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Bright-Kids
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Vol. 5, No. 35 - September 1st, 2008
http://hometown.aol.com/brightkidsrus
mailto: debi@simplemom.com
Copyright 2008 Deborah Taylor-Hough
ISSN: 1536-0466 All Rights Reserved
________________________________

Subscribe: join-bright-kids@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
***: leave-bright-kids@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
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IN THIS ISSUE:
-- "Dear Readers": Seattle/Tacoma educational seminar
-- Quote-able
-- What's Your Action Point?
-- Art Safety and Your Child
-- Reader Tips
-- Assorted Information (resources, archives, etc.)
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< < O U R . S P O N S O R > >

The PAC-Kit!
Planner Agenda Calendar
A Planner Designed
with Kids in Mind

Is your child disorganized?
Does he forget to write down his homework?
Are her assignments written down incorrectly?
Did he leave his math book at school -- again?

Introducing to The PAC-kit, a downloadable planner
designed especially for kids that will
help your child get organized -- GUARANTEED!

http://bkids.packit.hop.clickbank.net/

________________________________

Dear Readers,

Whether children are in public school, private school or home
school, parents and caregivers are always looking for fresh and
fun ways to spark life into their kids' educational experiences.

Catherine Levison -- bestselling author, regular columnist for
Bright-Kids, and nationally acclaimed speaker to parenting
and educational audiences throughout the United States and
Canada -- will be bringing her popular All-Day Educational
How-to Workshop to White River Presbyterian Church in
Auburn, Washington on September 20th, 2008.

Pre-registration by Sept. 10 is required (although late registrations
will be considered if space allows), and a free lunch will provided
by the hosting church to all pre-registered attendees.

It’s been more than six years since Levison has presented a live
seminar in the Puget Sound region, so this is a rare opportunity
to see this dynamic speaker in person if you live in the area.
Levison's all-day workshop is based on her extensive research
into the teaching methods and educational philosophies of Charlotte
Mason, a British educator from the last century whose techniques
are currently receiving renewed interested, especially in American
private and home schools.

"Homeschooling and parenting are intertwined in such a way that
they can hardly be seen as separate concepts," Levison said. "As
one overlaps with the other, we find that all parents are home
educators to some degree."

Some of the topics to be covered at this special all day event are:
An overview of the Charlotte Mason method, narration, literature,
art appreciation, formation of good habits, history, science, nature
study, scheduling, book selection, and language arts (including
foreign languages, composition, handwriting, poetry, spelling and
dictation).

For complete registration information, price, map, and the day's
schedule, visit the Educational Seminar link at: WhiteRiverPres.org


Simply Yours,

--Debi
(Deborah Taylor-Hough)
Editor, Bright-Kids Email Newsletter
--Author of the popular 'Frozen Assets' cookbook series, 'A Simple
Choice,' and 'Frugal Living For Dummies(r)'
--Editor, Simple Times and Bright-Kids email newsletters

http://brightkids.wordpress.com
http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com
http://snurl.com/DebiTupperware
http://dsimple.wordpress.com
________________________________

QUOTABLE

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's
peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The
winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms
their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the
leaves of Autumn."

--John Muir
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WHAT'S YOUR ACTION POINT?
Copyright Dr. Scott Turansky & Joanne Miller, RN
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
http://effectiveparenting.org/


Why do some parents get kids to bed easier or earlier than others?
Or, why do children respond differently in the classroom, on the
playground, and in the home? The answer to these questions has
a number of parts, but one piece of the puzzle is what we call an
action point.

An action point reveals the cues that you mean business, that the
words you are saying now are not just a suggestion but that they
are an instruction you expect your child to follow. An action point
is the point in the interaction where you stop talking and start
acting by giving a consequence.

In some situations, the action point is very long in coming. Why
do babysitters get taken advantage of? Some babysitters have no
action point. Grandmas fall into two categories. Either they are
critical because your action point isn't tight enough or they have
very little action point at all.

We don't want to suggest that you avoid talking and just start
commanding children around with threats of impending doom.
What we're suggesting is that your children need cues besides
anger that the discussion is over and it's time to follow through.

It may be a particular kind of look or tone of voice or a choice
of words. One dad said, "When I give an instruction, I try to use
my daughter's name and I'll say the word 'now' ... for example,
'Kristen, please go get in the car now.' "

Children are smart and they learn different action points from
various parents, teachers and leaders. In some ways, it might
be helpful to view it as a game recognizing that kids learn how
to play you. They continue what they're doing up until the point
when they know you'll take action. Your children know your
action point.

Take time to decide what you want that action point to look like.
Avoid meanness and teach your children cues that will avoid
harshness or anger. Those cues can be a great asset in keeping
relationships healthy.

To learn more about your action point, read the book, "Home
Improvement: Eight Tools for Effective Parenting" by Dr. Scott
Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.


ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:
--This idea was adapted from the book, "Home Improvement" by
Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN. Visit them
online at: http://www.biblicalparenting.org/

You can order their books online at:

Home Improvement: Eight Tools for Effective Parenting
http://www.amazon.com/dp/078144151X/simplepleasuresp/

Say Goodbye to Whining and Complaining … In You and Your Kids!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0877883548/simplepleasuresp/
________________________________

< < O U R . S P O N S O R > >

VitaBrownie by Vitalicious

"This is the most nutritious brownie you can find!"
--Lisa Drayer, Women's Health Magazine
(on Good Morning America)


According to Lisa Drayer, R.D., contributor to
Women's Health Magazine, "It definitely is
delicious and it's another guilty pleasure that's
good for you, too. VitaBrownie is not the typical
brownie at all -- it's healthy. Plus it's fortified with
vitamins."

http://www.dpbolvw.net/email-1374001-10468019

________________________________

ART SAFETY AND YOUR CHILD
Copyright Gladys Jimenez
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
http://www.scribbleskidsart.com


What better way for children to bring out their imagination and
allow their creativity to surface than by creating art. Art of any
type or medium allows kids to express their emotions, to learn
and develop appreciation for art. It's wonderful when their school
provides art projects for them or when they are encouraged at
home to express their creative side.

As adults we need to make sure that we provide for children a
safe environment to do art. Many adults are unaware that certain
arts and crafts materials can be dangerous to children's health.

Long exposure to some type of paints, solvents, glue, and other
craft materials can hurt our children's health because they may
contain substances that have been shown to cause tissue and
organ damage, affect their mental state, make their allergies
worse or cause other more serious side effects.

Some crayons, paints and inks may contain lead. Rubber cement,
aerosol spray paints and fixatives, as permanent markers may
contain solvents. Some arts and crafts materials may even
contain other chemicals that children should avoid.

Since children's bodies have not fully developed, they are more
(than adults) susceptible to toxics. Most art materials are
designed and tested for adults, so these materials have a more
concentrated effect on children. Children with a curious nature
may tend to use these art materials inappropriately by putting
some materials in their mouth, inhale fumes from paint or spill
them, increasing their exposure to these chemicals.

To help your children have a safe art experience, here are some
things you can do:

1) Keep a telephone handy with the telephone number to your
local Poison Control Center so you can call immediately in case
a child swallows a product by accident. Keep the product close
by for label information.

2) Examine the labels of all the materials you will use. Art
materials that pose a chronic health hazard must have a warning
label by law with a statement saying that it is inappropriate for
children. Do not use these materials.

Only use non-toxic products that have the statement: "Conforms
to ASTM D-4236" which is required by the Labeling of Hazardous
Art Materials Act and are specifically designed for children.

3) Do not use old materials or materials that do not have a label
on them. There used to be less strict laws before and you don't
know what they may contain.

4) Do not use any type of solvents with children.

5) Avoid paint powder mixes, which can get in the eyes or can
be inhaled. Adults can prepare these ahead of time if you need
to use them.

6) Adults should do any part that may require aerosol spray cans,
air brushes, etc. outdoors.

7) If a child has an open cut or sore, make sure it's well protected
or change the art activity to something that may not irritate the cut
or sore.

8) At all ages make sure children are supervised by an adult when
doing art projects.

9) Do work in a ventilated area. If you can't work outside, make
sure windows are open and use a fan if available.

10) Always instruct children on the proper use of the art materials
they will be using before they being their art project.

11) While working on a project, take time to put the lids back on
paints, glues, solvents and other materials that came with a lid.

12) Do not eat, drink or snack while doing an art project.

13) Do not work near eating areas and do not use eating containers
to mix paints or to store art materials.

14) With children under 6 years old, distribute small amounts of
materials at a time. This will help them use the materials they
have instead of wanting to play with the rest of the art materials.

15) Observe the child while working with art materials and see if
there are any allergies or reactions to the materials, as some
kids are sensitive to certain products.

16) If using markers stick with washable markers. If using crayons
avoid the imported type as they may not have proper regulation
standards.

17) When finished with the art project, clean the materials used
completely, as well as the area you worked on right away.

18) Mop the floor to get rid of chemicals better.

19) Children should wash their hands thoroughly when finished
with their art project.

20) Put away all materials that need supervision and carefully
stored them away from children's reach when not in use.


Taking these safety precautions can make your children's art
experience not only fun and rewarding but safe.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
--Gladys Jimenez is an artist, art docent and founder of Scribbles,
where kids can create art, learn about art, enter contests, win
art supplies, and color on-line. Visit Scribbles at:
http://www.scribbleskidsart.com

________________________________

Visit our new Nature Study Bookstore online!
http://astore.amazon.com/naturestudy-20/
________________________________

READER TIPS
Submitted by Bright-Kids' readers.

Sorry ... No tips this issue ... So, what are you doing this
fall that's educational in your home, classroom or daycare? :-)


* * Your Tips? * *
Do you have some great family fun, educational, or parenting
tips/ideas you'd love to share with other parents and caregivers?
Just send your tips and ideas to Debi at Bright-Kids:
DSimple@aol.com
______________________________

READ-ALOUD BOOKS FOR FAMILIES:

http://snurl.com/reading4kids

Recommended books for children and families
(This is a great list to print out and hand to your kids'
grandparents for suggestions at gift-giving times!)
_______________________________

A special thanks to Gary Foreman and the friendly folks at
The Dollar Stretcher for making this mailing list possible! :-)
http://www.stretcher.com/
_______________________________

< < B E . O U R . S P O N S O R > >

Would you like to place an ad in this newsletter? Contact
Mailto: marketing@stretcher.com
Subject line: bright-kids
Discover the modest rates for reaching this targeted market.
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Feel free to forward this newsletter to your family and friends. :-)
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BRIGHT-KIDS ARCHIVES

For a list of most back issues of the Bright-Kids Email
Newsletter, click on the "Read Messages" button at
the following website:

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DEBI'S RESOURCES:

Personal Blog: http://dsimple.wordpress.com
Nature Study Books: http://astore.amazon.com/naturestudy-20/
Frugality/Simplicity: http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com
Cooking Ahead: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frozen-assets
Bright-Kids: http://brightkids.wordpress.com
Tupperware(r): http://my.tupperware.com/debihough
Personal Webpage: http://simplemom.com
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