ML Interest Tag: material

How to Help Your Kids Build Crucial Executive Function Skills This Summer

By Caroline Maguire

Has your child been struggling with starting or completing tasks? Does your son panic when you switch routines or change the rules? Or maybe your daughter has trouble remembering what she just read, or finds it difficult to organize her thoughts. Executive function can affect kids in many different ways, and the struggle is real for kids who learn and think differently. 

Executive function is made up of a set of skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. We use these skills every day to play with friends, learn in school, and manage our daily routines at home. When your child lacks executive function, he or she will struggle with basic tasks that many kids can easily handle. 

This doesn’t mean your child isn’t smart. It just means that he or she learns and thinks differently, and you need to help your child develop these skills. There’s no need to panic. As a parent, there are many fun activities you can do with your child to improve executive function. And summer is a great time to start!

1. Plant a Garden. This can be a great project where your entire family can work in collaboration with each other. Your child will learn to plan and follow through! When children watch and journal about things they plant, care for, watch grow, and identify ways they can be used, they learn across the curriculum. Most importantly, their “work” leads to meaningful self-efficacy development.  When your child gains these experiences, he can build an understanding of the relationship between healthy planting and eating and a healthy planet. And, who knows, maybe you as the parent can reconnect with nature as a result!    

2. Plan Something. Plan a party or a day trip. Really, plan anything from cleaning a room to working around the yard. A project, no matter what they are working on, involves the specific planning of steps, execution, and monitoring of results. This can be created for any child in elementary school through college. Putting a plan in place with details that can be followed is very helpful. It breaks down bigger, more overwhelming tasks into manageable bite-sized pieces that can be completed.  

3. Learn to Mind Mime. If your child cannot picture in her mind the day’s routine, help teach her mind miming. This skill helps the child to pre-plan and pre-stimulate future events. Think of it as a mental dress rehearsal or a movie in the mind. Mind miming helps your child to act out possible scenarios and have a mental trial and error period before the actual event takes place.  

4. Help Kids with Emotional Regulation. The key to helping your child with emotional regulation is to implement self-regulation strategies in the moment. You can do this by simulating real-life experiences. Simulation allows your child to experience and practice a scenario until she feels more comfortable. When you bring an experience to life, you help your child understand when their behavior becomes too silly or not appropriate for the situation. Maybe she was laughing at a joke, giggling and flopping around long after her peers had stopped. Help her understand that she has lost control and give her the opportunity to practice self-control in these situations.  

5. Play “How worried should I really be?” Ask your child to pick a time when she overreacted to a situation, and she felt flooded with emotions. Ask her to act out, and role-play what overreaction looks like? Some examples include: running from the room, wailing, stomping, pushing, or screaming. Talk to your child about their worries. Help her understand that when she feels a big worry, she may overreact because she feels the worry is as big as a Mack truck. Talk to her about how our worries feel inside affects us, and how we can handle our reactions.    

6. Practice Metacognition. Metacognition is to take a bird’s eye view of a situation to accurately rate your skills and abilities. It helps you recall past situations and realize how they are similar and different from each other. You can take past learnings and allow them to inform you of future plans.   

7. Rate Your Effort. Help your child self-evaluate his own progress and witness his own actions so he can start building social self-awareness. You can say, “On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your effort on that practice? What did you learn?” Share with him what you saw him do well. Praise anything he tried that is out of his comfort zone. Ask him to recap for you what he is working on and why. Reiterate his mission for the next day’s practice or an upcoming real-life social setting.  

8. Put Things in Categories. Whether it’s picking up or just organizing stuff, we need to learn to put things into categories. Part of what builds executive function is the ability to put material into categories and then to find that material. By organizing things, objects, and even ideas, we are helping to simplify your child’s understanding of the world around him. When kids pick up toys, help take a pile of stuff to organize in a room, or set up a system for their clothing, they are learning to categorize materials. 

My new book, Why Will Nobody Play with Me? is a step-by-step guide to teach parents how to coach their child to develop social skills (new executive function skills). For more information about supporting your child, visit my website at www.carolinemaguireauthor.com. 

A personal coach, author, teacher, and speaker whose work has inspired conversations about social skills at schools and in homes all across the county, Caroline Maguire believes all children can shine. Her work is critical to parents who support children with executive function challenges struggling to show their best selves.

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This Inflatable Lets You Play Cards––In the Pool!

by Karly Wood

If you’re having way too much fun during a rousing game of cards to cool off in the pool, now you can do both! The Swimline Game Station Set is a must for your summer soiree.

The inflatable comes with two inflatable swing seats with drink holders, game table and waterproof cards for fabulous fun. There’s even an option to attach the table to the chairs, for steady float fun!

The included waterproof cards are a standard set, and the game table top is made from the same inflatable material that pulls tight when everything is blown up. You can snag your own set on Amazon for $49.98. There’s also a floating blackjack table for $32.99 and a magnetic multi-game set for $59.99.

––Karly Wood

 

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The Importance of Taking Time to Explore Outside

By Gay Cioffi

Many of us are well into our second month of social distancing. We have done our best to make a schedule for our children and to stick with it, and yet we still struggle with filling the day. It reminds me of the old adage about parenting, “the days are long, the years are short”… during the time of COVID-19, even the hours are long!

So what do you do when cabin fever sets in? One suggestion that doesn’t involve the car, a screen, or even special toys or equipment for when you don’t have something planned, or just need a break from the schedule is very simple: Take a walk!

It involves observation and conversation, two activities that engage children in what they do best. And this simple activity can enrich our lives in ways that a trip to the latest commercial fun zone cannot.

There will be clues about the season (even most cityscapes have some plant material present), a discussion about the weather (walks can happen rain or shine) and any changes observed since the last stroll through the neighborhood, or in our case, the local woods. 

There may be sightings of furry or feathered friends, and there are always sounds to comment on like sirens, construction or demolition noises, busses, and trucks that roll by. Whether you take the same route each time you venture out or take a new turn, there are lots of things to see and hear and talk about. When retracing steps from the last walk, kids love to anticipate and guess what’s around the corner. Knowing what’s next gives young children confidence.

Children are endlessly curious and love to share their observations about the world around them. They relish the opportunity to comment on what they see and are beginning to understand. And you should never underestimate the message that you send to your child when you just listen to what they have to say.

Letting your child tell you about what they see around them shows them that they matter and that you appreciate their opinions. Do they like the new color the neighbor is painting their garage? Do they have a favorite flower along the way? What birdsong do they think is the prettiest. And be sure to share what you notice and appreciate as well.

These conversations, like all shared experiences, create connections.

The old cliche about the importance of the journey and not the destination can be especially true in these times. Sometimes, making the time and space for children to express themselves in a calm and relaxed setting is the most significant activity we can include in their schedule. 

Happy trails to you!

This post originally appeared on Have You Gone Exploring Lately?.

I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.

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Nurse Inspires Healthcare Workers with Power Rangers & Teletubbies PPE

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Adrian Pe, a Philippines-based OR nurse at The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI) is using his design skills to give back to the healthcare community. He saw firsthand the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and thought he could put his skills to work. Transforming his colleagues into colorful characters from their favorite television shows from the past, he helps bring joy to healthcare workers and patients alike.

Customized PPE

Pe says that the cost for each suit depends on the materials used. So far he has used microfiber, parachute with silver lining and non-woven fiber. As a general rule the material should be fluid resistant or at least fluid repellant.

Initially the suits were crafted by staff members at TMCI who offered free labor bringing down production costs. As the project expanded Pe needed to pay seamstresses to help with production, providing opportunities for seamstresses to earn a living while Iloilo City is under quarantine. 

Customized PPE

According to Pe, simply utilizing the “Makeshift” sewing area at TMCI, they can produce 7- 10 sets per day. Now that he has employed seamstresses, they can produce 40-50 sets per day

Customized PPE

Pe said, “The Barney hazmats and later the Teletubbies design were a product of serendipity.” It has proved difficult to source out materials leaving Pe to take whatever color materials he could find. Initially his supplier could only provide non-woven material in green, purple and yellow. When one of his friends commented that they looked like Teletubbies, he looked for red material to round out the group. Pe said, “I think colorful hazmats can help lessen the weariness and dread that is filling our hospitals nowadays. No matter what the color, the most important aspect to consider is the safety of our health care workers and patients; but if a little color can help make them feel a little better, then that’s great.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Adrian Pe

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How to Keep Kids Safe at the Playground

By Rebecca Wallace

Physical activity is extremely important to the well-being of children. Regular outdoor play helps build strong bones and muscles, improves cardiopulmonary strength, controls weight and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety among children and adolescents. According to The World Health Organization, it is recommended for children aged between 5 and 17 years to participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Playgrounds are a great option to ensure physical activity for children, along with some fresh air. It also gives them the opportunity to use up their vast reserves of energy and socialize with others of their own age.

Although playgrounds are a great source of fun, they are also places where children are likely to get injured. However, most playground injuries tend to be just minor scrapes and cuts, which is an integral part of the growing anyway. But there also runs the risk of children suffering more serious injuries. According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 200,000 children aged 14 years and younger are treated by emergency departments across the US for playground-related injuries. And over 20,000 of these children are treated for traumatic brain injury. These statistics do not mean that you don’t allow your children to challenge themselves on the playground. It only means that all play should be under adult supervision and you need to choose a playground that ensures safety.

Here are some things to keep in mind while checking out the safety of a playground.

The Correct Surfacing: Almost 80% of all playground injuries are caused due to falling. This makes it imperative for you to ensure that there is enough shock-absorbing material used in the playground surfaces, such as wood chips, gravel, sand, mulch, or shredded rubber, according to PlaygroundExperts.com. It is recommended that there should be at least 12 inches of shock-absorbing material around playground equipment. Playgrounds that only have concrete, dirt, asphalt, or grassy surfaces are unable to absorb the impact of a fall and should be avoided.

Age Appropriate Equipment: Playground equipment is designed specifically for children of different age groups. When, children try to use equipment not meant for them, it can lead to injuries. The straps and rails of the equipment may not be able to secure a child who is lighter and smaller than the age group the equipment is designed for. It is important that you look for signs indicating the recommended age for using the equipment. Some playgrounds also have distinct play areas for children of different age groups.

Dress to Play: Before going to the playground, ensure that your child is dressed in clothes that keep them comfortable and safe. It is important that the clothes not have loose or flowing parts that run the risk of getting caught in the playground equipment. Children should also not wear anything around their necks, such as sweatshirts with drawstrings, bike helmets, and necklaces, as these could lead to a risk of strangulation. It is also best to avoid wearing sandals and flip flops, as they are not designed to protect the feet from injury. Instead, closed-toe shoes, with the laces tightly tied, should be chosen.

Beware of Sun Exposure: According to the National Program for Playground Safety, of all the playgrounds surveyed, only 3% had full shade protection, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., whereas there was partial shade in 30% of the playgrounds. The remaining playgrounds were completely exposed to the rays of the sun during the said period. It is advisable to limit sun exposure during times when the sun is shining the strongest. Playing in shaded areas at this time is advisable to avoid the harmful effect of exposure to UV rays, as well as the risk of overheating among children. In case the equipment is too hot to touch, do not allow your child to play on it since it can lead to burns.

Playgrounds are a great place for children to grow and develop multiple skills. The key is to ensure that they stay safe while having fun.

Rebecca Wallace is a mother of a 3 year old girl. Rebecca likes to share her experience and write on topics that would help other parents.

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Recall Alert: 2 Million Pounds of Poultry Products Recalled Due to Contamination Concerns

by Erica Loop

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service recently announced the voluntary recall of more than two million pounds of Simmons Prepared Foods poultry products due to a possible contamination concern.

Simmons Prepared Foods issued a press statement explaining, “Food safety is a very serious matter at Simmons. That is why Simmons has issued a precautionary and voluntary recall of approximately two million pounds of fresh and frozen chicken products due to the potential to contain extraneous material, specifically metal. We are working closely with regulatory authorities and affected customers to expedite this product recall.”

Recalled Product Description: Simmons Prepared Foods Chicken

The recall includes 2,071,397 pounds of fresh and frozen poultry products produced from Oct. 21 through Nov. 4, 2019. The products were shipped to institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

For a full list of products, visit the USDA’s website here.

Why the Poultry Was Recalled

The current recall was issued after extraneous materials (metal) were found in the affected products. According to a statement by Simmons Prepared Foods, “This issue was discovered through Simmons standard food safety and quality checks. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the products.”

How to Tell If Your Poultry Was Recalled

Look inside the USDA mark of inspection for the establishment numbers “P-1949,” “P- 486” or “P-5837.” Visit the USDA’s website here for a full list of product names, case codes and corresponding establishment numbers.

What Consumers Can Do

If you have the recalled products, don’t eat them. Return the products to the place of purchase or contact Simmons Prepared Foods at 888- 831-7007.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Freestocks Photos via Pixabay

 

 

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5 Things I Would Tell a Mom Who Wants to Homeschool Her Kids

By Amber Stevens

Prior to having children, I decided I would homeschool my children until they reach first or second grade. Now that I have children, my plans have changed just a bit. While I have decided to homeschool my four-year-old this year, I have every intention of sending her to school for kindergarten next year. And while my “teacher-mommy” (as she calls me) career won’t be going as long as I originally intended, that doesn’t mean I haven’t learned some important lessons along the way. So, if you are contemplating homeschooling or are on the journey with me, here are some tips you may find helpful:

1. You can do it! I feel the need to start with this because there is a certain anxiety that comes along with the decision to homeschool your children. Am I smart enough? Am I a good teacher? Will my child succeed? What will I teach? The list goes on and on. I am here to tell you that you can absolutely do it. You are not only capable but you are going to crush it. 

2. You can give it your own special touch. The great thing about homeschooling is that you can put your own flair on it. You don’t have to do it like this mom or that dad. Aside from making sure you teach your children the required educational standards for their age level, you have the freedom to educate them how you want. So have fun with it!

3. Making your home conducive for learning helps. For me, this has probably been the most exciting part of homeschooling because I’ve been able to decorate. I homeschool in our dining room and I make sure that it is nice and colorful with learning posters and statements of inspiration. Additionally, I’ve also noticed that my little learner is excited to learn as she sees all the learning material around her. 

4. Practice makes perfect. And this statement is so accurate. Although you are giving your child one-on-one attention, it doesn’t mean they will master the concepts after just one lesson; if they do, you may have a genius on your hand. It takes time to learn and that’s okay because you want them to understand the material not just regurgitate it back to you. So take a deep breath and relax. 

5. You can have fun. Although homeschooling is just as serious as traditional schooling, it is not bootcamp. Whether you realize it or not, you are creating memories with your children and you want them to remember this time as wonderful, not dreadful. 

All in all, I am thoroughly enjoying my year as a homeschooling mom. I’m grateful I get to be home with my little ones and I plan to make the most of this time. I’m sure I’ll learn more and as I do, I look forward to sharing it with you.

Hi Everyone. I’m Amber. I’m a wife and mom of 2 beautiful princesses. I was born a creative and I’m learning to find creativity in every area of my life. I’m a lover of all things beautiful but I’m also drawn to the broken because there’s always room for restoration. 

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Recall Alert: IKEA MATVRÅ Bibs Recalled for Potential Choking Hazard

by Erica Loop

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced a recall of nearly 7,000 IKEA MATVRÅ bib two-packs in blue/red due to a potential choking hazard. Representatives from IKEA did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

If you have this product, read on for more information on this important recall.

Recalled Product Description: MATVRÅ Bibs

The recall includes IKEA’s MATVRÅ bib two-packs in blue/red only. These bibs were sold in packs of two, with one blue bib and one red bib each. Both bibs have a snap at the back of the neck. The blue version has a green seam along the outside of the bib and white polka dots. The red version has a yellow seam and red polka dots. The polka dots are on the seam, not on the main body of the bib.

Why the Bibs Were Recalled

It’s possible for the snap on the bib to detach, posing a potential choking hazard. Even though IKEA has received two worldwide (not in the United States) reports of this happening, as of now there are no reported injuries.

How to Tell If Your IKEA Bib Was Recalled

This recall is only for the IKEA MATVRÅ bib two-pack in the blue and red colors. Look for the words MATVRA, IKEA and the IKEA logo printed on a white tag on the back of the bib for style identification. According to a recall notice from IKEA, “The MATVRÅ bibs with the fruit/vegetable pattern in green and yellow, are not included in this recall and are safe to continue to use, as they are of a different material and construction.”

What Parents Can Do

If you have the recalled bibs, do not use them. Return the bibs to an IKEA store for a refund. Customers with questions can contact IKEA at 888-966-4532 or visit the company’s website here.

—Erica Loop

All photos: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 

 

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Unlikely Students Who Can Benefit from a Tutor

By Alexia Mezzini

To some parents, the signs are obvious: falling grades, incomplete homework, and anxiety before tests can send a loud, clear signal that your child could use an extra push from a tutor.

Oftentimes, however, the need for a tutor may not be as apparent. Students with good grades, who are bright and curious and who excel at certain subjects may not seem like obvious candidates. But the reality is that kids of all interests, abilities, and academic performance levels can benefit from tutoring —not just those who are struggling.

Here are three unlikely students who may be able to take learning to a new level with the help of a tutor.

1. The Perfectionist: “Exceptional.” “Smart.” “Quick to learn.” Any parent would swell with pride to hear a teacher apply these words to their child. But although the early elementary school years may breeze by for superstar students, parents may notice concerning behaviors start to emerge later on. Kids who are praised for being “smart” and who are used to succeeding easily may come to interpret “smart” as being able to do things without effort. Over the years, perfectionist students begin to shy away from subjects that challenge them. Such students come to see mistakes as something to be ashamed of rather than a valuable chance to learn. Instead of pushing themselves to do better, perfectionists may start dismissing themselves as “just bad at science” or “too uncoordinated” for sports.

How can tutoring help your “perfectionist” child? One of the most valuable, long-term benefits tutoring can inspire in a child is a “growth mindset” — the recognition that you can improve your abilities if you set your mind to it. It is important to introduce this concept to your kid at an early age, so they learn to grow and stops comparing their academic success to others. Through tutoring, your student can discover that growth is possible and take charge of their own learning.

2. The “Gifted” Child: Is your student observant, curious, or prone to intense interests? Do they spend hours on a new hobby and think or talk of nothing else? Does your youngster bombard you with questions about the number of orca whales in Florida or why there are so many different languages in the world? Does she notice things that other children or even you yourself may overlook? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might have a gifted child on your hands.

Gifted children can benefit from tutoring in a couple of ways. Bright and curious kids may not feel challenged by the curriculum supplied in schools. Not only can tutors provide more stimulating material, but they can help boost self-esteem by allowing students to flex their strengths. And for children with an interest or talent in a specific subject—such as art, music, or robotics—tutoring can help them channel their curiosity and build skills in that area.

3. The Underperformer: This can be a tricky child to recognize. Underperformers might earn good grades and appear to be functional students on the surface. However, underperforming kids may be coasting by without reaching their potential. Instead of challenging themselves, these students tend to do the minimum amount of work while avoiding participation, extra credit, or leadership opportunities.

If you suspect your kid may be an underperformer, tutoring can motivate your child by helping them set active goals. A tutor can help incorporate your student’s interests into a subject and encourage them to engage with and analyze the material they’re learning—as opposed to merely memorizing facts. In addition, a tutor can help identify and address distractions that could be contributing to underperformance.

Of course, these are only a handful of the many types of learners that may excel with the help of a tutor. Tutoring not only helps to boost grades and improve test scores, but it allows youngsters to build effective work habits, hone social and behavioral skills and practice self-paced, self-directed learning. And, perhaps most important of all, tutoring helps students develop a growth mindset: the confidence that they have the power to improve their abilities through hard work and determination.

Alexia Mezzini is the co-founder and COO of My Tutor Lab, an education technology company that connects students with verified tutors for one-on-one private sessions. Alexia is a highly sought-after speaker on topics of the supplemental education industry and building upon students’ tremendous knowledge and skills.

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