Spring is a wonderful season of the year. With the warmer weather and the spring flowers coming up, everything seems fresh and clean. But for us, it is also a time for the dreaded time of spring cleaning. Kenson Kids has a few tips to help spring cleaning more fun and manageable with 5 helpful tips for cleaning with kids.
Break it up! If you want to get spring cleaning done right, don’t try to do it all in one day. Breaking it down and tackling one room at a time makes the task seem much more manageable and less overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of some tasks by room to get you started.
Break it Down! Once you’ve created a list, choose some age appropriate chores for your kids to work on and assign. We’ve compiled a list of chores by age as a starting point but you know your kids best and what they can manage. Kenson Kids Sticky Note to do lists are a great way to break it down for the kids so they stay on task and don’t get so overwhelmed.
Break out! Have a little fun with your spring cleaning with fun music to get everyone dancing into action. If you set a goal and get kids to try to get the next task on their list by the time the song ends, it will keep them moving and motivated. If they don’t quite get it done, still praise their effort and encourage them to keep it up! “Great job cleaning those baseboards! I bet you can finish them by the time the next song ends!”
Take a break! Be sure not to overwhelm little ones by taking frequent breaks. Everyone needs a break and a little praise will motivate them to keep going. Create a couple of fun breaks they can look forward to once bigger tasks are complete. For example, have a lemonade break or 15 minutes of play time outside once a room is finished.
Break bad habits! Don’t wait for spring to do all major cleaning. Once you’ve compiled your list of chores break them up next year so you get a little done throughout the year. Set certain rooms for each season. It also helps to start good cleaning habits early. Our I Can Do It! Reward Chart is a great way to establish good habits early and keep spring cleaning to a minimum. Kids are eager to please and the I Can Do It! Reward Chart not only reminds them of tasks that need to be completed, but it reminds you to encourage and motivate them through praise. Completing tasks and hearing your encouragement not only motivates but also boosts their self-esteem.
Getting enough sleep at night is important for all of us but especially children. When kids regularly get the proper amount of sleep it not only makes mornings easier and more pleasant, but it also has some pretty surprising benefits for their mind, body and overall wellbeing. It can affect their mood, concentration, behavior and even their health.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
Tips for setting up a bedtime routine:
Here are just a few of the helpful articles we have found on the subject:
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep
https://www.soundofsleep.com/10-health-benefits-of-quality-sleep/
https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/ACH-News/General-News/The-importance-of-sleep-for-kids
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Simple ways to celebrate Good Neighbor Day:
1. Arrange a neighborhood potluck or get together outside.
2. Share some treats from your garden or baked goods with a neighbor or two.
3. Draw notes and pictures on the sidewalk with chalk
4. Leave a sticky note compliment on your neighbors’ mailbox
5. Introduce yourself to someone new
6. Take a family walk and pick up any trash you see
7. Help if you see someone that can use it. Bringing in groceries and bringing a trashcan in.
8. Simply smile and be friendly
Friday, September 3, 2021, is National Food Bank Day. The annual event—held the first Friday in September—encourages Americans to remember that no one should go to bed hungry.
Nationwide, food banks help assist the 42 million Americans who struggle with food insecurity.
1 in 6 kids don’t have enough to eat each day. Chances are your child goes to school with someone that silently struggles with hunger. Supporting your local food bank or food pantry is an easy way to introduce your kids to the idea of helping people in their community. There are many ways to get kids involved, talking to your kids about this important issue early and working together as a family will go a long way ending childhood hunger.
Donations can be made until August 23, 2021
You can drop items off or send them to our Youngsville NC office:
Kenson Kids
90 Mosswood Blvd. #500
Youngsville, NC 27596
Donations are tax deductible and all supplies collected will be given directly to Franklin County school counselors. Donation letter available upon request.
Most requested items:
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We are excited to now offer free shipping on all orders within the US! All orders, no minimum purchase and no coupon required!
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I love you. This one may sound like a no brainer but they need to hear it often. They need to know that we love them even when they mess up or disappoint us. |
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I'm proud of you. Be specific. Tell them what you are proud of. It lets them know that you see them and acknowledge things they do. I'm so proud of you for being such a good friend to the new boy at school or I'm so proud of you for working so hard at soccer practice today. Whenever you see your children displaying an act of kindness, generosity, or other positive behaviors, point it out. It will only encourage them to keep it up. |
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I believe in you. We want our kids to do their best and achieve great things and it's really easy to get frustrated when they fall short or don't try. Teens especially are hard enough on themselves. They need to know that you are in their corner no matter what and that you believe in their abilities. It will encourage them to dream big and try for the things they want in life, especially when they feel unsure of themselves. |
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I'm sorry. We all have moments where we lose our temper and say things that are harsh or react too quickly out of anger. Owning up to your mistake teaches our kids a valuable lesson in taking responsibility for our actions. It also demonstrates that you respect them as a person enough to admit that you were wrong. |
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I'm listening. It's important for kids to know that we take the time to actually listen to them. Even when something seems unimportant to us it can mean the world to our kids. Listening and making eye contact lets them know we value what they're saying and will encourage them to come to you when they really need to talk through something. |
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What do you think? Asking for your kid’s opinion shows them that you value what they think and that it's important to you. |
You are so good at... Kids NEED to hear praise from their parents! Compliment them not only on school achievements and athletics but make it a point to praise them for their character as well! |
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Be yourself. It's easy to get caught up in trying to be like everyone else. It's important for kids to know that they are perfect, just the way they are. Point out that it’s their unique qualities and personality that make them so great! |
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Be kind. This is something you not only should say regularly to your kids but you should strive to model it every day as well. Be kind to strangers in the grocery store. Be friendly to your neighbors, even the ones you don't particularly like. Kids often hear our actions louder than our words. |
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No. Don't be afraid to tell them no when they need to hear it. Kids need boundaries and rules. It's often not the easier route to take but it will help shape the kind of person they are. As an adult there will be rules and they won't get everything handed to them. Teaching that from early on will actually give them and advantage as they get older. |
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We know that it hasn't been an easy year and that getting kids to do all the things we need them to do to stay healthy is a challenge. For a limited time we will include a FREE set of tasks with every purchase of the I Can Do It! Reward Chart or I Can Do It! My Daily Checklist.
Includes:
Now until end of day Monday we are offering 25% off site wide. No coupon needed!
It's Family Fun Month and the perfect time to think about scheduling a little time to do something fun with the whole family. Whether its a game night, family outing, or some other fun event spending quality time with the kids lets them know they are loved, gives them time to voice their feelings and helps in their general well being.
]]>It's Family Fun Month and the perfect time to think about scheduling a little time to do something fun with the whole family. Whether its a game night, family outing, or some other fun event spending quality time with the kids lets them know they are loved, gives them time to voice their feelings and helps in their general well being.
One activity that is always fun, promotes fitness and gets everyone outside is a trip to the park and everyone loves a good scavenger hunt! So here's a free printable if you want to add a little more fun to your trip!
Free Printable: Trip to the Park Scavenger Hunt
(If you happen to live in the Raleigh, NC area visit Joyner Park in Wake Forest and try to find the actual pictures in the hunt)
]]>You don’t need a precise schedule to maintain your sanity. A regular family routine can help everyone understand what to expect and when.
Starting in their toddler years, kids are capable of doing a lot of things on their own. Equip your kids to help the household run more smoothly.
Going it alone might be the name of the game, especially if you’re a single parent or have a spouse who works outside the home. But that doesn’t mean all the pressure has to fall on you.
Balancing your household’s needs with your professional goals isn’t always easy. Especially when you’re in charge of the entire brood during work hours, work-life balance can become strained. But by sticking to routines, having your kids help out, and taking time- and sanity-saving shortcuts, you can make things a bit easier.
Photo via Rawpixel
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Teaching your children how to be healthy is an important responsibility as a parent. How you teach your kids will determine how they will take care of themselves for their whole life. When it comes to dental health, it all starts with simple habits like brushing and flossing. You might even be able to make tooth brushing fun for your kids.
The Importance of Teaching for Healthy Teeth
By teaching your children to take good care of their teeth and gums, you’re not just helping them maintain a bright smile, you’re also giving them a better chance for a healthy body! If you’re searching for ways to help encourage your child to brush and floss, consider these six ways to help them on their journey to excellent oral health.
1. Start Them When They’re Young
One of the best ways to instill an appreciation in a child for brushing and flossing is to begin at a young age. Start your toddler off with the best oral care possible by brushing their baby teeth twice a day. As time goes on, allow them to do the work as you supervise.
Keep the mood light and fun. Make tooth brushing time an enjoyable time between you and your toddler. As they grow, they’ll have a positive connection with toothbrushing. This will make the whole process a fun part of their day.
2. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Remember: a child should be brushing for two minutes each time they brush. For many children, however, two minutes seems like an eternity when they’re vigorously brushing their teeth. How can you help them pass the time? Use technology!
You can do this in a number of different ways. Set a two-minute “tooth timer” on a phone or smart device, allowing them to see their progress. Or create a playlist of some of their favorite tunes, all of which last around two minutes of time. You could also find two-minute videos on YouTube. Whatever you choose, make sure they keep proper brushing form while their attention is drawn to your smartphone or tablet.
3. Create an Incentive Chart
As an adult, we know that superior oral care habits lead to a healthy smile and good overall health. These long-term benefits can be a bit harder for children to understand and appreciate. Instead, give them a short-term incentive for brushing to encourage them to build the habit.
Consider posting a chart in your bathroom where your child can watch their progress. As they mark down each time they brush, have incentives ready for when they reach certain benchmarks. Over time, your child will need fewer incentives to maintain their twice-daily habit. You can even accessorize your chart with fun stickers.
4. Let Them Personalize Their Experience
One of the ways to get a child invested in taking care of their teeth is by allowing them to make decisions about what they use to clean them. Take your child to the local store and allow them to choose:
5. Give Them a Good Example to Follow
One of the most effective ways you can convey to your child the importance of a daily brushing and flossing routine is through leading by example. Your child should see you brushing and flossing every day. In fact, you may find it helpful to share toothbrushing time together for a time, so your child can observe and emulate your routine.
6. Maintain Regular Appointments at the Pediatric Dentist
One of the most essential keys to good oral hygiene is visiting the pediatric dentist every six months. Not only will the dentist give your child a thorough cleaning and examination, but they will also reiterate the lessons you’ve been teaching your child about brushing and flossing. Remember: a child’s visit to the dentist is as much about education as it is cleaning!
Of all the lessons that you pass on to your child, there are fewer that will be longer-lasting than encouraging them to brush and floss. By giving them the help they need in their formative years, you’re passing along the keys to good oral health and wellness for their whole life.
Image 1: https://pixabay.com/photos/brushing-teeth-tooth-zahnarztpraxis-2103219/
Image 2: https://pixabay.com/photos/kids-gator-fans-football-635479/
Image 3: https://pixabay.com/photos/dentist-operation-teeth-lamp-4373290/
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Great work Amber!
Happy Easter to everyone and Happy Crafting!
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Want to have more Easter fun and help a good cause? You can download another fun Easter Treasure Hunt brought to you by Benecomms (with all proceeds going to Real Food for Kids, a non-profit partnering with a local restaurant to feed area children during the pandemic.
“Healthy Easter” printable treasure hunt
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We are all looking for some for fun and educational things to do with the kids at home. Take a look at what I found for you. The first is Brain POP! Brain POP and Brain POP Jr. are usually paid subscriptions, but they are offering these to you now for free! These videos are used by educators and now you can have access to them. Let’s take a look.
K-3 Crowd
Brain POP Jr. is geared towards ages K-3 and covers a variety of subjects from math, science, grammar, social studies, health, art, and more. Annie and her funny robot friend named Moby are here to guide you through learning based on a video format which is supplemented with online activities. Why do I love it? The video format is presented in a humorous and interactive way. Extension activities include online quizzes, games, and activities! jr.brainpop.com
Upper Elementary and Middle School
Next, for older students Brain Pop is an excellent choice. These are videos and are delivering a lot of information given in a short span of time! Using Brain Pop to introduce or reinforce a concept is ideal. Yes, all the standards like geometry, algebra, ancient cultures, and more are here for the older crowd. However, this site really delivers a punch! How about learning more about coding, computer science, 3-D printing and more? This is a great opportunity to even explore future careers! Brainpop.com
Do you have a question for a teacher? Let me know and I will get back with you with a solution!
Thank you, Kenson Kids for the opportunity to share this information with you!
Jen :
Jennifer BittnerKenson Kids is offering two options to help families in need.
We have teamed up with our friends at Benecomms to help in their Treasure Hunts for Good Campaign to Help Families During Coronavirus Pandemic.
These Treasure hunts offer an alternative to screen time, helping kids move and smile now that school, activities and egg hunts are cancelled, the treasure hunts can be set up in any home in about 8 minutes. Each provides up to an hour of fun for one or more kids; parents can encourage kids to create their own hunts afterward to extend the fun even longer.
All proceeds from the sale of these products will be donated to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina!
Click here to order while supplies last!
Because our products help families get organized and active, we decided to add some of our own products to help!
Now though April 30th, when you purchase any of the products in theKenson Kids Products for Good: Help Our Food Bank Campaign on our website, we will be donating $5.00 per item to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina!
If you do not wish to purchase an item but are interested in donating click here!
Lastly,
Stay home, Wash your hands, and Enjoy your families!
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You can find this task piece in our School Pack Supplemental and our Before and After School Chart.
You can also find healthy snack and lunch box ideas on our "Food for Kids" Pinterest board.
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It's Random Acts of Kindness week and the perfect time to reinforce the importance of doing good deeds not just this week but every day. Just a small act of kindness such as a smile or kind word can make a difference in someones day.
Click here for a free printable to help your children get in the spirit of giving and being kind!
]]>Movez Pick n Roll is a fun way to teach and encourage kids to exercise. Kids love to roll the die and try to complete one of the exercises from the deck. What may surprise you is how often we are told by teachers that they love this item not only to provide a brief break in the class, but for distracting or refocusing behavior issues as well. Click here to Learn more
Sticky Note Daily Checklist Pad is brand new and makes a great stocking stuffer for just about anyone. It is a goal oriented daily to do list in the form of a sticky note pad that helps children and adults add focus to their day. They are also great item for parents to use to teach and promote to their children, the habit of setting goals and making strategies to achieve them. Click here to Learn more
"I Can Do It" Pet Care Charts are a fun way to get kids involved in taking care of the pets. And if they are getting a new pet for Christmas this is a must have to not only help establish basic pet care rules but also helps the kids bond with their new pet. There is a Cat and Dog Care Checklist version that gives kids a visual checklist and reminder of their responsibilities in taking care of their pet. Click here to learn about Dog Care Checklist, Click here to learn about Cat Care Checklist
And now lastly, back to the I Can Do It Reward Chart . Though it may not be something you would think to gift to others for the Holidays, we do believe if you are a parent of a toddler, this chart makes a great gift to yourself, as a parent and the lessons you can instill in your children using a chart like ours is a gift that will continue to benefit your child for life. Click here to Learn more
All of us at Kenson Kids hope you all have a wonderful holiday season filled with love, happiness, peace and the warmest of family memories!
About our products: Here at Kenson Kids®, we try to create products that are not only fun to use but that bring out the best in kids and develop good habits early in life when habits are forming. From incentive and chore charts, daily checklists, and ID bands, to potty training, games and stickers, Kenson Kids®’ products help parents, teachers, and caregivers positively influence behavior, manners, and self-esteem, while helping all children thrive at home, school, and in life!
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When I looked down at my daughter's three-month-old face - that face I had looked into so many times as I fed her, played with her and comforted her - it suddenly looked completely different.
I didn't recognize her. Her tiny lips were swelling, her cheeks puffing, her whole face was distorting. Panicking, I undid her onesie. Large, scalding red circles were forming on her tiny chin, her neck, and esophagus, following the path the milk had taken to her stomach.
I was visiting my parents in England. Sophia lay on my lap as I sat on their couch having just finished feeding her her second ever bottle of formula. The first had been fed to her shortly after birth in the NICU.
My father grabbed her up and held her over the sink; the milk came shooting out of her mouth. Soon after, thankfully, the swelling subsided. By the time we got to the emergency room, she seemed relatively back to normal.
When I returned to the United States, I met with her pediatrician. His words are etched in my memory:
"This was not anaphylaxis. I don't know what you think you saw but anaphylaxis is not possible in a three-month-old. The immune systems of babies that young aren't developed enough to mount such a reaction; in my entire career, I have never seen it."
Two weeks later we had an allergy test. A two-hour appointment turned into an eight-hour one because the nurses would not let me leave the building in case of a secondary reaction; my baby's entire back had swelled from one tiny prick of cow's milk. Her immune reaction was among the worst and most serious they had seen.
After her initial exposure in the NICU, her tiny immune system had inexplicably identified cow's milk as the enemy. At her second exposure - defying all odds - it had mounted a spectacular and potentially deadly defense.
Joining the Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Before my daughter's reaction, I was the mom who rewarded with candy. Chocolate, especially, was my go-to. My kids had free reign...cookies, cakes, popcorn, pizza, the lot. Today it makes me cringe to think of how little regard I paid to what my kids ate.
But after the reaction, everything changed. The experience was our induction into what I sometimes call the "Mad Hatter's Tea Party;" a new and weird reality that so many families face today, where seemingly innocuous foods harm tiny bodies. Sometimes even turning deadly.
Once you are at this crazy party, there's no leaving.
At first, it feels surreal. Everything changes. Food is so central to life, touching virtually everything we do, that danger is everywhere you look. Life has to change and change dramatically because you cannot risk another exposure.
As Sophia began crawling, her sister's Halloween and Easter candy (stashed high in cabinets) gave me nightmares; what if a Hershey Kiss fell? My membership in a local moms' club playgroup was short-lived; the copious amounts of Goldfish cracker dust ground into carpet and on little fingers gave me heart palpitations.
We stopped buying milk for fear of cross-contamination. I read, researched, grilled grocery store clerks and called food manufacturers. I learned all sorts of things, like the fact that even some brands of soymilk yogurt contain cultures that are grown in cow's milk. We purchased Epipens. All sitters, friends, and relatives had to be trained on how to use them. I watched the blood drain from many a babysitter's young face as I explained the life-threatening implications of Sophia's allergy.
I could go on, but if you are an allergy mom, you already understand; you understood the moment you read the title.
Swimming Against the Tide
As my kids grew, it because obvious that Sophia's older sister was reacting to certain foods as well (in a long story for another day, she was hospitalized several times before we ended up removing all grains, sugar and more from our diet, after which she recovered). These and other experiences have convinced me that something's up. Something is seriously amiss with our foods or our bodies or both.
The battle that allergy parents fight every day to keep their kids safe is just that - a battle. It is one that our family continues to fight ten years after Sophia's first reaction.
As my kids grew it seemed that not a week went by without temptation: a party at school where kids ate cupcakes the size of their heads, science class experiments involving jellybeans, M&Ms, marshmallows or [fill in the blank because we've had 'em all]. Time and again my kids have watched from the sidelines because of their allergies.
It has been:
The above challenges have been tough enough for two grownups to overcome. But as my kids approach their teens - when independence is asserted, and money and decision-making skills are lacking - I worry they may not continue the fight.
Canaries in the Coal Mine
Somewhere along the way, what is normal has become skewed. Today, cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and pizza for dinner is considered a normal day's nutrition. Candy is routinely used as a reward. Sugar is.in.everything. Everything.
But our bodies are screaming that this is not normal; rising instances of autoimmune disease, behavioral issues, mental illness, cancer, and so on, all suggest we should be asking serious questions.
Having lived through what we have experienced, I am convinced that some of us, my family included, are canaries in the coal mine. Perhaps because of genetics, we react more dramatically than others to the problems in our food supply.
But for every person with dramatic or anaphylactic reactions, there are dozens - many of them kids - living with chronic conditions. These conditions may not upend lives (at least not yet), but they are often serious enough to cause pain and problems that prevent kids from living their best lives.
In this way sometimes I feel grateful. Grateful that our health issues were serious enough to force change. If they had not been so serious, we might still be struggling.
Life with Allergies
As the years have gone by, what felt so strange at first has become a way of life for us. We visit the Farmer's Market most Saturdays, eat home-cooked food, buy organic whenever we can, and I am proud of our kiddos and the choices they regularly make to keep themselves healthy.
But there are some times of the year that are more difficult than others. Celebrations like birthdays are always hard. Holidays where candy is commonplace are particularly difficult. As an allergy mom, I'm grateful for:
Before our journey into Mad Hatterville, I barely gave a thought to the issue of nutrition. I never considered myself a good cook and was not at all talented in the kitchen. Thus - I often tell others - if we can do it, anyone can.
What happened to our family forever changed the way that I look at food; it changed us all, and for the better. That's why, whenever I can, I tell my story in hopes that it might help others.
]]>"My father - who'd been with us at the baseball tournament - called me to say he'd returned to the park with lunch. When I looked up from my phone to tell Ian it was time to eat, he was gone.
"I'll never forget the sick feeling I felt as I looked for him inside play structures and behind buildings and saw no sign of him. I imagined the worst.
Angela called her father, who told her Ian was with him at the picnic shelter. "He must have seen his grandfather reenter the park and run off to meet him," Angela recalls. "But the thoughts of what could have happened stayed with me for a while."
Fortunately, Angela's scare turned out to be a false alarm, but many situations do not. Every 40 seconds, a child goes missing in the U.S. More than 460,000 children go missing each year. In almost 90% of reported missing children cases, these children aren't abducted; they go missing due to miscommunication, getting lost, or children running away.
Kenson Kids' Safety Travel ID bands were created to help keep kids safe in crowded places. They are particularly helpful for very young children whose communication skills aren't fully developed or who are too young to have memorized a parent's phone number or even to know mom or dad's name. Having that information inside of the band helps other adults to identify a lost child more quickly and reunite him with his family sooner.
Experts also recommend dressing your child in bright clothing and taking a recent photo of your child before you venture out to a crowded place. "I did have that going for me," Angela says. "Ian LOVED to wear neon colors at the time, and I'd snapped a photo of him on the jungle gym just before he ran off."
Reader tip: Take a picture of your kids' shoes. In many abduction situations, the child will be changed into different clothes, may be given a hat, his/her hair may be cut, etc. But the shoes are not as easily changed.
ID bands are also useful for school field trips to aid parent chaperones who are responsible for large groups of children. They display the child's names on the inside of the band, along with their parent's contact information and any allergies the child may have.
Check out this article for more tips on keeping your kids safe in a crowd.
]]>In need of a system to help her care for the baby birds she would receive for the holidays, Ava created her own by, in effect, "hacking" our "I Can Do It!" reward chart.
While researching how to care for her birds and other pets, Ava learned that approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year, and this number generally increases around the holiday season, with three animals being abandoned every hour.
"Owning a pet is a lot of responsibility," says Ava. "Sometimes, kids don't realize how much time and work it takes to care for a new pet and they give up."
When Ava approached us to find a way to make her system available to more kids and their families, we decided to take the product mainstream in hopes it will help other kids play a role in caring for their pets. In addition to the cards Ava illustrated, Kenson Kids' new pet care chart includes daily instructions on caring for dogs, cats, or birds, three of the most popular types of pets in the United States.
"I hope this system helps reduce the number of animals who are taken to shelters," Ava adds.
Kenson Kids is donating a portion of the proceeds to nonprofit animal charities.
When kids are involved in the process of choosing their goals and keeping track of their own progress, their solutions tend to be more effective. We love what Ava has created and it has inspired us to seek ideas from other creative customers, especially kids.
Below is the article Ava wrote for our blog, which includes tips on caring for a new pet. We're also offering Ava's printable checklist as a download, which includes the steps she uses to care for her birds. The printable can be used alone, used with the new dog or cat care charts, or paired with one of our other systems.
Be Your Pet's Hero: Pet Ownership Tips for Kids
By Ava Bertelli
Imagine that you have just spent an amazing holiday with your family. You've been playing with all your new toys, enjoying time with the ones you love; life is good.
Now imagine, all of a sudden, your family packs you into a car and takes you to a loud, cold, scary place. There are cold concrete floors, wire fences, and everywhere you look there are strangers. Your family gives you to a stranger, and then they leave forever.
This is what abandoned puppies and kittens face. Unfortunately, this happens to lots of pets. Some families buy pets without stopping to think if they can take proper care of them, or sometimes the kids are supposed to be responsible for the pets, but the job is more than they bargained for.
If adjusting to having a new pet has been difficult, don't give up! You got this! Here are some tips to make you and your pet's lives easier so your pet can have a good home and you can still enjoy daily activities.
Tip 1: Create Routines.
Make a care routine that best suits you and your pet. If you have birds, like I do, your routine might look something like:
Creating a routine can help you budget your time and your pet will be able to know and expect what's going to happen throughout the day.
Avoid disorganization. If you feed your cat around 10AM every day try not to feed her at 6AM some other days. This can cause confusion for you and your pet which can lead to you forgetting to feed your cat which you absolutely do not want to happen. If you make routines you can also budget your time. If you walk your dog everyday around 12:30PM you can go to your friend's house at 2:00PM because you have already walked your dog.
Consider creating a checklist for your wall, use the free printable I created for birds, or use the Kenson Kids reward charts for cats or dogs to keep yourself organized and on track.
Tip 2: Find Ways to Save Time.
You can bathe your dog less often if you keep him out of dirty places. By walking him on the sidewalk instead of on the dirt path, you can keep him clean. There are pet wipes you can buy to clean your dog in between baths.
Try also combining activities to save time. For example, train your dog when you take him out to play in the backyard. This way you will get both activities done faster, still with effective results. Feed your parakeets their daily dose of fruits and vegetables while they are having their "fly around time."
Tip 3: Make it fun!
My last tip for you is, make caring for your pet fun!
If you want to play with your friend but you need to take your parakeets out, invite your friend over and play with them together! This way you, your friend, and your parakeets will have fun and your feathered friends will get their required amount of exercise.
Remember, your pets rely on you every day; be their hero! Use these tips to help make pet care more fun and always try to make "Returning the pet" a last resort.
I wish you and your pet a happy life together filled with lots of love!
]]>Dentists recommend that children brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day, and that parents start flossing their child's teeth daily as soon as two teeth emerge that touch. Here are a few ways you can instill good oral hygiene habits in your little ones and make toothbrushing fun!
Reward progress. A reward chart serves as a great reminder for your kids to brush and floss twice daily, helps establish routines. Just like many adults enjoy checking items off a to-do list, children love filling their charts with stars!
Brushing teeth doesn't have to be a chore. Use these tips to build healthy habits AND healthy smiles.
]]>1. Teach them that it's fun to give!
It's easy for kids to get caught up in the "gimmes," with the abundance of toy catalogs and commercials for the latest and greatest toys that appear this time of year. While perusing the catalogs and making their holiday wish lists, encourage your children to make a list of people to whom they'd like to give gifts, such as teachers, grandparents, and siblings.
Letting them spend their own money on a sibling or grandparent gift allows them to experience firsthand the amount of thought that goes with choosing a special gift for someone, while also feeling the excitement of watching someone else open a gift that they have chosen. You can also have your child make homemade ornaments for family and teachers. Pinterest provides many ideas for homemade gifts.
2. Show them the joy of helping others.
Nothing cultivates gratitude more than recognizing that there are people in our own communities who struggle to have their basic needs met. Help your children see firsthand that there are those less fortunate than they are, by seeking out family volunteer opportunities. Start a coat drive in your neighborhood, deliver holiday meals for Meals on Wheels, sing carols at a local hospital or nursing home, and/or have your children go through their toys and books and donate the ones that they've outgrown to children in need.
3. Model gratitude.
Children learn what they witness, so model gratitude yourself. When you receive a gift from someone, take a moment to verbalize your appreciation. State out loud, "They put a lot of thought into choosing this gift for me," or "How kind of them to remember me this season."
4. Incorporate new traditions that model kindness.
Many families have adopted the Elf on the Shelf tradition. The Kindness Elves offer a unique spin on this tradition. Each day leading up to Christmas, the Kindness Elves leave an act of kindness suggestion, encouraging children to incorporate kindness into the season in fun and creative ways.
Alternatively, you can print off holiday RACKs (Random Acts of Christmas Kindness) and place them inside an advent calendar as you count down to Christmas Day.
Use our reward charts to keep track of your child's daily acts of Christmas kindness. You could have the Kindness Elves deliver a Kenson Kids star along with their suggested act of kindness each day, or place a star inside your advent calendar along with your RACKS.
Stopping to express gratitude and appreciation for the season will benefit both parents and their children, allowing everyone to slow down and acknowledge the real meaning of the holidays: love, joy, and giving.
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