The Successful Child NY Blog

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It is no sercret that election years lead to a multitude of new advertisments and slogans that are impossible to avoid. However, while these advertisments typically target adults, they are becoming more and more visible to children. As we all know, children act as sponges, soaking up and all they hear and repeating most of it while often they do not understand the meaning.

Recently in Wisconsin, there has been a epidemic of small children running around and squaling “You’re damn right” as this is a phrase made “popular” in the state, by Congress woman Tammy Baldwin. It has the public divided. While it’s important for children to learn about elections, should they be allowed to see the advertisments and if not, how do you avoid it? When they pick up a “bad political habit” (such as phrases that include less then desirable language), how do you explain why it is ok to say on TV but bad to say in day-to-day life?

We want to know, what do you think? Where do your politics lay on how to handle politics in your home?

Whether or not you have purchased an ipad, used an ipad or even seen an ipad there is no denying these little devices have made a big impact on society and now with ipads being introduced to schools in every state in the United States there is no question they are making their mark on education; but while the impact is unquestionable the result of the impact is still undetermined. Are we helping or hurting our children and do these devices actually aide in classroom education or do they hinder what we hope to be achieving within the education system?

Proponents of the ipad often point to the arguments that:

1. Many classrooms are now using smartboards and the ipad (and other tablets) can enhance the benefits of this interactive system, they are compatible with online teaching and offer ways to collaborate on content creation.  The touch interface of the ipad makes it easier for students to access websites, create dialog and use databases to interact with each other when face to face contact is not possible, students can now communicate even when in different rooms or buildings (think of the impact on homework), and send information to each other as they receive it.

2. ipads and ipods have become a common fixture in the media and in job force, by not teaching and exposing children to the newest technology we are putting them at a disadvantage when applying for jobs and attending seminars as they enter into a variety of different career paths.

3. ipads allow students to have access to a wealth of information without having to carry a cumbersome amount of text books around with them; there is no more “I accidentally left that book at home” or “I need to run to my locker”.  In addition, backpacks have become much lighter.

4. Students can not help become part of the solution when a problem a raises, many times students can troubleshoot and resolve technology issues quicker then adults.  With so many cutbacks in education IT departments are dwindling so being able to involve students in the help-desk benefits not only the students but also the staff.

5. ipads and ipods make integrating cross-curricular lessons easy to do. For example when learning about the respiratory system in science children and adolescents can take the ipad and ipods to gym class and use it to measure heart and breathing rates and bring that very relevant information right back into the labs.  It is long been the standing opinion that the more you can relate curriculum to students lives the better they will retain it; ipads and ipods are a tool that can easily be used to make learning much more personally relevant.

6. Schools have long been using computers and laptops; when compared with such items the ipads (and other tablets) are lighter, less cumbersome, more portable and don’t require that schools spend money to pay for computing power no longer needed.

7. With environmental concerns very prevalent and a part of most school districts science and current events curriculum ipads allow schools to be much more paperless by promoting digital textbooks, saving both dollars and the environment.

8. ipads can help get accurate data.  The statistics put in text books are most likely outdated by the time the book is done being published and ready for purchase.  By using ipad’s (and other tablets) up to the minute statistics are at student’s finger tips.

9. Animation can aide in learning.  In text books there are few pictures if any but in using an ipad instructors and immediately pull up video and pictures of just about any lesson topic or concept.  For many children having both the auditory and visual representation of an idea helps them both understand the material and commit it to memory.  This is especially important when you have students who are visual learners.

10.  Many ipad and ipod apps encourage children to engage in healthy competition with themselves.  Many programs and websites track students progress in certain subjects by keeping track of how many questions they answered correctly, how many pages are read, etc.  This system can turn learning into a game for many students, encouraging them to “beat their best score”.  The best part is that no one besides themselves and a teacher needs to know where they are because such progress records can be easily guarded with password protection.  For children who struggle from learning disabilities it allows them to work at their own independent level and provides a challenge without stigmatizing them (as no one needs to be aware of what they are doing on the small screen that can be used in any corner of the classroom).

However, for every person who is a proponent of ipads in the classroom there is also a person who sees them as a tool that could be potentially dangerous for our educational system. Many of these people state the points below:

1. ipads provide a distraction; the new technology is so exciting to students that they have difficulty focusing on instruction with the visual of the ipads in the classroom and/or the knowledge that they will be using them later in the day.

2. ipads can be used to cheat; information can be stored or looked up with the press of a button, it can also be sent directly from another person in an another location.  It has been found that many adolescents have used ipads and ipods to cheat on tests and quizzes.

3. The ipad and ipods (as well as other tablets) can promote discrimination.  It is an expensive piece of equipment and if students are allowed to bring them to school this may offer a clear dividing factor between students who can and who can not afford the technology.

4. It promotes isolation.  In using ipads, ipods (and other tablets) to do the teaching there can be a decline in group activities and conversations.  If students spend too much time interacting through the devices they miss out on face to face socialization and interaction which can cause introverted children.  One major aspect to schools and the current education system is that it provides a safe place for students to acquire and practice social skills; however, the ipads and ipods have the potential to hinder such opportunities.

5. By using computers and laptops (versus ipads and ipods) it is easier to put Internet blocks in place, these blocks are vital in preventing children and adolescents from entering potentially harmful sites such as chatrooms and accessing inappropriate material.

6. It is increasingly difficult for a teacher or professor to monitor how the child is using the ipad or ipod.  Students may be more inclined to use the technology to play popular video games (such as angry birds) during leaning instruction time and because it is so easy to switch from one app to another teachers and educators may not be aware of such occurrences.

7. Students don’t learn to ask for help.  An important skill in life is to learn how and when to ask for help and to be able to assert yourself, for many students this is a tough lesson, with the introduction of the ipads and ipods it becomes even easier not to speak up as the temptation is to try and figure it out yourself and not check with teachers or peers.  It is much easier to hide behind a screen.

8. There are health concerns with how much time is spent looking at a screen; too much time in front the glossy displays can lead to headaches and sore eyes for many.

9. The technology can breed dependence.  Students can become so accustomed to having the information at the touch of a button that we are completely immobilized with a system crashes.  Many argue that we need to teach children ways to look up information manually (a book or a map will never “die” on you).  Some students feel paralyzed if the equipment faults.

10. There is too much information and it is difficult for young minds to make sense of what is accurate and what is not.  By using the ipads and ipods there is so much information available and much of it is inaccurate.  It is tough for some kids to decipher what is valid and what is not valid but in a text book the facts are presented in a more straight forward and direct manner.

So, where do you fall?  Have we gained an amazing new educational tool or created an added hurdle to overcome in the world of education?

While no parent may be 100 percent sure who is going to be president come November 4th, all parents can be sure that with the political ads in full effect and election information dominating the media kids will have questions.  Here are some common questions and ways to answer them.

1. What is voting?

Explain this by offering ways to “vote at home”.  Vote for a weekend activity, a dinner choice, what bedtime story to read or what flavor of ice cream to buy at the grocery store. By connecting voting with an activity in a child’s life children as young as preschool age are bound to gain a better understand of what you will be doing when you head to the polls.

2. Why can’t kids vote for president?

Explain the criteria to vote (namely citizen, region and age requirements).  You can explain it as something that they will eventually earn the right to do and it is something to look forward to.  However, just because they can’t vote in the presidential election doesn’t mean they “can’t vote at all”.  Have them get involved in school elections or take votes at home as often as possible.  Try and make sure that they win and lose some so they see how the system works and understand the power that one vote can have.

3. What can I do to be involved if I can’t vote?

In many states future voters can pass out fliers at polling places.  Future voters can always wear buttons, watch debates, and sport tshirts supporting their favorite nominee.  It can also be fun to assign rolls to children and hold mock debates at home; have children answer questions how they think the nominees would or should.  Tell children that only 64 percent of the US voting eligible population voted in the 2004 elections and encourage them to encourage adults in their lives to vote.

4. What do donkeys and elephants have to do with being president?

Explain that before mass media (internet, tv and radio) political parties had to relay on printed material to attract voters.  Thomas Nast (the same man who created the image of Santa Clause) came up with the symbol of the elephant for Republican materials and the donkey for Democrat materials.  Have kids create symbols for things and/or issues important in their lives (ideas include but are not limited to park conservation, raising money for new playground equipment, helping animals, helping support research about an illness a parent or loved one is fighting or child based charities).

With this rainy weather sandboxes are less sand and a lot more muck however you don’t have to give up the fun…make your own sandfree sandbox at home!  It takes two minutes and provides hours of fun!

1. Take a large tubberware bin or use a large pan or container of any kind and fill with dry rice and/or oats!

2. Insert sand toys and play away!

Note: place a sheet down under the container for easy pickup when done!

Happy playing!

On a day when the heat has reached record highs we have an idea on how to cool off and score record points with your kids!

1. Place a teaspoon of tempera paint in each section of an ice cube trey (all different colors)

2. Fill trey with water and stir with toothpicks; let the trey stand for about 10 minutes and then mix again.

3. Place the treys in the freezer until frozen; then pop the ice cubes out and let your little Picasso at the paper.  The picture will appear as the ice melts when then drag it across the page in any design/color they wish!

NOTE: PLEASE watch little ones as the paint and be sure not to allow them to eat ice cubes also be sure to use treys only for paints and not for making cubes intended for ingestion.

If you are in the New York City Area (Long Island and Westchester included) please check us out on Gaggle of Chicks tomorrow and make sure and get your coupon!  Act fast as it will only be available for 24 hours.  See the deal below.

You can amass an entire library on childhood development and still need a little “extra help.” Need to get rid of tantrums? Set routines for bedtime or homework? Help your child transition to a new school? Or learn how to navigate the channels of Early Intervention? A company established by three women (who have worked as school psychologists) The Successful Child aims to help you and your child deal with challenges that range from common to complex.

Our deal offers a one-hour in-home consultation for only $100. The regular fee is $195. In this session, you can address your concerns and get advice on how to approach solving your problem, whether the issue is in the home (e.g. completing household chores and bedtime routines), at school (e.g. academic struggles and how to navigate the school system, private testing for understanding your child’s academic strengths and obstacles and offering an idea what to expect with ERB’s and other standardized tests). The educational consultant you work with will then set a custom tailored targeted plan to help you achieve your goals—and help your child achieve greater success in the simplest of ways.

The approach is multidisciplinary and the consultants at the Successful Child aim to help a family get back on track in a variety of areas. The trio who began the outfit includes Berit Rostad, Trisha Pasternack, and Jennifer Butts, all of whom draw upon their wide-ranging experiences in school psychology to work closely with families for however long a family is in need.

Summer has finally arrived in NYC and with it comes a slew of outdoor activities for kids! Whether you are prepping for the pool, the beach, the playground or a picnic in the park one thing is certain and that is that you can’t leave home without a snack bag!  As any parent or caregiver knows the one thing every child requires is energy and sometimes replenishing this energy in a healthy way can be a challenging task; especially when on the go!  Below you will find some easy portable snacks that kids love and you can feel good about giving them!

1. Cheese and fruit kabobs.  Take regular cheese and use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes with it; then stick it on a kabob with pieces of fruit (berries, orange slices, grapes, kiwi, ect).  For a time saver skip the cookie cutter and buy the cubed cheese which is kabob ready right out of the bag!

2. Tortilla roll ups! This snack is sure to keep those kids moving with it’s killer combination of whole grain and protein.  Take peanut butter and spread it lightly over a whole wheat tortilla.  Next add bananas (or you could substitute fruit spread).  Roll it up and either leave whole (like a tube) or cut into bite size pieces.

3. Frozen grapes! This one involves little to no prep time and is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  Simply take grapes (make sure they are seedless for the little mouths) and put them in the freezer.  Once frozen the grapes will taste cool and tart making them as refreshing as ice cream on a hot day but without any of the added sugar and fat!

4. Make your own trail mix.  This one is a great way to get kids involved!  Kids are much more likely to eat anything they feel they have made themselves so set out nuts, granola,  and dried fruit and let them go to town combining it, placing it in a snack bag and shaking it up to create the perfect snack they grab and go.

5. Black Bean brownies!  This one is a secret recipe for moms and caregivers alike.  Take regular brownie mix and add one pound of unseasoned, undrained pureed black beans and NOTHING else; bake at 350 for 35 minutes..  This snack will trick your kids into thinking it’s a real treat but you will smile knowing they just ate their beans and replenished all the protein they need to keep moving.

Enjoy summer in a healthy way everyday!

London isn’t just a setting for Royal weddings; it is also a fun sidewalk game that is perfect for this time of year and all you need is sidewalk chalk and a rock or bottle top; this game is sure to please the kids, the parents and the pocketbook! To play follow the steps below:

1. To create the “field” use the sidewalk chalk to draw a 3X5 foot rectangle divided into 7 sections horizontally with a semicircle on top which says “London” in it.
2. From the bottom of the box players roll or throw the stone or bottle cap up and in whichever space it lands in they get to draw the head of a person. Keep track of each players head by using different chalk colors.
3. On subsequent turns when a player lands in a space where they already have a head they may draw a body onto that head.  After drawing bodies legs are drawn one at a time.  So a player would have to land on the same section 4 times to draw a whole person.  When a player lands on “London” they are able to draw a head, body or foot on whatever space they would like.
4. When a player gets 3 people drawn in one section they draw a line through the people symbolizing they are linking arms.  The winner is the first player to draw 3 linked people in each section.

Happy playing…hope your little Price and Princesses enjoy the game!

Now the weather is warming up and the spring is in the air flowers are the only things in bloom but playgrounds all over the city appear to be blooming with children of all ages.  Playgrounds in NYC are very special places and meant to be enjoyed but with so many parents in one place there are bound to be so many “parenting styles”.  We have created a list of playground behavior rules that should be followed by all families regardless of your style to make sure playgrounds remain fun and most importantly safe places for play!

1.  The playground is a great place to go with a babysitter however the playground itself is not a babysitter.  On a nice day you are bound to run into many other mom’s, dad’s and nannies but don’t get so involved in conversation that you forget to keep a close eye on your children.  This is obvious for little ones but is just as important for older children.  Older children may be able to climb and run without help but making sure they stay safe and avoid areas where they may “run over” the smaller playground goer’s is crucial.

2.  Just as the playground is not a babysitter it is not an office.  The playground should be the place you go to “occupy” your children while you pull out your blackberry, droid, iphone, ipad or any other “i” item.  While an occasional call or text is fine sitting on the sidelines glued to your device makes it virtually impossible to watch your children and more importantly doesn’t allow you to have fun by actively engaging with them.

3. Areas designated for bigger children and areas designated for smaller children should be paid attention to!  The reason for this is safety.  Bigger children play faster and smaller children don’t always look where they are going.  Because of such smaller guys can get in their way causing tripping, falling, collisions and many “boo-boos” for both ages that can easily be avoided.

3.  No matter what your parenting style hitting, kicking, screaming, name-calling, biting, pushing and throwing sand/woodchips should not be tolorated.  Along these lines when such behavior occurs intervention by an adult should be immediate.  It is tempting at times to let our children “work it out on their own” however a public playground with other people’s children is not the time or place.

4.  Along the lines of number 3; please address your own child’s behavior.  It is not your job to monitor other children or other care taker’s job to monitor your children.  If you should catch something that a parent missed you may step in calmly to solve any minor problems but never repremand the other child, do however ask whom they are with and make their caregiver aware of the issue.

5. Have fun!  Playgrounds are a great place to be creative and jump around in ways you can’t to at home!  Make sure to take advantage of that.

6. Make friends; playgrounds aren’t just a place for children to create new bonds with peers they are also a great place to meet other families, parents, nannies, etc.  It can be a great place to meet people you may want to do playdates, , mommy groups or other activities with at a later date.

7. Respect the playground.  Please leave the playground the way you found it so that the next time you go it is just as much fun.  This means don’t litter, don’t take all the sand out of the box, don’t rope swing chains around the poles or engage in any other activity that may harm equipment and/or make the grounds less appealing.

8. Playgrounds are great places to learn the art of “turn taking”.  If you see a line up for the swings or any other piece of equipment please be curtious and aware.  Every child deserves a chance and so monitor how long occupy it; remember you can always get back in line!

9.  If you bring your own equipment to the playground be prepared to share.  Many times scooters, sidewalk chalk, sand toys, and balls make their way into these spaces.  If you child brings something make sure they understand other children may see it and want to play with it as well.  This is especially true if the child him or herself is currently not playing with whatever it is they brought.  Let children know if they are not using something it is okay for another child to use it.  In addition if they are using it and it can be shared it is a great opportunity to demonstrate sharing behavior.

10. Last and most importantly, enjoy your time!  Playgrounds can be magical!  They are usually free and can be fun for hours.  They are small oasis’s in big cities where children can be children and adults can watch fine motor, gross motor and social skills develop!  On a nice day a playground can be one of the best spots in the world to be!