The advantages of being fluent in multiple languages are pretty obvious, but knew research has uncovered some surprising advantages for kids who grow up in a bilingual home.
A new study conducted by York University’s Faculty of Health has found that the advantages of learning more than one language can start as early as six months old. It’s not just academics and future careers that can benefit from being raised in a bilingual home. As it turns out, infants who are exposed to more than one language show better attentional control.
The study involved the use of eye trackers to assess attention and learning. The researchers found that babies who were raised in bilingual homes were more adaptable to change, showing that language can influence the development of the attentional system.
“By studying infants—a population that does not yet speak any language—we discovered that the real difference between monolingual and bilingual individuals later in life is not in the language itself, but rather, in the attention system used to focus on language,” says Bialystok, co-senior author of the study.
“This study tells us that from the very earliest stage of development, the networks that are the basis for developing attention are forming differently in infants who are being raised in a bilingual environment. Why is that important? It’s because attention is the basis for all cognition,” Bialystok added.
Do you know how to clean your travel mug lid? If you think you do, check again—because when one woman checked her YETI, she found a hidden world of downright yucky-ness.
After hearing about a couple who discovered that their mystery illnesses came from travel mug lids, Veronica Lucas did some at-home investigation. And what did she discover? After taking apart the mug’s removable seal, she found all kinds of not-so-nice looking moldy gunk growing. After finding the growth, Lucas posted pics of it to Facebook—getting plenty of attention.
Lucas isn’t the first person to go viral with a moldy mug warning. Last fall, sports chiropractor Dr. Beau Pierce, posted a YouTube video explaining how he solved one of his patient’s mystery illness complaints by looking under their travel mug lid.
Even though both Lucas and Pierce referred to YETI products, this isn’t a brand-specific problem. Any travel mug (or for that matter, any reusable cup or container) that is exposed to moisture on a regular basis is at risk.
What can you do to protect yourself? Take apart your travel mug completely, including that little rubber gasket under the lid. Scrub the mug thoroughly or use a dishwasher and hand-washing combo (assuming your mug is dishwasher safe). Thoroughly dry the mug after washing.
Another tip? Replace your mug every so often. That ages-old coffee cup that you’ve had since college may seem nostalgic, but in reality, it could make you sick.
Yet another study weighs in on the topic of screen time. This researchers examined the following questions: how much screen time do kids really get—and is it too much?
Screens are ubiquitous in our now digital society and at some point all kids will be exposed to them, no matter what you do. The question remains: does the amount of exposure matter? A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found a link between excessive screen use in kids and delays in development. The study concludes, “When young children are observing screens, they may be missing important opportunities to practice and master interpersonal, motor, and communication skills.”
The study included 3388 moms and kids tracking their stages and screen use at 24, 36, and 60 months. On average, kids aged 24, 36, and 60 months in the study were watching approximately 17, 25, and 11 hours of television per week, “which amounts to approximately 2.4, 3.6, and 1.6 hours of screen time per day.”
So how much is too much? A recent study conducted by the National Institutes of Health suggests that kids should have no more than two hours of screen time per day to avoid impacted kids’ cognition. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids under 24 months should have no screen time other than video chatting, while those ages two to five-years-old should be limited to no more than one hour of quality screen time per day.
With so many different studies and recommendations it can be hard for families to know what to do, but ultimately it’s up to parents to decide what is best for their own kids.
School is in, which means week-long vacations will have to wait a while. If you’re still craving a little getaway, why not plan a sweet staycation right in San Francisco? If you want to play tourist, there’s no better place than Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghiradelli Square, Pier 39 and the rest of the Embarcadero. Best part? We found the sweetest hotel—The Argonaut—that’s smack dab in the middle of all the action. Keep reading to find out more.
The Vibe
This charming boutique hotel is located on the corner of Jefferson and Hyde Street, in the historic Haslett Warehouse. You’ll immediately be drawn in by the nautical-inspired decor, exposed brick wall and friendly staff. There’s a roaring fire in the evenings, a wine-tasting bar off the entrance, and The Argonaut shares it’s billing with the San Francisco Maritime National Park’s Visitor Center, so there’s always something interesting to look at on your way in or out of the hotel.
photo: courtesy The Argonaut
The Rooms
Nautical/seaside decor such as gorgeous wallpaper (think gilded octopus graphics), exposed brick walls, seal stuffies for the little guests, rich blue hues and plantation shutters are a similar thread throughout all the rooms, which vary from spacious guestrooms to larger suites.
photo: courtesy of The Argonaut
The Blue Mermaid
Be sure to dine at The Argonaut’s signature restaurant. It is known for the clam chowder, but the corn and crab chowder is also delicious, with generous chunks of crab and green onions to give it a zing. For apps, the asparagus and prosciutto is a must. The asparagus is served crisp, with a creamy balsamic reduction. The half oysters on the shell are also delicious and fresh.
The Location
You can’t beat The Argonaut for its location. Stroll over the Maritime Museum, or grab a complimentary bike and head toward Fort Mason and Crissy Field, all while admiring the Golden Gate Bridge on the horizon. Head the other direction toward Pier 39 to appreciate the sweeping Bay views, which of course, include Angel Island and Alcatraz. Or, if you want to play total tourist, hop on the Hyde Street Cable Car (when was the last time you did that?!) and go shopping at Union Square. If it’s education fun you want, A quick cab ride will take you up the Embarcadero to the Exploratorium, which is a Bay Area favorite for all families. For more ideas on how to spend your staycation with the family, check out our ultimate list of things to do with kids in San Francisco.
The Details
Rates start at $260 per night 496 Jefferson Street San Francisco, CA 94109 415.563.0800 argonauthotel.com
—Gabby Cullen
Editor’s Note: This hotel experience was paid for by The Argonaut Hotel, but all opinions belong to the writer.
Apparently, some educators believe that today’s kids can’t read analog clocks. At least, some educators at British schools do. These schools in England aren’t so sure that their students can read good ol’ clocks anymore (the ones with actual hands that move) and want to get rid of them… the clocks, that is—not the kids.
According to The Telegraph, some administrators at U.K. schools have considered swapping out analog clocks for digital clocks in testing rooms. During General Certificate of Secondary Education and A-level exams (sort of like the U.K. version of the pre-SATs and SATs) students seemed to have trouble reading the “old-school” analog clocks in the test-taking rooms. In response, teachers decided to start using digital clocks to make it easier for their teenaged students.
Deputy General Secretary at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Malcolm Trobe, told The Telegraph, “The current generation aren’t as good at reading the traditional clock face as older generations,” adding, “They are used to seeing a digital representation of time on their phones, on their computer. Nearly everything they’ve got is digital so youngsters are just exposed to time being given digitally everywhere.”
One thing you quickly learn as a parent is that you can’t always be there to protect your teens. As they grow into independent young adults, teens need the freedom to explore and discover their world. It’s inevitable that they’ll be exposed to different dangers and probably find themselves in all kinds of risky situations.
I learned that all I can really do is prepare my teens and have a plan on hand in case things go awry. This lesson was driven home one evening when my teen daughter, Delila, came back home noticeably upset. After getting her to calm down, she finally disclosed that she’d been hanging out at her friend’s house and someone had brought out some alcohol, daring them to drink.
Luckily, the parents walked in just in time to ruin their fun. On asking her why she didn’t just walk out, Delila said that she couldn’t leave because was worried her friends would tease her relentlessly.
I get what she was going through. As a teen, I too had found myself in numerous uncomfortable positions and I’d stuck around because I felt I had no way out. I couldn’t escape without inviting ridicule from my peers.
Coming Up With The Plan
I didn’t want my teens to go through life like that so I went hunting for a solution. I came across this brilliant idea by Bert Fulks, a youth minister and educator, and decided to implement it in my own home.
A parent and teen had come up with an “X Plan” or a way for teens to reach out and easily get help out of a sticky situation. Here’s the gist of it:
Let’s say that Delila is invited to another party or goes out with her friends. Something happens that makes her uncomfortable- it could be drugs, alcohol, bullying, or unwanted sexual advances. All she has to do is get her phone and text the letter “X” to either her mother or I. Whichever one of us receives the text calls Delila’s phone within minutes and tells her that something has come up and they are coming to get her.
The script is very simple and goes something like this:
Delia: “Hello?”
Parent: “Hi, Delila. Something’s just come up and I’m on my way to pick you up.”
Delia: “Why? What’s happened?”
Parent: “I can’t tell you right now but I’m on my way. I’ll be there in about 5 minutes and I’ll tell you then.”
This gives my teen an easy way out of whatever sticky situation she’d found herself in. She can save face by simply telling her friends that something’s happened at home and her parents are coming to get her. She’ll then leave with minimal fuss.
Benefits Of The “X Plan”
The “X Plan” empowers my teens and gives them a way of escaping suffocating situations without affecting their social standing. Furthermore, I explained that they were under no obligation to explain what the “tricky situation” was unless they felt they needed to- or unless someone’s life was in danger.
Surprisingly, instead of becoming more secretive, my kids have opened up and have started conversations on what might be called difficult topics. It also helped us build trust with our teenagers that goes both ways: they trust that we’re a text away and we will offer our unconditional support and in return, we trust them to behave responsibly.
Of course, families are different and what works for one might not be ideal for another. However, I encourage parents to implement a form of the “X Plan” that fits in with their unique family characteristics and situation.
Tyler Jacobson is a happy husband, father of three, writer and outreach specialist with experience with organizations that help troubled teens and parents. His areas of focus include: parenting, social media, addiction, mental illness, and issues facing teenagers today.
Today my son ate dirt for the first time. (Not that I’m going to feed him dirt, but, hey, he’s a boy. I’m sure he’ll eat dirt at least once more before he’s grown.) Binnybeans and I were potting the herbs we bought this weekend, and Budgie was crawling around, investigating dandelions and grass.
As I helped Binnybeans remove the rosemary from the tiny pot, I heard her scream. “He’s eating the dirt!”
I spun around, and there he was, black-speckled tongue hanging out of his mouth and a fistful of dirt. I scoop him up and try to fish the dirt out of his mouth with my finger. Which I was just using to pot the herbs. In dirt. Yeah, that didn’t work.
I made sure there were no chunks he could choke on and I let him be. I didn’t drop everything and race inside for the syrup of ipecac. I didn’t frantically call the pediatrician. I didn’t worry about it… much. (I’m a worrier.)
Why didn’t I lose my mind over a mouthful of dirt? Because it may actually make him healthier. I’m a subscriber to the hygiene hypothesis. According to the FDA’s webpage about the hygiene hypothesis, “young child’s environment can be ‘too clean’ to pose an effective challenge to a maturing immune system.” There is such a thing as too clean.
They continue to say, “extremely clean environments … fail to provide the necessary exposure to germs required to ‘educate’ the immune system so it can learn to launch its defense responses to infectious organisms.” It’s like any other type of learning. You can’t expect to show up at a calculus test and ace it if you’ve never been exposed to basic math. Similarly, you can’t expect to have a robust immune system if you’re not exposed to common microorganisms.
According to the World Health Organization, asthma is the most common chronic condition in children. However, inflammatory responses like asthma and allergies seem to affect children in developed countries and in urban areas at a much higher rate than children in underdeveloped countries and rural areas. Researchers believe this is due to the hygiene hypothesis; those city kids just aren’t exposed to the dirt and germs they need to prevent asthma.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still careful about what I expose my kids to. I’m not feeding them raw chicken or letting Budgie suck his thumb after getting his tiny hand into a dirty diaper. I’m careful about e. coli and salmonella. I wouldn’t let someone with whooping cough snuggle my Budgie. I follow the CDC’s guidelines about food safety and sanitation.
The researchers agree. Balance is important. Kids need to get outside, but they need to be protected, too. It’s good that he’s literally crawling on the lawn (he’s not walking… yet). It’s good that I sanitize his changing table after an explosive, leaky diaper.
I’m not going to freak out about a tiny fistful of dirt. I’m not going to freak out if he eats a blade of grass or faceplants into the garden while trying to smell a tulip. Come to think of it, he may have been trying to eat that, too.
So I’ll let him get dirty. He’ll “help” us in the garden this summer. While his sister waters the veggies, he can creep along the raised garden bed. And if he gets his hands dirty, I’m totally okay with that. As long as they wash their hands before dinner.
Crafts, computers, hiding the good snacks... I do it all. I'm a computer scientist by training, but a mom by experience. I love to write about technology for families, because those are my two loves in life. And cheesecake. And coffee.
You know that feeling you get when you hear your baby cry — the discomfort, the worry, the need to help? It turns out, dogs feel it, too.
A growing body of research is proving what dog owners have known forever: Our pooches feel emotions — and, more specifically, they can feel empathy towards other people’s pain. To prove it, University of New Zealand researchers exposed 75 pet dogs and 74 people to 10 minutes of the following sounds: a baby babbling, a baby crying and radio static. Then, researchers checked their cortisol levels for indicators of stress. Neither human nor dog responded much to the sound of a baby babbling or the radio static. But the sound of the baby crying caused a dramatic rise in cortisol levels in both species. It’s a reaction that lead author Ted Ruffman to describe it as low-level empathy.
“Emotional contagion is a primitive form of empathy,” Ruffman told the New York Times. “It is plausible that when breeding dogs, humans would have selected for qualities that facilitated emotional links between dogs and humans.”
Want to see some canine empathy in action? Watch the YouTube video below of a boxer stressing over a newborn baby’s cries—a video that has since racked up more than 5 million views!
Here’s the recipe for a great summer: Take long days in the sun, add lots of water, and toss in plenty of sturdy swim gear. In order to help make this happen, we’ve collected our favorite UPF suits for little fishes. Flip through the photo album below to see them all. We guarantee each one will make a splash.
Sweetie Swim
This one piece suit is made with a super-soft, high-quality swim material. The criss-cross back prevents strap slips, and the full lining keeps scratchy, exposed seams away from your little one’s sensitive skin. The outer ruffle is a playful, stylish extra that doesn’t get in the way of pool time fun. Each one is made in the USA, is UPF 50+, and offered in five vibrant colors.
Baby, it’s cold outside! But that doesn’t mean you need to stay inside and get stir crazy with your little one. Winterize your baby gear with warm accessories so you can both get some fresh air without freezing those tiny fingers and toes. Scroll down for our picks.
photo: JJ Cole
Snuggle Up for a Stroll The easiest way to keep your baby warm while walking from here to there? Outfit your stroller with a specially designed sack like the JJ Cole Urban BundleMe. The water-resistant bag will keep your kiddo so warm you may not even have to bother dressing her up in mittens and a coat — as long as she won’t be getting out of the stroller, that is! Also great: It’s machine washable just in case it quickly gets covered with slush from those messy city streets. $49.95 at jjcolecollections.com.
Kiss Cold Hands Goodbye Forget leaving your hands exposed to icy air — that stroller bar gets too cold to hold! 7AM Enfant’s genius Stroller Warmuffs attach to the handlebar and allow you to slip your hands inside to keep them warm. We love that you can slip your hands out just as quickly to adjust a hat and shoot a text to the mom you’re on the way to meet, all without a chance of losing your gloves. $38 at giggle.com.
Cuddle Him With a Carrier Cover Whether you’re a fan of Ergobaby, Moby or Baby Bjorn, this snuggly fleece-lined cover will fit your carrier. If snow starts falling, never fear, the Jolly Jumper Snuggle Cover is water repellent, too. We also love that there are pockets to keep your hands warm and that it’s machine washable. $26.23 at amazon.com.
Stay Safe & Warm in the Car Proper car seat safety can be tricky. Experts say not to dress your babies in bulky winter snow suits and coats, but also frown upon some types of warm car seat covers that may hinder car seat straps. The Cozy Cover gets a nod of approval because it adds warmth and protection from snow, but only covers the top of the seat, so it doesn’t interfere with safety. $27.83 at cozy-cover.com.
