Hannah Montana Miley music video – The Climb

Love Story – Official Music Video

Sesame Workshop Help Military Children

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
July 19, 2009 

Sesame Street” usually conjures visions of Muppets teaching young children their letters and numbers, but they also teach life lessons to help military children cope with deployments, injuries, and now, loss.

The newest phase of Sesame Workshop’s “Talk, Listen, Connect” initiative is aimed at helping children cope with the death of a loved one.

“Sesame Workshop is committed to providing our military families with the resources they deserve,” said Gary E. Knell, president and CEO of Sesame Workshop. “We hope that ‘Talk, Listen, Connect,’ which reaches out to all families with young children, will continue to help families discover ways they can be resilient despite experiencing difficult transitions in their lives.”

“Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families With Children Cope With the Death of a Loved One” will consist of bilingual, English and Spanish, multimedia materials for young children and adults starring the Sesame Street Muppets.

Sesame Workshop will produce and distribute materials at no cost through organizations that provide services to military families and the general public, including grief centers, social services, and other programs specifically addressing the needs of children and families coping with the death of an immediate family member. The kit materials also will be available online at www.sesamestreet.org/tlc.

The workshop also unveiled the Sesame Street Family Connections Web site and announced the creation of 35 “Sesame Rooms” during a news conference today at the Military Child Education Coalition’s National Conference in Philadelphia.

 

The Sesame Street Family Connections Web site is a child-centered, online space that will keep military families connected across the globe.

With the help of their favorite Sesame Street friends, family members can compose encouraging messages to each other, share artwork and videos, upload photos, and get answers to some questions they may have but didn’t know how to ask.

“This rewarding opportunity to collaborate in launching such a creative Web site provides a vital tool in the recovery, resilience and reintegration toolbox that our military families need and deserve,” said Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree K. Sutton, the director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, who helped make today’s announcement.

“Families and warriors will be able to stay connected and share in a safe and nurturing place, joined by their special Sesame Street friends,” he said.

Additionally, Sesame Workshop, with the support of New York designer Jonathan Adler and several generous partners, will provide a rich and engaging set of materials to brighten up spaces it’s calling “Sesame Rooms.”

These rooms provide a much-needed, child-friendly place for military children to play.

Sesame Street will send a “room-in-a-box” to 35 locations across the United States, including military hospitals, libraries, child care centers and family support centers

“The Military Child Education Coalition is delighted to partner once again with Sesame Workshop on its initiatives that have been uniquely beneficial to military children and their families,” said Patty Shinseki, a member of the MCEC Board of Directors, during the event.

“Elmo and his friends, Sesame’s beloved characters with whom children connect so well, serve as conduits for dealing with the difficult issues in nurturing and sensitive ways,” she said. “These valuable tools and resources for fostering resilience help children to thrive during the good times and challenging ones.”

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury and several other organizations, including Military OneSource and the USO, have provided support for the “Talk, Listen, Connect” initiative.

Source: Our Military

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Book Review of the Week – Moon Rabbit

By Amy Scheibe
Grandparents
July 18, 2009

Editor’s Note: This book is wriiten by Natalie Russell (Viking Juvenile, 2009)
Ages 3 to 6

We would like to know your favor book? And we would also like if you would write a review on it and we will Publish it. dan@youngchronicle.com

I am completely smitten with Little Rabbit  and her moonlit adventure to discover whether there is someone out there “just like her.” When she hears some lovely music playing in the park, she stumbles upon Brown Rabbit, who is nothing like her, making him the perfect friend. Russell is a papermaker, and has illustrated her adorable book with sumptuous prints.

Or try: Goodnight Moon (1947). No kidding. If you don’t have a copy in your house, get one. All ages.

 Source: Grand Parents

Get Involved! Help Your Community

By CHC/PIO
July 16, 2009

At any age, there are so many ways you can make a difference. Even just one afternoon of volunteering can have an impact on someone’s life. And the best part is it’s fun! While you help others, you help yourself by learning. Children for Children wants you to Grow Involved!

 

What is community service?

Community service is giving your time and effort to make a positive difference, large or small. Community service is finding a way to help a person, group, or organization that works on behalf of people or places in need. Community service is offering a hand. The instinct to offer a hand is regarded as one of the highest and best that we have.

 

Why is it important?

Contributing to your community is important part of your development. It can help build your leadership skills and pave ideas for future career paths. It gives you perspective by helping you think about others and how others’ lives differ from your own. It can change the way you feel and think about things! Sometimes, it makes you feel incredibly fortunate at the end of the day, even though you might have started the day feeling rotten about challenges of your own.

One of the best things about community service is that you get while you give. Expect a feeling of satisfaction, or a moment’s pride, as you reflect on what you did to help someone else.

How do I get started in community service?

 

Reading this is a great first step!

1. Think about how you want to help. What are your interests? Do you like being indoors or outside? What ages do you like being with? Older? Younger? Do you have a specific talent or skill to contribute?

2. Consider how much time you want to spend on service. Once a week? Once a month? It’s okay to start with something small to see if you like it. If you don’t end up liking it, don’t be discouraged. Sometimes it takes time and patience to find a good fit.

3. Talk to an adult about a plan. Will you need supplies? A ride somewhere? Or, if your school requires community service, there’s probably a service director or coordinator who can help you find a place. Adults can also share their own experiences and give you great suggestions.

4. Ask questions. Once you have an organization in mind, call and ask for the volunteer coordinator. This person probably doesn’t have much time to sit by the phone, so be prepared to leave a detailed message. When you do make contact, have your questions prepared ahead of time, perhaps along the lines of the “four W’s”:

• Who do they need for the work they do?
• What kind of work is it?
• When do they need help?
• Where would you be expected to do this work?

5. Check it out. You’re not obligated to volunteer just because you called to ask about the opportunities. Before committing, check with a parent, teacher, or other adult who can help you evaluate the information you’ve received. Another good idea is to make an appointment to drop by the site to see for yourself if you would feel comfortable volunteering there: can you picture yourself in that setting? If it seems right to you, chances are you have found a good fit!

 

Source: Children for Children

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? We would like to hear your story, where you are helping someone in your community. dan@youngchronicle.com

What is the Real Truth about ADHD

By Michael K. Davis, MD
July 16, 2009

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common medical complaints of childhood.  Nearly 10% of school-aged children are affected.  The main symptoms of ADHD are inattention, distractability, inability to focus on school work or chores, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.  All children normally have one or more of these features at some time in thier lives, however, children with ADHD may have more difficulty performing daily tasks than other children.  As many as half of these children will have symptoms of ADHD into adulthood.  The cause of ADHD is unknown.  Treatment may involve behavior therapy and/or medicines.

 

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder that causes a combination of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.  While these symptoms may be part of normal childhood development, children with ADHD develop difficulty completing normal daily tasks due to the disorder.  ADHD affects children in multiple settings.  Poor school performance, inability to perform chores at home and risk-taking behavior while riding a bicycle may be present.

 
What causes ADHD?

The cause of ADHD is unknown.  There seems to be an imbalance of chemicals in the brain which may include: dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.  It is unknown if the problem relates to the over or underproduction of these chemicals or perhaps to an abnormal response to these chemicals.  Subtle differences in brain anatomy have been detected in children with ADHD, however the significance of this is unknown.

 

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

• Inattention
• Impulsivity
• Hyperactivity
• Distractability
• Inability to focus on school work or chores
• Risk-taking behavior on bicycle, skateboards, rollerblades, etc.
• Distraction while performing work
• Losing, misplacing or forgetting objects
• Disorganization
• Daydreaming
• Poor school performance
• Risk-taking behavior such as riding a bicycle over a ledge or into the street
• Yelling out answers to questions too quickly
• Accidently injuring other children
• Impatience, especially when waiting in line
• Excessive movement, talking or fidgeting
• Inability to sit still
• Difficulty playing quietly
• Poor behavior

There is no medical test for ADHD.  The story provided by the family, school or caregiver is usually enough to make the diagnosis.  Surveys and questionnaires are often helpful.  ADHD must meet the following criteria:

• Must be present in more than one setting (for example – at school, home      and church)
• Must be present for 6 months or more
• Must occur before 7 years of age
• Must be excessive compared to normal childhood behavior
• Must affect school, home or social activity
• Other disorders must be excluded by your doctor

 
How is ADHD treated?

Behavior therapy and educational interventions may be helpful.  Some examples include, frequent progress reports from school, sitting close to the teacher, removing distractions, private tutoring, etc.

Stimulant medications may be used in children 3 years of age and older.  They are in a class of amphetamine-like drugs that stimulate nerve activity in the brain.  While providing “stimulation” to a hyperactive child may seem to be counter-productive, these medicines help children focus.  This effect is somewhat like an adult drinking a cup of coffee (for the caffeine) to “wake up” or “concentrate” better.  Some examples of stimulants are:

• Adderall ®
• Concerta ®
• Focalin ®
• Metadate ®
• Ritalin ®
• Vyvanse ™

Non-stimulant medications aim to have similar effects to the stimulant medications without the same side effects.  Strattera® works on the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (stimulant medicines primarily work on dopamine).  Many children respond well to Strattera® however more is known about the benefits of stimulant medications for ADHD.

 
What are the most common side effects of stimulant ADHD medications?

• Poor appetite and weight gain
• Sleep problems
• Restlessness or irritability
• Headache
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea

 
Does ADHD go away?

ADHD symptoms continue into aduthood for more than half of children with ADHD.  Hyperactivity becomes less apparent as a child enters the teenage years and adulthood.

Source: Dr. Tummy

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? Is there a question that you would like to ask Dr. Tummy? dan@youngchronicle.com

Hyperactive Kids – ADHD

During Tough Times How Much To Tell Kids

By Katia Hetter
July 17, 2009

When a parent gets laid off or finances get so tight that summer camp is out, how do we  handle that change in lifestyle with our kids? Whether you’ve lost a job or are heading back to work to help pay a higher mortgage, stressed out parents are struggling to explain the changes to their children.

Take a page from Stacey Spitz’s playbook. Be positive, innovative and truthful — to a point. The Livingston, N.J. mom lost her job in real estate human resources in March. Spitz, a divorced mother of two, pooled her unemployment, alimony, child support and savings to stave off worry while she looks for full-time work.

She told her children, ages 8 and 10, that their frequent trips to the local ice cream parlor and clothing stores would be less frequent. But she replaced those events with  home-based movie nights and clothing swaps so her kids could still have “new” clothes.
 

“I’m a big believer in positive energy and putting it out there, even at the worst times,” she said. “If my kids saw me freaking out, they might be more concerned. But I know I’m going to be OK.”
Focus on quality time. Although kids often say they “need” the latest video game or name-brand jeans, what they really need is to feel secure and loved. Watch a favorite TV show together or take an after-dinner bike ride. Invite their friends over for a pizza-making party. Even talking while folding laundry,  together can be quality time.

 “There should be lots of hugs and ‘I love you’s,’ ” says Julie Potischman, a Roseland, N.J. psychotherapist.
Reassure your children. If you need to cut back on spending but your job and home seem secure, explain that buying store brands instead of brand names allows the family to spend more on other things. If you have to replace vacations with “staycations,”  pack them with free local events so the children see that everyone can still have fun.If your children ask questions about your job search, answer them — briefly.

They need to know that you’re working to get back on track but they don’t need to know everything. “My kids want to know what I’m doing during the day, and I explain about networking and job websites and not burning bridges,” Spitz says. If you’re in danger of losing your job or your home, you can’t necessarily promise your children that everything will stay the same. But you can promise them that you will always take care of them. Postpone any serious adult conversation until the little ones are asleep.
Stay cool. Even babies and toddlers pick up on stress so keep a positive attitude. Brooklyn mom Susan Menk lost her job as creative director at an architecture and interior design firm in January. She and her husband had to postpone pre-school and cut most of the babysitter’s hours. Buying a home is on hold.

But she hides her stress from her son and focuses on art projects and taking him to sing-a-longs and other free events. “He likes that I’m here, and I’m enjoying getting to know him more and bonding with him, ” she says.
 

It’s OK to say no. Whether you need to cut back now or not, it’s a good time to teach your children that they can’t have every toy they want, says Potischman, who is already talking to her children, ages 2 and 4, about limits and saving.
Show them how to save their allowance and gift money for things they want. Maybe your children will catch the entrepreneurial bug, as Spitz’s 8-year-old daughter and a friend did on a recent hot spring day. They ran a lemonade stand and each made $10 after expenses.
Make compromises.  Local community centers and the YMCA often offer affordable day camp options. If the travel costs aren’t too expensive, Grandma and Grandpa or another relative might take the kids for a “summer camp” week. Or organize a homemade summer camp with other parents.

Each parent can coordinate a day of affordable entertainment at the local community pool or other fun spot. (Look at our Mid-Winter Break  story for ideas) Your group might even consider hiring responsible teenagers or college students in your area to help lead your  camp.

 If mom needs a paycheck. If you have to return to work, make it sound like an opportunity. Remind them that “Mommy is a very talented [fill in the blank] who is excited about helping other people,” Potischman says. Even if the work doesn’t excite you, teach them to respect work that allows you to support your family. Spend quality time with your children so they can adjust to you working outside the home.
 

Reach out for help. Like Spitz, you can organize clothing swaps in your neighborhood and lean on your mother and friends for support. Participate in neighborhood softball games, bring-your-own-dogs grilling parties and babysitting exchanges. And if you need work, don’t be shy. Spread the word among your family, friends, religious leaders, neighbors and social networking websites. And reach out to other adults for support, too.

“Parents need to work together at facing their fears and insecurities as adults without projecting them onto their children,” says Potischman.
 

When your children are adults, they might remember the summer their parents cut back on expenses, but if you do it right, they’ll recall how you managed the crisis by having inexpensive fun while making them feel loved and secure. And when the next financial downturn occurs, they’ll be able to teach their children the same lessons.

Editor’s Note: Julie Potischman is a licensed psychotherapist at Roseland Psychotherapy Associates in Roseland, N.J. She’s also the resident psychotherapist at http://www.myworkbutterfly.com, a website designed to help moms who want or need to return to the work force.

Brooklyn-based journalist Katia Hetter helps teens tell their stories at Youth Communication http://www.youthcomm.org

 She has also written for The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Babycenter.com, Newsday and U.S. News & World Report.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
 

Source: Rachael Ray

“The Talk”: Body Image

by Paula Silverman
July 18, 2009

When grandchildren are unhappy with their looks, help them to love themselves just the way they are.

This is the first in a series of articles in which experts will advise grandparents on talking about serious issues with their grandchildren. Upcoming articles will focus on issues including drug use and dating.

“My grandchildren are absolutely perfect,” says Marie DeGuara, 69, of Bay Shore, N.Y., the grandmother of 19-year-old Amanda and 16-year-old Anthony. “There’s nothing wrong with them.” It’s not unusual, of course, for grandparents to believe their grandchildren are perfect. Most wouldn’t change a hair on their grandkids’ heads — which is why it can be so upsetting when a grandchild says he or she wants a nose job as a high-school graduation present, or another wishes she could get breast implants.

An Epidemic of Insecurity

Several recent reports have found that the widespread availability of plastic surgery and the pervasive influence of reality shows focused on surgical makeovers may be having a profound effect on the self-esteem of young people, especially girls. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of cosmetic surgeries performed on people 18 and younger rose from 59,890 in 1997 to 205,119 in 2007. The most common procedure was rhinoplasty (a nose job), but there were also 9,295 liposuction procedures in the age group in 2007, and 7,882 breast augmentations; the latter procedure was being performed on teens six times more often than in 1997.

A recent survey of more than 1,000 girls in the United States, ages 8 to 17, sponsored by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund — which has a partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA — found that 70 percent of the girls felt that their appearance did not “measure up”; only 10 percent said they believed they were “pretty enough.”

 

How You Can Help Them

Experts say it can be easier for grandparents — who are not caught up in the daily stresses of teens’ lives, and whose opinions teens may respect more than those of other adults — to step in and bolster their grandchildren’s self-esteem and even talk them out of plans for plastic surgery. Encouraging, well-timed words from a grandparent can give a grandchild more confidence than plastic surgery ever could. Here are some tips to help navigate the rocky terrain of body image with your teenage grandchildren:

 

Know what’s happening. To be an effective influence, you must be informed about your grandchildren’s lives, the challenges they face, and the influences on them. Don’t assume that things are the same as when your kids were teens — in the 1970s and 1980s, there were no TV shows like MTV’s I Want a Famous Face, which follows 12 young people seeking plastic surgery to look more like their celebrity idols.

There are many reasons why teens feel the need to change their appearance, but it often boils down to low self-esteem and poor body image. For that reason, the most effective steps grandparents can take are simply devoting more time and positive attention to their grandchildren. “You can develop a trusting relationship by quietly observing their likes and dislikes and noting their favorite TV shows, celebrities, and music — without critiquing,” advises psychologist Erik Fisher, author of The Art of Empowered Parenting: The Manual You Wish Your Kids Came With (Ovation, 2007). “Then ask your grandchildren, ‘What attracts you to those people? Do you like the way  they dress? The way they look?’ Ask your grandkids how they feel about the way that they look. If they shy away, don’t push. They may come to you later when they feel more comfortable. Let them know that you realize that growing up in today’s world can be tough, and you want to be someone they can talk to.”

 

Slow them down. If grandchildren confide in you that they are considering radical cosmetic procedures, discuss with them how this is not a decision that they should make impulsively. By encouraging them to sit down and think it through, you can play a major role in helping them make informed choices. “Hormonally, teens are all over the map — their brain development is not at a place where they can evaluate themselves and do a good job of predicting outcomes of choices,” says Annie Fox, an online advisor for teens and the author of Middle School Confidential: Be Confident in Who You Are (Free Spirit, 2008). “Therefore, they’re more likely to make choices they’ll later regret, from their need for peer approval. Grandparents can be a wonderful antidote to the stresses of peer group, school, and home, as they are less likely to have ‘carved-in-stone’ expectations of the child. Grandparents also have fewer short-term expectations than parents, so it’s easier for the child to just ‘be’ with a grandparent.”

 

Be an oasis of acceptance. “Your response to a teen is vital,” says Alice Aspen March, author of Attention: It’s the Problem, It’s the Solution. March, who helped her own granddaughter as she struggled with weight fluctuations, says, “If people think that they’re not loved because of how they look, it’s a serious problem. My granddaughter was very thin. Then she put on considerable weight and didn’t know what to do. She’d discuss her insecurities with me, saying ‘I’m so fat,’ and I’d respond very low key. I’d ask, ‘What would you like to hear from me? How can I help?’

“I know I helped,” March says, “because she kept coming back. She needed to be in my space, because she felt she was accepted. A grandmother can talk about her own body, and what she went through as a teen, so she connects with her grandchild on the inside. My own grandmother played a huge role in helping me feel good about myself, by giving unconditional love.”

 

When They Still Want Surgery

But how do you respond when a healthy, normal-size grandchild insists that she needs liposuction because she thinks she’s too fat? “It’s important to realize that you can’t argue with an adolescent’s reality,” says Dr. David Elkind, author of The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon (Da Capo, 2001). “Present your position in a nonconfrontational way — You may be right, but that’s not the way I see it; What makes you think that?; Tell me more about your thoughts on the issue. Help them think through their reality and in the process, help them gain a more objective perspective.”
 
When a tween feels insecure about looks, athletic ability, or school performance, says Fox, you don’t need to talk about it directly. Simply work to create an ongoing, positive relationship in which your grandchildren can feel good about themselves. “Catch a child in the act of doing something right,” Fox advises. “Offer realistic and specific feedback like, ‘I really liked how you helped your sister do her homework.’ Don’t just say, ‘You’re a great kid.’ Young adults become self-confident when they’re given a task and responsibility. Show appreciation. Give them the opportunity to try something and do it well and be acknowledged for it.”

 

More Ways to Help Granddaughters

Other ways you can help a granddaughter build self-confidence include sharing books with her like Our Bodies, Ourselves (Touchstone, 2005); encouraging her to exercise and eat a healthy diet, which should make her feel better about herself from head to toe; and shopping with her for a new outfit or taking her on a salon trip for a new hairstyle — making relatively minor improvements and adjustments to one’s appearance can have a great impact on self-esteem.

Find more expert advice on teens and body image from the Center for Young Women’s Health, The InSite, Girls Inc., Uniquely Me, and breastimplantinfo.org.

Source: Grand Parents

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Signs of Readiness for the Potty

By: Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D
July 18, 2009

First, some perspective for frazzled parents: Every healthy child is successfully potty trained. In the long run, the age at which she masters these particular skills doesn’t matter. It’s not a reflection of your skills as a parent or your love for her. Doing it earlier doesn’t mean she’s smarter or more coordinated or will get into an Ivy League school.
But if you start potty training before your child is biologically and emotionally ready, you’re both going to become frustrated and upset. It will also drag out the process because it’s likely to turn into a battle of wills-a battle that parents never win. That’s why it’s a good idea to know the signs that she’s probably going to be successful before you start.
Most children become potty trained between 18 and 30 months. However, some children still struggle with the skills when they’re 4 years old. But if you look closely, your child will tell you with her behavior that she’s probably ready to begin.

For example:

• Does she have bowel movements at a fairly predictable time? Does she let you know through words or behaviors that she’s aware that she’s having one?
• Can she pull down and pull up her pants?
• Does she show an interest in the bathroom and what other people do in it?
• Can she walk over to and sit down on the potty by herself?
• Has she started saying “No!” to you? Does she like to have at least some of her toys in certain special places? This shows that she’s interested in controlling things in her environment.
• Does she know what “wet” and “dry” mean?
• Does she respond to praise and want to please you?

If your child shows most of these behaviors, she may be ready to begin. We can help you with some ways to start.

 Remember, never try to potty train a child during a time of stress, such as when your family is moving or going on vacation, or when the child is sick. If it doesn’t seem to be working, take a break and try again in a few weeks or months. It will happen; just give it time.

Source: Pampers

Editor’s Note: We would like to hear your story and what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

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