Stay connected, stay informed

This guide to non-candy treats for Halloween isn’t about taking a stand against sugar.  Not at all is that what it is about!  Toothbrushes, apples and floss are still considered lame.  This is about giving kids with serious food allergies a chance to feel just like every other trick-or-treater on the special night.  The Teal Pumpkin Project (teal is the color of food allergy awareness) started in America in 2014 and is promoted by the Food Allergy Research and Education organization.  Every Halloween since 2014, more and more teal pumpkins have popped up around the country. People place them outside their house to show they have treats other than candy. Kids with allergies carry teal-colored buckets from house to house. There are even teal signs you can buy to let kids know it’s OK to ask for a “trinket instead of a treat.”  If a trick-or-treater carrying a teal pumpkin bucket shows up at your door this Halloween, it means he or she has a food allergy. Consider having a stash of non-food treats like vampire fangs or bouncy balls to hand out. But we know that for all the fun Halloween is for kids, it’s just as stressful for parents to pull off. It can be a lot to have two sets of goodies – one candy and one not – to hand out.  You can find some simple little treats around town at our dollar stores that would be great for those with allergies.  Thank you for helping take care of those with allergies and we hope everyone has a great Halloween!

 Did you know that Candy Corn has been made with the same recipe by the Jelly Belly Candy Company since around 1900?  What's in that recipe, exactly? Sugar, corn syrup, and marshmallow.  One serving (about 30 pieces) has 140 calories, the equivalent of three miniature Hershey bars.  The National Confectioners Association reports that more than 35 million pounds of candy corn is sold annually which amounts to almost 9 billion kernels. 

 Books and Bubbles is a fun day at The Margaret Jones Public Library every Tuesday at 10:30am.  They enjoy time together reading and doing activities.  The staff encourages you to keep books around and read whenever you can. You are providing the building blocks for language while developing a love of reading for your children.  Reading is an important skill that needs to be developed in children. Not only is it necessary for survival in the world of schools and universities, but in adult life as well. The ability to learn about new subjects and find helpful information on anything from health problems and consumer protection to more academic research into science or the arts depends on the ability to read.  Futurologists used to predict the death of the printed word but, ironically, the Internet has made reading more and more a part of people's daily lives. The paperless society is a myth. The computer's ability to process and analyze data means that endless variations on reports and other types of documents can be and are generated. The Internet, itself an enormous new source of information and recreation, is based on the humble written word. To effectively utilize the web and judge the authenticity and value of what is found there, both reading and critical thinking skills are of prime importance.  The more children read, the better they become at reading. It's as simple as that. The more enjoyable the things they read are, the more they'll stick with them and develop the reading skills that they'll need for full access to information in their adult lives. Reading should be viewed as a pleasurable activity - as a source of entertaining tales and useful and interesting information.  The younger children are read to, the greater their interest in mastering reading. Reading out loud exposes’ children to proper grammar and phrasing. It enhances the development of their spoken language skills, their ability to express themselves verbally. Reading, by way of books, magazines, or websites, exposes kids to new vocabulary. Even when they don't understand every new word, they absorb something from the context that may deepen their understanding of it the next time the word is encountered. When parents read aloud to children, the children also hear correct pronunciation as they see the words on the page, even if they can't yet read the words on their own. 

 It’s almost that time for Halloween and trick-or-treating!  Did you know that Chocolate makes up about three-quarters of a trick-or-treater’s loot, according to the National Confectioners Association?  That’s an awful lot of chocolate.  Sometimes you may have so much candy that you don’t know what to do with it.  In the event that you have so much candy, separate the chocolate out and keep it in a cool, dark, dry place. Milk chocolate is good for no more than 8 to 10 months, while dark lasts up to two years. Hard candy will also keep in a cool, dry place for about a year. Store your soft candies in a covered dish away from direct heat and light. Enjoy them within six months.  Have fun this year with your children Trick or Treating and stay safe! 

SIDS is the sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy baby under one year of age that remains unexplained after the performance of a complete postmortem investigation, including an autopsy, examination of the scene of death and review of the medical history.  SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies one month to one year of age.  It occurs in all socio-economic, racial and ethnic groups, but African American and Native American babies are 2-3 times more likely to die of SIDS than Caucasian babies.  Most SIDS deaths occur when a baby is between two and four month with 90 percent of all SIDS deaths occurring before a baby is 6 months old.  Despite awareness campaigns promoting the back sleep position and other safe sleep practices, deaths continue to occur as a result of unsafe sleep practices such as bed sharing, use of soft bedding and stomach sleep position.  At this time there is no known way to prevent all sudden infant deaths, but there are life saving steps parents and caregivers can take to help protect their baby.

· Babies should always be placed to sleep on their backs. Side and tummy sleep positions are not safe.

· Do not fall asleep with a baby in an adult bed or on a sofa.

· Do not smoke while you are pregnant and do not expose babies to second-hand smoke after they are born.

· For sleep, use a safety-approved crib, portable crib, play yard or bassinet with a firm mattress that fits snuggly and is covered with only a tight-fitting crib sheet.

· Do not place babies to sleep on soft surfaces such as adult beds, waterbeds, and sofas.

· Do not use loose blankets in a baby’s crib. Layer clothing or use a wearable blanket or other sleeper clothing to keep the baby warm.

· Remove all soft bedding and other soft items from the sleep area, including pillows, blankets, quilts, bumper pads and stuffed animals or toys, before placing the baby to sleep.

· Take care not to overheat babies with too much clothing or too warm of room. Keep temperature at what would be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.

· Use a pacifier at naptime and nighttime for the first year.

· Educate all of your baby’s caregivers regarding these life saving tips.

For more information about SIDS, visit www.cdc.gov.

Do you often see adults outside and ponder on the fact why they are out there working in the yard?  The benefits of gardening are plentiful in the overall health & well-being of the older adult.  Here are just some of the ways you are rewarded by getting out and getting into the dirt!

· Enjoyable form of exercise

· Increase levels of physical activity and helps mobility and flexibility

· Encourages use of all motor skills

· Improves endurance and strength

· Helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis

· Reduces stress levels and promotes relaxation

· Provides stimulation and interest in nature & the outdoors

· Improves wellbeing as a result of social interaction

· Can provided nutritious, home-grown produce

Among adults aged 65 years and older, walking and gardening or yard work are, by far, the most popular physical activities.  My mother loved it!  She would piddle in the yard all the time.  She loved to take care of her flowers that she picked up from Pa’s Plants in Sumner.  Get yours today...                         

This week is time to celebrate department stores!  I have told everyone that there is a day to celebrate just about anything and this week they celebrate department stores!  Which department store is your favorite or was your favorite if they have already closed down? My favorite department store was from when I was a little girl and that was Sears.  Sears was located in the Albany Mall and was the store to shop at when I was growing up.  That is where mother and daddy took us for all of our back to school shopping and I loved it!  They had everything I wanted and more. At one time they even had a snack counter in the store. You could get popcorn, candy and drinks.  I can even remember when they turned their icee's clear because the red of the Cherry Icee stained the floors.  Daddy always sat outside of Sears to people watch and I loved doing that with him too.  I can also remember the Sears Christmas catalog.  Now that was fun to mark what you wanted for Santa to buy.  What great memories!  So where do your shopping memories come from? 

   Have you ever thought about a fear that your child has but did not know how to handle it?  In the Home & School Connection there was an interesting article about this, and I want to share it with you.  It makes perfect sense.  The question was how a parent could help their son who is afraid of storms to feel more secure.  I am sure that someone has a child that is afraid of storms.  I am more than my child, does that count?  Fears are normal at the age of primary and elementary age children but there are ways you can help.  Home and School Connection suggested that this family could stop by their local library or school library and check out books on storms.  If their child understood storms, he may not be as afraid.  Teaching their child simple rules such as stay away from trees, don’t use a corded phone or take a bath during the storm.  Another great piece of advice was keeping their child occupied during the storm.  They suggest for them to look out a closed window and count the seconds between the lightning and the thunder.  He can divide by five to find out how far away the storm is (if they count to 10, the storm is two miles away).  Another idea is to turn your child into an artist and let them paint or draw their fear out.  Keep them in a folder and before long they will be looking for every opportunity to draw about the fear.  Then the fear has become a liking instead of a fear.   

   Autumn holidays like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children of all ages, who can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, enjoy fall fruits and vegetables, and eat yummy treats. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. Check out these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.  Going trick-or-treating?  Be sure swords, knives, and similar costume accessories are short, soft, and flexible.  Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.  Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.  Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.  We don’t want anyone to have a belly ache.  Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.  Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.  Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.  Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.  Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.  Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.  Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.  Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.  Are you expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?   Be sure to follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone:  Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses. Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.   Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.  Keep candle-lit jack o'lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.   Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.  Fall festivities will be here before you know it and we need everyone to be safe and enjoy this time of year. 

Here we are welcoming in October.  This year seems to be flying by.  Our children have been in school a full two months now.  Are they still excited about being back in school?  With the crisp fall air, new friends and now used sharpened pencils, is your child still talking about how great it is to be back in school or has the pressure of the new school year sunk in?  Even though school is tough, the teachers want it to be fun too.  Add to their excitement and motivate them to learn with these four great back - to - school ideas from the Home & School Connection.  I find the ideas shared in this publication to be great and I hope you do as well.  One great back to school idea is to find out what your child is learning this year.  Some examples would be cursive writing, state history or even the solar system.  Then you as a parent can get a head start.  Leave a note on their bedroom door in cursive.  Visit a battlefield or history museum.  Read a book about the planets, or gaze at the night sky together.  This connects you to what your child is learning in school and may even help them to learn more.  A second great back to school idea would be to share your own report card or photo from the grade your child is starting.  Tell them what you like most about that year.  Let them ask you questions about when you were in school.  It is so much fun to bring back good ole memories.  Another great idea would be to attend a play at your local theater or a nature program at the community center.  You’ll get your child back in the habit of sitting still and paying attention.  Playing school at home is good practice too.  The “teacher” can read aloud to the “student”, write out math problems and even give a spelling test.  And last but not least, check out the school website and see what activities your school may offer.  If your child likes to sing, they may be able to join the chorus.  A child with good leadership skills might want to run for the student council, while a sports lover may want to join a team.  Some of the groups have already started but always make sure to look at the school’s website to see the event listings.