by Admin | Jul 20, 2015 | Every Child Deserves a Chance
Putting a Stop to Bullying Now that Governor Rick Snyder has signed an anti-bullying legislation into law, all Michigan school districts must put a policy into practice by June 6, 2012 that prohibits any kind of student harassment. The attention surrounding this very serious issue comes as reported incidences of bullying have increased alarmingly over the past few years. It is important that parents and teachers realize signs of bullying aren’t always obvious. We normally think of bullying as a physical act or the posting of a derogatory message on the Internet, known as cyber-bullying. However, there are other types, such as exclusionary bullying. That’s when a group of friends decide not to include a certain friend in their plans — shunning and isolating the youngster. Gossip and teasing are other forms of bullying. Getting stuck with a nickname can be embarrassing and hurtful to a child, especially when everyone else thinks that name is cute or funny. Parents should be aware of these subtle forms of bullying. There’s more to it than a kid coming home with a black eye. Watch closely for changes in your child’s behavior and have frank discussions with him or her about bullying. Talk to your child’s teachers and friends. Many times, a child suffering from harassment will tell a friend, and the friend will tell his or her parent. Make it a point to occasionally volunteer at your child’s school or attend activities. Teachers are also more accessible these days via email, so stay in contact with them to gain insight on classroom behavior. Kids witness forms of bullying every day, even amongst...
by Admin | Jul 20, 2015 | Every Child Deserves a Chance
A Lesson on Diversity February is Black History Month, a time to recognize the many contributions of African-Americans and a time to celebrate the African-American culture. Our communities are becoming more and more diverse every day, so it’s extremely important that our children are taught to embrace differences in race, culture, and religion. This will help the child in all aspects of his or her life: professional, academic, and social. Oftentimes, young people are told that we are all the same. However, we really are not the same. And that is what makes this world interesting and educational. When you are operating under the belief that everyone is the same, the human tendency is to compare everybody else to ourselves. And if there are distinct differences, we immediately become defensive or judgmental. Instead, we should teach our kids to look at diversity as a great learning opportunity that will broaden their perspectives and move them beyond their own family traditions. When my kids were growing up, our family spent a lot of time with the families of three close friends of Hispanic, Asian and African-American heritages. We all learned from each other by sharing cultural traditions, recipes and beliefs. It was a great experience for my kids and me. Home is the first place where kids learn habits, routines, values and beliefs. So parents should set an example for their children. Show that you value diversity in your friendships and business relationships. Buy books, music, videos and toys that reflect diversity. Teach your child about the injustices of bias and discrimination. Speak up when someone makes a racist or ethnic...
by Admin | Jul 20, 2015 | Every Child Deserves a Chance
The Pressures of Being Perfect Whitney Houston fans all over the world were stunned by the sudden, untimely death of the 48-year-old superstar singer in February. The official cause of death was listed as drowning brought on by the effects of heart disease and cocaine use. Her public struggles with substance abuse are well-known and were acknowledged by Whitney herself. Regardless of what led to her death, Whitney leaves behind a musical legacy and valuable lessons about self-worth. It’s hard to believe, but the beautiful and incredibly talented Whitney Houston grappled with being good enough. Although she achieved a record seven consecutive number one singles, won six Grammy Awards, and inspired an entire generation of singers, she still worried about what others thought of her. As actor Kevin Costner pointed out in his moving tribute at Whitney’s funeral, despite her worldwide fame and success, the singer still asked, ‘Am I good enough?”, “Am I still pretty enough?” and “And will they like me?” when she made her acting debut. While that kind of uncertainty usually goes along with being great at your craft, the pressure to achieve perfection undoubtedly played a role in her downfall. Whitney Houston’s story offers life lessons for all children and adults — not just those pursuing entertainment careers. In all kinds of professional industries, people are usually perceived to be only as good as their last achievement. It is ingrained in us that we have to constantly have one more success. Unfortunately, people feel they have to be better than their latest accomplishment or performance. But honestly, in the case of Whitney Houston, how could...
by Admin | Jul 20, 2015 | Every Child Deserves a Chance
Don’t Follow the Crowd Every generation has its trends and fads. And just about every child is challenged to schoolyard dares. But children need to understand that they don’t have to follow the crowd or take risks to prove that they are brave and to gain the acceptance of their peers. For example, there’s a disturbing new fad that has rapidly spread via YouTube, Facebook and other social media networks. It’s known as the “cinnamon challenge,” where kids and adults attempt to swallow a heaping tablespoon of cinnamon within sixty seconds. They videotape themselves coughing up clouds of reddish-brown dust as they attempt to keep from choking on the dry spice. Cinnamon blocks the glands that create saliva, making it difficult to swallow. Unbelievably, many viewers are amused by this challenge. However, doctors say the stunt can cause a serious inflammatory infection or cause permanent damage if the powder enters a person’s airways and lungs. So, why do kids get involved in this type of risky behavior? Let’s face it. Kids hear about things and just do it. That’s part of growing up. As children, we all were tempted to do something that we were told not to do. My late father told me stories of how he and his friends were prohibited from swimming alone in the quarries. But of course, they would sneak off and go swimming anyway. Fortunately, none of them drowned or were hurt. For today’s generation, technology makes it easy to swiftly disseminate risk-taking challenges that appeal to children in the developmental stage. The Internet is so huge that it can make kids feel like...
by Admin | Jul 20, 2015 | Every Child Deserves a Chance
Helping Kids Go Green Every April, people all over the world celebrate Earth Day, and there are numerous reasons why children and teens should be encouraged to go green 365 days a year. Global warming, a potential energy crisis, and limited access to clean water are issues that point to the need to save our environment now. We all should be sensitive to protecting the planet by making conscious efforts to recycle, carpool, compost and reduce energy consumption. It can be fun for kids to see the difference they are making by going green. Plan family projects so children can witness firsthand the results of their efforts. Recycling newspapers, cards and gift wrap; using less paper; drinking from a reusable cup or water bottle, and composting will result in fewer garbage bags being taken to the curb on trash pickup day. That is something the kids will undoubtedly notice! Conserving water usage, turning off lights when leaving a room, and shutting down computers and other electronics when not in use not only save the environment, but also will save money in the family budget. That means more money will be available to do things for the kids. When shopping for greeting cards and wrapping paper, choose recycled versions. Buying green school supplies will motivate your child to talk about his or her thoughts on the environment with students and teachers who notice the different materials. And whenever possible, walk instead of drive to the store or a friend’s house. It saves gas and provides an energy boost from the exercise. Another positive outcome of involving children in green activities at...
