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July 23, 2008
 The global community has become increasingly more accessible to our children. They encounter other cultures and groups different from their own in the news, the internet and from inside their own neighborhoods. Find out how you can expose your children to the diverse global community and why doing this can increase their knowledge base and foster an accepting attitude.
By Elisheba Haqq-Stevens
HELPING CHILDREN TO EXPLORE NEW FOODS
One of the best ways to allow children to experience another culture is to encourage them to eat and enjoy different foods. Many families have access to restaurants which specialize in ethnic foods. Try a few new foods one at a time and avoid the restaurants which are too westernized. For example, if you go to an Indian restaurant and there are no South Asian-Americans dining there, chances are the food is less then authentic.
A meal is a reflection of the culture from which it is derived and each country has its regional favorites. For instance, before arriving at an Indian restaurant, find out why North Indians favor naan and South Indians prefer rice. Ask the proprietor to explain how the food is prepared and about the spices or flavorings used. While inside the restaurant, note the décor and point out objects that reflect the culture. Often the colors and patterns used are very different. In India, the mango or paisley pattern is very popular as are the bright, vivid colors. Many times the host or hostess might be attired in traditional clothing.
Even though the food may be unfamiliar, children are often much more open to new experiences, especially when they see their parents enjoying them. By tasting food that is from another country, children can get some exposure to the traditions and cultures of that region.
TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
While family vacations to Disney World or the beach can be fun and relaxing, why not take a trip to Italy, Peru or even Tanzania? Many counties have become much more kid- friendly in recent years. For instance, going on a safari to visit the Ngorogoro crater in Tanzania is a wonderful opportunity to relax while learning about wild animals, their habitats, the Tanzanian people and their culture, in a country that is well accustomed to hosting tourists of all ages. The safaris, guides and lodges are familiar with the particular needs of western travelers. Like many countries in the African and Asian continent, most people speak and understand English.
Before parents take their children to visit an exotic locale like Tanzania, they should spend some time studying about the historical past of the country. This way when visiting a monument or locale, the whole family can learn not only verbally but also visually. With supervision, parents can encourage children to interact with the locals by asking about their home life, their work, their faith and their hobbies. Enjoying the local diet should also be encouraged. While eating street food may not be wise, ordering authentic dishes while dining in restaurants will add another layer of experience.
Children will learn more by keeping travel journals, gathering organic souvenirs instead of just buying trinkets and snapping their own photos. No history book can ever replace a real life experience. Children can also be encouraged to share their observations in the classroom.
RECOGNIZE CULTURES WITHIN OUR OWN COUNTRY
The USA is one of the most diverse in the world. People from every background and culture call America their home. Children should be taught how to politely and respectfully ask questions when they meet someone who has a background different from their own. Instead of asking “Where are you from?” A better question might be, “Could you please tell me more about your ethnic background?” Children should express their desire to learn and usually this will begin an interesting dialogue.
Parents should not forget about the diverse cultural background that is uniquely American. A trip to the Southern part of the United States can be a valuable lesson not only about the Civil War, but also about the rich and unique characteristics which make up the southern culture.
By exposing children to diverse backgrounds, parents will help children to understand and respect cultures other than their own. Children will become well rounded, aware, knowledgeable and accepting about the ever changing world around them.
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July 14, 2008
Whether an elementary school student or a high school senior, kids who move to a new school from another town face their own unique challenges, from making friends and figuring out the popular hangouts to missing their old neighborhood, school, and acquaintances. Read on to find out some tips on how to make the transition to a new school a smooth one.
By Mary Fetzer
How can you ease the anxiety your child may feel about starting a new school? One thing to consider is the time of year you move. Some experts say that summer is the best time to move school-age children because it avoids disrupting the school year. Others suggest that mid-year is better because a child can meet other kids right away. Here are more tips to prepare your child for making the move to a new school.
Visit The New School
Many schools offer orientation for new students who will begin in the fall. Children and their parents can take a look at the preschool, new sixth graders can visit the middle school, freshmen can tour the high school, and so on. Orientation helps new students find their way around the building, meet some teachers, and maybe even get to know some fellow students, making it nice to recognize familiar faces and places on that first day at the new school.
If the school doesn’t have a formal orientation, students and their parents should plan a visit over the summer. It can be as simple as driving by and taking a look, or scheduling a tour with the building principal or a teacher.
Prepare For The First Day
Prior to the first day of school, students and parents should do their homework, so to speak, and touch upon all of the bases that can be covered in advance. Being informed about the following can lessen uneasiness:
• What books or supplies are students required to bring? Some schools distribute supply lists before the year begins.
• What time does school start and finish? This information may be mailed during the summer or published in a local newspaper.
• If the student is taking a bus to school, what are the pick-up and drop-off times and locations?
• Will the child pack a lunch or purchase one at school? Does he/she need money for lunch?
• Does the school have a dress code or require a uniform?
• If the student has an advance schedule of class times and locations, he or she should review it the night before the first day and remember to bring a copy to school with them.
Offer Support
Parents can help just by being there and talking them through their anxieties.
Here are other ways to show your support:
• Reassure their child that it’s normal to feel nervous or frightened at first and that most other kids feel the same way.
• Help them make good decisions, even when it’s as simple as, “What should I wear to school today?” Parents can use their children’s age and maturity levels to determine how much input they should offer: preschoolers may have a choice of two outfits, while high school teens can select their own wardrobe.
• Remind their children they will make new friends. Just as they were able to establish friendships in the past, they will do so again. Encouraging involvement in school activities and clubs will offer more opportunities to meet other kids.
• Develop routines. Whether a child is in preschool or high school, morning and bedtime rituals provide numerous benefits. Any time a child knows what to expect, he or she feels more secure and less anxious.
• Be attentive and really listen. Recalling their own difficulties at various times in their school career, parents can offer a truly sympathetic ear. Not all listening sessions have to end with “advice.” Sometimes, kids just need a sounding board.
Most importantly, parents must continue to show unconditional love and support, no matter how young or old the child.
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Hard economic times call for tough measures. You are pinching and saving on groceries, including staples like milk and eggs, to offset the rising prices of gas. Despite this, you still want to give your kid really cool (not to mention necessary) school supplies. Sometimes desk materials and learning tools are worth the big bucks, but if you can get it for less, even better. We have rounded up some classroom  essentials that won’t break the bank.
By Brie Gatchalian
Binders On Sale
If your little one will need to trap all their handouts and loose leaf notes, head to Staples stores or www.staples.com for an Avery Binder. From ½” to 1 ½” , the durable Avery binders with EZ-Turn rings, gap-free ring designs, and easy-turn locking rings are all on sale at Staples. Pick from the various colors available for $3.99-$5.99.
Dollar Store Notebooks
We’d advise against buying perishable items like highlighters and glue at dollar stores, but when it comes to paper, you can’t go wrong. Dollar zones like Dollar Tree sell one-subject notebooks for only $1. One-subject notebooks at other  retailers are typically over $2.50, so you’re paying even better than half price.
Stay Organized for Cheap
Your kids will no longer need a professional coach to stay organized. The “Where’s My Stuff: The Ultimate Teen Organizing Guide” (on sale for $11.53 at www.amazon.com, down from $16.95) can help them every step of the way. The spiral-bound tool will teach your kids how to stay on track of their school work, as well as keep their study space neat and tidy.
Computers For Coeds
Your teen is on his way to college. Save him countless hours at the computer lab by giving him the Toshiba Satellite 17” Notebook PC (P205D-S7454). The laptop comes with 2048 MB of memory, 160 GB of hard drive space and a DVD burner. This portable computer works on a Windows Vista Home Premium operation system, and  the best part is it’s $200 off. Buy it now for $599 at www.officemax.com while the offer lasts.
Budget Daily Planning
Your teen will need an agenda to record all of his or her assignments. After he or she learns the tricks to staying organized and on top of things from the “Where’s My Stuff: The Ultimate Teen Organizing Guide” mentioned above, this Scholastic Daily Planner, which is only $4.95 at Barnes and Noble stores nationwide will complement the guide.
Shower Safe
In case your new undergrad doesn’t know, he or she will need a shower caddy (not to mention shower flip-flops) when showering in the communal bathrooms at the dorm. Unlike Mom and Dad’s house, they can’t leave their toiletries behind. Luckily, this Carry All Caddy with Metal Handle, which is only $7.84 at www.walmart.com, will help him or her out a great deal during the first year.
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June 21, 2008
 Walk down the street, and you’ll see children riding their bicycles while chatting on cell phones. Every kid in the mall has one and stores cater to kids by offering cool phone accessories like charms, covers, and carrying cases. They certainly provide parents with the peace of mind that they can be in contact in case of an emergency, but are they forcing our children to grow up too soon?
GeoParent talked with Bob Lotter, CEO of Radar, My Mobile Watchdog, about the dangers of cell phone use among children.
By Mary Fetzer
GeoParent: It seems that every kid in America has a cell phone…
Bob Lotter: Parents are giving phones to their children at younger and younger ages. It is estimated that 75% of children ages 13 to 17 have cell phones, with a growing trend toward younger children.
GP: Why should a child carry a cell phone?
Mr. Lotter: The most important reason is safety. With a cell phone, children can be in direct contact with parents no matter where they are. In the event of emergencies, parents can reach out to their children and locate them for further actions. Children can contact police, fire, and other safety services and should be trained to do so.
There are developmental reasons for children having phones. Cell phones are the “new computer,” and a child who doesn’t know how to use them may fall technically or socially behind. When used correctly, cell phones provide social and intellectual value.
GP: Those are the benefits, but what are the dangers?
Mr. Lotter: Phones are a greater threat to a child’s safety than a computer. Cell phones are omnipresent with the child and most of the time out of eye and ear range of their parents, so cell phone usage is unmonitored.
Until Radar, there has been no solution to monitor cell phone usage, text messages, and surfing the net. Predators know this, thus we have epidemic-scale issues with cell phones becoming a favored communication method for child porn, sexting (children taking sexual pictures of themselves and others texting them), cyber bullying, and adult content. Predators know that the anonymity of the Internet is easily transferred to unmonitored phones and are moving from online communication to text messaging to further their goals.
GP: What is Radar?
Mr. Lotter: Radar, My Mobile Watchdog, is a service that protects children from cyber bullying, predators, adult content, and other unsafe activities on their cell phone. Radar is designed for children ages 7 to 17.
GP: How big of a threat are the dangers?
Mr. Lotter: Radar conducts pilot programs and safety studies. The last five predators caught with Radar were not listed on the Sex Offender Register, and all came prepared and appeared well-practiced.
While not all communication results in physical contact, much results in sex talk and inappropriate pictures being exchanged. Children are often tricked into believing they are texting with another child and let their guard down.
The psychological dangers to children can be as great as actual attempts to molest them. Child suicides resulting from cyber bullying are on the rise. Most children have good, diligent parents, but none are impervious to these dangers, and parents need to be proactive.
GP: Can Radar help with the growing bullying epidemic among children?
Mr. Lotter: Absolutely. Many times when kids are confronted for bullying another child, they will not own up to it. Even their parents may find the allegations unbelievable. Armed with a record from Radar, one can offer “evidence” directly to the principle, law enforcement, or the parent for immediate action. Since the phone is now the primary communication channel for children, Radar is an important tool in the detection and prevention of cyber bullying.
GP: How does Radar help parents?
Mr. Lotter: Before something bad happens to a child via the cell phone, there is typically a series of communications. Parents who are able to intercept potentially harmful influences are better prepared to stop the progress of such activities before they become dangerous. RADAR IS NOT SPYWARE. The child is aware that his or her phone is being monitored. The parent has the ability to provide a certain level of privacy by “white listing” friends and family. This allows the child to have private conversations while still alerting and forwarding communications from strangers and contacts not on the approved list. All communications are stored for later retrieval, if needed.
Monitoring is superior to blocking and spying. Children who discover they’re being spied on feel betrayed and may adopt a covert method of continuing their activity. Similarly, children find ways around blocking technologies until parents are completely unaware of any activity. Radar is a tool in the parents arsenal to improve communication and understanding with their child while providing increased protection against harmful outside influences.
GP: Isn’t it illegal to monitor phone conversations?
Mr. Lotter: There are wire tapping laws that prevent the unknown listening and taping of voice communications. Since children are aware their phones are being monitored, Radar is not in violation of the law. Radar makes copies of all pictures, written text, and email messages and forwards them to the parent in real time. Call records are stamped with the date, time, phone number, and duration.
GP: Kids seem more technologically advanced than their parents. Won’t they figure out a way around the Radar - like communicating in text code that only they understand?
Mr. Lotter: This is exactly what children do, but their codes are deciphered regularly by Radar. Radar helps parents understand what the text message means. Eventually parents become versed enough that they can text in the same language.
GP: Parents are so busy and don’t have time to learn sophisticated new technology. Is Radar user friendly?
Mr. Lotter: Radar was designed for Moms. It requires no complicated installation or setup and is available from Mom’s phone and any computer with Internet access. Radar can preconfigure phones to filter the Internet and limit use of the camera. Moms can use Radar to send calendar items and reminders to their children’s phone, and to keep track of homework assignments and other activities.
Radar is available online. Visit www.mymobilewatchdog.com for more information.
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June 9, 2008
 According to the American Cancer Society, “Most of the more than 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed each year in the U.S. are considered to be sun-related.” Among the risk factors for developing skin cancer is having a severe sunburn as a child. With young one’s begging to visit the pools to get some much needed relief from the heat this summer, how can you protect them from harmful rays and ensure some summertime fun? Dermatologists answer all of your sun safety questions to keep you and your family protected this summer.
By Tracy B. McGinnis
“If youngsters or adolescents get a few bad sunburns, 15 to 20 years later they’ll have a 30- to 40-times increased risk for developing melanoma or other types of skin cancer,” explains Dr. Aaron Chevinsky, M.D., from the Allied Surgical Group in Morristown, NJ. “Fair skinned people are more at risk, but melanoma can affect anyone.”
Dr. Chevinsky says parents can protect their children by using sun blocks with an SPF of 30 or higher, keeping skin covered with lightweight fabrics and avoiding the intense rays the sun puts out at midday.
What is SPF?
“SPF means Sun Protection Factor which is an equation to give us sun protection,” explains Dr. Michael Gold, dermatologist and founder of Gold Skin Care Center, Advanced Aesthetics Medi Spa and The Laser and Rejuvenation Center located in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Between 0 and 30 there is really a lot of difference in SPFs, after that, it only changes a little.”
As a dermatologist, Dr. Gold urges people to wear sunscreen on a daily basis and suggest applying it at least 30 minutes before exposure, adding that it should be reapplied after activities and swimming.
“Often confusing the mix are the ingredients in sunscreens. While the back of a product may read like a science text book, it is agreed upon that Titanium Oxide and Zinc are ingredients good to see - and now a new compound called Mixoral may change how we look at SPFs because with it, the protection numbers are going increasingly higher, as the coverage level with these newer ingredients are helping protect the skin.”
Dr. Gold says the sunscreen you use should be “broad-spectrum” covering both the UVA and UVB rays. He explains that UVB rays are associated with what we know as sunburns, but UVA rays penetrate deeper and can be associated with more sun damage over time.
Do labels matter– body, face, baby?
“The specific kind of sunscreen is not that important (face or body),” explains Dr. Gold. “The face may be more moisturizing, but both should work fine for all areas. Baby sunscreen is a great marketing concept, but in truth, there is no real difference between them and normal adult sunscreens.”
Sunblock or Sunscreen?
Chicago dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jackson, founder of the Skin Wellness Center of Chicago, and mother to adopted twin baby girls, is always preaching safe sun care techniques to her patients and family members.
”Use sun block, not sunscreen,” says Dr. Jackson. “Sunscreen is like the screen in your windows, allowing penetration of some rays, about 89% filter.” Dr. Jackson explains that sun block is more protective. “It has physical blockers like titanium dioxide and will filter out about 97% of UV rays, giving maximum protection against the sun.”
How much SPF do you need?
“If you were going to burn in one minute and you put an SPF 30 on, that means it would take you 30 minutes to get the same amount of damage.,” explains Dr. Jackson. “Be sure to choose an SPF of 30 on a daily basis. If you are heading out to the beach or park, go a bit higher like SPF 55 or 60.”
Dr. Jackson also agrees with other experts and says to keep clothes on. “A t-shirt has an SPF of 8, so it’s better than nothing. There are clothing lines, including swimsuits that have SPF protection built into the fabric.”
In addition to using SPF generously and often you can help protect your kids by seeking out shade, wearing sunglasses and hats in addition to t-shirts and sun protective clothing, and avoiding the sun during the hottest time of the day.
“For parents,” says Dr. Jackson, “Just like you talk to kids about not smoking and internet safety, talk to them about sun safety so they can have a lifetime of good health.”
For more online resources, check out the American Academy of Dermatology’s Play Sun Smart website.
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