Websites for Preschoolers

With all these snowstorms and freezing temperatures, it's hard to want to leave the house and young children can get a little bored or stir crazy. Instead of having your child watch mindless t.v. or movies all day there are some fun websites out there that provide both learning and entertainment and are appropriate for preschool children. Many sites have things like printables that are good for crafts, but i am just going to focus on ones that have interactive games on them too.

Disney features it's funschool website which has games, craft videos, and resources for parents and teachers.

Starfall.com is a reading website that has phonics, stories, songs and activities. It reads words that you click on so you don't have to be right next to your child reading to her.

Sesame Street has it's own interactive site that is full of games and other fun things.

and Scholastic's Magic School bus which includes games, stories, videos and printables.

You can always search for additional sites, but this will help get you started.

Tips to help an overstimulated baby

During the holidays we get more invitations to parties and gatherings then other times of the year. If you have a baby that means one of 3 things. Option 1 stay home. Option 2 pay a fortune each time for a babysitter. Option 3 bring your baby.

If you choose option 3 and bring your baby, s/he may not be used to all the noise, people, etc. and it's possible to get a little fussy. Let me rephrase that. It's possible for your baby to get a little fussy. Ok and you too.

If your baby starts to get overstimulated by all the noise and commotion there are some things that you can do to help calm him/her down. The first thing would be to pick up your baby if s/he is not already in your arms, in order to offer comfort. If this does not work, find a quiet space to bring your baby and talk or sing to him/her. Leaving the chaos will let your babies senses take a break. None of us like a noisy, crowded room for too long, either, so think about it from your tiny babies perspective.

Once your baby is quieted, bring him/her back into the room, or if it's possible, leave him/her in a separate room to play in a pack'n'play or be watched by an older child.

Peace and quiet. There's a lot to be said about it. Just not right now.

Happy Holidays!

Teaching your child to say Thank you

With Thanksgiving coming this week, many kids in school are being asked to say what they are thankful for. But do they really know what that means? Are we instilling gratitude in our kids or are we raising kids to be selfish and have a sense of entitlement?

Too many children expect their parents to give them things or for their friends to give them the toy they want, and I'm just talking about the preschoolers. Is that the kind of child you want to raise?

Thanksgiving started when the Pilgrims wanted to say thank you for all the help the Native Americans gave them, which begs the question: How often to we say thank you? And if we are not, then our children are certainly not either.

This time of year is the perfect time to start instilling some gratitude in your young one. Teaching your child to say please and thank you will get them in the habit of not only having good manners (which everyone appreciates) but it will make them realize that something is being done for them and they will eventually understand what that means. Habits are learned early and hard to change the older we are, so take this opportunity to really teach what giving thanks is all about.

How too much tv affects your child

ow much time does your young child spend in front of the television? Do you find yourself putting on the dvd player in the car, handing your iPhone to your child so s/he can watch a movie, or putting on the t.v. at home to entertain your child?

TV watching is a passive activity that doesn't require anything more than sitting there, staring at a screen which can lead to obesity and affect developmental skills. When your child is sitting around watching television, they are NOT doing a lot of other things such as: reading a book, playing outside, socially interacting with others, being creative, or being physically active. These are all things crucial for meeting developmental milestones. Limiting t.v. watching time allows for more planned activities which will help your child work on skills like conversational skills, gross and fine motor skills, and cognitive skills.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that TV watching should be limited to one to two hours per day of quality programs. The word quality is key here. Make sure what your child is watching offers something to your child. Programs like Dora the Explorer attempt to engage your child in critical thinking skills. And although the questions posed in programs like this are better when coming from an actual person who can help your child come up with the correct answer, it is better than watching mindless television that does not offer a lesson, or some learning.

They also suggest that your child should not have a t.v. in his/her room, that if a program is not worth watching, do not keep the t.v. on for background noise, and choose program times as you would if you were going to a movie. It might not be a bad idea to actually check out the programs your young child watches and look at some others to in order to compare. You may discover that one is better than another and is better quality. This should apply to movies too. You should know exactly what kind of content the movies have in them. Just because something is animated, doesn't mean it's age appropriate.

Set a t.v. time, choose programs wisely and plan activities for your child that will help, not hinder your young one's developmental skills. Children learn from doing. As an old chinese proverb says "Tell me and I forget, Show me and I remember, Involve me and I understand".

Does your child behave appropriately at a restaurant?

If you look at the top of the menu of a particular outdoor restaurant on Long Island you read that children must remain seated during their stay and that service is dependent on this. And a few years ago there was some contraversy over a sign in a Chicago coffee shop that read "children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices when coming to A Taste of Heaven."

Some may get upset by this and some understand and appreciate these signs. Sometimes it seems to be a clash of those with children vs those without when it comes to things like this. Each parent though, actually each person, comes from a different school of thought. There are some parents who are more liberal with their children and feel everyone should agree with their views. It's kindof like politics that way.

The point is, that when people go out to a restaurant, coffee shop or pizzeria, chances are they really don't want to listen to a screaming, misbehaved or whining child and like it even less when that child is running around. Most of us prefer to enjoy our time out...in peace. Especially since the reason we go out is for fun, to relax, to catch up with friends and dining out brings a certain mood that can easily be ruined by an unruly child.

To avoid your child from fitting into the category of "that kid" (you know, the one describe above who everyone is staring at) here are some things to keep in mind:

*Enforce appropriate table manners and proper in-seat behavior at home at your own table. When you are sitting down for meals, make sure your child is sitting too. Encourage him/her to sit quietly, with no yelling, whining or bouncing around rules. Some squirming is to be expected but reinforce staying in the chair.

*Bring something to do. Many parents go out for coffee or a meal with a young child and then expect that child to either sit there, or run around. Neither of these are good options and they are not fair to your child. Bring a bag full of crayons, coloring books, toys, books or dolls. Something that can fit on the table that your child enjoys playing with to keep him/her distracted.

*Talk to your child before going out about the behavior you expect. If your child is old enough to understand (about 2yrs and above) sit quietly with your child and tell him/her that you will be going out and explain exactly what you want to see. For example "we are going to the coffee shop and when we get there I want you to sit quietly with me and stay in your sit". If necessary offer and reward and tell your child they can pick out something yummy to eat, but that it is contingent upon the good behavior.

Going out should be enjoyable for everyone. If you have to constantly scold your child or chase after them, then it means that you are not having a good time, and the people around you aren't either. Having your child be well behaved means that you can enjoy your time with your child, and it means your child will have a good time too. It also means that your child will be safe since running around can lead to falls, hot beverage spills and even running into the street if it's an outside place. A well behaved child is a happy child and by children of all ages behaving appropriately all will enjoy time out together.

When to start your child in swim lessons

We know you love your child. And we know you pack anything they need for the pool. We've seen your trunks. But we also know that if you could just get rid of the swimmies and the tubes you pack in the bag and lug to the pool you would be a much happier camper.
When your child does not know how to swim, not only do you need to bring all the extra equipment, but you have to be in the water with your child every time s/he wants to be there holding him/her up...and let's face it... sometimes the water is just a little too chilly and the kids are a little too splashy for you to enjoy yourself.
So, that being said, many parents pose the question: "What is a good age to put my child in swim lessons"? The answer is around 3 -4 years depending on how much your child likes water. Even though there are swim classes for children as young as 6 months, these are really there just to get your child adapted to the water and there is no need for you to spend your money on them. Children who are about 3 years old begin to explore the water more freely and experiment with going under water and kicking their feet etc. As they get closer to 4 years old most children who are not afraid of the water are ready to swim. If your child is one of those children who goes under water and loves to be in it, then you may want to consider finding some lessons.
The best thing to do is sign up for private swim lessons. Many parents put there children in group lessons where their children get about 5 minutes of personal time once you factor in the other 5 or more kids in the group getting a turn. It is best to hire a swim instructor that works at your pool and use your money for private lessons where your child will get personalized attention for 30 minutes.
You should watch these lessons and listen in to all the key terms like "talk to the fish" and "listen to the fish" so that when you practice with your child you use the same cues that the instructor uses.
Once your child is proficient in the water, if they are young, it may be a good idea to go in the water with them or at least be sitting on the side of the pool depending on the skill level just to be on the safe side. And as you sit there knowing you and your child are free from swimmies and floaties and tubes, you can bask in the sun and enjoy watching your water baby show off her/his new skills.

Dr. Stanley I. Greenspan Dies at The Age of 68

Anyone involved in some way with Autism knows Dr. Stanley Greenspan's name. Amongst other accomplishments, he is best known for developing the 'Floor Time' method which involves getting on the floor with the child and following the child's actions instead of a more adult directed approach.

Dr. Greenspan died on April 27th at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Md., of complications from a stroke.

Linking the iPad With Education

Today's technology is being used more and more in the classroom and to aid students in learning. Computer technology, various websites, Wii's and whiteboards are among some of the more common we hear about. Now, a recent article on eschoolsnews.com states that applications for Apple's new iPad include programs to help with science, math, languages, and research. With more than 150,000 application downloads at costs of $2 to more than $15 the iPad is sure to have something for students of all ages.

The educational applications include ones that can help teach periodic table learning in a different form than the one we are used to, as well as language learning apps. The recently released app from Hello-Hello.com offers access to the site’s entire Spanish course and allows access to social networking sites where students can chat with native speakers of the language they are studying. Some company's programs are available for free such as“USA Factbook" which describes the 50 and “States & Capitals" designed for students prepping for a geography quiz or exam.

Some children just learn better through technology. As the world of technology and education continue to integrate, these tools are good to keep in mind as additional supports for kids who have trouble learning the traditional way.

Kate Winslet narrates "A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism"

April 2nd was Autism Awareness Day and was also the day when HBO premiered a film called "A Mother's Courage: Talking Back To Autism" which looks at Autism through a mother's eyes.

The movie which is narrated by actress Kate Winslet is about a mother from Iceland who does what she can to find out more about Autism and documents follows her efforts to find ways to help her severely Autistic son Keli as well as improve his life. The documentary follows Margret as she travels to places in Europe and ends up in America to be closer to a treatment center in Texas which will prove helpful for Keli.

The documentary not only shares Margret's story but stories of families along the way and gives watchers a glimpse of the daily struggles and frustrations families with children who have Autism face.

HBO will also air the show this Wednesday 4/7, Thursday 4/8 and Saturday 4/10. Since approximately 1 in 110 persons have Autism, the chances of you knowing someone who is affected in some way by this disorder is growing, so perhaps checking out this documentary which runs for a little more than an hour and a half or at least watching the trailer may be a good way to spend some time.

New DSM-5 to Remove Diagnoses of Asperger's

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders known as DSM will launch a revised 5th edition or the DSM-5 in May 2013. This new manual will remove the diagnoses of Asperger's Syndrome as it's own disorder and place it under the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The reasoning behind this change is that Asperger's is already part of the Autism Spectrum but those with it are higher functioning and often do not have language deficits, but rather social difficulties are the main issue. The news release by the American Psychiatric Association said this about the change:

“The recommendation of a new category of autism spectrum disorders reflects recognition by the

work group that the symptoms of these disorders represent a continuum from mild to severe,

rather than being distinct disorders,”

This change will supposedly make it easier for school districts to give services and parents to get services for their child because the children will be classified as Autistic and therefore qualify to receive services more easily rather than having to decide which category/ diagnoses the child falls. Some states do not give Special Education services to children with Asperger's because they often have average to high IQ's and adequate language skills. This new criteria will make it more children eligible to receive services through Special Education.

Shakira Meets with the President

The famous Columbian singer Shakira went to Washington during the end of February to meet with the president's education staff and National Security Council. She reportedly spoke about early childhood development and US policy towards children. She also met with the President privately in the Oval Office saying "I wanted to see how I can be helpful to the administration in any kind of way to continue promoting early childhood development strategies around the world and within the U.S."

Shakira is not only an international superstar but she is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She went to Washington in support of the ALAS foundation which encourages early childhood development education in the Latin American world. ALAS is a "coalition of artists, intellectuals and academics and business leaders who have all come together to promote early childhood development initiatives, to defend the right that our children have in those first years, those first six years of their lives, to receive education and nutrition and proper care".

Right on the heels of this meeting though, the government released a statement notifying Early Intervention Agencies of significant cut in rates of pay. With so much attention and focus on early childhood development, it seems unfortunate that the people who are in early childhood development, those working with the 0-3 year old population who have worked for more than 10 years with no pay increase, and increasing paperwork will have to suffer a decrease in wages.

Pajamas... Not just for sleeping anymore

What's the deal with all the kids wearing Pajamas everywhere these days?

I was recently at a restaurant when 2 pre-teen girls walked in and they both wearing pajama bottoms as pants. And they were with parents!

At what point did an item of clothing meant for lounging and sleeping become acceptable attire for going out to dinner? It's bad enough to see kids wearing their pajama pants on the weekend at Dunkin Donuts but it's even worse when it is at a restaurant.

Have parents stopped trying to instill standards in their children? Do they just not want to argue with their pre-teen or teenage child? Or have parents become so complacent that they just accept any new fashion and go with it?

Either way parents are not helping their children when they allow them to go out dressed in anything they want. They are not instilling a sense of self respect, or what appropriately dressed means. When a parent does not instill these values in their child, it can be hard for that child as s/he gets older. Will that child understand what is appropriate for his/her work place? Or for an interview? We are judged by the way we dress whether we like it or not and it should be important for children to understand how to present themselves well.

When we dress good, we feel good, when we dress in sloppy casual clothes, we tend to feel worse and be less productive. Helping a child look his or her best so that s/he can feel good about themselves, act better and be more productive as well as be dressed appropriately for the place they are going is an excellent lesson a parent teach do for their child.

How we present ourselves is a reflection on us. Next time your kid wants to wear pj's out and about ask yourself this... what if your child's teachers or doctors started wearing pajama pants to work. Would you really want them involved in your child's life or trust that they would be doing the best job they could? If it's not ok for people involved in your child's life, it shouldn't be ok for your child either.

Are you spoiling your child with too many gifts?

There are some children in this world who are fortunate enough to be part of families who love them and have the financial means to shower them with gifts.

Some of these children though, get so many presents for birthdays and the holidays that at times it can be too overwhelming for them. They go from present to present without really appreciating the thought and generosity that went into the gift. Dolls, mini cars, train sets, play kitchens, bikes... and more that was on the wishlist is now a wish come true.

Even though your child wanted all these fun and amazing toys and will probably have a great time playing with them, are you helping or hurting your child by overwhelming them with too many gifts?

So as the gift giving and receiving adventure ensues, there are some things to keep in mind.

The first is this: If a young child has too many toys, it can be too distracting, and even create some difficulties in attention. Too many toys means too many choices and it's so easy for a child to go from toy to toy to toy, without any structure or meaningful play. They may not learn to sit and play with just one toy for a while because there are just so many to get to or because they just don't have to.

The next thing to keep in mind is: What are we teaching our children when we spoil them with everything they want? Children need to be taught generosity and young kids don't really understand or appreciate all the gifts they get, especially if it's a common occurrence. A scene from a Harry Potter movie comes to mind when Harry's spoiled cousin gets upset because there were only 36 presents for his birthday when the year before he had 2 more than that. Sound like anyone you know? I hope not! This type of mentality is what we are trying to avoid in a child.

Obviously babies have no idea what they get if anything, and toddlers are usually happy with anything they get. If you have a child who is more aware of gifts, think about whether or not your child already has too many of something already, and also think about the gifts they are getting. Are they over the top? Too expensive? Are they necessary? Does your child need that $200 play kitchen? or the $1300 doll house? or new bike? new PS3 or Xbox? Will s/he be able to go on being happy without these things or maybe with slightly less expensive or grand versions?

You can also put some gifts away to be opened at another time. If your child is getting too many big gifts, then put some of them away, and give them to your child at a time when s/he may need a little pick me up or when s/he has done something extra special.

As you think about what your child will be receiving or after all the gifts have been opened consider taking some inventory and cleaning out the old to make room for the new.

Clear out old toys or toys your child doesn't use anymore, is too old for, or are broken or have lost pieces. Take the toys that are in usable condition and donate to those less fortunate and make sure you explain to your child exactly what you are doing and why. Also bring your child with you when you donate them. Most people go to Salvation Army type places but there are many preschools and elementary schools with large populations of children at the poverty level who would love the toys.

Donating at this time of year gives you a great opportunity to explain to your child that not all children are as fortunate as your child is and some of these children don't even have crayons, books or even a teddy bear. This will help you teach your child about generosity, about others outside of his/her world and hopefully teach your child to appreciate what s/he has while you are helping those in tough situations.

So as you celebrate your holidays, let us try to remember what this time of year really means... and it's more than just how much stuff we get. And even though it's fun for kids of all ages to receive gift after gift, there is such a thing as too much.

Happy Holidays and Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy 2010.

Holiday Gifts for Young Children

It may seem like there are still plenty shopping days left until the Holidays, but they will be here before you know it. It can be hard to know what to get and we've all spent hours online, at tons of different stores looking for the perfect gift and then there are the times you just give up completely and just get whatever. Well, when it comes to buying gifts for toddlers it may be easier than you think. Whether you are buying for your own children, a friend's child or your nieces and nephews sometimes less can really be more. Sounds a little crazy I know, but I've seen it for myself!

Children who are 2, 3 and even 4 are fairly easy to please. Sometimes something as simple as stickers and a coloring book can keep them happy for hours. Other choices include: Playdoh, Mr. Potato Head accessories, pinwheels, trucks, cars and fun bathtime toys like bathtub paints or a basketball hoop for the tub can be the perfect gift. Many times these simple gifts are the ones that the kids love and use over and over.

Not good enough? Here are two sites with great gifts that are not the same 'ol thing you see in the stores over and over again.

spoonsisters.com not only ships quickly but they have a site full of unusual things that are fun to look at, fun to buy and fun to give to others. One product that would make a great gift is their yellow pages booster seat. Remember the days when the "kids seat" at a restaurant or diner was the thick yellow pages book? Well spoonsisters has a better version... it's plastic.

Another great site is uncommongoods.com the name actually says it all. Some gifts for kids are colorforms, chalkboard placemats, fun socks and more. When you are shopping, keep in mind how many gifts these children are probably getting. They get presents from their own parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and other friends and family so they will already be overwhelmed by the amount of gifts that you really don't need to stress over the one you get. This is not to say you shouldn't put any thought into what s/he may like, but there is no need to spend hours in agony over what to buy. Think about the child's interests and buy one or two simple and fun items that s/he can enjoy using and voilà you are done! So whether you are shopping in the stores or online, keep simplicity in mind and you may be able to have some fun in picking out these things that may bring us back to our childhood days when life was so much easier.

Happy Shopping!

Government Sites have Kid's Pages to Help Children Learn More

There has been a lot of controversy these days surrounding health care reform, tea parties, the economy and more. Although they may not understand, children hear about these issues on the news, by hearing adults speak about them and possibly from other sources and they learn about the President, history and what is going on in our country through school. Since these children... your children... are America's future and are affected by these issues one way or another, it's helpful for them to learn a bit more about the White House, the jobs and roles of our government employees and government agencies like the FBI and CIA.

Did you know that these agencies all have kid's pages so that children in grades K-12 can learn more about what each does. They provide information, fun games and educational activities that are pretty interesting for adults too.

The CIA also provides information for parents and teachers which can help them talk to children about issues such as internet safety. The FBI has cool info about their working dogs, has interesting stories and has safety tips. On the Government site you can learn about diplomacy and being a diplomat, how laws are made, learn about money, national parks as well as many other things. Additional government departments such as the Treasury Department have links to other sites such as the U.S. Mint department as well as a White House page.

Take some time to look at these sites with your kids and you might be surprised how much you learn. We are the land of the free and our children have the opportunity to learn about the government in a fun way, so why not take advantage?

Swine Flu Parties

Move over birthdays and graduations, there's a new party in town: Swine flu parties. Yes you did not misread, as I thought I did when I first read about this "party". There has been some chatter regarding these "parties" where people purposefully expose themselves to the swine in hopes of getting it. It stems from the idea that exposure will help people avoid a more serious illness in the future.

Back in the day, moms made play dates with kids who had chicken pox, so their child could get it, get it over with, and not have to worry about it as an adult. But these are two very different illnesses and the same rules don't apply. Who knows if people are actually having these parties, but the CDC (center for disease control) strongly advises against these parties. They do however offer some tips to stay healthy, which is what we have hopefully been doing all along, such as frequent washing of our hands etc.

There has been a lot of media regarding the swine flu and personal feelings regarding getting vaccinated or not. The media loves to hype things up and make things bigger than they really are, so what you won't hear them saying is that the 'regular' flu has been the cause of many deaths for years, and that swine flu is no more than a different strain of the flu. For centuries there have been much worse illnesses that people have met with such as the black plague, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, and more. So we need to keep our perspectives in check and realize this is nothing more than the flu with another name and we've been dealing with the flu for our entire lives.

Just because certain strains of the flu are out there doesn't mean any of us will catch them, so to expose your child on purpose to an illness is at the very least a cruel and awful thing to do. We should carry on as we had been doing in the years before we ever heard of swine flu and let nature take it's course. And instead of thinking about exposing children to a potentially serious illness, we should focus on keeping our children warm, fed, clothed and loved.

Halloween Safety

   As we approach this 'spooktacular' time of year, once again I am taken back to when I was a child and would come home from trick-or-treating, excited about all the cool candy I got. Barring the few rogue pennies, apples and raisin boxes (which were always disappointing) I must say I always did well. But before I could get my hands on the candy, we always needed to do the standard candy check, because as we all remember, back in the day there was the razor blades in the apples, poison lacings and injections in the candies legends (or were they?). Although those legends may not still be around, it does bring up a good point; Halloween safety is always important.

   When you go out, if you plan on going when it's dark, bring a flashlight or put a glowing or blinking light on your kids, so drivers can see them. Make sure you walk on the sidewalk (if there is one) or along the side of the road. Don't wander in the middle of the road with your group. If your child is embarrassed to have a parent with her/him, go anyway, but hang back a little. Stay close enough where you can still see your child, but far away enough to give them some space. Also, be aware of strangers that are too friendly. If you feel uncomfortable, just excuse yourself and your child and be on your way.

   Some things to keep in mind after going door to door: Check your child's bag. Is there any open candy? anything s/he is allergic too? anything that you have a gut feeling is not safe to eat. If so, then throw it out. If there is anything homemade, unless it's from someone you know, it's probably best to throw that out as well. You never know what is in the food.

   Lastly, have fun. Halloween may feel like a chore to some parents, but it's a very exciting night for children, so enjoy their fun too. One of the benefits of being a parent is getting to eat some of your child's candy... so just think about getting to pick out some of your favorites, because you may be to old to say 'trick-or-treat' but you are never to old to eat Halloween candy!

Baby Einstein: Doesn't turn your baby into an Einstein

Disney's line of "genius" videos including "Baby Einstein", "Baby Mozart", "Baby Shakespeare", etc seemed like a good idea at the time. The title's alone bring about the thought of prodigies and geniuses, therefore it's easy to get swept away in the notion that perhaps if you show these videos to your child, s/he too can be more than an average baby (not that there is anything wrong with average). Unfortunately, however, any claims whether stated, inferred or assumed that these videos do anything more than entertain your baby, are now proven to be false.

Disney's admission to this comes in the form of refunds to parents who have purchased these videos since 2004. It does remind us that although it is nice to have something with content that may actually stimulate your child's mind, instead of the type of show that will "rot your brain", clearly there is no substitution for you; the parents. It is a parents job, not a videos, to help foster and support the development of your child through play, books, picture card etc.

Even if these videos lived up to their titles, it's rare that your baby would be a genius or Mozart, but your child can do well and be at the top of the learning curve instead of the bottom, if you support and work with your child. Don't wait for someone else to do it. Don't think to yourself, well s/he'll learn all that in school, or through t.v. Instead, having a good parental work ethic can help your child meet developmental milestones and be prepared when s/he starts school. Basics like colors, counting and knowing the alphabet will start you on your way. For some other helpful suggestions Psychology Today offers really great advice here.

Teacher Uses the Wii to Help Improve Student's Motor Skills

We know kids love video games. And we know that video games require good dexterity and hand eye coordination. The Wii fit also requires it's users to have good balance as well, so it makes a perfect addition to a classroom with multi handicapped students.

As part of a grant, Kevin McDaniel, a teacher at the Elgin West Elementary School purchased and uses the Wii in his classroom, using it to help increase student's gross motor and fine motor skills as well as improve attention.

Also used as a tool in physical therapy this new phenomenon is known as "Wiihab" helping people recover from surgery and injuries and now as a tool in the classroom to aid children with disabilities.

Not a bad way to spend some time in class huh? Who loves video games? Wiiii do!

To read the original article click here

Puppies Behind Bars

Has your child ever asked you for a puppy? They are so cute and cuddly that we all can understand why a child would want one. Having a dog can bring so much fun and joy into our lives but they also require a lot of time and patience amongst other things. Kids usually do not think about or may not understand just how much work it takes to own a dog, which can be just one of the many reasons why a parent says 'no' when a child asks to get a puppy. But what if you want to say 'yes', but circumstances are such that you are not able to? Well...being a volunteer with the program Puppies Behind Bars, may just be a solution to your problem.

Puppies Behind Bars is an amazing program in which inmates in correctional facilities in the New York Tri State Area raise and train puppies. These puppies live in the cell with their raisers who are responsible for caring for and training them. The puppies then go out 2-3 weekends a month with volunteers referred to as "puppy sitters" who as the website describes:

"take the dogs into their homes in order to expose them to things they won't experience in prison. These can be as simple as hearing doorbells or the sounds of a coffee grinder, and as complex as learning how to ride in a car and walk down a crowded sidewalk."

The dogs are golden retrievers and labs whose ages range about 5 or 6 months to about 10 months old. The goal is to have them graduate and move on to further training as bomb sniffing dogs or service dogs. Since these dogs are on such a strict regime, they are house trained and are much better behaved than most puppies. They are not allowed to sit on furniture, eat 'human' food, or bark.

Since my roommate was a volunteer for this program, I was able to see first hand how the program works and enjoy spending time with the wonderful dogs. As someone who has never had a dog before, it was a great way not only to learn what it would be like to own a dog, but to get out of the house and do something different. I will admit it was hard at times to say goodbye, but it was fun being with so many different dogs of all sizes and personalities.

Here is how it works if you are a volunteer: You must commit for one year to the program. After a few days of training, the volunteers then begin taking the puppies for either an overnight stay once a month or 2 weekend days a month. You only need to take the dog for a few hours during the day. The program allows you to request specific dogs but there are times you may not be given that dog. The volunteer is responsible for picking up and dropping off the dog and the correctional facilities.

Depending on if you think your child would be able to deal with saying good-bye to the dogs after a few hours or even an overnight stay with them, this program is a great way to have all the excitement that comes with having a dog without having to own one, and at the same time your child will be learning things like responsibility for caring for another living being. And you all be giving back to an important program.

Learn more about the program by clicking here. Even if you don't think the program is for you, check out the site anyway and pass on the info.