CHALK TALK: helping young children be aware of the purpose of advertising

As with television and the internet, young children may innocently embrace advertisements on kid-friendly apps, such as the recently launched YouTube Kids app, as a resource of viable, unbiased information. While adults and older children have a better understanding of the intention of advertising, children eight years and younger are particularly susceptible to the persuasion of ads sharing the screen with educational content and kid-appropriate entertainment.

Children advocacy groups express concerns about the negative influences of advertisements on these age-appropriate apps. They worry that the ads, specifically those targeting vulnerable young children, contribute to reinforcing children’s fixation on soft drinks, junk food, and other unhealthy habits. The issue matches concerns raised in a report published in 2004 by the American Psychological Association entitled “Television Advertising Leads to Unhealthy Habits in Children.”

Dr. Rebecca Osborne, Technology Enhanced Curriculum Specialist for Fairmont Private Schools, encourages parents to monitor what their children are watching and to be vigilant about the kind of advertising that accompanies the programs.  Parents may want to consider streaming programming such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, which do not include ads, as an alternative to broadcast television or ad-supported apps.

When children watch ad-supported programming, parents can help their children identify the difference between a regular show and an advertisement. Parents can point out how the characters are different, the changes in volume or pacing, and how the content of the program and advertisement does not match.  Since this type of distinguishing will not develop until children are around 5-6 years old, parental guidance is essential for helping them see the differences.

Lastly, parents can help their children think critically about the information they are presented. This skill will develop over time, but parents can encourage children to evaluate statements by simply asking "What do you think about that?" or "Do you agree with what they are saying?"

Children have a natural curiosity, and parents should foster this type of thinking in their children to help them identify advertisements and avoid being unduly persuaded by them.

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

Image by sheknows

SNACKTIME: healthy nutrition habits for the whole family

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommends a tasty Mediterranean-style diet for promoting good health and preventing disease. The basis of this nutritional recommendation comes from traditional dietary preferences in Greece, Southern Italy, and Spain. Families can enjoy a super healthy plant-based diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes (beans, peas, and tofu), and whole grains without giving up meat.

In fact, an analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean-style diet provides a host of benefits. The diet helps reduce risks of heart disease and cancer, as well as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

Key components of a Mediterranean-style diet:

• Eat primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts (tofu = soybeans = plant).
• Replace butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil.
• Use herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods.
• Limit red meat to no more than a few times a month.
• Eat fish and poultry at least twice a week.

Practical tip #1
Keep nuts like almonds, cashews, pistachios, and walnuts handy for a quick snack.  Pair with fruit or whole grain crackers for convenient after school snacking.

Practical tip #2
Dip celery, carrots, or cucumbers in hummus.

Select natural peanut butter instead of brands with added hydrogenated fat. Try blended sesame seeds (tahini) as a dip or spread for bread. A Mediterranean food guide is available on Health Facts for You, a fact sheet prepared by UW Health.

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Submitted by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD
Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company

Image credit: Nazareth Healthcare

A to Z the secret sauce of summer camp

It’s no secret that children benefit in many ways from participating in summer camp programs. They develop leadership and teamwork skills, develop friendships, and explore new interests. But what is the "secret sauce" of summer camp? What makes camp such a rewarding and memorable experience?

At Fairmont, we value simple moments, such as a camper beaming with pride after learning how to tie his/her shoes for the first time with the help of a counselor. We look forward to the looks of amazement when campers discover something new in science and the sounds of laughter and excitement that fills the bus on the way to our Friday field trips.  These moments are magical and memory-making for children.

We also appreciate this Top 5 list of the "Unique Powers of Camp" compiled by educator/author Michael Brandwein. He explains how summer camp provides these benefits: 

1. Camp leads the way in using the best methods to help children learn and grow. For almost 150 years, camps have been the leader in using the number one secret to teaching: children learn most from doing. 
2. Camp communities remove the typical pressures from school and support children in a positive atmosphere that cherishes effort and persistence. One fast way to explain the incredible power of camping is in two words: "no grades." 
3. Camp offers distinctive value in preparing children for future success. Camp creates communities where kids make daily decisions about activities and learn how to get along with others. 
4. Camp offers an unequaled variety of opportunities to develop well-rounded children. Camps cut like a laser through the negative expectations and beliefs that can stick to children and hold them back. 
5. Camp combats youth isolation by offering positive and accepting communities. Camp is all about belonging to a group that respects and values each member. 

What makes camp special for you? While that definition might be slightly different for each person, the "superpower" of summer camp is undeniable. Visit Fairmont Summer Programs today to learn more about the exciting opportunities that await your child!

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

BOOK REPORT: five summer must-reads for young adults

During the school year, students perpetually read and analyze a variety of texts. Summer provides a great opportunity for students to deviate from the required reading list and engage in books of their own choosing. To establish a love of reading, students should be encouraged to explore their own literary tastes and preferences. Check out these renowned bestsellers for summer reading inspiration!

Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll’s adventure story, riddled with nonsense and confusion, begins with a young girl’s daydream of tumbling down a rabbit hole into a magical land of talking animals, wild tea parties, and disproportionate limbs. Alice tries to make sense of  Wonderland and the characters she meets, but the more she tries to solve their riddles, the more frustrated she becomes. Alice in Wonderland captures the essence of growing up and the confusion young people face while transitioning from childhood to adulthood.

The Aviary, Kathleen O’Dell

The Aviary follows a Victorian girl named Clara who has been cloistered away in a crumbling mansion. Clara soon discovers that there’s more than meets the eye to the mansion and the pet birds living in the aviary outside her window. When a new neighbor moves in across the street, Clara becomes intrigued with life outside and begins investigating the strange  happenings around the mansion.

The Invisible Man, H.G. Wells

Written by a student of science, The Invisible Man delights budding science fiction readers with scenes of great chases, escapes, and trickery only capable by an invisible man. An overarching theme of isolation follows the character of Griffin as he creates an invisibility elixir and becomes forever concealed. However, Griffin soon discovers that life as an invisible person is not as simple as it appears. Disasters ensue, leaving the invisible man on the run, isolating himself even further.  

Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls

The classic tale of boy and boy’s best friend, Where the Red Fern Grows reveals the resilience and determination of one young man as he achieves his dream of raising competitive coonhounds in the Ozark Mountains. Meshed with triumph and heartbreak, Billy’s adventures with his young pups display the friendship and grit of which young people are capable.

The Princess Bride, William Goldman

What do you get when you mix a beautiful princess, a friendly giant, a penniless farmhand, and a revenge-driven swashbuckler? Adventure and intrigue are the result, making The Princess Bride an excellent novel for any fantasy reader. The story follows two lovers, Buttercup and Westley, who are separated by fate but brought back together with the aid of several heroic, and sometimes comedic, characters. Sword fighting, castle-storming, true love, magic, and more; William Goldman’s epic adventure contains something for everyone.

Visit the Fairmont Pinterest board Literary Genius for more young adult reading recommendations!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images by Wikipedia, Goodreads, The Collector's Library

FAIRMONT FIVE: planning a kid-friendly vacation

One of the rites of spring is figuring out this summer’s family vacation. Planning can be as simple as loading up the car for a fun road trip, or as complicated as making airline and hotel arrangements around busy schedules for a trip across the country or overseas. Either way, we have provided some tips to make your next vacation extra-memorable for your children.

1.       Avoid over-planning and focus a little more on being flexible—Arranging a tight travel schedule might squeeze out unexpected pleasures such as visiting a country fair, shopping at a farmers market, or attending a concert in the park. Block out a couple of days to be spontaneous and experience life as a local.

2.       Involve your child in the vacation planning process—While mapping out the itinerary, discuss possible places of interest with your child. Encourage them to practice geography skills and test their knowledge of history as they research potential sites to visit. Math skills can be exercised while determining the distance and the time it will take to drive to a particular destination.

3.       Follow the 15-minute rule—For every one hour on the road, plan 15 minutes to stop and get out of the car. If pulling over every hour is not practical, drive three hours and take a driving break for half an hour. This offers opportunities to stretch the legs and fully appreciate scenic spots along the journey.

4.       Take a break from the screen—Provide alternative traveling activities for children to prevent them from being completely glued to their smartphones and iPads. Encourage them to pay close attention to points of interests during the drive. Have them create a photographic journal of the different sights along the trip. Bring books, puzzles, and word games to occupy their minds while on the road. When visiting relatives, ask your child to put on a reporter’s cap and interview grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This will open the door to some great storytelling and provide the child with fascinating insights related to their family’s heritage.

5.       Don’t leave healthy habits home alone—Be sure to bring a bag of snacks for the road that includes nuts, carrots, string cheese, fruit, and crackers. Sometimes vacations bring out the desire to indulge in junk food that is not common fare in the home. Keeping candy consumption to a minimum will prevent kids from getting too “sugared up” in the back seat.

By the end of vacation,  your child will have a detailed journal of wonderful memories, stories, and discoveries.

Please note If you are planning for your child to join the adventure at Fairmont's Summer Programs, enroll by April 30th to save 10% on summer camp and school. 

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

Image credit: fueld