ML Interest Tag: recommend

How I Went Back to School as a Parent & You Can Too

By Kim Ennis

It sounds overwhelming already, I know. Just the thought of returning to school is difficult but now as a parent?!? Whether you are looking to complete a college degree, sharpen your skills, get your Master’s degree or even a PhD, I am here to tell you, from my own experience, it’s possible, even as a parent.

Here are just a few tips on things that have worked for me over the two and a half years. I began my degree with a 5 year old, 3 year old and a newborn. As a full-time working mom to three young boys, I know that it is possible and so worth it.

Remember you can still chase your dreams while chasing your tiny humans.

1. Find the right school. First of all, one positive out of this pandemic is that online learning has become even easier and possibly even less expensive than ever before. My first recommendation is to look into all possible resources for the degree that you want to obtain. You can look into local community colleges, state universities and even all-online universities such as DeVry, Northeastern, and University of Phoenix.

What matters most, is if you are looking for particular credentials or a specific degree (such as an MBA) make sure the school is accredited. It may be less expensive to earn a degree online but it may not be from an accredited institution. The database of postsecondary institutions and programs can be found here. Also, if you are seeking education or skills but not necessarily a degree, one can look into a variety of online resources and credentialing like digital badges or even certificates from places such as Linked In Learning, Khan Academy, edX, Skillshare and Coursera.

Next, is the biggest tip I can give.

2. Make the time. If you have decided you want to work toward a degree and invest in your own education, you have to set aside the time. First, think of the things in your week that suck a lot of time out of your day. Examples could be a hobby, social media, your favorite TV show or a book that you are reading, etc. I learned very quickly the time to yourself will need to be replaced with time for school.

Clear out the non-essentials: You may need to shed some responsibilities temporarily such as PTO, your side-gig, or can someone help you carpool? I think exercise is still very important and so I don’t recommend letting that go. Look at your week and see where you have some “time thiefs” and try to scale it back. You may need to plan ahead and ask others in your life to help a little bit here and there with your kids too—cousins, siblings, grandparents, neighbors, etc. A few hours here and there will really help you out to finish a paper or take an exam.

3. Carve out the time. Now that you have thought about shedding some non-essential obligations from your week, decide when you will fit in school. To me, this was very easy to figure out as a parent. Here are some quick suggestions that may work for you: your lunch hour, evenings after the kids go to bed, (or early mornings if you are an early riser), and Sunday afternoons are great for project/group work. Remember, it is valuable to be very intentional with your time. I like to make sure that I am not studying all weekend and letting the boys just watch TV all day. I will say to them, if you play nicely and let Mommy get her homework done, then we can go to the park afterwards. Doing something really fun after study time is rewarding for everyone!

4. Embrace your new normal. Once in school, it may feel like it hits you hard at first. But remember, it won’t be this way for long. I tell everyone I know, just like with anything else that you have accomplished in life, pretty soon it will become part of your new normal. School and class work will be part of your every day and honestly, the quiet hour or two to myself here and there throughout the week feels like a luxury. Your partner or spouse will be a big help in allowing you to set aside class and homework time.

5. Remember to network. This may be harder to do virtually but still very possible to chat during a Zoom class or stay in touch with those in your group for a project. Also, connect with them via LinkedIn. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about your educational goals. It isn’t bragging. You need their support and insights! You won’t believe the network you will build or the connections you can make by talking to others about your decision to go back to school. Also, I always recommend staying in contact with your professor during class and even after. They are there for you and are a tremendous resource.

6. Stay motivated! Keep your eyes on the prize. I cannot wait to graduate in May. I am so excited and this helps me to stay motivated when I feel like I can’t stand another minute of an economics or finance lecture. Always remember why you began in the first place and what you plan to get out of your degree—maybe a new job, a promotion, salary raise or a transition into another field. One day at a time, class by class and before you know it, you will be ready to graduate.

Congrats on your decision to push yourself, invest in yourself (and your family!) and think about the good example that you are setting for your children. My kiddos like to join me, watch a few minutes of a lecture and ask me what I am working on. It is very healthy to let them know about your classes and why you have chosen to go back to school. They are part of your journey too!

This post originally appeared on Life, Love & Little Boys blog.

Located in Bloomington, Indiana I am a wife, full-time working Mom to 3 boys, a part-time graduate student & a writer. I am also an optimist, problem solver, peacemaker, gardener, runner and a crazy-busy mom just trying to enjoy each moment. I truly value my friends, family and my mommy tribe.

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How Play Breaks Can Help Your Child Thrive This Fall

By Meghan Fitzgerald

We asked our #OutdoorsAll4 Facebook Group of over 12,000 parents to share how their kids will be learning this fall. No surprise, the breakdown looks pretty different from school years past: 49% of kids will be learning at home, 28% will participate in “hybrid” or online schooling and 19% are attending a school or center, in person, either full or part time, while the remaining families are either undecided or simply have kids too young for “schooling.”

One thing all of these families agree on, and we know to be true, is that kids need play. If kids are learning at home, they’ll need the opportunity to learn on their own—and how better to do that than through purposeful play? If they’re online for all or part of their schooling, they’ll need breaks to play and go outdoors in order to balance the impact of screen time on their bodies and minds. And, if they are heading into a school environment, they’ll likely benefit from the joy and wellness benefits that outdoor play provides once they’re home for the day. And, grown-ups, don’t forget that play is good for us, too!

How do you build in play? Add in play breaks!

No matter what your family’s schedule, here are some simple tips to build play breaks into the part of the day your kids are home.

If kids are learning at home: Build blocks of time for play into your schedule. Research tells us that kids need a minimum of 30 minutes for self-led play to start, take hold, and realize its magic. Yet we’ve seen play last far longer, kids benefitting from plenty of time to explore and develop their ideas. We recommend 1-hour chunks of time with flexibility to go even longer in your schedule.

If kids are following an online program: Make sure kids use some of the time they’re not required to be on screen to get up, move their bodies, and get outdoors. If you can, schedule at least 30 minutes or more once or twice a day for designated playtime. And, use transition times between tasks to build in small chances to move and be playful.

If kids are going to a school or center: As much as possible, try to refrain from scheduling too many structured activities after school in order to leave more open-ended time for play. Though teachers and schools are doing heroic work to make schools feel like schools, kids’ freedom may often be limited in exchange for their safety—not to mention the extra level of stress on everyone involved. So, all the more reason for free, kid-led play when the school day is done!

If kids need a break: No matter how learning is structured in your house, we all know those moments when kids just need a break—and when we might need one too. A play break can work wonders!

How do you inspire kids to play?

To help all families inspire kids to take a break for play, we have developed our new series—quick, easy ideas that inspire hours of purposeful (and fun!) outdoor play. Starting September 6th, each Sunday, we’ll release a new set of five play break ideas to help inspire play throughout the week.

The ideas surround a new theme every week and are available for three age groups: babies and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged kids. All of our Play Breaks are derived from our Tinkergarten learning method and are engineered to inspire joy and help balance children’s bodies and minds. For a sneak peek, check out a sample of a week’s worth of Play Breaks designed for preschoolers here.

Step 1: Set up a “Play Break” Jar.

We recommend that you designate a large jar, basket or box as your Play Break grab bag. Each week, print out or write down the Play Break ideas you like best, and put them in your jar. You can always invent and add your own ideas, too! Like one idea in particular? Keep putting it back in the jar—repetition is a wonderful way for kids to deepen the quality of their play!

Step 2: Pick Out an Idea.

Whenever it’s time for a break, let kids pull out one of the ideas at random—the element of surprise adds even more joy to the mix. Read the idea, and off kids go! If you need a break, yourself, join in, and benefit from the chance to play and connect with kids.

Step 3: Talk about the Play

Later, when you have a moment to talk with kids, ask some questions to get kids reflecting on their play Questions like the following can help kids develop their communication skills and give you a window into the kinds of play breaks they’d love more of:

Can you tell me about what you played today? 

What did you use to make nature pie? 

How did you build a home for your stuffies?

Want even more ways to thrive this fall? Click here to access our Fall Family Playbook.

This post originally appeared on Tinkergarten.

After 18 years as an educator, curriculum developer and school leader, Meghan has her dream gig—an entrepreneur/educator/mom who helps families everywhere, including hers, learn outside. Today, Meghan serves as co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Tinkergarten, the national leader in outdoor play-based learning. 

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How to Raise Readers from an Author & Dad of 6 Kids

By Molly Antos

You might have missed it but National Read a Book Day just passed us by (it was on September 6th!) and given this new age of COVID-spurred sky-high screentime, how can parents encourage kids to spend more time offline reading? 

See below for some expert input from a knowledgeable expert—Jelani Memory. He is not only the co-founder of a screen time management solution, Circle Parental Controls but also the Founder and CEO of “A Kids Book About,” with the recent release, A Kids Book About Racism. On top of all that, he’s also a father of 6 kids! Read on for his tips on raising readers in a screen-dominated era and ways to get kids to put the screens down to read a book once in a while.

Q: What are your top tips for raising kids who love to read in this era dominated by screens, video games, social media? 

A: “To get your kids to love to read even when they could choose a TV, tablet, or smartphone is simple… start early. Read to your kid before they know you’re even reading. That means start when they’re a baby. Read early and often. When they get old enough to read on their own, keep reading with them.  Let them read to you. And talk about the stories and ideas from what you read afterward. Reading with them this much will simply get into their bones. It’ll give them confidence when they go to read by themselves and also cause them to go and do it automatically. This doesn’t mean that they’ll always choose to read, but it will be one of many options for finding entertainment throughout the day.”  

Q: In honor of National Read a Book Day, how do you recommend parents get their kids to put down the screens to read a book for a bit? 

A: “This one is easily said but not easily done…Put some time limits on your kids’ screen time. They won’t love the limits, but they won’t set them on their own. Just like you can find yourself scrolling Facebook endlessly for an hour, wondering where the time went, they do too. And they have lots more free time on their hands to do so. First, set some limits and then make reading a way to earn more screen time. They might find that they want to finish the chapter they’re reading even when they’ve earned more screen time.”  

Q: Aside from your own amazing books, what are some of your top picks for books that kids should read nowadays? 

A: “There are so many incredible books available now for kids. For the youngest ones, I recommend C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison. For kiddos slightly older, I recommend Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi and Bad Seed by Jory John. For kids who are in the tweenage, I think El Deafo by Cece Bell is incredible or Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier. And lastly for older kids, The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix or Black Panther by Ta=Nehisi Coates.”

 

 

Mother of two monkeys and loving every minute of it! 

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How to Help Your Kids Make Friends with Face Masks

By Meghan Fitzgerald

Photo: Tinkergarten

It seems clear that masks will play an important role in how we all navigate public spaces safely again. When we can’t be sure that our kids will be able to keep six feet away from people outside the family, masks can help keep them safe. They also provide us with a feeling that we are more secure when we have them on—as if a piece of our shelter-in-place cocoon stays with us as we venture out into the world. 

That said, masks can be challenging. They look strange, even scary to kids. Many kids do not like to have their face touched at all, never mind by an irksome mask. This is especially true for kids whose sensory systems are extra sensitive to touch. 

But, kids can make friends with masks. Humans are wired to prefer that which is familiar to us, but kids are much better than we are at accepting new things. That in mind, we can introduce masks in ways that help masks become a normal and even fun part of life. Here are a few simple steps that can make masks work for kids:

  • Babies and toddlers do not need masks. The CDC does not recommend masks for children under 2 or for anyone with difficulty breathing, so it is OK not to worry about cajoling your toddler into their mask. 
  • Make sure kids can take off their masks. Kids older than 2 should be able to take a mask off, but that requires that you provide a mask that is easy for kids to take off. Masks that tie in the back, for example, may provide too much challenge for kids, where a mask that tucks around the ears is easier for kids to remove if needed.
  • Make sure masks are comfortable. In a rush, we whipped together poorly sized masks made from particularly scratchy bandanas, safety pins, and hair ties—a bad move. It took much convincing to get our 5-year old to even try a new mask after that. Lesson learned. To the extent you can, make sure your child’s mask is soft, properly sized, and easy on the ears. 
  • Pick fun masks. If you can, pick masks made in colors or patterns that your kids like. The masks will be less scary—even fun to look at—in the mirror. Click here for soft and effective kid-sized masks. 
  • Let kids pick their masks. If you have a child who is sensitive to how clothing rests on their skin, and you are able, pick more than one soft mask and welcome your child to pick the mask that they like best. My middle child is really jazzed about this mask he can color in himself. Feeling in control of that selection can make all the difference to kids. Plus, all kids will be more likely to wear their mask if they feel it reflects them!
  • Practice at home. Identify times during the day here and there for the family to wear masks at home. Keep the time short and sweet at first, then make it longer each time. Kids will build their stamina every time you practice, and they can get used to wearing their masks and to seeing you wear yours. 

Sing silly songs in your mask and giggle at how funny they sound. An impromptu dance party to a favorite song can also work wonders. Take photos and send them to loved ones, or have a family video call in masks. These simple moments help them associate masks with positive and joyful feelings.

While we’re at it, mask practice can help us reinforce the rules. 

When you are working on normalizing masks, you can also reinforce good practices by modeling them and explaining them to kids in gentle ways. A few examples:

  • Per the CDC, you should wash your hands before and after you put on a mask, why not add “washing our hands” as a step. It can’t hurt to reinforce hand washing!.
  • Experts also recommend not touching our masks, once we’re out and about. I’ve told my kids to get their mask comfortable, then don’t touch it again. Mom or Dad can take it off for you. 
  •  For the grown-ups in your kids’ lives, remember that the CDC also recommends that we wash masks after we have used them in public. If you don’t have a washing machine at home, really hot water and soap should do the trick. 

Need help finding masks for kids? 

People Magazine has sizable lists with a range of mask types for kids along with this 60 plus-comprehensive list of face masks. You can also search for “organic kids mask” and find sustainable masks, too. Want to make your own? Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has a pretty simple tutorial, and Jennifer Maker’s mask includes an optional filter pocket, too.

The idea of moving from shelter-in-place to re-open feels like a frightening leap of faith, but just like our kids, we’ll likely feel more ready if we get a chance to make friends with each of these ways to stay safe. And, through the eyes of our kids, we may even have some silly fun in the process!

This post originally appeared on Tinkergarten.

After 18 years as an educator, curriculum developer and school leader, Meghan has her dream gig—an entrepreneur/educator/mom who helps families everywhere, including hers, learn outside. Today, Meghan serves as co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Tinkergarten, the national leader in outdoor play-based learning. 

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Can Seed Cycling Help Imbalanced Hormones?

By Amy Beckley

Photo: Seed Cycling via Healthline

Editor’s note: Any medical advice presented here is expressly the views of the writer and Red Tricycle cannot verify any claims made. Please consult with your healthcare provider about what works best for you.

Are you in tune with your hormones? Sure—maybe you know what they are and that you have them. Many women even have more in-depth knowledge about how hormones impact their cycles and fertility. But did you know that hormones can affect everything from your skin, hair, and mood to sleep quality, sex drive, weight, and general wellness? That’s a lot of important things!

All the more reason why you should want to maintain a healthy hormone balance. However, our hormones don’t always play nice. If you experience heavy or irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, irritability, breast tenderness, or just generally feel off, you may have a hormone imbalance. 

For many women with hormone imbalances, PMS, or PCOS, seed cycling can help balance hormone levels and can also potentially reduce symptoms. Seed cycling is a natural and healthy way to help balance hormones!  

Before you go buying up all the seeds, you need to know that while seed cycling isn’t harmful, it’s important to understand your hormone levels before attempting to treat imbalances. The last thing you want to do is make an existing hormone imbalance worse! Luckily, there are plenty of at-home hormone testing options available to give you insight into your cycle. Of course, if you have specific questions or are looking for where to start, I recommend consulting your doctor.

What is seed cycling?

Seed cycling involves eating certain types of seeds during certain phases of your menstrual cycle to promote a hormone balance. In a typical menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise during the first half of the cycle (the follicular phase) and progesterone levels rise during the second half of the cycle (the luteal phase). Promoting the production of these key hormones during their respective phases leads to a healthy hormone balance.

When seed cycling, you’ll want to track your menstrual cycle so you know which phase you’re in and which hormone you should be boosting. The next step is adding the seeds!

During the follicular phase, estrogen is the star. For days 1-14 of your cycle (for those new to cycle days, day one is the first day you have your period), you’ll eat 1-2 tablespoons each of raw flax and pumpkin seeds per day. These seeds, which contain lignans and zinc, naturally support estrogen production.

After day 14, progesterone takes over for the luteal phase. On day 15 of the cycle, or after ovulation day, you’ll want to make the switch to 1-2 tablespoons each of raw sunflower and sesame seeds per day. These seeds promote progesterone production, thanks to their zinc and vitamin E contents. 

You’ll continue eating sunflower and sesame seeds daily through day 28 of your cycle—the last day before your period. Once Aunt Flo is in town, you can break out the flax and pumpkin seeds once again.

I’ve found that seed cycling works best when the seeds are raw and freshly ground, as it’s easier for your body to absorb the nutrients. If you’re wondering what the heck to eat seeds with, here are a few options:

  • Seed-based energy bites 

  • Fresh seed butter (sunflower butter is a fave!)

  • Seed-based granola

  • Sprinkling seeds on a salad or mixing them into salad dressing

  • Blending seeds into smoothies

  • Topping other dished with seeds, such as chia pudding, oatmeal, or yogurt parfaits

I’ve had low progesterone throughout adulthood, which caused my infertility challenges and continued to make for unpleasant periods, headaches, and low energy each cycle. I started seed cycling as a natural way to help my body naturally balance hormone levels and I’m a huge fan! Since starting, I’ve noticed fewer headaches, shorter and lighter periods, longer luteal phases, and overall increased mood and energy levels. I recommend it to all my friends!

It can take about three months for you to see the benefits of seed cycling. I recommend keeping a journal to keep track of your symptoms through the cycle so you can look back to see impacts over time. As always, if you have any concerns it’s best to consult your doctor. Happy cycling!

 

I'm Amy Beckley. After my experiences with pregnancy loss and IVF I used my PhD in Pharmacology to create MFB Fertility, Inc. and invented the Proov test in my basement, which now allows women to confirm successful ovulation by tracking PdG in 5 minutes, at home. I want to empower women.

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Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls Has a New Book & It’s EXACTLY What We Need to Read Right Now

by Amber Guetebier

Your favorite book series (have you heard the Rebel Girls podcast? We highly recommend it)! is at it again, this time with a remarkable new collection of stories all about immigrant women. Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World publishes on Oct. 13, and you can preorder it now. This wonderful collection covers famous females from Josephine Baker to Rhianna. In the signature style, it is beautifully illustrated and full of relatable stories and facts for rebel kids to learn about these fierce and awesome women. 

Dedicated to women who leave their homeland in search of a better life, readers will be treated to the same stunning layout with rich illustrations and heroines who span across time. You’ll find politicians, musicians, artists and more, all of who have shaped and are continuing to shape and change our world for the better.

 

Designed to inspire young girls AND boys everywhere to make a difference, gain respect for other cultures and celebrate the immigrant experience, Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World is available now for preorder. $35. 

—Amber Guetebier

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4 Agreements Every Rockstar Parent Should Make with Themselves

By Shelby Spear

Photo: Rawpixel

Books are my spirit animal. Well, maybe dragonflies, but anything bound and full of inspiration and insight runs a close second in stirring my soul. While many of us in the book lover club have read hundreds upon hundreds of amazing works, we usually sink our heart into a few favorites.

One of my all-time cherished books, which I recommend to anyone willing to listen, is The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. This little gem is only 138 pages, but every word awakens the spirit and makes you think. You come to a certain knowing with each agreement listed, nodding your head in affirmation of a spoken truth.

Don Miguel Ruiz shares how making only four agreements with yourself and the universe can unfold and unfurl the bound-up version of self and lead you back to your authentic identity and purpose. Doing so awards you the freedom to live from a place of wholeness.

Regardless of your worldview or spiritual beliefs/non-belief, these four agreements make sense because they’re universal truths any of us can and want to live out. No matter who I recommend this book to, no matter what they believe beyond the here and now, the wisdom shared within The Four Agreements resonates.

1. Be impeccable with your word.

All we need do is look at Twitter for 30 seconds to realize how often this agreement finds rejection. Words matter. They can cause irreparable damage and instill lasting hope. This world is in dire need of the latter.

2. Don’t take things personally.

Who doesn’t do this? And how is it working out for us? The rampant “everything is about me” mentality is causing widespread disconnect and detachment.

3. Don’t make assumptions.

We live in a world that functions on assumption more than fact. Headlines and gossip have become the basis for judgment. In large part because communication, which requires listening, discerning, studying, has become a lost art.

4. Do your best.

Every human can start doing this right now. Doing our best is enough, even if some days our finest hour is a complete mess or failure. Doing our best includes accepting and forgiving ourselves and others for collective weaknesses and faults.

As common sense as these agreements sound, we’ve all fallen into the trap of living outside their boundaries. The human thing, ego thing, illusion thing, is hard. But continued resistance to these positive commitments means more misery, suffering and dysfunction will exist. The good news is, a mindful decision to enter into these agreements—the best we can—will change the world around us. Instantly.

Consider just one example: if you decide not to take your coworkers comment personally today, then your time home with the family after work will be pleasant and enjoyable. This in turn makes for a stress-free evening for your spouse and kids. The lack of tension helps everyone have a good night’s rest. And, come morning, each person in your family starts a new day feeling refreshed, joyful and ready to face the world.

In this scenario, agreeing to not take things personally in one single instance affects the entirety of your experience going forward, including all the people in your sphere of influence. One agreement by one individual in one moment of time has the power to change countless lives via the ripple effect.

The four agreements Don Miguel Ruiz challenges us to embody are powerful, important, healing. My commitment to practicing them has changed my life, my family, the people around me.

Although I’m just one person making a small difference in a limited space, together we can make a significant difference in an ever-expanding space. Humanity deserves the healing.

This post originally appeared on Thrive Global.

A self-described “sappy soul whisperer/sarcasm aficionado,” Shelby is a wife of 27 years & mom of three millennials. She co-authored How Are You Feeling, Momma? (You don't need to say, "I'm fine.") Her stories are in print at Guideposts, online at sites like Her View From Home and Parenting Teens & Tweens, and at shelbyspear.com. Get 3 FREE chapters of Shelby's book

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Tommee Tippee: Feels Like the Real Thing, Baby

by Tinybeans Team
Partner Content

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Closer to Nature Baby Bottle

Babies love boobs. And bottles just aren’t that booby. Well they weren’t, until now…

Introducing the most breast-like nipple ever, naturally anti-colic and naturally easy to latch onto. A bottle so booby, 97% of moms recommend. So whether your baby is breasfed, formula fed, newborn or 12 months, Tommee Tipppee has the best bottles around to help keep them happy and full.

 

How to Pick Eyeglasses for Your Kid’s Face Shape

By Laura Harrison

Eyeglasses can add an additional flair to your kid’s style, but is there a style or frame shape that is better suited for their face shape? How do you know what the best frame shape is for their face shape?

As the co-founder of Jonas Paul Eyewear, my team and I have spent quite a bit of time studying frames and faces, and can recommend the best frames to accentuate each face shape and bring out the personality behind the lenses. Here are a few of my tips on the best way to find stylish kids glasses to accentuate their already sparkling style and personality. And if going into a store sounds overwhelming, many eyewear companies now offer home try-on kits so you can explore and try on various styles in the comfort of your home. 

Oval Faces: If you’re not sure if your child has an oval face shape, take a look to see if they have balanced proportions, high cheekbones, and a chin that is slightly narrower than the forehead. To maintain the natural, balanced proportions of an oval face, I always recommend finding frames that are not overly wide or tall to steer away from creating an illusion that your face features are disproportionate. Faces that already have a naturally balanced look will do best with these types of medium-sized frames.

Round Faces: Typically, if your kid has a round face, it means that they have soft angles, a slightly curved jawline, and a jawline that is slightly narrower than the forehead. Finding st‌yles that contrast the shape of your face, such as rectangular st‌yles with a narrower eyeglass, will help better define their features and make their face appear longer. A few of our st‌yles, such as The Maddie or The Lincoln are the perfect example.

Square Faces: With angular features, a strong jawline, and cheekbones that are about the same width as the forehead, square face shapes are usually better suited with circular frames, as they tend to soften the angles of the face. If you’re not sure where to begin, glasses that have softer curves or edges will definitely accentuate the sharp features in you or your child’s face. Again, it’s all about contrast! 

Heart-Shaped Faces: For heart-shaped faces with high cheekbones, a wider forehead that narrows down to a smaller, defined chin, and a sharply tapered jawline, I recommend lighter, more airy frames, both in color and in material. This st‌yle can make heart-shaped faces appear to be more balanced and symmetrical from top to bottom, reducing the width of the forehead. St‌yles like The Maddie and The Paul are a great option to test out with your little ones!

While it can feel overwhelming to test out new styles or freshen up a look (even as adults!), always remember, it’s an ongoing journey. Try and find what feels most comfortable for your child, test it out, and don’t be afraid to ask for help! 

 

Laura, co-founder and COO of Jonas Paul Eyewear, started the brand with her husband shortly after their first child, Jonas, was born with a rare-eye condition. From there, Jonas Paul Eyewear was created with the mission of creating stylish eyewear and providing sight to children in need with every purchase.

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PBS KIDS’ New Scribbles and Ink Game Brings Your Tots Artwork to Life

by Shahrzad Warkentin

If your pint-sized artist loves dreaming up all kinds of imaginative creatures, they’ll love the new PBS KIDS Scribbles and Ink Game that brings their drawings to life.

Based on the popular book series by author and illustrator Ethan Long, Scribbles and Ink is a unique, new interactive game that puts kids creations straight into the animated series. The app provides the tools to draw objects that can then interact with the main characters Scribbles and Ink in four different open-ended stories. Kids artwork can also be saved in a gallery for viewing any time.

Besides the four interactive animated stories, the app also includes three standalone videos featuring Scribbles and Ink leading a “draw-along with me” experience. It also provides six printable activities for offline art creation.

The game, which is recommend for kids ages four to eight, is accessible online at PBSKIDS.org and on the PBS KIDS Games app.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of PBS KIDS

 

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