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Tag: Child and Youth

Valetine’s Day = Family/Friends + Love/Celebration

Posted on by djbechard

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. The stores have already stocked the shelves with Valentine’s candy, cards, decorations, and flowers. This is a good time to think of ways to share love and care for family and friends. Consider ways your family can celebrate together. Some fun ways to show you care include:

  • Make note cards or use post-it-notes to leave messages on mirrors, in lunches, or other special places.
  • For those with a sweet tooth, make a candy bar wrapper with a special thought or message. Consider using the miniature bars to keep the empty calories to a minimum.
  • Plan a special time with each family member or special friend during the week of Valentine’s Day. It may be doing a special activity – baking, crafts, sports, going for ice cream or another treat, or whatever that person likes to do.
  • Make special treats such as Rice Krispie Bars in the shape of kisses, wrap them in foil, and add a special message.
  • Make special foods on Valentine’s Day or when you celebrate. Foods in the shape of hearts – pancakes, cookies, cakes, sandwiches, pizza, Jello jigglers, etc. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make the shapes easily.
  • Make Valentines to share with school mates, friends, and family. Handmade items are always special.

By: Jamie Rathbun

Sweet Ideas Without Added Sugar

Posted on by djbechard

It seems like most holidays focus on food, and usually include something sweet like candy, chocolate, or desserts. Don’t get me wrong, I love a yummy piece of chocolate! But if you’re looking to make this Valentine’s Day a little healthier for you and your family, consider starting the day with a fruit-filled smoothie or a parfait. I love smoothies and parfaits because you don’t need to follow a recipe. Choose your family’s favorite fruits and yogurt, place in a blender with a little bit of milk or 100% fruit juice and blend to a desired consistency for a smoothie. For a parfait, layer fruit and yogurt, then top with granola or nuts.

Fruit is a quick, easy, and healthy Valentine’s treat. While looking for ideas for my children, I came across two cute ideas using clementines and apples sauce. The messages read, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Cutie” and “You’re AWESOMEsauce, Valentine.” Be creative and think outside the (candy) box.

Visit with your children about healthier alternatives and let them help you pick them out at the store. Here are some additional non-food Valentine ideas for daycare or school:

  • Friendship bracelets
  • Toy cars
  • Bubbles
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Balloons
  • Glow sticks
  • Bouncy balls
  • Pencils
  • Erasers

By: Jamie Rathbun

Open a Good Book to Beat the Winter Blues!

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

When you find yourself indoors during the bitter cold days of winter, pick up a book and enjoy active reading! Reading with a child or friend will keep both of your minds exploring new things and enhances relationships.

Reading can provide an opportunity to connect with those separated by distance. You can read together during a video chat or have a book club that meets by phone or video! Adults may also be finding themselves helping youth with their academics, and active reading can make the experience rewarding for all!

As you dig into reading, check out this K-State Research and Extension resource to help make sure your time is filled with quality learning experiences and lots of fun! Emergent Literacy: Helping Young Children’s Development through Reading ― https://www.bookstore.ksre.k-state.edu/pubs/MF3161.pdf

By: Nora Rhoades

Bonding Through Board Games

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

As you spend time with family in unique ways this holiday season, board games are a great way to focus on connecting and have some fun!

Spending time playing board games as a family tradition help develop the six traits of strong families. You can learn more about these traits through the University of Nebraska’s extension service – Family Treasures: Creating Strong Families.

  • Carving out time for each other.
  • Appreciation.
  • Communication.
  • Shared values.
  • Resiliency in times of crisis.
  • Commitment to each other.

To learn more about the value board games bring to the family, or to spark some ideas of games worth trying out, check out K-State Research and Extension’s bookstore:

By: Nora Rhoades

Experience the World from a Child’s Point-of-View

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with the environment around you, experiencing the world from a child’s point-of-view may be the breath of fresh air you need to rejuvenate. Plus, engaging with a child from his or her perspective builds one’s self-concept, supports a strong relationship, and enhances learning. Enjoy!

1)   Bend down to their height

2)   Follow their lead

3)   Use all 5 senses

4)   Encourage curiosity and imagination

5)   Model patience by not rushing

 

By: Nora Rhoades

 

Read Together and Build Relationships!

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

The most important aspect of the reading process is to remember to read with your child, as opposed to reading to your child. The Post Rock Extension District’s latest  Building Strong Families resource will help you identify active reading strategies to support literacy development, enhance discussion, and make reading time a wonderful shared experience!

By: Nora Rhoades

Encouragement Promotes a Positive Self-Concept

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Praise and encouragement are two types of feedback that motivate an individual. Nora Rhoades, District Youth Development Agent, discusses the differences between these two types of feedback and how encouragement plays a valuable role in building a healthy self-concept in youth. Check out her article on the Post Rock District Blog.

By: Nora Rhoades