Lupita Nyong’o’s number one New York Times bestselling book, Sulwe, just keeps getting better. In addition to being released in an audio version, Netflix has just announced the children’s story will be turned into a new animated musical feature. The film will be produced by Nyong’o and based off the book.
The story follows Sulwe, a young girl with skin the color of midnight. One night, she heads out on a magical journey where she learns the story of the sisters Night and Day and a subsequent lesson in self-esteem, colorism and true beauty.
photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Nyong’o shares, “The story of Sulwe is one that is very close to my heart. Growing up, I was uncomfortable in my dark skin. I rarely saw anyone who looked like me in the aspirational pages of books and magazines, or even on TV. It was a long journey for me to arrive at self-love.
Sulwe is a mirror for dark-skinned children to see themselves, a window for those who may not be familiar with colorism, to have understanding and empathy, and an invitation for all who feel different and unseen to recognize their innate beauty and value. I am thrilled that the book is being adapted into an animated musical that we hope inspires children all around the world to celebrate their uniqueness.”
Netflix has not revealed details as to the release date.
Of course, kids are grieving now. The pandemic has plunged all of us into a shared and chronic grief as we mourn life before COVID-19. It is important to recognize the grief in our children (and ourselves) and learn ways to mitigate it. This article will define grief, discuss the stages and symptoms of children’s grief, and give specific ideas for helping children. The ideas can be modified by teachers and other caregivers.
What Is Grief?
Grief is the response to loss. Many think that someone has to die for grief feelings to be real, but grief can be connected to any type of loss. Think of what our kids have lost this past year. The list is so long, but definitely includes the loss of in-person school, friends, routines, sports, missing out on milestones, and life as your children knew it. Also, if you consider that parents are more stressed, without their old routines, worried about their jobs, money, and illness; then you have the perfect storm for collective grief in your home.
Stages of Grief
Years ago, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified the stages of grief. Even for our children, they make sense.
Denial — My life isn’t going to be any different. Nothing will change for me.
Anger — I hate this. Why can’t I see my friends? Everyone is overreacting.
Bargaining — If I just wear my mask for 2 weeks, I can go to school.
Despair — All I feel is sadness. Life will never go back to normal. I don’t have any friends and I am not learning anything.
Acceptance — Although life is tough right now, I can do some things to make it better. I will follow health rules and my parents will help me with new ways to connect. I must be patient.
Symptoms of Grief
Kids will feel the grief in their bodies before you and they recognize it as grief. No one experiences it in exactly the same way. And of course, the symptoms of grief change with each age level of children (SAMHSA). Below are just some of the symptoms to watch for in your kids.
Children 5 years and under may be more clingy, undergo regressed behavior, have eating and sleeping changes, unexplained aches and pains, cry for no reason, have new worries, and act withdrawn.
Children ages 6 to 10 years may have new fears, regression in developmental behavior, sleep problems, more tears, headaches/stomach aches, and act aggressively.
Tweens and teens ages 11-19 years old may show more difficulty coping with life, increased anxiety, more arguments, resist authority, and engage in more risky behavior. If someone in this age group has an underlying mood disorder, the risk of suicide increases significantly.
It is important to recognize that these symptoms can be normal for the grief process. As with worry and sadness, grief should be dealt with as soon as it is identified. Research shows that when strong negative emotions are not addressed, they can lead to lifelong mood disorders, a lower quality of life, and become harder to treat in adulthood. In contrast, when negative emotions are dealt with early in a child’s life, they will learn enduring skills to help them through life’s future bumps and bruises. If we allow a child their sadness, it doesn’t make sadness bigger, instead, it actually makes the sadness smaller because the child feels understood and validated. The child may come to a place of acceptance of her situation and feelings.
Ways to Help with Grief
Listen and then listen more. The article about Worry Time will give you specifics about ways to be present, undistracted, non-judgmental, and use open-ended questions.
Explore what your child is most grieving. It can be helpful to use the tips from the Shrinking the Worry Monsterbook and/or make a DIY Worry Box. It is possible that your child can’t identify his specific losses at first.
Be creative. Often grief feelings don’t come out as words. Have your child write a story about himself, draw a picture, or keep a journal.
Use meditation techniques through apps or books. Just pausing and taking slow deep breaths can be very centering.
Go outside and exercise.
Tell your child that it’s okay not to be okay. Telling someone to have happy thoughts, get over it, or look on the bright side can be dismissive of the genuine pain others are feeling. Though meant to be encouraging, these comments can have the opposite effect and be toxic.
Don’t be dismissive of your child’s grief. Remember that no one has to die for grief feelings to be real. Never negate or qualify anyone’s grief. Also do not compare your child’s grief with others—“Olive lost her grandmother, you’re just missing school.” There are no winners in comparative suffering. Real grief can only be defined by the person feeling it.
Recognize that other’s grief can make us uncomfortable and we tend to avoid it. Minimizing someone’s grief may make “us” feel better, but not the grieving child.
Get professional help if your child seems especially down. And recognize that the risk of suicide among tweens and teens is very real.
Be open to joy and take care of yourself!
Like most of us, your child may be experiencing grief for life before COVID-19. This article defines grief, discusses the stages and symptoms of a child’s grief, and gives specific ways to help minimize the impact of grief. For the sake of your child’s future mental health, research indicates that grief should be addressed early. It is hoped that these tools will be helpful to everyone in your family.
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.
If you’re not-so patiently waiting for your free short stack from IHOP on National Pancake Day, you’ll have to wait a little longer. With Covid concerns a top priority, the iconic eatery has chosen to postpone its annual giveaway.
This year, IHOP’s National Pancake Day free pancake offer will look a bit different—kind of like just about everything else in 2020/2021. Instead of a one-day deal, IHOP will celebrate with a month-long event.
photo courtesy of Business Wire
Jay Johns, President at IHOP said in a press statement, “At IHOP, our top priority is the safety of our guests and team members.” Johns continued, “Given nothing about this past year has been ordinary—and while we look forward to celebrating National Pancake Day with guests under our blue roof in the future – we recognize it’s not possible to gather millions of our closest family and friends in our restaurants on a single day this year. As a result, we decided to flip National Pancake Day on its head and give our guests an entire month to redeem their free Short Stack with an IOU, while also continuing to put purpose behind our pancakes by giving back to those most in need: our charity partners.”
MyHOP email club members and customers who register for MyHOP by Mar. 31, 2021 will receive an IOU for a free short stack of buttermilk pancake goodness. You can redeem your coupon in IHOP restaurants, on IHOP.com, or through the IHOP mobile app starting Apr. 1, 2021. Use the coupon any day in April for in-restaurant or to-go orders.
Don’t worry if you forget to register for MyHOP. Non-members can get a free short stack in April (limit one per customer) with a $10 or more purchase.
Now, the Rebel Girls have teamed up with global learning platform Kahoot! for a very special series of online, educational games designed to teach and empower children everywhere. Read on to get the scoop.
Using digital games on the Kahoot! platform, Rebel Girls will shine a light on Women’s history like never before. Each gaming experience will be curated and released in honor of Black History Month and Women’s History Month. Games will be dedicated to learning more about phenomenal Black women, with quizzes like “Extraordinary Women Throughout Black History” and lessons like “Build a Business Like Madam CJ Walker,” allowing kids to learn in an immersive way.
“Too often, children’s books and education do not adequately recognize or celebrate women’s accomplishments,” said Rebel Girls Head of Digital Content, Lilly Workneh. “Rebel Girls is filling the gap and excited to partner with Kahoot! to bring these stories to life in delightful and fun ways through our new slate of online games.”
Other games will highlight Rebel Girls’ four key categories: leaders, champions, creators, and inventors. Kids can learn a diverse range of women and will be tested on history and the legends who shaped it.
“Empowering learners to reach their full potential is our purpose at Kahoot!, so teaming up with Rebel Girls to empower and inspire children is an amazing fit,” said Craig Narveson, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Kahoot!. “I’m a huge fan of Rebel Girls, and have seen the positive impact of their books with my own 7-year-old daughter. I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Rebel Girls to bring stories of extraordinary women to life in a new and interactive way for children around the world.”
If Seattle’s rainy winter nights don’t scream “movie night” than we don’t know what does. So pop some corn and set the TV to stream, it’s time to watch a Seattle movie with the fam. From old school flicks to new releases, these 10 films will make your movie night epic. Lights, camera, action!
Based on Katherine Applegate's award-winning book by the same name, this sweet movie fictionalizes the real-life story of Ivan, the silverback gorilla who called Tacoma home. It’s possible you remember visiting Ivan at the B&I in Lakewood in the ‘80s or ‘90s. Or maybe you’ve seen his statue outside the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Even if you have, you’ll have a reason to visit and learn more about Ivan after watching this movie that reminds us about the importance of home.
Harry and the Hendersons is the classic story of a Seattle family and their “accidental” encounter with Sasquatch. We’re sure your kids will love it, whether you do a lot of camping or not. While you’re watching, keep an eye out for familiar sights in Wallingford, Ballard and Beacon Hill, where parts of the movie were filmed. Much has changed since this movie came out in 1987, but you'll recognize another timeless Washington spot while you watch—the Cascades.
Set in the fictional city of De Forest, Washington, The Neverending Story is a story within a story that will totally hook your kids. In the real world, Bastian Bux ducks into a bookstore to escape bullies. In the fantasy world, Atreyu works to saves his home world, Fatasia, from “The Nothing.” It’s a hero story the whole fam will love.
Delve into this movie about a high schooler who accidentally hacks into the U.S. Defense System at NORAD and ends up playing a high stakes game of nuclear tic-tac-toe with a computer. Although NORAD is actually under a mountain in Colorado Springs, in this movie it’s on a set built in Newhalem off route 20 in the north Cascades. You might also recognize the Pierce County Steilacoom ferry heading to Anderson Island (a.k.a Goose Island).
A touching tale about a troubled boy and a captive orca whale, Free Willy is a total crowd pleaser that’ll make you want to go whale watching this weekend. All the action takes place at the fictional Northwest Adventure Park in Seattle, but much of this classic ‘90s tale was filmed in Astoria, Oregon, site of another fam fave, The Goonies.
The remake of this ‘80s classic stars Edmonds native Anna Faris and so much Seahawks gear. Gather your mini twelves and count the Seahawks shirts, flags and jerseys as you watch this switch-a-roo comedy that takes place in the Pacific Northwest. It’s the story of single mom, Kate Sullivan and her elaborate ruse to convince her yacht-owning boss (now suffering from amnesia) that they’re married.
The first in this kid movie franchise, Agent Cody Banks is the zany spy thriller every kiddo dreams of. The movie packs some serious ‘90s teen star power (Frankie Muniz and Hillary Duff star). It tells the story of Seattle high school student, Cody Banks’ undercover mission to save—you guessed it—the world.
It’s hard to have a list of movies set in Seattle without adding this classic. From the houseboat on Lake Union to the Athenian Restaurant at Pike Street to Alki Beach, this movie hits all the Seattle high notes and then some. Long story short, if you want a feel-good movie the whole family can watch, you’re in good hands with this PG-rated flick.
A family curse and an untimely death are the backstory of this magical movie that was filmed in Coupeville on Whidbey Island. As you watch the two witchy sisters work through their past and reconcile their love lives (sans spells), you might notice familiar Coupeville sights, like the (recently closed) Knead & Feed bakery that served as the potion shop in town. This is probably one to save for those tween years though—it’s rated PG-13.
Another one to save for those sooner-than-you-think tween years (it’s also PG-13), writing credit for this ‘90s teen drama goes to Shakespeare. It’s a modern adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, and it's packed with easily recognizable Seattle spots. Families will recognize Queen Anne’s Kerry Park, the Aurora Bridge, Lake Union and Gas Works Park as they watch the film. The famed Fremont Troll also makes an appearance. And if you’re wondering about Padua High School—it’s actually historic Stadium High School in Tacoma.
TIME, TIME for Kids and Nickelodeon have finally announced the winner of the 2020 Kid of the Year and 15-year-old scientist and innovator Gitanjali Rao from Colorado has taken home the prize. The multi-platform initiative has set out to recognize young leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities, and Rao is no exception.
She and other top finalists will be honored during the Kid of the Year TV special hosted by Trevor Noah on Fri. Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The special will be aired on Nickelodeon, TeenNick and Nicktoons and will feature guests stars such as Kristen Bell, Simone Biles, Billie Eilish, Rob Gronkowski, Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Hemsworth, Ken Jeong, Angelina Jolie and Malala Yousafzai.
photo: TIME
Rao sat down with Angelina Jolie in an interview to discuss her work with technology. “I don’t look like your typical scientist. Everything I see on TV is that it’s an older, usually white man as a scientist…. My goal has really shifted not only from creating my own devices to solve the world’s problems, but inspiring others to do the same as well. Because, from personal experience, it’s not easy when you don’t see anyone else like you. So I really want to put out that message that anybody can do it. If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it.”
The top five Kid of the Year honorees will receive a cash prize and will serve as a Kid Reporter for TIME for Kids at a Nickelodeon event. You can find more information about the program atKidoftheYear2020.com, and don’t forget to pick up a copy of the Dec. 14 issue of TIME featuring Gitanjali Rao on newsstands this Fri., Dec. 4.
Walking among the hundreds of pebbles and shells on the beach, my son picked one up and shouted, “Look, Mom!! This one’s a heart! It really has been a perfect day!”
Was it really a perfect day? Not so much. Our morning was filled with battles over excessive screen time and endless requests to complete household chores. Not to mention, we got a very late start to our family outing, and we were down one family member because he couldn’t get off from work. So in reality, it was not perfect, but my son chose to see it that way.
We live in a society that spoon feeds us negativity. And despite being bombarded with negativity, we can choose how we perceive the world. We can focus on the obvious or we can shift our perspective to see the good and all the possibilities out there. We can celebrate the ‘what’s working now’ and recognize all the great qualities we bring to the party.
Studies have shown that positivity and hope have an increased effect on health, creativity, performance, and the ability to overcome obstacles. When you focus on the good, you allow more good to enter your life! Better yet, when you focus on the good, you are modeling a positive attitude for your children who will naturally follow your example! Don’t you think it’s worth the effort?
Challenge yourself!! Train your brain to see past the negativity out there and find the good. Here are seven quick tips to help shift your focus.
1. Practice Reframing. Flip those negative thoughts so they have a positive spin. Rather than think of what you have to do, think about what you get to do.
2.Start a Gratitude Journal. Jot down the people, the moments or thoughts that brought you joy during the day. Write about something you’re looking forward to or perhaps something that made you smile. If journaling is not your thing, there are some excellent Gratitude Apps out there you may like.
3. Say ‘Thank You’. Recognize the special people you mentioned in your gratitude journal with a handwritten thank you note! The appreciation you display in your note will feel good for you and the recipient.
4. Volunteer. Widen your lens and see the world from a different perspective. When you find a need in your community, fill it. It is such a ‘positivity’ boost to be helpful and productive for others.
5. Reassess Your Fuel Source. If you’re fueled by social media, news, and adrenaline, it’s time to re-anchor yourself. Consider a healthier self-care regimen that includes moving your body every day, staying hydrated, pausing to regroup your thoughts, and saying ‘no’ to activities that don’t serve you a purpose.
6. Allow Yourself Some Grace. Life is not a ‘measure up’ experience. Set goals, not expectations. It’s okay to be where you are right now. Celebrate your strengths!
7. Smile. If only for yourself, a quick smile instantly boosts your mood and can shift your perspective. Plus, who doesn’t look good sporting a smile?!
When my son held up his treasure on the beach, at first glance, it was just a rock. A small little pebble amongst hundreds of others on the beach. But with a simple shift in perspective, it became a heart. This small, simple shift in perception can make all the difference in how you live your life and approach situations. We often miss these beautiful symbols in life because we are not looking out for them. Imagine the possibilities and potential we could bring to light just by keeping our eyes and hearts focused on the positivity surrounding us.
Hi! I'm Rebecca from Real Life Parent Coaching. I use my background as an educator to help parents discover & cultivate their strengths and reach their parenting potential. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two kids. I enjoy exploring, being creative & having fun with my crew!
For generations of kids, parents, and grandparents, Thomas the Tank Engine has been a fixture of storytelling and play that they’ve grown up with and passed along. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Thomas & Friends and the Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Talking Thomas & Percy Train Set is perfect for little engineers ages 3 and up. It comes ready-to-run with more than 35 pieces of track and accessories. Thomas and Percy are both motorized —powered by included AAA batteries—and recognize each other on their adventures. They’re best friends, so they like to stop and chat about their work throughout the day. Sometimes they’ll simply exchange a cheery “hello, friend,” while other conversations might be longer and delve into where they’re headed and what they’re up to.
The Toy Insider is the go-to source for product information and the latest news about children's toys, tech, and entertainment. Its team of toy experts publishes two annual gift guides—one for summer and one for holiday—and reviews toys 365 days a year on thetoyinsider.com, a trusted resource for parents.
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.
Teaching kids to read is a rewarding experience, but it doesn’t come easy! Luckily, Random House Children’s Books has just announced that it is launching a new learn-to-read program that comes with a clear method and recurring characters and stories that is perfect for kids ages four to eight.
Developed by reading and literary specialist Marla Conn, the Reading House program is made up of 12 boxed sets all releasing in 2021. Each set comes with 12 leveled storybooks, an activity sheet, a progress sticker sheet and a classroom guide.
The new program teaches kiddos letter recognition and phonemic awareness as they progress on their journey to independent reading. Using recurring characters and stories, kids are able to recognize words and understand meaning due to context clues and familiarity.
The Reading House Sets 1–5 launches 1/5/2021 and includes:
The Reading House Set 1: Letter Recognition A–L
The Reading House Set 2: Letter Recognition M–Z, including lower and upper-case letters and beginning sounds
The Reading House Set 3: Introduction to Short Vowel Sounds
The Reading House Set 4: Short Vowel Clusters and Sight Words
The Reading House Set 5: Short Vowels and Reading for Fluency, including short vowels sounds and word families, clusters, and sight words
The Reading House Sets 6–8 launches 3/2/2021 and includes:
The Reading House Set 6: Introduction to Long Vowel Sounds
The Reading House Set 7: Long Vowel Blends and Sight Words
The Reading House Set 8: Long Vowels and Reading for Fluency, including long vowel sounds and word families, blends, and sight words
The Reading House Sets 9–12 launches 5/4/2021 and includes:
The Reading House Set 9: Introduction to Reading for Meaning
The Reading House Set 10: Sequencing Events
The Reading House Set 11: Comparing and Contrasting
The Reading House Set 12: Cause and Effect Relationships
Stay tuned for more details about pre-order availability!
