Archive for June, 2008
Children’s Television – Questions and Answers
posted by Amanda Scheerer
Deciding upon the appropriate amount of television viewing time for children can be a tricky decision for parents, who may wonder: ‘What are they watching? What are they learning? Is it okay to let them watch just long enough to vacuum and make dinner? How long is too long? Are they too young?’ Well, here are some answers to those questions AND some questions for you too.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no TV at all for children under 2 and no more than two hours a day for older children. With that guideline set firmly in mind, there have also been studies on television and its impact on children and families that support the fact that television, in regulated doses, for children 3 and older, can be beneficial in some ways.
The research found that there is evidence to suggest that educational television programs, such as Sesame Street and Mister Rogers, can aid in the acquisition of general knowledge plus improve overall cognitive knowledge among young children.
There is also evidence in the literature that children’s imaginative play can be positively affected by television content. Furthermore, there is evidence that educational television programming that emphasizes diversity can improve children’s racial attitudes. (See article at: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/ )
For some good information on how to make television a more positive experience for your family, check out this link to an article regarding guidelines provided by the AACAP (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) at http://www.aacap.org/
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Here in Nevada County, Grass Valley School Readiness in collaboration with Family Connections of Nevada County has been producing a local cable children’s television show called George and Willy’s World for over a year now. We want to hear your opinions about the show.
George and Willy’s World is geared for children aged 3 to 6 years old. The show features storytelling, family activities, crafts, and interviews with local community members. The show’s host, Corlene Mapes, is a popular 3rd grade teacher at Hennessy Elementary School. She is joined each week by George and Willy, two lovely reading assistance dogs who work with local libraries and various schools in the area.
This program is aired on Channel 11 (NCTV) every Wednesday at 8:30 am as well as on Fridays at 4:00 pm. George and Willy’s World is also available for viewing online and DVD’s of the episodes are available for your checkout at both the Madelyn Helling Library in Nevada City and at the downtown Grass Valley Library.
For those of you who have never seen the show, you may preview an episode here: http://video.google.com/ . Your input on the show would be GREATLY appreciated.
For those of you who have watched the show, we would also be very interested to know how often you have watched the show and how old are the children that watch it with you?
There are 40 episodes available for viewing online; after watching one or two or three of them, if you could take just a moment of your time to give us your thoughts on what you liked or didn’t like, or just to pass on some ideas for future program guests or activities that you think your child would like to see, we would love to hear them – please email your comments to GeorgeAndWillysWorld@yahoo.com or, alternatively, you can send regular mail to George and Willy’s World, c/o Grass Valley School Readiness, 235 South Auburn Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945.
We know you care about what your children are watching, and so do we. Let us know how you feel we are doing with the George and Willy’s World program, or how we can improve, and we will look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions to guide us in future programming decisions.
Add comment June 27, 2008
Summer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!!
posted by Wendy Van Wagner
This is a meal that always hits the spot. In fact, we had it for dinner last night! Grilled cheese can be the perfect forum to try and add new vegetables to. I like to make is extra special by using a special cheese, tomatoes and now that it is summer, arugula!
And if you are feeling really adventurous, try adding a fruit jam to the bread along with mustard, the flavors of spicy and sweet really work well!
You will need:
2 slices of your favorite (or your kids’) bread
2 thick slices of cheese, I like to use extra sharp chedder
1 Tsp mustard
4 slices of juicy, ready to burst tomato
1 Tbs olive oil
To make the best grilled cheese sandwich ever:
Spread the mustard on both pieces of bread
Lay the cheese and tomatoes and what ever else you have on hand on one of the pieces of bread and top with the other slice of bread.
Now, in a cast iron skillet, heat your oil and then place the sandwich in the skillet
Top with another heavy skillet so that the sandwich is heavy and the melting can comence!
Cook for about 3 minutes on each side at medium high-heat.
This is the perfect sandwich to enjoy with a light salad or soup.
Enjoy!
Wendy Van Wagner is a certified nutrition educator. She teaches cooking class to both children and adults. To book a cooking party or private event, please email wendyvanwagner@gmail.com or visit wendyvanwagner.com
Add comment June 27, 2008
Confident Mama
posted by Laurie Chamberlin
I was walking to my car last week when I saw this adorable little baby asleep in a front carrier while his mama was humming and unloading groceries into her car. “Laurie!” exclaimed Debra and took me by surprise as I hadn’t realized I knew her. “I read your article on Flat Head Syndrome in the Briar Patch Newsletter. I ran right out and bought this!” Debra stroked the fabric of the navy colored front carrier. “He loves it.” she explained. “He falls right asleep whenever I put him in it.” Debra beamed with a vibrant smile and a confidence I hadn’t seen during her pregnancy. I looked at my own two children who were oohing and aahing over the smiling mother and adorable sleeping newborn.
Driving away I felt a sense of gratitude for that interaction. Debra looked so happy and was obviously settling into motherhood well. The last time I saw her was during her pregnancy and she was having trouble communicating her needs to her doctor. I looked right into her eyes back then and said, “This is what parenting is, it is about communicating our needs and making decisions for our family that might not please others.” Debra looked me right back in the eye and said, “I’m not good at that.” I winked at her with a smile and said, “You can be.”
It turns out Debra was able to discuss what was important to her with her doctor. It was a step that helped her to take an active role in the decision making process of her baby’s birth. Some studies have shown that when mothers take an active role in their birth experience they feel more positively. When mothers feel better about their birth experience, one can only imagine that they are more inclined to settle into motherhood with greater ease because they are starting from a place of confidence. I saw this very sweetly in Debra who will forever be etched in my mind loading groceries into her car as confident as could be.
For a list of classes go to www.lauriechamberlin.com
Laurie Chamberlin, CD, ICCE, LE teaches childbirth preparation classes, lactation classes and is a prenatal counselor serving the Grass Valley/Nevada City/Auburn area. For more information contact: www.lauriechamberlin.com lauriechamberlin@comcast.net or call 530.477.5442
Add comment June 24, 2008
Support Found to be Key Element for Breastfeeding
posted by Laurie Chamberlin
“If I would have had you when I was having my babies it would have been a whole different experience” exclaims Sandi a soon to be grandmother after a recent prenatal breastfeeding class. I smile and consider how many times I’ve heard this before. After all, support is crucial when new mothers and babies are learning to breastfeed.
“I was absolutely committed to breastfeeding” says Polly, Yet, in the middle of the night when her son was 3 weeks old, she was exhausted and looking for a break. Her husband woke to find her crawling across the floor toward the box of pre-made formula given to her by the hospital. Her husband, Mike, realized at that moment that he had a choice. “I could take the baby and give him a bottle of formula and let my wife sleep, or I could take him and rock him to sleep without the bottle.” Mike chose to support breastfeeding. He had been prepared for this moment and although he was tired, he knew his support was key. “If I hadn’t been prepared for this moment I might have told her to just give him a bottle. In the class we learned how introducing a bottle too soon could interfere with breastfeeding and even lead to other problems. I’d recommend this class to every pregnant couple, there’s nothing to loose, only gain and it’s even free!”
For a list of classes go to www.lauriechamberlin.com
Laurie Chamberlin, CD, ICCE, LE teaches childbirth preparation classes, lactation classes and is a prenatal counselor serving the Grass Valley/Nevada City/Auburn area. For more information contact: lauriechamberlin@comcast.net or call 530.477.5442
Add comment June 11, 2008
No Growling Allowed
posted by Carol White
My daughter’s class spent a month this year studying bears and camping. Her teacher had a sign in the classroom that read, “No Growling Allowed.” Now no one in the whole world, unless you know us really, really, well, would ever guess that my daughter growls. She looks far too quiet and sweet to growl, but trust me, she does. I’ll see her coming towards me with both hands on her hips and a low “grrrrr.” I’ve never met a bear in the woods, but I’m sure my reaction would be about the same—curl up in a ball, and get ready to be mauled.
Usually growling goes hand-in-hand with not enough sleep. This this time of year, not enough sleep is the norm. Since the time change my daughter has woken up every morning at 6 a.m. If you keep her up until midnight, she also wakes up at 6 a.m., except every once in a while when she sleeps until 6:45 a.m. Now getting her to bed early enough for her to feel rested in the morning is next to impossible. Every night we try to go upstairs to bed at 7 p.m. and then maybe she’ll be fast asleep by 8 p.m. Usually it’s more like 8:45 p.m. and then the next morning at 6 a.m. she is wide awake and growling.
Once summer vacation rolls around and she is up late every night for a couple of weeks, she’ll finally throw in the towel and start sleeping until 8 a.m. I can’t wait. This time of year with the nights getting shorter it’s all I can stand to start bedtime at 7 p.m. Bring on summer vacation… I’m ready!
Add comment June 10, 2008
Carol White