Mary Manz Simon's Blog, page 56
November 16, 2015
Sneak a snack
Have you noticed the increasing number of snack size options at fast food?
Many of the minis are perfectly sized for kids and offer nice alternatives to the ever-present chicken nuggets.
Arby’s has sliders, Taco Bell has baby burritos and Sonic has little hot dogs and chicken sandwiches. Popeyes “RipnChick’n” is even fun for kids to tear apart!
November 11, 2015
Lunch box chatter
Is your child tired of lunch box fixings already?
Ask your student, “What did someone have in his lunch today that you would have liked to eat?”
That word of mouth recommendation might be just what the lunch box needed.
Researchers say that this fall, moms are prioritizing nutrition, so hopefully your child will answer the question above by saying, “Yogurt, string cheese and almonds!”
November 9, 2015
Entertainer or educator?
Veteran teachers will tell you that keeping students attentive in the classroom today requires at least some ability to entertain.
Recent research tells us why:
Screens impact what happens in the brain.
Kids who are drowning in technology get desensitized to stimulation. As a result, it takes more lights/camera/action to keep them engaged in learning.
And you thought parents were the only ones addicted to tech…
November 6, 2015
Emoji talk
Is the use of emojis “dumbing down” older kids and teens?
Although the symbols effectively communicate across language and cultural barriers, some educators are concerned that the imagery too often replaces words with various shades of meaning.
As an early childhood educator, I understand this concern. We talk about helping young children build “vocabulary for emotional literacy,” so a preschooler can tell us whether he’s frustrated, hurt, embarrassed, disappointed or sad.
Although emojis continue to be added, we need to remember the important message echoed by generations of parents of preschoolers, “Use your words.”
November 4, 2015
Intergenerational play
Holiday shoppers are looking for toys and games with the potential for intergenerational play.
Although the term implies fun for various ages and stages, buyers aren’t only thinking of children. Hands-on games and toys that connect kids with parents and grandparents are proving to be popular in the initial holiday buying cycle.
Look for dimensional puzzles, building and design projects, science gadgets (think telescope, microscope) and experiments and outdoor equipment.
November 3, 2015
An ad worth watching
I’ve rarely – if ever- suggested watching a commercial, but this one is worth your time:
http://m.wmzq.com/onair/aly-jacobs-54140/wow-this-ikea-christmas-commercial-is-13082823/
November 2, 2015
Buying peace of mind
My older grandsons tease me that I’m over-concerned with safety, but with a new infant grandson, the familiar concerns about SIDS and infant risks rise to the top.
I understand why parents spend so much money on gadgets they hope will buy peace of mind. That won’t happen, even with the IoT (Internet of Things).
Although I care deeply about infant and child safety, I encourage you to resist the urge to splurge on the bottle sleeve that tracks your baby’s intake or the breathing monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Just clear the crib of toys and blankets and put your baby to sleep on his back. Those two non-techy steps really do make a difference.
October 30, 2015
Sample a sport
Our local parks will be packed with Lacrosse and soccer games tomorrow and Sunday. That’s why it’s almost hard to believe that youth participation in traditional sports continues to decline.
But the major organizations have noticed.
Actually, that’s the reason your child might experience sport sampling. Instead of being dropped from a team destined for elite play, a child might be encouraged to make a month-long commitment to a rec league for tennis, baseball or soccer. The goal: “fun.”
What a novel idea!
October 29, 2015
Un-adopters
An increasing number of college professors have become un-dopters of technology this fall.
Researchers have known for a long time that we aren’t mentally programmed to switch back and forth between information streams. So after years of allowing and even encouraging students to use laptops in classrooms, WiFi is being turned off.
I’m waiting to see how quickly this trend drops down into elementary and high schools.
October 28, 2015
Pictures make a comeback
Once a child learns to read, pictures disappear from his books. After all, a hallmark for a first grader is a book with only a few pictures.
But sometimes, all that text is overwhelming; new readers still benefit from seeing illustrations that give picture clues about the text.
That’s why I’m personally and professionally happy to see pictures are being added to some books targeted to first and second graders. In today’s visual world, a child needs to learn how to read illustrations as well as text.
