kids korner family magazine april 2013

April2013

April 14–20, 2013

Early childhood education is vital to our community. Children need a strong early learning foundation to succeed in school and to succeed in life.

Make a difference in your community:• Support early literacy programs. Early reading skills are crucial for young children to be ready for school. • Reach out and thank parents, teachers, and all adults who help young children get a great start.

For more information about early learning opportunities, see pages 2 & 31 and 20-21.

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April 14-20, 2013, is the Week of the Young Child. It’s time to let people know how special ba-bies, toddlers and preschoolers are. We want young children to be safe, happy and smart. But children can be difficult to live with, sometimes. Their curi-osity, energy and need for attention can drain any parent’s patience. But the “Early years are learning years,” so you want to keep your child’s brain active and engaged. Here are some ways to not only man-age problems, but actually give your child’s develop-ment a boost.

Problem: Haircut ExperimentsChildren cannot control their impulses or ignore

their curiosity. Scissors left out tempt them to try cut-ting their own hair or to snip interesting materials such as sofas and curtains. Children do not do these things to be mean or to ruin your house. They do it because they are intensely curious (a sign of intel-ligence!) and cannot control their impulses. Yet they need to cut, glue, and draw—with your supervision.

Solution: Put scissors in plastic jars.Put art supplies such as scissors, markers, glue,

and paint sets in large, clear plastic jars (like from peanut butter or spaghetti sauce). Choose jars that have wide lids that are hard for little hands to open. That way, children can see the art supplies, but can-not open the jar to use them without an adult to supervise. Set the jars on a low shelf or in a basket on the floor. If you hide scissors, markers and glue in a drawer or cabinet, children forget about them, so they do not ask to use them. If they can see the art supplies in the jar, they will ask to use them.

Problem: Getting into things Children are constantly exploring their environment.

If you give them safe, appropriate toys, then they will stay out of trouble. They will also develop their cogni-tive (thinking) skills. However, it’s best to avoid using electronic devices that play videos and games.

Continued on page 31.

Living with Young ChiLdren: ProbLems & soLutions

By Dr. Kathy Siepak, [email protected]

To advertise, please contactMichelle [email protected]

Find us onFacebook

Kids Korner Magazine, The Ultimate Resource For Permian Basin Parents, is now in its fifth year of connecting families with the products and services they need.

Published monthly and distributed in day cares, pre-schools, medical offices, salons, museums, and many other locations where parents will find us.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, reprinted, or redistributed without express written permission from Kids Korner Magazine of the Permian Basin.

PublisherMichelle Martinez

Creative DirectorTherese Shearer

Contributing Writers Dr. Kathy Siepak UTPB

Get your copy of Kids Korner at these locations:All AlbertsonsHEBAll Kent KwiksPeapods & PetticoatsTraci's Salon

Dazzling Diva Kids SpaBingham Dance CenterCourtyard Medical Spa Mathnasium...and too many more to mention!

The Ultimate Resource for Permian Basin Parents

inyourkorner

www.kidskornerfamilymag.com

We are so blessed to have the opportu-nity to bring you this fun publication, full of products, services, activities, and information that parents can really use!

This issue also has several great ser-vices just for MOMS! Be sure and call

on those that help us bring Kids Korner to parents! Please help us welcome new contribut-

ing writer Dr. Kathy Siepak, UTPB assis-tant professor of Early Childhood Edu-cation. Be sure and read her articles on pages 2 and 31 and 20-21.

And now for some Fun! WIn A Free end of School Year DInner For 4 and Jumping Party Passes for the kids from kirby! Kirby the Kind Giraffe, our mascot, has asked us to give one lucky family a night out of fun to celebrate the school being out for summer.

Just join us on Facebook at Kids Korner Permian Basin. Then send us a message that says: "Kids Korner Reader".

Your name will go in a drawing to win. One Lucky Winner will be announced on May 31! We will message you.

Blessings,

Join us on Facebook for family friendly event updates! www.facebook.com/kidskorner.permianbasin

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thisISSue

Sippy Cups and your Child's Teeth 6Keep Kids and Teens Tobacco-Free 8,9Whooping Cough 10Warning Signs of Bullying 12,13Kirby’s Korner 14-17Fun Family Events 18,19Home Visits Offer Help 20-21Just for Laughs 22Inspired e-learning 24,25Science can be Fun 26,27Make Eating Veggies Outta this World 28

ADoPtIonAddy's Hope ..........................17APPArel, ShoeS Baby Biz ................................20Just Between Friends .............25Peapods & Petticoats .............26BIrthDAY PArtIeSDazzling Diva’s Kids Spa ........20Jumping Party ........................30Piñatas by Missy ....................22BookSBarefoot Books ......................15chIlD therAPYSpeech, Language and Behavior .........................19churchBelievers Way .........................14First Christian Church ............... 2

conSIgnmentSBaby Bear’s Boutique .............16Just Between Friends .............25creDIt ServIceSCredit Firm, Inc. ......................28DAnce & gYmnAStIcSBingham Center .....................12DAY cAreS & eDucAtIonFirst Steps Music ...................22Midland Kids College .............15New Horizons .........................22Toddler Tech ...........................15The University of Texas of the Permian Basin ..............18DentAlKids Dental ............................32DIAPer BAgSBaby Bear’s Boutique .............16Baby Biz ................................20DIAPer cAkeSBaby Bear’s Boutique .............16exercISeBingham Center .....................25Fun For the FAmIlYFirst Christian Church ............... 2Great Outdoor Expo ................29Jumping Party ........................30KC's Nutty Roller ....................22Matthews Martial Arts .............. 9Midland TaeKwonDo ................. 7Piñatas by Missy ....................22gIFtSBaby Biz ................................20Barefoot Books ......................15Peapods & Petticoats .............26Piñatas by Missy ....................22Scentsy ..................................21heAlth cAreCourtyard Primary Care Medical Spa ............................ 8

MCH Center for Women & Infants ..................... 5ORMC Odessa Regional Medical Center .......................11home BuSIneSS Advocare ................................13Scentsy ..................................21houSeholDLemishine ..............................23InSurAnceBlakely Insurance ...................18mArtIAl ArtSBingham Center .....................25Matthews Martial Arts .............. 9Midland TaeKwonDo ................. 7SomethIng For momBingham Center .....................25Courtyard Primary Care Medical Spa ............................ 8Grace Adele Handbags ...........10Scentsy ..................................21Wake Up with Make-up ..........21You Glow Girl ..........................21SAlonS & SPASJennifer Hendricksof La Bella Salon ..................... 4Dazzling Diva’s Kids Spa ........20mAternItY WeArBaby Bear’s Boutique .............16Baby Biz ................................20Just Between Friends .............25Peapods & Petticoats .............26reAltorSJeaneen Pruitt .......................... 7WeIght loSSACE Weight Loss .....................19Advocare ................................13 V3 Weight ManagementComplex ................................27WellneSS ProDuctSAdvocare ................................13

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and Your Child’s TeeThAs soon as teeth appear in the mouth, de-

cay can occur. One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (sometimes called baby bot-tle tooth decay or nursing mouth syndrome) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a ba-by’s teeth to liquids, such as fruit juice, milk or formula, which all contain sugar.

Tooth decay can occur when a baby is put to bed with a bottle. Infants should finish their naptime or bedtime bottle before go-ing to bed. Because decay can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child, you should encourage your children to drink from a cup by their first birthdays.

Many training cups, also called sippy or

tippy cups, are available in stores. Many are "no spill" cups, which are essentially baby bottles in disguise. "No spill" cups include a valve beneath the spout to stop spills. However, cups with valves do not allow your child to sip. Instead the child gets liquid by sucking on the cup, much like a baby bottle. This practice defeats the purpose of using a training cup, as it prevents the child from learning to sip.

Don’t let your child carry the training cup around. Toddlers are often unsteady on their feet. They take an unnecessary risk if they try to walk and drink at the same time. Falling while drinking from a cup has the potential to injure the mouth.

A training cup should be used temporar-ily. Once your child has learned how to sip, the training cup has achieved its purpose. It can and should be set aside when no longer needed.

tipsFor sipping success, carefully choose

and use a training cup. As the first birthday approaches, encourage your child to drink

from a cup. As this changeover from baby bottle to training cup takes place, be very careful:

• what kind of training cup you choose• what goes into the cup•how frequently your child sips from it• that your child doesn't carry the cup around

Talk to your dentist for more informa-tion. If your child has not had a dental

examination, schedule a "well baby checkup" for his or her teeth. The

American Dental Association says that it is beneficial for the first

dental visit to occur within six months of the appearance of the first tooth, and no later than the child’s first birthday.


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The teen years bring plenty of changes for students, as well as new worries for par-ents. Smoking is at the top of that list for many parents. Every day in the U.S., approx-imately 3,600 children between the ages of 12 and 17 start smoking cigarettes, ac-cording to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That number has plenty of parents looking for ways to help keep their children from starting, too.

There are a number of influences that get young people to start smoking, including:• Having friends, peers or parents who use tobacco.• Linking smoking with a positive social image and bonding with a peer group.• Seeing tobacco use as a transition to adulthood.• Underestimating the health consequences of tobacco use.• Not understanding that the nicotine in tobacco is addictive. • Low self-esteem.• Lacking skills to resist influences.

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What keeps kids and teens from smok-ing? One of the biggest influencers is having strong parental support. Having conversa-tions about the issue really does have an im-pact on teens' decisions about tobacco use. Here are some tips for talking to your teen:

keep the lines of communication open. Talk on a regular basis. The more you

talk about a wide range of issues with your child, the easier it is to talk about specific topics such as tobacco. In general conver-sation, emphasize all the things your child does well rather than things they don't do well. And demonstrate respect for your child's opinions. Show you're listening and ask follow-up questions.

talk, don't lecture. Discussions will be received far better

than a monologue from you. Here are some conversation starters:• "I understand you've been talking in school about peer pressure and the health consequences of tobacco use. Tell me about some of the things you've learned."• If you see smoking portrayed in the media, say "I wonder why the director had that guy light up a cigarette in the last scene. What do you think?"• If you and your child see a young person smoking, use it as an opening by saying something like, "How much tobacco use are you seeing in your school? I wonder if it's the same as when I was your age."

talk about health consequences. They need to know what actually can hap-

pen to them.• Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. According to the Na-tional Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the most dangerous chemicals in cigarette smoke, besides nicotine, are tar and car-bon monoxide. NIDA also states that tar causes lung cancer, emphysema, and bron-chial diseases, and that carbon monoxide causes heart problems. • According to NIDA, health risks can be im-mediate, affecting breathing, for example.

And addiction can occur after smoking as few as 100 cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another influencer for adolescents is having a school program that teaches them to identify the social influences of to-bacco use, and that teaches them refusal skills. That's why many middle schools use the free supplemental teaching mate-rials known as Right Decisions Right Now (RDRN), a program sponsored by R. J. Reyn-olds. RDRN helps educate students about the risk of using tobacco products, helps them build good decision-making skills, and gives them ways to handle peer pres-sure. The program is available in an easy-to-use, digital format, which lets educators, community youth groups, and anyone con-cerned about reducing youth tobacco use utilize the free materials.

Learn more about the program, and find more par-ent resources, at www.rightdecisionsrightnow.com.


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hooping Cough

Most doctors take pains to placate jangly-nerved parents who hover over their babies and pack them off to the ER for every run-of-the-mill sniffle or rash. But right now there’s a very real- and rising- health threat that’s even more seri-ous than most realize and deserves every bit of vigilance and preventive care we can lavish on it: pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

Pertussis is a bacterial disease characterized by coughing fits and choking. It sometimes pro-gresses to pneumonia, brain damage or even death. Because newborns and infants are too young to get pertussis shots, the job of protect-ing them falls upon the grownups in their lives. By getting vaccinations themselves they can pro-vide a safe “cocoon” for a baby.

Rachel Wiseman of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) explained that, “Al-though pertussis isn’t usually serious for adults it can make breathing impossible for babies. As a pregnant mother, the safest way to protect your newborn is to make sure you get the vaccine be-fore your baby arrives. By protecting yourself, you reduce the risk of your infant being exposed to this contagious disease.

“It’s also a good idea to make sure everyone who’ll be around the baby- family members, caregivers or anyone else in the home- receives the vaccine.”

Here’s what DSHS wants us all to know about protecting the youngest Texans from pertussis:

Women should receive TDaP- a combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis- every pregnancy, preferably at 27 to 36 weeks gestation. If you don’t get it while pregnant, do so in the hospital right after you have the baby. It’s safe to breastfeed after vaccination,

and protection may be passed in breast milk. Family members and others who’ll be around

the baby should get a TDaP shot at least two weeks before the baby is born, or as soon after-ward as possible.

Babies can get the TDaP vaccine once they’re two months old, then again at four and six months. That protects them until they get their third dose at six months.

TDaP vaccine is safe for adolescents and adults, including pregnant women and their de-veloping infants. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Family Physicians.

Pertussis starts off like a cold, often with a runny nose and a worsening cough. If the cough lingers, see your doctor- especially if you expect to be around a very young infant.

“Share the facts about pertussis with your family members and close friends,” Wiseman said. “Once they know that pertussis can be life threatening for newborns, they’ll understand why it’s important to get the vaccine before they come in contact with your baby. When you talk to your doctor, ask about scheduling your vaccination.”

TDaP vaccine is widely available at doctors’ offices, hospitals, local health clinics and pharma-cies. DSHS has more information in English and Spanish for both families and doctors at www.pre-ventpertussis.org and www.previenetosferina.org.

Pregnant MoMs, FaMily MeMbers Can ProteCt babies by getting Pertussis VaCCine now


There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bully-ing—either being bullied or bullying others. Recognizing the warning signs is an impor-tant first step in taking action against bully-ing. Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help.

It is important to talk with children who show signs of being bullied or bullying oth-ers. These warning signs can also point to other issues or problems, such as depres-sion or substance abuse. Talking to the child can help identify the root of the problem.

BullyingWarning signs of

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Signs a child is Being Bullied Look for changes in the child. But be aware: not all children who are bullied exhibit warn-ing signs.Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are: • Unexplainable injuries• Lost or destroyed clothing, books,

electronics, jewelry, or other items• Frequent headaches or stomach aches,

feeling sick or faking illness• Changes in eating habits, like skipping

meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.

• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares• Declining grades, loss of interest

in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

• Loss of friends or avoidance of social situations

• Feelings of helplessness; decreased self-esteem

• Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide

If you know someone in serious distress or danger, don’t ignore the problem. Get help right away.Signs a child is Bullying others Kids may be bullying others if they: • Get into physical or verbal fights• Have friends who bully others• Are increasingly aggressive• Get detention or sent to the office often• Have unexplained extra money

or new belongings• Blame others for their problems• Don’t accept responsibility for their actions• Are competitive and worry about

their reputation or popularityWhy don't kids ask for help? Statistics from the 2008–2009 School Crime Supplement show that an adult was notified in only about a third of bullying cases. Kids don’t tell adults for many reasons:• Bullying can make a child feel helpless.

Kids may want to handle it on their own to feel in control again. They may fear being seen as weak or a tattletale.

• Kids may fear backlash from the kid who bullied them.

• Bullying can be a humiliating experience. Kids may not want adults to know what is being said about them, whether true or false. They may also fear that adults will judge them or punish them for being weak.

• Kids who are bullied may already feel socially isolated. They may feel like no one cares or could understand.

• Kids may fear being rejected by their peers. Friends can help protect kids from bullying, and kids can fear losing this support.

Remember, Kids!

Kirby says,“Don’t Be A Bully,

Be A Buddy!”

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Hey, Kids! Welcome to Kirby’s Korner!Hope you

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This issue's word:

SQuADThe noun squad means a team or crew that work together.

My squad was in charge of cleaning the playground.Try to use the word squad in a sentence when talking with your friends and family members.

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Find your way along the soapy trail from the bottle to the hand.

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Hold your hands out in frontof you. Reach over your

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Easter Egg Hunt/Kite Flying ContestSunday, March 31, 2013, 2-3pmFree & open to the public for children ages 2-12 years old, free candy & prizes, must bring your own Easter basket VFW Post 4372432-366-5881, 208 East VFW Lane, OdessaYo Gabba Gabba Live! Get the Sillies OutMarch 13th at Wagner Noel

Blue Man GroupApril 30th-May 2nd at Wagner NoelThe Addams FamilyMay 23rd at Wagner NoelI-20 Wildlife PreserveAdmission is Free, Opens at 8amVisit online at www.i20wildlifepreserve.org or call them at 1-866-97PLAYA for more information.

Fun Family Events

• Parents as Teachers • Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters • Nurse-Family Partnership

Three great, no-cost programs designed for families who are expecting their new arrival, have newborns, or young children up through the age of 5!

To learn more, call 432-552-2160 or 432-552-2162

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Midland Rockhounds Season starts April 11th Family Science Night: “Amazon Adventure” at the Petroleum MuseumMay 2, 6:30pm-8pm, FREE AdmissionPre-school art lovers who also enjoy stories are invited to visit the Museum’s ArtHaus for story time and make-and-take art activities the first Wednesday of each month from 10-10:30am and repeated at 2-2:30pm Story time is geared for children ages 3-5 at the Ellen Noel Art Museum. An adult must accompany children. For more info, call 432-550-9696. Tots and Tales Midland County Public Library, 9:30am, usually MondaysCall 432-688-4320 for more information.Story TimeMidland County Public Library, Tuesday at 10amCall 432-688-4320 for more information.Nature WalksMonday mornings at 9am Sibley Nature Center welcomes parents and children on a nature walk along the trails. Friday mornings at 9am, senior citizens are invited to the nature walk (walkers and 3-wheeled chairs permitted, 6-seat golf cart available).

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Whether showing moms and dads how to teach simple math to their preschooler or educating pregnant women about proper diet, the Texas Home Visiting Program staff are visiting the homes of Ector County parents as part of a free service to promote the health and well-being of young children, with the ultimate goal of helping children be ready for kindergarten. According to Program Director and UTPB Early Child-hood Education Professor Dr. Kathy Siepak, “Early experiences in the home make a big difference in health, social-emotional development, language and thinking skills.” Siepak further notes that “research has shown that children who participate in high quality, evidence-based home visiting programs enter kindergarten more ready to learn than children who did not participate in home visiting.”

Ector County is one of only 7 Texas counties to be awarded funding for Home Visiting from the Texas Health and Human Services Commis-

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sion. Both UTPB and Star Care Health Services received funding. There are three separate pro-grams, each based on the age of the child at en-rollment. The UTPB School of Education operates the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program which en-rolls women who are in the later stages of preg-nancy or who have children up to age 3. UTPB also contracts with Greater Opportunities in the Permian Basin to operate the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) for families with children ages 3-5. The Nurse Fam-ily Partnership (NFP) program is administered by Star Care Health Services and is available for income-eligible, first-time mothers-to-be who are less than 28 weeks pregnant. All three programs encourage fathers to participate. Home visitors are trained to provide parents with information, resources, and structured activities on such things as how to prepare for a new baby, how to use play as a teaching tool, and how to soothe a fussy infant. The frequency of visits can range from every week to once a month. There is no charge for the program, and parents are provided with information and teaching resources, includ-ing age-appropriate books and educational activi-ties, at every visit. For more information, please call the Texas Home Visiting Program at 552-2160.

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Show your child you love them with interaction and connection...

“Parent and Me” music classes for familieswith infants, toddlers,

and preschoolers.

Tuneful, Beatful, Artful Families

Summer Sessions sign up starting

June 3rd

1004 A Andrews Hwy | Midland, TX

432-694-3575www.kcsnuttyroller.com

$2 Admission + Skate Rental

Every Sunday from 7-9 pm

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e-le@rning

Inspired

With so many e-books, apps and gadgets out on the market today, it's easier than ever to integrate learning into your child's play time. Relying on the right e-books and apps, you can help these early adopting, tech-savvy kids experi-ence reading and fun, interactive learning like never before.

From storybooks to educational games and apps, there are a number of options to choose from, and the countless titles can seem daunting. A creative e-bookstore and mobile platform such as BelugaBloo, that offers an expansive selection of beautifully animated interactive children's e-books, apps and games tailored to children up to age 12, can help you cut through the clutter and make smart selections.

Here are some tips to find the right learn-ing apps for your family:• Children learn best when they are en-gaged in the process. Focus on highly inter-active apps that encourage kids to actively

participate and to discover. Apps that in-corporate features like coloring and sound recognition will help your child's learning journey through active participation with the content.

• Remember your purpose. Apps that inspire the imagination and spark

kids' interest in learning will pay off greater in the long run than flashy programs that simply pass the time. For example,

"Flashcard Beebee" features a fun-loving monkey that helps teach the

ABCs with cute and colorful animations for each letter of the alphabet.• Look for apps that allow you to customize modes to fit your child's education level. Ver-satile options such as "read to me," "read by myself," "autoplay" and "games" allow you to create a more personalized experience.• Although your ultimate goal is education, don't forget to make your selections fun. This helps children develop a positive as-sociation with learning. Updated versions of classic tales like the "Groovy Story of the Tortoise and the Hare," "The Pig's Day" and "The Three Little Gators" will give your kids a chance to experience well-loved stories with a fun and modern twist. • Like any other shopping experience, when shopping for apps, shop for value. Apps that do double duty make your in-vestment go further by teaching simul-

for Kids


taneous lessons. For example, "The Drip Drops," a series of e-books and interactive games, centers on art, color, reading and creativity while promoting basic problem solving and positive self-esteem. You can also find BelugaBloo titles in a variety of other languages, such as Spanish and Chi-nese, which also allows children to have fun exploring other languages.• Seek content that matches your child's personal interests. Use search functions to narrow down titles that focus on topics or activities that will capture his or her atten-tion. "Lullaby Piano," for example, lets mu-sic lovers sing and learn how to play some of their favorite nursery rhymes and songs on a digital keyboard.• Check out the user comments. One of the greatest features of electronic content is the immediate access to user feedback. High marks from other parents make the odds strong that a particular piece of content will appeal to you and your children, as well.

For additional interactive apps, educational titles and more, visit www.belugabloo.com.

Bingham Center

caution... you will have fun!

Tap | Jazz | Tumbling Tae Kwon Do | Self-DefenSe

alignmenT & flexibiliTy Beginner & AdvAnced Adult

courses AvAilABle

432.689.3269 or www.binghamcenter.com

Remember when you danced? Or wanted to dance?Now is your chance!!!

Come learn and have fun... all while getting your exercise!

Our adult program combines technique with weekly routines that will keep your memory and muscles hopping. Our alignment and

flexibility class will have your posture changing as well as toning your body.


Can Be fun!sc enceK

ids are naturally curious and are full of questions about the world around them. Parents and teachers can help keep that curiosity alive by finding ways to make learning about science fun and

engaging. Here are a few ideas that you can use to help your kids love learning about science.

Fun experimentsHands-on experiences help kids of all ages

grasp concepts and retain information. There are online resources available to give you the tools you need to make hands-on learning a reality.

For example, MyBotanicPlanet.com is a free website with lesson plans and interactive games for students in grades K-5 to explore basic bota-

ny and water conservation. Based on the class-room experience offered through the Memphis Botanic Garden, and created by TruGreen, MyBo-tanicPlanet.com features lesson plans by profes-sional curriculum developers to meet National Education Standards. Students can personalize their own avatar and explore the educational site's interactive games and activities.

The Water Ways environment features an in-teractive water filtration game with various diffi-culty levels and an educational character named Watershed Fred, who helps students learn more about where water comes from and what hap-pens to it when it's out of sight. Learn more about it at www.MyBotanicPlanet.com.

Fun Field tripsGet some fresh air and a fresh look at nature

by going outside. And don't restrict your field trips to sunny days only. You and your kids will be amazed at how different things appear when it's been raining or snowing. Where should you go to start digging into natural science?

Your backyard• Collect leaf samples to identify, then use them to make a collage.• Use a magnifying glass to do some ground-level research. Examine insects, plant stems, tree bark, spider webs and interesting rocks. Have your child give an explorer's report on what he or she finds.


1. Which is more- a cup of liquid water or a cup of frozen water? A. Cup of liquid water B. Cup of frozen water C. They are the same amount

2. What happens to rain that falls on a parking lot, other hard surface, or hard compacted soil? A. Runs off without being absorbed B. May pick up pollution C. May cause erosion D. All of the above are correct.3. Lawns should be watered when the surface feels dry. A. True B. False

4. How much of Earth's available water is drinkable freshwater? A. 50 percent B. 3 percent C. 100 percent

5. What does water need in or-der to change into steam, vapor or humidity? A. Cold B. Wind C. Heat 6. It is possible to pollute a small stream inside a water-shed without polluting the rest of the watershed. A. True B. False 7. How much of the water we use is used outside? A. Half B. 75 percent C. 25 percent

8. How does nature make water clean? A. By filtration B. By the water cycle C. Both answers are correct

9. In the water cycle, what comes after evaporation? A. Condensation B. Collection C. Precipitation

10. Can just one person, fam-ily, school or community make a real difference in the quality of water in just one watershed? A. No B. Yes

Water Quiz Answers 1. C. They are the same2. D. All are correct 3. B. False- only when roots need water. 4. B. 3 percent

5. C. Heat 6. B. False7. A. Half 8. C. Both are correct 9. A. Condensation 10. B. Yes

Scoring 9-10 points: Congratulations, watershed wizard!6-8 points: Good job, watershed watchdog!3-5 points: Room for improvement, but you're not a watershed wrongdoer. 1-2 points: You need a watershed wake-up call.

Visit www.MyBotanicPlanet.com with your child for more activities and lessons and that show the importance

of water in our environment.

Call or Text432-238-8527

or visit online www.kaseyclaxton.voyagerhealth.com

Lose 2-5 Lbs. with a 2day sample!

Your neighborhood• Make a game out of identifying the different trees and bushes in the park. Take pictures and leaf samples to help you figure them out.• Go on a scavenger hunt to a stream or pond. Make a list of items to find: animal tracks, water insects, birds, frogs and toads, even snakes.

Your community• Visit the zoo. Before you go, have your child check out some library books about one or two of their favorite animals. They can learn some facts about those animals, then be in charge of teaching you about them when you see them at the zoo.• Natural history and science museums can be a fun way to learn about the world around you. Take advantage of tours, special exhibits and activities geared for children.

See how much you and your family know about water.

Water Quiz


one great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables... make it fun!

When Pinnacle Foods' Birds Eye Brand part-nered with Nickelodeon's hit live-action series "iCarly" to launch the "iCarly iCook with Birds Eye" initiative, they asked kids to share ideas for a fun, silly veggie dish, and the response was a resounding success, revealing that kids have their own idea about what makes veggies both enticing and exciting. Generating 16 thousand wacky, out-of-this world recipe ideas from kids sparked enthusiasm about veggies among kids.

The number one finding that sparked the most veggie-creativity was mixing and matching differ-ent vegetables and ingredients, with the majority of entries including a medley of colorful vegeta-ble blends. A second finding showed that more than half of the submissions included bite-sized ingredients that are easy to enjoy and allow kids to eat with their hands. Who said getting your hands dirty was a bad thing?

The kitchens at Birds Eye, led by Executive Chef Michael Christiansen, took cues from kids to create a special collection of kid-inspired reci-pes, including this recipe for Yakimaniac Veggie Martians, which uses Birds Eye Steamfresh prod-ucts. And it's a perfect example of a kid-friendly way to serve vegetables. From assembly to de-vouring- kids can have fun creating their own cus-tom extraterrestrial side dish or snack.

For more kid-friendly recipes, serving ideas, tips and tools, visit www.birdseye.com/kids.

YAkImAnIAc veggIe mArtIAnSPrep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutesMakes 8 Servings

1 bag (12oz.) Birds Eye Steamfresh Broccoli Florets or Cuts, cooked according to package 1 bag (12oz.) Birds Eye(r) Steamfresh Mixed Vegetables, cooked according to package1 package (16.3oz.) refrigerated white or whole wheat biscuits (8 biscuits)1 ½ cups shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese½ cup plain Greek style yogurt3 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softenedGreen glitter icing gelThin pretzel sticks

Preheat oven to 375°F.In medium bowl, combine 1 cup broccoli flo-

rets and 2 cups mixed vegetables with Swiss cheese, yogurt and cream cheese, blending well.

Separate biscuits in half into 16 pieces; roll or press each half into 4-inch rounds. On ungreased baking sheet arrange 8 rounds. Evenly top each with rounded ¼ cup vegetable mixture, leaving a ½-inch border. Top with remaining biscuit rounds. Press edges to seal. Brush each with glitter gel.

Bake 15 to 17 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Decorate each "Martian" with reserved veg-etables and serve with remaining vegetables.

make eating veggies OUT Of This

wOrld

432-618-89071309 N. Big Spring St. | Midland

Credit issues can affect your life in many ways...

insurance rates, job opportunities, and (of course) important loans.

Contact us for a “check up” today!

Free report & evaluation Call us at 599-4880


The horseshoe2002 Cotton Flat Rd.

Midland, tX

Friday 3pm-8pmSaturday 10am-7pmSunday 11am-5pm

• Demonstrations for the Outdoorsman• Outfitters from Across the World• Hunting & Fishing Accessories• Antler Furniture & Chandeliers

• Park & RV Locations• RV’s, ATV’s & Boats• Outdoor Apparel• Travel & Leisure• State Agencies• Outdoor Gear• And MUCH MORE!!!

exciting, Live entertainmentcurt Strutz: The Bassmeister Comedian

Fly Fishing Demos& LOtS mOre!

MAY 10, 11 &12, 2013

4th annual

Hunters Equipment & Supply

Thank you to our sponsors:A portion of the proceeds from the show go to the

Midland Rape Crisis & Childrens Advocacy

Center

SOmetHing FOr everYOne! giveawaYS! DOOr PrizeS! great FamiLY event!

www.goetx.com | [email protected] | 806.253.1322

Real live fishing!

Casting game!

video games!

human hamsteR ball!

lazeRshooting!

fun kids’ aCtivities!

after School Special Friday: Kids get in FREE w/adult from 4-7mom’s Day SpecialSunday: Mom’s 1/2 price admission


www.thejumpingparty.com

MIDLAND432-683-5867

3111 W. Cuthbert | Suite 3BNext to Hastings

ODESSA432-362-4386

623 E. 42ndNext to Goodwill

Call forBirthday Parties

Book your

Spring & Summer

Birthday Parties

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open jump schedule

★ Inflatables for both small & larger kids★ Daycare & school group discounts★ Meeting rooms for team events

Mon.-tues.-thurs.4-8pm

wed. 10am-2pm

Fri. 10am-9pm

saturday & sunday

Birthday parties only.

3Children learn from touching, moving, actually

playing with toys themselves instead of watching a colorful screen. Turn off the DVD player and keep the phone in your pocket!

Solution: Pack a backpack. Whenever you go somewhere, especially a place

where your child will have to wait for a while (doc-tor’s office, business appointment), help her pack a small backpack or bag with 4 small toys and 2 books. Help her choose toys that will be appropriate for the place you’re going. For example, you wouldn’t pack a jump rope if you’re going to the doctor’s of-fice, but that would be a great toy for a trip to the park. Later, when it’s time to go home, you know how many toys she brought and can help her find them all. An added benefit is that it’s clearly time to leave when all the toys have been picked up and packed into the backpack. This will cut down on temper tan-trums when a tired child does not want to go home.

Problem: Wild Child at Aunt Sophia’s HouseSometimes you have to take your child to a place

that is not child-proofed. You may want to sit and visit with a friend, or listen to a speech, or watch a sporting event. Young children cannot sit quietly for as long as you can, so they may get into trouble if they have nothing to do and nowhere safe to play.

Solution: Create a play space Take a large blanket and the backpack of toys with

you. Spread the blanket on the floor in a safe area where you can supervise your child. The blanket gives him a visual and physical boundary that is familiar to him and that you know is safe. By giving him a choice between sitting with you and sitting on the blanket, you are giving him practice in making decisions, help-ing him feel independent and fostering cooperation.

Here’s how to make it work: When you get to the event, ask your child to help

you spread out the blanket. Sit with your child for a little while at first and get him involved in play. Make sure you give him something interesting to play with (like his backpack and a packet of paper with cray-ons). Explain that he can either stay on the blanket or sit with you.

If your child wanders off the blanket, calmly get up and sit on the blanket with him again, or ask him to sit with you in your chair for a while. In a few minutes, give him a choice to play on the blanket or stay with you. If he’s ready to go back to the blanket, take him there and get him involved in another ac-tivity. Check on your child frequently. Smile and give a ‘thumbs up.’ Tell him that when he stays on the blanket, you know he’s safe and you can visit with Aunt Sophia or watch the game.

The first few times that you create a play space like this for your child, keep your visits brief, no more

than 30 – 45 minutes. If he simply won’t cooperate, pick up the blanket and leave. Do this without anger, just an explanation, “We have to leave because you didn’t stay on the blanket.” When you consistently expect your child to either sit quietly with you or play on the blanket, your child will gradually be able to entertain himself for longer periods of time.

More hints: Lots of Blank PaperPack a stack of plain white paper (such as copy

paper), some crayons and pencils in a clear plastic envelope. Keep it handy to grab when you’re going out the door. Older children can add markers, scis-sors and glue sticks.

Why this is important:Children who draw their own pictures are con-

stantly solving problems, which makes them smart-er. They have to figure out how to draw a tree and the sky and the ground. If they are just filling in the pictures in coloring books, their brains are not chal-lenged. You can ask your child to tell a story about his drawing and write what he says on the pictures (with your child’s permission!) Write the date and his age on the back, to keep as a treasure. If he draws a LOT of pictures, ask him to choose one to keep and one to give to Grandma, and then recycle the rest. He will learn to evaluate his own work and decide for himself what’s worth keeping and what was just fun to draw.

Basket of BooksPlace a tub or basket full of board books on

the floor in the living room, or wherever your family spends a lot of time. Maybe put one in your child’s bedroom, too. If you have a lot of books, you can just put 15 – 20 out at a time and then exchange them with different books in a couple of weeks to keep your child interested. When should you get a basket of books? As soon as your baby is born!

Why this is important:When a basket of books is on the floor, even ba-

bies who aren’t walking yet can choose their own books. They can “read” them by themselves, or take them to an adult to ask for a story. When books are available, children choose to read them. However, you should turn off the TV wherever your child is play-ing. Loud commercials, music and flashing pictures can distract children and interrupt their play.

It’s a good idea to have books handy, even for newborns. People who are not used to being around babies can look at simple board books with an in-fant. Older men are sometimes don’t know what to say or do with young ones. Focusing on a book gives the friend and baby something to do together. Even just talking about the pictures is important, if the book is written in a different language or if the per-son does not read well.

Continued from page 2.

621 East 7th strEEt | OdEssaCall for an appointment today! 432-580-7220

A trip to the dentist can be scary for children.Let our friendly staff make it a positive experience-Understanding enough for our most timid patients,

but still cool enough for your teenager or young adult!

We make the visit

Tired of

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to the dentist?

"Dragon"

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Most insUrance accepted incLUding Medicaid & cHipaccepting new patients ages 0-20

HospitaL treatMent avaiLabLe

Kids Dental dentists are general dentists limiting their practice to children.

kids korner family magazine april 2013

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