Pittsburgh Unified School District teacher Dorothy Honey Mallari’s second grade-style version of Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” is an educational anthem every student needs to hear.
According to KPIX 5, the Los Medanos Elementary second grade teacher regularly rewrites pop music for her class.
Even though original lyrics to the song aren’t all-together child-friendly, Mallari told KPIX News, “And when the song came on — the Kid’s Bop version — they were really digging it.” The teacher continued, “And so I said, ‘OK, this is the song we’re going to do it to.’”
The revamped version of the song now includes lyrics such as, “Let’s be great, cuz’ I know we are great” and, “Help you with your homework, just a little.”
So what do Mallari’s second graders think of the song? Based on the video clip, they all enjoy it! Eight-year-old student Hayden Wiebe told KPIX News, “It makes us feel happy in the morning and it makes us feel like a family.” Another student, Jaxson Sanchez, said of his inspirational teacher, “She makes a difference of school, because other teachers just do normal things.”
It’s not just Mallari’s students who see the brilliance in her “Truth Hurts” re-do. Along with most of the Internet, Lizzo chimed in, tweeting, “Ur right..this IS the best thing I’ve watched today.”
The U.S. Postal Service is in on the best Secret Santa action ever! Through USPS Operation Santa, you can gift a child in need with something off their holiday wish list.
Every year children from across the country put pen to paper and write out a hopeful list of possible presents. While many of these would-be gifts end up under the Christmas tree, many go unanswered.
Low-income families who need money for necessities, such as rent or food, can’t always fill their kiddo’s Santa lists themselves. Here’s where the USPS and you can help. Through Operation Santa you can make a difference in a child’s life, giving them the Christmas of their dreams.
So how can you help a child this holiday season through the USPS? Visit the USPS Operation Santa website and browse letters from hopeful children. Choose a letter to adopt (or a few), fill the wishlist, wrap the gifts and bring them (plus the necessary postage) to a participating post office by December 18, so kids can receive them by Christmas.
Here’s a bit more info on how the program works: the USPS receives thousands of letters to Santa every year and scans them, with personal information hidden. Once they’re live on the website, people like you can adopt the letters and help Santa fulfill their wishes! The gifts are shipped on behalf of the North Pole so you can deliver holiday magic together.
While your kids are out splashing through the rest of summer, keep this new study in mind! A former college swimmer and graduate student at the University of Delaware wanted to research if exercise would boost vocabulary learning performance. The results among a group of elementary school children backed that theory up—with certain forms of activity.
The study focused on 48 participants between the ages of six and 12. All of the kids completed a word learning task, then colored for three minutes before testing on their ability to recognize the words. The exercise condition split the kids in two groups for another word learning task. Group one then completed three minutes of aerobic exercise (swimming in this study) and group two completed three minutes of anaerobic exercise (a CrossFit-like workout) before testing.
And the results? The kids who completed the aerobic exercise did 13% better compared to resting conditions in follow up testing on the new words. Meanwhile, kids who completed the anaerobic exercise had no significant difference in performance compared to resting conditions.
Co-author Madison Pruitt, the former college swimmer who is now a speech and language pathologist, had a hypothesis for the difference in performance based on exercise type. Because the aerobic exercise demanded less brain energy, it was easier for kids to retain information. When combined with the physical activity, it actually improved their ability to learn new vocabulary. The University of Delaware’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders plans to conduct a similar study with toddlers.
—Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Jeff Dunham on Unsplash
Anyone else feel a mild sense of panic at the word “resilience”?
You worry you aren’t doing enough to build your kid’s resilience. You worry you aren’t doing it right. You worry because the stakes are so high. You worry because you don’t even know the difference between “resilience” and “resiliency.” (Is there a difference?) And your kid quit T-ball after just one practice. And your kid cried after losing Parcheesi. And your kid just seems, well, flimsy.
[Cue timid hand raise.]
Fear not.
Whether you mean to be or not, you are building your child’s resilience all the time.
That’s right. ALL THE TIME.
Each time you sign your child up for soccer or baton twirling or chess club, you are teaching the value of cultivating passions. Each time you ask your child to do a chore, you’re imparting self-efficacy. Each time you insist your child floss, you are instructing them on self-care. Each time you remind your child not to interrupt when you’re on the phone, you are teaching empathy and effective communication. Each time you say “After you,” and hold the door open for a stranger walking into a store at the same moment as you, you are modeling generosity and connection for your child.
So is this enough? Probably. But there’s an easy way to make all that you do and all that you say more than enough.
Simply help your child realize how they feel after they do something good.
That means not just teaching your child self-efficacy by assigning chores. It’s taking it one small step further by asking how your child feels about helping the family in this way. It means not just creating a self-care routine in flossing, but taking a quick moment to ask your child how it feels to be doing something for their physical well-being. Obviously, your child knows that he likes chess. But does your child know what it is about chess that he likes? The strategizing? The black and white pattern of the board and the miniature pieces? The feeling of winning?
And instead of just opening that door for the stranger at the store, it means saying afterward to your child, “Wow, that made me feel really good to do something for someone else.” Not only will you be modeling this type of thinking for your child. You’ll actually be triggering your child to think about how they feel. Hearing YOU talk about your emotions will cause your child to think about THEIRS. That’s because it’s just about impossible to hear someone talk about a sensation, without reflecting on your own experience. If someone says, “I feel cold,” our natural inclination is to check in with ourselves to see if we’re cold too. That’s built into our biology.
One of the most important protective factors we can possess on the journey towards resilience is self-awareness. And conversation is our gateway to awakening.
When kids know themselves—their needs, their strengths and weaknesses, when they know what drives them, what gets their blood flowing, as well as what gets their blood boiling—when kids understand who they really are, they’re able to set realistic goals for themselves, they are able to tend to their own needs, recognize their own limitations, and make responsible choices.
According to Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington’s company that aims to improve the well-being of people and communities, self-awareness is all about asking yourself the right questions.
When it comes to sparking self-awareness in our children, it’s all about asking them the right questions. Our job as parents is to help our kids learn toreflect on their experiences, not just have an experience.
Plus, growing our children’s self-awareness will not just help them understand themselves better. It will help you understand your child better, and along with that, it will help you connect to them better.
And perhaps you’ll never wonder if it’s “resilience” or “resiliency” again.
After losing a brother to suicide, Devin Tomiak was driven to understand youth resiliency. Her personal mission to strengthen her relationship with her children, develop their emotional intelligence, and improve the communication skills of her whole family led her to create The Biggies Conversation Cards for elementary-aged kids.
What is systemic racism, or anti-racism? Tough questions that even adults can struggle to answer. American Girl has released a new advice book, A Smart Girl’s Guide: Race & Inclusion that will help readers 10 and up understand these concepts and more, plus help normalize the conversation around race.
You can buy the book online today for $12.99 and the it’s more than 100 pages, with full-color illustrations, tips, quizzes and challenges. It’s written by Deanna Singh, a highly respected thought leader and diversity and inclusion expert. Plus it benefits from expert advisors who reviewed the manuscript: Traci Baxley, Ed.D., a professor of multicultural education and curriculum and instruction at Florida Atlantic University; and Deborah Rivas-Drake, Ph.D., a professor of education and psychology at the University of Michigan, who works to disrupt racism and xenophobia.
“We’re proud to add Race & Inclusion to our popular Smart Girl’s Guide series, which has served as a trusted resource for our readers and their families for nearly three decades,” said Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “It’s our hope that the age-appropriate information and real-life guidance found in the book will be an important step for all those seeking to create a more compassionate world where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.”
Today’s release is part of American Girl’s commitment to engage more diverse voices and create new content to help advance racial equality. Among other initiatives, the brand recently launched Conversations for Change, a series that amplifies young women of various backgrounds and experiences making a difference in their communities. American Girl strives to help girls be their best and this new book will certainly make a difference!
Girls can do anything: that’s the message of a new children’s book, Pinkie Promises, from Senator Elizabeth Warren who ran for president in 2020. It’s her first-ever picture book in her own words and it’s on sale this fall for kids who dream big everywhere.
Polly wants to make a difference, but she keeps hearing “that’s not what girls do.” She’s frustrated, but one day she goes to a rally to see a woman running for president. They meet in person and after a pinkie promise, Polly is inspired to embark on her own campaign for Class President. Win or lose, she’s been empowered to take matters into her own hands.
The book features art by award-winning illustrator Charlene Chua and is available to buy Oct. 12 in hardcover for $18.99. It’s targeted for girls in the four to eight-year-old range, but its message applies to all women. Warren would often introduce herself on the campaign trail to young supporters by saying, “My name is Elizabeth, and I’m running for President because that’s what girls do.”
Along with authoring books, Elizabeth Warren has served as the United State Senator of Massachusetts since 2013, the first woman senator for the state. She’s also a former law professor and she finished third in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries.
—Sarah Shebek
Image courtesy of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
Alex Trebek left some big shoes to fill, but all may not be lost when it comes to finding the next Jeopardy guest host. Ever the beacon of knowledge, LeVar Burton stepped up to the plate earlier this month as a potential host for the show––and now it’s happening!
In a tweet on Wednesday, the Reading Rainbow host shared the exciting news from Jeopardy that he would be hosting an upcoming episode of season 37. If you recall, Joshua Sanders started a change.org petition a few months back to make Burton the host. As of publication, the petition has over 248,000 signatures!
THANK YOU… to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hosting Jeopardy!, and will do my utmost best to live up to your faith you in me. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time. https://t.co/C7mZWMok2X
The haiku is an uncomplicated form of poetry that kids will take to with natural skill. This traditional Japanese verse is just three lines. All you need is to remember that and the 5-7-5 rule. Read on for the how-to.
The biggest challenge is teaching them the difference between words and syllables and helping them count it out if they need it. Kids can count on their fingers as they try and figure out the perfect way to say it with words. Here’s an example:
1st verse: It is ice cream time (5)
2nd verse: Serve it in a cup or cone (7)
3rd verse: Ice cream time is here (5)
More examples:
Ride your tricycle It is red and has a bell Take it to the street
Mom is tired now But soon she will rise again No rest for mommy
There’s a difference between tattling and reporting. When kids understand the difference, they are more likely to report unsafe situations and real trouble.
Definitions: Snitching & Tattling vs. Reporting
Snitching or Tattling: Telling on someone to get that person in trouble.
Reporting: Telling a trusted adult to get help. Focused on keeping yourself and others safe.
The Difference Between Tattling & Reporting
In early elementary school, snitching or tattling is common as kids learn to navigate rules and social dynamics. In these situations, the “snitcher” is usually trying to get someone in trouble, control another, or avoid blame. Often, no one is in danger of being physically hurt, and the situation could be solved without adult intervention with some conflict resolution skills.
By middle school, snitching has become socially unacceptable. Because of this stigma, older students may be afraid to report real trouble. Fear of being seen as a snitch peaks just as dangerous and inappropriate behaviors (bullying, sexual harassment, and threats of violence) are on the rise.
When Kids Understand the Difference, Schools are Safer
When kids understand the difference between snitching and reporting it helps them feel safe to report. This requires regular discussions at home and at school about what types of situations need to be reported. It’s also important to have a safe, confidential way for students to share, like Safe2Tell.org. This service allows students, families, and community members to report concerns or threats anonymously.
In today’s world, all of us need to look out for each other. These efforts go a long way in helping our kids feel safe as well.
Jessica Speer is the author of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? Girls Guide to Happy Friendships. Combining humor, the voices of kids, and research-based explanations, Jessica unpacks topics in ways that connect with tweens and teens. She’s the mother of two and has a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences.
This Saves Lives, a snack brand on a mission to end severe acute malnutrition in children, has created a special limited-edition #BeTheOne Essentials Kit in partnership with STATE Bags. The kit, which includes one Lorimer Fanny Pack, one box of This Saves Lives’ Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bars, one face mask and two branded pins, is now available for purchase online for $105. Each purchase will help save the lives of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition worldwide, while also providing virtual tutoring to children in underfunded neighborhoods across the United States.
The impact of COVID-19 on children worldwide is incredibly substantial. Every 11 seconds, a child dies due to severe acute malnutrition, and this number has more than doubled as a result of the pandemic. In addition, low-income and high-risk children in underfunded neighborhoods across the United States are struggling in school due to a lack of available resources. The partnership between This Saves Lives and STATE Bags was established to increase awareness around the significant needs of children throughout the world and inspire consumers to get involved in making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
“New Year’s resolutions are typically long-forgotten by February, so we’re making it our mission this year to help people make a resolution they can actually keep,” said Todd Grinnell, co-founder of This Saves Lives and actor. “We created #BeTheOne to help encourage consumers to ‘Be the One’ to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most in 2021. We’re honored that STATE Bags, a mission-driven brand with values closely aligned with ours, has partnered with us to not only offer an exciting limited-edition bundle with our combined best-selling products, but to really increase awareness of the considerable needs of children around the world and how consumers can help.”
“The impact This Saves Lives is making by providing life-saving nutrition to children in need is truly inspiring, and it’s a mission we knew we had to support,” said Jacqueline Tatelman, co-founder of STATE Bags. “We’re passionate about helping children in the ways they need it most, from offering free 1 on 1 tutoring for kids struggling to keep up during COVID-19 to donating fully-packed backpacks at our signature bag drop rallies, it made sense to combine our efforts to make a larger impact together in 2021.”
“It’s incredibly heartbreaking to see the impact the pandemic is having on children throughout the world. Kids are dying of severe acute malnutrition at an even higher rate due to COVID-19,” said Kristen Bell, This Saves Lives co-founder and actor. “I’m so happy This Saves Lives has partnered with STATE Bags for the #BeTheOne campaign which helps combat injustices in our country and worldwide.”