Parent Newsletters - Issue 7

No Limits Learning
kids goals Ezine

Issue 7/ April, 23rd/06

IN THIS PARENT NEWSLETTER

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS
2. POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
3. POSITIVE BODY IMAGE
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 kidsgoals.com Newsletter.

The media continues to be a major influence on our children. Research has shown that television shows, magazine articles and advertising in general has an impact on a child's self worth. How much influence is debatable but even a small amount of negative interpretation is enough to send our children in the wrong direction.

In this issue we tackle the issue of positive body image and the importance of positive role models for our children. We hope you will find information and suggestions to help your child develop a healthy body image and aid them in choosing appropriate role models to emulate.

If there is someone you think will benefit from this free ezine please invite him or her to join our growing list of subscribers. The More the Merrier.

Please help us by emailing Cassie or Monicka at kidsgoals.com with your questions, comments and suggestions for future issues.

2. POSITIVE ROLE MODELS

Ideas to help your child focus on positive role models.

Children - teenagers as well as youngsters - naturally look for role models to shape their attitudes and behaviors. As parents, it is important for us to make sure that they have plenty of POSITIVE role models.

There are enough negative role models surrounding our children - and much of the adult world, if not negative, is at best apathetic and mediocre. If we don't actively focus on positive role models, then these other ones can dampen our children's natural enthusiasm and optimism.

The first thing to remember about positive role models for your child is that - despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary - statistical studies demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of children consider their own parents to be their most important role models. So the most important thing to focus on is being a great, positive role model yourself.

Show your child that you actively work on a positive attitude
Let your child see you setting and achieving goals
Talk to your child about your own positive role models

One thing to shy away from where role models are concerned - be careful not to overtly criticize when your child has identified with certain role models himself, even if you think they are not positive ones. If your child looks up to an unsavory pop star, your criticism is likely to cause antagonism rather than learning. Instead, provide a balanced point of view by finding something positive to mention about the "hero" - for instance that he must have been very dedicated to his goals to reach his current status. When you need to criticize, be specific and explain what you dislike about the person's behaviour, rather than trying to label them as all bad.

More ways to expand the positive role models available to your child include:

Help your child find a role model who has excelled in a field in which your child has a talent or hobby
Talk to your child about social issues and then show them real people - either local to your community, or in the news - who have worked to make a difference
Introduce your child to people you think will be good role models, and talk about the admirable qualities of these people
Together with your child, find role models from history and make a scrap book or collage about the ones that excite or interest your child the most
When you see your child performing a behavior that he associates with a particular positive role model that you have talked about, praise him!
Encourage your child to daydream and imagine himself in his hero's shoes. For example, if your boy wants to be a great golfer, when you take him to the putting green or driving range, suggest that he pretend that he is Tiger Woods for the afternoon

"It takes a village to raise a child." -- Old African Proverb

"No printed word, nor spoken plea can teach young minds what they should be. Not all the books on all the shelves - but what the teachers are themselves." --Rudyard Kipling

3. POSITIVE BODY IMAGE

Help your child to foster a healthy body image.

As children reach adolescence they are very aware of the changes that are happening to their bodies. Girls especially are cognizant of how they look. Parents should realize that some of these feelings are natural and some attention to body size and shape is part of the normal growing process. But when a girl doesn't want to take physical education in school because of how she looks in shorts, this may be a warning sign of a poor body image

Body image is how we perceive our bodies and how we presume others perceive it. It is not based on fact but rather on what we see as fact. It is formed from everything you have ever experienced and from all the people you have ever known in your life. Your parents, the media and even your peers have an impact on how you value your body. An example might be if your parents are tall and your siblings are tall and you are more of a shorter stature you may feel inadequate compared to the rest of the family. While psychological in nature it is based on perception, which may sometimes be a bit distorted. Having a distorted body image can also lead to self-destructive behavior such as chronic dieting or binge eating.

We as parents must realize that children often copy our beliefs and prejudices and any negative comments that a parent or guardian may say without thinking, may have a negative influence on the self esteem of our children and in turn their own body image. By being aware of what we say and how we perceive our own and other peoples' body shapes and sizes we can help to foster a more positive body image for our children. Here are few suggestions that parents and caregivers can use to help nurture a more positive body image and strong self-esteem in their children.

Educate yourself - Learn about your own attitudes about weight and shape and how genetics play a major role in how we look physically.
Counteract any unhealthy media messages - Help your children to see that the images in magazines and on the television are altered and air brushed to appear perfect so they can sell products. NO ONE looks that way in real life.
Teach your children that people come in all shapes colours, sizes and abilities. Purchase magazines that display that kind of diversity in their articles and advertising.
Encourage your children to be active and lead by example - Regular physical activity helps to promote a positive body image. Whether it is individual activities or something for the whole family, make sure it is enjoyable.
Teach your children to handle teasing and peer pressure - Tell your children that you love and accept them for who they are and not what they may look like, and they do not have to accept the teasing and ridicule.
Provide healthy food choices and snacks and educate your children on portion control and that there is nothing wrong with an occasional treat once in awhile.
Focus on things that have nothing to do with your child's physical appearance - such as their personality or talent rather than commenting on what they look like.
Seek professional counseling for your child if you suspect your child may be developing an eating disorder

The media and outside world will continue to be a major influence on our children's body image but it is up to us to try and undo some of the damage. Teach your children that being thin and beautiful does not ensure happiness and that many of fashion models are underweight. Talk to them about the dangerous health risks of being so thin and how they need to resist the pressure to strive for the so-called "perfect" body. Teach them instead to find ways to feel good about themselves other than their weight and appearance.

"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."
~ Kahlil Gibran~

4. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS

Egg Foo Fun to cook with your child
Note: rather than crack eggs blow out the contents and use in the Egg Men Craft on the Kids Crafts page

1 c. shredded pork roast, cooked pork chicken, shrimp or crab
1 tbsp. soy sauce
4 tbsp. cooking oil
1 c. canned bean sprouts, drained
1/2 c. sliced celery
1 c. chopped green onions (optional)
1 tsp. salt
1 can (4 oz.) sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 eggs, well beaten

Put choice of meat or seafood in a small bowl; sprinkle with soy sauce let stand for a few minutes.

In skillet over high heat add 1 tablespoon oil; cook bean sprouts, celery, and onions for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Add salt and stir well. Turn into large bowl. Add another tablespoon oil to skillet, stir fry pork 1 minute. Add mushrooms and pepper. Stir-fry 1 minute. Drain. Turn mixture into the bowl with vegetables. Add eggs, stir well. Put enough oil in skillet to grease it. Pour in 1/6 of the egg mixture and fry on both sides. Repeat until all mixture is fried.

Egg Men Kids' craft

(Ages 6 and up)

Next time you are baking, or making scrambled eggs, try this fun idea!

What you need:
* Eggs (one for each Egg Man you would like to make)
* A sterilized darning needle or large sewing needle (hold the tip in a flame for a few seconds to sterilize)
* Pipe cleaners
* Poster paints
* Varnish (optional)

Using the needle, make a small hole in the top and bottom of each egg. Hold the egg over a bowl and blow into the hole at the small end - the contents will be emptied into the bowl.

Rinse the egg, using a trickle of water then blowing the water out into the sink.

Thread a pipe cleaner through both holes so that you have something to hold the egg by.

Paint your man onto the eggshell, and optionally varnish when dry. You can then either keep the pipe cleaner in the Egg Man and use it to hang him up, or remove it and save him in an Egg Carton.

If your children enjoy this they will probably ask to do it whenever you are baking, so that they can build up a whole collection!

Why not help your child create Egg Men of the famous people you have studied together during your research for Role Models?! (see the article on Positive Role Models.

5. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE

Q: How did the Vikings send secret messages?
A: By norse code!

Q: Why were the early days of history called the dark ages?
A: Because there were so many knights!

6 WORDS OF INSPIRATION

"People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves." -- Salma Hayek

"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself." --Henry Miller

"I think it's an honor to be a role model to one person or maybe more than that. If you are given a chance to be a role model, I think you should always take it because you can influence a person's life in a positive light, and that's what I want to do. That's what it's all about." -- Tiger Woods

"Children have more need of models than of critics." Carolyn Coats

7. SPONSORS

If you can suggest any organizations or websites that might want to either sponsor this newsletter, or exchange links with KidsGoals.com, please email Cassie or myself.

Thank you, from Cassie and Monicka
*****

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