Spelling and Typing Help for Your Kids

Thanks for sharing your favorite parenting and education sites. Here's another one, www.math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org.

The site does have google ads, so if you are offended by ads on websites this is not a site for you. Access to the articles and games appears to be 100% free and I encountered no pop-ups or offensive ads during my visit.

Here are two highlights from the site...

Three Spelling Games
http://math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/articles/Three_Spelling_Games.html

The Typing of the Ghosts
http://math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/kids_games/the_typing_of_the_ghosts.html

As the song goes, "It's the most wonderful time of year!" We begin on Thanksgiving (well maybe Halloween), we eat our way through New Year's Day...sometimes stretching it through Super Bowl Sunday. How can we refuse these beautiful meals and treats prepared by our families and friends? We certainly don't want to insult the cook. :) The average American gains 5 lbs. during the holiday season. It's an important health issue for our children too.

Here are two really concise resources to help you avoid unnecessary weight gain. In fact these tips are useful year round.

A colorful kid-friendly document from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture - Food and Nutritian Services. Print this for your kids.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/mpk_tips.pdf

Tips from WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-ways-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy these holiday links:

How to make very cute Indian Corn napkin rings:
http://family.go.com/entertainment/craft-ff-26033-indian-corn-napkin-rings-t/

Need to occupy your kids while you cook? Try this Thanksgiving word scramble:
http://www.schoolfamily.com/print-and-use-tools/document/787-thanksgiving-word-scramble

Start a Thanksgiving Tradition with Your Child: http://specialchildren.about.com/od/thanksgiving/a/tradition.htm

Check back on Friday for some tips on working off those extra holiday pounds. :) For now, enjoy the holiday with your family!

Talking to Kids About Smoking

The Great American Smoke Out is November 20th

In recognition of the 2008 Great American Smoke Out, we found the following article, "Kids and Smoking," on www.KidsHealth.org. We've pasted it here, but if you have time, check out more of the KidsHealth.org website.

"The health risks of tobacco are well known, yet the rates of smoking and the use of chewing tobacco continue to grow. Many people pick up these habits when they're young — in fact, 90% of all adult smokers started when they were kids. And each day, more than 4,400 kids become regular smokers.

So it's important to make sure kids understand the dangers that go along with tobacco use. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. It can cause cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. Chewing tobacco (smokeless or spit tobacco) can lead to nicotine addiction, oral cancer, gum disease, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.

Giving kids information about the risks of smoking and chewing tobacco, and establishing clear rules and your reasons for them, can help protect them from these unhealthy habits.
You should also know the warning signs of tobacco use and constructive ways to help someone kick the habit.

The Facts About Tobacco
* One of the major problems with smoking and chewing tobacco has to do with the chemical nicotine. A person can get addicted to nicotine within days of a first encounter with it. In fact, the nicotine in tobacco can be as addictive as cocaine or heroine. Nicotine affects mood as well as the heart, lungs, stomach, and nervous system.
* And there are other health risks. Short-term effects of smoking include coughing and throat irritation. Over time, more serious conditions may develop, including increases in heart rate and blood pressure, bronchitis, and emphysema.
* Finally, numerous studies indicate that young smokers are more likely to experiment with marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or other illicit drugs.

Preventing Kids From Picking Up the Habit
Kids might be drawn to smoking and chewing tobacco for any number of reasons — to look cool, act older, lose weight, win cool merchandise, seem tough, or feel independent. But parents can combat those draws and keep kids from trying — and getting addicted to — tobacco.

Establish a good foundation of communication with your kids early on to make it easier to work through tricky issues like tobacco use.
Some guidelines to keep in mind:
* Discuss sensitive topics in a way that doesn't make kids fear punishment or judgment.
* Emphasize what kids do right rather than wrong. Self-confidence is a child's best protection against peer pressure.
* Encourage kids to get involved in activities that prohibit smoking, such as sports.
* Show that you value your kids' opinions and ideas.
* It's important to keep talking to kids about the dangers of tobacco use over the years. Even the youngest child can understand that smoking is bad for the body.
* Ask what kids find appealing — or unappealing — about smoking. Be a patient listener.
* Read, watch TV, and go to the movies with your kids. Compare media images with what happens in reality.
* Discuss ways to respond to peer pressure to smoke. Your child may feel confident simply saying "no." But also offer alternative responses such as "It will make my clothes and breath smell bad" or "I hate the way it makes me look."
* Encourage kids to walk away from friends who don't respect their reasons for not smoking.
* Explain how much smoking governs the daily life of kids who start doing it. How do they afford the cigarettes? How do they have money to pay for other things they want? How does it affect their friendships?
* Establish firm rules that exclude smoking and chewing tobacco from your house and explain why: Smokers smell bad, look bad, and feel bad, and it's bad for everyone's health.

If Your Child Smokes
If you smell smoke on your child's clothing, try not to overreact. Ask about it first — maybe your child has been hanging around with friends who smoke or just tried one cigarette. Many kids do try a cigarette at one time or another but don't go on to become regular smokers.
Additional signs of tobacco use include:
* coughing
* throat irritation
* hoarseness
* bad breath
* decreased athletic performance
* greater susceptibility to colds
* stained teeth and clothing (also signs of chewing tobacco use)
* shortness of breath

Sometimes even the best foundation isn't enough to stop kids from experimenting with tobacco. It may be tempting to get angry, but it's more productive to focus on communicating with your child.
Here are some tips that may help:
* Resist lecturing or turning your advice into a sermon.
* Uncover what appeals to your child about smoking and talk about it honestly.
* Many times, kids aren't able to appreciate how their current behaviors can affect their future health. So talk about the immediate downsides to smoking: less money to spend on other pursuits, shortness of breath, bad breath, yellow teeth, and smelly clothes.
* Stick to the smoking rules you've set up. And don't let a child smoke at home to keep the peace.
* If you hear, "I can quit any time I want," ask your child to show you by quitting cold turkey for a week.
* Try not to nag. Ultimately, quitting is your child's decision.
* Help your child develop a quitting plan and offer information and resources, and reinforce the decision to quit with praise.
* Stress the natural rewards that come with quitting: freedom from addiction, improved fitness, better athletic performance, and improved appearance.
* Encourage a meeting with your child's doctor, who can be supportive emotionally and may have treatment plans.

If You Smoke
Kids are quick to observe any contradiction between what their parents say and what they do. Despite what you might think, most kids say that the adult whom they most want to be like when they grow up is a parent.
If you're a smoker:
* First, admit to that you made a mistake by starting to smoke and that if you had it to do over again, you'd never start.
* Second, quit. It's not simple and it may take a few attempts and the extra help of a program or support group. But your kids will be encouraged as they see you overcome your addiction to tobacco."
"Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MDDate reviewed: November 2007"

Sock Probability Game - From GreatSchools.net

One of our PTA parents suggested this website, http://www.greatschools.net/. On this site, we found a fun game. Check out this article by Miriam Myers of GreatSchools.net.

"Sock Probability"
How you can help at home: Have your child explore probability with socks.
By Miriam Myers, GreatSchools Staff

"In this math activity your child explores prediction and probability using different colored socks.
What You'll Need
* Paper
* Pen or pencil
* 10 socks in various colors

Here's How to Do It Talk with your child about probability, the chance or likelihood of a certain event occurring. Explain that probability can be expressed as a ratio of the number of specific events or outcomes to the total number of possible events or outcomes. Go over examples of probability with your child, such as the probability of a coin being tossed heads up (1/2 ). What is the probability of rolling an odd number on a die? (3/6) or (1/2).

Have your child grab 10 socks from his sock drawer, making sure they are different colors. Have your child go through each color and write down the probability of picking each sock. For example if there are three white socks the probability is 3/10 for white. Put the socks in a bag and have your child predict which color sock he will pull out. After he has chosen a sock, have him write down the color chosen and put the sock back in the bag. Have him continue this nine more times. When he is done have him compare the probability to the outcomes."

Get Emergency Related Text Alerts...

Would you like to receive text messages regarding local emergencies?

This info was provided by the City of Santa Clarita:

"All residents are be able to subscribe to automatically receive emergency related text alerts (eAlerts) from the City by simply texting the term "SCEMERGENCY" to 41411 from any mobile phone device and mobile service provider. For added convenience, in lieu of setting this up from your mobile phone residents can also subscribe to this service by visiting the City's website at http://www.santa-clarita.com/emergency. From there you will be able to enter your mobile phone number in the "Text Message Alerts" subscription box located on the right side of the page to set up this important service. As with any type of texting system, residents are reminded that standard texting fees apply (typically 5 to 10 cents per text) and will be charged by your mobile phone provider. Please know that it is the City's sole intent to utilize the eAlert system only in times of emergency and will in no way use this system to forward any non-emergency/unsolicited messages.

For more information regarding the City's new eAlert system please contact the City's Webmaster at webmaster@santa-clarita.com. "

Tips for Parents of Middle School & Jr. High Students

Making the transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high school can be challenging for students and parents. Your child is excited to be more independent, yet they may be a little apprehensive. Parents are unsure how much and what type of support to give their child. Here's a great article that addresses those concerns, called "Success Tips from a Middle School Principal." http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=2162

P.S. Here is a little book that is a big help for pre-teens and teens. Check it out: Super Study Skills by Laurie Rozakis

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Study-Skills-Scholastic-Guides/dp/0439216079

Best Online Parenting Resources

I'm turning the blog to you today. Please share your favorite online parenting resources. What sites or blogs do you visit when you seek advice on a parenting issue? Where do you turn when you want to enhance your parenting skills? I will gather your feedback and share these tips with our readers in a future posting. You may comment here. Or, if you wish to remain anonymous you may email me directly at TamaraDowling@gmail.com.

Looking forward to hearing from YOU!

Have you heard of 661arts?

Frequently I hear fellow SCV parents say, we are so fortunate to live in the Santa Clarita Valley area. Here is yet another reason...the access to the arts. Thanks to many loyal supporters of the arts, we will have even more reasons to be thankful as they continue to advocate for more opportunities to experience the arts right here in our valley.

Do you want to know what's happening in the Santa Clarita visual and performing arts scene? Just take a moment to visit http://www.661arts.com/. There you will find a terrific resource, including a calendar of events.

What is 661Arts? Here it is in their words, "661Arts is an alliance of artists and arts organizations working together to create and to promote an awareness of culture in Santa Clarita. This site serves as a point of access for the community to discover visual and performing arts, and arts events in the Santa Clarita Valley."

Building Vocab & Feeding Hungry Children!

Often we hear reports on the news about how challenging our mind strenthens our mental agility. Many experts recommend crossword puzzles, knowledge quizzes, and math games. Well, have I got a website for you! You spend as much or little time as you want answering a multiple choice vocabulary questions. For each question you answer correctly, 20 grains of rice are donated to help end hunger. Check it out: http://www.freerice.com/

Try it today...bet you'll be hooked. As you are increasing your brainpower, you are fighting hunger! Another example of how we can take small steps to make a difference in our world.

It's a Give-Apalooza at the Hunger Defense Fund

Wendi at the Hunger Defense Fund invites our local families to check out the Give-Apalooza charity concert.

* December 13th - 7pm - La Mesa Junior High School - 26623 May Way Drive, Santa Clarita

* Aiding the Hunger Defense Fund and the community toy drive sponsored by the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station.

* Admission per person: A bag of groceries or unwrapped toys valued @ $15 or $15 donation at the door.

* Featuring: Godspeed, Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, and The Truth --- Please check out the myspace page below for more information on the performers and show.

For more info:

Jim Gustin (661) 221-0448 / jimigust@ca.rr.com

Jeri Goldenhar (661) 644-2028 / jerig@chei.net

www.myspace.com/giveapalooza

From Your Council Fundraising Advisor

Brenda is always finding new resources for fundraising chairpersons. She wrote us today with some terrific new online resources. Check it out and let us know what you think.

"I found this great little web site for fundraising ideas. Very different." ~ Brenda

Here are the pages with the specific fundraising ideas. Many are do-it-yourself so your unit can maximize profits.

http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/CoachingResources/StockInTalk.doc

http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/CoachingResources/fundraiser.doc

http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/CoachingResources/FundraisingIdeas.doc

http://www.fundraising-ideas.org/DIY/index.html

Cool Recycling Event

A parent from North Park PTA sent us this announcement:

RECYCLE FEST

November 15th 9am until 3pm

North Park Elementary School

23335 Sunset Hills Drive (off McBean between DeCoro and CopperHill)

Bring your old cell phones, batteries, TVs, computers, cameras, video game consoles, etc.

What a great idea!

College Planning Workshops

Kris Floyd of College Planning Experts, Inc. asked me to share this information on the blog. Her company is offering these college planning workshops without charge.

November 20th
SC Activities Center
7:00-8:30 PM

November 22nd
Golden Valley High School Library
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

College Planning Experts would like to help you and your child
* find the “best match” college
* learn how to double or triple your eligibility for free grant money, and
* discover how to reduce your out of pocket costs for that college.

At this class you can learn which assets are taken into consideration by the U.S. Department of Education when calculating your Estimated Family Contribution. This class will be taught by Brian Safdari, a financial educator and nationally Certified College Planner. Brian is the host of a weekly radio show on KHTS 1220 AM, “Your College Planning Power Hour.” You can hear Brian on KHTS every Tuesday from 2:00PM to 3:00PM.

Contact Kris at 661-295-9946 ext. 203 for more information. Or visit her website: www.collegeplanningexperts.com