Ways To Celebrate Dia de los Muertos

Ways To Celebrate Dia de los Muertos

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Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrating the rebirth of life in death, observed throughout Latin American communities on November 1st and 2nd. Most commonly, celebrations are associated with Mexico, but there are lively celebrations in US cities like Albuquerque, NM; San Diego, CA; San Antonio, TX; Tucson, AZ; and even locally, on Staten Island.

The History of Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos dates back thousands of years to ancient Mesoamerican cultures like the Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecs. These civilizations believed that a person traveled to Chicunamictlán (the Land of the Dead) after departing from Earth. Souls must pass nine challenges here, over the course of several years, to reach Mictlán (the final resting place).

Ancient Nahua rituals, originally held for the month of August, provided food, water, and tools to help the souls make this arduous journey. Later, the celebration was moved by Christians to correspond with All Saints and All Souls Days on November 1st and 2nd. The souls of children are believed to return on the 1st and the adults on the 2nd.

Modern families commemorate this holiday with culinary traditions and the creation of altars in their homes. In some communities, it is customary to clean gravestones, decorate the plots with flowers, and hold candlelit vigils in honor of their loved ones.

We love the idea of celebrating Dia de los Muertos because it uniquely recognizes the cyclical nature of life, reinforces family customs, and honors departed relatives. It’s also a fun way to reinforce cultural sensitivity. Here are a few ways to partake in this annual tradition.          

Bake Bread of the Dead

Recipes vary, but this version of Pan de Muerto (from a renowned bakery in Mexico City) calls for unbleached flour, sea salt, sugar, crumbled cake yeast, dry yeast, water, over a dozen lightly beaten eggs, unsalted butter, orange rind, and orange flower. Put on the Mariachi music and enjoy the delicious aroma of yeasty bread that fills the air. It only takes 20 minutes to bake, but you’ll need to get your starter ready the day before to allow adequate time for rising.  At the end of your rising period, you’ll be fashioning the dough into a skull and crossbones. We also recommend making Mexican Hot Chocolate in the crockpot to go with your bread!

Decorate Your Home with Ofrenda

Ofrenda means “offering.” On November 1st, older members of the community set up altars to commemorate and attract loved ones who have passed away. A fine white tablecloth is laid out on a small wooden table. Decorative tissue paper is placed over the cloth. Images of saints and a crucifix are generally placed on an elevated altar in the center of the table.

The ofrenda includes:

  • Velas – candles (one for each departed soul) light the way back home
  • Copal – incense elevates the family’s prayers to God
  • Flor de Muerto – marigold “flowers of the dead” also helps attract souls to the altar
  • Calavera – skulls made of granulated sugar, meringue powder, and water
  • Papel picado — perforated papercrafts to denote life’s fragility and invite souls to pass
  • Pan de Muerto – “bread of the dead” feeds the hungry souls that come
  • Sal – salt in the shape of a cross purifies the souls and protects them from corruption
  • Agua – also a purifier, water can quench the thirst of returning souls
  • Fotografias – photographs ensure that your loved ones can cross over

Personal items are also typically added. These belongings may include favorite articles of clothing like hats or shawls, beloved toys/games/stuffies for the kids, vices like coffee/cigarettes /liquors honoring a person’s taste, and favorite foods (mole, tamales, fruit, arroz rojo, hot chocolate, and dried fruits, for instance).

Make Sugar Skull Crafts

Sugar skulls are one of the most famous icons known to Dia de los Muertos, representing the sweetness of life. You can buy the molds and make the sugary treats yourself – or perhaps you’d enjoy one of these handicraft versions instead:

Another easy and popular craft is the Dia de los Muertos garland – comprised of pretty patterned papers, string, clothespins, scissors, and markers.

Watch “Coco” for Family Movie Night

“Coco” is a Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning Disney/Pixar animated film, geared toward ages 7+, but suitable for all ages. What 12-year-old Miguel wants most is to play Mariachi music, but his family believes that music has cursed them. This vibrant, beautiful coming-of-age drama is a tribute to kin and culture, as viewers journey to the underworld to uncover Miguel’s family secrets. Blessed with a wonderful soundtrack and packed with references to Dia de los Muertos traditions, the film is as enjoyable as it is educational.

Alt Picks: If you’ve seen “Coco” hundreds of times already, you might want to try: Let’s Go Luna’s “Day of the Dead” episode on PBS; Film School Shorts’ “Dia de los Muertos” on PBS; Scooby Doo and the Monster of Mexico on Amazon Prime; The Book of Life on Hulu; or Super Monster’s Dia los Monsters on Netflix. Once the kids go to bed, check out the James Bond movie Spectre (also on Hulu) — which inspired the first Dia de los Muertos parade in 2016.

Take a Culture Class

If you live in the NYC region, Shine offers Listillos, a Spanish immersion class combining storytelling, games, art, theater, music, cooking, crafts, Spanish language lessons, and field trips. These fun, engaging classes appeal to students learning Spanish as a second language, as well as native natural speakers who want to participate in cultural activities. The bilingual class is taught by a native Spanish speaker and is open to children of all language levels. Contact us to inquire about availability.

8 Activities for World Kindness Day

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November 13th is World Kindness Day. This international observance was introduced in 1998 by a coalition of kindness NGOs known as the World Kindness Movement. It began as a way to highlight good deeds in the community, overlooking boundaries of race and religion, to recognize the common thread of kindness that we all can share.

What Is Kindness?

Kindness is often confused with niceness or thoughtfulness. Kindness goes one step further than merely being nice. It’s a natural reaction to be nice to others who are nice to us. Kindness, though, is a proactive choice – going out of your way to cheer someone with your words and actions.

Thoughtfulness can be kind, but it’s often a word used to describe how we act toward family and friends. True kindness extends to the people in the community we may not know so well. It’s reaching out to classmates we’ve just met, neighbors we may not see often, and people of different skin colors, faiths, genders, and socioeconomic status.

8 Ways To Exercise Kindness

Of course, the best way to raise kind kids is to model it yourself – listen genuinely; put aside the chores and spend quality time when it’s needed; spend a few minutes playing; read books about kindness; observe and praise kindness in action among siblings; give random notes and gifts; emphasize the importance of recognizing friends and family on birthdays and holidays; wave and smile to strangers; find a passion project and volunteer.

Here are 8 activities to do with your child for World Kindness Day:

  1. Write a note and draw a picture for the teacher. The pandemic has been particularly stressful for teachers, whether they’re working virtually, splitting time in the physical classroom, or all in. Be sure to have your child include mention of what, specifically, is likable about the teacher. When you’re done, take a photo and send by email or messenger.
  2. Thank your mail carrier. Leave a note that says, “Thank you for delivering our mail each day!” USPS allows letter carriers to receive gift cards to specific retailers or eateries valued at $20 or less. FedEx does not allow deliverers cash or gift cards, but may receive gifts valued up to $75. UPS drivers have received knitted items, baked goods, and nominal gratuity tips.
  3. Give out three compliments today. Give out three compliments today. For young children, it can help to write out the compliments onto note cards that they can deliver to people. Another great exercise for young children with siblings is to have them write out three nice things about a brother or sister.
  4. Gift food. Make six giant chocolate chip cookies, place each one in a cellophane bag with a ribbon, including a note that says, “You’re a smart cookie!”, and drop them off to class friends or cousins. Give out bags of chips for the class with a note that says, “You’re all that – and a bag of chips!” Buy a stranger’s coffee or lunch at the drive-thru. Deliver a themed care package to an elderly neighbor – movie snacks, pasta night, chicken soup for the soul, or canned garden themed. If there are leaves or snow in your neighbor’s yard, clearing it is another random act of kindness.
  5. Donate locally. Gift a copy of your favorite book to your librarian. Donate outgrown clothes to Amvets or a homeless shelter. Pack up a grocery bag of popular items for the food pantry. Give food and litter to the animal shelter.
  6. Share Mother Nature’s bounty. Leave a potted plant on a loved one or neighbor’s doorstep. This time of year, you can also paint positive messages on miniature pumpkins and leave them on random doorsteps. Stop by a nursing home or senior center and give a bouquet to someone who hasn’t had a visitor in a while.
  7. Be the first thought in a grandparent’s day. Have your child send a sweet message to a grandparent first thing in the morning. A simple sentiment might be, “My days are brighter because of you!” or “The morning breeze is so gentle and sweet, it reminds me of you. Wish we were together today!” Your child might sing a favorite song to share or just give their own unscripted heartfelt message in a short video clip.
  8. Celebrate diversity. Kindness involves appreciating people who may have different cultures, traditions, beliefs, and preferences than ourselves. Choose a different culture to focus on each week. This week, you might serve up enchiladas with mariachi dinner music and watch “Coco” to celebrate Mexican culture. Next week, you might cook Jerk chicken while listening to steel drums and watch “Pirates of the Caribbean,” which was filmed in Jamaica. Every bit of exposure to something foreign and new helps. Little Passports is a great subscription service that sends curated boxes based on different countries from around the world. You might also consider signing up for one of our Globe Trekker classes geared toward kids 4-10 — which combines music, art, food, and games from around the world.

4 Ways To Spread Holiday Cheer

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Perhaps this year, more than ever, you have a deep longing to make a meaningful contribution. Maybe the stay-at-home orders have given you more idle time to reflect. Perhaps you’ve weathered the pandemic well and want to pay it forward with a spirit of generosity. Or you might wish to serve as a positive role model, showing your little ones that it’s not the receiving of gifts that brings joy to the heart, but the giving. It’s not always easy to donate amid the current crisis. Some organizations are turning away gently used clothing because they’re so inundated, while others are turning to corporate sponsors to reduce the points of contact. Here are a few charities still accepting the love and kindness of volunteers to fulfill their missions.

Adopt a Child’s Letter to Santa

The Postal Service has received letters to Santa for more than 100 years. In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock allowed postal employees and citizens to respond to these letters in what is today known as “Operation Santa.

Here’s how to participate:

  • Visit the USPS Operation Santa website.
  • Look through the children’s letters and find one that speaks to your heart.
  • Find and wrap the items on the wish-list.
  • Be sure to follow the shipping guidelines.
  • Bring your package to a local post office by December 19th so it arrives for Christmas.

On a more local level, Stockings with Care on West 24th Street in Chelsea runs a similar operation, where a volunteer “Santa” is matched with a local child’s wish list to spread the magic of the holiday season. Through Amazon’s Operation Smile Program, a percentage of what you spend can be automatically donated to Stockings with Care, too.

Make a Holiday Greeting Card for a Lonely Senior Citizen

More than 40 percent of America’s seniors regularly struggle with loneliness – a situation that is compounded even more by the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Citymeals on Wheels works with volunteers to craft handmade cards to brighten the spirits of the homebound senior citizens. Last year, the organization delivered 76,106 cards.

Here’s what to do:

  • Make your card out of folded-in-half cardstock or construction paper.
  • Write a seasonally appropriate greeting in marker or crayon on the front of the card.
  • Draw mood-lifting images. Avoid glitter or religious symbols or language.
  • Include a first name inside the card or sign “from your friends at Citymeals on Wheels.”
  • Include a slip with your full name and email or mailing address.
  • Address the card to:

Handmade Card Project

Liz Cantillo

Citymeals on Wheels

309 Drake Street

Bronx NY 10474

You may also direct questions to Shiela@citymeals.org. Other opportunities exist through City Meals on Wheels throughout the year, including: driving for the meal delivery service branch; helping out at a food pantry, serving and make boxes; making weekly phone calls or visits to seniors; and volunteering in the donations office. As one 80-year-old woman explained: “The beautiful cards from the children adorn my walls. This food nourished my body, but the thoughts and love that come my way touched my soul.”

Provide a Gift through Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots Foundation assists the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. The local mission hopes to support 40,000 Long Island families in need. So far, they’re a third of the way to reaching that goal, so any assistance you can provide will be much appreciated.

How to participate:

  • Find the nearest drop-off location.
  • Purchase from popular toy categories like sporting equipment, books, backpacks, electronics, radio control cars and trucks, games, science kits, dolls, and hover boards/helmets.
  • Host a drop-off box at home if you’d like to have friends, family, and coworkers get involved. This is a great project to organize in memory of a loved one who has passed.
  • Participate in the Suffolk County Collection Drive on December 13th at 8 am, where a car parade drives from Millers Ale House in Commack, NY to Millers Ale House in Lake Grove NY to raise awareness and charitable donations.
  • You can also make a financial contribution here. As a top-rated charity, 96 percent of your donation goes directly to providing toys, books, and gifts to children, while the other 4% covers fundraising drives.

If you sell used toys on eBay, you can donate 10 to 100% of your sale price to the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation. Donors receive tax deductions and credit on eBay seller fees.

Host a Zoom Party for the Kids

Children exude resilience, even when they struggle internally to process all that’s happening. Whether they vocalize it or not, your children are likely feeling pangs of loneliness and isolation from school cancellations and paused social lives. Throughout the pandemic, Shine has offered craft bags and online classes to bring kids together. Our fully customizable holiday bags are full of goodies from wreaths to treats you can bake. The Shine team of educators sing, dance, perform live music, and guide the party through activities tailored to your theme. We can also staff a private day camp hosting up to eight kids (ages 4-11) with arts and crafts, science and nature, games and sports, music and educational programming. Contact us for details.

Looking for more ways to give back? You might also like:

The Art of Giving Back
Shine’s Favorite Things for the Holidays
10 Ways To Get NYC Kids Into the Giving Spirit
8 Activities for World Kindness Day
5 Simple Things You and Your Kids Can Do To Give Back During the COVID-19 Quarantine

A Week of Fun, Themed Winter Break Family Activities

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‘Twas the Week After Christmas when all through the house, the child was bored — but NOT quiet as a mouse!

You’ve all been there. You assume your kids will be grateful and more than happy to play with all their new toys. But instead they’re trashing the house, fighting with siblings, and complaining they’re bored! Overstimulation is a very real phenomenon. The holidays can be overwhelming for us all.  

Kids can use your compassionate guidance over the Winter Break, especially since they’re used to so much structured time. The vastness of break can lead to more TV and Nintendo Switch time than you’d care to admit. Deep down, you may long for a more meaningful experience for your kids.

After all, it’s been a difficult year. You may not like the new roles you’ve had to play – Teacher, Principal, Coach, Disciplinarian, Truancy Officer. The desire to reconnect as a family is particularly strong at this time of year when we’re basking in holiday altruism and preparing for a fresh start in 2021.

Feel free to incorporate some or all of these ideas into your week for a much-needed dose of fun…

Day 1: Board Game Day

Day 2: Winter Wonderland

  • Movie: Watch “Chronicles of Narnia,” “Frosty,” or “Moomins and the Winter Wonderland.”
  • Craft: Create ice candles to transform the backyard into a magical place. Bring the magic indoors by building your own snow globe out of a baby food jar, glitter, hot glue, and a waterproof toy or ornament.
  • Food: Dress in white for a winter wonderland dinner party with white foods – white cheese and crackers; chicken with white cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and cauliflower; and vanilla cupcakes, cheesecake, or eggnog for dessert.
  • Book: Ready or watch “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats.
  • Learn: Visit Nat Geo Kids to learn about winter celebrations, ice sculpting, and gingerbread houses.
  • Active Play: Bundle up and get outside. Take a walk around the neighborhood to see how the scenery has changed. Little ones will be happy with the standard snow angels or snowman. Return indoors for cocoa and a game of Don’t Slip Off The Snowflake. For older kids, up the ante by constructing an igloo (using bread pans) or a snow turtle.

Day 3: Space Day

  • Movie: Watch “Toy Story,” “Wall-E,” “Space Jam,” “La Luna,” or “Star Wars.”
  • Craft: Create plastic bottle jet packs. Paint galaxy space rocks. Make aliens in their spaceships.
  • Food: Wrap a hot dog in puff pastry for a “Rocket Dog” dinner.
  • Book: Read or watch “How To Catch a Star” by Oliver Jeffers.
  • Learn: Try a free app like Space Images, NASA, or Night Sky to learn more about space.
  • Active Play: Take a Space Walk, looking out for the space rocks you’ve strategically hidden, and potential aliens, too! Then flip bowls upside down to act as “planets,” as your child navigates your “ship” (a decorated cardboard box or laundry basket) through outer-space. You may also try a Space Adventure from Cosmic Kids Yoga for more structured guidance.

Day 4: Music Day

  • Movie: Watch “Coco,” “The Sound of Music,” “Mary Poppins,” or Sesame Street “Music Magic.”
  • Craft: Make your own microphones out of toilet paper rolls, tinfoil, gems, and construction paper.
  • Food: Whip up Tune-a-Piano sandwiches and a Music Note Veggie Tray for lunch.
  • Book: Read or watch “Because” by Mo Williams.
  • Learn: Learn Solfege, a system used in music theory to teach melody.
  • Active Play: Musical Chairs and Freeze Dance are fun, free games. A karaoke machine or Just Dance video game can add to the fun if you have the equipment. If you play an instrument, indulge in a few seasonal songs. Write and perform your own concert.

Day 5: Camp Out Day

Day 6: Sports Day

  • Movie: Watch a sports game – if not live, then an old historic match of your favorite team. You can also watch sports movies like “Sesame Street: Count on Sports,” “Scooby Doo Sports Spooktacular,” and “Arthur: the Good Sport” for younger kids, or “The Sand Lot,” “The Rookie,” “Mighty Ducks,” “Air Bud,” or “A League of Their Own” for older kids.
  • Craft: Make #1 Fan Foam Fingers and mini megaphones with your little sports fans.
  • Food: Order pizza and wings. Set out potato skins, a Charcuterie board, nachos, or these party foods.
  • Book: Read or watch “Bats at the Ballgame.”
  • Learn: Young children can learn to play soccer from the comfort of their own living rooms with the Soccer Shots on the Go program – an engaging virtual version of the live sessions.
  • Active Play: Play Charades, silently acting out different sports to see if others can guess what they are. Kick around a soccer ball, toss the baseball or football, shoot a few hoops (indoors, using the laundry hamper if you must!) Play Mario Tennis Aces – we won’t judge!

Day 7: Lego Day

We hope you enjoyed these fun family bonding activities. You can also contact Shine for virtual parties or pre-assembled crafting bags. If you live in New York’s East End, inquire about our safe in-person small group workshops available over the winter break today. Space is limited.

Insurrection at the Capitol: What Our Kids Need from Us Right Now

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Kids pick up on more than you think. Though they may seem oblivious, lost in a world of play and make-believe, they are absorbing our moods and anxieties like osmosis. They are glancing at us with a watchful eye in passing. They’re overhearing clips of TV, radio, and adult conversation, and wondering what we’re doom-scrolling on our phones. They’re curious why our emotions of sadness, outrage, confusion, or despair are bubbling to the surface.

Older children are plugged into the social media gossip mill and need a strong hand at the wheel during times of transition and chaos. The worst thing we can do right now is hide. As parents and caregivers, we’re not just raising children into young adults. We’re cultivating future citizens, voters, and change-makers. They are honing their critical thinking skills and figuring out where their voice fits in. Finding the right words is not always easy, but it’s worth trying to use this dark day in US history as an opportunity to model patriotism and good citizenship.

They want us to be honest

Shield your kids from overhearing too much about what has happened and consume media on your own time. There is no need to expose them to graphic images or heated exchanges. Be the filter, but be honest.

Acknowledge that there are differences of opinion and that is okay. You might say: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Some people were unhappy about how the election turned out. It’s okay to feel angry and there are different ways to express anger.”

Younger kids may understand it as, “A group of people were angry because they didn’t get something they wanted and they worry about fairness in the election, but they are making bad choices on how to handle their disappointment.” You might also talk about the idea of losing gracefully, rather than acting like a sore loser.

Older kids can tackle more complex issues of racial disparities, peaceful transfer of power, and the importance of election certification. They can also begin to understand that different news outlets take different perspectives. In many regards, we’ve lost a central narrative. People may be armed with different sets of facts and acting based on different realities. It’s not always easy to disentangle fact from fiction or determine what makes a credible news source.

They want to know how government is supposed to work

Let your kids know what conduct is acceptable or unacceptable: “The Constitution gives us the right to freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully, but laws were broken when people broke past barriers to go inside the Capitol building. People were hurt and killed, and that’s not ok. Our freedoms do not exonerate us from responsibility or consequence for our actions.”

Appeal to their need for law and order. “People who broke the rules will get caught and punished, and many other people are working to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” you might say. With older kids, you may discuss times in history where dissent was exercised in a responsible way, resulting in greater freedoms for Americans.

They want to know what you value

Fair and free elections and the peaceful transfer of power are underpinnings of American democracy. People do not have the right to do as they please. Democracy requires individual responsibility and cooperation. “Diversity” is our nation’s strength, but we must celebrate this diversity with a spirit of unity. United we stand; divided we fall.

If your child has noticed the disparity between police response to the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer and the security guards taking selfies with the Capitol protestors, let them know civil rights is something you are passionate about defending. The officers who acted inappropriately have been disciplined and police departments around the country are making changes to ensure justice for ALL Americans. Change sometimes takes a long time, but it’s worth working for. 

They want to know how you feel

Strong feelings are natural, but it’s best to let your emotions settle before opening a discussion. Use this situation to emphasize: we can’t help how we feel, but we can control how we behave. In many ways, the Capitol mob shows what happens when people do not handle their feelings in appropriate ways. Explain: “We can’t control everything that’s going on in the world, but we can learn to manage our own emotions better.” Discuss ways you can alleviate stress healthily – through clean eating, exercise, writing, mindful meditation, yoga, hobbies, petting the dog, or extra sleep.

They want to share how they feel

There are no magic words to describe what has happened. What’s most important is giving kids the chance to discuss their experience and air their concerns. “What did you hear about the Capitol riots in the news?” you might ask an older child. “What did you think about that?” or “How do you feel about that?” you might follow up. We don’t have to have all the answers, but it’s a powerful gesture to ask questions and take the time to listen. Let them know: “It’s okay to feel scared and unsettled in a place that is supposed to represent stability.”

They want to feel safe

Sometimes kids have no response after a major event until they’ve had time to process it or the rumors going around catch up to them. Let them know: “If you have any questions, you can always come to me to talk and we’ll figure it out together.” Add reassurances like: “No matter what happens, I will always love you and keep you safe.”

It can be helpful for kids to feel like there is something we can do – whether that’s writing to a congressman, donating to a charitable organization, or expressing acts of kindness to others. Or you might talk about some of the positive stories by saying, “Let’s look for the helpers. Who were people who were brave and helped?” Share the story of US veteran and senator Tammy Duckworth who said she’s going to finish her job, no matter what. Talk about the peacemakers who said, “This isn’t us. This isn’t how we do things in America.” Mention the members of the military who secured the Capitol or the Republicans who spoke out against members of their own party when they saw people acting against the Constitution and preservation of the Union.

Providing historical context can be helpful for older children. We’ve had brawls in Congress, a Civil war, Capitol attacks, and electoral college breakdowns, but our nation remains intact. Democracy is far from a perfect process and there are still injustices to rectify, but it will be up to the next administration to make sure everyone’s voices are heard and move our country forward in a positive direction.

The Bottom Line:

Kids are curious, passionate about justice, hopeful, smart, and determined to make things better. This year, our kids have displayed their inspiring resilience and weathered change better than many adults. Yet, the insurrection on Capitol Hill has shown Americans we are far from out of the water. Danger and disparities persist in the days ahead, but we can find our way to a brighter future by grooming the young citizens of tomorrow to see what is happening from all sides, follow their inner moral compass, and seek common ground with their peers.

Contact Shine for information on NYC & East End programs that support exploration, creativity, and acceptance through multicultural festivities, art, culinary classes, music, reading, outdoor fun, and educational field trips. Join a class, workshop, or camp, or hire us to provide innovative programming for your party. By gathering together, our inner lights will shine through this darkness.

Little-Known Perks of a Long Island Library Card

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Here on the East End, we’re blessed with bountiful, beautiful libraries. But did you know your Long Island library card gains you access to much more than books? Free perks for the whole family include museum passes, access to technology, rentable toys, cookware on loan, downloadable content, and access to ancestry historians.

Free Museum Passes

Access to free family museum passes varies from location to location, but what a cool benefit!

The Westbury Memorial Public Library allows you to take out complimentary passes for:

  • Cradle of Aviation
  • Empire Pass (1 Day)
  • Firefighter’s Museum and Education Center
  • Long Island Children’s Museum
  • Nassau County Museum of Art
  • Old Bethpage Village Restoration
  • Old Westbury Gardens

The Hicksville Public Library offers passes for:

  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden
  • Children’s Museum of Manhattan
  • Cradle of Aviation
  • Empire Pass
  • Heckscher Museum of Art
  • Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center of Nassau County
  • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
  • Long Island Children’s Museum
  • Museum of Modern Art (also get a 10% discount in the MoMA store!)
  • Nassau County Firefighters Museum
  • Nassau Museum of Art
  • New York Hall of Science 
  • NY Transit Museum
  • Old Bethpage Restoration
  • Old Westbury Gardens
  • Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
  • Welwyn Preserve

Hours and availability may be affected due to COVID-19 restrictions, but there are plenty of options to choose from. Some passes may be printed from home, while others must be picked up and returned at the library service desk.

Other participating libraries to check out include: Babylon, Farmingdale, Great Neck, Island Trees, Levittown, Mineola, Port Jeff, Port Washington, or just visit your local public library’s website for details. Bringing your children to a local museum can cultivate a love of science, history, different cultures, and hands-on learning. We couldn’t think of a better gift to give.  

Access To Technology

High-tech gadgets are available under normal circumstances. The governor’s current orders have put the squeeze on these programs, but as restrictions ease, we can expect to be back exploring in no time. 

Merrick Library’s Walter Mintz Makerspace has a collection of neat creative tools available for kids ages 12+ to use (under the watchful eye of a responsible guardian), including:

  • A 3D printer
  • The 3Doodler (3D pen)
  • Ozobots (robot)

Innovation Station at the Levittown Public Library offers:

  • 3Doodler
  • Button makers
  • Cricut machines
  • Diecut machines
  • Embroidery machines
  • iMacs
  • LittleBits inventor kits
  • MakerBot 3D scanner and printer
  • Sewing machines

Other communities to check out for access to innovative gadgets include: Jericho, Middle Country Public Library, Sachem Public Library, and Smithtown.

Toy Rentals

Brentwood library has 12 American Girl dolls, period-specific clothing, and books that can be checked out for two weeks at a time. Other “Toys To Go” include Lincoln Logs, electronic baby toys, xylophones, and trucks. You can check out telescopes in Port Washington and Lynbrook, or kid-friendly tablets with downloaded learning apps at Lindenhurst or Massapequa.

Cookware

Love to bake? Have a birthday coming up? Comsewogue and East Rockaway libraries loan out Wilton pans shaped like a guitar, soccer ball, dinosaur, bunny, flower, firetruck, Cars, paint palette, heart, Arial, Darth Vader, Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, and Thomas the Train. You can take the pan out for up to a week before handwashing and returning it.   

Digital Downloads

Stream movies using a Roku stick full of free content through Farmingdale, Massapequa, Merrick, Oceanside, Port Washington, or Westbury libraries. Garden City, West Babylon, and a dozen other libraries allow music streaming and downloads using the digital music service Freegal; a certain number of titles can be kept each week for your listening pleasure.

Ancestry Research

You can get free in-library access to family tree building site Ancestry.com at Long Beach, Mattituck-Laurel, and Uniondale. For a more robust experience, bring the kids to West Hempstead and sit down with a genealogy librarian to dig into your lineage.

At a time where we may feel closed off from the world, it’s a great blessing that we have access to resources that enrich the spirit, ignite our passions, and give the family something to do together. For more creative, enjoyable activities, contact SHINE for information on upcoming workshops, classes, outings, camps, or private parties. We are still open and following every CDC protocol for safe interactions.

Little-Known Perks of a Long Island Library Card

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Here on the East End, we’re blessed with bountiful, beautiful libraries. But did you know your Long Island library card gains you access to much more than books? Free perks for the whole family include museum passes, access to technology, rentable toys, cookware on loan, downloadable content, and access to ancestry historians.

Free Museum Passes

Access to free family museum passes varies from location to location, but what a cool benefit!

The Westbury Memorial Public Library allows you to take out complimentary passes for:

  • Cradle of Aviation
  • Empire Pass (1 Day)
  • Firefighter’s Museum and Education Center
  • Long Island Children’s Museum
  • Nassau County Museum of Art
  • Old Bethpage Village Restoration
  • Old Westbury Gardens

The Hicksville Public Library offers passes for:

  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden
  • Children’s Museum of Manhattan
  • Cradle of Aviation
  • Empire Pass
  • Heckscher Museum of Art
  • Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center of Nassau County
  • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
  • Long Island Children’s Museum
  • Museum of Modern Art (also get a 10% discount in the MoMA store!)
  • Nassau County Firefighters Museum
  • Nassau Museum of Art
  • New York Hall of Science 
  • NY Transit Museum
  • Old Bethpage Restoration
  • Old Westbury Gardens
  • Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
  • Welwyn Preserve

Hours and availability may be affected due to COVID-19 restrictions, but there are plenty of options to choose from. Some passes may be printed from home, while others must be picked up and returned at the library service desk.

Other participating libraries to check out include: Babylon, Farmingdale, Great Neck, Island Trees, Levittown, Mineola, Port Jeff, Port Washington, or just visit your local public library’s website for details. Bringing your children to a local museum can cultivate a love of science, history, different cultures, and hands-on learning. We couldn’t think of a better gift to give.  

Access To Technology

High-tech gadgets are available under normal circumstances. The governor’s current orders have put the squeeze on these programs, but as restrictions ease, we can expect to be back exploring in no time. 

Merrick Library’s Walter Mintz Makerspace has a collection of neat creative tools available for kids ages 12+ to use (under the watchful eye of a responsible guardian), including:

  • A 3D printer
  • The 3Doodler (3D pen)
  • Ozobots (robot)

Innovation Station at the Levittown Public Library offers:

  • 3Doodler
  • Button makers
  • Cricut machines
  • Diecut machines
  • Embroidery machines
  • iMacs
  • LittleBits inventor kits
  • MakerBot 3D scanner and printer
  • Sewing machines

Other communities to check out for access to innovative gadgets include: Jericho, Middle Country Public Library, Sachem Public Library, and Smithtown.

Toy Rentals

Brentwood library has 12 American Girl dolls, period-specific clothing, and books that can be checked out for two weeks at a time. Other “Toys To Go” include Lincoln Logs, electronic baby toys, xylophones, and trucks. You can check out telescopes in Port Washington and Lynbrook, or kid-friendly tablets with downloaded learning apps at Lindenhurst or Massapequa.

Cookware

Love to bake? Have a birthday coming up? Comsewogue and East Rockaway libraries loan out Wilton pans shaped like a guitar, soccer ball, dinosaur, bunny, flower, firetruck, Cars, paint palette, heart, Arial, Darth Vader, Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, and Thomas the Train. You can take the pan out for up to a week before handwashing and returning it.   

Digital Downloads

Stream movies using a Roku stick full of free content through Farmingdale, Massapequa, Merrick, Oceanside, Port Washington, or Westbury libraries. Garden City, West Babylon, and a dozen other libraries allow music streaming and downloads using the digital music service Freegal; a certain number of titles can be kept each week for your listening pleasure.

Ancestry Research

You can get free in-library access to family tree building site Ancestry.com at Long Beach, Mattituck-Laurel, and Uniondale. For a more robust experience, bring the kids to West Hempstead and sit down with a genealogy librarian to dig into your lineage.

At a time where we may feel closed off from the world, it’s a great blessing that we have access to resources that enrich the spirit, ignite our passions, and give the family something to do together. For more creative, enjoyable activities, contact SHINE for information on upcoming workshops, classes, outings, camps, or private parties. We are still open and following every CDC protocol for safe interactions.

Insurrection at the Capitol: What Our Kids Need from Us Right Now

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Kids pick up on more than you think. Though they may seem oblivious, lost in a world of play and make-believe, they are absorbing our moods and anxieties like osmosis. They are glancing at us with a watchful eye in passing. They’re overhearing clips of TV, radio, and adult conversation, and wondering what we’re doom-scrolling on our phones. They’re curious why our emotions of sadness, outrage, confusion, or despair are bubbling to the surface.

Older children are plugged into the social media gossip mill and need a strong hand at the wheel during times of transition and chaos. The worst thing we can do right now is hide. As parents and caregivers, we’re not just raising children into young adults. We’re cultivating future citizens, voters, and change-makers. They are honing their critical thinking skills and figuring out where their voice fits in. Finding the right words is not always easy, but it’s worth trying to use this dark day in US history as an opportunity to model patriotism and good citizenship.

They want us to be honest

Shield your kids from overhearing too much about what has happened and consume media on your own time. There is no need to expose them to graphic images or heated exchanges. Be the filter, but be honest.

Acknowledge that there are differences of opinion and that is okay. You might say: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Some people were unhappy about how the election turned out. It’s okay to feel angry and there are different ways to express anger.”

Younger kids may understand it as, “A group of people were angry because they didn’t get something they wanted and they worry about fairness in the election, but they are making bad choices on how to handle their disappointment.” You might also talk about the idea of losing gracefully, rather than acting like a sore loser.

Older kids can tackle more complex issues of racial disparities, peaceful transfer of power, and the importance of election certification. They can also begin to understand that different news outlets take different perspectives. In many regards, we’ve lost a central narrative. People may be armed with different sets of facts and acting based on different realities. It’s not always easy to disentangle fact from fiction or determine what makes a credible news source.

They want to know how government is supposed to work

Let your kids know what conduct is acceptable or unacceptable: “The Constitution gives us the right to freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully, but laws were broken when people broke past barriers to go inside the Capitol building. People were hurt and killed, and that’s not ok. Our freedoms do not exonerate us from responsibility or consequence for our actions.”

Appeal to their need for law and order. “People who broke the rules will get caught and punished, and many other people are working to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” you might say. With older kids, you may discuss times in history where dissent was exercised in a responsible way, resulting in greater freedoms for Americans.

They want to know what you value

Fair and free elections and the peaceful transfer of power are underpinnings of American democracy. People do not have the right to do as they please. Democracy requires individual responsibility and cooperation. “Diversity” is our nation’s strength, but we must celebrate this diversity with a spirit of unity. United we stand; divided we fall.

If your child has noticed the disparity between police response to the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer and the security guards taking selfies with the Capitol protestors, let them know civil rights is something you are passionate about defending. The officers who acted inappropriately have been disciplined and police departments around the country are making changes to ensure justice for ALL Americans. Change sometimes takes a long time, but it’s worth working for. 

They want to know how you feel

Strong feelings are natural, but it’s best to let your emotions settle before opening a discussion. Use this situation to emphasize: we can’t help how we feel, but we can control how we behave. In many ways, the Capitol mob shows what happens when people do not handle their feelings in appropriate ways. Explain: “We can’t control everything that’s going on in the world, but we can learn to manage our own emotions better.” Discuss ways you can alleviate stress healthily – through clean eating, exercise, writing, mindful meditation, yoga, hobbies, petting the dog, or extra sleep.

They want to share how they feel

There are no magic words to describe what has happened. What’s most important is giving kids the chance to discuss their experience and air their concerns. “What did you hear about the Capitol riots in the news?” you might ask an older child. “What did you think about that?” or “How do you feel about that?” you might follow up. We don’t have to have all the answers, but it’s a powerful gesture to ask questions and take the time to listen. Let them know: “It’s okay to feel scared and unsettled in a place that is supposed to represent stability.”

They want to feel safe

Sometimes kids have no response after a major event until they’ve had time to process it or the rumors going around catch up to them. Let them know: “If you have any questions, you can always come to me to talk and we’ll figure it out together.” Add reassurances like: “No matter what happens, I will always love you and keep you safe.”

It can be helpful for kids to feel like there is something we can do – whether that’s writing to a congressman, donating to a charitable organization, or expressing acts of kindness to others. Or you might talk about some of the positive stories by saying, “Let’s look for the helpers. Who were people who were brave and helped?” Share the story of US veteran and senator Tammy Duckworth who said she’s going to finish her job, no matter what. Talk about the peacemakers who said, “This isn’t us. This isn’t how we do things in America.” Mention the members of the military who secured the Capitol or the Republicans who spoke out against members of their own party when they saw people acting against the Constitution and preservation of the Union.

Providing historical context can be helpful for older children. We’ve had brawls in Congress, a Civil war, Capitol attacks, and electoral college breakdowns, but our nation remains intact. Democracy is far from a perfect process and there are still injustices to rectify, but it will be up to the next administration to make sure everyone’s voices are heard and move our country forward in a positive direction.

The Bottom Line:

Kids are curious, passionate about justice, hopeful, smart, and determined to make things better. This year, our kids have displayed their inspiring resilience and weathered change better than many adults. Yet, the insurrection on Capitol Hill has shown Americans we are far from out of the water. Danger and disparities persist in the days ahead, but we can find our way to a brighter future by grooming the young citizens of tomorrow to see what is happening from all sides, follow their inner moral compass, and seek common ground with their peers.

Contact Shine for information on NYC & East End programs that support exploration, creativity, and acceptance through multicultural festivities, art, culinary classes, music, reading, outdoor fun, and educational field trips. Join a class, workshop, or camp, or hire us to provide innovative programming for your party. By gathering together, our inner lights will shine through this darkness.

A Week of Fun, Themed Winter Break Family Activities

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‘Twas the Week After Christmas when all through the house, the child was bored — but NOT quiet as a mouse!

You’ve all been there. You assume your kids will be grateful and more than happy to play with all their new toys. But instead they’re trashing the house, fighting with siblings, and complaining they’re bored! Overstimulation is a very real phenomenon. The holidays can be overwhelming for us all.  

Kids can use your compassionate guidance over the Winter Break, especially since they’re used to so much structured time. The vastness of break can lead to more TV and Nintendo Switch time than you’d care to admit. Deep down, you may long for a more meaningful experience for your kids.

After all, it’s been a difficult year. You may not like the new roles you’ve had to play – Teacher, Principal, Coach, Disciplinarian, Truancy Officer. The desire to reconnect as a family is particularly strong at this time of year when we’re basking in holiday altruism and preparing for a fresh start in 2021.

Feel free to incorporate some or all of these ideas into your week for a much-needed dose of fun…

Day 1: Board Game Day

Day 2: Winter Wonderland

  • Movie: Watch “Chronicles of Narnia,” “Frosty,” or “Moomins and the Winter Wonderland.”
  • Craft: Create ice candles to transform the backyard into a magical place. Bring the magic indoors by building your own snow globe out of a baby food jar, glitter, hot glue, and a waterproof toy or ornament.
  • Food: Dress in white for a winter wonderland dinner party with white foods – white cheese and crackers; chicken with white cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and cauliflower; and vanilla cupcakes, cheesecake, or eggnog for dessert.
  • Book: Ready or watch “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats.
  • Learn: Visit Nat Geo Kids to learn about winter celebrations, ice sculpting, and gingerbread houses.
  • Active Play: Bundle up and get outside. Take a walk around the neighborhood to see how the scenery has changed. Little ones will be happy with the standard snow angels or snowman. Return indoors for cocoa and a game of Don’t Slip Off The Snowflake. For older kids, up the ante by constructing an igloo (using bread pans) or a snow turtle.

Day 3: Space Day

  • Movie: Watch “Toy Story,” “Wall-E,” “Space Jam,” “La Luna,” or “Star Wars.”
  • Craft: Create plastic bottle jet packs. Paint galaxy space rocks. Make aliens in their spaceships.
  • Food: Wrap a hot dog in puff pastry for a “Rocket Dog” dinner.
  • Book: Read or watch “How To Catch a Star” by Oliver Jeffers.
  • Learn: Try a free app like Space Images, NASA, or Night Sky to learn more about space.
  • Active Play: Take a Space Walk, looking out for the space rocks you’ve strategically hidden, and potential aliens, too! Then flip bowls upside down to act as “planets,” as your child navigates your “ship” (a decorated cardboard box or laundry basket) through outer-space. You may also try a Space Adventure from Cosmic Kids Yoga for more structured guidance.

Day 4: Music Day

  • Movie: Watch “Coco,” “The Sound of Music,” “Mary Poppins,” or Sesame Street “Music Magic.”
  • Craft: Make your own microphones out of toilet paper rolls, tinfoil, gems, and construction paper.
  • Food: Whip up Tune-a-Piano sandwiches and a Music Note Veggie Tray for lunch.
  • Book: Read or watch “Because” by Mo Williams.
  • Learn: Learn Solfege, a system used in music theory to teach melody.
  • Active Play: Musical Chairs and Freeze Dance are fun, free games. A karaoke machine or Just Dance video game can add to the fun if you have the equipment. If you play an instrument, indulge in a few seasonal songs. Write and perform your own concert.

Day 5: Camp Out Day

Day 6: Sports Day

  • Movie: Watch a sports game – if not live, then an old historic match of your favorite team. You can also watch sports movies like “Sesame Street: Count on Sports,” “Scooby Doo Sports Spooktacular,” and “Arthur: the Good Sport” for younger kids, or “The Sand Lot,” “The Rookie,” “Mighty Ducks,” “Air Bud,” or “A League of Their Own” for older kids.
  • Craft: Make #1 Fan Foam Fingers and mini megaphones with your little sports fans.
  • Food: Order pizza and wings. Set out potato skins, a Charcuterie board, nachos, or these party foods.
  • Book: Read or watch “Bats at the Ballgame.”
  • Learn: Young children can learn to play soccer from the comfort of their own living rooms with the Soccer Shots on the Go program – an engaging virtual version of the live sessions.
  • Active Play: Play Charades, silently acting out different sports to see if others can guess what they are. Kick around a soccer ball, toss the baseball or football, shoot a few hoops (indoors, using the laundry hamper if you must!) Play Mario Tennis Aces – we won’t judge!

Day 7: Lego Day

We hope you enjoyed these fun family bonding activities. You can also contact Shine for virtual parties or pre-assembled crafting bags. If you live in New York’s East End, inquire about our safe in-person small group workshops available over the winter break today. Space is limited.

4 Ways To Spread Holiday Cheer

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Perhaps this year, more than ever, you have a deep longing to make a meaningful contribution. Maybe the stay-at-home orders have given you more idle time to reflect. Perhaps you’ve weathered the pandemic well and want to pay it forward with a spirit of generosity. Or you might wish to serve as a positive role model, showing your little ones that it’s not the receiving of gifts that brings joy to the heart, but the giving. It’s not always easy to donate amid the current crisis. Some organizations are turning away gently used clothing because they’re so inundated, while others are turning to corporate sponsors to reduce the points of contact. Here are a few charities still accepting the love and kindness of volunteers to fulfill their missions.

Adopt a Child’s Letter to Santa

The Postal Service has received letters to Santa for more than 100 years. In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock allowed postal employees and citizens to respond to these letters in what is today known as “Operation Santa.

Here’s how to participate:

  • Visit the USPS Operation Santa website.
  • Look through the children’s letters and find one that speaks to your heart.
  • Find and wrap the items on the wish-list.
  • Be sure to follow the shipping guidelines.
  • Bring your package to a local post office by December 19th so it arrives for Christmas.

On a more local level, Stockings with Care on West 24th Street in Chelsea runs a similar operation, where a volunteer “Santa” is matched with a local child’s wish list to spread the magic of the holiday season. Through Amazon’s Operation Smile Program, a percentage of what you spend can be automatically donated to Stockings with Care, too.

Make a Holiday Greeting Card for a Lonely Senior Citizen

More than 40 percent of America’s seniors regularly struggle with loneliness – a situation that is compounded even more by the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Citymeals on Wheels works with volunteers to craft handmade cards to brighten the spirits of the homebound senior citizens. Last year, the organization delivered 76,106 cards.

Here’s what to do:

  • Make your card out of folded-in-half cardstock or construction paper.
  • Write a seasonally appropriate greeting in marker or crayon on the front of the card.
  • Draw mood-lifting images. Avoid glitter or religious symbols or language.
  • Include a first name inside the card or sign “from your friends at Citymeals on Wheels.”
  • Include a slip with your full name and email or mailing address.
  • Address the card to:

Handmade Card Project

Liz Cantillo

Citymeals on Wheels

309 Drake Street

Bronx NY 10474

You may also direct questions to Shiela@citymeals.org. Other opportunities exist through City Meals on Wheels throughout the year, including: driving for the meal delivery service branch; helping out at a food pantry, serving and make boxes; making weekly phone calls or visits to seniors; and volunteering in the donations office. As one 80-year-old woman explained: “The beautiful cards from the children adorn my walls. This food nourished my body, but the thoughts and love that come my way touched my soul.”

Provide a Gift through Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots Foundation assists the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. The local mission hopes to support 40,000 Long Island families in need. So far, they’re a third of the way to reaching that goal, so any assistance you can provide will be much appreciated.

How to participate:

  • Find the nearest drop-off location.
  • Purchase from popular toy categories like sporting equipment, books, backpacks, electronics, radio control cars and trucks, games, science kits, dolls, and hover boards/helmets.
  • Host a drop-off box at home if you’d like to have friends, family, and coworkers get involved. This is a great project to organize in memory of a loved one who has passed.
  • Participate in the Suffolk County Collection Drive on December 13th at 8 am, where a car parade drives from Millers Ale House in Commack, NY to Millers Ale House in Lake Grove NY to raise awareness and charitable donations.
  • You can also make a financial contribution here. As a top-rated charity, 96 percent of your donation goes directly to providing toys, books, and gifts to children, while the other 4% covers fundraising drives.

If you sell used toys on eBay, you can donate 10 to 100% of your sale price to the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation. Donors receive tax deductions and credit on eBay seller fees.

Host a Zoom Party for the Kids

Children exude resilience, even when they struggle internally to process all that’s happening. Whether they vocalize it or not, your children are likely feeling pangs of loneliness and isolation from school cancellations and paused social lives. Throughout the pandemic, Shine has offered craft bags and online classes to bring kids together. Our fully customizable holiday bags are full of goodies from wreaths to treats you can bake. The Shine team of educators sing, dance, perform live music, and guide the party through activities tailored to your theme. We can also staff a private day camp hosting up to eight kids (ages 4-11) with arts and crafts, science and nature, games and sports, music and educational programming. Contact us for details.

Looking for more ways to give back? You might also like:

The Art of Giving Back
Shine’s Favorite Things for the Holidays
10 Ways To Get NYC Kids Into the Giving Spirit
8 Activities for World Kindness Day
5 Simple Things You and Your Kids Can Do To Give Back During the COVID-19 Quarantine

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