Celebrate Archives - Page 12 of 14

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good to Read!

October 25, 2016/in Celebrate, Guide, Read/by Shine

Shine’s Picture Book Picks for a Fun and Spooky Halloween

Ever since I learned that one day each year, I can knock on a stranger’s door, yell “Trick or Treat!” and get a candy bar, I’ve been all about Halloween. My costumes varied over the years, but throughout grade school, they all had one thing in common: they all featured the dead! A dead prom queen, the corpse of 50s girl, and a bride that never made it to her wedding because, well… she was dead.

I just didn’t understand the pretty fairies, princesses, or kitty cats that weren’t dead. I mean, after all, it was Halloween. Weren’t we all supposed to be spooky? I have a vague recollection of going to my best friend Grace’s house to go trick or treating together. When she came to the front door, I was stumped by her costume. Grace was dressed as a doctor. And not the psycho kind that used a butcher’s knife instead of a scalpel, but the kind you go see when you have a tummy ache. Me? I was dressed as a dead Checker Girl.

While she had on a pristine white coat, I was dressed like a checker-pattern wearing hobo. Grace had a stethoscope around her neck. I had fake blood down the sides of my mouth. She was wearing pretty make-up that accentuated her delicate features. I painted my entire face with black and white checkers that smeared with my fake blood. But that’s the beauty of Halloween—everyone interprets it differently. No matter what you chose to be, it’s a holiday that can be full of magic!

Here are Shine’s Picture Book Picks for a Fun and Spooky Halloween:

Creepy Carrots By Aaron Reynolds, illus. by Peter Brown

This Caldecott award winning book does it all. A spot-on-parody of 50s classic horror films, Jasper Rabbit suspects mean and spooky carrots are following him. He hears the “Soft… sinister… tunktunktunk of carrots creeping.” This Hithchcock-esque story for the 4-to-8 set is a good read all year round. You may even want to add the Twilight Zone theme music to your readings to take it to the next level.

Miss Nelson Is Missing! By Harry Allard, illus. by James Marshall

My childhood favorite, this was my first mystery book. The kids in Room 207 were the worst behaved class in the whole school. They were rude and nasty and they didn’t pay any attention to their sweet-natured teacher Miss Nelson. Then one day, Miss Nelson does not come to school! In her place is the nasty, mean, foul-tempered witch Miss Viola Swamp. Uh-oh…

It was only after reading this charming book over and over and over again that I realized how the story unraveled. It was thrilling to be in on the secret.

The Dark By Lemony Snicket, illus. by Jon Klassen

A match made in heaven. Snicket and Klassen hit all the right notes on—what else?—the universal kids’ fear of the dark. Laszlo lives in a house with “a creaky roof, smooth, cold windows, and several sets of stairs.” There is darkness everywhere! With an uncharacteristic end, this is a good introduction to suspense storytelling and what it means to confront your worst fears.

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? By Margaret McNamara, illus. by G. Brian Karas

If your families are not that keen on mysteries, thrillers or suspense, have no fear! How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin will do the trick. The smallest boy in the class, Charlie, has a teacher who presents the students with three pumpkins: small, medium and large. They predict how many seeds are in each one. Then the class does the messy but fun work of removing the seeds and counting the contents.

A sweet lesson intertwined with some good old fashion math, this pumpkin tale can easily come to life with real pumpkins and a little elbow grease.

The Monster At The End Of This Book by Jon Stone, illus. by Mike Smollin

I love Sesame Street in all kinds of ways. But I am afraid I am one of those teachers who steers clear from the overly saturated commercial characters—with the exception of one. The one and only truly successful Sesame Street book to touch the young hearts and minds of readers everywhere, Monster is a perfect Halloween book for fans of the Pigeon books by Mo Willems and for the younger set, 3 and up. It’s interactive, engaging and fun!

By Claudia Chung for Shine

All Kinds Of Love: Shine’s Picture Book Picks for Valentine’s Day

January 27, 2016/in Celebrate, Guide, Learn, Read/by Shine

At the tender age of four, I fell madly and deeply in love. His big brown eyes made my heart pitter, and his round button nose made it patter. My guy was warm, tender and fuzzy. And yes – he was a stuffed monkey named George. No relation to Curious George.

When George had to take a spin in the washing machine and dry out in the sun, I often sang to him knowing that the process of getting clean was a dizzying ordeal. Love is comforting. When the mischievous boy down the road tried to steal George away, I bit him and ran as fast as I could with George in tow. Love is fearless. And finally, when his plastic eyeballs fell off his face, I stuck them back on with black electrical tape and pretended they were super cool shades for my super cool guy. Love is blind.

New Year’s Eve Traditions

December 29, 2015/in Celebrate, Guide, Party/by Shine

It’s the last week of 2015! When I was a child, a few days before New Year’s Eve, I never quite understood why my parents would be running around more so than usual. My mom always said they were “preparing” for the new year. Growing up we had some quirky yet fun traditions that are now happily being passed onto my nephews. While many are not unique to Filipino culture, some are rooted from my parents’ experiences growing up there and I thank them for instilling them so they will carry on for generations. Ring in 2016 with some of these or create your own!

An abundance fresh food – down to filling the salt and pepper containers!
Having the cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer stocked with new groceries signifies having prosperity and good health in the New Year. Make grocery lists together so food shopping with children is more of a scavenger hunt rather than a task.

A bowl of round fruits
In my family it’s considered auspicious to have bright-colored round fruit displayed in bowls around the house to help ring in the New Year. Since you’ll already be stocking the kitchen, raid the fruit department with your children and make some delicious good-luck fruit bowls! Even better, spread some cheer – make one as a gift for a neighbor or relative too!

Clean out, clear out
We clean out everything from kitchen shelves, storage bins, and closets at this time of year. Everything in good, clean condition that is no longer needed gets donated to a local charity. Teach your family that the spirit of giving doesn’t always equate to a perfectly wrapped gift and that there are people who would appreciate something that they aren’t using anymore. Take some time to help them go through their belongings and donate one item for every new gift they’ve received. Take some shopping bags or storage bins and draw fun signs that say “donate” or “recycle / trash” and make it a sorting party! Who knew cleaning could be so entertaining?

Resolution List vs. Gratitude List = Do both!
While it’s important to focus on goals, what we want to work on and talk about them with children, it’s also important to take time to realize what’s already good and what we’re already succeeding with to propel us in a positive direction during the New Year. My mother continues to remind us all that we need to be grateful for each day. We can make laundry lists of things we want to “fix” but reminding our little ones to be thankful for the everyday things is just as important.

Jingle, Jingle
We make sure that there is money in our pockets and wallets when it rings midnight to represent good fortune and success. During our gigantic Filipino parties I remember being a little kid and getting dollar bills and quarters from my parents, titas (aunties), and titos (uncles). We’d jingle the coins in our pockets during the countdown!

Float your way to the top!
My mother grew up cooking these with her Lola (grandmother) and she continues to cook them now that she is one herself! Palitaw is a Filipino sweet dessert made of sticky rice flour that are formed into patties then put in boiling water. You know they’re cooked when the patties float to the top of the water’s surface which signifies rising above the previous year and ascending to a new and fresh chapter.

Open up the windows and make some noise
In the Philippines it is common to open the windows to allow fresh energy to enter your home and life. As an East Coaster, it is always freezing yet I continue to do this even on the coldest of New Year’s Eves. Children are usually given firecrackers to light up but make sure you assist and monitor these!

When it comes down to it, spending time with family and friends is the most important, even if it’s just watching the Times Square countdown on television together! Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and joyful 2016!

By Christina Soriano, Shine Educator

Creamsicle Cubes

August 12, 2014/in Celebrate, Taste/by Shine

August is halfway over and the school year is just around the corner. Before we all get back into the grind there are still a few more weeks left to enjoy the pleasures of summer. August 14 is National Creamsicle Day and what better pleasure than this American treat!? Here, chef and Shine nutrition specialist, Katie Letts, shares her recipe for creamsicle cubes.

Enjoy the remainder of the summer shine –
Aaron Goldschmidt, founder & director

In celebration of National Creamsicle Day, try making these tasty frozen treats with your little one. They’re great in a cold glass of root beer, or simply enjoyed by themselves!

Ingredients:
(Makes 14 cubes)

1 cup unsweetened orange juice
1 pint heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup sugar

You’ll also need:

Medium-sized metal mixing bowl, cold
Hand mixer (or hand whisk)
Rubber spatula
Ice cube tray

4th of July S’mores

July 1, 2014/in Celebrate, Fun, Taste/by Shine

Independence Day is one of the most family-friendly holidays of the year. Every 4th of July, families gather for neighborhood barbeques, picnics in the park, and fireworks on the beach. The day is filled with patriotic fun, sparklers (for the “big kids”), and of course, food. Celebrate the USA’s birthday by making these festive red, white, and blue s’mores with your kids. They’ll enjoy making them, and will enjoy eating them even more under the glow of fireworks while “America the Beautiful” plays on!

Ingredients:

8 graham crackers of choice, broken into two square halves, each (I chose crackers made from pea protein flour as a gluten-free version with less sugar)
8 natural or homemade marshmallows of choice
8 teaspoons of organic strawberry preserves, divided (no sugar added)
16 blueberries
8 small squares of dark chocolate

A Box Full of Gratitude

May 7, 2014/in Celebrate, Make/by Shine

Can we ever really thank our mother’s enough? Flowers, chocolate, jewelry? Probably not. I remember being in elementary school and telling my mom that someday I would buy her her very own Greek Island. I knew she loved Greece and was clearly aware she deserved something big for all she did (I was not an easy child). I am still trying to get my mom that Greek Island, and perhaps just a trip to Greece together someday will do, but there are much simpler ways for children to give back to moms on Mother’s Day. At Shine, we love to paint terra-cotta pots and plant flowering herbs as gifts. Even a homemade card will make any mom feel appreciated.

This week, Shine art specialist Christina Soriano provides a very simple idea to make something very meaningful to give. What we love most about it is that children can add to it all year so moms feel appreciated not jut on Mother’s Day but everyday.

Continue to shine your light on your mom –
Aaron Goldschmidt, founder & director

When I was a child I remember creating handmade gifts for my Box Full of Gratitude mother all the time, whether it was a card or painting. Show mothers gratitude by creating a box of full of thoughtful “fortunes” where each message is a reason why you’re thankful for them. All you need is a small box, paint, paper, and some genuine, heartfelt thoughts! Read more

President’s Day Activities

February 13, 2014/in Celebrate, Make, Read/by Shine

There are many holidays and celebrations that are more complicated to explain to children than others. How do we find meaningful and age appropriate ways to explain holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day and the upcoming President’s Day to children under 5? We at Shine believe it can be done in thoughtful and innovative ways using books, music, art, cooking and dramatic play. In this week’s post we take take the daunting task of turning President’s Day into a creative and historical exploration by making powdered wigs, a coin rubbing collage and of course, eating ice cream (thanks George Washington)!

Shine offers workshops for all major holidays and celebrations and will even custom create a workshop based on your child’s interests (dinosaurs, space, bugs, weather, etc.). Please contact us for more information or to set one up for your child and some of his/her friends.

However you chose to celebrate this holiday or any, we hope it is done together as a family utilizing the tools children innately posses… imagination and creativity.

Continue to shine your light –
Aaron Goldschmidt, founder & director

We all know that we celebrate Presidents’ Day on the third Monday of February, but what else do we know about Presidents’ Day / George Washington’s Birthday? Did you know:

The observance of Washington’s Birthday was made official in 1885 when President Chester Alan Arthur (our 21st president) signed a bill establishing it as a federal holiday.
In 1968 the Uniform Holidays Bill moved the observance of three federal holidays, including Washington’s Birthday, from fixed calendar dates to designated Mondays.
From 1971 onward, Washington’s Birthday was relocated to the third Monday in February – which actually guaranteed that it would never be celebrated on his actual birthday since the third Monday in February cannot fall any later than February 21.
The Uniform Holidays Bill proposed renaming the holiday “Presidents’ Day” but this version of the bill was never passed.
This means that the holiday is technically not Presidents’ Day – the official government holiday is George Washington’s Birthday. (Arbelbide 2004)

So with another day off from school, what are some activities that can help teach kids about the importance of Presidents’ Day and our first president? Let’s start with a story, create powdered wigs and coin collages, and finish by eating ice cream! Read more

DIY Valentines

February 6, 2014/in Celebrate, Make/by Shine

As Valentine’s Day is one of those unavoidable consumer holidays, in our classes we use the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day to talk about love and what it means to us. It is fascinating to listen to children discuss who they love, why they love them, and what they can do to express their love. We talk about all the people in our lives that love us and that we love in return: mothers, fathers, teachers, nannies, siblings, grandparents, cousins, friends, even pets. We then set off on a week or two of making homemade cards for all of them. We use Valentine’s Day to actualize the lyrics of one of our favorite songs, “Love is Something if You Give it Away.” We like to have children take time out to make or bake something special for the people they love and give it or mail it to them.

Here, we welcome art teacher and blogger Christina Soriano to the Shine family. She shares a couple of quick, fun, and surprisingly beautiful art ideas for homemade valentines. And remember, a great way to give back around Valentine’s Day is to make cards for your local senior center. Many seniors don’t have a valentine and to receive a handmade card from a child means more than chocolates or flowers ever could. What better way to illuminate the true spirt of of a holiday that could leave so many feeling lonely.

Continue to shine your light and open your heart –
Aaron Goldschmidt, founder & director

Make someone’s heart shine this Valentine’s Day and send them a handmade card! This is by far one of my favorite times of year to create cards and other handmade presents. It is a great way to keep kids creative and engaged on a cold winter’s afternoon. I spent this weekend making some with my four-year-old nephew, Simon. The best part of the activity is that it promotes kindness and gratitude. Start off by asking children to make a list of all the people they care about. The fun part happens when ideas come to life when the glue, scissors, and materials take over! Here are some ideas you can try at home:

Torn Paper Heart Collage Valentine

Supplies needed:

Construction paper
Glue
Blank stationery

Directions:

Start by lightly drawing a heart on your stationery with pencil.
Tear colored paper into small pieces
Glue and overlap the small pieces within the shape until it is filled in!

Valentine’s Day Heart Cookies

February 5, 2014/in Celebrate, Taste/by Shine

February has arrived and with it the sent of roses, little candy hearts, and the strange feeling that you are being watched by a diaper-clad flying bald man with arrows. Valentine’s Day often gets a bad rap, having the connotation of being a purely romantic holiday. Lovers forcibly exchanging chocolates and pink teddy bears come to mind. This year, reinvent the February 14th cliché and celebrate the love you have with your family by doing something fun together. Try out my recipe for V-Day heart cookies with your kids, and if you’re in an especially loving mood, give some away with the valentines you send to friends!

Ingredients:
(makes 48 cookies)

1 cup unsalted butter
½ cup maple syrup
2 cups All-Purpose flour
¼ tsp Kosher salt
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Sprinkles in various colors (optional)

Shine’s Chinese New Year Lanterns

January 22, 2014/in Celebrate, Make/by Shine

One of the best things about living In New York City is the opportunity to experience diverse celebrations from around the world. It seems almost every culture is represented here and has a parade, party, festival, street fair, or other opportunity for New Yorkers to not just witness but join in. Chinese New Year is one of my favorite cultural celebrations to introduce to young students. From exploration of the food, the colors, the lions and dragons, there is so much appeal for children of all backgrounds.

This week I’m sharing one of my favorite Chinese New Year projects. It’s super simple and can be done with children as young as two years old yet always produces such a beautiful result. Whether it’s a craft or a reading a book, introduce your children to the holiday at home. I then encourage you to take them out to witness the celebration firsthand. Go to the parade in Chinatown or at least out for a walk, to eat some dumplings, and a stroll around Pearl River Mart. Allow them to enjoy the rich culture of the Chinese… it’s unavoidable here in NYC and provides a perfect opportunity for a lesson in cultural diversity.

Gung hay fat choy!

Continue to shine your light –
Aaron Goldschmidt, founder & director

Materials Needed:

Red construction paper
toothbrushes for painting
black paint
black and/or gold glitter
black yarn
Chinese tassels
Masking tape
Hole puncher