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8 Thanksgiving Crafts for a Memorable Holiday

November 7, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn, Make, Party, Play/by Shine

There are so many blessings to celebrate at Thanksgiving time. With vibrant autumn colors just starting to fade, plucky turkeys waddling through farms and fields, and guests arriving at the house armed with pumpkin pies and side dish stuffing, what better time to celebrate your child’s creativity with a themed craft? Here are five of our favorite ideas to get you started.

Thanksgiving Table Turkeys – KiwiCo

If you’re expecting company, treat your guests to a special party favor: an adorable hand-sculpted turkey place setting. The body’s made of clay, with a pom-pom head, sticker beak, googly eyes, and felt toothpick feathers. Have your child write down the honored guests’ names or a special message of gratitude onto each placard.

Fall Colors Foam Weaving Placemat – Oriental Trading

Weaving is a timeless activity that’s easy enough for preschool children to learn. Simply guide the colorful foam pieces over-and-under through the pre-cut slits to create a beautiful and practical place setting for your holiday table.

Beaded Pipe Cleaner Corn – One Little Project

All you need are a few pipe cleaners and pony beads from the Dollar Store to keep little hands busy, building manual dexterity and customizing their own corncob of color. It doesn’t get much easier than this! A four-year-old can easily spend 20 minutes just picking out colors, buying you time to get your turkey in the oven.

Turkey Suncatcher Kits – Etsy

A tissue paper suncatcher always looks dazzling in the window when those first morning rays peak into the home. Your child will feel pride and joy upon gazing at the color combination he or she put together. This kit comes with sturdy black turkey cutouts, so your kids need only cut and add tissue paper with a glue stick. Help your child trim the edges for a polished finish.

Thankful Pie – Country Living

Cut a red construction paper circle as the foundation of your pie, using the inside of a paper plate as your guide. Cut half-inch tan pieces of construction paper to glue into a lattice pattern that looks like the top of the pie. Cut out a slice and have each child at the party write down someone or something they are thankful for this year. Along the top of a paper plate, write “I’m thankful for…” and secure the pie with a brass fastener, so the empty slice can rotate to reveal different messages.

Mason Jar Luminary – Create Craft Love

This craft requires a trip to the craft store for a mason jar, acrylic paint, twine, a votive candle, and a small piece of vinyl. First you’ll cut a leaf shape out of the vinyl—either by using a Cricut Explore or by tracing around an outdoor leaf—then you’ll stick it to the side of the mason jar. Paint over top of it in a festive color (like persimmon, for instance!) and wait for the acrylic to dry. Once it’s settled, peel off your vinyl leaf to leave an imprint behind. Add dried corn kernels to the bottom of the jar, wrap twine around the top, and enjoy the flickering light show.

Creatology 3D Thanksgiving Truck – Michaels

This craft kit comes with 37 wood shapes, 56 felt stickers, 52 glitter foam stickers, 16 printed felt stickers, acetate sheets, craft blue, printed paper card shapes, bamboo sticks, shredded tissue paper, adhesive gems, a brush, and double-sided tape. What more could you want? The end result is a cute centerpiece that children have as much fun playing with as they do building it.

Personalized Craft Bags – Shine

Looking for something that can keep the kids busy at your Thanksgiving party, with minimal supervision required? Shine’s customized craft bags can holiday-themed or suited to your child’s unique preferences. We’ve gotten fantastic feedback on these fabulous little bags. Check out our highlight reel here and contact us to learn more about our all-in-one fun party boxes.

How To Help Your Child Focus at School

October 12, 2022/in Front Page Blog, Guide, Learn/by Shine

By the second month of the new school year, your child’s teacher may have reached out to you about your child’s attentiveness in the classroom. “Off task,” “not following directions,” “talking during quiet time,” and “not participating” are all feedback that can indicate difficulty with focus and attention.

As a parent, it can be frustrating to be unable to help directly. You’re not there to prompt your child, and you’re not a fly on the wall to see what’s actually going on. Yet, your child’s teacher needs your help addressing any factors outside the class that may be influencing this behavior.

Where to start?

The Basics: Sleep and Nutrition

If possible, look for patterns in your child’s misbehavior. When problems turn up within the first few hours of school, lack of sleep and proper nutrition could be significant factors.

Sleep is an important regulator of connectivity in the front brain, or prefrontal cortex, where learning, memory, emotional regulation, attention, and focus are primarily centered. Elementary school age children between 6-12 years of age need 9-12 hours of sleep per day. If your child took long naps as a baby — or still day naps from time to time — they’re likely on the longer end of the spectrum.

Sugary breakfasts like Pop Tarts, muffins, and frozen waffles may not be doing your child any favors. Research in rats has found eating a high sugar diet can alter the brain’s inhibitory neurons, making them less able to delay gratification, control their behavior, and make smart decisions. When planning breakfast, always include a protein with a carbohydrate (like peanut butter toast, milk and cereal, or yogurt and granola) so the nutritional impact lasts longer.

Physical Play and Activity

There’s much truth to the old, “Send the children outside to play” advice. Not only does physical fitness increase the volume of prefrontal gray matter in the brain, but the rough-housing and physical play activates the motor cortex — also found in the front brain — which, in turn, strengthens neural connections associated with organization, planning, and socializing. Researchers have found that just a half hour of play is enough to impact one-third of the 1,200 genes across the neocortex.

Some of the best activities include: visits to the playground, where your child can interact with peers; a nature walk that includes observations and attentiveness; tossing a baseball or football, which involves planning and coordination; obstacle courses; and learning to juggle. Truly, any sport your child finds engaging — whether it be soccer, tennis, t-ball, martial arts, dance, bike riding, or basketball — is a gift that can potentially last a lifetime.

Fun and Games

Here’s the bad news: some types of games — particularly violent video games — have been linked to diminished frontal lobe development. On the other hand, there are a number of fun, interactive apps and programs designed specifically for brain training and suited for children diagnosed with ADHD.

Certain types of games can work as brain training exercises — for instance: Memory card games; jigsaw puzzles; word games (like that classic “I’m going on a picnic…”), Scrabble, or Boggle; “I Spy” and “Spot the Difference” puzzles; Crosswords and Sudoku; Tangram shape puzzles; classic “Red Light, Green Light” or “Simon Says” activities that encourage willpower; and card games like “Crazy Eights,” “Old Maid,” or “Solitaire.” You might consider making Board Game Nights part of your weekly, or even nightly, routine. The quality time spent with your children can also be a method for decreasing behavioral issues at school.

Here’s the good news: early learning activities shape the developing mind, and any efforts made toward helping your child strengthen self-regulation abilities now can greatly improve resiliency and mental functioning later on.

Looking for a fun place that promotes whole brain development? Stop in to see us at the Shine Studio in the East End. We have one-of-a-kind classes, workshops, field trips, camps, and pop-up parties geared toward ages 0-12. From theatre, music, meditation, and sports, to cooking, culture, crafting, and construction, we have something for everyone.

8 Back To School Morning Routine Hacks

September 26, 2022/in Front Page Blog, Guide, Learn/by Shine

A few weeks into the school year, reasons to loathe the mornings rise like the steam off your coffee cup. The threats. The nagging. The begging. Who are you anymore? Certainly not the parent you wanted to be. The morning time crunch can grind up the best of us. While every kid is different, these 8 proven school morning hacks will help you and your child put your best feet forward and stride confidently into your days.

#1: Don’t Get Stressed: Get Dressed.

Power struggles over princess dress vs. pajamas vs. presentable clothes will bring a well-intentioned morning down to a slow crawl. Head this challenge off by involving your child in planning a week of outfits. If this part of the morning routine really grinds your gears, you’re your child bathe the night before and get right into tomorrow’s outfit so they can roll out of bed ready to rock.

#2: Become Disciplined About Your Dozing.

Fluctuations in the schedule make it difficult to get up on cue. Elementary aged children need 9-11 hours of sleep a night to function properly. No matter what, do your best to stick to this cadence. If you’ve gotten way off, try scaling back 30 minutes at a time until you get within the proper window. Even when the weekends come, set the alarm for the same time or within an hour to maintain consistency.

#3: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself.

A checklist can be a Godsend before that first cup of coffee in the morning. Print it out and slip it into a laminated sheet protector, using a whiteboard marker to check off your list each day. Add important tasks, no matter how small:

Get up & use the bathroom
Eat breakfast
Get dressed
Pack folder
Pack lunch
Pack water bottle
Check calendar & email for school reminders
Brush teeth
Brush hair
Put on shoes

Add your to-dos to the list as well so you don’t forget to prep for your day too! If you can get up 30 minutes earlier, do something for yourself —like shower, workout, or meditate! Or, if you’re a night owl, use the time after dinner and before bed to get yourself organized —staging bags, lunches, and outfits the night before. As with flying on an airplane — you put your own oxygen mask on first so you are equipped to help others!

#4: Orchestrate a Well-Timed Ballet.

If your child is prone to distraction in the morning, keep the agenda moving along with a task timer. Provide a visual checklist of all your child needs to do in the morning along with the amount of time allotted for each step. You can add in time for a favorite TV program or a little bit of free-play to reward your child for committing to a routine.

#5: Let a Robot Do the Waking.

It can be frustrating to ask a child to get out of bed over and over again. Try choosing a new kid-tested alarm clock that makes waking up a fun event. Instead of commanding your kid to hop up and out immediately, try a phased approach with three alarms. You might also consider putting on a groovy morning playlist that gets your future America’s Got Talent star singing and dancing out of bed.

#6: Choose a Quick Bite.

If you’ve ever collected cobwebs while holding a piece of half-eaten food, you know precisely why your mornings lag behind. Pancakes, eggs, cereal — these can be slow-going options for the morning rush. Every palate is different, but among the fastest breakfasts are: Bird’s Nest Egg Cups, Gogurts, Pop Tarts, Granola Bars, Oat Berry Muffins, toast topped with Peanut Butter and Banana, or cinnamon-sugar toast and apple slices.

#7: Tune In.

Consider the emotions your child might be facing in anticipation of a day at school. Stay connected to your child’s teacher. Spend a few moments before bed every night recapping the good, the bad, and the ugly of their day. Ask whether your child is interacting with peers and making friends. Does your child feel confident in learning the material? A little bit of emotional TLC goes a long way in proactively managing big emotions that railroad the best-laid plans. Try to keep mornings light and positive, despite your own feelings. Give your child the benefit of a doubt. School is hard! Growing up is hard! Knowing you’re the constant, caring rock makes all the difference.

#8: Try Something New & Meaningful.

An out-of-whack morning routine can also be a symptom of an unmet need. Consider ways of working in more quality time with your child. Sometimes it can be hard to choose a fun activity that you both enjoy. Drop into the Shine Studio for access to art, dance, theatre, music, storytelling, sports, language, culinary arts, crafts, and more. Find your passion. We also offer Family Coaching services if you’re looking to break the cycle and begin anew.

Road Trip: Ocean City, MD

August 24, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn/by Shine

August 30^th, 2022 is “National Beach Day” — a day to celebrate our nation’s sandy shores and reflect on the importance of keeping these beautiful public spaces clean. Simply visiting the beach with your children when they’re young will foster a love of nature and a healthy respect for preservation. Located 6.5 hours down the shoreline, Ocean City, Maryland is a paradise of playgrounds and putt-putt—fun for the whole family. Here’s everything you need to know.

Where To Stay

There are plenty of oceanfront accommodations — even last minute in high season. Staying toward the boardwalk end will give you the closest proximity to walkable entertainment.

The Grand on 20^th Street: You won’t have to cross any roads to get right onto the boardwalk. If it’s a rainy monsoon August day, you won’t miss a beat with the indoor pool and onsite game room, complete with pool tables, air hockey, and arcade favorites. The pizza restaurant and ice cream parlor onsite don’t hurt either.

Holiday Inn 17^th Street: Recently renovated, the Holiday Inn ups its pool game with fountains, a lazy river, and children’s play area featuring shipwreck and whale structures. There’s also an indoor pool. Every room is a suite with a fully-equipped kitchenette, separate living room, dining area, and complimentary laundry.

The Residence Inn on the Bay at 62^nd Street: This one’s not on the boardwalk, but it’s worth considering for the beautiful bayside sunsets. Voted 2020 Hotel of the Year by Coastal Style Magazine, the accommodations are spacious and the lobby enthralls kids with the second-largest saltwater fish tank in Ocean City. Drop by the tiki bar for outdoor swimming, BBQing, dining, and kid-friendly entertainment.

Where To Eat

On the boardwalk, you’ll want to sample local staples: Dolle’s saltwater taffy, Thrasher’s fries, Fractured Prune donuts, King’s funnel cakes, and Dumser’s Dairyland ice cream. If the lines are jammed up, try another location down the boardwalk, as foot traffic can be random.

If you’ve been to one Ocean City eatery, you’ve been to them all, as many establishments are owned by the same proprietors. You can count on kids menus, playgrounds, Jimmy Buffet, and tchotchkes adorning the walls pretty much everywhere you go.

Alley Oops: Mini bowling and all the best arcade games await at Alleyoops. Photo opps include giant tiki statues and muscley surfer sharks. The crab-topped chicken is a solid choice — and be sure to check out the live sharks swimming in their tank in the center of the dining room. Order the “Shark Juice” and get a free shark toy for the kids.
Fish Tales: This is where the locals gather around the bar. The wooden pirate-themed play area provides all the nooks and crannies kids need to feel like they’re on an adventure, while the food is served up on frisbees. While you snack on your conch appetizer, the kids can change it up from the usual burger and tenders to fish sticks.
Dead Freddies: Look up on your way in to see a pirate resting lazily in his hammock and keep your eyes open for sharks, ye land lubber! Get a photo taken with Captain Jack Sparrow out back while your kids play on the double-decker plastic pirate ship. The crab soup (the same you’ll find at De Lazy Lizard) is out of this world.
Ropewalk: This tourist favorite can be difficult to get into at dinner hour, so it’s best visited at lunch time. You may feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you note the Ronald Reagan statue, Ronald Reagan beer, and sandwich named “the Gipper.” You’ll find more beer options here than the standard Land Shark, while the kids play ring toss and corn hole games or scale the playground. The crab egg rolls, fried pickle chips, seared ahi tuna, and crab artichoke dip on the appetizer menu may be all you need, but there’s also Bayou Steam Pots, Caribbean Grouper, and Filet Mignon.
De Lazy Lizard: Inviting you to “get lazy,” this bayside tiki-umbrellaed restaurant is the perfect place to dip your toes in the sand and watch the sunset with a fancy cocktail. The kids receive free frisbees and lizard toys, while adult beverages are served in souvenir tiki cups. Loaded nachos, tacos, salads, and burgers are the main fare.
Belly Buster’s: Sometimes you just need a greasy grinder you can sink your teeth into. Belly Buster’s is a cantankerous local favorite where you can grab a meatball bomber or a French Dip and eat until your heart’s content back in your hotel room when you’re tired of dining out.

What To Do

It’s hard to miss the amusement park rides, though they can be an expensive way to while away the time. Many of the Jolly Roger at the Pier rides are rickety and old, though the Ferris wheel is worth a whirl for the bird’s eye view.

Beach Day: Ocean City sand is deep and soft. There are plenty of life guards up and down the beach, but you’ll want a USCG-approved life vest for the kids due to how rough the waves can be. A rip current can carry your child away rather quickly if you don’t have a hand on them. Little ones will likely be more than content to climb on the whale and dinosaur bone beach playgrounds or build sandcastles on the beach, while your older daring tweens will find the crashing surf a true thrill! Many places along the boardwalk have boogie boards for rent or sale.
Mini Golf: Old Pro Golf and Nick’s Golf are the two main proprietors of Ocean City mini golf. Their well-maintained courses are uniquely themed with dinosaurs, medieval castles, pirates, sea creatures, and safari animals. The courses tend to get busy after lunch, so go early if you want to take your time and soak it all up.
OC Life Saving Museum: You can’t miss the stark white lighthouse building at the very end of the boardwalk. Stop at the front desk to pick up a scavenger hunt for the kids; it’ll keep them busy and once completed, they can pick out a free shark tooth. The aquarium section contains horseshoe and spider crabs, sea horses, eels, and a few fish, which put on quite a show at feeding time. Exhibits chronicle Ocean City’s fishing, surfing, and carnival history, with an upstairs playroom for the kids. The air conditioning makes it a welcome place to escape the heat for a few hours. There’s also a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum on the boardwalk.
Bike Rental: Before noon, bikes are allowed on the boardwalk and there’s no better place to find one than Dandy Don’s. In addition to adult and child sized bikes, he’s got tandem bikes for the whole family (although these bikes work best if everyone actually pedals), as well as classic car beach cruisers for two with Bluetooth sound systems.
Assateague Island: Thirty minutes from Ocean City proper you’ll find an island of wild horses — one of the few places in the United States you can see them roam free. he visitor’s center has a movie about the ponies, a touch tank, air conditioning, and bathrooms, so it’s worth a stop on your way in. At the National Seashore, you’ll find three hiking trails: one on a marshland boardwalk, one along the sand dunes, and one through an old growth forest. Bring a can of bug spray to keep the black flies away. While sightings aren’t guaranteed, you’re likely to spot the horses hanging out close to the roads and around the parking lots. You may also consider camping right on the island, renting kayaks, or taking an ecotour by boat from Ocean City.

How To Get Around

Driving isn’t too overwhelming, as the city’s very well planned out with divided lanes of traffic and sensibly timed lights. There are large public lots at the end of the boardwalk where you’ll find ample parking spaces. Some of the mini-golf spots or popular restaurants can reason to consider alternatives to driving. Truly the best-kept secret of Ocean City is the BUS! Ride all day for just $3 per person. You’ll need exact cash on hand, but the buses are clean and run up and down the main strip every 10 minutes. You can even track the bus with the Transloc Rider App.

We hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of Ocean City, MD. When you’re back in town, there’s always fun and festivities at the Shine Studio. Stop in and tell us about your trip!

Let Your Light Shine in Celebration of Pride Month

June 13, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn/by Shine

Having pride in who we are and who we love is important all year round, but June allows the LGBTQ+ community to have centerstage after so many years of living in the shadows. It gives us the opportunity to remind the world that “love is love” and celebrate all that we have fought for to be where we are today.

The History of Pride Month

New York City’s Stonewall Riots were a turning point in the gay rights movement. After the police raided a gay bar at the Stonewall Inn on June 28^th, 1969, protests erupted in the streets for six days. The Stonewall Inn became a refuge for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual people — a place where they were welcome and free to express themselves.

The rainbow Pride flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 to symbolize sexuality (pink), life (red), healing (orange), sun (yellow), nature (green), art (turquoise), harmony (indigo), and soul (violet). Since then, pink and blue have been added for transgender, as well as brown for black and Latinx people.

President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” in 1999 and 2000. President Barack Obama did the same from 2009 to 2016, and President Joe Biden affirmed the celebration in 2021 and 2022.

How To Talk To Your Kids About Pride Month

A good introduction to Pride Month is to explain that Pride is about loving yourself for exactly who you are, even if you seem different from the people around you. Pride is a feeling we have inside when we know who we are, unapologetically, and aren’t afraid to show the world.

Even if you’re not in an LGBTQ+ household, straight parents can raise their kids to be advocates and allies of the community by encouraging them to be open-minded and recognize that we may be different, but we are all united by love. Children are fortunate to have parents that love them — and all children deserve a home full of love, no matter what their family looks like. Teach your children that words can hurt, but kindness and acceptance is the best gift they can choose to give others around them.

East End Pride Month Events

The month is half over, but it’s not too late to catch many great Pride events on the East End:

Pride Month Rainbow Lantern Walk – June 17^th

Location: Sunken Meadow State Park (25A & Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park)

Time: 8-9:30 pm

Cost: $4, advance registration required

Drag Queen Story Hour, Games, and Crafts with Bella Noche – June 18

Location: Children’s Museum of the East End (376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Tpke)

Time: 12-2 pm

Cost: Included with $19 admission

BTW Fundraiser Benefiting Pride for Youth with DJ JoJo Ciara – June 18

Location: BTW Bar & Grill (3297R Long Beach Road, Oceanside)

Time: 7:30 pm

Cost: $5-10

Pride Shabbat Morning Service with Guest Fred Becker – June 25

Location: Jewish Center of the Hamptons (44 Woods Lane, East Hampton)

Time: 10 am

Cost: Free

Pride Month Color Connection Family Program – June 25

Location: Connetquot River State Park Preserve (Sunrise Highway, Bohemia)

Time: 10:30 am – 12 pm

Cost: $4, advance registration required

Pride parades are a fun, entertaining, and joyful introduction to the celebration of self and others.

This year, the Hamptons celebrated its first Pride Parade on June 4^th, beginning at 11 am near Pond View Lane and Guild Hall, marching east on Main Street to Herrick Park via Newton Lane, Railroad Avenue, and Lumber Lane, with music by DJ Karin Ward in the park until 3 pm.

While you may have missed that one in our backyard, it’s not too late to drive into the City for the 28^th Annual NYC Pride March on June 26^th; the march starts at noon between 25^th Street and 5^th Avenue. Following the parade, PrideFest/FamilyFest street fair will be taking place at Astor Plaza (East 8^th Street and 4^th Avenue).

In addition to participating in local events, there are many ways to celebrate at home: reading themed books, donating to charities like the Trevor Project, supporting LGBTQ+ owned businesses, or hosting a party with friends and family.

Want to get into the spirit? Stop by the Shine Studio to make a few rainbow-themed crafts. Our warm and welcoming space is always accepting of drop-ins. Contact us to learn more.

How to Help Your Kids Benefit from Boredom

May 20, 2022/in Front Page Blog, Guide, Learn, Play/by Shine

With summer break a little over a month away, you can almost hear it now: “I’m BORED.”

While the slumpy complaining and morose attitude can be frustrating to witness, all boredom is not created equal—and most types are actually good for child development.

Researchers have identified five types of tedium:

Indifferent boredom – relaxed, withdrawn, indifferent
Calibrating boredom – uncertain, receptive to change or distraction
Searching boredom – restless, active pursuit of change or distraction
Reactant boredom – motivated to leave a situation for specific alternatives
Apathetic boredom – the unpleasant feeling of helplessness or depression

Researchers say living in this Age of Information overloads our minds with information that produces a scarcity of attention and the ability to engage in productive activities. Allowing boredom provides the mind with a relaxing break that alleviates stress. Allowing the mind to wander and daydream can trigger self-reflection, development of goals, and heightened creativity. Boredom motivates the search for novelty, improved self-control, and fulfillment.

You can interpret your child’s boredom as an emotional signal that something in life needs adjusting. We’ve all been there when unstructured time that doesn’t involve screens results in squabbles, meltdowns, and wrestle fights. To attain household harmony, your child’s life needs a healthy balance between structured activity and idle time.

Here are a few ways to tweak the summer routine ever so slightly to allow boredom:

Plan together time. Sometimes “I’m bored” is really your child’s way of saying, “I need to spend more quality time with you.” Proactively schedule small chunks of together time into your day. Maybe it’s a quick post-breakfast talk and walk around the block or a half hour of board games after you finish work or Friday family movie night. A little goes a long way.

Set up surprises. After your child goes to bed, set out toys for your child to “discover” in the morning. There are probably many toys your child has forgotten about—be it a Lego set, MagnaTiles, paper dolls, puppets, puzzles, or craft supplies. Arrange a plastic animal scene, a stuffed animal tea party, or a blanket fort. Set out a bin of random open-ended play items like pipe cleaners, colored scarves, cookie cutters, costumes, or paper rolls for your child to find and consider. Buy supplies and invite your child to dig, plant, and decorate their own garden. Rotating your child’s environment with new playthings every few days keeps the days fresh and inspiring without requiring immediate oversight from you.

Make a list of boredom busters. Have your child help you brainstorm a list of what to do when the doldrums inevitably strike. Keep the list in a handy place for your child’s reference.

Make a snuggle up and snack spot. Create a quiet corner of the house with a beanbag chair, reading light, snacks, books, stuffed animals, and blankets. Let your child know whenever that feeling of boredom rises, this special spot is always waiting to take the mind on an adventure. You might consider using a sticker chart or punch card with a reward for 10 uses of this space as a way of incentivizing constructive use of boredom.

Help your child set goals. Sometimes we feel aimless when we have no hopes or dreams. Help your child pinpoint a goal to work on this summer, whether it’s achieving a new development milestone like riding a bike or tying laces, taking instrument or sports lessons, finishing a Summer Learning workbook, or learning how to draw. Setting aside time each day to work on improving a life skill can be empowering and productive.

Yes, summer boredom can be fun! If you find these steps aren’t cutting the mustard, remember you can always stop into the new Shine studio in the Hamptons for fun workshops and classes geared toward children 0-12. Contact us for schedules and details.

Tips for Talking to Your Kids About the War in Ukraine

March 24, 2022/in Front Page Blog, Guide, Learn/by Shine

Though America is 9,153 miles from Ukraine, it’s impossible to turn a blind eye to the tremendous suffering and spectacle of war. Even children—who we instinctively shield from harsh realities of life—are overhearing snippets of adult conversation, seeing video snippets on TikTok, taking part in fundraisers at school, and talking amongst themselves.

Parenting is not about protecting our children from uncomfortable feelings and hardship. It’s about giving them the tools, resources, and encouragement to cope with unpleasantries with resilience. Addressing the topic may be uncomfortable, but it’s better to be proactive, open, and honest to make sure your children feel safe, empowered, and reassured with family values.

Here are some tips to get the conversation started and some ideas on what you can say.

Conversation Starters

“Have you heard anything at school about Russia and Ukraine?” Asking questions can provide insight into what your child has seen or heard, so you know where to begin. Your child’s personality will factor in, as some kids are more mature, curious, or attune than others. If your child doesn’t seem interested, you don’t need to push the issue.

“Do you want to talk about anything you’ve heard or seen about the conflict?” Talking is an important step in alleviating anxiety. Generally speaking, you should monitor media intake at this time and avoid leaving the TV running. There have been instances of PTSD among children who watched 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing, or the Challenger explosion on TV. Find excuses to connect and spend time together as a family (and off devices) as much as possible. If your child is consuming a lot of media in social channels, explain the importance of vetting news sources for bias and encourage the use of news sources for kids like Newsela, Newsomatic, HuffPost Teen, or NPR.

“Do you know where Russia and Ukraine are? Have you heard how people are helping?” Looking at a map or globe together can be educational. Show your child where Russia and Ukraine are in relation to America and point out countries that do not support the military action and steps they’re taking to stop the conflict. Focus on the helpers sending food and supplies or taking refugees in.

“Do you have any questions for us?” Answer any questions your child has calmly and honestly, choosing the simplest answers you can. Though they may not verbalize it, children typically wonder: “Am I safe? Is our family safe? How will this affect my day-to-day life?” They may want to know if you’re worried, too – and it’s okay to say “yes” or that you don’t have all the answers about how this will end, but add that “we’ll manage it and get through this together.”

“What do you think about it? How does this news make you feel?” Giving children a chance to share empowers them. Providing a sounding board is reassuring that you are there to hear your child’s worries. If a worry is caused by an inaccurate belief, you’ll have a chance to correct it. Take this time to reinforce family values, expressing concern for the Ukrainian people and members of the military, as well discussing your hope for peace.

“What do you want to do? Who do you want to help?” Some children may respond with anger or aggression. Acknowledge those feelings, too, stating that others feel the same way, but gently remind your child anger needs to be contained in order to find logical solutions. As a family, you may explore one of the charities on the frontlines. If your children get an allowance or birthday money, be sure they contribute, so they can feel like part of the solution. After you’ve made a donation, remind your child it’s okay to go outside, play, and simply be a kid. These issues can be heavy and they shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying their childhood.

Answers to Tough Questions

“Why is there a war?” Start with straightforward facts for elementary-aged children by explaining: “Russia has invaded Ukraine; our country is trying to help Ukrainians defend themselves.” Or you might explain that some people feel Ukraine should be part of Russia, but it’s not okay to take it by force.

“Why is Russia doing this?” It’s important to avoid demonizing an entire country or group of people. A better way to frame it to younger children is that “the leader of Russia has made a very bad decision.” Older children in 4^th to 6^th grades may be reading about Cold War history and the breakup of the Soviet Union, which can be a way of understanding the pretense for imperialism.

“Is this World War III? Will the US get involved? Can that happen here?” You can let your child know that it’s normal to worry and validate that it is a scary situation. Explain that there are countries, organizations, and individuals helping the Ukrainians right now, and there are no signs America will go to war right now. Encourage a focus on what we know is happening now. Reassure your child that you will do all you can to keep the family safe.

Shine Your Light

Interested in building tolerance and cultural sensitivity for the next generation? Shine is a great place to learn about other cultures and make new friends—with ongoing workshops, classes, and parties that combine art, music, culinary delights, storytelling, and movement activities for children ages 0-12. We empower kids to shine their light to make the world a better place.

6 Ways To Celebrate Black History Month 2022 with Kids in the East End

February 13, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Guide, Learn/by Shine

We’re halfway through the month, but there are still plenty of opportunities to Black History Month. Celebrated since 1976, February also marks the births of social reformer Frederick Douglass and emancipator Abraham Lincoln. The commemoration is not only recognized here, but also in Canada and the UK. Best of all, you needn’t travel far! The East End has much to offer families looking to honor the struggles and triumphs of African Americans who helped shape our nation throughout history.

Take a hike!

On Saturdays, Lone Star Lakes Park at 401 Kings Highway in Suffolk County is hosting “Celebrate Black Joy in the Outdoors,” featuring a beginner-level two-mile hike, archery, and cycling activities. Space is limited to 10 per session, so be sure to register in advance to save your spot.

If sessions book up, you might consider bundling up to check out one of these NYC parks honoring the Black experience. Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale is hosting two Black History Month events: Art by Basquiat self-portrait making (2/18) and Planet Explorers planetary activities and stargazing (2/25). Follow the link to register in advance.

Explore a museum!

The Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum in Washington DC are offering “Joyful Fridays,” a free virtual event geared toward ages 4-8. Each Friday, kids will learn about an important figure or topic related to Black culture through art projects and lessons. Parents are encouraged to register in advance to receive a live Zoom link for 11am-12pm and a list of supplies needed for the project. Upcoming topics include Granville T. Woods & The Roller Coaster (2/18) and Black Creativity & Abstract Art (2/25).

If you prefer the in-person museum experience, the African American Museum of Nassau County in Hempstead displays themed exhibits highlighting historical figures, events, music, and art around the world. Currently, they’re showcasing “The Women of NASA” and “The Black Royals.”

Visit a library!

Check your local library’s calendar for Black History Month themed events or try one of these:

2/17: Art of Romare Bearden collage craft at Huntington Public Library Station Branch
2/22: Gee’s Bend quilt-making craft at Hempstead Public Library
2/22: Whaler’s Wanted grades 3-6 wooden ship-building craft at Longwood Public Library

These events are free, but advance registration is required.

Grab a bite!

Local Black-owned food businesses will satisfy every craving. Sample six generations of Southern BBQ in Freeport at Bobby Q’s, with cheeseburger sliders for the kids. Follow it up with delectable desserts from The Sweet Love Company on Long Island.

Jazz it up!

The John and Alice Coltrane Home in Dix Hills invites jazz fans to a world of memorabilia, exhibits, and meditation spaces. Kids 5+ can learn about music improv by attending one of the family workshops. Call or email to inquire about upcoming tours and events.

Get pampered!

The Black-owned Dera Ebele’s Nail Boutique offers a bounty of mani/pedi/facial treatments for adults, as well as “Little Empress” manicures and pedicures specifically for kids. The velvet thrones, gold mirrors, and chandeliers create a posh atmosphere fit for royalty.

If you’d like to partake in more cultural activities, come visit the new Shine studio, where we embrace every color, culture, and creed, celebrating the beauty of our diversity through song, dance, art, storytelling, and culinary delights.

National Puzzle Day Reminds Us to Make Time for Play

January 31, 2022/in Front Page Blog, Guide, Learn, Play/by Shine

January 29^th was National Puzzle Day – a reminder to stop and enjoy brain teasers of all sizes, shapes, and forms. From Crosswords and Sudokus to Jigsaws and Tetris, puzzles encourage the brain to think in different ways that can foster growth and development – especially in young minds. Researchers have discovered that certain types of puzzles accelerate growth in spatial abilities, math, science, and focus. Consider adding some of these fun games into your weekly routine to grow your children’s brains and set them up for success.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Children who play puzzles between ages 2 and 4 develop better spatial skills by 4.5, according to University of Chicago researchers. The ability to mentally transform shapes lays the groundwork for excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The study findings were consistent across all income and education levels and unaffected by the amount of parental input. Other research found that children as young as 3 use trial-and-error, while 4-year-olds are able to use clues from the picture to solve jigsaw puzzles.

Q-Bitz

Rhodes College psychologists studied how spatial puzzle play could boost academic performance. When kids practice puzzles that help them reason about space, they are learning life skills – how to navigate a busy street, how to assemble a piece of furniture, or how to best load the dishwasher. Children ages 4-7 who engaged in this type of high-level thinking — by playing with puzzles, blocks, and board games — six or more times per week had higher WPPSI block design scores, which is used as a measure of general intelligence. Other types of play studied included teaching shapes, number skills, playing math games, musical instruments, riding bikes and scooters, and telling stories; none of these activities were associated with improvements in spatial ability. If you’re looking for a fun game that mimics the WPPSI block design test, try Q-Bitz, which challenges memory, visual agility, pattern identification, and hand-eye coordination in children ages 4-8.

Tower of Hanoi

Four to six-year-olds who complete puzzles on tablets are able to transfer these skills to similar physical puzzles, says Joanne Tarasuik, of the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. The study used the “Tower of Hanoi” disc-stacking puzzle invented by French mathematician Édouard Lucas in 1883. Scientists use this game to assess frontal lobe deficits, while teachers introduce the game in basic programming studies. Children were able to improve their speed with the physical puzzle after practicing online.

Cut the Rope

Researchers from Nanyang Technology University in Singapore found that adults who played the kid-friendly physics-based puzzle computer game “Cut the Rope” for an hour a day had “significant improvement” in their executive functions. After 20 hours of complex puzzle play, players were able to switch tasks 33% faster, adapt to new situations 30% faster, and block out distractions 60% better. Other study participants played non-puzzle games like Fruit Ninja (arcade), Modern Combat (first person shooter), and StarFront Collision (real-time strategy), but showed no improvement in executive function.

Love to play? So do we! Contact Shine to learn what classes, workshops, and activities we have planned.

4 Ways to Encourage Resilience in Children

December 31, 2021/in Front Page Blog, Guide, Learn/by Shine

Resilience — defined as “the capacity to overcome difficulty” — is an essential life skill.

And here’s what we know about resilience: the more adversity we encounter, the better we adapt to handling it.

Of course, it doesn’t come natural or easy for parents to allow their kids to experience discomfort. From the moment they’re born, we’re automatons geared toward stopping their little tears – whether it’s changing a wet diaper, warming up a bottle of milk, putting a Band-aid on a boo-boo, or refereeing a sibling disagreement.

Yet, we also see what happens when we’ve not given our kids a chance to work through setbacks on their own. Their fuses become shorter and shorter. Tears become the default – seemingly for attention – not the last resort. The most hurtful phrases come out of their tiny mouths: “I can’t do it!” or “I’m a failure!”

So how do parents allow their children the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and discover self-confidence, without clearing the way for their self-destruction? In this two-part series, we explore resilience-building tips for children that are tested, tried, and true.

Learn through dreaming.

Students are more motivated to succeed when they have a core purpose, according to research conducted by Dr. Carol Dweck and Dr. David Yeager at the University of Texas at Austin. Psychologists shared stories illustrating how school performance can impact the world and prompted students to write essays imagining how the world could be a better place. As students developed a belief they could achieve a purposeful life, their academic scores improved.

Similarly, you can help older children develop grit (passion and perseverance) by discussing purpose in life and the goals necessary to get there. Younger children can benefit from a dream board visualization tool – a poster board with photographs and printed or cut-out images from magazines illustrating passions, hopes, and goals.

Learn through storytelling.

Psychologist and author Maria Konnikova believes everyone can learn to become more resilient. It’s all in how we view adversity. She explains, “Frame adversity as a challenge and you become more flexible and able to deal with it, move on, learn from it, and grow.” On the other hand, if adversity is viewed as a threat, it can become a traumatic event that leads to inflexibility and negative outcomes.

Family narratives are a great way to “create meaning and provide perspective” on your child’s past, present, and future potential. Right before tucking them in at night can be a great moment for storytelling if the need doesn’t naturally arise during the day. “I noticed you were struggling with X earlier,” you might say. “Can I tell you about a time where something was really, really hard for me?” Kids love these personal stories and will often ask to hear them over and over, as a way of discovering something new about you — and about themselves. Choose stories that demonstrate challenge, illustrating how you tried to keep positive, didn’t give up, and benefited as a result of adversity. When times are tough and you feel frustrated, talk aloud to yourself to show your kids that life doesn’t come easy for you either, but you’re doing your best to cope with it and grow stronger. You may also teach using stories about famous people who used their passion and perseverance to reach long-term goals. Read about the lives of Michael Jordan, JK Rowling, Clara Barton, and others in The Failure Book: How 22 Extraordinary People Persisted and How You Can Too.

Learn through play.

Activities that involve focusing on the present moment or delaying gratification can be helpful exercises in resilience. In effect, the child learns, “I can’t always have what I really want right now, but I can still appreciate what I’m experiencing.” A five-year study conducted by the LEGO Foundation found that children of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds benefit from learning through play – which supports emotional, physical, and intellectual capabilities. The inherent joy and stimulation of multiple brain networks while playing helps develop and maintain the social and emotional skills needed to deal with challenging and changing circumstances, researchers found.

Creativity and resilience are natural byproducts when parents or teachers and children play together. Children are better able to reduce complexity and imagine positive scenarios when working with others. If you’re not much of a LEGO or block builder, you can also try playing cooperative board games, which aids with impulse control, mental flexibility, turn-taking, and activation of the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain involved in decision-making, emotional regulation, and resilience. Baduk or Go is one game scientifically proven to increase gray matter in the brain; kids as young as five can learn to play it.

Learn through sports and hobbies.

Activities that exercise the prefrontal cortex (the home of emotional regulation) and engage the hippocampus (where memories are stored) include: musical instrument lessons, mastering a sport (like soccer or tennis), and learning a new language. Interaction between these two key brain centers increases mental flexibility that comes in handy during problem-solving and decision-making. Children can begin this process at a very young age and spend years growing in their proficiency and developing their brains to function with greater efficiency.

In addition to getting your children involved in a few structured activities, you may also choose to share your own passions – which is not only a great bonding experience — but a path to fulfillment. It’s all too easy to lose some of your identity in the transformation to becoming “mom” or “dad,” but consider what interests have fallen by the wayside. It’s never too late to carve out time to rekindle that passion and invite a child to join in the fun with you – for the sake of everyone’s gray matter! In this way, you can model determination and encourage your child to do the same.

Become More Resilient by Letting Your Inner Light Shine!

We hope you’ve found these tips helpful. Stay tuned for Part II, where we explore more ways to build resilience in the New Year. In the meantime, we invite you to stop by the brand-new Shine Studio to explore the ways art can help children work through minor struggles and setbacks. We also host music lessons, sport camps, and language immersion, so be sure to ask about our full programming for 2022. Our educators are devoted to helping build resilience, confidence, and character in children from 6 months to 12 years.