This is a very cute commercial. Reading does inspire! It also helps children (and adults) grow their vocabulary. Take time out each day with your children to read to them or let them read out loud to you. Not only are you helping them educationally, but also emotionally…you’re spending one on one time with them.
Reading Inspires!
Posted in education, kids, parenting, schools
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Danger: “Button” Batteries and Kids…Don’t Mix!
Last fall, 13-month-old Aidan Truett of Hamilton, Ohio developed what seemed like an upper respiratory infection. He lost interest in food and vomited a few times, but doctors attributed it to a virus. After nine days of severe symptoms and more doctor visits, the hospital finally ordered an X-ray to look for pneumonia. What they found instead was totally unexpected. He’d ingested a “button” battery, one of those flat silver discs used to power remote controls, toys, musical greeting cards, bathroom scales, and many other home electronics.
The battery was surgically removed the next day, and Aidan was sent home. But neither the doctors nor his parents realized that the damage had been done. The battery’s current had set off a chemical reaction in the child’s esophagus that had burned through his esophageal wall and attacked his heart. Two days after the battery was removed, Aidan died from his injuries.
SUCH DEATHS ARE EXTREMELY RARE. However…ingestion of lithium cell batteries, which children may mistake for candy, or simply put in their mouths because that’s just what kids do, is a surprisingly common problem, documented recently by two new reports in the medical journal Pediatrics.
Among other serious complications, the chemical reaction triggered by these lithium batteries can damage vocal cords, leaving children with a lifelong whisper. Damage to the gastrointestinal tract means some children require feeding tubes and multiple surgeries. “The injuries are so much more serious,” said Dr. Toby Litovitz, director and lead author of both articles in Pediatrics. “It’s like drain opener or lye. It’s not something you want in the esophagus of your child.”
The batteries that pose the greatest risk are those beginning with the number 20, which stands for 20 millimeters. Batteries numbered 2032, 2025 and 2016 are responsible for more than 90 percent of serious injuries.
Federal safety rules require toys that use the batteries to have battery compartments that are locked with screws. But what’s to stop four-year old Suzie or Ramon from grabbing a screwdriver and mimicking mom or dad’s tool se? Devices intended for adults – like bathroom scales and remote controls – often hold the batteries in with a simple plastic cover that can fall off or be removed easily. When children ingest batteries, it’s not usually because they found one loose in the home. In 60 percent of the cases involving children under age 6, the child has removed the battery from an electronic device.
Making matters worse, most parent/caregivers are not even aware when it happens, and studies show the battery begins to cause severe damage within just two hours of ingestion. Diagnosing the problem can be very difficult, because children will have symptoms that are nonspecific, and parents/caregivers will often have no idea that a battery was ingested.
Button batteries are especially problematic because, often, when a child swallows or chokes on one, the incident is not witnessed. So here are a few tips to help prevent button battery ingestion altogether:
- Make sure there are no loose batteries around that a child may find and put in their mouth. If you’re changing a button battery, do it on a surface out of reach of a child. Then immediately place the “dead” battery out of reach of the child—even “dead” batteries have enough charge left to produce acids than can eventually lead to tissue damage if there’s prolonged exposure.
- Don’t allow children to play with these batteries.
- If you have a device that uses this type of battery, make sure the battery device on the cover is secure so your child can’t remove it.
- Store button batteries like you would any medication—out of reach of your children. This means either in a cabinet out of a child’s reach or in a child-proofed locked area.
If you’re suspicious that your child has swallowed a button battery, or has placed one in his/her nose, seek medical attention immediately. A button battery is visible on X-ray. If one is present in the esophagus, trachea, ear, or nose, it must be removed as soon as possible to prevent serious damage.
Talk with family, friends, and neighbors, and alert them to this danger. As we know, these batteries are not just in remotes and electronics; they’re everywhere…even in that “talking” children’s book or birthday card your child or grandchild just received!
With information from: New York Times, May 2010, Pediatrics.aappublications.org, and scrmc.org
Posted in awareness, education, in the news, warning
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Building Confidence, Self-Respect & Thoughtfulness: 10 Everyday Phrases
You can use these everyday phrases to instill confidence, self-respect, and thoughtfulness in your children.
- Thank you. It’s important to acknowledge your child’s efforts to help you or others. You might say: “Thanks for helping me look for that missing sock” or “Thanks for setting the table; I got the salad made while you were doing that.”
- Tell me more. Words like these show your child that you are listening and that you would like to hear more about what’s on her mind. “Tell me more” encourages conversation without passing judgment or giving immediate advice – two responses that discourage further communication from your child.
- You can do it. Your expression of confidence in your child’s ability to do many things without your help is important. As your child grows older, there will be many times when your encouragement will mean the difference between his giving up on a challenging task or seeing it through.
- How can I help? Let your child know you are willing and available to help her accomplish a particular task that may be difficult for her to manage on her own. You might say: “I think you can read that story by yourself now. Let me know if you need help with a new word.” As your child takes on projects in school, encourage her to think of specific steps that are necessary to complete a project. You both can decide which tasks your child can handle on her own and which ones she’ll need help with.
- Let’s all pitch in. A child is never too young to learn that cooperation and team effort make many jobs easier and speedier – and often more fun: “Let’s all pitch in and finish raking the leaves so we can go in and bake cookies,” or “Let’s all pitch in and clean up the kitchen or we’ll miss the movie.” Family activities and group chores can develop into pleasant rituals that enrich a child’s life and create fond memories.
- How about a hug? Don’t just tell your child you love him – show him. Research indicates that young children deprived of physical touch and displays of affection often fail to thrive. As children grow older, they vary in the ways they like us to show affection. Some love to be cuddled, while others prefer a quick hug or pat on the shoulder. It’s important to be aware of what your child enjoys most at a particular age.
- Please. After all these years, “please” is still a classic. When you ask a favor of anyone – including children – this “magic word” acknowledges that you are asking for a behavior that will help you and/or make you happy. (P.S.: Don’t forget to say “thank you” when the job is done.)
- Good job! Good for you. Self-respect and self-confidence grow when your child’s efforts and performance are rewarded. Whenever possible, give your child lots of praise. Be sure your praise is honest and specific. Focus on your child’s efforts and progress, and help her identify her strengths.
- It’s time to… ”It’s time to get ready for bed,” or “do homework,” or “turn off the TV.” Young children need structure in their daily lives to provide a measure of security in an often insecure world. It is up to you as a parent to establish and maintain a workable schedule of activities, always remembering that children benefit from regular mealtimes and bedtimes.
- I love you. Everyone needs love and affection and a feeling of acceptance and belonging. We can’t assume that children know and understand our love for them unless we tell them. Letting your child know that you love him (and showing him with countless hugs) is important not only in toddlerhood, but also as he gets older.
Family Education
Fatal Child Abuse – More Must Be Done to Make these Cases Non-Existent
May Baby Brianna Rest in Peace in the Arms of Angels
This is a disturbing but important story of a fatal case of child abuse. It is the case of baby Briana Lopez, who was abused from birth by both parents and other family members. We as a nation must make cases like these nonexistent.
PLEASE REPORT CHILD ABUSE! REPORT ANONYMOUSLY ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES! HELP SAVE A CHILD!
1-800-422-4453
To Sign the Petition for: The Legal Removal of the Metal Cage and Proper Burial of Brianna Mariah Lopez
Target: District Attorney of Dona Ana county, Susana Martinez. Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Background (Preamble): Baby Brianna Lopez was 5 months old when she died as a result of prolonged abuse and sexual assault at the hands of her father, uncle and mother. Brianna Lopez’s family were sentenced to prison for their crime. No one laid claim to this baby’s body after she had died so the community of Las Cruces came forward to lay claim to Brianna and honour her at her funeral whilst the Dona Ana county donated the funds for her burial site.
Brianna’s remaining family held a small and quick burial in a private cemetery, excluding other family members. No headstone was placed at her grave, only a marker was placed on the site then the burial mound raked flat. People of the community came to honour this baby by laying flowers. As the family wanted her death to be quiet they ordered a metal cage be placed over the burial site to discourage people from honouring her. The cage has surrounded baby Briannas resting place for eight years. Unfortunately the family has maintained this as it is a legal right.
This petition will go towards supporting the District Attorney of Dona Ana county, Susana Martinez in achieving what baby Brianna Lopez is entitled to, the removal of the cage and a proper burial with a headstone.
Seven Things to Tell Your Child’s Teacher
Sharing key information about your child can help teachers make a connection.
What can you tell a teacher that will help him do his job better? You might be surprised. While your child’s teacher is the expert in education, no one knows more about your child than you do. It’s just as important for parents to tell teachers about issues at home that may affect school performance as it is for teachers to report how children are doing in the classroom.
Students do best when parents and teachers work together as partners. The start of a new school year is a great time to open a dialogue with your child’s teacher. Not sure where to start? Here are seven things teachers wish you would tell them. Sharing this information with a teacher will help her better understand your child’s needs and lay the groundwork for a cooperative relationship throughout the school year.
- Health conditions: If your child is diabetic, uses an inhaler, is allergic to peanuts, or has a serious health condition, her teacher should know. It’s also helpful to let the teacher know whether your child has been diagnosed with conditions like ADHD, which may affect behavior and concentration.
- Family issues: Fill in the teacher if your family is going through a major change that could affect your child, such as a divorce, a death in the family, or a move. Even if your child seems to have adjusted well, alert teachers so they can watch for behavioral changes.
- Personality traits or behavior issues: Maybe your son is painfully shy and is worried about making friends at a new school. Or perhaps your kindergartner has been having tantrums at home and you’re concerned she’ll do the same at school. It’s best to make teachers aware of these issues before they become a problem at school.
- Strengths and weaknesses: Your daughter is a star student in math but is embarrassed to read aloud. Your son loves language arts but struggles with science. If you tell teachers these things up front, they’ll have more time to help your children improve in the areas they need it most.
- Learning style: You’ve spent years teaching your kids, from potty training to tying shoelaces, so you have a good idea of their learning styles. If your child learns better through hands-on activities than through listening to explanations, mention that to his teacher. Also share any teaching strategies that you’ve found work well with your child.
- Study habits: Does your son speed through math homework but labor over reading assignments? Do your daughter’s grades suffer because she spends so much time at skating lessons? Tell teachers about your children’s study habits and any issues they face in completing the work. Teachers often can offer suggestions to make homework time go more smoothly.
- Special interests: Knowing more about your child’s hobbies or interests can help the teacher forge connections in the classroom. Let the teacher know that your young son loves a particular comic book superhero and that your middle school daughter is a gifted painter.
written by Emily Graham – school family
Posted in education, kids, parenting, schools
Tagged parenting, parentuniversity, schools, teaching
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Computer Giants Offer Scholarships And More!
By: Natasha Bright
High school students hear there is going to be a shortage of computer professionals in the near future. They also see advertising about how there are piles of financial aid offers for the taking. Just give the website in question your parent’s credit card number and they will gladly help fill out a FASFA form and get the student a Pell Grant. That is, if what they advertise has any truth to it at all.
There is a lot of aid out there. Beyond the Pell, there’s the National Science Foundation’s team-up with the Board of Education for the STEM program. Another area most students are either too scared to approach or not aware of is the private sector. Many computer corporations offer scholarship and internship programs themselves. They give out thousands of dollars, with the long term goal of finding quality people who will eventually work for them. If you need more information about distance learning course, look on the internet.
Don’t believe yet? Here is a small sampling of companies that do just that:
(1) Apple Computer Scholarship – Home of the iTunes, the iPad, and the Mac. Known for keeping as much as possible in-house, they recruit personnel to achieve that goal. They have the Apple Scholars Program, which gives high school students $2,000, an iPod and a brand new – probably Apple – laptop. All the kids have to do is create a “senior project” with (and applicable to) Apple tech. Whatever it is, it must be done with Apple technology. The student wins and the tech stays within Apple’s ‘keeping it all in house’ motto.
(2) Dell Computer Scholars – Dell also has a very generous program for secondary seniors. All it asks is that the applicant be a US citizen, demonstrate a real financial need, maintain a 2.4 or higher grade point average, and plan to go to school the fall after graduation. In return, they award $20,000 for students to take up to a six year program at an accredited college, online or not, with a new computer, mentoring services and a lot more.
(3) Intel Computer Clubhouse – The #1 microchip manufacturer awarded 26 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 in 2009 alone. Selection of scholarship recipients is based on scholastic and financial need. It’s also designed to assist both undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of electrical engineering, computer science, and manufacturing worldwide. Intel tailors these programs to each specific country or region in which they are located, insuring that each program offers the greatest benefit to the communities it serves. There is an abundance of information about degree in technology on the web.
(4) Microsoft – Not to be topped by Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and company offer four different programs: General Scholarships, Minority Scholarships, Scholarships for Students with Disabilities, and Women’s Scholarships. Computer scientists receive these, to excel in their chosen field. This provides some definite benefits when they pursue studies in computer science and related technical disciplines.
A little work this way can pay off considerably. Earn accredited degrees and get started in this ever-expanding field. Either a traditional or an online IT degree gets you going and provides the entrance you need.
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Managing Stress in Middle School
Fantastic post written by Patti Ghezzi
Middle school kids often worry about interactions with peers and their school performance.
Some kids navigate the social minefield of adolescence as if it were an obstacle course in PE. They may struggle to get over a hurdle or two, but they reach the finish line without breaking much of a sweat.
And then there’s everyone else.
“It’s the toughest time of life,” says Kim “Tip” Frank, a South Carolina therapist and author of Battling the Blues, Grades 3-8: The Handbook for Helping Children and Teens With Depression. “The toughest time of my life was 7th grade.”
It’s a time when kids are trying to find their true identity. They want to conform and yet they’re wondering if it’s OK to be a little different. “They need a moral compass and confidence,” says Frank.
Kids today have an even more complex “peer life” than earlier generations because of social networking, cell phones, text messaging, and other modern modes of communication, he says.
Here are some common complaints of overstressed middle schoolers and what parents can do to help.
“I don’t have any friends”
First, reassure your child that she’ll get through this difficult stage, Frank says. “It’s a time when you naturally feel ill at ease,” he says. “There will be times when you are alone and will stand alone. Being alone is better than changing who you are to fit in with the popular crowd.”
Some kids need more explicit instruction on how to make friends. Parents can help by engaging their child in a discussion about what a real friend is. Ask your child what qualities he wants in a friend. Then, you can help him identify potential friends and practice asking the kind of open-ended questions that can lead to friendship.
Remind your child that not all friendships work out. Talk to your child about how to be a good friend.
“Kids need guidance and a game plan,” Frank says. “Especially for a shy child, like I was, it’s important to have a game plan.”
Some kids are gifted socially, and some are not. Some children will become more comfortable making friends as they get older. Some kids are satisfied with a small circle of friends, and others like to be liked by everyone.
“My best friend doesn’t like me any more”
It’s common for longtime best friends to drift apart during middle school. When your child feels left behind or abandoned, it’s painful, especially if the child leaving yours behind was like a member of your family.
To help your child cope with a best friend’s sudden lack of interest, first encourage her to make it clear to her friend that she wants to keep the friendship going, Frank says. Then, remind her that if her friend chooses to end the friendship, it’s out of your child’s control. “You can only control one side of the equation,” he says.
Talk to your child about why friends move on or pull away. Maybe the friend gravitated to those who share her passion for soccer or theater. Assure your child she will make new friends. It hurts when friendships fade, but parting ways often ends up working out for the best for both children, Frank says.
“I made a mistake! I’m a failure!”
Middle school teachers see a lot of perfectionism in today’s kids. These kids get upset if they miss one question on a test or if they get a B on a paper. They work so hard, they are often stressed out, moody, sleep-deprived, and overscheduled. Their drive to excel may leave little time for a social life.
“Perfectionist kids are often driven by parents who are living through their kids,” Frank says. As a parent, look inward and see whether you are pushing your child to feel like she can’t make a single mistake. Do you talk about top colleges on a daily basis? Do you make a huge deal out of a grade that isn’t an A?
Some kids are naturally driven and shouldn’t be discouraged. But others take their quest for perfection too far. In some cases, children throw themselves into academics to avoid social pressures. “You can ask your child, ‘Why do you think you have to get straight A’s?’ ” he says. “Do your best, but there’s more to life.”
Parents can offer their children opportunities to have fun. “Model hard work, relaxation, laughter, and joy,” he says. “It’s not what you say to kids, it’s how you live.”
