tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62155715881560303882024-03-13T13:50:35.902-04:00Choosy KidsChoosy Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00442976700824900682noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-15828175919047644062017-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:002017-01-03T13:31:15.960-05:00Do What I Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0qI-HACeRFnnz27CH0zqBkkSzWQkgTA1kdGjNjnjd0R1jFd6v5anVFGtthZemTJ6809Syyoi239tqOl15pdWtRRVnqRnVlvjJujcjJflKQCH-kWpAsjKEXKRzJ9YcD56vDB4Ac5vJbk/s1600/Do+What+I+Do.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0qI-HACeRFnnz27CH0zqBkkSzWQkgTA1kdGjNjnjd0R1jFd6v5anVFGtthZemTJ6809Syyoi239tqOl15pdWtRRVnqRnVlvjJujcjJflKQCH-kWpAsjKEXKRzJ9YcD56vDB4Ac5vJbk/s320/Do+What+I+Do.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Have you ever heard of ‘monkey see, monkey do’? While you
may not have monkeys in your house, you might have some children watching and
hearing everything you do and say. Children tend to mimic their role models in
many different ways so it is essential that we as adults, and role models, display
behaviors that we wish to see in our children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Watch What You Eat</b></h3>
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Even the youngest of children know that a cookie tastes
better than whatever is for dinner. But as role models, it is vital that we eat
healthy alongside our children. It isn’t fair when children are told to eat
fruits and veggies and we are snacking on chips and candy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Plan meals and learn about new foods as a family, but don’t
ban the sweets. This only increases the appeal for them for the entire family. Always
remember that moderation is key. Make eating healthy fun and the norm in your
home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /><b>Stay Physically
Active</b></h3>
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Children are naturally wiggle worms. Most of the time they
can’t sit still for long. It is important to burn off that extra energy in
children so they sleep better at night and wake up well-rested. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Do things together to stay physically active. We shouldn’t
just sit on the couch, watch television, or get hypnotized by an iPad---nor
should our children..Now is a great time to make a New Year’s resolution to be
a better play partner for our kids. Play games outside, go to the playground,
set up an obstacle course in the house or just jump around like any young child
does, but together! Your children will love that you are being silly with them
and you will get everyone’s hearts pumping! Listen to a sample of this fun tune from Choosy
Kids, <i><a href="http://choosykids.com/store/index.php/mp3/do-what-i-do.html" target="_blank">Do What I Do</a>, </i>and
make up your own moves together to the song. Get creative!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVCF5_Sw4Cgw1RXUT8n7h4NrlTJgwbTwVSfLnlXptbNlSsJWh5ZyjYCbImvcCDY-hx-X4dF9OFIjWENQ6pigQaNi-c1lBo0-hmZKooiBx9WA7rtgKXlq8VyPFHT8Qg9Of_6HoyYvto7U/s1600/Do+What+I+Do+Pinterest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVCF5_Sw4Cgw1RXUT8n7h4NrlTJgwbTwVSfLnlXptbNlSsJWh5ZyjYCbImvcCDY-hx-X4dF9OFIjWENQ6pigQaNi-c1lBo0-hmZKooiBx9WA7rtgKXlq8VyPFHT8Qg9Of_6HoyYvto7U/s640/Do+What+I+Do+Pinterest.png" title="Have you ever heard of ‘monkey see, monkey do’? While you may not have monkeys in your house, you might have some children watching and hearing everything you do and say. Children tend to mimic their role models in many different ways so it is essential that we as adults, and role models, display behaviors that we wish to see in our children." width="426" /></a></div>
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<b>Brush Two Times a Day
Together</b></h3>
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Brushing teeth is something that is learned, especially from
others doing it. Make it a point to brush your teeth together, for two minutes,
two times a day. Most children younger than 8 will need help properly brushing
their teeth, so make it a fun game so you can reach those molars and tight
spaces in small mouths.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get into a habit with children that after using the bathroom
and washing hands, brushing their teeth should be next on their to-do list. Get
creative when teaching children about brushing. You can listen to music while
you brush to make it more fun. Choosy Kids has <a href="http://choosykids.com/store/index.php/mp3.html">plenty of songs about
brushing</a> that are two minutes or more in length. There are also fun
toothbrushes available that light up, play songs or have a favorite character
on them so children like using it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Model New Skills to
Show that Learning is Fun</b></h3>
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Children are always up for learning something new. Show
children that learning is fun and you can never stop learning new things, even
as an adult.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you want to learn something new together, try learning about
a different country or try making a recipe with a food new to your family. You
can also explore new places as a family and learn about history while you do
so. By doing things together, you can also get into more in-depth conversations
since everyone is experiencing it together. You never know what you may learn
from a child as well! Everyone thinks differently, but especially children as
they have wide open minds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, let’s remember that children are always watching and
listening. Let’s try to be healthy role models because they love to play
“do what I do” all day long.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-57326567345292028992016-12-27T08:00:00.000-05:002016-12-27T08:00:19.922-05:00100 Seasonal Active Learning Ideas - Winter Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GJXxaaMg4xUXjluZl-hgaY2pwTUvPdm0nMKiWyvbIsUFfrYKZ3Yv2i1FA6zWDX6n2KQw0leih9RsnhJiUzEZZ83OoWtYWRLM5h7q8kVMcMMcJsFPpTnmEHSz5Y51rVKp5tLpXilEB_Fo/s1600/Twitter+and+FB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GJXxaaMg4xUXjluZl-hgaY2pwTUvPdm0nMKiWyvbIsUFfrYKZ3Yv2i1FA6zWDX6n2KQw0leih9RsnhJiUzEZZ83OoWtYWRLM5h7q8kVMcMMcJsFPpTnmEHSz5Y51rVKp5tLpXilEB_Fo/s320/Twitter+and+FB.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>By: The Choosy Kids Team</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">In some parts of the country, cooler weather is on the way. Parents often have to search high and low to find fun indoor activities to keep kids moving and learning. If you live where the sun is still shining down and it is warm, you may be looking for some winter or holiday crafts to do with the kids to ring in the holiday season. Choosy Kids has all of your indoor and outdoor activities covered with our 100 Seasonal Active Learning Ideas - Winter Edition list!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span id="docs-internal-guid-3b6eb328-5b99-9578-0ec9-e35c16a179d4"></span></b><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">We’d also like you to try to participate too! Think you and your children (nieces/nephews/grandchildren/students/children you watch after/friends, etc.) could complete 10 ideas? 20? 50? All 100? Tell us how many you think you can complete and show us your completions! Share your photos and completions with us on our social media pages (</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/choosykids" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white;"> or </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/choosykids" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;">). Remember to tag us (@choosykids) and use the hashtag #100ChoosyIdeas.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yPSWH0POYd5F59o3R_Vuji1wb5cwxIgSyvJxynR3Yy73W-2TAVbnyrOaugGHQjzsU8IMgzN2RJqs3OFgos-VMMJ410i6z7ljmsPx_NOhNIi1Wi1fffLpnhyphenhyphen97b8T8rI81QO9UCc_5UoH/s1600/100+Seasonal+Activities.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yPSWH0POYd5F59o3R_Vuji1wb5cwxIgSyvJxynR3Yy73W-2TAVbnyrOaugGHQjzsU8IMgzN2RJqs3OFgos-VMMJ410i6z7ljmsPx_NOhNIi1Wi1fffLpnhyphenhyphen97b8T8rI81QO9UCc_5UoH/s320/100+Seasonal+Activities.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Build a snowman</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do snow angels</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throw snowballs</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Catch snowflakes in your mouth</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go sled riding</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go skiing</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drink hot cocoa with marshmallows</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walk up and how hills holding hands with a friend</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Watch a movie with your family</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play dress up</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make snowflakes out of paper </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find flowers outside</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decorate for your holiday</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make a gingerbread house</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a dance party with <a href="http://choosykids.com/store/index.php/music-and-video.html" target="_blank">Choosy Kids music</a></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a tea party</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/215750638374224961/" target="_blank">Make pinecone ornaments</a></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Won't be getting snow in your area? <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/279715826834627083/" target="_blank">Make your own!</a></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.creativejuicesdecor.com/2010/12/rock-candy-scientific-kids-favorite.html" target="_blank">Make rock candy</a></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.playathomemomllc.com/2011/06/a-cave-of-stars/" target="_blank">Make a cave of stars </a></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go ice skating outside</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go ice skating inside - Just get some wax paper, step on it and skate across any surface!</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://hvparent.com/apples-to-art-painting-with-the-fall-harvest" target="_blank">Do some apple painting</a></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://christmastreelane.blogspot.com/2016/10/homemade-christmas-tea-mugs.html" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1836372728"></span><span id="goog_1836372729"></span>Make gifts for other people</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create colorful watercolor art piece. Try adding salt on the paper while the watercolors are still wet, or use aluminum foil to create patterns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create sculptures with styrofoam and bamboo skewers. Check out <a href="http://artfulparent.com/2012/09/kids-sculptures-with-styrofoam-and-bamboo-skewers.html" target="_blank">this awesome blog</a> for “How To” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Build your own <a href="http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/12/diy-toddler-toy-snowman-drop-box.html" target="_blank">toddler drop box</a>. Create a variety of shapes! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Build a snow castle </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play a game of snowball toss. Set up foam cups and use cotton balls to see how many your child can make within the cups. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Complete some of the free activities on </span><a href="http://choosykids.com/index.php?p=dlc" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">choosykids.com </span></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play where in the world is Choosy?! Print a picture of Choosy and hid him. Allow your child to see if they can find Choosy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have an indoor beach party. Pretend it’s a warm summer's day, and break out the summer gear. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Participate in RAOK - Random Act of Kindness</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Draw in the snow. Use food coloring as paint and make the freshly fallen snow your canvas. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Build a bird feeder and watch the winter birds come for a meal. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play outdoor hockey. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a family movie </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make a winter wreath </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make a time capsule of your family belongings. Create a box which includes photos, postcards, or anything at all you would like. Hide the box and revisit it next year. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check if any parades are in town and go enjoy the festivities. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have breakfast for dinner - make sure to include a plenty of fruits and veggies. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a garden sensory bin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have a GPS capable phone, why not participate in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Geocaching? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make up your own game. Let your children participate by creating the rules </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Try some water experiments (such as ice experiments with salt). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a list of the outdoor changes between winter and summer </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bundle up and head to the park for some outdoor fun. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prepare your garden for winter </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make snow prints in the snow </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a paper clip chain </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Experiment with <a href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/kids-experiment-vinegar-baking-soda/" target="_blank">baking soda, vinegar and color</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a chalkboard, write your child’s name out with chalk and let them trace over it with water </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create popsicle stick sleds </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create snowflakes from popsicle sticks </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create farm animals from paper plates and cotton balls. For even more fun, can you create a Choosy plate mask? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Build a cardboard playhouse </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use coffee filters to create snowflake. Create a bucket and throw them up in the air for indoor snow effect. For even more fun, have your child match the ones that are similar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No snow? No problem! Use newspaper to <a href="http://innerchildfun.com/2011/12/newspaper-snowman.html" target="_blank">create an indoor snowman</a>! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create your own holiday and winter decorations. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make homemade play dough</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Build a marble race track.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read a new book everyday. You can check out </span><a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/2015/12/choosys-holiday-tale.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choosy’s Holiday Tale online!</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Put strips of tape hanging from the doorway and let your children to throw cotton balls at the tape. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bowl indoors </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create jewelry from beads </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a <a href="http://artfulparent.typepad.com/artfulparent/2011/04/a-color-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">color scavenger hunt with toys. </a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a <a href="http://tinkerlab.com/water-bead-exploration/" target="_blank">sensory experience with beads and water</a></span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create an indoor hopscotch board. </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create an <a href="http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2009/03/walk-the-plank.html" target="_blank">indoor balance beam </a></span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pretend a </span><a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/2015/05/eating-well-doesnt-have-to-cost-fortune.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">grocery store trip</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Encourage your child to choose the healthy option! </span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use cotton swabs and watercolor paints to create the perfect pointillism art piece. </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a playscape table </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create suncatchers </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.agirlandagluegun.com/2010/07/my-fourth-day-of-tins.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Create and arrange </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">magnetic</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> faces </span></span></a></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decorate aprons for the holidays </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a band with pots and pans, and be like </span><a href="http://choosykids.com/store/index.php/mp3/play-in-choosy-s-band.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choosy’s band!</span></a></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play charades </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allow your child to explore their sense. Ask questions like, “ What color is that” , or “ Is that object rough or smooth” </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use boxes as stacking blocks </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a cardboard wearable car </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play peek a boo. If you need some music to accompany the game, check out </span><a href="http://choosykids.com/store/index.php/music-and-video/our-special-time.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choosy Kids’ CD “Our Special Time”</span></a></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a collage from old magazines </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/2015/02/be-choosy-role-model-with-fruits-and.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make smoothies with fresh fruit</span></a></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tape together paper, and trace your child, then let your child trace you. </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sing together </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take a trip to the library! </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blow bubbles inside and see how many you can pop. </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play with magnets on the fridge </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create your own <a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/diy-packing-tape-transfers/" target="_blank">stickers, using a print, tape and water</a></span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diplycrafty/videos/1287588391303447/" target="_blank">mason jars to decorate and create vases</a></span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a <a href="http://makeanddocrew.com/how-to-make-pom-pom-rug/" target="_blank">pom-pom rug together</a></span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create <a href="https://www.pgeveryday.com/home/crafts/article/diy-yarn-balls?utm_campaign=hms_pinterest&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_content=diy-yarn-balls" target="_blank">yarn ball garland </a></span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are beginning to miss the flowers, why not <a href="http://brendid.com/easy-tassel-flowers-diy-dandelion-bouquet/" target="_blank">create yarn flowers</a>?</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make simply party hats from paper </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create your own crayons with a variety of shapes and sizes </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/06/kid-craft-project-paper-towel-butterflies.html" target="_blank">paper towel butterflies</a> </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create <span id="goog_1836372821"></span><span id="goog_1836372822"></span><a href="http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/diy-forest-friend-finger-puppets/#more-37045" target="_blank">winter finger puppets </a></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/12/magnetic-pattern-blocks-great-for-home-travel.html" target="_blank">snowflake </a></span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/12/magnetic-pattern-blocks-great-for-home-travel.html" target="_blank">magnets</a></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Talk about <a href="http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/813166/10-outdoor-winter-activities-for-kids" target="_blank">safety tips</a> for winter and the importance of staying safe when playing outside during the winter</span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create <a href="http://queenvannacreations.com/blog//2012/02/01/ice-ballons/" target="_blank">ice balloons</a></span></span></div>
</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-8586354711246242012016-12-14T08:00:00.000-05:002016-12-14T08:00:25.443-05:00Three Holiday Lessons for Children<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Christine Cox, <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank">The Choosy Mommy</a></b></div>
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As we near closer to the holiday season, I feel like I have
been teaching my 4 year old a lot of lessons at one time. This year is going to
be a special holiday season because she is really starting to enjoy family
traditions and is getting in the holiday spirit. In my family, we talk a lot
about Santa and his reindeer, the elves at the North Pole and how exciting
Christmas morning is going to be when all of the presents magically appear
under the tree. But there are also lessons that I am trying to focus on to
ensure my daughter values more than just presents during this time of the year
and through life. No matter what holiday you celebrate, here are three life lessons
that can be nurtured in all children this time of the year.<br />
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<br /><b>1. Giving is Better than Receiving</b></h3>
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This is a hard lesson to teach children who are really excited to unwrap presents they have received from others. Unfortunately, there are people in our world who have very little so I have made it a goal this holiday season to teach Capri about different family circumstances and to hopefully engage her feelings about giving something of hers to someone else. I have taught this lesson with the help of our Choosy Kids team. Each year, the Choosy Kids team “adopts” a family who is less fortunate and struggling to make ends meet. We provide gifts to the family to help them have a special holiday together. There was a 2 year old little girl in the family this year so I took it upon myself to explain to Capri that this little girl, right now, doesn’t have as much as Capri has and it is up to us to make sure she has a great holiday. So we went through Capri’s toys and picked out things that she wanted to give to the other little girl. I couldn’t believe the things she wanted to give her. Stuffed animals that she loved, slept with at night, and carried around during the day were toys she wanted to give to this little girl because “she will love them too” as she said. It didn’t stop with this little girl. We have since picked a name off of the giving tree at school and purchased a gift for a child there and have made monetary donations to different organizations that mean something to our family. I always make sure to ask Capri how she feels after we give something and she tells me good and I usually get a big hug. The tears always swell up in my eyes because she is getting it!</div>
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<b>2. Say Thank You, Even if it Wasn’t What You Wanted</b></h3>
A prime example of this actually happened pre-Christmas to my daughter. Capri and Cam’s Grandmother gave them a new movie to watch. Actually, Capri and I had already watched this flick in the movie theater and when her Grandmother gave her the movie, instead of just saying thank you, she went on to tell her that she doesn’t even like that movie (but in reality she wasn’t thrilled with the movie theater experience…she’s 4). Regardless, I had to try to teach her that Grandma’s feelings might have been hurt because Capri didn’t graciously say thank you for the gift. Whether the gift is something your child may have asked for or not, we need to nurture and encourage the thank you’s. If your child is still not thrilled with the item, you can revisit my first lesson about giving and maybe find a child who really would like the gift and have your child experience giving in this way..</div>
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<br /><b>3. You Don’t Have to Buy Anything</b></h3>
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Most children do not have a full understanding of money or buying something until they are in elementary school (trust me because Capri thinks we can buy anything and everything on Amazon). A good lesson to teach children this time of the year is that you don’t have to buy something to be able to give it as a gift. Sometimes homemade items are the best presents, and sometimes just your presence is the greatest gift. I have taught this lesson by asking Capri to make her own Christmas cards to send to people, by having her make cookies for the neighbors, and when she is a little older I plan to teach her about volunteering and helping others, something that doesn’t cost a dime! </div>
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<b>What are some other lessons that you can think of that are good to teach this time of the year?</b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b>About the Author</b>: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids and owner of<span style="color: #666666;"> </span><a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" style="color: #666666;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Choosy Mommy</span></a>. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#christine" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Christine</a>.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-80515571207592579172016-12-06T16:11:00.000-05:002016-12-13T20:59:03.219-05:00Readiness Skills to Practice for Kindergarten<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Christine Cox, <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank">The Choosy Mommy</a></b><br />
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I can’t even believe these words are coming out, but next year I will have a child in KINDERGARTEN! Time has gone by so fast and I just can’t get over that my oldest child will be going to full-day school next year. As a parent, I lay in bed at night and wonder if she is even ready. She seems so young to be in school all day, but she loves going to pre-school. She says it is one of her favorite things to do (besides soccer and swim class)! How are parents to know if their child is ready, besides being the right age? I attended a meeting at my daughter’s pre-school and here is a list of readiness skills to practice for kindergarten (as recommended by teachers).<br />
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<h3>
ABC’s</h3>
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It is all about the alphabet in kindergarten. From identifying all 26 capital letters, to knows their sounds from beginning to end, the teachers agreed that the ABC’s are most important for kindergartners.<br />
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1,2,3…</h3>
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Numbers rank high on what they should know, but according to these teachers, they only expect a kindergartner to know 1-12 (verbally and identifying). In pre-school, my daughter learned up to 30 which is a lot, but once you get past 20 it is pretty easy.<br />
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<h3>
Colors, Patterns & Shapes</h3>
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Yes, these three things are what you would expect a kindergartner to know. But my child, my natural born leader, doesn’t “learn” from me. She thinks she is always right, even if I try to correct her (we are working on this.) Thankfully, she did go to pre-school to learn these things from her teachers. I can say, however, that flashcards helped her a lot with color recognition and shapes.<br />
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Puzzles also work wonders! My 18-month old son is just getting into puzzles. We have a shape puzzle that actually says the shape when you place it in the correct spot. Needless to say, 'oval' is a new favorite word around here!<br />
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<h3>
Fine Motor Skills: Writing & Cutting</h3>
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Here is the biggest one in my book. Writing is a skill that takes more than memorization. Children who are ready for kindergarten need to be able to print their first name with the first letter being capital and the rest lower case. This takes practice. In the first year of pre-school, my daughter learned all of her capital letters and how to write her name with those. And this year, she is reviewing the capitals and learning lower case. In the beginning it was confusing to her that she had to write her name with the lower case letters too, but she is getting much better at it. Luckily her name isn’t long!<br />
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Also, writing and cutting are fine motor skills that are not being learned as quickly with this generation. This <a href="http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2016/fine-motor-skills" target="_blank">article about learning fine motor skills</a> says that children aren’t learning the art of holding a pencil/crayon/paintbrush/cutting with scissors like they used to because of the touch screen technology that is now available. I mean, my 18 month old does know how to open the iPad, touch and swipe!<br />
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<h3>
Words</h3>
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All I have heard for the past week was, “Is snowflake a compound word? What about basketball? Butterfly?” Kids soak up knowledge fast and are curious about words. As a piece of advice, be their teacher at home and go with the flow when they are interested in something like this. I found books that had compound words in them and pointed them out as we were reading.<br />
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They are also expected to know rhyming words in kindergarten. So same thing. I would fine books that rhymed and we’d practice those words. Dr. Suess is the best for this!<br />
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Once we were done reading the story, I’d ask her to retell it to me because the teachers also expect this. It has to do with understanding!<br />
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<h3>
Last Note from the Kindergarten Teacher</h3>
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One of the kindergarten teachers made these points at our meeting:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Teach your children to tie their shoes. This is a fine motor skill that is being learned later in life and should be learned before kindergarten. </li>
<li>Get your child off of video games and touch screen technology and read a book together instead. Read to your children every day. They will learn more than just the story they hear.</li>
<li>Teach your children how to use the water fountain. Pushing that button might be hard, but they will need to know how to do it!</li>
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<b>If you have a child who is in kindergarten, or is already past this level, what were they expected to learn that I haven’t mentioned? How did you or your child deal with the stress of this milestone?</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAKspD8IuIH0mEiFmpNok3UV4MUQU4ggfmXqDChQb9CbQcV3ylGd0Rlqmb2hD926SQxJvVbfs54hBs9tTEzUrkb2IxUEtvrANMTHMYP7dga4WHLTk58wA_QyuY_RUJez95p91O0lp7S8/s1600/The+Choosy+Mommy2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAKspD8IuIH0mEiFmpNok3UV4MUQU4ggfmXqDChQb9CbQcV3ylGd0Rlqmb2hD926SQxJvVbfs54hBs9tTEzUrkb2IxUEtvrANMTHMYP7dga4WHLTk58wA_QyuY_RUJez95p91O0lp7S8/s320/The+Choosy+Mommy2.png" width="187" /></a>
<span style="color: #666666;"><b>About the Author</b>: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids and owner of<span style="color: #666666;"> </span><a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" style="color: #666666;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Choosy Mommy</span></a>. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#christine" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Christine</a>.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-35160122545752229522016-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:002016-12-13T20:58:35.952-05:00Nourishing a Growing BodyCam had his 18 month checkup yesterday and we received good news! He is now being charted on the average 18-month old growth charts. Basically, his growth was being tracked on the preemie growth chart since birth because he was <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/2015/09/hellp-syndrome-knowing-about-it-could.html" target="_blank">born at 33 weeks</a>. This meant he was being compared to babies born at the same gestational age. That was fine, but I couldn’t wait for him to just be compared to other kids his age – 18 months, born between 36 and 40 weeks. Cam is meeting all of his growth expectations and the doctor is happy to see his progress and growth.<br />
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<h3>
Kids Grow Fast</h3>
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We all know that children grow up in a blink of an eye. There are days that I can’t even believe I have a 4 year old and an 18-month old running around. Blink… I make sure they eat well and I know that has contributed a lot to Cam’s progress. As parents, I know we fight the same dinner table battles. We struggle to get our children to eat their fruits and veggies. Sometimes we just can’t get children to eat at all. I don’t know why some days my kids run like crazy and aren’t hungry come dinner time. It blows my mind.<br />
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So here are two tips to help you: When your child wants a snack, ALWAYS offer a fruit or veggie first. This is how I got my children to love them! Once they were used to getting them as a snack, there typically wasn’t a problem getting them to eat it during meal time. And if they wanted to skip meal-time, at least I could get them to eat a good snack. My second tip is to empower your child with options. When it’s snack time, allow your child to choose between two healthy snacks. Choice is a motivator for children and adults.<br />
<h3>
<br />Water is Best, but Drink Milk Too</h3>
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Drinks loaded with sugar just slow kids down in my opinion. I have noticed this first hand. That’s right, my kids don’t get hyped up on sugary drinks and run crazy. Instead they tend to get lazy. In addition, my kids don’t digest sugary drinks well at all so I know they need a lot of water every day.<br />
Cam’s doctor also made sure he was drinking enough milk each day because milk helps our bones stay strong. Young kids need a lot of calcium in their diets. If your child isn’t a milk drinker, there are other options. My kids eat yogurt and cheese almost daily. And a nice treat is a small serving of ice cream, which is a dairy product!<br />
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<h3>
Pack on the Protein</h3>
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You can find protein in many different foods. I grew up eating a meat, veggie and another side for dinner. I have tried to follow this same plan with my kids. My daughter, Capri, requests steak and corn on the cob for dinner daily, no joke. But they both love to eat chicken and rice, tacos, fish, etc. When you provide kids with a variety to choose from, their palates will grow with them and expand upon new tastes. They will also be more open to trying new foods.<br />
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<h3>
Don’t Give Up</h3>
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Capri won’t eat red spaghetti sauce or red pizza sauce. She will eat plain spaghetti with a little oil or butter and some garlic and white pizza. I always will offer her a bite of my red sauces when we have them because some day she may like it. I don’t force her to eat things she doesn’t like. We all have different tastes. But I don’t give up on those “yucky” foods either. Just consider them food options that your child doesn’t like yet. Sometimes preparing foods a different way helps kids to realize they are good.<br />
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Cam didn’t like oatmeal since he could eat it. But every time Capri or I had it for breakfast, I would offer him a bite. And guess what? He gave it another try the other day and realized it was really good. Our tastes change as we mature so keep offering those “yucky” foods they don’t like yet and continue trying new foods and new ways to prepare old favorites.<br />
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<b>Did your kid’s eating habits change as they got older? I’d love to hear your stories!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAKspD8IuIH0mEiFmpNok3UV4MUQU4ggfmXqDChQb9CbQcV3ylGd0Rlqmb2hD926SQxJvVbfs54hBs9tTEzUrkb2IxUEtvrANMTHMYP7dga4WHLTk58wA_QyuY_RUJez95p91O0lp7S8/s1600/The+Choosy+Mommy2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAKspD8IuIH0mEiFmpNok3UV4MUQU4ggfmXqDChQb9CbQcV3ylGd0Rlqmb2hD926SQxJvVbfs54hBs9tTEzUrkb2IxUEtvrANMTHMYP7dga4WHLTk58wA_QyuY_RUJez95p91O0lp7S8/s320/The+Choosy+Mommy2.png" width="187" /></a>
<span style="color: #666666;"><b>About the Author</b>: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids and owner of</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Choosy Mommy</span></a>.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#christine" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Christine</a>.</span></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-67275489883403721662016-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:002016-11-22T12:04:37.168-05:00Dealing with Loss<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>By: Jenn Ripepi, MD, The Choosy Pediatrician </b></div>
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The loss I am referring to is not small losses but eventual big losses. But how we handle small loss can be building blocks to bigger losses. Resiliency is the catch word I'm talking about and there is more research about how important resiliency is to become well-adjusted adults.<br />
<h3>
<br />Let's Start With a "Little" Thing Like a Lost Toy</h3>
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What we say to our children is important for them getting prepared for larger disappointments. For example, if we downplay the loss by calling the child's concern unimportant, we are not showing empathy for their attachment to the object. Conversely, if we spend an inordinate amount of time looking for the object or, worse yet, replacing the lost toy whatever the cost, then we may give more importance to the object rather than to the feelings about the object. Tricky, huh?<br />
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<h3>
So How Do We Go About This Task? </h3>
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One way is to ask children to try to express their feelings about the loss. Maybe using an example of your own. Using words like sad, lonely or worried may help. Ask about what children think they can do to help get over those feelings or what you can do to help. Older children may be able to imagine what they can do to recover from the toy being gone from their daily life. Maybe they could draw a picture of themselves playing with that toy as a reminder of the fun they had. Or maybe it wasn't really that important and they move on quickly. No need to fret that they have not dealt with it. They have moved past it. They have shown resilience!<br />
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<h3>
Now Something a Bit Bigger Like a Pet</h3>
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Whoa! That's pretty big to some families. Or maybe it's not a pet but a bird or bug which you notice on a walk. Sometimes that can be a powerful encounter. Again, consider asking questions of children or telling them your feelings of sadness, emptiness or loneliness for the death or physical loss of an animal. These feelings of grief may go on a while if your pet was deeply involved in your family life. Let children know that whatever they feel is OK. Sometimes recalling memories or looking at pictures of your pet and telling happy stories about how the pet enriched your lives is helpful. Stating gratitude for having known your pet whether it is a fish or cat or dog or horse shows children that you accept that sometimes animals are in our lives for just a brief time or a long time.<br />
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<h3>
Now On To People<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></h3>
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Heavy subject. Maybe it's not people who have died but people who have moved away or who we've moved away from. Sometimes the person is still with us physically but is unreachable emotionally--like the loss of a friendship. These are very difficult topics and many of us have trouble discussing them at all. But giving voice to these concerns is the way that children learn how to express those whirling churning feelings inside themselves. Saying things like "Mommy is crying because she feels achy inside since Gramma is gone." or "Sometimes I get frustrated because I can't understand why my friend Pete won't talk to me anymore." Apologizing for our feelings does not show resiliency. Denying what we feel inside is not a healthy adjustment. Expressing those emotions and showing our children healthy ways to deal with them like taking a break for vigorous exercise when we feel frustrated, a walk when we feel overwhelmed or helping someone else out when we feel detached from others are great ways to deal with strong emotions. Drawing, writing, pretending and physical activity are ways children can begin to deal with these. Overeating is not a good way to deal with emotions. It can be difficult to lose sight of that sometimes.<br />
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<h3>
Healthy Responses is Key</h3>
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Teaching children to deal with loss by not trying to "fix" it, overreact to it or blame it on others does not help them to become resilient. Using healthy responses, giving voice to our emotions and supporting children to find their way through loss can go a long way to them becoming healthy, adjusted adults.<br />
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<b>Has your family had to deal with a loss of any kind? I’d love to hear your story so we can all help each other with healthy responses.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nndjBqoxWKR0aBhgIm2ax1szOpSO-lFlG3s6YXWM4BBNLTL1GSZdFLwGYzMQjziPGAUt63LUeEzVwIhVRJBuTVsV-0BI4g_KItwxfHMIrIsLNc1wtEmFxdB-DbjnkILOPjERsoDhQg/s1600/Dr.+Ripepi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nndjBqoxWKR0aBhgIm2ax1szOpSO-lFlG3s6YXWM4BBNLTL1GSZdFLwGYzMQjziPGAUt63LUeEzVwIhVRJBuTVsV-0BI4g_KItwxfHMIrIsLNc1wtEmFxdB-DbjnkILOPjERsoDhQg/s200/Dr.+Ripepi.jpg" width="166" /></a>
<b></b><br />
<b>About the Author: </b>I have been a pediatrician for over 25 years. My husband and I have been privileged to raise 4 bright and healthy children. I have tried to gather wisdom from the families I have been blessed to meet during my journey. I believe in practical and flexible parenting to help raise healthy adults. I love to garden, hike, travel and cook and I am looking forward to hearing from Choosy followers.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-28063205687810836032016-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:002016-11-15T08:00:16.497-05:00Put Your Goal in a Bowl<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Holly L. Goroff MS, RD, CDN</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkSg2vDxf9mo9h0alUkqA032p3G7Qhi4ATBrHp3lyR8oQdmQIHD5HoDFOzmHRvsydU37QP6IbJ5NInHYEhr67BIbGhlQsPiIKxqbgP4GR7xPNo2tr0jSaQPe72rGA67DCAjr5BoPPrCY/s1600/Twitter+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkSg2vDxf9mo9h0alUkqA032p3G7Qhi4ATBrHp3lyR8oQdmQIHD5HoDFOzmHRvsydU37QP6IbJ5NInHYEhr67BIbGhlQsPiIKxqbgP4GR7xPNo2tr0jSaQPe72rGA67DCAjr5BoPPrCY/s320/Twitter+%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<i>Placing POWER on the sideline, bringing WILL to the frontline. </i><i>Willpower - The weapon of choice to lose a food fight.</i></h4>
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Have you ever noticed that when dieting willpower doesn’t always work? Either it doesn’t work at all or doesn’t work for long. It may ‘help’ you make a ‘good’ choice for a moment (what to eat, if you exercise or not, etc.) but it’s exhausting to stay consistent. Yet, people constantly say ‘I need more will power…then I’d lose weight, exercise more, or achieve my goal.’<br />
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<h3>
What is Willpower? </h3>
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It’s defined as control deliberately exerted to do something…to restrain one’s own impulses. (Sounds exhausting!)<br />
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Let me put you at ease. Willpower, if it’s anything to your goal, is a saboteur! Think of it this way: it is a high (emotional and psychological) energy state. It’s essentially a fight and if it’s for weight loss…it’s a food fight!<br />
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<h3>
The Vicious Cycle</h3>
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You want a second portion of lasagna, or a fifth cookie but you ‘shouldn’t’ because it’s ‘bad’. So you breakout your willpower and tell yourself it’s bad, you should not, you try and walk away. But it is so hard! Your friends are eating whatever and it feels good to eat it - until right after, of course, when the guilt sets in and the story repeats. You can easily break a sweat fighting against your momentary desires to try and meet your goal. This clearly applies to many areas in life that far surpass food. But let’s face it, by the time your exhausted at night, and potentially starving, your strength runs low and you’re more apt to binge or say ‘forget it, I’ll try again tomorrow’.<br />
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<h3>
Don’t Follow Misguided Thoughts</h3>
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So why all the quotes in the above paragraphs? To highlight misguided thoughts. Let me explain.<br />
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When I was trying to lose weight (one of the many times before I successfully kept it off) I said to myself ‘I want to be 145 pounds’. In honesty, I’m sure the number came from somewhere, but since I can’t remember, it tells me for the most part the number was arbitrary. When I was tempted to eat too much at a party, out with my friends or just bored at home, the thought ‘Hey, Holly, don’t eat that. Don’t you want to be 145 pounds?’ fell flat. A number is a general statement like ‘I want to be healthy’ and it is sterile and not motivating.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFwFF-KmkNEl3RctKBFkOMzdEUG3GoFtwUwD-yXRait9JBv8i3v62XxGtebC6H75zyZSPIqTwcpBeFrxkPtwOnOMdODmaEKjYNukXXXiJUx3f1r51pcqZaYuAAGdrPHQQfjXEp-Y3uy4/s1600/Goal+in+Bowl+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFwFF-KmkNEl3RctKBFkOMzdEUG3GoFtwUwD-yXRait9JBv8i3v62XxGtebC6H75zyZSPIqTwcpBeFrxkPtwOnOMdODmaEKjYNukXXXiJUx3f1r51pcqZaYuAAGdrPHQQfjXEp-Y3uy4/s400/Goal+in+Bowl+Blog.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Find Your Own Goals</h3>
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When I personalized my goals and thought of specifics that would change in my life as my goal was achieved that was way more motivating than ‘I want to be 145 pounds’. For example: Instead of saying, ‘don’t eat the five cookies because that’s ‘bad’ and then if I do I’ll feel failure and shame’, I’ll ask myself what do I want more? Five cookies, which might mean I won’t lose weight for that day or be one meal and step closer to feeling confident in a bathing suit, or not feeling my clothes being so tight?<br />
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When you ask yourself to choose between two things you want, there is no fight. You don’t even really need power. You just need to actually want to achieve your goal and realize you always have many choices to make. What to eat is just one of them and an example I am covering currently.<br />
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<h3>
Put Your Goal in a Bowl</h3>
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Here is my recommendation on how to help train yourself to choose for your goal….put your goal in a bowl!<br />
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Let’s say you’re at a party and there is pizza. You had your one slice, fine. You want the second slice because it was so good, even though you’re not hungry. Your goal is to lose weight so that you feel comfortable in a bathing suit. This is what you do…<br />
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<b>Step 1</b>: Desterilize your goal - Make the goal personal and relatable rather than abstract or impersonal. Example: Instead of ‘I want to be 145 pounds’ ask yourself what about that number you really want (because I didn’t actually know if that number was the number that would make me comfortable). Instead, I want to lose weight so that I am confident going to the beach in a bathing suit and my clothes are not tight.<br />
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<b>Step 2</b>: Imagine next to the slice of pizza you want to take there was another plate (or bowl). In that bowl imagine there are the things you want: your beach body, your jeans that fit you, photos of a more confident you, etc. Now look at the two options: Second slice of pizza because it’s good OR bowl filled with success that occurs when you choose to forego eating too much.<br />
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<b>Step 3</b>: Choose which one you want more!<br />
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<b>Step 4</b>: Be happy for yourself! Now instead of fighting you are merely making informed decisions for your life completely based on things you want! You’re acknowledging that weight loss and heath goals are intermixed with all of your other life goals. By repeating steps 1 and 3 you are making informed and balanced decisions.<br />
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<b>Step 5</b>: If you chose the second slice of pizza instead of your goal in the bowl…move on. Of course you’ll choose the food sometimes. Just try and outweigh the times you choose your extra food with how much you choose your goal.<br />
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<h3>
One Step Closer to Your Goal</h3>
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When you choose the goal in the bowl more often than the second slice of pizza, or whatever your temptation is, not only are you going to be one meal closer to your goal, but you didn’t have to use willpower or any power. It’s not an exhausting process. You simply made an informed decision using your will and your will only. I invite you to listen to a sample of Choosy Kid's song, <i><a href="http://choosykids.com/store/index.php/mp3/i-m-learning-to-choose.html" target="_blank">"I'm Learning to Choose"</a> </i>that may help you focus on what our bodies need most. It doesn't matter that the song was created with children in mind. Rather, think of it as an honest reminder. You can also read the full lyrics by clicking on the image below.<br />
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<a href="http://www.choosykids.com/docs/lyrics/imil/Track10.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWb5UH28J638vXc0BPHVMfufQzl3ZpqLp_t_7p6oqL9FB25rLzPtwpfGL5aRNMafAI8GVi8hnPJtOVii3-slS-3eLyCw8Q-hFENCZ_Fa4zskbmJmbGWud7GdEuUA20qa6oCA_nTv2YF8/s400/lyrics+%25281%2529.png" width="312" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZR214tUBIP7kjZ2EKpNDEinBNr659P8HtMflToZPXux1G4rdyo-AyrSuTyQc64g-lpuYQzSat6hKKoFBTmu1_51w5Erc3WonpSecway00JPn3TlqvGaNhYOyIwa2bA_h2Rv7_4hse-O8/s1600/Holly+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZR214tUBIP7kjZ2EKpNDEinBNr659P8HtMflToZPXux1G4rdyo-AyrSuTyQc64g-lpuYQzSat6hKKoFBTmu1_51w5Erc3WonpSecway00JPn3TlqvGaNhYOyIwa2bA_h2Rv7_4hse-O8/s200/Holly+Headshot.jpg" width="133" /></a>
<b>About the Author</b>: Holly is an experienced dietitian in both clinical and community nutrition. She is currently serving as the Clinical Nutrition Manager at now guest blogger for Choosy Kids! <br />
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She received her Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Studies from the Steinhardt School at New York University. She is published through her research and contributing work at Burke Rehabilitation Center investigating nutritional factors impacting neurological rehabilitation in stroke patients.<br />
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In addition to managing her staff of clinical nutritionists, she has a passion for serving at-need and underserved communities. She teaches outreach programs focused on mindful eating and strategies to make healthier lifestyle choices to at-risk community populations. She has recently been made lead in her hospital for teaching and managing the outreach classes to reduce childhood obesity.<br />
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She has expertise in: weight loss and management, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dealing with polypharmacy and achieving nutrition goals, achieving wellness goals in a creative and resourceful manner and motivating change.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-20982608248174594392016-11-08T07:00:00.000-05:002016-11-08T07:00:00.195-05:00Vote for Choosy!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Jenn Ripepi, MD, The Choosy Pediatrician</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3AbgSrhGUjFuHKB01bSpRSKHZViVDP2e29abCEv91-nu5Erp7q8GMX8iaSQYWA2FtDl2zZ8yNJODe8phYfbhPxJwLHzghsvPmmO6C9hFgAhdAqyDhy5Ka1z3z7b6M2l0fi1EZBTOiiA/s1600/Vote+for+Choosy+Twitter+11-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3AbgSrhGUjFuHKB01bSpRSKHZViVDP2e29abCEv91-nu5Erp7q8GMX8iaSQYWA2FtDl2zZ8yNJODe8phYfbhPxJwLHzghsvPmmO6C9hFgAhdAqyDhy5Ka1z3z7b6M2l0fi1EZBTOiiA/s320/Vote+for+Choosy+Twitter+11-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Young children are very impressionable, as we all know. They follow our lead and DO hear a lot that we say. If you don't believe it, say something in front of them that you'd rather not have repeated! So let's make sure that they hear the great lessons that Choosy, our own health hero, has to teach and vote for Choosy!<br />
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Nope, Choosy is not going to be on your ballot this year. But Choosy should be voted on at home to use as a teaching tool. Here is why!<br />
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<h3>
Choosy Let’s You Choose </h3>
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Choosy uses no super power but CHOICE. You can choose to make healthy decisions or make decisions which can put your health at risk. You can choose to be a friend or an enemy. You can choose to take care of the Earth or not. The choice is yours!<br />
<h3>
<br />Choosy’s Messaging is Relatable for Children</h3>
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Choosy can help to reinforce the messages voiced by parents, caregivers and teachers of young children. Choosy does this in a way that is upbeat, respectful of the child and is repetitive but not monotonous. The topics are pertinent to all children. They are stated simply but not in a way which "talks down" to the children. Sometimes the messages sent by adults can seem authoritative or condescending, but young children can relate to Choosy’s reminders.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1GaQ_fKC59rHrcLXB2k57Md2w_nIcIpWXOtWRedRnuAe8BUNDNd3_OBOcJXNH6e43K4uPlq8U3h3UPUhNdTXUdduXAeaFYkW_PmWKi5Zg-dl07__lUc7C9_WOjUOC2zC8Kt9U4IGSOE/s1600/Vote+for+Choosy+Pinterest+11-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1GaQ_fKC59rHrcLXB2k57Md2w_nIcIpWXOtWRedRnuAe8BUNDNd3_OBOcJXNH6e43K4uPlq8U3h3UPUhNdTXUdduXAeaFYkW_PmWKi5Zg-dl07__lUc7C9_WOjUOC2zC8Kt9U4IGSOE/s640/Vote+for+Choosy+Pinterest+11-8.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Choosy is Honest</h3>
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Choosy is free of commercial bias. There is no "hidden" marketing or "big brand" behind Choosy. Choosy means what is said. Good health is your choice. Some characters which appeal to children are mass marketed and may have "other" messages attached or promoted in places such as fast-food chains with not-so-healthy choices on their menus. Choosy wants children to make a healthy choice wherever they are!<br />
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<h3>
There is Only One Choosy</h3>
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Choosy is unique and original just like each child! By being one-of-a-kind, Choosy lets children see that each individual is special for who they are. There is no gender, race, creed or ability limit. We can choose to be friends and let our friends be who they are and make their own choices. Choosy is inclusive in the messages children hear.<br />
<h3>
<br />Choosy Wants the Best for Your Child</h3>
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Choosy speaks about a wide variety of topics which are important to children. Each child develops skills a little differently and Choosy touches on each area of children's development. Emotional, social, physical aspects of growing are ALL important to good health and adjustment to a variety of situations. Choosy encourages children to try their best in whatever way they can.<br />
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There are many choices parents have to make every day. Some are easier than others. I believe that Choosy is an easy choice and can be a partner to parents and others who are trying to guide children to their best selves. My vote is for Choosy! Learn more about Choosy at <a href="http://www.choosykids.com/">www.choosykids.com</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nndjBqoxWKR0aBhgIm2ax1szOpSO-lFlG3s6YXWM4BBNLTL1GSZdFLwGYzMQjziPGAUt63LUeEzVwIhVRJBuTVsV-0BI4g_KItwxfHMIrIsLNc1wtEmFxdB-DbjnkILOPjERsoDhQg/s1600/Dr.+Ripepi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nndjBqoxWKR0aBhgIm2ax1szOpSO-lFlG3s6YXWM4BBNLTL1GSZdFLwGYzMQjziPGAUt63LUeEzVwIhVRJBuTVsV-0BI4g_KItwxfHMIrIsLNc1wtEmFxdB-DbjnkILOPjERsoDhQg/s200/Dr.+Ripepi.jpg" width="166" /></a>
<b></b><br />
<b>About the Author: </b>I have been a pediatrician for over 25 years. My husband and I have been privileged to raise 4 bright and healthy children. I have tried to gather wisdom from the families I have been blessed to meet during my journey. I believe in practical and flexible parenting to help raise healthy adults. I love to garden, hike, travel and cook and I am looking forward to hearing from Choosy followers.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-75791519678308136112016-11-01T08:00:00.001-04:002016-11-01T08:00:30.885-04:00Three Things Your Kids May Not Be Doing To Protect Their Teeth<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Jeffery Williams, Guest Blogger from <a href="http://oradyne.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oradyne</a></b></div>
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Almost 20% of kids have tooth decay before they can even spell the words “tooth decay”. That’s right, one fifth of children between the ages of four and five already have issues with their teeth. That certainly goes to show that it’s not an easy thing to do – getting your kids to take care of their teeth can actually be pretty hard.<br />
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The first step in solving problems though is to identify them in the first place. Below are three common areas where kids struggle with oral health.<br />
<h3>
<br />Not Brushing Long Enough</h3>
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Simply put, kids don’t <a href="http://oradyne.net/best-toothpaste/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">brush their teeth</a> for the recommended two minutes. To be honest, neither do adults. In fact <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10518854" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">studies show</a> even those who think they’re brushing for that long probably aren’t. There are three easy ways to fix this though:<br />
<ol>
<li>Get a toothbrush with a timer. That leaves no room for error – just have your child keep brushing until the darned thing vibrates. </li>
<li>If that doesn’t work, simply get a stopwatch for them to use (or use an app on your phone).</li>
<li>Finally, in case they’re getting bored brushing their teeth (two minutes is a long time after all) play a favorite song or watch a video like Choosy Kids Brush My Smile until time is up.</li>
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<h3>
Not Flossing</h3>
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<a href="http://sunvalleypediatricdentistry.com/statistics-brushing-flossing-oral-health/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Only about half</a> of adults in the US regularly floss, and those numbers are even worse for children. It’s not without reason though – finding four or five minutes to thoroughly floss your teeth amid the morning chaos is a tall order.<br />
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The easiest solution to this is to leverage technology to cut that flossing time out. <a href="http://oradyne.net/best-waterpik/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water flossers</a> can speed up the process of flossing to only 60 seconds. Even better, there are several models out there that focus specifically on getting kids excited to use them. It’s amazing how far some bright colors and a few stickers can go!<br />
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If a water flosser is out of your budget, try getting your kids to dedicate one or two minutes of flossing instead of the full five. Even a shorter time can make a big difference. Teach your children how to floss their teeth with this fun <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/2016/09/teach-children-how-to-floss-their-teeth.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">playdough and Mega blocks method</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jssa2zwhNX1R5UzGT7cDYmgumSYlc_EMYAFths58dh43ojAH7cMcewOC5UuTEYTia1y9yJk4zMun3IH_pKHFvTCz4mjuG2bURfBvURCUrb-nnUfZfgMQkUfObnJhwYj84Oz9A132DMM/s1600/Three+things+your+kids+are+doing+wrong+to+protect+their+teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jssa2zwhNX1R5UzGT7cDYmgumSYlc_EMYAFths58dh43ojAH7cMcewOC5UuTEYTia1y9yJk4zMun3IH_pKHFvTCz4mjuG2bURfBvURCUrb-nnUfZfgMQkUfObnJhwYj84Oz9A132DMM/s400/Three+things+your+kids+are+doing+wrong+to+protect+their+teeth.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Chewing Gum</h3>
<br />
Back in my playground days, chewing gum was worth its weight in gold. Kids (and adults alike) can nearly get addicted to it. Unfortunately, most chewing gum is awful for your teeth.<br />
<br />
The general rule of thumb is that every snack, drink or meal (including a stick of gum) can cause an <a href="http://www.rethinksugarydrink.org.au/facts/tooth-decay.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">acid attack on your teeth</a> for up to twenty minutes. Several pieces of gum a day can literally ruin your kids’ teeth. If you can’t get your children to kick the habit, get them to try a sugar free or <a href="http://oradyne.net/best-xylitol-gum/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">xylitol option.</a><br />
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<h3>
Wrap Up</h3>
<br />
Keeping up your kid’s oral health can be pretty challenging. Keeping the suggestions mentioned here can ultimately make a big difference in your child’s oral health. What do you do to support healthy dental habits in children?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGxyKSdzS1EtAcU7sDqwFrdQEAnIUG6gHcIlv9uygRU09JPfBn7mqY7bK6IZX2p3pnX2IzB-r0OEV6r4QIphcA8eWi-CMEqGcR7mXVaXQUo6gERMbE0WBfbwFdz7Ftc0iN_9Rw4ngxBI/s1600/Profile+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGxyKSdzS1EtAcU7sDqwFrdQEAnIUG6gHcIlv9uygRU09JPfBn7mqY7bK6IZX2p3pnX2IzB-r0OEV6r4QIphcA8eWi-CMEqGcR7mXVaXQUo6gERMbE0WBfbwFdz7Ftc0iN_9Rw4ngxBI/s200/Profile+Photo.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<b>About the Author:</b> Purveyor of clean teeth, healthy gums and super smiles, Jeffery Williams is a tried and true oral health expert. When he’s not researching and writing articles for his website, <a href="http://oradyne.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oradyne.net</a>, he’s out conquering the northern forests of Washington State with his wife Violet. Download <a href="http://oradyne.net/download-free-oral-health-guide/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">his free Oral Health e-book</a> to change the way you care for your teeth and improve your smile for life. Follow Oradyne on <a href="https://twitter.com/Oradyne" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Oradyne/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/oradyne/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-65301907911715443342016-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:002016-10-25T08:00:17.492-04:00Trick or Treat? Make Halloween Less Scary for Young Children<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>By: Jenn Ripepi, MD, The Choosy Pediatrician </b><br />
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Halloween started as a way to remember friends and family who have passed away. All Hallows Eve is the day before All Saints Day in the Christian calendar. So how did it become so much associated with superhero and princess costumes? There are lots of sources for the history of the holiday (which was once a Holy Day) so I'm not really going to go into that aspect. What I'd like to talk about is some of the images which may be difficult for young children to handle.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Real Versus Scary</h3>
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There are many who adults who like the thrill of a spooky
movie or going through a "haunted" house. The surprise and
anticipation is exciting and they get a real kick out of it. They know that it
is all done for entertainment. The images produced may be very grotesque and
horrific. But still the adult can rationalize the falseness of the spectacle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Children, especially very young children cannot separate the
pretend from the real. They see a frightening image and they become frightened,
not amused. It may be difficult for them to remember that a grown-up told them
it was pretend when it is so real right in front of them. These images are very
abundant at this time of the year so we can't always avoid them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
So What Can We Do to Help Our Young Children Feel Safe?</h3>
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First of all, avoidance where and when possible. TV ads for
movies and shows which are frightening do tend to occur more during adult or
older children's programming. Some movies have previews which may be likely to
scare younger children. Areas of stores or entire stores may have some bizarre costumes
or decorations that can make children afraid.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Secondly, focus on the calmer and more fun aspects of the
season. Talking about pretending and dressing up can help children as they
develop their sense of real versus imaginary. Talk about seasonal themes like
the changing weather, colors, or harvest. Creating costumes at home or doing
crafts which are more kid-friendly than kid-frightening keeps them busy and
engaged away from the goriness of some decorations. Some people elect to have
their own less scary parties for younger children to dress up, play games and
also avoid the fright-provoking sights.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Handling a Scary Situation</h3>
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If you do encounter something that frightens your child, try to counter with the reality if at all possible. Have a person remove a mask or if it is a display in a store, ask someone to show your child how it works. This helps children with separating the real from pretend. Let them draw a picture of what happened and then a picture of how they can make it less frightening for them. (Kind of like in Harry Potter when they learned the Riddikulus incantation against the Boggart!) If they have nightmares or voice their fright, continue to be supportive and remind them of calmer and more pleasant images. Over time the source of fright thoughts should diminish.</div>
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<div>
On the night or day of trick-or-treat in your community, talk about what you are seeing as costumed pretenders or decorations. Remind your child that other people are" dressed up" just like your child is "dressed up" to celebrate. Remind them that people celebrate in lots of different ways. Try to avoid forcing them to approach any person or house which they feel uncomfortable with. No piece of candy is worth that! Sometimes a child will be more content and feel safer at their own home distributing treats instead of going through the neighborhood. Another option is to find a community trick or treat event hosted by an organization or agency instead of going to homes.</div>
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<b>What have you done to make Halloween not so scary for young children? </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nndjBqoxWKR0aBhgIm2ax1szOpSO-lFlG3s6YXWM4BBNLTL1GSZdFLwGYzMQjziPGAUt63LUeEzVwIhVRJBuTVsV-0BI4g_KItwxfHMIrIsLNc1wtEmFxdB-DbjnkILOPjERsoDhQg/s1600/Dr.+Ripepi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nndjBqoxWKR0aBhgIm2ax1szOpSO-lFlG3s6YXWM4BBNLTL1GSZdFLwGYzMQjziPGAUt63LUeEzVwIhVRJBuTVsV-0BI4g_KItwxfHMIrIsLNc1wtEmFxdB-DbjnkILOPjERsoDhQg/s200/Dr.+Ripepi.jpg" width="166" /></a>
<b></b><br />
<b>About the Author: </b>I have been a pediatrician for over 25 years. My husband and I have been privileged to raise 4 bright and healthy children. I have tried to gather wisdom from the families I have been blessed to meet during my journey. I believe in practical and flexible parenting to help raise healthy adults. I love to garden, hike, travel and cook and I am looking forward to hearing from Choosy followers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-40789306646375261922016-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:002016-10-18T08:00:13.395-04:00Three Areas You Can Focus on When Teaching Your Kids About Keeping Their Teeth Clean <div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Jeffery Williams, Guest Blogger from <a href="http://www.oradyne.net/" target="_blank">Oradyne</a></b></div>
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We tend to have a one-track mind when it comes to oral health: keep those teeth clean. The reality is that oral health can be about far more than combating cavities. <br />
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And I’m not even talking about gum health, bad breath or braces. I’m talking about bigger issues. Dental care is one of the earliest consistent routines that we teach our kids and often times that goes unnoticed. If you take a step back, you’ll realize that encouraging your kids to regularly brush, floss and rinse will set them up for success in the future. Below are three major areas you can focus on when teaching your kids about keeping their teeth clean.<br />
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<h3>
Consistency</h3>
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The idea of working on something little by little every day is something that’s difficult for kids to grasp. Studies show that <a href="http://thebluebanner.net/study-finds-up-to-95-percent-of-college-students-procrastinate/" target="_blank">almost 95% of college kids</a> procrastinate on homework and studying for exams. These issues can be crushed early on if handled properly.</div>
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Take the opportunity after your child’s next dentist appointment (whether it’s good or bad) and talk about what the dentist had to say. Reinforce the idea of regularly working toward a goal every day and help your child understand how living a consistent lifestyle can be beneficial.</div>
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<h3>
Long Term Results</h3>
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Understanding the benefit of long-term commitment is another area that many kids struggle with, regardless of age. When most school projects have a timeline of days or weeks, it can be difficult for a growing child to get experience working toward a goal over a longer period of time.</div>
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<div>
Sit down with your child and create one, three and six month goals for their teeth and oral health. Make sure they continue to work toward them and give them proper credit when they complete. Completing a goal they’ve been working toward for half a year can be pretty a powerful and impactful experience for your child.</div>
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<h3>
Realistic Expectations</h3>
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With movie stars and super models across the news, magazines and Internet, it can be difficult for kids to understand what normal human bodies are supposed to look like. This can spiral into a myriad of self-confidence issues in later years which can take an eternity for them to deal with.</div>
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While everyone on TV seems to have blisteringly white teeth, the fact of the matter is that healthy teeth can be many different shades of color, <a href="http://drstonedds.com/the-truth-behind-those-yellow-teeth/" target="_blank">including yellow</a>. It’s perfectly acceptable if their teeth aren’t perfectly white, and it’s important they know that. Sit down with your child and use their oral care to help them understand what’s realistic and what isn’t.</div>
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<h3>
Wrap Up</h3>
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Whether it’s consistency, understanding long-term results or figuring out what’s normal in our world, your child’s oral health is a fantastic tool to teach them about more than toothbrushes and <a href="http://oradyne.net/best-toothpaste/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">toothpaste</a>. Make sure to sit down with your child and discuss some of these issues early-on. They’ll thank you for it later.</div>
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Since October is National Dental Hygiene Month, <a href="http://www.adha.org/national-dental-hygiene-month" target="_blank">download this poster</a> and start the conversation with your family.</div>
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<b>About the Author:</b> Purveyor of clean teeth, healthy gums and super smiles, Jeffery Williams is a tried and true oral health expert. When he’s not researching and writing articles for his website, <a href="http://oradyne.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oradyne.net</a>, he’s out conquering the northern forests of Washington State with his wife Violet. Download <a href="http://oradyne.net/download-free-oral-health-guide/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">his free Oral Health e-book</a> to change the way you care for your teeth and improve your smile for life. Follow Oradyne on <a href="https://twitter.com/Oradyne" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Oradyne/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/oradyne/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-38650680228735928922016-10-11T08:00:00.000-04:002016-10-11T08:00:25.277-04:00Be Nice! October is Bully Prevention Month<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Melissa K. Burkhardt, M.S. Ed, BCBA</b></div>
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<b>Certified Early Start Denver Model Therapist and Autism Specialist </b></div>
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Did you know that October is Bully Prevention month and Disability Awareness month? Sadly, children with an exceptionality are 2 to 3 times more likely to be bullied than their typical peers.<br />
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</h3>
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<h3>
Empathy</h3>
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So, what can you do to help ensure that your child is not a victim of bullying or does not become a bully themselves? To put it simply---EMPATHY! Parents who show empathy for their child when upset, without ignoring their child’s feelings or trying to change their child’s emotional state, help them to develop empathy. </div>
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</h3>
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<h3>
How to Spot Empathy in a Child</h3>
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Let’s look at a couple of examples of how to develop empathy in your child.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Your young child wants to go outside, but it is raining and your child is crying and frustrated. Empathy is reflecting how your child feels. Describe to your child what you see, “Your face is going like this” (get on your child’s level and mirror your child’s face). “You look like you feel sad because you can’t go outside right now. I know this is hard for you but you can handle this.” Dr. Becky Bailey, creator of Conscious Discipline, wrote the Schubert and Sophie series. These books help teach children crucial social skills, such as regulating their own emotional states and how to be assertive with others who do not respect their boundaries, such as bullies. This series walks the child and parent through the steps on how to handle upsets, as in the scenario described above.</li>
<li>Another example of teaching your child empathy is by expressing respect, care, and concern for <b>everyone</b> your child sees and hears you interact with. Yes, even the driver who cuts you off in traffic! Showing empathy in this situation could be by saying out loud, "Boy, that really scared me and I need to take a deep breath to help me feel calm! That driver must have an emergency to be driving so fast! I hope that everything works out well for her!” Not only will you be modeling empathy, but you will be modeling self-regulation for your child.</li>
<li>A further effective way to teach empathy is to teach children to value one another’s differences. I authored the book <a href="http://www.exceptionallygoodfriends.com/" target="_blank">Exceptionally Good Friends: Building Relationships with Autism (EGF)</a>, winner of the Autism Society’s, “2015 Dr. Temple Grandin Outstanding Literary Work of the Year.” One of the reasons I wrote the book is specifically to help children develop empathy, tolerance, and understanding of one another’s differences. The story is told from the point of view of a neuro-typical child about her friend with autism. The book can then be flipped over for another story told from the point-of-view of the child with autism, experiencing the same events. The two stories lend themselves very well to the discussion of these differences. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Next time I see someone who looks or acts differently, I will remember to be kind to them.” To learn more about this insightful resource, visit <a href="http://www.exceptionallygoodfriends.com/">http://www.exceptionallygoodfriends.com/</a>.</li>
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Compassion, Empathy and Character Development</h3>
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The Creating Compassionate Children™ (CCC) campaign is a curriculum for schools that is centered around <i>EGF</i>. “Get caught Being Kind™” is the campaign’s slogan. The curriculum provides teachers and schools with discussion questions to be used along with my book and extension activities and materials to help students develop compassion and empathy for peers who look or act differently. The CCC campaign meets federal guidelines for the requirement for Character Development. To donate a kit to a classroom or to find out about implementing the program in your county, visit <a href="http://getcaughtbeingkind.org/">http://getcaughtbeingkind.org/</a>.</div>
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Avoid Bullying</h3>
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Equipping your child with strong self-advocacy skills can help your child to avoid becoming a victim of bullying. A common home situation that is ideal to teach self-advocacy skills is when your child takes their sibling’s toy. Attend to the “victim” first, offering empathy and empowerment. Ask the victim, “Did you like it when your brother/sister took your toy?” The child will likely say, “No!” emphatically. Help the “victim” use this energy to approach the “aggressor” to say, “I don’t like it when you take my toy, give it back, please!” Next, attend to the “aggressor” saying, “Look at your brother/sister’s face. His/her face shows that he/she feels mad and doesn’t like it when you take his/her toy. You wanted your sibling’s toy but did not have the words to tell him/her. Instead of grabbing, next time say, ’May I have a turn please.’ Try it with me now.” You have now taught your child a new skill to use in a similar situation in addition to reinforcing empathy.<br />
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Children are much less likely to become bullies themselves when their caregivers are responsive to their emotional and physical needs, connected to their child, treat others with respect, and utilize positive discipline. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQombobiinnnoeZ33PhmM6Cr0IwVsUdMIcbLH_aQn9DasQE_-I-0PuAQjzn0j-7uRIyeO1bZ9AeFKJFMDPjaD5E2_WwHScNHU7sDBaW-b87HeEhb36mBajSOe0MaFCZncl00-fp2O0FRE/s1600/green+dress+headshot+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQombobiinnnoeZ33PhmM6Cr0IwVsUdMIcbLH_aQn9DasQE_-I-0PuAQjzn0j-7uRIyeO1bZ9AeFKJFMDPjaD5E2_WwHScNHU7sDBaW-b87HeEhb36mBajSOe0MaFCZncl00-fp2O0FRE/s200/green+dress+headshot+cropped.jpg" width="180" /></a>
<b>About the Author:</b> Melissa K. Burkhardt, M.S. Ed., BCBA, is Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) specializing in the earliest of intervention in autism. As of 2016, Melissa is one of 265 certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) providers worldwide, trained in a therapy specifically designed for 12-48 month old children diagnosed with autism. She is the author of the award-winning book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AMelissa%20K.%20Burkhardt" target="_blank">Exceptionally Good Friends: Building Relationships with Autism</a></i> recipient of the Autism Society’s, “2015 Dr. Temple Grandin Outstanding Literary Work of the Year” and the Mom’s Choice Award. As a certified Special Education Early Intervention Teacher, she taught in the public school system for 20 years where she helped to pioneer a fully inclusive pre-k program in her school district.<br />
<br />
Melissa specializes in private therapy providing very early intervention for children with autism and parental coaching to achieve best outcomes in a child’s life. She shares her extensive knowledge about autism through public speaking, coaching, program development, and preparing specialized presentations for individuals, groups, and corporations.<br />
<br />
Melissa has learned from experience that early intervention takes advantage of the brain’s neural plasticity and is essential in helping a child with autism spectrum disorder to achieve success in developing to their full capacity.<br />
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Melissa can be reached at <a href="mailto:Melissa@earlystartautism.com">Melissa@earlystartautism.com</a>.<br />
<a href="http://earlystartautism.com/">EarlyStartAutism.com</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-10983915033167580952016-10-04T08:00:00.000-04:002016-10-04T08:00:17.820-04:00Let’s Make Our Children Rich and Fit for Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By: Dr. Linda Carson, CEO, Choosy Kids</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A friend of mine recently
bought a Powerball ticket after being reminded of the popular saying, “You
can’t win if you don’t play.” The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot that
day was about 1 in 292 million, and there were nearly 700 million tickets sold!
Human nature is ambitious that way. We’re willing to fantasize and sometimes
even invest in pipedreams that we wish we could have—even when the odds of
achieving them are overwhelmingly stacked against us. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Maybe we could use our human
nature for “aspiring for more” to our advantage. If we invest in something that
we will receive a huge return on and keeps accumulating positive benefits for
life, wouldn’t that be worthwhile? I think yes!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Let’s Invest in Health</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Your body is your bank and
health deposits of physical activity and nutrition can accrue great dividends. In
actuality, health is the only true wealth and investing in it often in small
increments can improve it and enhance it. And of course investing in children’s
health has life long benefits. Let’s make our children rich and fit for life by
investing in them too.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">National Children’s Health Month and Day</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">October is National
Children’s Health Month and the first Monday of each October is Child Health
Day. October is a great time of year for transition and change in weather. It’s
also a wonderful month for getting outside and enjoying the beauty and
adventure of nature, our outdoor classroom. Let’s embrace October for its
emphasis on making children as healthy as we can.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Since 1929, Child Health Day has been a United
States Federal Observance Day on the first Monday in October. On Child Health
Day the President invites "all agencies and organizations interested in
child welfare to unite on Child Health Day in observing exercises that will
make the people of the United States aware of the fundamental necessity of a
year-round program to protect and develop the health of the children of the
United States." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Environmental Protection
Agency celebrates Children’s Health Month. <a href="https://www.epa.gov/children/childrens-health-month-tip-calendar" target="_blank">Download this poster</a> and see how
many tips you can fit into the month of October. This year’s EPA theme, <i>Healthy Communities, Healthy Children</i>,
highlights EPA’s commitment to work with communities to ensure every child has
a safe place to live, learn and play.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Environment Affects Your Child’s Health and Wellbeing</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Check out some information and resources from the EPA:</span></div>
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<b><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; padding: 0in;">Outside</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">:
Studies show that spending time in green, natural environments can have
positive impacts on children’s mental and physical health.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Researchers from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign found that a 20-minute nature walk helped boost concentration levels in children who had been diagnosed with ADHD.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A study of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in New York suggested that having nature in close proximity reduces the impacts of stressful life events such as bullying or family relocation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Australian 10-12-year-old children who spent more time outdoors were 27-41% less likely to be overweight than their peers who spent less time outdoors.</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Want
to Learn More about the Health Benefits of Nature?</span></b></h3>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The National Environmental Education
Foundation (NEEF) established in 1990, implements broad public awareness and
engagement campaigns, which showcase how simple everyday actions based on sound
environmental knowledge can lead to huge impacts. Check out this infographic from NEEF about c</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hildren and nature by clicking on link under the image. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Be sure to also check out <a href="https://www.neefusa.org/resource/apps-outdoor-activity" target="_blank">Get Into Nature for Better Health</a>,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> a
resource on free apps to help get you and your family out to the park.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">More from the EPA</span></b></h3>
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<b><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; padding: 0in;">Inside: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
“environment” also includes indoors. The “inside” environment, where Americans
spend up to 90% of their time, such as at home, work, school, or daycare, can
also have a significant impact on a child’s health.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">About one out of every 10
school-aged children in the United States have asthma, and every year, more
than 10.5 million missed school days are attributed to this disease. Indoor air
quality can be compromised with environmental asthma triggers such as mold,
second hand smoke, or pet dander.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Because children are not miniature
adults, they are often more likely to be at risk from environmental hazards
than adults. Learn to spot situations that may pose a risk to your child, such
as exposure to pesticides, radon, and lead, with <a href="https://www.epa.gov/children/what-you-can-do-protect-children-environmental-risks" target="_blank">this guide from EPA on children’senvironmental risks</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Interesting
but slightly dated facts about environmental health hazards and children can be
<a href="https://www.epa.gov/children/childrens-environmental-health-facts" target="_blank">found here</a>.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">AAP And Head Start National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Americ</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">an
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Head Start National Center on Early
Childhood Health and Wellness </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">has <a href="https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/school-readiness/goals/GrowingHealthyF.htm" target="_blank">resources
for </a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/school-readiness/goals/GrowingHealthyF.htm" target="_blank">building healthy, active lives for everyone in the family</a>.
Especially helpful is the <a href="https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/docs/growing-healthy-worksheet-english.pdf" target="_blank">Growing Healthy Family Goal Setting</a> resource.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The 5-2-1-0 message campaign adopted by the AAP provides
suggestions for families to help meet or exceed these recommendations </span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; padding: 0in;">for
living a healthy active life:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Eat at least <b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">5</span></b> fruits and vegetables a day.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Keep screen time (like
TV, video games, computer) down to <b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">2</span></b> hours or less
per day.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Get <b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">1</span></b> hour or more of physical activity every day.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Drink <b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">0</span></b> sugar-sweetened drinks. Replace soda pop, sports
drinks and even 100% fruit juice with milk or water.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">You can read more about this in a <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/2016/01/in-2016-lets-go-with-5-2-1-0.html" target="_blank">past Choosy Kid's blog</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And Finally...</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">One final resource to recommend for families looking for
ways to invest in the health of their children might be the website, </span><a href="http://www.kidshealth.org/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.KidsHealth.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,
managed by the <a href="http://www.nemours.org/service/health/growuphealthy.html" target="_blank">Nemours Foundation</a>. It is<span style="background: white;"> a site devoted to children's health and parenting. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There is a specific link just for kids and one for parents
as well. Nemours is a leading pediatric health system and highly regarded for
its research, and educational outreach.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It’s Children’s Health Month! So, let’s hit
the jackpot! Let’s invest in the body banks of our children to reap dividends
for a lifetime. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Are there other
resources that you have used and can share with our blog community?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW6W3x9kheQ_NvJq_6hB0dmII1P-Cqhcz4zydNEHzQ5xPrlih0OBZRGYez7SESuJf5LAPdks1ocGlvfNmlz3YvSr3nwP5ui9DVNUXKM2nocYBeN7xQLlpgr_MGv1iJmkt5QECTGu-9Uk/s1600/Linda+Carson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW6W3x9kheQ_NvJq_6hB0dmII1P-Cqhcz4zydNEHzQ5xPrlih0OBZRGYez7SESuJf5LAPdks1ocGlvfNmlz3YvSr3nwP5ui9DVNUXKM2nocYBeN7xQLlpgr_MGv1iJmkt5QECTGu-9Uk/s1600/Linda+Carson.jpg" /></a>
<b>About the Author: </b>Linda Carson, Ed. D, is the founder and CEO of Choosy Kids, LLC, and the Ware Distinguished Professor Emerita at West Virginia University. An award winning, nationally recognized expert, Dr. Carson has devoted her career to promoting healthy preferences for young children and the adults who make decisions on their behalf. <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#linda" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Linda</a>.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-16549740267712847502016-09-27T08:39:00.001-04:002016-09-27T08:39:27.721-04:00Teach Children How To Floss Their Teeth<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Christine Cox, <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank">The Choosy Mommy</a></b></div>
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Did you know that only about 50% of Americans actually floss their teeth daily, according to the American Dental Association? That leaves only half of the population to teach their children the importance of flossing and how to do it properly. Now is the time to make a change. </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
When Can A Child Floss?</h3>
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As soon as your child has two teeth beside each other, start a flossing routine. I personally have found the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oral-B-Glide-White-Floss-Radiant/dp/B00763LZF8" target="_blank">floss sticks</a> to be a great help as they are easy to get in between teeth. After speaking with my dentist, he said they are wonderful, as long as you are moving them around once between the teeth. That got me thinking…how can I teach my children how to floss their own teeth?</div>
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<h3>
Get Creative!</h3>
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Hands-on learning is one of the many ways children can learn. By doing hands-on learning and experiments at home, children can dive deeper into their thinking and retention when doing whatever the lesson is in real life. I looked around my living room trying to think of a way to teach my daughter how to floss and then it came to me! Mega blocks and Legos!</div>
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In this example, I used the Mega Blocks to represent her teeth and put playdough in the space between to represent the plaque that can get stuck in between and on our teeth. I gave her the exact floss stick that I have always used to floss her teeth and explained to her the representation of teeth and plaque. </div>
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After a quick lesson of how to properly insert the floss stick between the “teeth”, she went straight to trying it on the Mega Block. She learned quickly to move the floss stick up and down on the Mega Block to make sure she got all of the playdough out. I was so pleased with this activity and she really grasped a good understanding of how to floss her own teeth.</div>
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<h3>
Not Just For Kids</h3>
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Everyone should floss their teeth at least once a day. Daily
flossing helps remove plaque from in between and on the teeth where it can
easily create cavities. If your child is still drinking from a bottle, and has
two teeth beside each other, flossing is even more important to make sure you
get all of the excess milk off of the teeth. At the same time, removing plaque
helps reduce the risk of gum disease or gingivitis which can result in bleeding
and inflamed gums.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A great resource for additional information about keeping children's teeth health is from the <a href="http://www.aapd.org/resources/frequently_asked_questions/" target="_blank">American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry</a>.</div>
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<b>Do your children floss with your help?? At what age did you introduce it?</b><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b>About the Author</b>: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids and owner of <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" style="color: #666666;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Choosy Mommy</span></a><span style="color: #666666;">. </span>She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#christine" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Christine</a>.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-46073677955754822282016-09-20T08:00:00.000-04:002016-09-20T08:00:08.758-04:00Sitting is The New Smoking: Get Up Off Your Seat!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Jenn Ripepi, MD, Choosy Pediatrician</b></div>
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You may have heard that "sitting is the new smoking" in the last few years. What is meant by this is that sitting for long periods is bad for our health in many ways. We are meant to move and do it frequently. So what does this mean for our children and their futures?</div>
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Sitting decreases our need to breathe deeply, to have our muscles contract and demand increased blood flow. That is the opposite of aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise is the kind that improves your blood flow and helps to prevent plugged arteries. When we walk, run, swim, and bike or do other activities which get us to breathe harder and our hearts to pump faster, it helps to keep our arteries clear. When we sit we are not using our muscles and letting our blood vessels keep opened up as much as when we move. Over time, that that adds up.<br />
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<h3>
Sit Up Straight</h3>
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Teaching children to have good posture is important, especially in the pre-school years. Children grow at a rapid pace during their first four years of life and there is an increase in postural responses. It then regresses until adult postural reflexes are reached sometime between 7-10 years of age. So as professionals see it, the most “training”, or using correct sitting/standing positions in static posture and its dynamic reflexes occurs during the early pre-school years of life.</div>
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Our overall posture is affected by sitting for long periods. We tend to let our heads drop and that in turn leads our shoulders to hunch forward and our lower backs to curve forward. Our core muscles in our abdomen and lower back get weak. We end up with lower back problems and the whole host of other spinal problems like headaches. For our children who have developing skeletons this is a stress that may force their posture to be permanently impacted. That leads me to the next point.<br />
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<h3>
Build Strong Bones</h3>
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Strong bones are built not just from calcium and phosphorus but by being used. We have learned from the astronauts in space for long periods that their bone mass decreases when they are out of Earth's gravity. That led others to look at what happens here on the Earth's surface in a number of situations. People have more bone mass when they are physically working against gravity in what we refer to as weight-bearing exercise. That means walking, running, jumping, climbing---moving your body against the Earth's gravitational pull. If children are not moving, they are not building the strong bones to carry them through their lifetimes.<br />
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<h3>
Muscles Matter</h3>
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Muscles are meant to be used! Our bodies have been built for walking, running, climbing and jumping. If we don't use our muscles, they tend to become weak. Weak muscles can be built up but it takes a lot more work to build strong muscles when someone has not been used to using them. Ask anyone who has gone through physical therapy after an injury and a period of rest. They likely will tell you it was difficult to get started but got easier as their therapy progressed.<br />
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<h3>
Get Moving!</h3>
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You wouldn’t believe how often I heard in my practice as a pediatrician that kids are tired all the time! Then I'd ask what they "did" all day and they'd answer that they spent most of their time sitting! Not really "doing" anything! They were bored! Our minds need physical as well as mental stimulation. </div>
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A few years ago I read a study about recess in schools and children's performance. Children who had recess with active free play did better in afternoon classes and with their behaviors than children who did not have that opportunity. Children are in classrooms for hours and are kept sitting for that time. They sit on the bus. They sit to do homework. Then many sit in front of a television or video games or other device when they get home. And don’t forget, when they are sitting, they should be at least practicing proper posture or they may have issues down the road.<br />
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<h3>
What Can We Do As Child Advocates?</h3>
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It is important to help young children learn that when their heart beats faster because they are moving, it is actually healthy and good for them. Help them identify if their heart is "resting," happy, or very happy based on sensing their heart rate. Continue to reinforce the idea of happy, healthy hearts for the entire family. Make everyone’s hearts happy in your family and engage in active movement together. </div>
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At home, keep active not only to help your children but to help yourself. Less screen time and more active time as a family. If you and your children are watching a television show or engaging in technology of some kid, have frequent movement breaks to encourage blood flow and muscle use. </div>
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Music is also a great tool to get our hearts beating. There are many different types of music that enable children to expand upon their listening horizons, imaginations and movements. Allow your children to listen to a variety of music and dance and sing along with them.</div>
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When you are on the go, free play outside stimulates big movements and strength and allows children to explore their surroundings. The fresh air and open spaces allow those big, deep breaths we need to keep up with our bodies' demand for oxygen. </div>
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When children are required to sit in school, ask the teachers how they build movement into their lessons. Ask how recess is spent during inclement weather and advocate for active play indoors in a large open space when possible, if the students cannot go outside frequently. (You may be able to let the educators know that they'll have more alert and better behaved children when they allow recess.) </div>
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Try to observe how long children sit when you are with them. A little activity break during homework time can help their concentration. Additionally, try to avoid the command to sit still except when it is really needed (like mealtimes, religious services, haircuts, etc). As we as a society begin to relearn that we are meant to move frequently, we can let our children lead us naturally in movement. All we have to do is follow their lead!</div>
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<b>How do you help your children stay active and moving, rather than sitting all day? </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nndjBqoxWKR0aBhgIm2ax1szOpSO-lFlG3s6YXWM4BBNLTL1GSZdFLwGYzMQjziPGAUt63LUeEzVwIhVRJBuTVsV-0BI4g_KItwxfHMIrIsLNc1wtEmFxdB-DbjnkILOPjERsoDhQg/s1600/Dr.+Ripepi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nndjBqoxWKR0aBhgIm2ax1szOpSO-lFlG3s6YXWM4BBNLTL1GSZdFLwGYzMQjziPGAUt63LUeEzVwIhVRJBuTVsV-0BI4g_KItwxfHMIrIsLNc1wtEmFxdB-DbjnkILOPjERsoDhQg/s200/Dr.+Ripepi.jpg" width="166" /></a>
<b></b><br />
<b>About the Author: </b>I have been a pediatrician for over 25 years. My husband and I have been privileged to raise 4 bright and healthy children. I have tried to gather wisdom from the families I have been blessed to meet during my journey. I believe in practical and flexible parenting to help raise healthy adults. I love to garden, hike, travel and cook and I am looking forward to hearing from Choosy followers.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-68481918459480605552016-09-13T08:00:00.000-04:002016-09-13T15:00:14.114-04:00Choosy Kids in the KitchenIn honor of #kidstakeoverthekitchen day, some of our Choosy Kids staff have shared favorite recipes from their childhood. It allowed us to take a trip down memory lane, and even give our parents a call to get the recipe! If there is a recipe from your childhood that you love, and you don't have it written down, put it in a cookbook because it may become a favorite of your child's and will forever be in their recipe book to share for generations!<br />
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<h3>
Brianna Robins: Banana Bread</h3>
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2 cups flour<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1 stick of butter<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1 teaspoon of baking soda<br />
3 rotten bananas<br />
2 eggs<br />
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Melt the butter and add the sugar along with the eggs (already beaten). Then add the dry ingredients with butter, eggs, sugar, and bananas. Cook at 350 degrees for about 45-60 minutes. Insert toothpick, once the toothpick is dry, voila!<br />
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<h3>
Christine - The Choosy Mommy's Meatballs </h3>
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1 pound ground beef<br />
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs<br />
1/4 cup milk<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce<br />
1/4 teaspoon pepper<br />
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)<br />
1 egg<br />
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Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all ingredients. Shape into 20 1 1/2 inch meatballs. Place in rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Bake 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink inside.<br />
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4+ servings.<br />
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The Choosy Mommy tip: I put my meatballs into the microwave for 5 minutes prior to the oven. This helps to keep them in ball form and helps with the cooking process.<br />
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<h3>
Paige Powers: Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole</h3>
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I actually had to call my mom and discuss what some of my favorite recipes were as a child. She said all I ever wanted to eat was cheesy potatoes. She also said she was pretty basic and made the same things every week for the most part: a meat, a vegetable, and a carb. She did point out one recipe that I liked and here it is:<br />
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2 boxes Uncle Ben's Broccoli Rice Au Gratin<br />
1/2 cup celery (optional)<br />
1/2 cup onion (optional)<br />
Side note: She never put either in when I was young because I hated both of those veggies, especially onions, haha!<br />
1 can chicken broth<br />
1 can cream of chicken soup<br />
2-3 chicken breasts<br />
1 bag frozen broccoli<br />
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Cook Uncle Ben's rice per directions on the box<br />
Cook chicken how you prefer (boiling works) and cut up into small pieces<br />
Mix all of the ingredients together<br />
Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees!<br />
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Pretty simple recipe, but it was one of my sister and I's favorite recipes!<br />
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<h3>
Marianne Jenkins: Cheese Lasagna</h3>
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As a kid, my siblings and I always enjoyed watching our parents cook, and as we got older, there are a few recipes that are still family favorites! Below is a lasagna that puts a spin on traditional sauce-lasagna.<br />
<b><br /></b>1 bag of flour<br />
1 1/2 jar of cheese sauce<br />
2 1/2 cups water (for noodles)<br />
4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese<br />
Seasonings of your choice (we always used salt, Italian seasoning and black pepper)<br />
Vegetable oil or butter<br />
<br />
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix even amounts of flour and water (we never mixed all the ingredients at once, instead we did small batches of dough at a time, this helped to ensure we didn't make too many noodles) until the mixture is in a dough form. Add seasonings and knead. Then place flour on counter (to avoid dough from sticking), and lay the dough out. With a rolling pin, flatten the dough to be a desired thickness of noodle. Cut even strips.<br />
<br />
Bring water to a boil in a large deep pan and place the strips into the boiling water (we always did a handful of noodles at a time). Use oil or butter to help noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once noodles float (around 3-5 minutes), carefully bring them out and put them in strainer. Once all noodles are done (this process of making small amounts of dough, flattening, cutting, and boiling can take around 15-25 minutes), begin assembling the lasagna.<br />
<br />
Using a large glass rectangular pan, place a thin layer of cheese sauce at the bottom to ensure the noodles don't stick. Then begin the lasagna by placing one layer of noodles, followed by thin layer of cheeses sauce, and a thin layer of mozzarella cheese. Continue this until you have layered the lasagna to the top of the pan. Bake 10-15 minutes or until sides of the top layer are crisp.<br />
<br />
10+ servings.<br />
Tip: To make it a healthy Choosy plate, be sure to serve with fresh veggies or a salad.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Do you have a favorite childhood recipe? Is it written down for your children? And remember to check out this month's <a href="http://choosykids.com/index.php?p=september_2016_song_month" target="_blank">free song download from Choosy Kids called My Choosy Plate</a>!</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-62377275315052795642016-09-07T08:00:00.000-04:002016-09-07T08:01:21.442-04:00Serving Size vs Portion Size: Do You Know the Difference?<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Dr. Linda Carson, CEO, Choosy Kids</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Healthy eating includes making choices. In recent years,
making decisions about how much is on our plate, at home or especially in a
restaurant, has become increasingly more difficult. This is because the new
normal for portions consumed has become increasingly larger. Sometimes meals
served to one person to eat is enough for two or more people! Even how we talk
about these issues has changed over the years. It can be confusing because
serving size and portion size mean two different things, yet they are often used
interchangeably as if they are the same.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMujEu-ycAJqHvVSSayzQOEAAhCUMjUiV4RG_fJQ0PVRg1aucAEtmpTnysbb3ZkwjRm-5maZtNeFwaimO46BWZ5CRLcmy6fJo-HL3cbKKK11ZQmwtkhyfNqnD6ajhd26jmOqrbsYkLq5k/s1600/Twitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMujEu-ycAJqHvVSSayzQOEAAhCUMjUiV4RG_fJQ0PVRg1aucAEtmpTnysbb3ZkwjRm-5maZtNeFwaimO46BWZ5CRLcmy6fJo-HL3cbKKK11ZQmwtkhyfNqnD6ajhd26jmOqrbsYkLq5k/s320/Twitter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
Serving Size</h3>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A <b>serving size</b> is
the amount of food or beverage listed on a product’s Nutrition Facts label. A healthy
<i>serving size</i> is the measured amount
of food recommended by health agencies or allied health professionals, and so
the amount is determined.<br />
<br /></div>
<h3>
Portion Size</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
A <b>portion size</b> is
how much I decide to eat for a meal or a snack, therefore the amount can vary.
Sometimes food or beverage is sold as a single package (or portion) yet it
contains several servings. Some meals could actually meet or exceed a whole
day’s worth of recommended calories, fat, sodium, or sugar. When eating out,
buffet style eating is the most challenging for keeping portion sizes under
control.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Choose My Plate</h3>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have children or work with them, a great resource for
learning about healthy eating, food groups, activity sheets, kid-friendly
recipes, and tips for picky eaters is <a href="https://www.choosemyplate.gov/kids">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a>. The Choose My Plate
image is becoming increasingly more popular as a tool to remind us of how foods
should distributed on our plate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For an inexpensive way to reinforce this at home, download
the image of the plate, print, cut, and tape it to the under-side of a clear
plastic plate and cup. This way your child (why not the entire family) can see
how foods are recommended to be distributed on your plate at meal time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is another concept to consider: the Choose My Plate image
is a <i>proportion</i> plate suggesting to
us how the various food groups should be on our plate in proportion to each
other. While this visual is a very important and helpful reminder, we could
still eat portions piled high that stay inside the proportion lines.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ6g2ktYksQGV5FrE5fsW9UBqBAjP9TtAFa-W19kAOvXxSZb0mGXvmv3cTi5FjWq_bbinMzr0qR8kvW6SIHMbS8kJq8gA7zZfNZUqdxXbrL_9-Am8PVikRGnhQUg3pOte_9uafp6dcGhv/s1600/Blog+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ6g2ktYksQGV5FrE5fsW9UBqBAjP9TtAFa-W19kAOvXxSZb0mGXvmv3cTi5FjWq_bbinMzr0qR8kvW6SIHMbS8kJq8gA7zZfNZUqdxXbrL_9-Am8PVikRGnhQUg3pOte_9uafp6dcGhv/s320/Blog+Image.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Child Size</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parents of
young children often question how much is the recommended serving size for their
preschool child?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Serve child-sized portions and let the child ask for more if
still hungry. A general rule of thumb is that a serving size is about 1
tablespoon of food for each year of age up to five years. So using a tablespoon
as your serving spoon can really help. As your young child grows, you can use a
measuring cup for your server. Four tablespoons equal a quarter cup. Research
shows young children can regulate their food intake even better when they dole
out their own portion right into their own dish. So provide your child with
either a tablespoon and count out the servings based on the child’s age or with
older children use the ¼ cup measuring cup as the “serving spoon.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The child’s age, gender and activity level determine the
exact amounts needed. To have fun with music and nutrition, listen to the song,
<i><a href="http://choosykids.com/index.php?p=september_2016_song_month" target="_blank">What’s On My Choosy Plate</a>.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another important nutrition concept is “division of labor”
at mealtime. There are strategies for parents to help guide our youngest
children into being empowered to be more in charge of their eating behaviors,
or <a href="http://ellynsatterinstitute.org/htf/howtofeed.php" target="_blank">division of responsibility</a><i>.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Choosing nutritious foods and keeping portion sizes sensible
will help keep your family at a healthy weight. Using simple rule of thumb
guidelines will be a great place to start. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How have you guided
your child’s eating behaviors? Share your tricks or tips.<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW6W3x9kheQ_NvJq_6hB0dmII1P-Cqhcz4zydNEHzQ5xPrlih0OBZRGYez7SESuJf5LAPdks1ocGlvfNmlz3YvSr3nwP5ui9DVNUXKM2nocYBeN7xQLlpgr_MGv1iJmkt5QECTGu-9Uk/s1600/Linda+Carson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW6W3x9kheQ_NvJq_6hB0dmII1P-Cqhcz4zydNEHzQ5xPrlih0OBZRGYez7SESuJf5LAPdks1ocGlvfNmlz3YvSr3nwP5ui9DVNUXKM2nocYBeN7xQLlpgr_MGv1iJmkt5QECTGu-9Uk/s1600/Linda+Carson.jpg" /></a>
<b>About the Author: </b>Linda Carson, Ed. D, is the founder and CEO of Choosy Kids, LLC, and the Ware Distinguished Professor Emerita at West Virginia University. An award winning, nationally recognized expert, Dr. Carson has devoted her career to promoting healthy preferences for young children and the adults who make decisions on their behalf. <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#linda" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Linda</a>.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-39512401860482363432016-08-30T08:00:00.000-04:002016-08-30T08:00:17.965-04:00How Much Should My Child Drink in a Day?<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Christine Cox, <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank">The Choosy Mommy</a></b></div>
<br />
Capri has always been my drink chugger. As soon as you hand her a drink, she drinks all of it. Then she usually asks for more, in which I oblige. It is rare that she leaves a cup with any kind of liquid in it. This goes for all drinks: water, milk, juice, smoothies, etc. I used to worry that she was drinking too much, especially when we were potty training. We were in the bathroom every 10 minutes! And then I would wonder if she was getting enough to drink since she was always chugging her drinks. My mind was going in so many directions. So I talked to our pediatrician.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzwKFFDr-Vdgq9peTt38zVZXBdZblNtrgOEkx0S83lnLb_uytRP_Z1sbvvrj-37rV4o4SMTK2Aqplm9ohpw6cg4KE8uA4u4-e2BGx7XSWLEkC99dVKaCIBh8l_ZB-bqRJbS1m8wmvVcI/s1600/Twitter+and+FB+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzwKFFDr-Vdgq9peTt38zVZXBdZblNtrgOEkx0S83lnLb_uytRP_Z1sbvvrj-37rV4o4SMTK2Aqplm9ohpw6cg4KE8uA4u4-e2BGx7XSWLEkC99dVKaCIBh8l_ZB-bqRJbS1m8wmvVcI/s320/Twitter+and+FB+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There are many factors that come into play when discussing how much a child should drink in a day. Age, weight and even gender are considerations for determining the proper amount of liquid that a child needs. The weather, the child’s activity level, and the overall health of the child are also reasons for drinking more or less.<br />
<br />
According to Reliant Medical Group, toddlers who weigh the following should drink, on average, this amount of water and milk in a day to stay properly hydrated:<br />
<ul>
<li>Children age 1, weighing 30 pounds or less need to drink 32 to 40 ounces</li>
<li>Children 31 to 41 pounds need to drink 40 to 48 ounces </li>
<li>Children 42 to 63 pounds need to drink 48 to 56 ounces </li>
</ul>
Remember that our bodies are made up of nearly 60% water. Children (age 1 and up) need to drink plain, unflavored water daily to keep their organs functioning properly. Newborns and infants obtain their daily fluid intake from breastmilk or formula and do not require additional water. Please discuss this further with your pediatrician if you have any concerns with your child who is under 1 as drinking water can be very dangerous for newborns and infants.<br />
<br />
Pediatricians also advise parents to serve only 100% fruit juice because of the sugar and extra calories in sweetened juices or juice cocktails. To ensure your children aren't drinking too much juice, follow these guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics:<br />
<ul>
<li>Birth to 6 months: No fruit juice, unless it's used to relieve constipation.</li>
<li>6 to 12 months: Limit juice intake to 4 to 6 ounces and serve it in a cup (not a bottle) to avoid tooth decay. (According to <a href="http://aap.org/" target="_blank">AAP.org</a>, babies should drink breastmilk or formula for the first year of life. Try to avoid introducing juice until child is a toddler. If juice is introduced, wait until 6-9 months and limit consumption to 4-6 ounces a day).</li>
<li>1 to 6 years: Up to 6 ounces per day, again in a cup, not a bottle.</li>
<li>7 years and older: Up to 12 ounces a day.</li>
</ul>
While the total amount of water that children should be drinking in a day seems high, we need to remember that fruit and vegetables contain water too. Think of what your children eat in a day to help determine the correct amount they need to drink. And if they are highly active one day compared other days, they may need more to drink than usual.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EsH3EuzCPMKDbLNrQTex1RtWcE9i8PjI0P9WAYnQGLvx9Clg0FVw5AcIZ3vdTrkbt3GVJmUsX2EuV0qrY-e4BY_oEQ4NvrZme4rZBOvmtaKHbLyc9YZ4ALeKE9izsXh1Eqpy73bRTCw/s1600/Choosy+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EsH3EuzCPMKDbLNrQTex1RtWcE9i8PjI0P9WAYnQGLvx9Clg0FVw5AcIZ3vdTrkbt3GVJmUsX2EuV0qrY-e4BY_oEQ4NvrZme4rZBOvmtaKHbLyc9YZ4ALeKE9izsXh1Eqpy73bRTCw/s320/Choosy+Blog.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<br />
If you are concerned your child is drinking too much, or too little, try to chart the amount your child eats and drinks in a week and discuss the topic with your pediatrician.<br />
<br />
When it came to my daughter, I chalked her drinking habits up to being highly active. Her urine output and color were always normal for her and her skin was not dry at all; three highly noticeable sign of dehydration. Anytime she asks for a drink, I provide her with one, no matter if it is morning, noon or night. I know a lot of parents try to stop offering fluids at a certain time when nighttime potty training. Please take into consideration how active your child was all day before declining your child a drink at night.<br />
<br />
If you need to help your children get excited about drinking, check out our song from the <a href="http://choosykids.com/store/index.php/music-and-video/wiggle-giggle.html" target="_blank">My Wiggle Makes Me Giggle CD, <i>My Choosy Cup</i></a><i>.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Do you provide easy access to water all day? Do your children drink a lot of water? How much, on average, would you say they drink in a day? </b><br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAKspD8IuIH0mEiFmpNok3UV4MUQU4ggfmXqDChQb9CbQcV3ylGd0Rlqmb2hD926SQxJvVbfs54hBs9tTEzUrkb2IxUEtvrANMTHMYP7dga4WHLTk58wA_QyuY_RUJez95p91O0lp7S8/s1600/The+Choosy+Mommy2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAKspD8IuIH0mEiFmpNok3UV4MUQU4ggfmXqDChQb9CbQcV3ylGd0Rlqmb2hD926SQxJvVbfs54hBs9tTEzUrkb2IxUEtvrANMTHMYP7dga4WHLTk58wA_QyuY_RUJez95p91O0lp7S8/s320/The+Choosy+Mommy2.png" width="187" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><b>About the Author</b>: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids and owner of <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Choosy Mommy</span></a>. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#christine" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Christine</a>.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-39201439534783702962016-08-23T08:00:00.000-04:002016-08-28T16:26:33.681-04:00Back to School, Back to Routine<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Christine Cox, <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Choosy Mommy</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Maybe your children are already back to school, or they will
be heading back in a couple of weeks. It can be a happy and exciting time, but
also a stressful time for both children and parents. Even though my daughter is
only going to pre-school, I have to get us back into a school routine to make
sure she gets everything done prior to leaving for school and is happy when we
get there. The summer time really got us off our regular routine so it is time
to hop back on board the school routine train!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Routine is Important for Any Age</h3>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No
matter what age your children are, developing a daily routine can help keep
their life organized and help eliminate chaos from yours.<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span>Children
like routines that are predictable, regular and consistent. And since young
children don’t understand time in minutes and hours, it is better to have a
routine in place so they understand what event happens next. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Routines can also help children during difficult times of
the day like when they first wake up in the morning, nap time, or bedtime. When
children know what to expect when they wake up, there will be less arguments
and they will learn to complete tasks before they can start other plans for the
day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And same with nap time and bedtime. By doing the bedtime
routine prior to sleeping, they will feel more comfortable and prepared to calm
their bodies and mind for sleep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
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<br /></div>
<h3>
Implement a Routine</h3>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is never too late to implement a routine, especially if a
big life event is about to happen for the child – like going to school. No
matter if this is your child’s first year going or their 12<sup>th</sup>, going
from summer time to school time can be a hard transition. Implement a routine
that you can keep on track with year-round (this is where I need to improve).
Here are some easy routines that children can follow every day, regardless if
they are going to school or not, to help with their day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>When your child wakes up in the morning, make it a routine to go to the bathroom first and use the toilet. Wash their hands next and brush their teeth while they are still at the sink. When they are finished with their teeth, have them move on to face washing and brushing their hair.</li>
<li>Don’t let them hangout all morning in their pajamas. After they are finished in the bathroom, have them change into their clothes for the day. When you get them changing out of their pajamas and into other clothes, it is a trigger action to confirm that their day is starting.</li>
<li>Many children wake up very hungry. 8-10 hours of sleep is a long time without eating for anyone, especially a young child. Have them eat a nutritious breakfast right after the bathroom routine.</li>
<li>At this point, children might be ready to be on their way to school. If your child is still in pre-school or a half day school program and starts in the afternoon, now might be a good time to encourage free play or do something fun together.</li>
<li>When your child gets home from school, have a routine in place to make the transition from school environment to home environment easier. If that means putting their backpacks in a certain place and going over paperwork together on the couch then do that. Maybe it is finding a healthy snack and going on a walk outside together. Whatever it is, ease the transition because school can be very stressful for children of any age.</li>
<li>And finally, the bedtime routine, which can be the hardest of all. Children are busy little people. Getting them to calm down and relax their mind and bodies after a long day can be so hard. Start bath time at the same time every evening. After the bath is over, implement a routine: pajamas, teeth, book, then bed for example. Or if your children are movers like mine, bed time yoga is fabulous! You could also go over what will happen tomorrow in your routine so that your child knows what the plan is. </li>
</ul>
I hope that this school year is wonderful for your children
and you, the parent. This time goes so fast so it is important that we make the
best of it!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">What are your daily
routines like when your children go to school? At what age did you start a
routine? How much does your routine change from school to summer time?</b><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b>About the Author</b>: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids and owner of <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Choosy Mommy</span></a>. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#christine" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Christine</a>.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-67932297587167076012016-08-16T08:00:00.000-04:002016-08-16T08:00:24.816-04:00From Dance Dance Revolution to Pokémon Go: How Electronic Games and Fitness Have Evolved Together into Exergaming <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">By: Dr. Linda Carson, CEO, Choosy Kids<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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In 2005, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) was a video game designed primarily for arcade entertainment but actually became known for pioneering the concept of total body engagement in a video game. Rather than sitting with a hand-held controller on the couch, DDR required players to stand up and be the controller and score points in the game by moving their feet on a floor mat. DDR quickly became a leader in a games for health trend. It was one of the first electronic games to be looked at as a health tool by researchers, and it was used in school Physical Education classes, and even in classrooms to help students with coordination. Soon after, we saw the Wii Fit game console – marketed as a fitness tool with games that could help the player lose weight and stay fit. Unlike DDR, the Wii, made it possible for players to keep track of their fitness, weight goals and other statistics by using a platform at their feet.<br />
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Today we have the Pokémon Go app, a game that isn’t being marketed as a fitness tool (yet) but rather a game that lures players outside to get moving with their cell phones in hand. This app, combining reality with virtual reality, is not played indoors on a TV or in an arcade, because it is mobile! Pokémon Go gets families and people of all ages out of their homes and into the fresh air! So what is it with electronic games and fitness that when mixed together keep people coming back for more exercise…I mean fun? How do you keep healthy habits (created through this type of play) going when the hype of the game fades?<br />
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As someone who was involved in a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/health/30exer.html)" target="_blank">ground breaking study</a> of the use of video games for total body activity, I saw firsthand what an electronic game can do for its player’s health. Our study, led by Dr. Emily Murphy, specifically targeted children in West Virginia, a state that is consistently among the top three in the country for obesity. Our study showed that DDR can have a long-term health and financial impact on its players by reducing obesity levels and instilling better lifestyle habits at an impressionable age. Specifically, we demonstrated that DDR is an effective tool in combating obesity, inactivity, and subsequent health problems associated with sedentary lifestyles.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ucalgary.ca/exergaming/" target="_blank">The University of Calgary Exergaming Research Centre</a> and the <a href="https://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/1184/ace-sponsored-research-exergaming-not-just-for" target="_blank">American Council on Exercise</a>, also state that exergaming works as a fitness tool. Their studies were focused upon adults. According to WebMD, “When used at intermediate or high intensity, exergaming can indeed improve fitness -- though some exercise games make that easier than others. A moderate 3 mph walk burns about 4 calories a minute, or 120 calories per half hour.” The good thing is that these ‘exergames’ are getting people up and moving. However, the hard part is keeping the attention of the player long enough to make this movement a healthy habit.<br />
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At least with games like Pokémon Go, it is <a href="http://700childrens.nationwidechildrens.org/family-fun-pokemon-go/" target="_blank">bringing families together to participate</a>. I have read countless stories of parents saying that they are their child’s eyes and ears for safety while playing the game and they allow their child to follow the map (another great learning experience with this game!) Other parents have praised the game saying they haven’t seen their child want to be outside this much in a long time and they are walking and running around more than ever! All great things!<br />
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When the fad or novelty of the game fade, it is up to the parents to keep the momentum going for joyful activity and healthy habits in their children. Maybe it is finding a new game that doesn’t involve any electronics, or just ask children to create something totally new. Try encouraging your family to eat healthy meals together while talking about the new habits you are creating as a family. Even if the fun of the game fades away, still try to encourage your family to get outside and get moving. Playing with your children makes memories that last a lifetime. And don’t forget, Choosy has plenty of songs and activities for you that encourage active play (indoors and outdoors)!<br />
Have you and your family jumped on the Pokémon Go app craze? Have you noticed a difference in activity for your children? What else are you doing to encourage healthy habits and the continuation of moving forward with your family’s newly found love of getting outside and exercising?</div>
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<b>About the Author: </b>Linda Carson, Ed. D, is the founder and CEO of Choosy Kids, LLC, and the Ware Distinguished Professor Emerita at West Virginia University. An award winning, nationally recognized expert, Dr. Carson has devoted her career to promoting healthy preferences for young children and the adults who make decisions on their behalf. <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#linda" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Linda</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-77102474894128053602016-08-09T08:00:00.000-04:002016-08-09T08:00:27.109-04:00The Barbie Doll Perspective<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Christine Cox, <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank">The Choosy Mommy</a></b></div>
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“I weigh 41 pounds!” exclaims my soon to be 4 year old Capri from the bathroom scale. Her dad laughs. “You are getting so big.” And I think to myself, she has no idea what 41 pounds really means, besides it being a number that randomly pops up on the scale. But when will this number matter to her? She is so innocent about her body image and those around her, although she thinks it is fabulous that both of her grandfathers look like Santa Claus with their big bellies (and for all she knows, that is what grandfathers are supposed to look like)! But at this age, many little girls are starting to play with dolls, especially Barbie, that portray a body image that can’t be physically achieved and isn’t realistically healthy. When does the Barbie doll perspective start to do more harm than good for girls?<br />
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It seems in today’s world, girls, even pre-school aged girls, are influenced more and more by celebrities, characters, brands, toys, shows, etc. The power that these influencers hold can seem like it is beyond a parent’s power to educate. But here is the thing, when specifically talking about Barbie, I believe it is solely up to the parents to teach their children what is best about this toy…she can be anything she wants to be and to not take her shape and looks into consideration. Essentially, girl power! Let’s talk a bit more in depth about Barbie’s image though, the thing that seems to effect girls the most.<br />
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Managing a healthy lifestyle starts at home at a young age. Parents do have the power to guide children in the right direction as far as what is and is not healthy for their growing bodies. This doesn’t mean girls shouldn’t play with Barbie (or boys shouldn’t play with superheroes for that matter) because Barbie doesn’t set realistic body image goals for them, but instead means the parent should use Barbie as a teaching tool for what a girl could achieve in the world.<br />
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In my home, Barbie represents the many careers a woman can have and when you work hard, you can have the luxuries that Barbie has (the cars, homes, boats, clothes, etc.). I have heard Capri say that her Barbie is a mommy, a doctor, nurse, vet, teacher, works at the grocery store and post office, etc. And that is because I actively engage with her during Barbie playtime. We learn about the different jobs Barbie has and never once has she even mentioned that Barbie is “skinny” or “pretty” or “tall”. And now the “curvy” Barbies are a hot commodity but she hasn’t ever noticed their difference in the store. <br />
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I was truly a Barbie girl. Through and through it was the thing I asked for most for birthdays and holidays. My mother recently expressed to me that she never told me when she thought I was gaining too much weight. Those pre-teens years were stressful enough and she didn’t want to be a negative person. Instead she educated me on what was healthy for my body and helped me find activities to do that secretly burned calories (because I thought we were just having fun). But she does remember a time that I yelled at her for not telling me that I was gaining too much weight. Puberty! But was I comparing myself to my favorite toy, Barbie? No. I was comparing myself to my peers.<br />
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So back to my original question of when does the Barbie doll perspective start to do more harm than good for young girls? Studies show girls as young as 4-6 years old start to worry about their weight and could possibly look to Barbie as a body image role model because she is trendy and a popular toy among their age group. However, I feel that this can all be reversed when parents are involved in active playtime, pretend time and properly communicate about a healthy lifestyle with their children and beyond into their teen years. When parents are the role model, girls won’t need to look to a doll for how they should aspire to look.<br />
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This wonderful toy should be looked at as just that…a toy. I don’t feel the Barbie doll perspective could have an effect upon young girls if the parents educate them on what a healthy body is and that people come in all shapes and sizes. The earlier we educate children on this, the better the chances are that they will ultimately be comfortable with the beautiful bodies that belong just to them, and that they will prefer to live a healthy lifestyle.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>About the Author</b>: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#christine" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Christine</a>.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-14353309599811473732016-08-02T08:00:00.000-04:002016-08-02T08:00:17.473-04:00Sniffles and Sneezes<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Jenn Ripepi, MD, The Choosy Pediatrician </b></div>
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It's a beautiful summer day and someone has a runny nose. How can that be? Is it a cold? Is it allergies? It is hard to know what to do about those sniffles and sneezes sometimes. Let me just give you a few little tips when wiping those runny noses.<br />
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<li><b>Viruses are the usual culprits for runny noses</b>: They are also associated with low-grade fevers, cough, and the general blahs we get with the common cold. We can catch them any time of the year and you will typically have more than one family member with symptoms around the same time. We pick up these "bugs" from others who have been ill and they can be on surfaces in public areas. </li>
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<li><i>Tip to steer clear of viruses</i>: Hand washing is the best way to try to prevent these illnesses any time of the year. Check out the Choosy Kids song ‘<a href="http://www.choosykids.com/docs/lyrics/wigglegiggle/Track06.pdf" target="_blank"><i>My Hands Need Washed</i></a>’ to help with hand washing!</li>
<li>Don't forget to cover a cough or sneeze, get rest, and drink fluids while you have a cold. If your children are active and pretty much their typical selves when they have a cold, it's a good sign they're doing fine and no need for any other treatment. For worsening or persistent symptoms then perhaps a call or visit to your healthcare provider is warranted. </li>
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<li><b>Unfortunately, your body may be allergic</b>: Allergies are sometimes a bit of a challenge to figure out but the good news is that most are mild annoyances and self limited. Some are easy to detect. If you walk into a room where there is a pet and suddenly sneeze and have itchy, watery eyes when starting to pet the animal, you are likely displaying allergy symptoms. Most allergies from environmental causes make our bodies release histamine and other chemicals. These most often cause an itching reaction such as itchy, watery eyes and/or nose, hives on our skin or a scratchy throat. Many people sneeze a lot when they have allergy flares. A tendency to allergies may be inherited, though family members may be allergic to different things or have varying severity of their symptoms. A seasonal pattern tends to occur with "hayfever" and so noting when the symptoms occur may help to solve the puzzle. If the symptoms include fever or difficulty breathing, especially if the onset is sudden and severe, professional care is urgently warranted. For mild symptoms, avoiding the cause if you know it is helpful. For more specific treatments I recommend you talk to you healthcare provider.</li>
<li><b>It’s just in the air</b>: Sometimes our runny noses may be caused by the environment but not necessarily be allergies. When they air is very dry and dusty, our bodies need to keep our noses moist and clean. So then we may have the need to sneeze, have watery noses or mild congestion, maybe some coughs and even watery eyes. Sometimes we have very low humidity inside our homes, especially in winter. Do you ever walk around shocking each other or having staticky hair? Well that dry air will cause our noses to make more mucus and secrete moisture. During this time, we really don't feel sick, we just have a stuffy nose. Humidifier and vaporizers can help as well as drinking lots of fluids.</li>
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Keeping runny noses under control may be challenging but most often it's minor. A part of childhood. In fact, the American Sign Language sign for ‘kids’ is a nose wipe!<br />
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<b>Do your children tend to have cold symptoms more in the summer months than the winter months? How old were your children when you discovered an allergy? Share your stories so other parents can relate their situations. </b><br />
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<b>About the Author: </b>I have been a pediatrician for over 25 years. My husband and I have been privileged to raise 4 bright and healthy children. I have tried to gather wisdom from the families I have been blessed to meet during my journey. I believe in practical and flexible parenting to help raise healthy adults. I love to garden, hike, travel and cook and I am looking forward to hearing from Choosy followers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-84003248382085224072016-07-26T08:00:00.000-04:002016-07-26T08:00:02.288-04:00Choosy Says ABC, 123, Protect Your Eyes from Harmful UV! 5 Tips for Keeping Eyes Safe and Encouraging Your Child to Wear Sunglasses<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Christine Cox, <a href="http://www.thechoosymommy.com/" target="_blank">The Choosy Mommy</a></b></div>
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As I look around the playground, 9 out of 10 moms are wearing sunglasses, protecting their own eyes from harmful UV rays. However, I start to question why my children are the only ones who are wearing their sunglasses while running around playing with the other kids. Protecting a child’s eyes should be just as important as putting on sunscreen before heading outside, eating wholesome meals and brushing your teeth twice a day. But why do parents avoid looking at the big picture of eye health? Just like learning the ABCs and 123s, Choosy says to protect your eyes from harmful UVs!<br />
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Whether you have a newborn baby or are 100 years old, protecting your eyesight should never get old. Finding the perfect pair of sunglasses should be just as important for children as it is for adults. Why? Because according to <a href="http://skincancer.org/">skincancer.org</a>, children under age 10 are at a higher risk for skin and eye damage from UV rays. The skin on their eyelids and around their eyes is more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin. UV ray damage builds over time, so the sooner you start protecting your children's eyes from the sun, the lower their risk will be of ever developing future eye problems.<br />
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how do you find the best sunglasses for your little ones? Here are 5 helpful tips to keep eyes safe and to encourage your child to wear sunglasses:<br />
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<li>Make sure you purchase sunglasses that are durable and protect against UV rays instead of just pretend plastic sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that are shatterproof and block 100% of the UV rays.</li>
<li>Let children choose their own pair. Choosy picked a purple pair and wears them constantly! There are sunglasses with super heroes, princesses, animals, prints and of course, come in multiple shapes, sizes and colors. </li>
<li>The bigger, the better. Big sunglasses are stylish now for moms, and they are for children too. The more sunglass lens and frame there is, the more the skin is protected around the eyes. But make sure the sunglasses are comfortable and stay on your child’s face. There are super comfortable straps available to put on sunglasses to keep them from falling off little faces.</li>
<li>Wearing sunglasses is a learned “habit”. My 1 year old will put on and take off his sunglasses repeatedly, but I always make sure I offer them, tell him how cool he looks in them, and never force him to wear them. I did the same with my 3 year old and now she wears her sunglasses whenever we are outside without me even prompting her. Her “sunnies” are stylish, comfortable and fun to her, but to me they are protecting her sight for years to come. </li>
<li>Sunglasses aren’t just for the summer time. Remember to protect you and your children’s eyes in the winter too as the reflections beating off of the snow can be even more harmful to eyes than when the sun reflects off of water. My 3 year old likes to wear big snow goggles in the winter time as they help keep her face 100% covered in the cold.</li>
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<b>Do you wear sunglasses? If you have a child/children, do they? What are your tips on getting children to wear sunglasses?</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>About the Author</b>: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/p/our-bloggers.html#christine" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Christine</a>.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-20002969219285381142016-07-19T08:00:00.000-04:002016-07-19T08:00:01.367-04:00Why You Shouldn’t Use Baby Talk When Speaking to Your Children About Their Bodies<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Molly Luke, Early Intervention Specialized Instruction Teacher, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, Norristown, PA</b></div>
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At age 29 I gave birth to a beautiful little boy. The first weeks were exhausting to say the least. My husband and I were sleep deprived, hungry, and it felt like we constantly had a revolving door with family in to visit the newest member of the family. And along with all of those initial parent experiences, my husband and I were making first time decisions as parents! When to feed the baby, how many baths a week to give the baby, who gets the baby next when he cries, should we start putting him in the crib…and then, what do we call his private parts? This makes me laugh, but triggers a larger discussion that I believe is important for all parents, whether first timers or season pros.<br />
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Everyone goes gaga for babies, but that doesn’t mean you need to talk that way to them. Baby talk can be a great way for newborns and infants to learn what words sound like (“Whooooo is that prettttttty baaaaabaaay?”) but when it comes time to get serious with our body parts, it is just as important to go straight to the real name for a penis or vagina just as it is to call your nose and toes by their proper names.<br />
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Maybe my parents were just not comfortable with themselves to discuss the body with me OR maybe their families raised them shy of these discussions as well. Regardless, this was my turn to hold the reigns and make decision for my growing family. Many pediatricians urge parents to use proper terms for body parts to children for a number of reasons but the big one is so that we all know exactly what a child is talking about should there be a problem with that certain area.<br />
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So my husband and I decided that we shouldn’t shy our son from his body and these words were not of a laughing matter. We would use REAL names from the beginning so that we got comfortable with saying these words aloud and hopefully this will make things more comfortable down the road when we need to speak about sex to our son.<br />
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Now our house was filled with dirty diapers, couch naps, cries and PENIS talk. At first we just laughed when describing the inch sized penis when changing his diaper, but now the word just rolls off our tongues in a professional parenting manner when potty training our son. The comfort has set in and the giggles fizzled away. My mother still has a hard time with this. When babysitting him in the beginning and now, she still talks “baby talk”. The nonsense words used to label food and body parts drive me up the wall. Not that I don’t spoil and act silly with my now 3 year old, but my husband and I just have an honest way when talking to him. No bribing, no nonsense terms (i.e. “wawa” for water)…and some family members still have a hard time accepting this and playing by the “rules”.<br />
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We all travel through these developmental stages. Some ideas are more stressed and pinpointed from certain theorists than others. Regardless, as we grow our minds and bodies grow as well. It’s up to us and our surroundings if we can accept and acknowledge what occurs, and how we adjust and mature. As a parent, I am trying to make this growth as “normal” to other every day routines. This way when my family is at an age and stage where support is needed, some of the stress from words and terms will be familiar and hopefully I can pass on as much comfort as he needs.<br />
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Choosy Kids has a bunch of songs about your body. To name a few, you can check out:<br />
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<li>This Is My Body</li>
<li>I'm The Boss</li>
<li>When I Move My Parts</li>
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Purchase the CDs at <a href="http://choosykids.com/store/index.php/music-and-video.html">www.choosykids.com.</a></div>
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<b>About the Author: </b>Hello! I have been teaching for about 10 years now, ages Pre-K through 8th grade…needless to say, I am a life-long learner and always looking for new thing to challenge my body and brain to do in a classroom! Outside of the classroom, family comes first! My husband Dan, baby Marshall and basset hound Penelope enjoy my naturally caffeinated personality on a regular basis. The whole family enjoys traveling, and I personally have a goal of visiting all 7 continents! 2 more to go! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215571588156030388.post-82854692900135690922016-07-05T08:00:00.000-04:002016-07-05T08:00:07.904-04:00Long Summer Days Doesn’t Mean Sit Around Indoors<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By: Patrick Tate, MD</b></div>
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The days are about as long as they’ll get, which means summer is here. Plenty of time spent at swimming pools, area parks, backyards and the great outdoors should be on the agenda for physically active families (and remember if you do these things, tell us about them so we can check them off from the <a href="http://choosykids.blogspot.com/2016/06/100th-choosy-kids-blog-celebration.html" target="_blank">#100ChoosyIdeas summer list!</a>).<br />
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Unfortunately, for many children, a large amount of their time will be spent sitting even in those outdoor spaces. Technology that encourages inactivity is an enormous barrier to getting the recommended daily amount of physical activity per day in children. From tablets to phones, video game systems to good old TV, there are a lot of reasons to stay in your seat after a long day…or all day. Especially since many of these options are now mobile. “Go get some fresh air” may be taken literally – with the tablet or phone enjoying some rays alongside your child.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll9asVlxkZEJfDKOKKXDFvBvdB1qd1mpbsXuobz-n8QsFmRHUiQh8t0pgnI1ar34k_sklZYXfILmxRQfeqz5Nvi_ehEQuqrov_DiFjBv0FTdq8vCKAXb_FuL0aWQrUuOmtuYBs0END_mZ/s1600/FB+adn+TT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Outdoor Play " border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll9asVlxkZEJfDKOKKXDFvBvdB1qd1mpbsXuobz-n8QsFmRHUiQh8t0pgnI1ar34k_sklZYXfILmxRQfeqz5Nvi_ehEQuqrov_DiFjBv0FTdq8vCKAXb_FuL0aWQrUuOmtuYBs0END_mZ/s320/FB+adn+TT.png" title="Twitter and Facebook Image Outdoor" width="320" /></a></div>
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The current recommendation is for at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily; with a limit on screen time to 2 hours or less per day. This includes homework, summer school, TV, smartphone use, computer time and video games. Yes, there are ways to be physically active that may incorporate a screen (dancing games, exercise games), but generally, physical activity and “screen time” don’t mix. Furthermore, I believe that exploring and interacting with one’s physical environment is of incredible value to childhood development.<br />
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Perhaps it’s a simple walk outside after dinner, or a daily nature walk, making a collection of items from your neighborhood or local park. Maybe you routinely visit playgrounds and encourage well supervised free-play. No matter what outdoor activity you choose, children of all ages and stages exercise their mind and hone their motor skills when challenged to engage the world we live in. For our climate it’s especially important to “jump” on these opportunities when we can, because for many families, a portion of our year demands a focus on more indoor activities.<br />
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Equally important is for the parent to nurture a child’s inherent spirit of adventure by modeling one with an emphasis on activity outdoors. Although more organized outdoor activities such as swim lessons, scouting trips, and sports are important components of a child’s physical and social development, a family that makes a daily practice of engaging their children in outdoor free play will enjoy a more balanced and healthy lifestyle overall.<br />
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So get out there and play with your kids! <b>What is your favorite thing to do outside with your children?</b><br />
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<b>About the Author</b>: Dr. Tate is a Pediatrician for <a href="http://www.childrenspeds.com/find/locations/south-hills-pediatric-associates-mon-valley" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Children’s Community Pediatrics –South Hills Pediatric Associates</a>, and he is currently accepting new patients. South Hills Pediatric Associates has been providing pediatric care for over 40 years, and has a new office in Monongahela, PA. This office is in addition to locations in Jefferson Hills, PA, and Brentwood, PA. For more information about our walk-in hours, same day sick appointments, and other questions please call 412-882-7747.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617513273452456683noreply@blogger.com37