How To Prevent Video Game Addiction

How To Prevent Video Game Addiction

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Last year, the World Health Organization issued guidance that infants under one year old should not be exposed to electronic screens, and that children between the ages of 2-4 should not have more than one hour of “sedentary screen time” each day. School-aged children should have limitations on the type of device, activity, and amount of time spent on screens each day, with parents ensuring the kids have adequate face time, physical activity, and shut-eye. 

Along with coronavirus came a loosening of restrictions, as parents struggled to find balance and a sense of normalcy. The increased amount of leisure time during the summer time already leads to bad screen time habits, whether there’s an iPhone, tablet, or video game console in the home. What is a parent to do? We all want to be fair and yet also maintain a sense of order in the home. We want our children to be happy, but we are also tasked with keeping them safe.

ARE Video Games Dangerous for the Developing Brain?

Research has been conflicting and we’ve got a long way to go in understanding this evolving field of study.  

  • The Good: Studies have shown video games can change the structure of the brain and how the brain performs – but the impact is not necessarily negative. Gamers showed improvements in sustained and selective attention, so it became easier to activate and sustain attention on demanding tasks. The size and efficiency of the hippocampus increases, leading to improvements in visuospatial skills and memory. 3D video games, in particular, have been associated with improving memory performance and spatial processing; researchers identified protective benefits against Alzheimer’s, dementia, and depression in adults. An “optimist” might also argue that gaming can help children suffering from isolation by connecting them with their peers through online collaborative play modes, help teach them the value of “trying again” to work toward a desired outcome, and flex their muscles in everything from analytical reasoning and complex problem solving to fine motor dexterity and emotional regulation. Some datasuggests video games can improve fluid intelligence – the capacity to learn new information and problem-solve in novel situations.

 

  • The Bad and The Ugly: The caveat is that video gaming can also lead to structural changes in the brain’s neural reward system, causing cravings similar to other types of addiction. One studyfound that playing video games released an amount of feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine comparable to what intravenous injections of amphetamine do to a person; after the “rush,” the gamer is left with a temporarily diminished supply of dopamine that takes time to build back up – which explains why you may have noticed a host of negative side effects from gaming. These ills may include: obsessive behavior, lack of sleep, lack of physical exercise, headaches, hygiene neglect, neglecting school work, lack of interest in hobbies, escaping problems, irritability, anger, or dishonesty. The “pessimist” may worry that long-term reliance on video games provides stimulating rewards without truly working to achieve or really accomplishing anything meaningful. The fear is that we will produce a generation of self-absorbed, lazy, aggressive, emotionally stunted individuals who are desensitized through repetitive motion play.

What Are The Signs of Video Game ‘Addiction’?

People with diagnosable “video game addiction” have five or more of the following symptoms:

  • Thinking about gaming most or all of the time.
  • Feeling drained and emotional whenever not playing the game.
  • Needing to spend increasing amounts of time playing to feel good.
  • Being unable to quit or reduce time on the console.
  • Not wanting to do any other activities that used to be enjoyable.
  • Having problems at work, school, or home due to gaming.
  • Continuing to play video games, even though it becomes a source of conflict.
  • Lying to people about how much time is spent playing.
  • Relying upon the game to ease negative moods and feelings.

Fortunately, less than 10% of people – adults and children alike – fit the criteria for a true video game addiction. Most borderline “addicts” can be rescued with mild interventions and won’t require counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or medication for treatment. If you notice any of these symptoms and feel troubled by it, don’t be afraid to speak to your child’s pediatrician for tailored advice.

What Can You Do To Coexist With Screens and Prevent Video Game Addiction? 

  • Monitor activity and choose your time wisely. Know what games your child is playing. Use parental tools to regulate time, activity, spending, age level, game type, and features. We know that the glow of the screen can have a negative impact on sleep, so the cut-off for gaming should be dinner time. Keeping your mornings “screen-free” is another way to get the day off to a good start. Your kids may have so much fun doing other activities that they forget to even ask whether they can play video games. Have a timer, set it, and stick to it. Don’t get into the habit of allowing “just five more minutes” or “just one more level.” A reasonable amount of time would be an hour on school days and a two to three hour max on weekend days.

 

  • Help regulate big emotions. Limit gaming when school grades suffer, when physical activity dwindles, when aggression with siblings ramps up, when attitudes flare. Emotional outbursts about adhering to the rules are almost inevitable at certain ages, but they should have fair and consistent consequences – like a day off playing video games tomorrow, or perhaps a week off if the child’s behavior is repetitive or particularly heated. Explain that it’s okay to feel frustrated, disappointed, or even angry, but it’s not okay to throw the controller, slam doors, whine and cry, or shout at mom and dad.

 

  • Make a checklist. A number of parents have found success by creating a checklist of what must be done as a precondition to screen time. “Have you… made your bed? Brushed your teeth? Got dressed? Eaten your breakfast? Read a book? Created something? Exercised?” one such daily routine reads. Make some activities a daily expectation, but work in some flexibility in what they choose to do as well. For instance, you might say your child can choose three of the following: help someone in the family, build something, clean up one room of the house, play outside for 30 minutes, read for 20 minutes, practice an instrument for 20 minutes, or spend 30 minutes coloring or creating artwork. Check out this Pinterest Board for inspiration.

 

  • Provide ideas. Video games can be so stimulating, a child can’t imagine what could possibly be more important or more fun. It helps to have a list prepared before the “I’m Bored” sets in. For example, you could create a list of ideas on what to do in order to:
  • “Take Care of Yourself”: Eat breakfast, brush your teeth/hair, get dressed, tidy room.
  • “Take Care of the House”: Dishes, counters, vacuum, laundry, feed pet, pick up toys.
  • “Build Your Spirit”: Meditation, religious text study, yoga, gratitude journal, set goals.
  • “Build Your Body”: Go Noodle, swim, ride bike, sport, obstacle course, play tag, dance.
  • “Build Your Brain”: Read, write a story, draw a picture, make a song, play instrument.
  • “Build Up Someone Else”: Help a family member, Compliment a sibling, call a friend.

 

  • Introduce alternative activities that feed the brain. If your child loves Super Mario, have him draw a sample course on paper instead of playing Super Mario Maker. If your child likes Pac-Man, have her complete an activity book of mazes instead. Instead of playing the FIFA video game, sign your child up in a beginner soccer league. Rather than play Animal Crossing, spend a day at the beach shelling and plan a picnic. Try a subscription like Kiwi Co or Little Passports that combines building/crafting and learning. Family board game nights can be a fun pastime to start.

 

  • Get into the group. Gaming is a solitary activity. Sign your child up for a camp or social activity instead. The YMCA, community arts centers, recreational sports leagues, and libraries may have low-cost options. Here at Shine, we combine music, art, theatre, literacy, cooking, cultural immersion, and outdoor adventure into our camps, classes, and workshops, so your child is bound to find an enjoyable activity that rivals the best of video games.

The Bottom Line

Get engaged and see what sort of screen time interests your child. All screen time – and all video games – are not created equal. You just may find playing a game together can be a healthy bonding activity. Common Sense Media recommends family games like Active Life Outdoor Challenge, Carnival Island, Kinect Sports, Overcooked, Just Dance, and Mario Kart 8 – to name a few.

Experts say you can let go of guilt and relax if your child is getting homework done, spending time with family and friends, staying physically active, and engaging in an extracurricular activity or hobby. Screens can be incorporated as part of a well-rounded childhood, with moderation.

Your approach will likely end up very similar to how state governors are trying to deal with the pandemic these days – you’ll keeping a pulse on your child’s overall health, gradually loosen restrictions when all is going well, and dial back for a spell when emotions get out of hand. As you’ve heard countless times, you’ll “be dealing with this for some time,” so figuring out how to strike a reasonable balance is likely to be more successful than coming down with the hammer to prohibit all screens.    

5 Summer Recipes for Kids (And a Few Bonuses!)

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No matter what phase of reopening we’re in, the summer weather invites New Yorkers outdoors to family picnics and backyard barbecues, if not the grand cookouts and larger parties of years past. When school is out of session and you’ve put your foot down about screen time, it doesn’t take long for “I’m bored!” to come out of your child’s mouth. Turning a dull, typical meal into a picnic, barbecue, or garden tea party is an easy way to lighten the mood and add a bit of fun to your day. The following recipes are not only kid-approved and presentable enough for party fare, but they’re so easy to assemble your “big” will love helping make them too. If “food is love,” then preparing it is family bonding at its finest.  

1. Amazing App: Chorizo Bites

This appetizer will blow minds at the next party with its perfect fiesta in every bite. Imagine this: the crispiness of an oven-roasted tortilla shell, combined with the creaminess of refried beans, the savoriness of cheese, the tang of chorizo, the freshness of tomato and cilantro, and the coolness of sour cream. Pack a punch of jalapeno for the adult half of the tray for extra flavor. You’ll need a 3-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter and a standard 24-cup muffin tray. It’s a labor of love putting this together, but kids as young as four make the perfect assistant chefs.

Get the recipe. 

2. Mindblowing Main: Sweet & Sour Pork and Pineapple Kebabs

Most kebabs recommend spicy barbecue sauce that isn’t friendly for every kid’s palate. Simply omit the crushed red pepper flakes for a kid-friendly kebab that combines piquant soy, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and soy flavors with decidedly sweet sugar, ketchup, and pineapple. Add sweet peppers for added antioxidant power. Baby bella mushrooms are an excellent choice too. Look for wooden skewers with rounded tips for easy serving.

Get the recipe.

3. Scrumptious Side: Zucchini Picnic Muffins

Adults love casseroles and summer salads, but kids don’t have the patience to sit down with a fork and a knife. Grab-and-go finger foods work best – the stealthier-healthier the better! Zucchini picnic muffins offer a full meal in one bite with zucchini, rice, cheese, onion, bacon, and egg.

Get the recipe.

Looking for even quicker, easier suggestions? Grill halved ears of corn and “campfire potatoes” (aluminum foil packets of mini spuds with salt and butter) for easy sides kids will actually eat.

4. Super Snack Food: Homemade Soft Pretzels

Kids can’t resist those giant soft pretzels at Renaissance Festivals and German Oktoberfests. It’s surprisingly easy to make your own. Aside from rapid rising yeast, you likely have all the ingredients in your pantry already. Children will be hard-pressed to choose a favorite step: Is it squishing the dough in a plastic bag? Rolling out “snakes”? Forming cute heart shapes? Or painting on the salt? This recipe makes a dozen, so there’s plenty to share.

Get the recipe here.

5. Delightful Dessert: S’mores Crispy Bars

We’ve all had the classic Rice Krispy Treat, but nothing shouts “summer” more than s’mores. Adding marshmallow crème frosting, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate makes this treat even more scrumptious for the season. All it’s missing is the backyard tent, the lantern, and the spooky ghost stories!

Get the recipe here.

Bonus #1: Kid-Friendly Summer Spritzer

What kid doesn’t love watermelon? Combine the fresh cubes with squeezed lime juice, sugar, kosher salt, and sparkling water to make a fancy, fresh kiddie mocktail. Mint sprigs are optional.

Get the recipe here.

Bonus #2: Easy Arrangements and Perfect-Looking Party Foods

You don’t need a recipe to create a fun-filled rainbow fruit parfait…

Black olive penguins…

A patriotic eagle cheeseball…

Backyard Bug Snacks…

Donut-shaped apple slices…

or Firecracker Dogs!

Don’t overlook the beauty of an easy picnic snack board with cut cheese, meat roll-ups, pretzels, nuts, and fruits either! The kids are more likely to experience a variety of foods, rather than filling up on one choice item all day.

Bonus #3: Entertainment Add-Ons For Your Party, Event, or Family Night!

If you’re planning a small gathering, birthday party, or family picnic this summer, consider how Shine’s offerings can make it even better! Our signature craft bags, customizable themed party boxes, and interactive Zoom cooking classes provide everything you need for a truly momentous occasion. We also host private parties at your location of choice for up to eight children.

Contact us to learn more.

Everything You Need To Know About Kid Parties in a Socially Distant NYC

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There’s good news if your child has a summer birthday: New York City moving toward reopening after the statewide PAUSE. As of June 8th, our region entered phase one, meaning that 10 or fewer people may gather. By phase three, we’ll be allowed to gather in groups up to 25.

Is a Kid Birthday Party Risky During a Coronavirus Pandemic?

At this point, any contact outside your home pod elevates your risk of COVID-19 transmission, but the 1 percent virus positive test rate is minuscule enough that having a small backyard gathering may not raise the hairs on the back of your neck, especially if you’re friends with several other families that generally minimal contact with others and practice social distancing.

True social distancing can be a challenge with young children. Ideally, each guest would remain six feet apart and wear masks in close passing or when dishing food. Older kids may be able to follow these guidelines, but you may want to consider hosting a Zoom party or a more structured format for younger kids.

Socially Distant Kids’ Birthday Party Ideas

There are many ways to celebrate a child’s birthday, even with social distancing in place:

  • Birthday Parades – Decorate a special chair into an honorary “throne” for the day and set it up curbside, while friends and family drive by with balloons, signs, and music playing. Oriental Trading has a number of themed decorations you can pass out to guests before the big day. You could also ask your guests to dress up in old Halloween costumes to make the parade more entertaining. Gifts can be dropped off to a point person at the end of the caravan if you wish.
  • Movie Parties – Drive-ins are likely to be all the rage this summer. Staten Island BBQ will be showing classic kid-friendly films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Greenpoint’s new Skyline Drive-In overlooks the East River and Manhattan skyline and welcomes guests who may not have a car to park as well. If you have a grand to spend and would like a more intimate backyard movie party, you could hire Arcade Specialties – or you could source your own materials for less.
  • Picnic Parties – A number of NYC restaurants offer picnic takeout and there are plenty of parks to choose for your setting. Blue Moon Mexican Café offers birthday takeout for six, which includes fixins’ for tacos or fajitas, a dessert platter, beverages, sombreros, and birthday candles. Armed with little more than a cooler, a basket, and a blanket, you’ll have a unique and memorable way to celebrate a birthday with one or two other families. Social distancing will be easier to follow, using the blankets themselves as “safe zones.”
  • Zoom Parties and Virtual Performers – Everyone can join a party from their own comfortable space at home, while a virtual performer sets the agenda so it’s meaningful for the participants and not just anarchy. BubbleDad can wow kids with bubble characters, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, and shared secrets on how to blow the perfect bubble. Yogi Beans will virtually host up to 25 kids with themes like unicorn, safari, or undersea that take kids through yoga activities, a Choose-Your-Own adventure, and a birthday singing – all recorded for your viewing pleasure later. Hire My Fairytale Party to have your child’s favorite princess, hero, or character sing, read, and play games with your group. Sammie & Tudie’s Imagination Playhouse offers an interactive 30-minute Zoom “comedy magic circus” geared toward ages 3 to 8. Kids ages 7+ can make a clay creation – like a bird, shark, dish, cupcake, or dinosaur — led by Clay Art Center or you can have your group make something yummier (like pizza, soft pretzels, muffins, or cookies) along with Taste Buds Kitchen.

Shine Party Boxes Make Your Social Distancing Event Special

This summer, we are pleased to offer the best in high-quality child birthday entertainment, whether you’re celebrating in the backyard with a small group or connecting virtually with friends from afar.

Custom Curated Birthday Party Boxes have been in high demand during quarantine. It’s the next best thing to a fully hosted event. We’ll create custom curated party boxes based on whatever theme you’d like and send them out to all the kids attending your virtual party.

Our first-ever party box, delivered to the birthday child and each invited guest, featured a jolly good pirate theme, complete with costumes, props, treasure maps, gold doubloons, treasure, stickers, tattoos, and all the art supplies needed to make our signature treasure chest craft.

On the day of your event, we’ll dress the part, singing, dancing, and performing live music to complement your theme. Our programming is highly customizable with games, surprise character visits, and baking or crafting activities. We’ll work with you to ensure your child feels attended to on this momentous occasion.

Other Shine birthday options include:

  • Online classes – Enjoy our signature mix of art, music, cooking, crafts, exercise, and more from the comfort of your own home – in a private family session or with friends!
  • Craft bags – Shine Director Aaron Goldschmidt leads engaging Zoom classes paired with craft bags delivered to the homes of all party attendees. Complete up to four signature Shine crafts. We’ve done lanterns, wreaths, decorated journals, puppets, masks, flower pots, vases, bird feeders, tie-dye, bridge paintings, sand art, and more. Check out our quarantine craft bag highlight to see some of what we offer.
  • Private day camps – Host up to eight kids (ages 4-11) with activities ranging from arts and crafts, outdoor science, and nature exploration, to sports and games, percussion workshops, and educational programming. Space is very limited, so email info@shinenyc.net to reserve your spot asap!

We want to help you through this difficult time! Call 212-414-5427 or email info@shinenyc.net to learn more about offerings, options, and pricing.

3 Boredom-Busting Enrichment Activities for Kids in Quarantine

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Kids are plenty busy with school, but eventually the classes will drop off into the ambiguity of a quarantine summertime. What does that mean? Normally, it’s all swimming pools, playgrounds, amusement parks, museums, themed camps, and events. Maintaining structure and “student” status throughout the downtime will help your child return to the daily grind with ease in September.

The Case for Boredom-Busting

NY Times columnists may opine that “Boredom teaches us that life isn’t a parade of amusements,” while spawning positive traits like creativity and self-sufficiency. However, there is a difference between scheduling a bit of downtime and absolute boredom.

Downtime can be thought of as periods of time where there are no scheduled activities, but the use of devices is not permitted. It is a period set aside for recreation and renewal. Examples of downtime activities include bike riding, playdates, book reading, cooking, digging in the sandbox, dress up theater, or Lego building. There is value in providing room for unstructured activities and stoking creative passions. For younger children, you can provide this atmosphere by rotating toys in and out of storage, mandating outdoor time each day, rotating new books in and out of circulation, including kids in family chore time, and planning quality time activities on the weekends.

On the other hand, boredom can be dangerous. As the Institute for Family Studies points out:

  • Bored elementary-aged students perform poorer in school, suffer from low attentiveness and poor recall, and generally put in less effort.
  • Bored teens are more likely to quit school and pick up vices like smoking, drinking, or street drugs. They are at risk of becoming binge eaters, speeders, or depressed.
  • Bored college students suffer from lack of purpose and diminished life satisfaction.

In one study, participants overwhelmingly chose to self-administer electric shocks than to sit and endure boredom. Think about that for a minute! Clearly, boredom leads to poor choices.

You don’t want to be the parent that runs each day like a drill sergeant, scheduled to the minute. However, you don’t want your child moping around all summer complaining, “I’m bored.” Instead, strive for a moderate approach. Sprinkling a few enriching activities into your child’s schedule helps add purpose and meaning to the days. These endeavors build competence, character, capability, and competence. They build bridges of opportunity and keep the mind sharp, while fostering passions and exploration.

How To Enrich Your Child’s Education Over The Summer

Shine offers a number of ways to enrich your child’s education and bust boredom this summer:

1. Virtual Music Lessons

Shine offers online music classes for:

  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Bass
  • Ukulele
  • Drums

Should your child take music this summer?

Scientists have called music “a breakthrough” for children ages two to nine. After 15 months of weekly instruction, children improve in fine motor skills, spatial intelligence, and sound discrimination abilities.

By age six, young musicians score at least three IQ points higher than their peers. (That three point difference can make the difference between being a clerk and being a manager.) On average, children in music education programs score about 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher on standardized math tests.

As we’ve explained in the past, music gives children a better understanding of themselves by emphasizing how emotions can be expressed nonverbally through music.

Benefits of virtual music lessons

Most students opt for one-on-one lessons, but we can also do group concerts and dance parties for kids who are missing out on the social aspect of school music class.

The video chats are much more fun than solo study and filling out practice charts on Google Classroom. Between lessons, students can use a smart software app to hone the skills they’ve learned.

Virtual lessons can be tailored for individual students, whether they appreciate the classics or have a penchant for modern music styles. Teacher rapport and real-time feedback ensures that instrument time is a fun, interactive part of the day.

The one-on-one time and personal attention goes above and beyond what kids typically get out of school music education or an app subscription, which makes all the difference in terms of motivation. 

2. Second Language Lessons

Shine is offering online lessons at all levels for:

  • SPANISH
  • MANDARIN

Should your child take language lessons this summer?

There are numerous benefits to learning a second language. Sure, your child will be more prepared for college and job opportunities one day, but language proficiency goes beyond the obvious. Research shows kids who can speak more than one language have denser gray matter – the part of the brain associated with emotional regulation, impulse control, and decision making. They grow up to be more empathic and better at problem-solving than peers who only speak their native tongue.

  • Why Spanish? With 33 million native speakers, Spanish is the second most common language spoken in the U.S. It’s relatively easy to use, as 30% of English words derive from the same Latin roots as Spanish words.
  • Why Mandarin? Your child will be in good global company, as 873 million people speak Mandarin worldwide. Many kids love learning the beautiful artistic brushstrokes of writing Mandarin. In a sense, Mandarin is easy without verbs, plurals, tenses, or conjugations.

Benefits of virtual language instruction

Online language lessons allows children to learn at their own pace. We not only provide vocabulary, but strive to enhance your child’s reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills.

We use a variety of multimedia and teach about the cultures behind these languages to spark curiosity and interest. Our classes are designed to engage and inspire.

While apps are gamified and fun, kids do not receive the same individual feedback, social interaction, and self-esteem boost as they do when working remotely with a teacher.  

3. Zoom Craft Sessions  

Shine is offering:

  • Curated craft bags geared toward ages 4-11, shipped to your home
  • Group online art classes
  • Private online art instruction

Should your child pick up crafting this summer?

Young children gain fine motor skills when they dabble in art. Whether your child is two or a teenager, the sense of emotional gratification of artistic expression is strong. Artistic exploration encourages children to engage in their senses, make thoughtful decisions, reflect upon natural beauty, and express their feelings.

According to PBS, young people who participate in the arts three hours a day three days a week for at least a year are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, participate in math/science fairs, or win a writing award.

Benefits of Zoom craft sessions and craft bags

If you haven’t seen our craft bags yet, check out this video on Instagram. They are chock full of creative free-flow materials, unique projects, and curated colors! We save you the time and hassle of researching what to do or going to the store to buy materials. You can use the materials as you wish, follow the tutorial, or hop on a Zoom group class for the social benefits.

Maybe your child has an interest in drawing, painting, fashion design, or culinary arts. Any type of art class can be explored with Shine’s individual lessons online. Our art projects make great gifts for birthdays, holidays, end-of-year teacher presents, cheering up relatives, and cherishing as mementos.

Our virtual group parties have been wildly popular for child birthday parties. We can ship out supply bags to your whole crew in advance of your child’s birthday and lead the group through a fun and special event, just as we would if we could be there in person. Unfortunately, you’ll be in charge of cleanup this time, but we do include plastic table cloths to keep the mess to a minimum. To see the joy on your child’s face as they share in a new experience with friends over Zoom will be well worth it.

Don’t sit idle all summer. Engage and inspire with Shine’s boredom busters including our craft bags and online classes!

5 Simple Things You and Your Kids Can Do To Give Back During the COVID-19 Quarantine

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“The darker the storm, the brighter the rainbow.”

By now, you’ve had a few weeks to adjust to the “new normal.” You likely have a routine, you’ve explained the situation to your children, and you’re busy keeping up with school work. Yet, you may also be feeling tinges of emptiness, anxiety, or helplessness. During a time of crisis, it can be cathartic to reach out to others. Use this time productively to demonstrate the kindness, charity, and thoughtfulness you want your kids to assimilate. Joining together in a service project bonds the family closer together and helps your children with anxiety and boredom as well. 

1. Take care of your own.

First and foremost, practice social distancing! By now, scientists have talked until they’re blue in the face about the dire need of flattening the curve by staying at home with your immediate family members. With reduced work hours and homeschooling in full effect, you’re likely to be spending a LOT more family time these days.

However, don’t forget about family members who may be missing your family or enduring the quarantine in complete isolation from others. Make it a habit – if not daily, then at least weekly – to catch up with grandparents, cousins, friends, or even your child’s classmates.

Many people are using FaceTime, Zoom, or the House Party app to visually connect with others. You can also tape video messages on your smartphone and text them directly to others. Another alternative (for longer videos) is to upload them to YouTube, list them as “unshared” to keep them unsearchable, and send the link to your desired recipient via text or email. You can also create beautiful works of art with the kids to mail to loved ones the old-fashioned way with a stamp. Share a little bit of your day with other parents who are also feeling their way through this Brave New World of homeschooling.

2. Lend a helping hand to your neighbors.

Consider what you can do for your neighbors, particularly the elderly or homebound. Use this template to print out viral kindness postcards to place in mailboxes, offering assistance – whether it’s picking up a few items from the store, completing yard work, or making a friendly wellness call.

If you’re feeling too cooped up and need to get out into the community, New York Cares is in need of volunteers to help with a number of projects. You might pack meal bags for delivery to seniors, bag produce, or serve at a local food pantry. 

Show your support for neighborhood walkers by posting one of these popular rainbow signs in your window with an encouraging message. Some kids are also using sidewalk chalk to write messages of cheer, hope, love, and togetherness. You might consider thanking “essential personnel” that may be coming to your home, such as a postal worker or delivery person.

3. Make sure there’s enough food for everyone.

A number of organizations are providing for the hungry. More than 80,000 New Yorkers filed for unemployment in March, so we can only assume the number of people who suddenly can’t afford groceries is skyrocketing similarly. You can feed five people for $1 with your donation to The Food Bank of NYC.

Make it a family affair by using this opportunity to talk to your kids about the importance of giving money to local food banks. You might read a book like Maddi’s Fridge or Last Stop on Market Street to help younger child understand that some children are less fortunate, particularly during economic downturns like the one we’re facing now. 

Charities like City Harvest openly encourage young volunteerism. Kids can get involved with the “Draw Hope To Drive Hope” campaign by: coloring or designing a donation food truck or lunch bag. Socially share using hashtag #WeAreCityHarvest to raise awareness, then mail the finished illustration to drivers on the front lines at drawhope@cityharvest.org or City Harvest Food Rescue Facility, 55-01 2nd Street, Queens NY 11101, ATTN: Francesca. Do your part by sending in a financial contribution; just $15 feeds 55 children for a day. You can double your donation amount by texting LUNCH to 20222, which will not only make a $15 donation, but will include a matched amount from Danone North America (up to $100K).

Of course, you’d hate to hear that all your favorite restaurants have gone out of business after this is all over. Order out from your favorite NYC eatery offering takeout at least once a week to support your local community. As an added bonus, you can donate to restaurants that are raising funds to feed busy healthcare workers.

4. Adopt a pet.

Now that you are spending more time at home, it could be the right time to expand your family. Adopting a pet is a loving gesture that your kids will really enjoy. New animals require lots of attention during their initial adjustment phase, with a structured routine, lots of play, and daily training sessions. Be sure you specifically check off the box to search “good with children.”

Animal Care Centers of NYC is not allowing tours of the buildings as per usual, but if you see a pet that pulls at your heart strands on their website, a care coordinator can set up a meeting. You may also consider donating animal food, cleaning supplies, bedding, leashes, collars, and bowls to a local animal shelter. They are always in need.

5. Help classmates celebrate their birthdays.

It can be difficult for children to cope with having a quarantine birthday. They miss out on all the special treats they’ve seen other kids receive on their birthdays earlier in the school year – be it a crown, a special song, or cupcakes brought in by parents. They may also be missing out on a party with friends, presents, and a place they really love.

Reach out to your child’s teacher to find out who is celebrating a birthday coming up. For classmates your child is not besties with, you can simply create a “Happy Birthday” sign to send virtually – or you might record a video to pass along. Organizing a virtual Zoom Party can be a fun way to get the whole class together, at least for a song.

For friends, cousins, and classmates your child is closer to, you might consider sending a small gift and calling them up for a video chat. Some families do car parades, sending their drive-by wishes, honking horns. You might place balloons on a porch railing, decorate the yard, or draw chalk messages in their driveways (with parental permission, of course!) 

If your child is the one having a quarantine birthday, consider different ways to make the day special. Create a balloon waterfall to rain down on your child when he or she opens the door in the morning. Pick a theme. For instance, you might pitch a tent and have a pretend campout at home or set up a projection screen movie. Set up a scavenger hunt where one present leads to another throughout the house and yard. Spend the day cooking a favorite ethnic meal or baking together, filming your child’s contribution like a cooking show. FaceTime with friends and family throughout the day. Families have been doing dress-up princess tea parties, beach parties with blow-up pools full of pillows and blankets in the living room, and ice cream sundaes.

We look forward to seeing you in our classes and workshops after the quarantine is over! 

And while still in quarantine, click here to learn more about our craft bags and online classes!

Caregiving for Our Beautiful, Unique Children on the Spectrum in the Time of Covid-19

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One in 59 Americans fall somewhere on the Autism Spectrum. April is National Autism Awareness Month with the theme of “Celebrating our Differences.” The upending of routines, support services, and positive outlets during these unprecedented times is acutely felt by your child right now. While autism affects people in different ways, there are a few common experiences: a child with autism may feel overwhelmed by changes in routine, suffer information overload, or experience increased anxiety.

Perhaps you are also feeling very much that way right now! If you’ve found your way here, we know you are patient, kind, and committed to meeting this challenge head-on. We offer the following suggestions and coping strategies as a general guideline. Perhaps not everything will be the right fit for your home, but take what you can and do reach out to your child’s school or a local autism group if your needs go beyond these recommendations. 

Set a Schedule.

Establishing a “new normal” with a predictable schedule is paramount to stable life at home. Pajama days are fun for the weekend, but you don’t want “slouching” to become the new normal. It’s okay to sleep in a bit later to ensure your child is well-rested, but set the expectation that you will all get up, get dressed, and have breakfast like usual.

It helps to do something that signifies the start of the school day. While you’d normally get in your car and drive to school, perhaps you take a brief walk around the block to get fresh morning air into your lungs and mentally prepare for the day.

A manageable at-home routine might include:

  • School work – This is best done early, while your child is fresh. If your child starts to feel restless, try an exercise break, rather than pushing too hard.
  • Exercise – Take as many short exercise breaks as you can throughout the day!
  • Lunch – Enjoy your favorite balanced meal of protein, fruit, veggie, and fun snack. 
  • Activity – While you’re resting and digesting, give your child a puzzle to do or play a board game together. If you have household chores to do, invite your child to help. Baking together is a pleasant way to spend time together. (Here are some family-friendly recipes for the upcoming Eastern Orthodox Easter, Cinco de Mayo or National Puerto Rican Day.)
  • Downtime – Offer an hour of device or TV time. Some families are taking this time to learn a new hobby like watercolor painting, digital piano playing, or knitting. Reading or listening to an audiobook could be a nice, quiet activity before dinner and bedtime routine.
  • Social time – Setting up a weekly Zoom chat with family members, cousins, or friends from school can help your child practice social skills, combat feelings of loneliness, and share what he or she has been doing over this extended break.

Every day may not be perfect, but do your best to remain consistent and you’ll see your child thrive on the new schedule in no time.

Create visual cues.

Try to stay consistent each day. Make several visual charts for your child’s reference:

  • Communication of Expectations — “First chicken nuggets, then ice cream,” or “First puzzle, then iPad,” or “First get dressed, then brush teeth.”
  • Daily Schedule — There are many different types of visual schedules — or create your own!
  • Bathroom Etiquette – Use toilet? Use paper? Flush? Wash hands?
  • Meal Time Talk – How was your day? Today I ________. Please pass the _______.
  • Meal Etiquette – Small bites. Lips together. Look up.
  • Door Reminders – “Close door when finished” can help keep your fridge cold.
  • Time – Use a colorful sand timer to provide a sense of moving along from task to task.

Visual cues give your child greater sense of certainty, control, and ownership over the day. 

Communicate open and honestly.

Older children may be full of questions and anxiety at this time. They will look to you to be the confident, protective leader that grounds them. Explain that you will have your schedule, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stay safe. (Check out our guide on how to talk to kids about Covid here!) 

Design a space.

Now that your child will be home all day, take a room by room assessment to determine if added childproofing must be done. For instance, you may need to tuck away medications or other dangerous items, fasten furniture to the wall, block off stairs, or lock windows and doors.

Beyond basic safety, your child will appreciate having a distinctive working space – a worktable, a cozy sensory pea pod reading nook, or just someplace relaxing where distractions are minimal. Work in natural and dimmable lighting, as well as natural accents like plants or a hammock, if possible. Use a desk caddy or rolling craft organizer to arrange supplies.  

Move every day, without exception.

Getting outside is ideal. Kick a soccer ball in the backyard. Playing frisbee or hopscotch. Take a walk around the neighborhood or local park (being mindful of social distancing, of course.) If it’s cool or rainy outside, try fun GoNoodle dancing or Cosmic Kids Yoga for mindful movement. 

Address the challenges.

Telehealth support using video-based consultations can be helpful for handling challenging behaviors. It can be helpful to jot down “What happened,” “What it looked like,” and “What happened afterward” to relay to your support team, so they can help you identify patterns and progress. 

Reward good behavior.

There are many ways to work positive incentives into the day.

  • Sticker Charts – Some children respond well to sticker charts that lead to a special book, small toy, or choice activity. You can tailor these charts to your child’s particular area of difficulty. For instance, you might award a sticker for every 30 minutes spent on-task, or for getting through the transition from bath to pajamas without a fuss.
  • Choice Box – When your child seems restless or disengaged, use a fun Choice Box to ignite focus again. Rotate the items from day to day, such as fidget spinners, stress relievers, spinning tops, rainbow scratch art pads, Play Doh, sticker books, puzzles, finger paints, light-up toys, stuffed animals, music instruments, essential oil smelling bottles, pipe-cleaners, puppets, bubbles, or whatever is of interest to your particular child. 
  • Bonding – We all have our struggles. Maybe your child is struggling to finish a journal entry or trying hard to reduce Echolalia. Be sure to recognize your child’s efforts and celebrate small victories with a hug, praise, a living room dance party, ice cream social, or a popcorn-and-movie night. 

In all of this, remember to be kind to yourself and take a moment to breathe… to just BE. It’s helpful to have goals, but we don’t want our schedules to run over us like a steamroller. If one day your child wants to bake cookies, play with Play Doh, and run in the wet grass, FLEX. Tomorrow is another day. Some days will be more productive than others, whether you are a family supporting someone on the spectrum or not. In those trying moments, all you can do is your best. You may have to step out of the room to belly breathe or you may have to dial moral support from time to time. That doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. Though you are focused on caregiving for your child, remember to eat well, get your rest, stay active, limit news consumption, and set goals for yourself, too. Carve out small pockets of time to use with purpose and do an activity that centers you. When all this is over, you always have a home at Shine. Stay safe out there!   

10 Nature Walk Games and Activities

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A breath of fresh air is a precious gift. With quarantine measures still in effect, there has never been a better time to take a nature walk with your family. Be sure to travel with just the members of your immediate household (now is not the time for a play date meet up!) and stay at least six feet away from others. Choose less-traveled trails and be sure to follow updated NPS guidelines.  

10 Fun Family Nature Walk Games and Activities

Many children thrive on the freedom of running down wide open paths, climbing on logs, examining animal tracks, and spotting wildflowers. Depending on the day or the kid, a nature walk may not be as enjoyable for your child as it is for you – particularly if there is no playground in sight. It won’t be long before little legs tire and your four-year-old is begging to be carried. These games and activities can help distract your child to the point of fun to avoid potential meltdowns. (Note: Having water and snacks handy and allowing moments of rest help, too!)

  • Five Senses Observation: Encourage your nature walker to be more in tune with the five senses like our animal friends. Ask the children to listen with their “deer ears” by cupping their hands around their ears, palms forward, to hear what’s ahead – or palms backward to hear what’s behind them. Look with your “owl eyes,” forming binoculars with your hands, to imitate the fixed-forward stare of an owl. Moisten your “dog noses” with a little water from your bottles to “smell better,” whether it’s bark, leaves, trees, or flowers. Use your “snake tongues” to taste the air, sense which way the wind is blowing, or gauge the temperature. Tiptoe on “fox feet” to observe birds or bunnies on the trail without disturbing them.
  • Giddy-up: Encourage your children to pretend they are riding “horsies” down the trails. Have them locate sources of food and water for their pets, make gates out of natural materials, and use secret passwords to pass through. You can also pretend you’re on the Oregon Trail with your caravan of wagons, trying to survive the obstacles and dangers you stumble across. The Choose Your Own Adventure books can be a fun way to get kids excited for the pretend trip.  
  • Play Doh: Simply bringing a lump of Play Doh or soft molding clay on your walk can change the whole experience. Start off by showing the kids how acorns, rocks, branches, leaves, and bark can make different imprints. Take turns making prints and guessing what the original object was. You’ll find the game slows down even the busiest toddlers, causing them to think more deeply about the little visuals along the path, rather than simply racing to get around the next curve. Kids can also make faces using natural objects with their pieces of dough. 
  • GoFindIt: A pack of cards is an easy accessory for your walk. Each card has a word to inspire creative scavenger-hunting, such as “furry” “red,” “thin” or “crunch.” Smaller children can try to find one card at a time, while older kids could look for up to 10 items at a time or even compete in teams. 
  • Nifty Nature Belts: Nature walk veteran parents swear by bringing a backpack, pail, or jacket with deep pockets at the very least for all those treasures your kids want to collect along the way. If you like to travel light and don’t want to end up carrying all these cherished trinkets eventually, try outfitting your child in a belt made of Duct tape (sticky side out). Pebbles, flowers, sticks, fossils, moss, leaves – these can all be brought along on the nifty nature belt, much to your amateur designer’s delight.
  • Ninja Nature: Not everyone is inclined to stop and smell the roses. For the most active child, the delight of a nature walk is found in physical interaction with objects and spaces. The Ninja Nature Scavenger Hunt invites your family to find: a log to balance on, a tree to climb, a puddle to jump over, a rock to throw in the creek, an incline to climb up, a path to skip down, an open area to run in, a grassy hill to roll down, a rock to jump off, and a shady tree to rest beneath. Print a copy of the list to check off the items as you go.
  • Follow the Leader: Kids like to be large and in charge. Let them take turns leading your way. Encourage them to reasonably venture off-the-beaten-path around fallen logs and over rocks. Allow your child to dictate how people follow – be it skipping, clapping, humming a song, thumping your chest like a gorilla, lumbering like an elephant, flapping your arms like a bird, staggering like a zombie, moving in cheetah speed, or crawling at a turtle’s pace. Switch leaders after a set amount of time or at a particular landmark.
  • Photo Walk: There are kid-friendly photo and video cameras on the market for all budgets and style preferences. If you’re the sort of person who takes a lot of family photos, no doubt your kids have picked up on that and would like to emulate your adult behavior. Empowering them with user-friendly point-and-shoot cameras can open the world of possibility, where they are the stars of their own nature program. It can be interesting to see the world through their perspective. For a fun twist, have your adventurer walk ahead on the trail and take a close-up of an object along the trail – fungi, crack in the rock, or knot in the tree, for example – and have the group try to located it. Another fun idea is to allow your child to bring a favorite model dinosaur or stuffie to photograph on various adventures along the way.
  • Camera: You don’t necessarily need to bring a camera with you to create this fun game. Designate one person a “camera” and another person a “photographer.” The cameras closes their eyes and walk slowly, guided by the photographers, to a special location. The photographer can have the camera crouch down or turn to face a particular view. As soon as the proper positioning is achieved, the photographers lightly tap the cameras on their heads and the cameras take in the view for a few seconds. Cameras and photographers can then switch roles. At the end of the exercise, the group gets together to talk about the “photos” they took and what made the “pictures” unique or special.
  • Geocaching: Geocaching turns your phone or GPS device into a compass directing you to real treasure hidden by others active in the sport. The prizes can be anything from a Matchbox car, to a piece of costume jewelry, to stickers, to books. Some containers are meant to be viewed and logged with your name and date into the small notebook provided in the cache. Other geocache might run by a “take one, leave one” system, so you’ll want to bring a few small items with you to leave just in case. There are multiple sites, each with its own unique twist. You’ll find the most listings at Geocaching.com, but you’ll need to become a paying member for access to all features. Opencaching.us has fewer listings, but all features are accessible for free. Terracaching.com favors scenic, but remote, locations and offers a competitive leaderboard system for avid fans. Not only is there this “secret world” to unearth, but the navigation often takes you to scenic and historic places you may not have otherwise discovered.

Why Hike? Nature Is Medicine!

Perhaps the fact that there’s nothing else to do is an excuse to break out of habit and spend more time than usual outdoors. There are many compelling reasons to make family walks part of your routine going forward, however. 

  • Physical and Mental Fatigue: Though it may seem counterintuitive, hiking is actually one of the best fatigue treatments, according to Dr. Mike Evans, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto. Numerous studies have demonstrated that children perform better on attentional tasks after taking a walk in a park setting, which allowed for involuntary attention as their minds wandered to whatever stimuli beckoned from the surrounding environment. “Attention Restoration Theory” posits that nature walks in forests and wide open spaces – as opposed to urban city walks, for example –gives us the opportunity to rest, reflect, and restore ourselves.
  • Heart Health: In a Japanese study of 280 participants, walking in the woods decreased cortisol concentrations by more than 15%, reduces average pulse by 4%, and decreases blood pressure by 2%.
  • Weight Management: An hour of leisurely walking can burn 292 calories. Add in a few inclines, uneven terrain, obstacles, and increases in pace to burn up to 433 with a more arduous “hike.”   
  • Immune System Function: After spending a weekend camping in the woods, a group of Tokyo researchers measured significantly higher amounts of cancer-fighting Natural Killer cells that lasted in their immune systems for a month.

April 22nd is Earth Day, so get out there and enjoy the blessings Mother Nature has to offer.

Storytelling Activities for World Storytelling Day

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World Storytelling Day is celebrated on the spring equinox and during the following week. This year’s festivities kick off Friday, March 20th and the 2020 theme is “Voyages.”

Storytelling has played an integral role in passing on cultural knowledge, beliefs, and traditions from one generation to the next. Without cave paintings, Bard stories, or recorded myths, so much human history would be lost forever.

Consider the many ways storytelling enriched the lives of people around the world:

  • Thanks to early storytellers like Aesop and Homer, the ancient Greeks were familiar with stories dating back to 12th century BCE.
  • Ancient Egyptians told detailed narratives about life, death, and their belief in an afterlife in picture form, as preserved hieroglyphics show.
  • In medieval Europe, troubadours relayed histories and information about neighboring communities, as well as presenting topics for political debate.
  • The Norse Viking sagas were the culmination of nearly 300 years of oral storytelling tradition by the time they were finally published and shared with the world.
  • Storytelling saved the life of Scheherazade, the heroine of 1,001 Arabian Nights.
  • In West African regions, griot storytellers served as historians and politicians – a tradition still thriving in Mali, Senegal, and Gambia.
  • In Australia, Aboriginal storytellers were performance artists who entertained during the long, dark winter months.
  • The Native Americans used stories as a way of imparting values, character traits, and tribal identity upon their young.

What started as Sweden’s “Alla Berättares Dag” (All Narrators Day) in 1991 has now spread around the globe from South Africa and Singapore, to Canada and Croatia. As Indian storyteller Vyasa said in the poem Mahabharata: “If you listen [to a story] carefully, at the end, you’ll be someone else.”

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate World Storytelling Day in 2020, consider one of these activities…

1. Learn the art of storytelling.

The Art of Storytelling by Pixar was produced with Khan Academy to take students on a full curriculum of using human interest and emotion to tell a story. Filmmakers from Pixar share insights into how to develop storytelling skills that can be particularly useful in the elementary school years. The videos are just three or four minutes long per section and are followed by writing prompts and activities that facilitate learning. The idea that “we are all storytellers” is a meaningful point to share with our children.

2. Play a game.

The award-winning “Tall Tales” game inspires your family’s storytelling by providing thought-provoking settings and characters. The rest is left to your imagination! Younger children will immediately launch into free play, while older kids might find inspiration in the five rule variations. Small figurines come with the game, so it is recommended for children past the age of putting random objects into their mouths.

3. Write your own creative “voyage” story as a group.

Folding stories were classic 80s sleepover games. The story begins with a title or opening line prompt. Each person writes two lines of text. Ideally, the last sentence will end abruptly to leave a thought-provoking start for the next player. The paper is folded so each of the players can only see what the person immediately before them has written. Once the paper gets around the group a few times, the first writer will read the whole story from start to finish.

Here are 15 story prompt ideas to get you started…

  • I don’t know how I am going to get home. Worse yet, I am alone and have to…
  • The water is always calm when I go out at 4 a.m…
  • Many things get the hair on the back of my neck up, but nothing more so than…
  • From behind a lacy curtain she watched as four riders galloped toward the house…
  • There are a few rules to live by if you want to survive an overseas voyage on this ship…
  • When I opened my eyes, I found myself sitting…
  • The rain fell hard, for the third week in a row…
  • The moment I stepped out of the plane, I knew I had come to the wrong place…
  • I don’t know the first thing about flying a hot air balloon, and yet, here I am…
  • My hair blew back in exhilarating fashion with each beat of the Pegasus’ wings…
  • The only thing that could get me back to that island is gold… well, and love for adventure…
  • The entire city was in ruins…
  • “Pssst, wake up,” someone said into my ear in the dead of night. “I have a mission for you…”
  • There’s an island where all lost items turn up. I woke up, cold and wet, on the beach…
  • Humans return from Mars for the first time. But something is not quite right about them…

4. Read with your children.

There are countless literary “voyages” you can take with your children. Perhaps you have favorite stories you read in your childhood you’d like to share with your children. The New York Public Library’s list of most-checked-out books of all time is likely to remind you of a few! Otherwise, try these:

Why: Dive into 10 classic folk tales from India, China, Japan, the US, England, Scandinavia, Russia, Greece, the Middle East, and South Africa, which feature interesting characters like a talking tree, an ill-tempered genie, and a greedy witch. Kids will love the bold, colorful illustrations that accompany each story.

Ideal Ages: 3-8

Why: Geronimo Stilton is the publisher of The Rodent’s Gazette newspaper. In this colorful, 320-page adventure, he returns to the Kingdom of Fantasy to find the land plagued by endless winter. He travels by magical talking ship, hoping to restore peace and springtime to the land by contending with a threatening volcano and rescuing the Queen of the Fairies.

Ideal Ages: 5-8

Why: These picture books combine charming illustrations with simple explanations of the sights, character, and traditions of each region covered. 

Ideal Ages: 5-8

Why: In this chapter book, the voyage of Doctor Dolittle is told by 9-year-old Tommy Stubbins, a crewman and naturalist accompanying the animal healer to Spidermonkey Island. After surviving a perilous shipwreck, Doctor Dolittle, Polynesia the parrot, and Chee-Chee the monkey meet a wondrous sea snail who holds the key to a great mystery. Parents and children alike will enjoy this adventure from start to finish. Afterward, you can watch the movie!

Ideal Ages: 8-12

Why: The reader is not just a passive entity in these unique books. The reader acts as decision maker and storyteller as well, choosing which actions the characters should take to determine the end of the story. With the original R.A. Montgomery series, you and your child can journey through the jungle, Mayan ruins, under the sea, the highest mountain peaks, and even out of this world, into space. With the Oregon Trail books, you can voyage across America in a covered wagon circa 1850, while trying to avoid perilous conditions from wild animals and natural disasters, to strangers, and sicknesses – with 22 different endings to choose from. 

Ideal Ages: 8-12

Why: This treasury combines myths, fairy tales, and legends from around the globe with a story for every week of the year. The 12 chapters correspond with the 12 months of the year and match stories to important holidays, festivals, events, and seasonal themes.

Ideal Ages: 8-12

5. Speak with an elder.

If your child has grandparents living, plan a day to visit and hear stories from the older person’s life.

You can use these prompts to get grandma or grandpa recalling childhood memories:

  • What’s your earliest childhood memory?
  • Who was your best friend? What did you do together?
  • What places do you remember fondly?
  • Describe your mother’s kitchen. What were family dinners like?
  • Describe the most unusual place you have lived or visited.
  • Were you ever injured or ill during your childhood? What was that experience like?
  • Do you have any quirky relatives in your family tree? Tell us about them.
  • What values did your parents try to instill in you as a child?
  • What sayings or expressions did you hear often while growing up?
  • Describe your most memorable family vacation.
  • Describe your favorite holiday traditions.
  • What was your most beloved toy like?
  • How are you and your parents alike or different?
  • What personal achievements made you proud?
  • What was one lesson you learned the hard way?

All and all, World Storytelling Day is the ideal opportunity to focus on reading, writing, and recollecting. You can find many, many more ideas at StoryArts.org that are ideal for the classroom or at home. If you’d like to carry on the tradition, consider joining one of Shine’s workshops or year-round classes, where we combine storytelling, music, art, cooking, and play from cultures around the world.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus

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The global pandemic is all over the news, social media, and the tips of the tongue these days. It’s impossible to escape. For young children, the idea of a virus sweeping the world can be an overwhelming, anxiety-provoking topic. They may worry about catching it themselves and dying, or about its impact on friends and family. They might feel sad or confused about school closing.

As a parent, it’s natural to want to shelter our children from the unpleasantries of life. We don’t want them to panic or take on adult concerns as their own. However, protecting kids from the news headlines doesn’t do them any favors.

As Mister Rogers once said, “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” By that token, we’re not only helping our children cope with changes in their world, but we’re helping ourselves too.

We’ve compiled the best expert tips for how to talk to your kids about coronavirus…

1. Find out what they know and what concerns they have.

Chances are, your kids have already heard the term “coronavirus” thrown around at school. They might have played a game of tag where they “catch the virus,” rather than tagging “it.” Or the teacher might be a little extra fanatical about handwashing and sanitizing. Some schools may be handing out gloves and masks or showing videos about how viruses spread. Older children may have witnessed xenophobic bullying.

Though they may not fully understand it or know how seriously to take the threat, they are undoubtedly beginning to notice how it affects their daily lives, as schools close and events cancel. Their imaginations may begin to run wild with possibilities.  

You might ask an open-ended question such as, “What have you heard about coronavirus?” or “Do you have any questions about coronavirus?” If they’ve brought it up, you might say, “It sounds like you’re worried. Can you tell me what you’re worried about?” Take this opportunity to clear up any misconceptions they have and address anxieties. 

2. Stick to the honest facts and then reassure them.

If your kids have no idea what coronavirus is or what its spread through communities means, start with a few simple facts. You might explain, “Virus germs cause different illnesses that spread from person to person. You know, like a cold or the flu or a throwing up sickness? It’s like that, but a little more serious.”

“Coronavirus is a new one that has started to affect people, mainly in other countries, but a few people here. Because we are still working on the medicines to cure it, people are concerned about limiting the spread in our communities. So we’re taking extra steps to stay safe.”

To date, no children under age 10 have died from coronavirus. For ages 10 to 39, the risk of fatal complications is just 0.2 percent. Let your child know, “For most people, the new coronavirus results in only mild or moderate symptoms like a fever and a cough. Most people get better after a few weeks. Older people and people with existing health problems might become sicker with pneumonia.”

Some kids may worry about grandma and grandpa or even mom and dad. To that end, you can simply say, “We are taking good care of ourselves and plan to live a very long time.” Younger kids, in particular, do not need to know all the latest information, as much as they need to be reassured that they are safe and life will continue as normally as possible. If your child has questions about why people are wearing masks, you can explain that government health officials from the CDC say “masks are not necessary for most people,” but these individuals are “choosing to be extra-cautious.”

It’s okay to let kids know you’re worried. You don’t want to brush off their feelings either. “It’s okay to feel a little scared. When I first heard about it, I was scared too.” Put the fear into context by saying, “But it isn’t much scarier than the things we deal with every day” or “But we’re doing what we can to stay healthy.” Let them know how you’re coping and how they can alleviate some of their stress. “Going outside and playing with the dog helped me feel better,” you might say.

Sometimes it’s easiest to explain with the use of age-appropriate visual aids as a guide. NPR has an awesome comic that explains the basics of coronavirus. BrainPOPhas educational games, activities, and a cartoon illustrating how viruses spread, so kids can understand what’s going on without excessive alarm.

Beware of information overload, but you can keep a pulse on the latest COVID-19 developments with Accuweather’s Daily Briefings, the NY Times website, or the World Health Organization updates.

3. Emphasize healthy hygiene habits and how to stay safe.

“It’s important for kids to understand that they have a role to play in this,” explains Christina Chang, CEO of global health organization Vital Strategies. Kids feel empowered when they have steps they can take to stay safe and prevent germ spread. Chang adds, “This is big and has a lot of unknowns, but there is some element of control. The things that keep you safe and healthy every day are the same habits that are going to keep you healthy through this outbreak.”

Emphasize handwashing hygiene, using soap for at least 20 seconds (during which time they can sing a brief song of their choice), getting in between fingers and under nails, and drying hands thoroughly after rinsing. Hands should be washed upon entering the house, before meals, after a cough or sneeze, after using the bathroom, and after taking public transportation or shopping.

Remind your kids to keep hands out of their eyes, noses, and mouths. Teach them that the skin is a barrier to germs, but these other body parts can act as “doors” or “windows” for germs to get inside, so it’s important that they tell their hands “no” to picking noses, biting nails, and rubbing eyes. Give them alternatives like tissues, chewing necklaces, and eye drops.

Teach proper sneezing technique. Some day cares tell kids to “sneeze into your chicken wing,” which is a funny way of describing the inner bend of the elbow. They laugh and remember it more easily.  

The Public Broadcasting Station offers video clips, songs, games, and apps from Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street, Curious George, and Super WHY! that emphasize how to wash hands, sneeze into an elbow, and fight germs through healthy hygiene habits.

4. Take care of your minds and bodies.

Limits placed on social activities can be stressful for small children and yourself.

Take care to get outside every day, even if it’s just for a brief bundled-up, umbrella-carrying, 10-minute walk. The sunshine and fresh air can boost your mental health.

Indoor activities like Go Noodle exercises and Skyping or Facetiming friends can take the edge off the sense of confinement.

Try to make your weekends more fun with family board games, movie nights, or craft projects. Check out Ways To Keep The Kids From Going Stir-Crazy Over Winter Break for ideas.

Spring small group enrichment classes are currently still in session with Shine, so contact us for details.

Fun Ways To Observe Presidents Day With Kids in NYC

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Monday, February 17th is a federal holiday established in 1885 to celebrate the birth of first U.S. president George Washington. His birthday was February 22nd, but the holiday can range from the 17th through the 21st, depending on where the third Monday of the month falls. This arrangement was part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. Observance of 16th President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (which falls on February 12th) was also included as one of the provisions in the new act. Other February birthdays include Ronald Reagan (6th) and William Henry Harrison (9th). Nowadays, we typically celebrate ALL presidents on this civic holiday, but you can observe it however you wish. 

Do not tell a lie – and bake a cherry pie. 

One of the most famous stories of George Washington’s life dates back to his childhood. As the story goes, George was six years old when his father bought him his first hatchet. He loved it so much, he cut down everything in his path. He hacked away at the bark of an English cherry tree in his mother’s garden until it died. When his father confronted him wondering what had happened to the tree, George confessed: “I cannot tell a lie, you know, I cannot tell a lie; I did it, I cut it with my hatchet.” This story was first chronicled in a biography by Mason Weems, but it has been passed down generation after generation as the sort of honesty and respect for one’s parents we hope will stick with our own children.

Given the story, a popular Presidents Day tradition around the country involves the symbolic baking of cherry pie. This basic recipe calls for little more than Crisco, flour, egg, sugar, and a can of pie filling to whip up something spectacular with your child in the kitchen. Oh, and don’t forget the vanilla ice cream! If you’re looking for a more five-star recipe that doesn’t sacrifice some measure of taste for simplicity, you can try Food Network’s “Best Cherry Pie” recipe, which uses tart cherries, lemon juice, and almond extract for extra flavor. Strangely, there is no record of cherry pie in Martha Washington’s cookbook, but we did unearth her recipe for Cherry Bread and Butter Pudding you might try for something more authentic!

Take an historic trip.

Just over four hours south of here — in Alexandria, Virginia – you’ll find a month-long tribute to George Washington himself, not to mention one of the best family-friendly vacation destinations. The nation’s largest and longest-running George Washington Birthday Parade dates back to 1976 and snakes one-mile through the streets of historic Old Town Alexandria. 

Other events include:

  • The 12th Annual Cherry Challenge 
  • George Washington’s Alexandria Walking Tours
  • Chocolate with General Washington for Kids
  • George Washington’s 18th Century Evening Banquet and Ball
  • A Family-Friendly Scavenger Hunt for Washington
  • Free Concert at Market Square

Visit Washingtonbirthday.com for more details. 

In addition to these special events, Alexandria has more than 140 locations with ties to America’s first president. George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, is a must for families with a live blacksmith, interactive exhibits, farm animals, gardens, and pet-friendly walking trails. Be sure to grab a bite at Gadsby’s Tavern, which served as a central hub for founding father social life with distinguished patrons such as George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. 

Of course, history is not the only reason to cart the whole family down to Virginia. While you’re visiting, be sure to blow off steam at Scramble, a café and colorful indoor play space geared toward kids 0-8. Bundle up to stroll the independent boutiques down King Street, or ice skate in the winter village at Cameron Run. Alexandria is home to a world-class archaeology museum, the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame, art galleries, and an African-American History Museum – enough family-friendly attractions to keep you busy the whole break week long. And remember, you’re just a hop, skip, and a DC Metro jump from the Smithsonian Museums and other delights of our nation’s capital. 

If you’re looking for something warmer, you might consider heading to GeorgeFest in Eustis, Florida – a lakeside community north of Orlando. This celebration of Washington’s birthday dates back to 1902 and features parades, carnivals, chili cookoffs, races, character breakfasts, and concerts.

Ponder the presidency with an activity book, story, or video. 

Presidential trivia doesn’t have to be boring. Consider these fun ways to explore history together: 

If you’re crafty, consider making these adorable mini president figures out of wood, pipe-cleaners, acrylic paint, and cloth. Or create a George Washington wig and Abe Lincoln hat out of construction paper for a Presidents Day photoshoot with your little one.  

  • For elementary-aged kids: Who doesn’t love the catchy songs, adorable animations, and guest star cameos of The Storybots? They’ve got a free downloadable Presidents Day activity book with coin quizzes, mazes, illustration prompts, word search, spot the difference game, and instructions how to make an Abraham Lincoln mask out of a paper plate to keep the kids busy for a while. 

Grades 2-6 can learn more about the presidency with the Constitution Center’s 22-minute newsy rundown of the Executive Branch. Next, embark upon The Smithsonian’s virtual tour of The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden, an exhibit featuring Lady Bird Johnson’s dessert plates, Lincoln’s split rail fence, and a collection of First Lady inaugural gowns, among other items. 

If your child is a budding reader, What Presidents Are Made Of is a unique combination of mixed-media art and small vignettes from the lives of our chief executives for grades 1-5. Kids just getting into chapter books can be inspired by NY Times best-selling “Who HQ” series, where you’ll find kid-friendly accounts detailing the lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, in addition to so many others.  

Be sure to check out Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America’s Presidents — a neat read for adults and nine to 12-year-olds alike.

Presidents vs. Aliens is a cool downloadable app for Apple and Android devices, which teaches presidential facts, quotes, historical events, and nicknames mixed with a chance to fling president heads at aliens in a bowling-style game.

For a more sophisticated problem-solving game, try iCivic’s Executive Command game for PCs, which allows kids the opportunity to try their hand at the presidency for a term. They’ll propose an agenda, build a cabinet, sign bills into laws, and delegate tasks to federal agencies. Even adults find it’s a fun, interactive way to brush up on the powers of the presidency. 

Check out local NYC Presidents Day events taking place all week long.

There’s no shortage of presidential activities in NYC:

When: February 21, 10:30 am

For Kids ages 6 and under: Hear humorous stories about Washington and Lincoln, dig through a trunk of historic clothes, and make a finger puppet in a historic setting. 

When: February 15, 16, and 17th, 12–4 pm

For all ages: Meet and mingle with costumed characters resembling George Washington, James Madison, and others. They’re happy to tell stories of how they made their mark on history before you enter the new Meet the Presidents exhibit at the New York Historical Society.

When: February 17th-21st, 12:00 – 4:00 pm

For all ages: Prospect Park Alliance hosts family-friendly programming at Lefferts Historic House and the Prospect Park Audubon Center all week long:

  • Wild in Winter: See what the birds are doing this winter.
  • Discovery Pack: Pick up a ready-to-go nature kit with activities for families.
  • Migration Games: Play floor games replicating the stages of bird migration.
  • Animal Encounter: Learn about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection.
  • Great Backyard Bird Count: Submit checklists to help researchers assess bird health.
  • President’s Day Trivia: Enjoy trivia and birthday cake for George and Abe.
  • Coming in from the Cold: Create a small jar of scented salve for a healthy home.

When: February 16th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

For all ages: Sample historic recipes, take a museum scavenger hunt, and learn 19th century dances with costumed characters. Adults 21+ are invited to toast to George Washington.

When: February 15-16th, guided tours 1-2 pm 

For ages 8+: Visit the Scott Gallery, where you’ll see a new exhibit — A Stoic Countenance: Portraits of George Washington exhibition. Then see a lock of Washington’s hair and a fragment of his tooth in the McEntee Gallery! If you arrive for the special guided tour included with your $1 museum admission, you’ll hear all about President Washington’s connections to NYC, from his early years as a militia colonel, to his greatest military defeat, to his ascension to the presidency.

If you’re looking for more enrichment, consider programming offered by Shine, TriState New York’s leading provider of pop-up classes and parties for kids.

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