Calling All Cocomelon Fans! Spotify has made a special announcement that will make parents uber happy: new original content is coming in the form of four new series that will keep your littles entertained.
Perhaps the most exciting is a brand new podcast, Cocomelon Story Time that launches on Mon. Jan. 24. The interactive storytelling experience for kids ages two to give is hosted by JJ and Cody and is packed with nursery rhymes, classic fairy tales and much more. You can already catch a sneak peak below!
Spotify is also dropping three additional ways to keep your Cocomelon fans excited:
Gardenkeeper Gus: A preschool podcast that follows 6-year-old Gus and his squirrel best friend Rel on their garden adventures. Debuts on Jan. 31
100 Cinderellas: An anthology collection of global Cinderalla stories perfect for bedtime. Debuts on Feb. 14.
Deep Blue Sea: A series of episodes taking place on an underwater laboratory, Sea Lab Alpha, with a view of sea life. Debuts on Feb. 28
All of Spotify’s new shows are available to stream within the Family and Kids Hub and the Spotify Kids app, exclusive to Spotify Premium Family subscribers.
Being a child in today’s world is very different than just a decade ago. Kiddos have traded in toys for cell phones, playtime for screen time and hanging out with friends in person for texting and FaceTime. It has not only changed the way they interact and play but also shifted the type of gifts they’re now asking for—because if you don’t have the latest phone or tablet, who are you?
If Grandma and Grandpa give your youngsters the next gadget to add to their tech arsenal this holiday season, you want to ensure their new present doesn’t expose them to potential harm. By having so much technology at their fingertips, the world has truly become their oyster, along with the dangers of the internet that comes with it.
That’s what Bark, a parental control app, is hoping to change. Founded in 2015 by CEO Brian Bason, who’s a dad of two, Bark helps parents monitor everything their kiddos do on their phones. From text messages and emails to YouTube and over 30 social media platforms, parents and guardians can have insight into what their children are actually seeing online. In 2020 alone, Bark analyzed 2.1 billion messages and has been able to help protect 5.9 million kids.
The app, which has won awards from The National Parenting Center, Mom’s Choice Awards, and National Parenting Product Awards, was created with the assistance of renowned child psychologists, digital media experts, law enforcement professionals, and youth advisors. As a result, Bark has built an advanced algorithm technology that can detect signs of violence, online predators, adult content, cyberbullying and more.
Receive Alerts Directly to Your Phone
If a child engages with unsuitable content, such as a worrisome website or game, or receives a potentially harmful message, parents are notified with emails and text alerts, thanks to Bark’s 24-hour detection services. The algorithm is also trained to detect slang terms and emojis that kids use today to communicate.
To help parents address tough situations, Bark provides expert recommendations from child psychologists on what steps to take after a particular alert, how to talk about it and more.
Select Your Preferred Monitoring Levels
In each category (sexual content, profanity, etc.), Bark users have the option to select one of three monitoring sensitivity levels (relaxed, moderate, or strict) and can be selective of which alerts they want to see and how. According to Bark, the average parent will receive concerning alerts within 24 hours after signing up.
With 42% of children spending over 30 hours a week on their phones, it can become almost a part-time job for parents to keep track of all that their youngsters are doing on their devices. Bark helps by making sure parents receive alerts about anything concerning, so they don’t have to manually look through every single keystroke their child has made.
Say Goodbye to Tech Overload
As kids spend more time glued to their phones, parents may also want to cut back on screen time. Fortunately, Bark helps promote a healthy balance. It allows families to limit the amount of time spent on the internet by setting customized device use rules for school time, bedtime and free time.
The app also allows parents to pause access on both Wi-Fi and cellular networks when children need downtime for homework, dinner or just a moment without their phone.
Block Inappropriate Website and Games
Parents can also turn to the web filtering features to block specific websites or website categories, like streaming and gaming. So if Roblox or Fortnite is a no-go in your household, you can easily restrict access. If your child does attempt to visit a restricted site or app from the designated block list, you’ll receive an alert notifying you about the issue.
Limit Access to App Stores
App Stores can be made off-limits to youngsters who may have gotten their hands on it in the past—and accidentally purchased a good number of games without your approval. Not only does this save your wallet and you from headaches, but it helps you decide what they’re able to engage with.
Check Your Kiddo’s Whereabouts to Help Keep Them Safe
After the 2018 devastating school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl., Bark extended its services to all K–12 public and private schools in the nation at no cost. Parents can also turn to the app’s check-in feature to ensure their child’s safety by sending a notification to their phone that requests a response.
Bark has also recently released a new location sharing feature that alerts parents whenever their child arrives at, or leaves, a specific location.
While adults cannot control the entire internet, they can use Bark to create healthy guardrails for their children and make sure they know when their child may be in danger.
Sign up for Bark today and start your seven-day free trial, so you can have peace of mind while your child is online. Learn more about Bark and its mission to keep children safe in this video here.
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…one tree tipping, two rising electric bills, three scooter crashes, four crashing ornaments and five major headaches. For all the fun of the holiday, there are some real hazards to consider, outlined in a new report.
This year, 10% of Americans surveyed said they’ve been injured setting up a tree, which is actually down from 20% last year. Whether that happens when the tree falls over, or when a rogue branch strikes, it’s definitely something to keep in mind while decorating. If you’re a pet owner, it’s pretty common for your furry friend to wreak some havoc, too. Another 72% of respondents said their pets have knocked down the tree or ornaments, often causing damage.
While scooters are an ever-popular Christmas gift, they’re also the most dangerous present. There have been 477,082 injuries attributed to nonmotorized scooters since 2011, but fortunately that trend is on the decline. In 2020, injuries dropped by 81%! Other dangerous toys (based on number of injuries caused) include balls, toy vehicles and building sets.
Finally, it might be nice to leave your lights twinkling all night, but that can be a fire hazard. The danger intensifies if your lights are old, since the wiring can be faulty. Real trees can also be a bigger risk for going up in flame, but the study found that parents are more likely to choose a live tree. Play it safe and turn those lights off at bedtime!
There is simply nothing more powerful than the bedtime story—especially in this age of continuous screen time. As we go deeper into the discussion, we start to see how the bedtime story is the perfect ending to the day. So let’s rethink and reclaim this special decompression time for both parent and child.
It is not just something we are doing for our kids—the benefits accrue to us as well. We don’t just read to our kids, we read with our kids. Here are five reasons why the bedtime story is the most powerful family ritual:
End-of-Day Closure
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The bedtime story can symbolically represent a closure point in our continuous, always-on, and endless days. Even our kids, as they enter grade school, are starting to feel pressures of a 24/7 world. Together we can start to wind down, letting go of the anxieties that can fill a day.
For our kids, bathing, teeth brushing, and pajamas starts the slow-down process. For us parents, it is also important that we fully shift our attention and presence to this special time—treating it as uninterrupted, sacred space (leaving our device outside the room!).
Feeling Safe & Secure
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There is probably no safer or secure feeling than to be snuggled with a parent—listening to their comforting voice. Bonding is magnified as a special story transports us to a world of possibility. Also, stress levels start to lower for both parent and child as a softer energy starts to surround us. To have this loving ritual repeated night after night promotes an unconditional love that protects our little ones from the inevitable feelings of vulnerability that define the human experience.
Healthy Sleeping & Better Dreaming
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Sleep specialists reveal how bedtime stories can help both child and parent get a good night sleep. It makes total sense. The loving voice tones of the parent can also create strong associations with sleep—slowing the brain down—and helping the child to let go of the day. As our young ones enter deeper sleep after storytelling, the brain continues to “play with” this new information—imprinting the feelings, images and story patterns that have been heard.
In other words, the powerful subconscious continues to do its magic as the child sleeps, setting the foundation to positively enter the next day.
Engaging the Imagination
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Bedtime stories are one of the best ways to stimulate a child’s imagination. Research reveals that reading a story is completely different than watching a TV show or movie. Listening to a story requires a more active participation as they use their mind to visualize what is happening and to think about what choices they would make if they were the character. These new ideas inspire our kids to imagine new realities and identities for themselves. Their favorite stories start to positively shape their own life story.
Connecting & Empathizing
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Just as stories help our kids create their sense of self, they also help them to empathize with others. Our young ones can find comfort in relating to a character in a story who is going through a similar challenge—whether it is a best friend moving away or the loss of a pet. Not surprisingly, stories can help our kids find the courage (and scripting) to deal with things that seemed too far out of their experience.
For children in uncertain circumstances (like divorce or loss of a family member), a bedtime story can help them to start shaping a new reality. Still, the most precious forms of connection that bedtime stories facilitate is that between parent and child—one of the most powerful predictors of success and happiness in life for our kids.
Sweet dreams to your little one!
—Mike Morrison, Ph.D., is passionate about developing leaders at all ages, from pre-schoolers to the corporate CEO leading a global enterprise. In today’s world, we all need to lead in some way and Mike has helped illuminate that path through three books, his most recent being, “Small Voice Says.”
Do you have a story you’d like to share with our readers? We’d love to hear it! Sign up for our Voices Contributor Network where you can submit your funny, heartfelt and/or unbelievable parenting stories and see them on Tinybeans.com!
Mike Morrison Ph.D.’s passion centers on developing leaders at all ages, from pre-schoolers to the corporate CEO leading a global enterprise. In today’s world, we all need to lead in some way and Mike has helped illuminate that path through three books, his most recent being Small Voice Says.
The only thing better than a snuggly pair of pajamas on a cold winter night is knowing that somewhere a child in need is staying warm too because of your good deed. The Carter’s Pajama Program is back this year to help keep kids across the country stay warm and cozy this winter.
Carter’s is celebrating the 12th year of its partnership with the incredible Pajama Program. Now through Dec. 24, 2021, customers can make a donation in-store at any Carter’s location or online to provide kids everywhere the comfort of new jammies.
The Pajama Program is a national nonprofit organization that promotes and helps to provide a comforting bedtime routine for children in need. In addition to your own contribution, Carter’s its continuing its tradition of donating 100,000 pairs of PJ’s. Since the partnership, the brand has donated over 2 million pajamas!
To make your donation online, simply click the monetary amount you’d like to donate on the checkout page when you place your order.
If you plan to donate in store after picking up your kiddos own jammies, simply let the cashier know upon checkout.
Thanksgiving is more than eating a big meal, watching football, and gathering with others. Amidst the frenzy of this holiday, it is easy to forget what the holiday is about—being thankful. Here are some ways you can teach your child (and yourself) to be thankful.
Being Thankful Is Good for Us
Thankfulness is about acknowledging the goodness in your life. Research shows that being thankful or grateful is strongly associated with greater happiness, more positive emotions, better health, less worry, and positive relationships.
One important study took three groups of people and gave them each the instruction to write each day for 10 minutes. Group one was to write about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. Group two was to write about irritations that displeased them, while group three was told to just write something. At the end of 10 weeks, the first group was measurably more optimistic, exercised more, had fewer physician visits, and felt better overall.
Research on children and thankfulness has similar outcomes. Being a thankful child improves a child’s physical and mental health and gives them a healthier outlook on life. Kids raised to be thankful at Thanksgiving, can learn to be thankful every day of the year.
Ways to Teach Kids to Be Thankful
Teach your child to say “Thank you.” Many kids need increased awareness about when others do something for them. For example, “Wasn’t it nice that Grandma sent you a gift?” or “I noticed that your sister let you go first” and “Did you hear your teacher give you a compliment?” Then your child may need to be prompted to say thank you for all the many things that come their way.
Write thank you notes often.
Have family thankful projects. One idea is to have a thankful jar where everyone can put in a thankful note throughout the week. At family time, notes can be pulled out and shared.
Develop thankful rituals. At dinner, your family can take turns saying what they are thankful for that day. Thankful rituals can also occur at bedtime, on the drive to school, on Saturday morning or whatever fits for your family.
Your family can perform acts of kindness. Some families volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank. Others will mow a neighbor’s lawn, make cookies for friends, or call grandparents. Then it is important to notice how it feels to be told “Thank You!”
Model being a thankful person yourself.
Look for the silver lining. For example, when a soccer game is cancelled, one can be thankful to not stand in the rain, or if one fails a test, at least they had the chance to learn from the test and try again.
This Thanksgiving, take the opportunity to teach your child to be thankful not just on this holiday but throughout the year. We know that being a thankful child and adult leads to better physical and emotional states. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I am a child psychologist who specializes in children's anxiety. I just published a top seller children's book titled Shrinking the Worry Monster, A Kid's Guide for Saying Goodbye to Worries. I love sharing ideas about decreasing worry in children, especially now. I also love to hike and bike in beautiful Pacific NW.
Does your kiddo have a favorite stuffed animal—the kind of beloved pal kind that does double duty as a BFF and bedtime buddy? For many children, a doll or stuffy holds an extra special place in their hearts… even when it gets worn and torn. (Two button eyes are overrated anyway, amiright?) The new picture book, A Bear to Share, captures this sweet sentiment while weaving in important messages about empathy and giving back to others.
Courtesy of Baby2Baby
Authored by actress Jessica Alba and Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, A Bear to Share, teaches kids about why it matters to help people in need. The main character, Tiana, loves her teddy bear, Bach. But one day, Tiana is gifted a brand new bear and she doesn’t know what to do. Does she donate Bach or keep them both? Follow along as Tiana learns about letting go and making choices that bring joy to others. Spoiler alert: she gifts her new bear to her best friend Timothy whose family is going through hard times.
Illustrated by Alicia Más, the vibrant, imaginative illustrations bring Tiana’s world to life. A perfect read as the holidays are approaching… this endearing tale demonstrates that sometimes giving feels even better than receiving (at any age!). Grab a copy, cuddle up with your kiddo, and have meaningful conversations about their role in helping those who are less fortunate in your community.
Baby2Baby is a nonprofit organization that provides children living in poverty, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing, and all the basic necessities that every child deserves. The organization has distributed close to 200 million items, impacting hundreds of thousands of children.
Need help at bedtime? The Minions are here to save the day.
Starting this Sun. Oct 17, the silly yellow characters are releasing their own Sleep Story, “Minions in Space.” Available exclusively on Calm and in collaboration with Illumination, kids can drift off to dreamland listening to Agnes and the Minions tell their story bedtime story, “The Adventures of Captain Banana.”
Sleep Stories are part of Calm Kids, a mental wellness resource for parents. They are released weekly on Sundays as a way to help families create a consistent bedtime routine, avoiding the dreaded “Sunday Scaries.”
More content awaits next Sun., Oct. 24 when a brand new Sleep Story drops called “Yawny McDawny.” Join actress Sophia Bush as she tells the story of a friendly cloud who just can’t stop yawning!
As more and more parents head back to work outside of the house, and kids spend more time back in school and daycare, I have seen a significant increase in families who are desperate to get their children’s sleep on track. Families are finding this new transition to be difficult in ensuring that everyone is getting a restful night’s sleep.
The biggest piece of work that I do with these families is helping them set-up healthy bedtime routines. I have partnered with Mommy’s Bliss, one of the most trusted vitamin and supplement brands among parents, because their sleep products for kids ages 3 and older, in conjunction with a steady sleep routine, can help your family get back on track. Here are some tips you can start using right now for maintaining a healthy sleep environment for your family.
1. Start Shifting Your Schedule
Just like families try to so with Daylight Savings, try to shift your child’s schedule back day-by-day. Start waking your child about 15 minutes earlier every day or two. Also, put your child to bed 15 minutes earlier. By the end of the week your child should be waking at your desired time and bedtime should be back to where it should be. (P.S. also shift mealtimes and nap time back if they’ve crept later).
2. Remove Electronics Before Bed
We hate to admit it, but electronics have been the key to successful parenting over the past few months. Whether it’s the daily Zoom classes for school or some extra screen time just so you can finish up a work call, many parents are relying on tablets and TVs for their child’s engagement. But, blue light from electronics can delay the production of melatonin. So, if your child is struggling to fall asleep at night, consider removing screens about an hour before bedtime. Studies have found that the melatonin production starts to increase fairly quickly once the blue light is removed.
3. Get Back to Basics
Remember when your child was a baby and everything you read told you to establish a nightly “routine”. Well, the same holds true for older children. Create a bedtime routine that is predictable and consistent. You may have had a routine prior to the stay-at-home-order, or perhaps you didn’t but, a nightly routine not only helps a child winddown prior to bedtime, but it also removes some of the stress on the parent. Start with a bath or shower, followed by the brushing teeth and pajamas, then onto books and cuddles, and lastly getting into bed.
4. Set Realistic Boundaries
Since some families have really deviated from their normal schedules, it may be hard to get back on track. Start talking to your child about what’s expected of them in terms of sleep. For your preschooler this may mean reading them a book about staying in bed or purchasing an “Ok to Wake” clock. For an older child this may mean telling them to get in bed at a given time but allowing them to read a few books on their own before calling “lights out.”
5. Get Outside Help
Sometimes, even with the best planning and routine, children still have trouble adapting to the old schedule. If you’ve tried all the tricks above and your child is still struggling to fall asleep at night, talk to your doctor about supplementing with melatonin for a few days. Although it is not a long-term solution, Mommy’s Bliss Kids Sleep Line are safe melatonin products for your child as each version is crafted with a wise blend of ingredients, including melatonin, magnesium, organic chamomile, lemon balm, and passionflower. They’re designed to work hand-in-hand with a good bedtime routine to help support restful sleep.
As moms we know that just like sickness, travel, and time changes, new routines can also disrupt even the best sleepers. Getting your child’s sleep back on track will certainly help alleviate parental stress and make your child happier overall.
Nicole is a sleep consultant and mom of 3 boys with a baby on the way. She's a member of the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants and has certifications in Infant Mental Health and Maternal Mental Health. Nicole views sleep holistically, addressing all elements in a child’s life that could prevent him/her from sleeping well.
Bedtime with kids can be stressful, but the perfect bedtime story can make your night, sending your kiddos off to dreamland with ease. There’s also no better way to bond and decompress from the day than sharing a story you both will enjoy. We’ve rounded up a few stand-out bedtime stories to make your nighttime routine dreamy. Cuddle up, and read on!
1. Everybody in the Red Brick Building, by Anne Wynter
Here is our favorite new read for night-night time that will be a repeat story for many bedtimes to come: Everybody in the Red Brick Building is a new modern classic bedtime story for ages 4-8 from debut author Anne Wynter and award-winning illustrator Oge Mora. It offers a fresh, urban take on bedtime stories. Everybody in the Red Brick Building celebrates our differences and the multitude of sounds that lull city children to sleep.
The noises of neighbors, pets and sirens maybe not be the sounds that your kid listens to as their head hits the pillow, but they resonate with all kids and provide fun opportunities for chiming as the story sweetly unfolds. This new classic bedtime book has a rhythm so perfect it’s an irresistible read-aloud. As noisy as the story becomes, by the end everyone in the red brick building is asleep… and hopefully soon you will be, too.
1. The Nice Dream Truck, by Beth Ferry & Brigette Barrager
When bedtime is near, you might be in luck.You might get a visit from the Nice Dream Truck!
Sample your choice of sweet dreams—from astronaut to making-the-shot and more—all served by a truck that flies on moonbeams. You may choose to swim; you may want to fly, there’s an endless assortment of flavors to try!
The Nice Dream Truck is sure to add a fun twist to your bedtime routine and reminds us that there are as many ways to dream as ice cream flavors to taste.
New York Times bestselling author Tracey Baptiste and acclaimed illustrator Amber Ren take readers on a romp through a forest filled with creatures from Caribbean folklore. "I’m looking for a jumbie, I’m going to find a scary one." But Mama says jumbies exist only in stories. So Naya sets out on a nighttime adventure to find out for herself. No such thing, say the friends she makes along the way. But Naya is sure that jumbies are real. Some have big mouths. Or thick fur. Or glowing skin. Or sharp teeth. Kind of like her new friends.…
Looking for a Jumbie is a gentle, bouncy, and creepily fun read-aloud inspired by traditional Caribbean tales.
4. Pete the Cat & the Bedtime Blues, by James and Kimberly Dean
This award-winning series is just plain fun—even for bedtime! Pete the Cat and his friends are having so much fun playing and surfing in the sun, they don't want the day to end. Pete has an idea—how about a sleepover? Groovy! As the night gets later, it's time for bed. This cool cat needs to catch some ZZZs, but Pete's friends aren't ready to go to sleep just yet. Then Pete has another idea—a bedtime story! But will it work? The musical text and comforting repetition are perfect for drifting off to sleep. Freebie alert: Free door hanger included!
This one is a classic and for good reason. Reading its poetic words and taking in its sweet illustrations are the ultimate bedtime vibe: In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.
