Parent Newsletters - Issue 19

No Limits Learning
kids goals Ezine

Issue 19, October 7th, /06

IN THIS PARENT NEWSLETTER

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS
2. FEAR OF THE DARK
3. SLEEP WALKING
4. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS
5. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)
6. WORDS OF INSPIRATION
7. SPONSORS

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS

Welcome to the next issue of the KidsGoals.com Newsletter. Our first article deals with fear of the dark. We know as adults that this fear is irrational but to a little child what may be lurking in his closet or under the bed may be all too real. In this article we give you tips on how to help your child overcome this common phobia.

The next article deals with somnambulism or sleepwalking. In it you will find information on the possible causes as well as ways to help your child stay safe if he is a sleepwalker.

Happy Parenting,

From Monicka

2.FEAR OF THE DARK

My nine-year-old son will never admit to it but he is afraid of the dark. He (like most children) has a very vivid imagination and sometimes this can get the best of him when the lights are off. Movies and television programs contribute to this fear because they often associate the dark with evil and frightening things and when children are alone in their rooms at night they may feel very vulnerable.

To help my son we leave a light on in the living room that he can see from his room down the hall. The master bedroom is downstairs and my son and his older sister have their rooms upstairs. My son said it makes him feel safe when he sees the light and it is easier for him to go to sleep. If we happen to forget to leave the light on there is a good chance he will end up downstairs wanting to sleep with us, which has happened on more than one occasion.

One of the most important things you can do to help alleviate the fear in your child about the dark is to let them know they are safe. Show them that when you turn out the light everything is the same as it was in the light so there really is nothing to be afraid of. It is a good idea to try and get your child to relax with a warm bath and a bedtime story and if you can get them to laugh that is even better.

It is not necessary for your child to have to sleep in total darkness. Sometimes a nightlight inside their bedroom or down the hall will prove to your child that there really is nothing to fear so that they can see for themselves that there is nothing lurking in the shadows.

Being afraid of the dark is a common fear for many children. You can help your child overcome this fear by being loving and supportive. Never yell or punish your child for being afraid of the dark. By offering understanding and letting him know that you are there for him, you will help him alleviate his fear of the dark quicker than using harsh words or punishment.

I am confident that my son will outgrow his fear of the dark but until that happens the light we leave on for him makes him feel secure and seems like a small price to pay for his peace of mind.

By Monicka

3. SLEEP WALKING

Whenever my nine-year-old son gets overtired he tends to sleepwalk. He will leave his bed and come down the stairs and walk into the master bedroom. Sometimes we will have a conversation for a few minutes before I clue in that he is actually still asleep. He has absolutely no memory of this in the morning.

I used to be concerned that he would open the door and go for a midnight stroll outside but so far this has not happened. Luckily we have a small dog that would bark if anyone opens a door to go outside. After doing a bit of research on the subject I discovered that sleepwalking can be a serious disorder in some children and may even continue into adulthood.

Sleepwalking or somnambulism is more common in children than adults and is likely to occur if a child is not getting adequate rest. Somnambulism happens during very deep sleep and the sleepwalker will remain in deep slumber and be difficult to wake up and most likely will not remember the incident in the morning.

According to the National Sleep Foundation children between the ages of three to seven are more likely to have sleepwalking episodes, which sometimes continue into adulthood. Sleepwalking also seems to be more prevalent in children who wet the bed.

Symptoms of sleepwalking

Walking in sleep (some children will even try to leave the house)
Talking and having conversations with himself or others
Sitting up in bed and looking around
Inappropriate behavior, children may urinate on the floor or in closets
Usually little or no memory of the episode the next day

Even though you may have heard that it is dangerous to wake a sleepwalker that is a misconception. In my son’s case I would take him by the hand and lead him back to his bed stopping at the bathroom to make him urinate before tucking him safely back into his bed.

It is a good idea to try and make your child’s sleep environment safe to prevent injury during sleepwalking. Remove any objects around the bed that the child could injure himself on, install gates on stairs and lock the doors and windows.

Sleep deprivation will often be the cause of sleepwalking in children prone to somnambulism so making sure your child gets adequate rest may be enough to alleviate the problem. If sleepwalking persists it may be a good idea to consult a professional.

By Monicka

4. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS

EASY PEAZY ICE CREAM (with parental supervision)

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half milk half cream
Ľ teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons rock salt
Lots of Ice cubes
1 sandwich-size Zip-Loc bag
1 gallon-size Zip-Loc bag

Directions:
STEP 1: Into your small Zip-Loc bag put the:
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half milk half cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
… and "zip" it closed.

STEP 2: Into your large Zip-Loc bag put:
2 Tbsp rock salt (you’ll find this in the baking aisle in your grocery store)
The filled and zipped sandwich bag from step 1 above
Ice cubes to fill bag about 3/4 full
… and “zip” it closed.

Roll and gently knead the filled bag over and over until the contents of the small bag freeze (about 15-20 minutes). Small kids will be amazed to see the coldness of the ice actually freezes the ice cream… YUMMY!!

As the ice melts it does leak a little so make it over a large bowl to catch the drips. You might want to wear mittens to keep your hands warm.

(Makes about one serving)

FALL LEAF PRINT

This is a great project for any age. The colors come from the chlorophyll in the leaves.

Parental supervision is recommended.

Materials needed:
· Fresh moist fall leaves
· Unbleached muslin material (available at any material store and is very inexpensive)
· Scissors
· Glue
· Old newspapers
· Hammer or wooden blocks
· Heavy paper like grocery bag or construction paper
· Grocery sack for leaf retrieval
· Hard work surface

How To Make It
1. Take a nice fall walk outside.
2. Pick any up leaves that you like. Different colors and shapes make the best designs. Red maple, ferns, maple, daisy are good choices but let your child pick their favorites. Try to stick to leaves, as flower petals do not work very well.
3. Use caution not to pick up Poison Ivy, Sumac or Poison Oak or any other poisonous leaves in your area.
4. Using scissors cut your muslin material to desired size. I used a 12 inch by 12 inch square, but any size or shape will do.
5. Place old newspaper on a hard working surface. This will help to keep the color from "bleeding" through the material and onto the floor, and also to protect the work surface from the hammer.
6. Place muslin on prepared hard work surface.
7. Place one leaf anywhere on the material.
8. Using your hammer or wooden block, bang on the entire leaf.
9. Continue to place one leaf at a time on your material, and hammer each one completely. You can place a new leaf on parts of an old leaf.
10. You may have some leaf parts left on the material. Just let them "dry" a little then brush them off.
11. When finished with leaf prints, cut heavy paper in a frame design. Remember to cut the inside hole smaller than the actual picture for easier attachment.
12. Glue leaf print to back side of paper frame. Be sure to make the brighter side of the print the part you will see.
13. Make sure to wash your child’s hands as the colour from the leaf could leave a stain.

5. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONEFUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)

Q: Why did the cookie go to the doctor?
A: Because it was feeling crummy.

Q: What did the lady duck say when she bought lipstick?
A: Put it on my bill.

Q: What did the digital watch say to the grandfather clock?
A: Look Grandpa, no hands.

Q: What do whales eat?
A: Fish and ships.

6. WORDS OF INSPIRATION

“You must be strong now. You must never give up. And when people make you cry and you are afraid of the dark, don't forget the light is always there.” --Unknown

“Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?” --Maurice Freehill

“Shin: Device for finding furniture in the dark.” --Unknown

7. SPONSORS

If you can suggest any organizations or websites that might want to sponsor this newsletter, or reprint our articles, please email Cassie or Monicka at kidsgoals.com.

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