Study Shows This Pet Companion Can Reduce Anxiety in Kids with Autism

by Jennifer SwartvagherJanuary 20, 2021

There is much research emphasizing the benefits animals have on children with autism. A new study from the University of Missouri has found that cats may help increase empathy while decreasing anxiety for children with autism. These findings are beneficial for families considering adopting a companion animal for their child.

Gretchen Carlisle, a research scientist at the MU Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine studies the benefits that companion animals can have for families.

“Previous research has shown parents of kids with autism are more stressed than parents of kids with any other disability,” Carlisle said. “If a family is considering adopting a companion animal, we want to provide the best evidence-based information possible so they can make an informed decision, and cats might be more beneficial than dogs to some families.”

In the study, families that had children with autism aged 6-14 were recruited through the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and monitored after adopting a cat into their home. The cats were screened for temperament to ensure they were calm and a good match for the family. Not only did the families report an instant bond between their child with autism and their new cat, but the bond remained strong over the course of time, and the child’s anxiety decreased over time.

“We found the main benefit of these companion animals is their unconditional acceptance,” Carlisle said. “Some children with autism may have sensory issues or be sensitive to loud noises, so a cat may be an appropriate, comforting pet for some families due to their calming presence.”

Helping families make the best choice for their kids has motivated Carlisle’s research with companion animals, and the study’s findings highlight the benefits of human-animal interaction.

“As a former pediatric nurse, I have always strived to help children, and one thing I learned is that you need to involve the parents so they can make informed choices for their children,” Carlisle said. “I see pets as a way to enhance wellness, and it feels gratifying to provide assistance to families that have a lot on their plate.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Kote Puerto on Unsplash

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New Interactive Storybook “Octobo’s Big City Adventure” Available in Time for the Holidays

by Jennifer SwartvagherDecember 14, 2020

Encourage your little one’s curiosity. Award Winning ed-tech startup Thinker-Tinker Inc. recently launched a new children’s activity storybook that inspires kids to explore the world. Octobo’s Big City Adventure was created in response to COVID-19, to create activities that families can enjoy during lockdown.

Octobo’s Big City Adventure helps kids ages 2-7 boost their imagination and storytelling skills with different interactive activities. Octobo takes readers throughout the city, and assists them with learning activities like identifying various objects on the page to expand kids’ vocabulary and teach the spelling of new words.

To help accompany children’s imaginations and reading comprehension, this book includes:

A hardcover storybook filled with different items and prompts to discover.
New Discovery Card game system, that includes six reusable dry-erase cards that foster creativity and encourage imagination that will lead to collaborative teamwork in future years!
A new audiobook app that has the ability to switch between different modes to be used standalone or can connect to the Octobo plush robot companion, giving parents a resource for their kids to continue to interact and read on their own.

“Inspired by the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, we see that children are more open-minded and have an equally valid view of the world,” explains CEO, Yuting Su. “We want to provide a channel for parents and kids to discover and learn about the world together (especially at this special time with a lot of uncertainties around us). This provides parents an interactive, fun resource to teach their children.”

Octobo’s Big City Adventure is now available to order on Thinker-Tinker.com or Amazon, and is also included in the Octobo Expanded Everything Bundle.

The Octobo Audiobook app can be downloaded on Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Fire.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Thinker-Tinker Inc.

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The Best New Trend: Screen-Free Entertainment

by Jamie AderskiDecember 2, 2020

We all love screens for games, movies, video meetings (well, maybe not that last one). Too much of a good thing is too much sometimes; kids (and adults!) need a break. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a new way for kids to play, something totally different…dare we say magical even? We’ve found it and have to share: meet tonies! We were blown away by how different and cool this is (and it’s so much more than just a toy). Keep reading to learn why tonies are your family’s new lovable storytime companion!

What Is a Toniebox? Interactive Listening and Imaginative Play in a Whole New Way

The Toniebox is an imagination-building, interactive and screen-free digital listening experience that plays stories, songs and more. It comes to life when paired with a Tonie: hand-painted characters with stories to tell, worlds to explore and songs to sing along with.

Made for kids three and up, tonies are simple to use, so kids can play all on their own or together with friends and family! Pro tip: Tonies are a huge help for bedtime routines since the Toniebox is soft, squeezable and bed-friendly! Soft and strong, the Toniebox is made for hands-on play and can handle it all, plus you don’t have to worry about shattered screens—what a relief!

What are Tonies? Characters With Unique Stories To Tell

Each collectible Tonie character magnetically attaches to the Toniebox, making it simple for little listeners to control their audio adventures. Content Tonies come pre-loaded with a ton of content, including stories from Disney’s The Lion King and Cars, and fun new characters like The Gruffalo and so much more.

This is so cool: there also Creative Tonies, which you can customize with up to 90 minutes of your own content. You can upload your own favorite songs and stories or have grandparents record their favorite book to share with your child on the Toniebox for an extra-special bedtime treat!

How Does It Work? So Easy, Your Three-Year-Old Can Do it All By Themselves

The Toniebox is smart technology that instantly recognizes any Tonie, so the storytime magic begins right away! The Toniebox will start telling a story, playing music or leading your child on an audio adventure! Kids just pick any Tonie they like and pop it onto the box. When putting a Tonie on for its first adventure, their story automatically downloads to the Toniebox. You can then play the Tonie anywhere; take it to a friend’s house or on a road trip—no Wi-Fi needed and seven hours of battery life between charges!

Learn more about tonies and this extra-special deal: Now through the end of 2020, get a FREE Tonie with the purchase of a Starter Set!

—Jamie Aderski

Celebrate Mando-Monday with Yogibo

by Jennifer SwartvagherNovember 9, 2020

It’s MandoMonday! Yogibo is celebrating with the announcement of officially-licensed plush inspired by The Mandalorian. Available for pre-order beginning today at 4 p.m. ET, the Child (aka Baby Yoda) and Mando will release on Nov. 23 on Yogibo.com and in Yogibo retail stores around the country.

The new products join Yogibo’s growing Star Wars collection of gifts, accessories and furniture from a galaxy far, far away that feature BB-8, R2-D2 and more.

Made from Yogibo’s signature stretchy fabric and ultra-fine filling, the new plush are the cuddliest stuff in the galaxy. The Child Yogibo Mate ($35) and The Child Squeezibo Stress Ball Mate ($10) are the most adorable Force-sensitive friends you’ll ever find and the perfect companion to any bounty hunter or Star Wars fan. And with the incredibly cuddly Mando Yogibo Mate ($35) and the Mando Squeezibo Stress Ball Mate ($10) there’s no knowing what sorts of adventures you’ll find yourselves in.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Yogibo

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Nickelodeon & TIME Announce Top 20 Finalists for Kid of the Year Honor

by Jennifer SwartvagherNovember 3, 2020

Nickelodeon, TIME and TIME for Kids announced the top 20 finalists for the first-ever Kid of the Year honor. This new initiative will recognize extraordinary young leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities. The top five honorees from the list will be featured in a television special hosted by Trevor Noah.

The Kid of the Year TV special will introduce the top five honorees ahead of the ultimate Kid of the Year being named, and feature guest stars from entertainment, sports and pop culture to help surprise them and celebrate their work. Celebrity guests scheduled to make appearances throughout the special include Kristen Bell, Simone Biles, Brie Larson, Zachary Levi and Russell Westbrook, among others.

The special will simulcast across Nickelodeon, CBS Television Network, TeenNick and Nicktoons on Sat., Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). One kid will be chosen as Kid of the Year and will be featured on a cover of TIME with a companion story in TIME for Kids.

Each of the five Kid of the Year honorees will receive a cash prize and have the opportunity to serve as a Kid Reporter for TIME for Kids with exclusive access to a Nickelodeon event. For additional information about the initiative, visit KidoftheYear2020.com.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Pexels

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There’s a Mandalorian Crock Pot & It Has The Child, Of Course

by Karly WoodNovember 3, 2020

It’s officially soup season and if you don’t already have a slow cooker, we have the perfect option. Uncanny Brands’ Mandalorian Crock Pot is here and it’s the ideal companion to the show’s second season.

The 7-quart crock pot is officially licensed by Disney and has an adorable pattern with The Child (aka Baby Yoda) and Mandalorian helmets. It retails for $49.99 and you can find it on Amazon.

photo: Amazon

In addition to a cute design, the appliance comes with a removable stoneware insert and a dial with heating options in low, high and warm. If you’re not into the Mandalorian, Uncanny Brands has other adorable patterns that include Star Wars, Pixar, Spider-Man and more.

––Karly Wood

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Sesame Street Addresses Racism in New Family-Friendly Special

by Karly WoodOctober 12, 2020

This year has demonstrated the importance of having open and honest discussions with our children about topics like racism, and Sesame Street is here to help.

The nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop has created a brand new special that will discuss racism and help empower kids to stand up to it. The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special is designed so children and families can watch together and will air on HBO Max, PBS KIDS and PBS stations starting Thur., Oct. 15 and will also re-air throughout October and November on PBS stations and the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel.

The special will feature Elmo Abby Cadabby, 6-year-old Muppet Gabrielle and her cousin, 8-year-old Tamir. The characters will learn how to become “upstanders” to unfair treatment based on skin color.

Human cast members will include Alan, Charlie, Chris, and Gordon and celebrity and musical guests Yara Shahidi, Christopher Jackson, and Andra Day. Families will learn two new songs in the special, including “How Do You Know?” and “Listen, Act, Unite!”

For parents wanting additional help, Sesame Workshop has created a companion guide they can use to talk about the special with their children. The guide can be found at SesameStreet.org/PowerofWe.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Sesame Street

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DC Kids Fans: Explore the Ultimate FanDome Experience

by Kate LowethAugust 11, 2020

Parents, you’ll want to write this one down. Mark your calendars for September 12, you’ll have only 24 hours to experience DC Kids FanDome, available online or on your mobile device.

At DC Kids FanDome, your kids can explore the Teen Titans tower, visit DC Super Hero Girls’ Sweet Justice Café, make your way to the Batcave and see all your favorite animated heroes in this world made specially for kids of every age to celebrate, play and create.

This specially-created, mega virtual fan experience will be a kid-friendly companion event to DC FanDome. The two-day event will happen on August 22 at 10 a.m. PT for DC FanDome: Hall of Heroes and September 12 at 10 a.m. PT for DC FanDome: Explore the Multiverse. Similar to DC FanDome, DC Kids FanDome is a first-of-its-kind, truly immersive, global virtual event that will celebrate all things DC—films, games, TV, comics and more. It’s also completely free with no lines or badges required.

The DC Kids FanDome Virtual Experience kicks off on September 12 at 10 a.m. PT.

—Kate Loweth

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Amtrak Announces Roomette BOGO Sale

by Jennifer SwartvagherJuly 9, 2020

Many people are looking to get out of town to visit loved ones or simply they just want to escape for a few days. Amtrak customers can travel in the comfort of a private room at a discounted price this summer. Now, when one person purchases a Roomette, one companion can join them for free.

Roomette accommodations are offered on many routes across the country. Located in the sleeping car, a Roomette is the perfect option for customers seeking privacy and space on a short trip and added comfort and amenities when traveling overnight. All customers in private rooms receive complimentary lounge access at major stations, priority boarding and complimentary meals onboard.

Roomette accommodations are available across the national network on the following trains: California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Lake Shore Limited, Silver Service, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle.

Available on Amtrak.com or by using the Amtrak app, customers can book between Jul. 7-17, 2020 for travel from Jul. 13, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2020.

To receive this discount, use the Fare Finder from this page or enter code V306 when booking a trip on the Amtrak app. The offer is subject to availability and not available on the Auto Train. An advanced reservation of at least three days is required. Other restrictions may apply.

In an effort to simplify and safeguard the travel experience, several cleaning, contract-free and convenience measures have been implemented to every part of the customer journey. Learn more about all measures at Amtrak.com/coronavirus.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Aris on Unsplash

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Dwayne Wade Reads Gabrielle Union’s Book to Kick off PBS KIDS Summer Read-Along

by Jennifer SwartvagherJuly 1, 2020

PBS KIDS partnered with Little Free Library for a collection of story time videos this summer. Through the collaboration, each special guest will read a children’s book and designate a location in the U.S. where a Little Free Library will be installed, complete with a supply of diverse books to make reading together more accessible for families across the U.S.

The series kicked off as NBA legend and entrepreneur Dwayne Wade read Gabrielle Union’s children’s book Welcome to the Party.

Other upcoming participants include Camila Alves McConaughey, Tim Gunn, Carla Hall, Anthony Ramos, Marley Dias, Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker, with additional special guest readers added throughout the summer. The story-times will feature books with diverse authors and characters, as well as bilingual readings.

To encourage engagement and a love of reading while many families are spending much of their time at home, the ongoing PBS KIDS “Read-Along” effort gives kids and parents a place to come together and read-along with fan-favorite books every Mon. and Fri. at 12 p.m. ET.

Launched in March, PBS KIDS Read-Alongs have featured Michelle Obama, Kristen Bell, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush.

Additional upcoming PBS KIDS Read-Alongs will include Tad Hills and legendary ballet dancer and best-selling author Misty Copeland.

Each reading is livestreamed simultaneously on PBS KIDS’ Facebook and YouTube channel and remains available for viewing on demand on both platforms immediately following. Companion literacy resources for each “Read-Along” are available on pbskidsforparents.org. The full schedule is available here. Follow PBS KIDS on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: PBS Kids via YouTube

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