The Playdate Kids Gazette

2007-11-27T16:57:00.000-08:00

NEWS ALERT:

Playdate Kids Publishing Inks Deal for French Distribution

Playdate Kids Publishing signs a deal with Mariposa Press, Inc. to distribute their children’s books in France.

Malibu, CA—(November 23, 2007) Playdate Kids Publishing has announced that they have inked a deal with Mariposa Press, Inc. for French distribution on their children’s book titles.

With the publication of the Mariposa Press Inc. fall/winter children’s catalogue, they will be distributing the Playdate Kids Publishing products to bookstores as well as introducing the series to English language bookstores. Mariposa Press Inc. will also be representing all of the titles at both the Salon du Livre (France’s main Book-Expo) and France’s children’s book fair, the Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse. President of Playdate Kids Publishing, Tena Fanning, shares, “All of our books been so well-received in the states, we want to share them with parents and children overseas. We feel that France is a wonderful place to start!”

Playdate Kids Publishing offers two categories of books-“Growing-Up” and “Musical Series”:
· Self-esteem and Positive Self Image in The I Like Me Dance (Finalists: 2007 Children’s Picture Book - National Indie Excellence Award, & 2007 Best Books Award – USA Book News)· Personal Hygiene and Social Skills: Booger Boogie· Potty Training and Privacy: Island Potty Party (Finalist: 2007 Best Books Award – USA Book News)

All of the Following: Awarded the Golden Seal of Approval – National Parenting Center· New Baby in Family: Chloe’s New Baby Brother· Loss of a Family Pet: Chloe Losses Her Pet· Moving Away: Danny Is Moving· Distinguishing between Good & Bad Secrets: Danny’s Secret· Ill Family Member: Dakota’s Mom Goes to the Hospital· Getting Lost in Public: Dakota Gets Lost· Divorce: Cosmo’s Mom & Dad Are Moving Apart· Blended Family (Step Families Coming Together): Cosmos’ Blended Family

SAN# 6300065

2007-11-13T17:13:00.001-08:00

Playdate Kids Publishing Places as Finalist in USA Best Books Awards 2007

The I Like Me Dance and Island Potty Party place as Finalists in the Children's Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction w/ Audio CD category.

Malibu, CA—(November 13, 2007) Playdate Kids Publishing announced today that they are a finalist in the “USA BEST BOOKS AWARDS 2007” for two of their titles: Island Potty Party and The I Like Me Dance.

USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced the winners and finalists of THE NATIONAL “BEST BOOKS” 2007 AWARDS (BBA) on November 1, 2007. The winners and finalists were announced in over 140 categories covering print, audio books and courses, e-books and interactive CD-ROMs. Awards were presented for titles published in late 2006-2007.

Although Playdate Kids Publishing was competing against numerous children’s picture books, they walked away with a prestigious finalist placement. “It is exhilarating to be acknowledged and placed as a finalist,” says author and President of Playdate Kids Publishing, Tena Fanning. “We love the continued recognition and pledge to keep up the quality of our products. The feedback this past year has influenced us to continue producing amazing product for children and their parents.”

Playdate Kids Publishing offers two categories of books-“Growing-Up” and “Musical Series”:
· Self-esteem and Positive Self Image in The I Like Me Dance (Finalist in the Children’s Picture Book Category of the National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards)
· Personal Hygiene and Social Skills: Booger Boogie
· Potty Training and Privacy: Island Potty Party
· New Baby in Family: Chloe’s New Baby Brother
· Loss of a Family Pet: Chloe Losses Her Pet
· Moving Away: Danny Is Moving
· Distinguishing between Good & Bad Secrets: Danny’s Secret
· Ill Family Member: Dakota’s Mom Goes to the Hospital
· Getting Lost in Public: Dakota Gets Lost
· Divorce: Cosmo’s Mom & Dad Are Moving Apart
· Blended Family (Step Families Coming Together): Cosmos’ Blended Family

SAN# 6300065

You can visit Playdate Kids Publishing’s website at: www.playdatekidspublishing.com.

2007-11-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

In the Playdate Kids story, "DAKOTA’S MOM GOES TO THE HOSPITAL" by Dr. Annie Thiel, Dakota experiences some major life changes when her mom leaves and goes to hospital. When family members are ill, it is crucial to help a young child understand the situation and to help them release their thoughts and emotions.

Below are some tips from Dr. Annie Thiel....

Things You Can Do When Someone You Love Is Sick

Write them a letter or make them a special drawing.
Visit them in the hospital and sit with them.
Talk to someone you trust about your feelings.
Put together pictures of the two of you and make a special album to share with them.
Bring them photographs of home to keep with them in the hospital.
Help by doing some of their chores for them while they are too sick to do them.
At home, help bring food and water to the sick person.
Read aloud to the sick person if they are too tired.
Be cheerful when they are awake, and quiet when they are sleeping.
Always tell them you love them!

2007-09-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

Moving is not easy. Should you decide to move away when you have kids, "Danny is Moving" by Dr. Annie Thiel is a great resource.

Here are some tips from the book...

Things To Remember When You Move

You can still write letters to your old friends, and call them when you miss them.
It’s okay to feel scared, or nervous about moving to a new place.
Talk to someone you trust about your feelings.
Ask lots of questions about the place where you are moving.
Even though you will miss your old friends, you can make lots of new friends.
Try to talk to the new kids in your class. They are nervous about meeting you too.
Don’t worry if you don’t make new friends right away – sometimes it takes a while to get used to new people and become friends with them.
Ask your parents to help you make lots of playdates with your new friends.
Tell your parents how to make your new room special, just for you.
Moving to a new place and a new house can be very exciting!

2007-07-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

POTTY TRAINING ADVICE FROM PLAYDATE KIDS PUBLISHING

We have asked local moms and dads about their best potty training experiences. They all have this advice to share… It is not as hard as it seems, potty training can actually be really fun for both the parents and toddler! Really!! Teaching a child to use the toilet isn’t hard work if you do it right. All it requires is preparation from both the toddler and the parents.

Here are our tips on preparing for the potty:

Potty training should be a priority.

Potty training should be a top priority and parents need to reiterate the steps on a consistent basis. It is a process so as a parent, you should prepare for it just as much as your child! Even if your toddler shows signs of potty training readiness, YOU may not be ready for it! Choose a time to begin potty training when your life routine mellow. You don’t want to be pre-occupied with work or anything else.

Explain how going to the potty should work.

When you are ready to potty train, explain to your child that it's time to put his "pee-pee" and "poo- pee" in the toilet. Explain that when he feels the need to go in his diapers, he should hold it in, walk to the toilet, sit down, and let go. Just like big kids do…
Use toys to explain it further. Sit a toy (stuffed animal, doll or action figure) on a toilet and show how "[toy name] is going pee-pee in the potty." You can even put diapers on your child’s favorite stuffed animal or doll. Eventually, you can graduate the stuffed animal to “big kid” underwear.

Read a book or play music.

Share books and music about toilet learning so your child can see how other children like to use the potty. Our book, “The Island Potty Party” by author Tim Friedlander, is a great way to show a young child how much fun potty training can be!

Discuss the wonderful reward.

Talk to your child about the rewards of being potty trained: how there will be no more diaper rash, no more diaper changes that take away from playtime and the wonderful feeling of being clean, fresh and dry.

Discuss how potty training an important part of growing up.

Remind your child that using the potty makes them a “big kid” and not a baby. It is a step for growing up and that is great!

2007-07-06T00:13:00.000-07:00

How to Help Your Child Spell

Is your child having trouble on weekly spelling quizzes in school? Below are some helpful tips for parents.

Once your child has learned to master this learning technique, he/she will be able to study his/her spelling words AND possibly other homework independently.

First and foremost, make your child your own practice test. As soon as your child brings home a list of new spelling words, sit down and create a special practice test. Since studies show that children learn how to spell words by visualizing them in their minds, try not to resort to mindless copying tactics. Instead, have your child say each new word out loud in a sentence—then ask him/her to write it down.

Now, have your child grade the test with you. Keep working if there are any misspelled words.

If so, tell your child to: Say the word while looking at the paper. Close his/her eyes, visualize the word on the paper, and spell the word out loud. Look at the written word to see if it was spelled it out loud correctly. Look at the word again, then cover the word and write it down. Lastly, check to see if he's written the word correctly.

If any word is misspelled again, all four steps must be repeated. Repeat the process once again after your child finishes the list of misspelled words.

On the night before the test, give your child another practice test with all the words.

2007-06-11T23:14:00.000-07:00

Divorce and your parents?

Divorce is a very common issue nowadays. We all know couples who have split up. The percentage of married couples divorcing is so high, books have been written to ease the transition for children involved and some family therapists have opened practices devoted specifically to children of divorced families. What is often not mentioned is the pain and impact a divorce will have on the grandparents in the family.

Many grandparents are surprised by the divorce of their child, and become devastated when they realize the grandchildren they believed to be in a happy and secure home-- were not. The divorce can deeply affect the grandparents, leading them to wonder if it was their fault; perhaps they brought them up wrong or maybe they could have been more helpful. These quandaries haunt the minds of grandparents for years to come.

Grandparents may also become involved in the quarrel between divorcing couples, adding to the tension and confusion the children feel. Many grandparents are cut out of their grandchild's life by the custodial parent. The custodial parent may choose to move away, or make little effort in keeping in touch with the ex's parents. Other very vengeful parents choose to exclude the ex's parents from the child's life in an act of revenge, failing to see the detrimental impact this has on the child. This leaves the children to deal with the break-up of their parents, and the loss of an entire side of their family.

Another dilemma grandparents may face is that of loyalty. It may have been their son or daughter responsible for breaking-up the family. It is an awful situation to face and may cause the grandparent to face a terrible choice when it comes to supporting the family in turmoil. This dilemma may lead to a divide in the extended family as well.

Unfortunately, little support can be found for the parents of a divorcing couple. In many cases, a much-loved son or daughter-in-law is lost. However, grieving for the lost son or daughter is unacceptable. It leaves the mourning parent in solitude.

Often, grandparents can be thrust into taking an extremely hands-on approach with the grandchildren becoming babysitters instead of doting grandparents, thus leaving the grandparent exhausted.

If you know someone facing this unfortunate circumstance, provide then with the support they so deserve. When it comes to divorce, everyone involved needs a shoulder to cry on, not just the children. If your family is splitting up, make sure you have someone to talk to when you need. Your child and grandchildren need your strength and support, but the heartache you feel needs to be cared for as well.

By Amy Mosshart

2007-06-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading Hour

It is important during these upcoming summer months that your kids read, read, read. Reading with your child is a great way, not only to spend time quality time with them, but to spur creative thinking. Reading also helps children develop important language and vocabulary skills.

Competing for your child's attention against television, video games, and the internet may seem daunting, but in the end, the benefits you and your child will reap will definitely make it worth the effort. So here are a few tips on how to get your children reading and enjoying it.

Set a routine

Every day set aside a scheduled reading hour for your kids. Consistency is key! A set reading time is important for the same reasons that set nap times and set meal times are important. Routine gives your child a sense of security and predictability. If the transition into book time is a daily routine the whole event will be much easier and more enjoyable.

Limit distractions

Your child's imagination is a powerful and your child can be easily distracted. limit those distractions during reading time. It can be difficult, i.e. impossible, for your child to focus when Pokemon characters are battling for badges or the Care-bears are about to share. Create a quiet and comfortable area to read in away from the noise of the rest of the house. With the designated area your child will be able to focus on the book at hand.

Go to the Library

Take your child to the library. There are books on every subject
imaginable, there are even books based on their favorite TV shows.
However, do not limit your child to any specific type of book;
non-fiction is great for younger children trying to discover the world
around them. Fairytales and legends are great to help spark your
child's imagination and many storybooks, such as the Playdate Kids selection, can help your child through any situation, from moving to dealing with bullies.

Illuminate the selection of books your child can choose from and let your child do the rest. Now that you are sufficiently armed with a variety of books and your
reading hour is set, enjoy it. Make reading time fun!

Talk about the book with your child; their favorite parts,who the main character was, whether or not they like the book. On occasion do a craft pertaining to the book with your child. The biggest factor in getting your child to read this summer is your involvement. If you enjoy reading time, your child will too!

2007-05-24T10:30:00.001-07:00

Listen to our interview with ReaderViews.com!

http://www.insidescooplive.com/author-pages/Friedlander-Tim-reading-interview.html

2007-04-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

Moving shouldn’t be as hard as it is…

Moving your family away from a place they call home is not an easy deed. As soon as you find out that you’re going to be moving, you need to talk to your kids. Have a family meeting and let everyone voice their opinions without any judgment or pressure. Do this as soon as possible because the more time they have to deal with the changes, the better they will react once the time comes.

As you start planning to move, consider your kid every step of the way. This can be a difficult time for him or her, and you can definitely make it easier, if not fun, if you play it out correctly.
Some ways to make the moving process fun could be:

Letting him or her make goodbye cards for friends with new art supplies
Throwing a going away party
Letting your kid sell stuff in a fun garage sale
Allowing him or her to buy a few new things for the new bedroom

If you can help it, school age kids should not be moved during school holidays. It can make life harder for your kids since school is the best way for your kids to make new friends. If you move somewhere during the school holidays, your kids will be in a new place with no means for meeting new friends. Plus, when school is back in session, your child can have a difficult time making new friends since the other kids are hustling trying to see the friends they have missed since the holiday break.

If you can arrange for the move to occur during the school year, it can allow your kid to leave his or her friends and jump into a new friendship since school is in session and kids are more open and curious about the “new kid in class.” Since there is no pressure about getting back on track, the teacher and students will be more catering to your child. They will be more likely to show your child extra attention.

Last but not least, remember one of the most important keys to parenting-- communication. Well before you move, be sure to encourage your kid to tell you about his or her feelings. Be it good or bad, happy, sad or mad… Offer an ear and do whatever you can to make it better.

Eventually, it will all work out fine! Good luck!

2007-03-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

6 Spring Cleaning Safety Tips for a Healthy Family

Playdate Kids need to live in safe and healthy homes. Here are some spring cleaning chores that you can do to keep your family safe and improve their health:

Change the batteries in your smoke detector and make sure you install a carbon monoxide detector if you haven’t already.
Dust your home thoroughly and always remember to clean or replace your air conditioning filters. This will decrease your family’s exposure to pollens among other dander and allergens. Also, remember to vacuum regularly.
Check your garage and other storage areas for paint, thinners and other forms of “toxic” products that are dangerous to have around your home. Find a waste drop-off center near your home. Do not throw these toxic materials in your trash can.
Organize your medicine cabinets. Throw away any expired medications (some say you can be safe as long as they are not over 3 months old) and old prescription medications that are no longer needed. This will lessen the chances of you or your children taking something they shouldn’t and you will also gain more space for new products and medications.
Clean all mold and mildew with non-toxic cleaning products. Mold and mildew are very harmful to your health.
Assess the products under your sinks and cabinets for expired or toxic cleaning products. They are harmful and dangerous-- dispose of anything that is unsafe for your children and family.

2007-01-25T13:16:00.000-08:00

How to Use Self-Help Books for Kids

Self-help books are helpful for individuals of any age going through any matter. They can offer advice, ways to cope, ideas, support and more. Self-help books for kids are just as important. Although young children may not be able to read a book and take away the advice meant especially for them—they can understand that they are not alone, and learn to subconsciously cope since they understand their situation better that before they read the book.

Many individuals can use children’s self-help books. Teachers can use them in class or in one-on-one meetings, therapists, counselors, doctors and psychologists can use them during sessions and parents can use them at home as a tool for bonding and helping their children.

Here are some tips for the best way to use a children’s self-help book to its maximum benefit:

Ø Introduce the book to the child as if it were just a regular, fun book. Don’t tell the child that it is supposed to help them, offer advice or teach them anything.
Ø Let the child examine the book on their own for the first time. Let the child get to know the illustrations (and if they can read—get the gist of the storyline alone initially).
Ø Read the book with the child and explain the situation page by page in a lighthearted, yet serious manner.

Self-help books that are written by doctors offer medical advice based on years of studies, research and testing. They are tailored specifically to offer just the right amount of advice blended with just the right amount of freedom one needs for “do-it-yourself healing.”

The Playdate Kids series allows children to understand their difficult life situation from an outsider’s prospective, yet feel secure that other kids go through the same problems. The characters offer a friendly perspective on each issue while teaching the child reader that it is extremely important to share your emotions with a trusted adult.

The goal of our self-help books is this: to assist in a child’s healing process while simultaneously and effortlessly strengthening their social skills. To learn more about the books, visit the website at: www.theplaydatekids.com.

2007-01-15T22:55:00.000-08:00

A New Year

It is 2007, and if you are anything like most people, you have made a New Year's Resolution. If your resolution has anything to do with your children-- even better!

Here are some great ideas for New Year's Resolutions for parents:

Spend more time with the family
Eliminate as much junk food from the home as possible
Replace sodas and juices with water
Take the family on an outing at least once a month (park, zoo, library, fair, beach)
Open a savings account for each child and deposit $25 for the new year
Discuss the newspaper together
Go see a play together at least once every three months. Exposing your kids to the arts is excellent for their future.

Here are some ideas for New Year's Resolutions for your kids:

Make the bed each morning
Eat more fruits and veggies
Brush teeth and wash face twice a day: morning and night
Eliminate soda
Read a new book each week and discuss it with mom or dad
Make sure to get enough exercise, watch less TV

If you already have a resolution, great! Keep track of the progress in a journal. You can even make your own private journal on the computer. Try to keep at it because a new year calls for a great new change. Try to make your 2007 as positive as possible!

Good Luck!

2006-12-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

All of us at Playdate Kids Publishing wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season. For all of you who celebrate Christmas, we hope that Santa Claus brought magic and joy into your homes on Christmas morning.

Looking forward to a new year filled with laughter, love and hope.

With kind regards,

The Playdate Kids Publishing Team

2006-12-19T16:31:00.000-08:00

Why Should Parents Use Self-Help Books for Their Kids?

Sure, life is difficult as an adult, but who ever said being a kid was easy?

Children may be seemingly carefree but when life’s rollercoaster goes from its climb down to the drop, kids need support more than adults. Children face a number of life challenges in their day to day lives such as a divorce of their parents, a sick family member, a new baby in the family (yes, even this is a difficult life challenge for many young children), child abuse, death of a pet and more. It is imperative that parents and guardians do everything they can to talk the young children through the life process and establish an open line of communication and a haven for support.

The worst thing a parent or guardian can do in a time of family crisis—minor or major, is ignore the situation, pretend it is not happening or lie. Children need to be given all the information about a situation in an easy to understand, digestible manner. Their feelings and psyche should be taken into careful consideration—however, they should never be lied to or else the trust between you and the child can be forever lost. Children can carry feelings of anger, sadness or resentment if they ever find out that their parent or their guardian has lied about something of remote importance.

How do self-help books help?

Self-help books can assist the situation as a crutch or guide. The books show the child that they are not alone in their situation and that other kids and families go through similar issues and most importantly—get through it. These books exemplify each situation in the best light so that children can see a positive outlook on their own situation— and be given hope and tools for coping. Self-help books that are written by a doctor offer medical advice based on years of proven experience, research and testing. They are almost as good as sitting in the doctor’s office and having a conversation about the problem. In fact, many doctors use books in their own practice.

Playdate Kids Publishing offers books on a variety of subjects that are written specifically to young children between the ages of three and six. The books offer children friendly, non-intimidating, non-threatening storylines blended with loveable characters who show acts of kindness, intelligence, manners and sympathy. The Playdate Kids become a friend to the reader—offering a support system through early literacy edutainment.

When the going gets tough—The Playdate Kids offer a helping hand.

2006-12-13T15:33:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, give your family a present that will last a lifetime- a new family tradition. It is important that your children know Christmas is more than a gift exchange, more than just one day to spend with family; Christmas is a time of tradition. Counting down the days until Christmas with an advent calendar, using old family recipes for the holiday dinner, or sitting by the fire singing Christmas carols are just some traditions that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Unfortunately, some families may not have memorable traditions, or feel their traditions are too outdated to continue- such as the annual fruitcake loaf. Fortunately, it is never too late to begin a holiday tradition of your own.

A few great traditions to share with your children could include baking cookies, making ornaments, creating a “giving tree,” or designing your own wrapping paper. For example, while you are baking cookies for Santa Claus, decorate the Christmas tree together as a family. The sugary smell of cookies baking in the oven, and the feeling of togetherness brought by decorating the tree as a family is what your children will remember as an adults and share with families of their own.

You can try making ornaments each year with your family. These ornaments can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. Seashells and glitter or cardboard and macaroni are all the material you need for easy to make and inexpensive ornaments. If you are not the “crafty” type, purchase a new ornament for each of your children. The best ornaments to buy have the year engraved or printed on them. Then, when your children are grown and have their own first Christmas tree, they will have their own personal and memorable ornaments to hang on the tree.
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Another suggestion for a family tradition is start a “giving tree”. Designate an area in your home for donations such as canned food, toys, or clothes. During the holiday season charities make their presence especially visible, therefore it should not be hard to find a number of charities in your area. Better yet, find a church in your area that serves a Christmas meal to the needy and offer to cook a dish for them. The hands on act of cooking will fully engage your children in the giving process.

Another great idea is to purchase a roll of white wrapping paper for each member of your family. Set out markers, crayons, glitter, glue, stickers, ribbon, and such. Then have each family member create designs for their wrapping paper. This gives gift giving a fun and personal touch, as well as creating fun family time.

Whatever traditions you hold dear or chose to begin remember, it is the traditions carried out during the holiday season that your children will remember for a lifetime. Yes, presents are a wonderful way of showing love and appreciation, and of course, your children will be ecstatic to receive the latest toys available. Just remember, Christmas is so much more than material gifts, so give your children a present that will last a lifetime, and spend some traditional quality time with them.

By Amy Mosshart
M. Loring Communications

2006-11-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

How to Make Your Child Social between the Ages of 3 and 6

Imagine that it is the first day of preschool for your precious three year old child. You have been so protective of him up until this day -- and you feel like you are casting him off into a totally different world, a world with children who you are hoping will be accepting of him. The fear of how your child will participate in preschool, make friends, and become a thriving young person throughout elementary and high school is prevalent in every parents mind. Is there anything you can do to help your child make friends – and how important is it? Studies have shown that helping your child develop their social skills is just as important as teaching them cognitive skills, such as math, reading, and writing. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can encourage this social growth.

First, parents need to understand that when a child begins preschool, playing alone is seen as a completely normal behavior. It is a big adjustment when a child leaves the home for their first school experience, and they do through a learning process of finding out who they are, who the children around them are, and where they fit in. It is the job of the parent to constantly let them know that they are accepted, and how to make others feel accepted as well. Also, recognize that all children develop their social skills at different rates. Pushing your child or being too stressed out about the situation can damage their development. The key to success when your child is developing their social skills is to proceed with gentle coaching and encouragement. By remaining positive, you give your child confidence, and help give them a sense of who they are.

So what can you do as a parent to socialize your child?

Give them the opportunity to play with their peers. Playdates are one of the most effective ways to encourage your child to make friends. Parents usually arrange them for preschool aged children, all the way up to elementary school. There are several ways a parent can go about planning these. First, you can enroll your child in a playgroup that meets regularly. This gives them the benefit of playing with the same group of children, therefore encouraging relationships to be built, and giving them the opportunity to learn how to get along with other. You can also arrange playdates with kids from your child’s school. When you take your child out of the school setting, which can be intimidating, and put them into a more intimate, one-on-one setting, they are more likely to feel comfortable and be successful in social interactions. Keep playdates small, and short, about one or two hours at most. Playdates teach your children about teamwork, fair play, partnership, cooperation, waiting their turn, and courtesy for each others feelings.

Parents can play with their children as well to encourage their social growth. Lots of parents may overlook this effective tool, thinking that children need to play with other children, and not adults. The fact is – children watch their parents and they way that they interact with others and imitate them. Playing board games, doing puzzles, playing hide and seek, coloring, using building blocks, and other various activities teach your children social “rules” without seeming harsh or criticizing. Your body language in these interactions gives children a great example to use when they are playing with their friends. By smiling a lot, using positive conversation, and encouraging them, they take note of this and can use it in social situations outside of the home.

Sports and other extracurricular activities is a way that your child can interact with other kids, and create a bond through a common interest. If you choose to go this route however, it is highly important that you focus the activity on participation, teamwork, enjoyment, and satisfaction of doing a good job. Parents can often times put pressure on their child to win, and the sense of failure or anxiety to win is something that can affect your child’s development.

Talking to your child is another great way to gain insight about how they are feeling about school, and their friends. By asking them who they played with at school, when they played with them, why they played with them, what they did, and if they will play with that person again helps your child express their feelings. This is beneficial for your child, and lets you know how they are doing socially. It is important to remember that when talking to your child, make it a conversation, not a lecture. You can also find out what they really liked about school, and focus on the positive interactions they have there to give them confidence while they are there.

Keeping in contact with your child’s teacher is extremely important and an effective tool that a parent can use while encouraging their child to make friends. Teachers are present during your child’s play time while away they are away from you, and they can monitor how your child is progressing, or what they need to improve on. If your child is struggling, you can always ask their teacher to facilitate interactions between other children, gently encourage kids to play with your child, and show them the rules about play.

All of the ideas given are a great way to encourage your child to make friends, and be successful in social situations. Keep in mind that all children are different, but with loving and gentle support from a parent, the presence of good role models, and patience, your child can have success with making friends and creating relationships at a very young age.

by Jordyn Borczon
M. Loring Communications

2006-09-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

THE GREAT TV TURNOFF

Many adults would agree that it is easy to flip on the television set, plop the kids down in front of it and have them entertained for hours at a time. It is a simple solution that is an ongoing occurrence in millions of households with young children present. What parents do not realize is how damaging television can be for their children. Television teaches children that when they are bored, instead of doing something productive, it is acceptable to resort to the tube. At the crucial ages between three and six, children need to be involved in lots of activities to encourage natural creativity. So what are you supposed to do with all this empty time that the television usually occupies? The following is a top ten list of productive things to do with your kids that are guaranteed to put a smile on their faces, and yours.

1. Puzzles – These have been around for years, and to this day remain a child’s favorite. They enhance memory, give kids a sense of accomplishment upon completion, and develop their concentration skills. Not only are they good for educational purposes, they are fun, and kids love them. They are great for children of all ages, especially three to six year olds.

2. Recreation – Kids love the outdoors. If there is a park nearby, taking the kids there is not only great exercise for them, but you can also get active and join them in their activities. They get the benefit of physical activity, exploration, and perhaps the chance to make a new friend or two.

3. Crafts – Craft time is great for children ages three to six, especially if they are a little messy and they can really get involved. Crafts are a great idea for rainy days! Some easy crafts to do are paper bag puppets, watercolors, paint by numbers, or just have a variety of supplies for the kids to be creative with (glitter, popsicle sticks, washable markers, crayons, colored paper, glue, etc.)

4. Play Dough – Buy some play dough in lots of different colors, and kids can make anything their hearts desire. It is a great activity that encourages creativity. It is also a reusable item, which makes it worth the purchase.

5. Jump Rope or Hoola Hoop Contest – This activity would be best suited for the older children, around five or six years old. Hold contests in your backyard of who can jump rope or hoola the longest!

6. Freeze Dance – This active game is tons of fun! Put on some of your kids favorite music, and play it for a few minutes. Tell them that when the music stops, to freeze in whatever position they are in. If there are lots of kids playing, whoever is still moving when the music stops is out till the next round. Continue the music for a great time!

7. Make Paper Airplanes – These can be fun for boys and girls of all ages. Go to an internet site to find out how to make paper airplanes if you do not already know how. You can even let the kids color the pieces of paper to make their airplanes custom and unique! Help them fold the paper into their aerial creations, and then enjoy!

8. Cooking – Cooking can be messy, but fun for kids of all ages. You can make homemade ice cream, snow cones, or popsicle sticks with ice trays and lemonade on a hot day. A healthy favorite snack that is fun for kids to make is ant sticks.
All you need is celery sticks, peanut butter, and raisins, to be the “ants”. Have your children spread the peanut butter onto the celery, and then place the raisins onto them, to make them look like ants walking on the ground. It can be a good thing to encourage your kids to play with their food!

9. Dollar Store Treasure Hunt – This is a planned activity. Go to your local dollar store and pick out a few items that you can hide around the house, or perhaps in the backyard. Create a scavenger hunt, but make it simple, especially for the younger children. For example, if you buy a plastic boat, make a list of the items hidden and simply write “BOAT” on it. Kids who are learning to read and write get the added bonus of working on their reading skills, while playing and having fun.

10. Make a Card for Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa – This activity is not only fun and creative, but also sentimental. It is a great way to make something special for a family member. If you are mailing it, you can even let your child decorate the envelope!

By Jordyn Borczon of M. Loring Communications

2006-09-03T23:17:00.000-07:00

Do you worry about your kids being around too many electronic devices?

Should they keep it simple?

Do you wonder if it is really harmful? Check out this article from Technology News....

Children Getting Wired Early for High Tech

Christopher and Shane McGrath, teenagers from Marietta, Ga., both have iPods and cellphones. They communicate with friends via text messages, e-mails and instant messages. Their younger brother Josh, 9, has his choice of video game systems at home --- PlayStation2, Xbox , Game Cube --- and two portable Game Boys to take on the road.

Not to mention the family's computers, DVD players, TVs and all sorts of other gadgets.

Young Techies

As technology has steadily crept into the family over the years, each of the boys has adopted it earlier than his brothers. "In the period of 10 years, between the cellphones, the GameCubes, the Game Boys and everything else ... there's been a huge jump," said Chris McGrath, 46. "Today, they have all these different little high-tech gimmicks to keep them entertained."
Like the McGrath boys, most kids are adapting to technology earlier than ever before.
Children in the United States are using video games, cellphones and portable music players by age 7 --- about six months earlier than just a year ago, according to a recent online survey of 3,540 parents.

On average, kids use televisions by age 4, desktop computers and video game systems by about age 6, and cellphones and portable digital media players by around age 9, according to the survey.

That's good news for the electronics industry, but is it healthy for kids? A growing number of experts are beginning to wonder.

"There is enough evidence out there to say that if you overuse any of these technologies, you're going to have problems," said Alan Hedge, a professor of ergonomics at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

Health Risk?

Claims of electronics-related health problems in kids are growing.

In England last month, an 8-year-old girl was diagnosed with repetitive strain injury from sending too many cellphone text messages. According to published reports, the chiropractor treating her said he sees similar injuries about twice a month in kids who overuse cellphones and video game systems.

In Louisiana, an iPod user sued Apple Computer (Nasdaq: AAPL) in February, claiming the popular portable music player could cause users to lose their hearing. Regulators in France have already forced Apple to turn down the volume on iPods sold there.

In a Boston University study several years ago, 40 percent of sixth-graders who regularly used computers complained of muscular-skeletal disorders. A study in Australia found that 60 percent of computer users aged 10 to 17 years had similar complaints.

"Part of the key to all of this is moderation," said Karen Jacobs, a Boston University occupational therapy professor who led the survey of parents conducted by Port Washington, N.Y.-based research company NPD Group. "The excessive, continuous use of anything isn't good."

In England, 8-year-old Isabelle Taylor estimated she sent 30 text messages a day to her friends before she noticed the pain in her wrists that spread to her fingers and arms.

Her mother said she tried to get her to stop, but it didn't work.

"She got the phone when she was 6, and she's constantly on it," Jane Taylor told the London Daily Mail. "I tried to take it off her, but she started sneaking it to school."
Maintaining Control Isabelle, who's now limited to cellphone use 30 minutes before and after school, has no plans to quit texting her friends, however.

"I'm not going to stop," she told the Daily Mail. "Me and all my friends talk to each other with texts, so I can't not text them."
In Marietta, Chris McGrath knows how tough it can be to get his sons to cut down on their tech time. He recently had to take the cellphone away from Shane, 13, because he used it to send text messages while in class. And soon after Christopher, 15, got a cellphone with text messaging service, his father found out on a monthly bill just how many messages someone could send.
"He sent 250 text messages in something like a week's period," said McGrath. "I couldn't believe he could even do that." McGrath, like most parents, said he and wife Jackie don't worry too much about health problems associated with such technology. They try to make sure their kids get enough exercise and try to limit their time with video games and other devices.
Ergonomics experts advise kids to take "stretch breaks" every 15 to 30 minutes when playing video games or using computers, to use good posture and position their hands correctly, and generally limit their playing time.

Health problems could crop up when kids get older.

"If you're looking at a kid playing Nintendo six hours a day, they might not have a problem today or tomorrow or even in a year's time," said Cornell's Hedge. "But five or six years or more when they enter the work force, they'll probably be more prone to getting injured more easily."
Electronics Makers React Hedge said that's because kids can develop poor habits, such as bad posture, easily. Also, just like football injuries or twisted knees from running, injuries to muscles and fingers can resurface years later when kids grow up and are required to use computers or other electronics equipment every day. Some electronics companies are taking notice of the health concerns that come with their products. In reaction to the Louisiana suit and to complaints by other users, Apple in March started offering free software that limits the volume of its newest iPods. With its newest game controllers, Nintendo is making a change aimed in part at curing the painful problem some frequent players call "Nintendo thumb." The controller for its forthcoming Wii console has a built-in motion sensor designed in part to limit repetitive movements like button-pushing. Sony's (NYSE: SNE) soon-to-be-released PlayStation 3 has a similar controller.

Xbox game system maker Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) provides a "Healthy Gaming Guide'' that suggests users take frequent breaks, use good posture and work the buttons with a light touch.
The guide also comes with an ominous warning aimed at covering Microsoft legally: "Use of game controllers, keyboards, mice or other electronic input devices may be linked to serious injuries or disorders." The warning goes on to advise users to "promptly see a qualified health professional" if they develop persistent problems such as pain in the hands, arms and shoulders.
Jennifer Boone, spokeswoman for the Consumer Electronics Association in Arlington, Va., said the industry is taking a proactive approach to the healthy use of its products. She pointed to a consumer campaign the industry trade group launched to encourage people to limit the volume on earphones on music players.

"We support the smart use of electronics," Boone said. "You need to use them wisely. You need to limit the time you spend text messaging or gaming."

Role Model Influence

At the Washington-based Entertainment Software Association, which represents video game companies, President Doug Lowenstein said in a statement that players and their parents have to take personal responsibility not to devote too much time to playing video games.
Kids, though, are inundated with commercials and other marketing for gadgets. Often, parents buy them the stuff they want.

In the NPD Group survey, about 41 percent of children between 4 and 14 years old owned their own video game system. About 14 percent had their own cellphones, portable DVD players and desktop computers, according to responses from their parents.

NPD analyst Anita Frazier said kids are probably plugging into to gadgets at an earlier age because of both access and exposure to them. "As they become more prevalent in the household, and as kids increasingly see their role models [parents, older siblings] using these products, they naturally will want to try them themselves," she said in an e-mail interview.
McGrath said he is astonished at how connected kids are today compared with just a decade ago.
"In the period of 10 years, between the cellphones, the GameCubes, the Game Boys and everything else ... there's been a huge jump," he said. "Today, they have all these different little high-tech gimmicks to keep them entertained."

© 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. All rights reserved.© 2006 ECT News Network. All rights reserved.

2006-08-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

Back to School Tips

It is that time again, kids are going back to school, and in fact, your child may just be starting school for the first time.

It is important to remember to make "back to school" time a special, enthusiatic time for your child(ren). If you set a positive note every year, chances are, your child will most likely think of school as a fun, education and social experience.

Here are some Playdate Kids tips for parents on making preparations to go back to school more exciting:

Buy some new school supplies every year-- the new supplies will make the process seem like a fresh start and it will create an enthusiastic vibe.
Buy a couple new clothes (if applicable) for the same reason as above.
Go on a family outing as a Goodbye Summer-- Hello Schoolyear celebration. Go to the zoo or perhaps plan a picnic!
Perhaps take your child to get a new haircut for a fresh new 2006 look.

You can even ask your child what he or she wants to do to get prepared for the new school year, you never know what kinds of fun ideas kids can have! No matter what you do, just remember to keep your spirits up and let your child(ren) know that going back to school is great!

2006-08-01T00:28:00.000-07:00

Summer Pops

Need a fast, cool treat to keep the heat at bay? Try making mini summer pops!

It is super fast and easy and best of all, you can easily make any flavor you want.

Simply get toothpicks and an ice cube tray.

All you need now is a juice or milk flavor.

Try chocolate or strawberry milk or try it with grape juice. Simply pour the liquid into the ice cube tray and stick the toothpick in at an angle. Freeze for a few hours and enjoy!

Kids sure do like these pops as ice cubes in their milk or juice, too!

2006-07-21T00:24:00.000-07:00

The summer heat is perfect for a dip in the pool with your little one, just be sure to be safe. Water is more dangerous than most people think!

Here are some pool safety tips to remember:

Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.

You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.

A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) adds to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of the fence between your house and the pool. Even fencing around your pool and using a power safety cover will not prevent all drownings.

Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.

Do not let your child use air-filled "swimming aids" because they are not a substitute for approved life vests and can be dangerous.

Anyone watching young children around a pool should learn CPR and be able to rescue a child if needed. Stay within an arm's length of your child.

Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.

After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.

Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water.

Have fun in the sun and don't forget to lather up on the sunblock!

A heartfelt thanks to the Amercian Academy of Pediatrics for those tips!

2006-07-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

Nutrition is vital for a growing child. A young child grows slower compared to a baby. The average child aged between two and five will grow around 2 1/2 inches and gain about five pounds a year. Since they are growing slower, their appetites will likely see a decrease.

This age is the perfect time to teach your child healthy eating habits. The diet habits formed during these years are often made into habits in their future. The nutritional needs of young children are similar to the nutritional needs of adults. Of course the portions differ because of their size and age but try to offer your child all the foods from the basic food groups. These foods include: breads, cereals, rices, carrots, peas, tomatoes, melons, apples, milk, yogurt, cheese, poultry, fish, dry beans and eggs. Over time, your child will grow accustomed to choosing from that variety of healthy foods. Protein is vital for their growth. The milk, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese and beans provide protein. Dietary calcium is dairy products and certain greens. The calcium is necessary for strong bones and healthy teeth. Iron comes from meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and fortified cereals. Iron that is in cereal absorbs better when eatten with vitamin C. Citrus fruit, citrus juice and dark green and yellow veggies are filed with vitamin C and A. Most breads and cereals contribute crucial vitamin and minerals.

Plenty of water is needed to control and assist all body functions. A child's body can become dehydrated more quickly than an adult's. Offer water to your child several times throughout the day.

Remeber that fat is a good nutrient in a child's diet. Do not deprive your child of healthy fats. Fat helps provide extra calories and needed nutrients for a growing child. Limit foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol for children. Do this by offering your child low-fat dietary choices like drinking low-fat milk instead of whole milk.

Also, sugar-based food items provide little to no nutrients and should be eaten rarely. They also promote tooth decay.

Try cooking healthy foods with your child, make it a fun activity. Here is a fun recipe for the summer...

Strawberry Jello Summer Pops

Ingredients:

1 package of Jello
1 cup of hot water
2 cups of any fruit juice
Tooth picks
Muffin tin, ice cube tray or tiny-sized cups

What to do:

1. Boil water and mix with Jello until it is dissolved
2. Add juice and stir
3. Pour gelatin and juice mixture into cup or tray
4. Refrigerate for one hour and fifteen minutes
5. Insert toothpicks
6. Place in freezer until frozen completely

ENJOY!

2006-07-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and you need to find creative ways to keep your kids entertained. Do something kids in your whole family can enjoy.

Ever played with finger puppets?

Kids of all ages enjoy making finger puppets... and young ones will delight in the finger puppet show as well. You can find designs for finger puppets online. Once you find a design you like, follow the directions, print out the pattern, color it, cut it out, and put it together.

Don't limit yourself the patterns online, let your kids make up their own finger puppets out of materials you find around the house. The fun part is the creativity!

Popsicle sticks, pencils, and spoons make a great start for finger puppets. Give the stick character with use of felt, yarn, cloth, paper, buttons, you get the idea!

When you are all done making the puppets, create a stage and help them put on a play with their new actors...

Here's how to make a puppet theater (remember, this needs to be done by a parent for the most part, kids can help with the safe stuff):

MATERIALS
	Cardboard box
	Craft knife
	Straightedge
	Packing tape
	3 tension curtain rods
	Construction paper
	Paints
	Markers
	Curtain

1. With a craft knife, carefully trim the sides of the box to about 7 inches high.

2. Cut a trapezoidal notch in a longer side, to give the puppeteers room.

3. Using a straightedge, draw a rectangle on the box's bottom for the stage's opening. Try placing it 4 inches from the top and sides and 5 inches from the bottom edge.

4. Carefully cut the rectangle from the box bottom and with packing tape secure the loose edges of the flaps and reinforce weak seams.

5. Cut 4 holes for 2 of the tension rods. Cut one set top middle and the other set botton middle. Every hole needs to be centered in the sidewall and as close to the seam as possible.

6. Decorate the theater. You can do this by covering the whole box with construction paper to hide seams, then decorating it with crayons, sequince, markers, glitter, etc.

7. Thread an old curtain (or any used material) on the third curtain rod and hang it just below the stage.

Decide what play you want to put on and voila! You have a puppet show! Maybe you can help write a play with the kids offering ideas for a storyline.

Have fun!

2006-06-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Playdate Kids Gazette!

Hey kids!

This special weeekly blog is dedicated to all of our readers and Playdate Kids Club Members.

All of us at The Playdate Kids series want to thank you for your support and let you know that through this blog, we hope to reach out to each one of you like an old friend. We will offer fun articles, interesting website links, exciting ideas for arts and crafts projects, tips for your parents and more!

Remember to check out or website at: www.theplaydatekids.com for new information and exciting changes in the future.

If you have any comments or topic requests, send them to info@playdatekids.com attn: BLOG, anytime! We love feedback.

Enjoy the gazette, Playdaters!

Note to parents: We recommend that you take the time to read the children's blogs outloud to let your children experience the computer and internet. It is good for mental stimulation, reading and writing education and it's also a fantastic way to bond.