: Secrets to Finding the Best Summer Camp
Q
How do I select the best camps for my children this summer? — Best Choices
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Safety should be your number one concern. You need to begin your hunt for a great camp by asking questions to make sure that you are totally comfortable with the camps you select. It is true that all camps have risks, but there are definitely questions you should be asking.
The first one should be: What licenses or accreditations does a camp have? Accreditation is far more important, as state standards are only likely to relate to health, cleanliness and food service, which are obviously important. However, you want to find a camp accredited by the American Camp Association (acacamps. org) as it goes beyond state standards to camp staff, emergency management plans, health care and camp management. Finding accredited camps will narrow your choices to good choices. Next consider what type of camp is most suitable for your child. Should it be coed or not? Decide which one would make your child more relaxed about social interactions. Then there is the question of whether a local day camp or an overnight one would work best for your child. Generally speaking, younger children (under age 9) should attend day camps. 10
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Certainly, a very important consideration is to find a camp that offers activities that appeal to your child. Think about whether the child would like a camp geared primarily to a specific area like a sport, a computer skill, or an academic subject, or one that has a wide variety of typical summer activities.
After studying camp brochures, do not finalize your camp decision until you have talked to the camp director to find out more about the camp, from the staff-to-camper ratio to how many campers return each year, as well as emergency concerns and visitation opportunities. Another very important consideration is taking into account exactly
what your children would like to find in a summer camp. This is likely to result in a decision that is best for them.
Getting Conversation Started at the Family Dinner table
Q
We always hear about the great benefits of family dinners. But what do we talk about when the TV and phones are off with a teen and a preschooler? — Silent Meals
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Research definitely shows the benefits of family dinners, especially when families eat together at least four times a week. At your dinner table, you can model healthy dinnertime conversation without any outside distractions.
To break the silence at your family dinner tonight, here are some conversational starters: •
It’s easy to begin every meal by each family member telling one thing that they did that day, even if it is what they had for lunch or where they ate.
•
What would you like to do this weekend?
•
Is anything special happening at school this week?
•
Did anything different happen today?
•
What is the most interesting thing you know about your grandparents?
send me some ideas for teaching her division? —Help
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Math concepts are always challenging. Your daughter needs to know that the basic facts of division are really the multiplication facts. Rather than learn the division facts separately, most children just turn the multiplication facts around. For every multiplication fact, there are two division facts. Take 4 x 6 = 24. The two division facts are 24 divided by 6 and 24 divided by 4. Get your child in the habit of handling a problem like 24 divided by 4 by saying “four times what is twenty-four.” Here is a game that will improve both your child’s multiplication and division skills It is not essential to work with long division problems if she understands the concept of division because these problems are typically solved on an electronic device.
A game you can play with your daughter to help teach her division is called “CrossOut.” Begin by making 36 cards numbered 1 through 9. Each number should appear on four cards. You also need to make a game sheet with 16 or more squares. Fill in each square with a different answer to basic division/multiplication facts you are teaching your daughter. Next, shuffle the 36 cards and place them face down in a drawing pile. The top card is picked up and the number on it read aloud. If the called number divides evenly into a number on her game sheet, she selects a number to cross out on the game sheet. She can only cross out one number on a game sheet for each called card even though there are other possibilities. The game ends when she has crossed out all the numbers on the game card. This game can be played with several players, making it more fun. #
Helping Children who struggle with their Division skills
Q
My daughter who is in third grade is still very weak in her knowledge of her multiplication facts and now is really struggling with division. Could you please MAY 2020 11
special needs
Struggling
?
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How Can You Tell If Your Child Needs to Be Tested? By Rita Eichenstein, Ph.D.
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? t sta rts w ith a gut feeling.
Your child just seems a little different than other kids the same age. Maybe it’s the way he plays, or the difficulty she has following directions. Finally, you confess your concerns to your partner. Your child might admit that he or she has been thinking the same thing, or she may tell you not to worry so much.
What to do? Should you get your child tested and what, exactly, is testing?
Types of Testing “Testing” usually refers to a testing by a school psychologist, an educational psychologist, or a neuropsychologist. School assessments are performed to see if a child qualifies for an individualized education program, or IEP. These tests focus on skills necessary for academic achievement. They don’t 12
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? diagnose learning or behavioral disorders. Neuropsychological testing evaluates learning and behavior as it relates to a child’s brain. This kind of assessment is done when a child is showing difficulty in learning, attention, behavior, socialization, or emotional control. Sometimes a disease, trauma, concussion, or a developmental problem affects the brain, and testing can help identify how this impacts a child’s current function. When parents feel that their child is struggling, the first person they usually talk to is their pediatrician. The pediatrician may tell the parents to consult the child’s teacher, who may suggest a school assessment. There’s only one drawback to this chain of events: school districts often will not assess a child until that child is failing. Most parents don’t want to wait that long to figure out what’s going on. Besides, school assessments don’t diagnose the problem; they just verify that there is one. If your gut is telling you that something is amiss, do not wait for the school system’s blessing to get your child tested. Consider taking him or her to a pediatric neuropsychologist for an
evaluation. Here are some signs that your child might benefit from this type of test:
Your child is having difficulty mastering school subjects. This can begin as early as preschool or kindergarten, when you may notice that your child isn’t catching on to the letter sounds or doesn’t seem to be following the general pace of conversations.
Your child is having attention issues—he or she is too
restless, impulsive, or inattentive, and it’s causing significant impact on his or her daily functioning. For young children, “functioning,” means being able to sit long enough to eat their meal, getting dressed, or sitting in circle time at school. For older children, it means being able to organize their morning, get dressed, take care of basic hygiene, get to school (and remember to bring their books), pay attention in class, master school subjects, manage homework, and be able to do some household chores. In other words, cope with the typical student’s daily schedule without throwing the whole family into chaos (a child who is struggling will usually affect the whole family dynamic).
Your child does well academically, but his or her social skills seem impaired, and it’s getting in the way of the child’s emotional growth or wellbeing.
When You Know What’s Going On, You Can Help Your Child Sometimes parents who bring their children to my office will say, “My neighbor told me not to test my child, that it’ll dig up too much information that we’d rather not know about.” “Information is a good thing,” I respond. “You want to know your child’s strengths, don’t you? Testing will show you the complete picture of your child, not just the challenges.” Your child’s strengths point the way to the type of interventions that will be most effective. An evaluation will clarify your child’s situation, and get everyone on the same page. When you, your partner, and your child understand what the problems are, you are taking the first step to solving them. There is no ‘right’ age for testing; some people may advise you to wait until your child is older. That is inadvisable; early identification is critical in helping your child get the help that he or she deserves. # Dr. Rita Eichenstein specializes in pediatric neuropsychology and special education in private practice at Cedars-Sinai. Dr. Rita is the author of Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children and Positively Atypical. For more information, go to drritaeichenstein.com. MAY 2020 13
learning
Maintaining
Your Child’s Focus
During New Home Learning Routines By ann K. Dolin
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n these uncertain times, when MANY things are topsy turvy, the importance of creating a family routine cannot be overstated. You know this and, as every expert suggests, you’ve carved out an enriching, personalized schedule for your children while trying to keep your child on task with their school away from school and it’s been tough because your child refuses to shift from “vacation mode” to “study mode” while at home. Getting a child, whether in elementary or high school, to adopt a new routine is complicated, certainly more so when no one can predict when ‘real life’ will start up again. If you’re at a loss, and fear that your child may be losing import-
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ant academic ground, here’s my advice for you: Collaborate. Don’t Dictate. If you haven’t already, talk with your child about their daily schedule. Lay out your concerns and explain how you’re feeling. You can say something like, “I’m worried with you being out of school for so long that things might really feel unstructured. What if we set up a time for learning and a time for homework?” Invite them to design or refine the schedule with you. Sometimes, approaching with a question rather than a command yields better results. Younger kids may need hand-holding—in designing their schedule and adhering to it day in and day out. Lay out clear expectations regarding what they will do independently and when it’s okay— and not okay—to approach you for help during the day. Give any new schedule three days of transition time before determining if it needs revisiting.
“Chunk” Time Effectively An hour and a half of steady study time is just way too much for any child, especially one with home attention distractions. No child is going to be able to sustain focus unless the work is segmented into smaller chunks. To do so, follow the Pomodoro technique. This technique posits that people are more attentive and motivated to do a task when they have a specific amount of time to work. The ideal amount of time for adults is about 25 minutes, according to the research. Between each 25-minute chunk of work should be a five-minute break, and string together no more than four pomodoros in a row—any more than that deflates motivation levels. Students in middle and high school can generally sustain attention for about the same time as adults, however they do better with two or three consecutive pomodoros, and then a longer break. If your child is resistant or can’t focus consistently for 25 minutes, start where they are—and don’t stress. Shorten the time period and see what they are willing to do.
For middle and high school students: Likewise, older children should have at their disposal a few effective work stations that don’t include their own bedrooms. Letting them stay in their rooms all day long is not a good idea. If you have a two-story home, suggest that your teen stays on the first-floor in the morning for the heavy work before returning to their room in the afternoon. If the weather’s nice have them go outside for a 30 minute break for the monotony of indoor life. Maybe take in some yard work or a walk.
Set up Virtual Social Interactions It’s so important for children to stay in touch with each other—they need their peers to keep motivated and for some socially positive interaction. If the school isn’t doing anything to promote or facilitate social interaction, encourage your children to set up study groups with their friends. If they are reading a book, they can talk about chapters after reading them together. Consider signing up for Zoom, a software exploding in popularity right now. Zoom allows users to share screens and it offers add-ons like bitpaper.io that make for more calls more fun and interactive. # Courtesy of Ann Dolin, M.Ed. author of Homework Made Simple: Tips, Tools, and Solutions to Stress-Free Homework and founder of Educational Connections Inc. For more info visit anndolin.com
Do the Hard Stuff Before Lunch There’s an optimal time to do just about anything, according to Daniel Pink, author of When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. He wrote in his book that human energy and motivation peaks and valleys throughout the day. When we get up in the morning, our energy and attention levels are flat. As we go through the morning, it gets better until it peaks around lunch time, and then it starts to go down—much lower to where it even started at the beginning of the day. For that reason, start the day with the subjects that are hardest for your children, like math and language arts. Save the easier tasks for after lunch.
Commute Between Work Stations For elementary school children: Younger children need to be active; they won’t do well sitting down for long stretches. For them, adopt the Montessori approach and set up an environment made up of stations. At the reading station, collect your child’s books with a beanbag chair or pile of pillows for comfortable reading. Designate a table for the math station, where you station pencils, books, and worksheets. Create a LEGO or puzzle station, and another one for science. Set a 25-minute timer and encourage your child to physically move from station to station when it goes off. Remember, it’s your child’s job to stay busy at each station. MAY 2020 15
baby
Go Baby
GO!
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rom scooting to crawling to cruising, babies learn how to get around during eight to twelve months. So now is the time to childproof your home, if you haven’t already. Be especially careful to gate staircases and block off rooms that you’d rather your baby didn’t explore. How Is My Baby Moving?
By now your baby is sitting up and using his or her hands every so often for support. Once comfortable in this position, your baby will learn to turn and reach for objects without falling over. Your baby will also get better at changing positions, and soon figure out how to get into a sitting position, then pull up to stand. When on the stomach, your baby will learn to push up onto the hands and knees and 16
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rock back and forth. This little “exercise” is working the arm and leg muscles, getting your child ready to propel forward (or backward) in an attempt to get moving. Some babies are better at crawling than others, so don’t worry if your child has developed some novel ways of getting around, including rolling, scooting on his or her bottom, or creeping. As long as your baby is using the arms and legs on both sides of the body and shows an
interest in exploring surroundings, there’s usually no reason to be concerned. Leg muscles have gotten stronger from standing, bouncing, and crawling. Now is the time for your baby to start taking steps while holding on to the couch, coffee table, or other pieces of furniture for balance. This is called “cruising.” You can encourage it by holding your baby’s hands while your little one takes a few steps. Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination also continue to improve during this period, and your baby will develop the ability to pick up very small things, like cereal, with dexterity. This coordination can range from an awkward raking grasp to a precise finger-to-thumb pincer grasp.
Encouraging Movement Give your baby safe areas to practice moving and many chances to move—limit the time your baby spends in strollers, cribs, and other equipment that restricts movement. Allow for tummy time so your baby is in the right position to practice crawling. Help your baby get onto his or her hands and knees, put a favorite toy out of reach, and encourage your baby to move toward the desired object. Encourage walking by letting your baby cruise along the furniture (remove or pad furniture with sharp edges), holding your baby’s hands while he or she practices. Walkers are frowned on by the American Academy of Pediatrics as each year, thousands of children end up in the hospital due to injuries from using walkers, such as toppling down the stairs or reaching a hot stove. Additionally, when trying to encourage walking it’s time to say goodbye to bouncers and elliptical seats. While they hold kids in an upright position, these devices don’t help them learn to walk any faster. In fact, they may even delay walking if used too often. Don’t forget that when indoors, it’s best to let your child walk around barefoot. Her feet can grab slippery surfaces, like wood and tile floors, better, allowing her to gain stability and confidence when trying to walk. Of course when she’s outdoors, she’ll need a pair of properly fitted shoes to protect her feet. Don’t shop for shoes first thing in the morning, since feet swell about 5% throughout the day Most babies take their first steps around their first birthday, but the age range varies from 9–18 months. Don’t worry if your baby takes a few detours along the way. Some kids never crawl—they go straight from standing to walking—and that’s perfectly normal. What’s important at this stage is that your child is using arms and legs together to become mobile. If your child is doing any of the following, walking is not far behind: rolling around, crab walking, scooting, and/or climbing stairs using his hands. Look at your child’s progress. Is he doing more this month than last month? Is he
getting a little bit more of his body off the ground? If so, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If by the end of his first year he doesn’t make any effort to get around somehow, then talk to your doctor. Call your doctor if your child does not: crawl, creep, or scoot around, stand when supported, use both sides of his or her body equally, and if he does not seem to have good control of his or her hands.
Normal child development tends to follow a certain pattern. The skills that babies develop early serve as building blocks for future skills. Still, the time it takes to develop these skills can vary widely among kids. If you’re concerned about your baby’s development, speak with your doctor. # Courtesy of Nemours
Crawling Help
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he idea is to encourage your child to endure longer sessions on his or her tummy. Your baby must focus on you and will then spontaneously develop a sense of using both elbows and legs for support. When done correctly, you’ll soon see baby supporting himself or herself on both knees and straight arms . . . ready to crawl. Try following these tips to get baby crawling: Place baby on the carpet. The very first thing any baby must master before there's any hope of learning to crawl is getting accustomed to being in the tummy lying position. You'll get great results doing this if you talk to and play with your baby when she's on the carpet.
Create a roller. Roll an ordinary bathroom towel into a "roller" . Of course, you can also buy any other type of roller. They're soft cylindrical shaped toys . . . preferably somewhat firm. You can get inflatable ones, but solid ones normally last much longer and can also be used to teach your child to sit and walk. Position the elbows. This step requires you to do something. Gently hold your baby by the elbows and draw them towards her body. It will almost seem as if your child wants to lie on her elbows. Continue to provide support. Position on roller. Gently position the towel "roller" under your baby's upper body… arms hanging over the front of the "roller". The "roller" supports the upper body—NOT her stomach—with her elbows just touching the carpet. It should slightly raise her upper body, thereby allowing her to discover the surroundings. Make sure her elbows touch the carpet— they must not be hanging in the air. Perform in front. This is the most important step. Get down on the floor directly in front of your child and face her. Now, let your baby look at your face while you talk to, amuse, and encourage her. Many parents also find a crawl mirror to be a great help. The Stretching Exercise. Put your baby in a sitting position. Place any colorful toy or plaything on the floor, slightly in front and to either his left or right. If you place the toy outside your baby’s reach, he will have to stretch and support his upper body with the other hand. Baby on your chest. Put her tummy side down onto your chest. Talk to her. Get her attention, and try to get a positive response. One idea is to point to and identify body parts (eyes, nose, arms, hands, etc.). Make it a fun experience by lifting her into the air frequently. This technique works well for those who hate tummy time. Toys to help: Lamaze Spin & Explore Garden Gym; The First Years Happy Flyer Tummy Time; Playskool 2-in-1 Tummy Time Gym; Kick and Grow Tummy Zone Developmental Mat; Bright Starts Tummy Cruiser Prop & Play Mat; and Sassy Me in the Mirror are all great toys for encouraging tummy time and crawling.
MAY 2020 17
preschool
Teaching Reading Skills
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irtually every parent worries about their child mastering fundamental skills. When will they crawl? When will they walk? When will they talk? When will they be potty trained? The next biggie is undoubtedly: When will my child learn to read? Many parents, hoping to give their preschoolers a critical head start, try to ready them by purchasing phonics workbooks, apps, educational subscription services, and computer software; some even hire tutors before the first grade. Indeed, children are now expected to read earlier than ever before. Today’s educational system now starts the push as early as kindergarten.
While kids are young, it’s more important that they can imagine themselves as the pirates, princesses, heroines, and explorers in stories than they read every word. You want them to develop a love for reading before they endeavor to master the mechanics. If your child already has a love of books and you’re ready to see what she or he is capable of without squelching their desire to read with a bunch of drills, here are some things to help you understand the building blocks of reading. Essentially, learning to read requires the mastering of three basic skills: syntax, semantics, and phonics. Syntax is the way words, phrases, and clauses go together to create sentences and paragraphs. Semantics is how words and sentences in a group relate to one another. Phonics refers to the sounds letters make and the relationship between written and spoken words. As your preschooler learns to read, he will develop in all these areas. Most children, however, start understanding syntax and semantics before phonics. For example, he will learn that sentences in a book run from left to right before he understands what the letter combination “sh” sounds like. The best thing you can do to help your child grow in all three areas is to expose him to books and reading every day, whether by reading aloud at bedtime, going to story time at your local library, 18
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or simply reading from the recipe as you make his dinner.
Syntax A child who grasps syntax has an awareness of written language. Syntax skills begin with an understanding of the structure of a book and the words and sentences within it. For example, when your preschooler was a baby, he held books upside down, sucked on them, or used them as a mat to sit on. As a toddler, he started to understand that a book has a front and a back, words are read from left to right, and that the book progresses page by page. Once your child grasps the structure of a book, he’ll begin to understand what’s inside: words, sentences, paragraphs, and chapters. As your preschooler tackles new books, he’ll scome to grips with the stops, starts, and pauses in a sentence and with the purpose of punctuation. Here are some ways to develop syntax skills: Read aloud books that rhyme. There are some great story books that rhyme, such as The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. As you read, follow the words with your finger. This will show your preschooler how a sentence progresses, that a full stop represents a pause in the flow of the story, and other relationships between written and spoken language. Write a letter with your child. Emphasize the different parts of the letter: introduction, sentences, paragraphs, closing.
Read books that tell stories. Fairytales are great for this. Talk about the book as you read it. Ask your child to predict the end of the story. Keep the flow going. When your child starts learning to read aloud, don’t stop mid-sentence to labor over a difficult word. If your child is stuck, say the word, explain the meaning, and then move on with the sentence. This encourages comprehension of the sentence and the rest of the story. Go back and review the word another time.
Phonics Phonics is the mechanical part of the reading process. It includes being able to sound out words and recognize word families, such as ‘ph’ words and ‘th’ words. Being able to differentiate between words that look alike, such as ‘big’ and ‘bag’ is part of it too. Distinguishing words with different letters but similar sounds, such as
‘four’ and ‘phone’. Here are some ways to encourage phonics skills: Go through rhyming books and songs with your child. With each rhyme, point out the words that look alike and discuss the difference in meaning. For example, how is ‘hat’ different from ‘cat’? Use alphabet books. Discuss words that are the same and different in their beginning and end letter. Write down the names of family members and friends, and sound out each name with your child. Group the names by first letter. Get your child to read to you. When he comes across new or difficult words, pronounce and define them for him, and then let your child read the sentence again. Keep a mental note of any recurring problems. Don’t name letters, sound them. When you are teaching your child about letters, use the sound: ‘a’ as in apple, ‘b’ as in banana, ‘c’ as in cat. # Source: babycentre.org
Semantics Semantic skills include an ability to recognize and define words, to predict the plot of a story, to understand the characters, to talk about the meaning of a whole paragraph or section of a book, and to discuss a book as a whole after reading it. It also means being able to substitute words and differentiate words with similar meanings, too. For example, ‘cup’ and ‘mug’. Here are some ways to encourage semantic skills: MAY 2020 19
elementary
Writing Skills Get kids to seize the summer to hone their writing skills
V
irtually everyone who’s been to college knows firsthand about the connection between writing well and doing well in courses ranging from business to the humanities. Yet there is ample evidence that too many students aren’t mastering the skills they will need for higher education or the workplace.
According to a report produced by the National Commission on Writing in America’s Schools and Colleges, “The Neglected ‘R’: The Need for a Writing Revolution,” most fourth-grade students spend less than three hours a week writing. This is approximately 15% of the time they spend watching television. The organization also notes that by the first year of college, less than 50% of the freshman class is able to “produce papers relatively free of language errors, or to analyze arguments, or synthesize 20
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information.”With statistics like these, it’s easy to see why so many students stumble during their early college years and end up spending six or more years to graduate. It’s also easy to see why more college admissions officers are paying attention to the new writing tests that are now part of the ACT Assessment and SAT. Officials of ACT and the College Board, which administers the SAT, have stated concerns about students’ overall performance on these assessments, asserting that too many
students are not building needed skills through their regular studies. So if problems with reading, study skills, or other factors have made it difficult for your child to write well, it’s important to ask your child’s teachers for extra help as soon as possible. In the meantime, here are some additional ways to build writing skills both in and out of school:
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Write for practical reasons. Students need meaningful writing tasks that are designed to meet objectives, and writing letters is a good way to learn how to write persuasively. In a letter to return a purchase, for example, simply explaining why you’re dissatisfied and why you expect to have your money refunded teaches you how to articulate an objective, reinforce that objective with facts,
and reach a desired resolution. This activity also reinforces the value of clear writing skills in everyday life.
4 Write to express feelings. Keeping a diary or journal can be a very effective way to encourage self-expression and strengthen writing skills. Writing about personal feelings, successes, and disappointments can also help students resolve conflicts. When people write about things that concern them, they’re more apt to strive for just the right words to describe how they’re feeling.
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Learn to argue on paper. This tactic will be especially interesting to parents. The next time your child expresses a point of view or petitions you for a special favor or privilege, pull out a pen and see how well the case can be made on paper. A five-paragraph essay can be a good model, with the first paragraph stating the child’s desire or point of view, the next three paragraphs (or sentences) providing supporting evidence for that point of view, and the last paragraph summarizing the key point and supporting evidence. Many teachers find the five-paragraph essay to be a good tool for helping students organize their thoughts, so these skills can have a direct impact on writing proficiency and performance.
Writing Websites writeabout.com
thinkcerca.com
Grades: 1–12; Price: Free to try, Paid
Grades: 3–12; Price: Free, Paid
Engaging prompts, flexible collaboration options empower young writers.
Well-structured lessons encourage deep analysis, thoughtful writing. This is a ready-to-go, research-backed resource that focuses intently on CCSS-aligned and AP-level critical reading and writing skills.
boomwriter.com Grades: 3–8; Price: Free, Paid
There’s creativity possibility in this tool’s unique brand of collaborative and competitive writing.
edublogs.org Grades: 3–12; Price: Free, Paid
This rich and safe blogging tool makes it easy for teachers and students to extend the classroom into a wider community.
storiumedu.com Grades: 3–12; Price: Free to try
With some planning and customization, this unique card game can motivate thoughtful and sustained creative writing.
writable.com Grades: 3–12; Price: Free to try
This is an intelligently structured tool for teaching writing and review that focuses on process as much as product.
ywp.nanowrimo.org Grades: 4–12; Price: Free
A thoughtful adaptation of the famous and fun grown-up novel writing contest, NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program is brimming with advice and encouragement as well as classroom support.
4 Summarize reading assignments. As students reach middle and secondary school, homework assignments tend to require more reading and analyzing. After reading a chapter or an important section of an assignment, students should do a notes page summarizing the key facts and restating, in their own words, the most important points to remember. This process enhances retention and further strengthens writing skills as well. # Courtesy of Dr. Raymond J. Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center. For more information call 1-800-CAN-LEARN.
MAY 2020 21
teens
COVID-19 Challenges & Opportunities During the Outbreak From the American Academy of Pediatrics
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ocial distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19 can be especially hard for teens, who may feel cut off from their friends. After all, how’s a teen supposed to feel more autonomous when stuck at home with parents? Many also face big letdowns as graduations, proms, sports seasons, college visits, and other long-planned events are now cancelled or postponed. Here are a few ways you can help your teen through this difficult time.
Work together to create a new normal • Stick to a schedule that works with online learning. Set a time to wake up, exercise, shower, get dressed, have breakfast, or whatever they need to start the “school day.” If it helps, allow your teen to sleep in a little later than normal. Like they would be in class, phones should be off while doing schoolwork. Keep the TV off during school hours, too, and limit time watching the news. Plan mini breaks and a one-hour lunch break. •
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Make dinner a transition time between the “school day” and the evening. Dinner is a great time to gather the whole family together to talk and share a meal. Try fun converGeorgiaFamily.com
sation starters, such as, “My favorite part of today was…” or “Today I am grateful for...”. This may be the time your family may choose to observe a quiet moment together. Help them keep their usual sleep time routine so they are ready for learning each day.
• Allow “down time.” It’s normal for teens to crave more privacy from their family. Give them space for some quiet time, creative time, music time, or to virtually hang out with friends. This can help ease any feelings of being isolated from their friends or difficulties with routine-change.
Communicate openly • Share information about what is happening in a calm and factual way
to help ease their concerns about the virus. Discuss facts about COVID-19 and correct misinformation when you hear it. Reinforce the basics, like the importance of frequent hand washing and avoiding touching their face.
• Stress that staying home saves lives. Talk about how social distancing is an important way they are helping slow the spread of the virus and protecting those most at risk. Have a strict “no cheating” rule and stress that it is NOT okay to hang out with friends in person or play outdoor sports like basketball and softball. • Help your teen look forward by helping them shift away from what was lost and identify ways to move on with plans and goals.
Stay safely connected • Reach out virtually. Allow your teen to stay connected to friends and loved ones during social distancing by phone, text, video chat, or social media. (Remind them to check their privacy settings so they are not posting too much personal information online.)
Playing games online with friends can also be relaxing and enjoyable for your teen. But be sure to agree on screen time during school days.
• Help others connect. Many teens have expertise in using technology and can teach parents or grandparents how to video chat or use social media. This is also an opportunity for them to bring you into their virtual world. While media limits are still important, it’s understandable that under these unusual circumstances, your teen’s screen time will likely increase. Work together to come up with a plan that includes both online and offline time. Our Family Media Plan tool can help. Allowing your teen to be a part of making a media plan can help them stick to it.
Support family and community • New responsibilities. Routines have changed, and your family may need extra help in caring for younger children or keeping the house clean. Talk to your teen about ways they can play a bigger role. For example, can they help plan or cook dinner? How about teaching their siblings a new dance or fun game? • Virtual guests. Ask your teen to help you come up with creative ways to stay connected with family and friends on a regular basis. Try hosting a “virtual dinner” by setting up a laptop or iPad at the table with the invited guests. Or use a video conferencing platform like Zoom to have an online party where everyone can see each other. • Family projects. Suggest your teen take the lead in projects that involve the entire family, like organizing family photos or recreating the family’s history. This is a great topic for calls to grandparents, who may be able to describe challenging times in the past, and how the family coped with stress. • Volunteer within the community. Following social distancing and local regulations, suggest your teen look online for local opportunities to serve. Show acts of kindness by making some-
one’s day better with a phone call, text, or social media post. Volunteer to help tutor children of neighbors or friends online. Encourage them to clean out their room, the basement, or declutter the garage and prepare items to donate to charity.
Be aware of the signs of mental health problems in teens such as frequent irritability, changes in weight or sleep habits, repeated thoughts about an unpleasant event and conflicts with friends and family.
Mind and body health • Encourage a walk or a run or do it as a family, while remaining six feet away from others. • Read a book or visit the library online where there are thousands of e-books, audiobooks, and musical recordings. Research new hobbies or skills to learn. •
Do video workouts. Many can be found online, and some park districts are offering access to virtual exercise classes, too.
• Watch movies or TV shows together as a family or virtually with friends. • Create a video blog of life during the COVID-19 outbreak. • Start a scrapbook showing what it was like to be a teenager during the outbreak, or a family journal where each family member can take turns describing the day’s happenings. • Take a virtual tour of a museum, or walk through the Grand Canyon with Google Earth. Challenge your teen to research 10 places they might like to visit someday and show you why. • Watch for problems. Teens who feel sad, depressed, hopeless, nervous, or angry, during the COVID-19 pandemic may need more support. Ask your pediatrician if your teen’s social and emotional health can be screened in an e-visit.
For mor information visit aap.org.
MAY 2020 23
family health & medicine
Blending Your Way to a
Better Immune System By Véronique F. Saiya
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ue to COVID-19 I’m sure most everyone has at least pondered their familiy’s resistance to illness. Along with a good night’s sleep, hand washing, social distancing, not smoking, regular exercise, and maybe a dash of Eccanachia there are actually some other natuaral protection approaches to helping your immune system. Eating shellfish packed with zinc, B-6 rich chicken, bone broth, and cooked veggies —more especially root veggies like garlic are all great immune helpers. But this time I want to focus on something that’s easy to experiment with, doesn’t require cooking ability, is fast for the harried and often overwhelmed parent, and can even be appealing to the pickiest of eaters in your family . . . the smoothie.
acai berry, elderberry, spinach, kale, citrus, red bell peppers, broccoli, green tea, elderberry syrup, papaya, kiwi, almonds, and yogurt. Feel free to get creative and try mixing up your very own concoction featuring some of these highlighted foods. For those of you who don’t feel like taking on the role of food pioneer, here are some good smoothie recipes which I found and sampled to get you off to a tasty and healthful start. All smoothie recipes serve two: Mega–Vitamin C byrdie.com Ingredients
According to Harvard Health Publishing’s article How To Boost Your Immune System “Attempting to boost the cells of your immune system is especially complicated because there are so many different kinds of cells in the immune system that respond to so many different microbes in so many ways. Which cells should you boost, and to what number? So far, scientists do not know the answer.” The article does however acknowledge that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is critical to your health and your body’s ability to stave off illness along with the items listed above.
Let’s face it, smoothies are very trendy, but rightfully so. They are a great option for those who generally have a tough time getting enough fruits and veggies into their diets. Why? Because they can mask otherwise not so tasty items like some adversely received veggies into palitable even tasty treats. They consolidate a bunch of ingredients into one quick food fix jam packed with a plethora of health benefits. Plus they can be totally satisfying especially if you add fiber-filling fillers like chia seeds which also deliver extra perks like cholesterol-reducing omega-3 fatty acids, as well as iron, and calcium.
Whether it’s allergy season, flu season, COVID-19 season, or maybe you just happen to crave a quick, refreshing, and flavorful drink, an immune-boosting smoothie is a great option for kids and parents alike to get enough fruit and vegetables into their diet. By noshing on something as easy and convenient as a smoothie, you can jam-pack your body with antioxidants, vitamins, and more superfoods that kick-start your immune system into gear.
These days there’s a smoothie lauded to fit virtually any type of health malady. Need an extra dose of veggies in your diet? Try a green smoothie. Lacking on protein? Try a peanut butter smoothie, or add a scoop of your favorite plantbased protein powder or whey. Getting sick? Add an extra helping of vitamin C, zinc, or an antioxidant-rich fruit and nutrient dense veggies to your blender along with any of these immunity boosters: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon,
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1/2 orange peeled 2 regular carrots or 8 baby carrots 1 cup water 1 apple cored 1 cup ice
A yummy flu fighting smoothie additive . . .
Immune Boosting Wellness ambitiouskitchen.com Ingredients 1 banana 1 cup frozen pineapple 3 cups organic spinach 1 2-inch knob fresh peeled ginger 1 2-inch knob turmeric root 1/2 tablespoon manuka honey (2 yrs. +) 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 3/4 cup almond milk
Cold-Buster happinessishomemade.net Ingredients
magic immune boosting feelgreatin8.com Ingredients 4 cups kale ½ pineapple chunks 1 orange, peeled 1 kiwi, peeled 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed 1 cup plain greek yogurt 1 cup frozen mixed berries ½-1 cup water or nut milk if desired
10 oz. orange juice 4 oz. Greek yogurt 1 cup strawberries 1 cup peaches 1 cup papaya 1 tsp powdered turmeric 1/2 cup pineapple chunks handful of ice cubes Paleo Blueberry paleogrubs.com Ingredients 1 cup blueberries 2 tbsp walnuts 1 cup almond milk 1 tsp maple syrup 1 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp chia seeds 1/2 cup ice cubes
Elderberry Syrup happinessishomemade.net Daily dosage: Add to any smoothie: Children 2 and older: 1 tsp. (up to three times daily when sick). Adults: 1 Tbsp. (up to three times daily when sick). Ingredients 4 cups Water 2 cups Dried Organic Elderberries 2 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon 10 Whole Cloves 1 cup Raw Organic Honey Instructions Bring ingredients to a boil. Then simmer for 40 minutes. Mash berries, and allow to cool. Strain berries using cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve. Reserve liquid. Measure remaining liquid and add an equal amount of raw organic honey. Mix well to combine. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. MAY 2020 25
family health & medicine baby formula shortages during COVID-19
If you can’t breastfeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that during the COVID-19 pandemic, people should buy no more than ten days to two weeks supply of formula. I f your child is younger than six months of age, talk to your pediatrician and ask if they can urgently get you a can from the local formula representatives or one of the charities that has some. Your local WIC office may also be able to help. If your child is older than six months of age, you can give a couple of days of whole cow’s milk in addition to formula until the shortage is better. This is not ideal as cow’s milk is designed for a cow’s needs rather than a human baby’s needs and should never become a routine practice, but is better than diluting formula or making homemade formula. Milk alternatives are not recom-
mended for infants under six months of age at any time. Soy milk can be given to babies over six months of age for a few days, but always buy the kind that is fortified with protein and calcium. Avoid almond or other plant milksas these are often low in protein and minerals.
380 Hospital Dr., Suite 175, A Bldg., Macon, Georgia
478/745-5431 26
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Check smaller stores and drug stores, which may not be out of supply when the bigger stores are. If you can afford it, buy formula online from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies rather than individually sold or auction sites. For most babies, it is okay to switch to any available formula, including store brands, unless your baby is on a specific extensively hydrolyzed one such as Alimentum or Nutramigen. If you are unsure, talk with your pediatrician. Never water down formula! Always follow label instructions or those given to you by your pediatrician. Watering down formula is dangerous and can cause nutritional imbalances in your baby and lead to serious health problems. The AAP strongly advises against homemade formula. Although recipes for homemade formulas circulating on the internet may seem healthy or less expensive, they are not safe nor do they meet your baby’s nutritional needs. Toddler formulas are not recommended for infants under six months of age. However, if you absolutely have no other choice, toddler formula is safe for a few days. For babies older than six months, it is okay to use toddler formula for a week or two. If your baby doesn’t get enough of the important parts of infant formula—even for a few days or weeks—they can suffer long-term effects on their abilities grow strong and do well in school. Always consult your peditrician about any baby feeding concerns.
New spit tests could replace blood tests for Diabetes monitoring
Saliva could be used instead of blood to monitor diabetes in a method proposed in research involving the University of Strathclyde. Lab tests of the saliva process had an accuracy rate of 95.2%. Saliva reflects several physiological functions of the body, such as emotional, hormonal, nutritional, and metabolic, so its biomarkers could be an alternative to blood for robust early detection and monitoring. It also contains analytes with real-time monitoring value which can be used to check a person’s condition. The new research published in the journal PLOS ONE shows promising results for monitoring both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
new help for urological cancer detection
R esearchers from Ghent University, Belgium, together with researchers from the University of Turku, Finland, have developed a new method for biomarker discovery of urological cancers. The method enables timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Urological cancers include e.g. prostate, bladder and kidney cancers. This ‘toolbox’ consists of a novel method, to separate extracellular vesicles from urine with high purity. In addition, researchers were involved in developing a method for determining the protein composition of the vesicles. Thanks to this recent research published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, scientists are now a step closer to the development of promising new urine tests for fast detection. MAY 2020 27
family health & medicine
Proteins may halt the severe cytokine storms seen in COVID-19 patients
One of the defining features of Covid-19 is the excessive immune response that can occur in severe cases. This burst of immune overreaction, also called a cytokine storm, damages the lungs and can be fatal. A team of MIT researchers have developed specialized proteins, similar in structure to antibodies, that they believe could soak up these excess cytokines. “The idea is that they can be injected into the body and bind to the excessive cytokines as generated by the cytokine storm, removing the excessive cytokines and alleviating the symptoms from the infection,” says Rui Qing, an MIT research scientist who is one of the senior authors of the study. The researchers have reported their initial findings in the journal Quarterly Review of Biophysics (QRB) Discovery, and they now hope to begin testing their proteins in human cells and in animal models of cytokine release and coronavirus infection.
AAP’s Recommendations on Home Births Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recent statement reiterates that hospitals and accredited birth centers remain the safest settings for births in the U.S. Planned home birth in the U.S. has been associated with a two- to three-fold increase in infant mortality, as well as increased risks associated with medical complications, according to the statement. Yet more women are giving birth at home, with the increase seen mostly in white non-Hispanic women, research shows. More than 2% of births to these women take place at home, although this varies across states. The AAP recommends that those who consider home births meet all these criteria:
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Have a low-risk pregnancy Have certified personnel who would attend the birth and a pre- established network in case of transfer to a hospital.
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Ensure that the care of infants born at home be consistent with that provided for infants born in a medical facility. Arrange for two care providers to be present at each delivery. At least one should have primary responsibility for the newborn and appropriate training, skills, and equipment to perform full resuscitation of the infant according to the Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
The AAP and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists support the provision of care by midwives who are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (or its predecessor organizations) or whose education and licensure meet the International Confederation of Midwives Global Standards for Midwifery Education. #
MAY 2020 29
Staying at Home?
Mom Blogs to the Rescue
T By jan Pierce
hese past few weeks and months may may be the most abnormal time of our entire lives. Nothing is on our usual schedules and you are most likely at home with your children all day long, every day. Family time is a gift, for sure, but you may be wondering how to fill the long hours. It’s okay to watch more than usual amounts of TV or allow more screen time than usual, but as this stay-at-home time drags out, you may want to look for some super-creative ways to spend the time. Ta da! Mom blogs to the rescue. Really, there are hundreds of blogs created by parents that share creative ideas for kid activities geared for kids from age zero on up to teens. They’re excellent sources for hands-on activities in science, art, literacy, and more. Here are some good ones, but you can do a search to find others. Many of these 30
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blogs have added new sections designed specifically to your needs for the COVID-19 stay-at-home learning times.
Buggy and Buddy is a fantastic site run by an elementary school teacher. She shares art, science, STEM, and STEAM projects for toddlers through teens. The site is user-friendly. You can search by age to find great activities,
supply lists, and free printables to make setting up projects easy. There is an excellent section on activities based on your child’s favorite book. Try the color walk scavenger hunt, make a balancing robot or do the apple math pattern projects.
Happy Hooligans is filled with hundreds of ideas for arts and crafts and play. Great for craft ideas for every holiday and fun hands-on activities for kids of all ages. The Dad Lab is a bit of a work in progress, but it does have some great kid/ parent science projects. It also links to a book by the same title that offers fifty science projects for parents and kids.
Mommy Poppins is a national site with information based on your part of
the country. The national portion of the site is filled with activities to do with your kids. It has a section dedicated to our current situation with the stay-athome orders. Get your kids involved with outdoor games, exercises, crafts, science projects, and much more.
Buggy and Buddy
Tissue Paper Flower Bracelets Grab these items and visit the blog for illustrated step-by-step directions. So cute! •
Tissue paper in a variety of colors
Cool Mom Picks is run by two
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Single hole punch
ultra-cool moms. Their site is chock-full of ideas for food and menu-planning (how to make that cool whipped coffee), crafts, ideas for Mother’s Day and a huge section on timely topics for living in quarantine. There is also a podcast available. This is a comprehensive site to search for activities of all ages.
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Scissors
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Pipe cleaner
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Optional: Beads (We used wooden beads,
No Time for Flash Cards is another site rich in fun ideas for kids of all ages. It focuses on crafts, books, and all sorts of educational activities. It is searchable by age. Like most good blogs it adds articles and suggestions from a wide variety of other moms who love to share their good ideas. If you are doing school at home, there is a section for teachers.
but any kind so long as the hole can fit the pipe cleaner through.)
Mommy Poppins Lemon Science!
This simple experiment covers all your science fair bases by creating a colorful fizzy reaction right in a lemon. Lemon Science is a great way to test what happens when you mix an acid and a base together. Check out the YouTube link video they offer to see how you can create your very own lemon volcano.
Happy Hooligans
Busy Toddler offers a gazillion
Frosted Glass Jars
ideas for cool activities to do with your toddlers. From sensory play to tasks highlighting fine motor skills, you’ll find simple, but creative and educational tasks to do with your young children.
Transform a mason jar into a pretty frosted container following the simple directions on their site that use these common items.
The Activity Mom is a site presented at three levels, baby, toddler and elementary-aged children. It focuses on hands-on activities and offers free printables. Want to make some Moon Sand or create a Hide and Seek Bottle for your baby? There are so many great mom blogs filled with articles, parent musings and practical activities for your kids. Check out the following to find top Mom blogs: mymommyneedsthat.com/bestmom-blogs-you-can-find/ blogfeed.spot.com/kids_activities_blogs/
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clean glass jars
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food coloring (or Wilton icing gels)
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small cups or bowls (one per colour)
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white school glue
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water
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foam paint brush
Busy Toddler Paint the Toys
The kids get to give their plastic toy a fun but temporary make-over that’ll rinse right off in water. •
plastic storage tub for the kiddos to paint in
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washable paint
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brushes and kid ingenuity
MAY 2020 31
Play Is Never Canceled Stay Connected, Keep Laughing—and #KeepPlaying
Monica Dreger, VP of Global Consumer Insights, Mattel. kindly shared with us these compelling ideas about the importance of play during these trying times.
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N
ow more than ever, play is an essential part of keeping a normal routine, while also fostering kids’ imagination, creativity, and intellectual stimulation. It’s a difficult time for parents to navigate keeping their kids entertained while maintaining a sense of calm. We are tasked with more than ever before and have become everything to our kids.
everyone to create a new rule or way to play a game. For example, play UNO in a new way by coming up with a storyline for each card, like Green 3, and each player can continue the story.
As a parent of three children myself, I am concerned with short (keeping kids engaged) and long term (mental health) effects at this time. Children are more aware of what is happening than you may think and are seeing their parents deal with the many stressors, whether that be how to get the groceries they need, the possible loss of a job, or learning of a loved one who is sick.
by putting two to three names of countries they’d like to visit in a bowl. Encourage kids to make an itinerary, art activities (draw a flag or famous building/architecture, person, etc.), food (cook a meal native to the country), story time (read a book or article), discover and share (let kids research and present findings), take a virtual field trip, research a game from that country and play it.
From talking to kids every day, we know that they want to feel connected to their parents during this time. No matter how difficult it may be, it’s essential to take time to talk and keep playing with them.
Stay Connected
Turn your living room into a campground for your kids by bringing in the tent, rolling out the sleeping bags and making sure the flashlights have batteries. Encourage kids to work on drawing constellations during the day to put up at the camp for night stargazing. Enjoy their favorite campfire stories, sing-a-longs and games, and serve s’mores for a treat before snuggling in the blankets for some light reading. Or, if your backyard permits it, do the entire camping experience there.
Recognizing the unique challenges that parents and caregivers are facing right now, Mattel launched an online digital resource, the Mattel Playroom, to serve as a “living room,” so to speak, for parents and caregivers to find inspiration for their families to connect and play with new activities and content each week. Playmobil has released a five-minute video explaining the cornovirus outbreak to kids and parents. Check out other toy manufacturers to see what they offer to help. In addition to leveraging online resources to keep kids entertained, try giving them a challenge that allows them to be curious and creative while using their resources. Here are some ideas:
When kids feel lonely, try a virtual playdate to engage with friends and family. They can play “I Spy” or Pictionary.
Hack the Toys you Already Have at Home If you’ve played all the games you have at home a thousand times already, challenge
Plan an Indoor or Backyard Camping Trip
No matter how you keep your kids entertained at home, the important part is that you keep playing. Play, laughter, and smiles will help to reassure them that the world is okay, and it will help bring a bit of much-needed normalcy back to their lives. # Monica Dreger is a behavioral psychologist who leads a team of child development experts, researchers, and formerly trained academics that all have the privilege of talking to kids and parents every day.
Having recess—yes, even now that school is out for the year—is essential for a child's physical, social, and emotional development, according to the American academy of Pediatrics.
Have Kids Plan a Themed Family Night With events and vacations you were looking forward to being postponed, create new dates on the calendar and challenge kids to plan a themed family night for a destination MAY 2020 33
HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES
Homeschooling Ideas and Free Curriculum With the need to practice social distancing has come the need for many parents to be first-time homeschool teachers.
D
epending on how many resources your school has provided, tracking down additionally needed resources and materials can feel like a daunting task. Of course, some schools having had no experience in homeschooling, might have given your child too many resources and assignments.
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For those who need additional resources, a good starting point for core subjects is the Core Knowledge Foundation (www.coreknowledge.org) where you can download free curriculum. The organization offers detailed curricular guidance, which lays out what children should know at each grade, as well as provides some of the needed materials. Here are some more ideas and free online resources to help you begin your homeschooling journey:
Math Khan Academy is useful for students (and parents) who struggle with math. Founder Salman Khan publishes short videos explaining math concepts. Then students can practice what they know with online practice questions and quizzes. The site covers math concepts from basic counting through high school AP classes. Parents can sign up as teachers, which allows them to assign content for students to cover and track their progress. While you’re there, check out the other course offerings, which include science and engineering, arts and humanities, social-emotional learning, economics and finance, computing, test prep and more.
Reading Research shows that it’s good for children to not just read on their own but to have books read aloud to them. Certainly, it is preferable that reading aloud be a family affair. However, when that can’t be managed, check out the Storyline Online channel on YouTube, where celebrities read children’s books for the camera, along with illustrations. The channel comes from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website Storyline Online, and has featured readings by Betty White, Oprah Winfrey, Kristen Bell, James Earl Jones, and Al Gore.
Writing To keep kids writing and help them process their feelings about the upheaval in their schedule, include journaling in their language arts time each day. Ask younger kids to make a video journal about what’s happening each day and how they feel about it. Older kids can write anywhere from a couple of sentences to a few paragraphs each day.
Science The web has a wealth of resources for science education. If your children are visual learners, check out the TV series Xploration DIY Sci, available through Amazon Prime Video and through some cable TV packages. Each episode sees scientist Steve Spangler tackle a science topic with handson experiments and analysis. Discovery Education is offering its entire library of science content available free to any school or teacher that requests it. Email your school or school district to ask about setting up access. If your child is interested in computer programming, take a look at Amazon’s Future Engineer program at www.edhesive.com/ amazon/free_access. The program is being offered free to U.S.-based parents during the COVID-19-related school closures. Courses include basic coding for middle-schoolers, and courses in Python, AP computer science and Java programming for high-schoolers.
Social Studies Choose a country each week to learn about. Not only is it fun, it also teaches tolerance.
How does Japanese food taste? What types of food would you find on a typical menu in Germany? Choose a country, find what foods are popular in your country, make a dinner menu together, then cook authentic recipes together. Help your younger child find a Pen Pal from the country you study. Letters to pen pals are a classic way for kids to communicate with friends they may never actually meet. They will also stimulate their classroom studies in language arts and social studies when back at school, not to speak of improving their spelling and writing skills. Plus it’s a joy to receive a friendly letter by snail mail. There are many websites that will match your child with pen pals from virtually any country. For more visual learners, the Crash Course channel on YouTube features fun animated videos for kids about a range of topics, including world, U.S., and European history. Some titles have included “World War II,” “Economic Depression and Dictators,” “Post World War II Society and Economy,” “The Monarchy: European History,” and “The Atomic Bomb.” Similarly, the LibertyKidsTV YouTube channel covers American history through animated videos.# MAY 2020 35
A Mother’s Garden By Denise Morrison Yearian
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t was the first of spring when a mother looked out over her garden. To her surprise, a little seedling had sprung up. Moving closer, she saw that it was so tiny, so delicate, and more unique than anything else in her yard. While she stood there admiring it, the Master Gardener appeared at her side. “Look!” the mother said. “Look at this beautiful little seedling!” “I know,” the Master Gardener smiled. “I placed him there. He’s yours to grow.” “Mine?!” the mother quickly interrupted. “Oh, how wonderful!” “Yes, but only for a little while. I’m giving you 18 weeks to grow this plant. During that time, you must feed him with wisdom, water him with affection, and shower him with love.
When weeds appear near his roots and unhealthy stems begin to grow, carefully remove them. Although he may cry and beg you to stop, be diligent, for this will help your little plant grow. And when the strong winds of adversity blow, stand by 36
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your little seedling, encourage him and help him through those difficult times.” The mother stood quietly gazing at this little plant. What a tremendous responsibility! Then she glanced around her yard.
There was grass to cut, flowers to plant, and mulch to spread. With so much to do, how could she possibly care for this little seedling as the Master Gardener had ordered? As if reading her mind, He said, “Don’t be anxious or upset when
the workload gets heavy. Make him your priority and let the rest of the chores go. Remember, the other work will always be here, but he will only stay for a season. Then I will take him where he will be fruitful and productive.” And with that, the Master Gardener left. So the mother did just as He had instructed. Each day she fed her plant with wisdom, watered him with affection, and showered him with love. She was so busy, she didn’t realize how quickly time was passing. One morning several weeks later, the mother noticed another seedling growing right next to the first one. “Another one!” she exclaimed to herself. Again, the Master Gardener was at her side. “Look, Master! Isn’t she beautiful!?” the mother marveled. “Did you place her here too?” “Yes,” He replied. “I have another little seedling for you to care for. Diligently raise her as you have the first, being careful to do all I have instructed you to do.” “And after 18 weeks?” The Master nodded. “She will go with me to a place where she can be fruitful and productive.” Although the mother was thrilled to have another seedling to care for, for the moment she was overwhelmed with the thought of even more responsibilities. “But I struggle to complete all my other chores now,” she began. “How will I ever…” “Priorities,” He whispered, then He was gone. Each day brought new growth, new learning and new experiences for the little seedlings. And everyday the mother’s love permeated the soil surrounding them
and nourished their tiny roots. And their garden was filled with joy! But with the joy were times of pain. Just as the Master Gardener had instructed, whenever the mother saw weeds appear or unhealthy stems beginning to grow, she carefully removed them. And when the strong winds blew, she’d hover over her little plants, shelter them, and speak words of encouragement until the storms were gone. The days were passing quickly. It had only been a few weeks later when, once again, another seedling began growing in her garden. When the Master Gardener appeared, his instructions were the same. Now the mother had three very special plants. As she worked—pulling weeds, pruning stems and imparting knowledge—she noticed that every day they were growing bigger, stronger, and wiser. Then one afternoon, as she was watering her garden, the Master Gardener appeared. This time He had a shovel in His hand. “Already?” the mother questioned. “You’ve come already?” He nodded then moved to the first little plant and began digging around the soil. “Please, Master Gardener,” the mother cried. “Please don’t take him away! I’ve fed him, watered him, and cared for him for so long. My love for him has grown so deep. I can’t bear the thought of living without him!” Yet, despite her pleading, the Master Gardener lifted the little plant from the soil that had nourished him and carried him away.
too, was gone.
The mother was grieved when she saw the hole where his roots had grown so deep. Even so, she still had two little plants to care for. So with time shorter than ever, the mother continued to labor. But before she knew it, the Master Gardener was prodding the soil around the second beautiful plant. Soon, she,
The days were getting cooler now, a sign that growing season would soon be over. And although the mother was tired from days of labor, she worked as diligently as ever. All too soon the day came when the last little plant was removed from her garden. The pain in the mother’s heart was almost more than she could bear, for now her garden was empty . . . barren . . . void of the life and love that had once been there. Day after day the mother looked out over her garden and wept. Despite her many other chores, she felt useless and often wondered if all her work had been for nothing. One morning while she was raking leaves, the Master Gardener appeared. This time He held a basket, brimming with fruit. He leaned over and set it before her. Surprised, the mother asked, “Where did these come from?” “They came from your little plants,” the Gardener said. “Because you fed them with wisdom, watered them with affection, and showered them with love, they are now producing fruit—spreading joy and peace, shedding goodness and kindness, and showering love to everyone around them.” And for the first time in days, the mother’s heart swelled with joy, a new kind of joy, for now she knew her labor had not been in vain. # MAY 2020 37
Mother's Day Gift Guide
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e have carefully evaluated a number of products for mother, and these are our picks that we know she'll absolutely love. There are even a couple for new or expectant moms. Mother’s Day 2020 is May 10, and this year, Mom won’t be able to get a massage, facial, or have brunch out with her family. Still, if you don't delay, you can order any of these and receive them on time.
Mommy & MeThermal Hair Care Bundle Hot Head deep-conditioning cap is flaxseed-filled and wire free. It will give you a salon-quality moisture treatment without leaving the house. Just pop it in the microwave, and it stays hot for 20 to 40 minutes. Includes a shower cap and spritzer enclosed in a lovely organza bag. $70; thermalhaircare.com. 38
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The Cozee Cordless heating blanket/throw of soft velvety fleece for camping, sports events, or just for cuddling. Features water-resistance, 5+ hours of heat, 2 USB ports and 12 volt input safety shutoff. $250; lifegivingwarmth.com.
Verilux HappyLight Just plug it in for a few minutes each day and brighten your spirits. LED, UV-free, full-spectrum light with a clean design. Delivers up to 10,000 lux (light level) intensity for effective light therapy. It emits a bright white light with adjustable brightness, color, and countdown timer. Model VT43 Luxe. 53 sq. in. lens size. $99; verilux.com.
Skinnytees yoga pants With a wide, fold-over waist band and a boot cut leg, these pants easily transition with you from your daily errands to your yoga class and back, while still being comfortable enough. skinnytees are designed for work, fun, and fabulous in cotton and spantex. $52; skinnytees.com.
Thompson Sweat Proof Tee Walk, run, or work out sweat-free. All Thompson Tee sweat-proof undershirts contain patented Hydro-Shield underarm barriers that completely block armpit sweat from passing through while allowing body heat and perspiration to escape. Various colors and styles. $28; thompsontee.com. MAY 2020 39
camp guide
Day Camp
Where children learn life skills that become habits of the heart By Marla Coleman
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t’s tough to be a kid these days. It’s tough to be a parent. In a society where the nature of the family, the work place, and the community have changed dramatically, we can no longer assume that the natural process of growing up will provide children the experiences and the resources they need to become successful, contributing adults. In sharp contrast to the traditions of growing up in the 50s and 60s, today we live in the first moment when humans receive more of their information second-hand than first! We are in a climate where it is harder to know what we need to survive, so drawing on experiences that give children healthy alternatives and opportunities to instill capabilities, the hallmarks of thriving, is the greatest gift you can give a young child. 40
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Does it really matter if my child doesn’t go to day camp, especially since she will go to overnight camp in a few years? She is only four years old—why does she need day camp? Camp provides one of the very few links with a world larger than the consumer culture we inhabit, and day camp is one important choice in a quiver of options. The camp experience helps children and youth develop an appreciation of their place and their responsibility in a much larger universe. A preschooler—or even
an older child who might be reluctant to go to overnight camp—can join a community that is created especially for her to practice growing up. Why wait until age ten when the benefits of feeling connected and being able to contribute and navigate at an earlier age can be reaped? Under the supervision of inspiring guides and passionate coaches, children can feel successful and make new friends while having the time of their lives; they can experience belonging and contribution; they can have a sense of consistency and predictability in times of turbulence and change. Day camp can begin as early as age three, and is geared to children who get to experience camp and still return home each evening! They have the best of both worlds, the camp community which is built exclusively for kids and their own home which provides the security they need at a tender age.
Day Camp Prep
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hen heading to camp for the first time, kids are often nervous about trying new activities, making friends, and separating from their parents. In order for your child to experience an easy transition, American Camping Association camp experts have suggested running the following errands and having basic conversations before the first day.
Go Online Shopping Most camps provide a list of items needed for different activities like a towel, sunscreen, and a swim suit. Give your child a budget and let them pick out their stuff (even if you have to order it elsewhere at a better price). While they’re shopping, get them pumped by telling them about the fun activities they’ll participate in (what they’ll need the supplies for).
Label It! It saves money and tears, and can even prevent some transmittable illnesses gotten from taking a swig from the wrong water bottle.
Friend Advice Making friends is a skill that can be difficult for some kids. By role-playing you can give your child a confidence boost. From funny stories about finding and building relationships, to beautifully illustrated picture books— about acceptance, collaboration, and overcoming conflicts— books about friendship can give kids a “road map” to developing longlasting social connections. Here are some great reading options for young children who aren’t great at making friends: Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel Friends by Rob Lewis Bob and Otto by Robert O. Bruel Fuzz and Curly by Russell Ginns George and Martha by James Marshall Sometimes My Friends Don’t Look Like Me by Pat Nicholson How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
One day camp parent said, “While my children and I are constantly bombarded by the news which is focused on what is wrong with the world, camp is a living example of what is right.” Day camp is a terrific first experience. Reminiscent of less complicated days, when people connected with nature, thrived on inter-generational relationships, and made new discoveries, everything is designed and scaled to ensure that children feel included, cared about, and capable. Beginning camp at an early age provides important advantages. Camp is the best demonstration of moral and spiritual order. Children learn life skills and behaviors that become habits of the heart. While many then move on to overnight camp, others will be content to continue the day camp experience: after all, there is a camp for everyone, and that might well be day camp! In turn, this growth can lead to better academic performance, college scholarships, the confidence to navigate life, and have rewarding careers. MAY 2020 41
camp guide
Camp Directory Central Georgia Day Camps &
Summer Programs
BEE AHEAD SUMMER CAMP The Winning Academy 621 Walnut Street, Warner Robins 478.302.5815 winning.school June 1–July 24, 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Eight-week program for ages 2–16. “Bee Ahead” of the class with this power-packed program! BASC is the place to be this summer! FPD's Center for Discovery summer camps First Presbyterian Day School Campus 5671 Calvin Drive, Macon 478.477.6505, ext. 182 Contact: Elizabeth Leslein elizabeth.leslein@fpdmacon.org FPD’s Center for Discovery Summer Camps offer a wide range of academic, artistic, and athletic programs for students in K3–8th grade. Before and after camp care is also available. 42
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MACON-BIBB COUNTY RECREATION SUMMER CAMP Multiple locations across Macon-Bibb County 478.621.6281 Contact: dlewis@maconbibb.us www.maconbibb.us/recreation www.facebook.com/MaconBibbParks Enjoy a fun-filled summer with field trips, and cultural enrichment. June 1–July 10, Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m, $180 for all six weeks, ages 5–15, lunch included. MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY’S CAMP CAVALIER Educational camps: Downtown Campus 851 Orange Street, Macon Sports Camp: Downtown Campus & Cavalier Fields 4659 Cavalier Drive, Macon www.mtdesales.link/camps Join us for Camp Cavalier! Sports camps: skills development and competition in a variety of team sports. Educational camps: classes in science, math, technology, dance, art, cooking, and more!
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camp guide Okinawan Martial arts and fitness Camp 6255 Zebulon Road, Suite 196, Macon 478.405.1528 Contact: Michael Brewster senseibrewster@yahoo.com http://bit.ly/okssummer Offering nerf, field trips, karate, et cetera. $25 registration (1/2 price!) and free Tshirt if registrated prior to March 31. June 1–15 (Forsyth) and July 13–17 (Macon). St. Joseph’s Catholic School Summer Knights Camp St. Joseph’s Catholic School Campus 905 High Street, Macon 478.742.0636 Contact: Lindsey Nobles, Camp Director Or Rosalyn Simpson, Assistant Director sjssummercamp@gmail.com www.sjsmacon.org Camp runs from June 8th through July 17th and each week has a unique theme.$150 per week; $35 registration fee. Lunch optional: $25 per week. Hours: 7:45 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily. Check out the website for more information! ST. PETER CLAVER CATHOLIC SCHOOL CAMP COUGAR St. Peter Claver Catholic School Campus 133 Ward Street, Macon 478.743.3985 Contact: Liz Milam, M.Ed. emilam@spccatholicschool.org www.spccatholicschool.org. Enjoy reading, math, STEM, computer, art, sports, and music. Two field trips weekly. June 1–July 10, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (7 a.m.–6 p.m. available); $30/registration; $130/weekly; Sibling discounts. Summer at the Square 111 Trojan Trail, Macon 478.477.6760 Contact: Alyssa Huntt alyssa.huntt@tattnall.org www.tattnall.org/sats “Summer at the Square” is open to the community and includes a wide variety of 20+ day camps for children of all ages! Visit online to learn more.
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Special needs CAMPs Camp Breathe Easy 678.809.6047 campbreatheeasy.com A five-night camp for kids ages 7–13 with asthma. Kids with an asthma diagnosis and who take daily asthma medication are eligible. Designed to promote self-confidence and asthma management. Camp Little Shot 265 Sheraton Blvd., Macon 478.746.8626 camplittleshot.com Campers learn how to be the healthiest diabetic possible. Campers learn positive self esteem and a “can do” spirit. Camp Squirrel Hollow 5665 Milam Road, Fairburn 770.774.8001 www.thebedfordschool.org/academics/squirrel-hollow.cfm. A remedial summer program serving kids with academic needs due to learning differences or any child who need summer skills practice. Camp Sunshine 1850 Clairmont Road, Decatur 404.325.7979 www.mycampsunshine.com A camper can receive chemotherapy in the morning and be horseback riding by the afternoon. Here children with cancer are able to experience summer camp just like other kids. Two one-week sessions are held; a session for children ages 7–12, and a session for teens 13–18. Each week is packed full of fun, excitement, inspiration, and age appropriate activities. ESP Summer Camp Watkinsville, GA 706.769.9333 extraspecialpeople.com ESP’s (Extra Special People) Summer Camp runs for eight weeks. There are four weeks of day camp, two weeks of field trips, and two weeks of overnight camp, serving 300+ people with disabilities. #
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home & garden
Ensuring Better Home Safety this Spring By Family Features
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s people become more active during the warmer months, keeping home safety top of mind can sometimes go by the wayside. However, when it comes to fire and carbon monoxide safety, you can never be too prepared.
Whether you are just beginning to take a stronger safety-first approach or looking to upgrade existing home safety equipment, keep these tips in mind as you spruce up your home for the season.
Check the batteries, and the entire alarm It’s a good idea to review your safety equipment and ensure everything is in 46
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good working order at least a couple times each year. For example, every type of smoke alarm must be completely replaced every 10 years whether it’s hardwired into your home or operates on a battery. New smoke alarms commonly come with builtin 10-year batteries, meaning no battery changes, but it’s a good idea to test the units regularly. In fact, most manufacturers recommend weekly. You can also use this time to double-check the gauge on your fire extinguishers, replace batteries
in flashlights, test security systems and replenish first-aid kits.
Inspect and repair all outdoor areas Set aside time to evaluate any damage or potential hazards as the weather warms. For example, fallen tree branches and leaves can become trapped in gutters and pose a fire hazard. Shutters and fences can also weaken over time. To make sure they’re in good working condition, check that they are securely fastened.
Check Appliances While going through your spring home safety checklist, take time to check your
appliances or schedule an annual maintenance check for your stove, oven, heating system and more. According to the American Red Cross, dryers are responsible for approximately nine of every ten appliances fires. These common household appliances can collect dust, lint, and other particles, which are potential fire hazards and can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
Take Advantage of Smart Technology
Did You Know? According to the American Red Cross, dryers are responsible for approximately nine of every ten appliances fires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 40 years ago people had an average of 17 minutes to escape a home fire, but today the average has decreased to about 3 minutes due to synthetic materials used in modern-day home furnishings. To get the earliest warning of a home fire, install wire-free interconnected battery-powered combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When one alarm senses a hazard, all alarms throughout the home sound in unison. Features like color-coded status rings and built-in, 10-year sealed batteries make Kidde’s Wire-Free Interconnected Alarms a smart solution for optimal protection. They offer simple setup and operate without the hassle of hardwiring or a Wi-Fi connection.
Cooking Outdoors Cooking on grills is a popular pastime, but thousands of people are injured every year while using them. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 9,000 home fires are started by grills each year. Now is a good time to get your home’s grilling area in tip-top shape. Keep a 3-foot safety zone around hot grills for children and pets, and have a multipurpose home fire extinguisher nearby as fires can occur unexpectedly. Propane and charcoal grills both put off carbon monoxide as a byproduct, so be sure keep your grill at least 10 feet from the home and ensure it is positioned away from windows, doors, vents and ductwork. For more safety tips to better prepare your home, visit Kidde.com. MAY 2020 47
