Treehouse TV

Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:21:00 GMT

Pumpkin carving is always a grand family event. Once the pumpkins are lit, gather the seeds and make a sweet treat or a savory snack--both are perfect for little hands!

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cook Time: 25 min.

Ingredients:
2 cups separated and dried pumpkin seeds (from your jack-o'-lantern)
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Kitchen Tip:
Choose sweet (sugar and cinnamon) or savory ingredients (cumin and salt), or try a sweet and salty mix
Directions:

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2:
In a bowl, toss the seeds with the butter and either the savory or sweet seasonings.

Step 3:
Spread the seeds evenly in one layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring the seeds every few minutes.

Step 4:
Remove from the oven and cool completely. Taste the seeds and re-season if desired.

Mummy Halloween Cupcakes

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:15:00 GMT

These hilarious mummy cupcakes can liven up any Halloween gathering. Your little baker will use lady fingers, M&Ms and frosting to create the mummies for each cupcake.

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 70 min.
Cook Time: 25 min.

Ingredients:
1 box (18.25 oz.) favorite cake mix
1 can (16 oz.) chocolate frosting
1 cup ground chocolate cookies
24 three-inch soft lady fingers
1 cup vanilla frosting
1/4 cup mini M&M's
1 tube black decorating frosting
You’ll also need:
Tweezers (optional)

Kitchen Tip:
For easier spreading, make sure the icing is at room temperature before you use it.

Directions:
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide evenly between the prepared liners. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean; 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

Step 2:
While parents spread the chocolate frosting on top of the cooled cupcakes, kids can crumble the chocolate cookies in a zip-close plastic bag. (Use a rolling pin to break them up fine.) Kids can help roll the frosted cupcakes in the ground crumbs to coat.

Step 3:
Place a lady finger on top of each cupcake. Spoon the vanilla frosting into a resealable bag and snip a small corner from the bag. Pipe a line across the top third of the lady finger. Add the mini candies as the eyes. Pipe slightly overlapping lines all over the lady finger. Pipe black dots on the candies as eyes. (Parents may want to do this part.) Continue with the remaining ingredients.

Kitchen Tip:
If you prefer, you can decorate all of mummies at the same time on a piece of wax paper. Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to place them gently on top of the cupcakes.

Green Monster Cupcakes

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:44:00 GMT

Don't let these goblins scare you. They are actually very tasty cupcakes decorated with different candies like licorice laces. Your little monsters will gobble them up!

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 1 hr. 15 min.
Cook Time: 22-25 min.

Ingredients:

1 box (18.25 oz.) favorite cake mix
2 cans (16 oz.) vanilla frosting
Green and yellow paste food coloring
24 chocolate-covered cookies
48 orange candy-coated chocolates
24 black candy-coated chocolates or jelly beans
1 tube black decorating frosting
Black licorice laces

Directions:
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide evenly between the prepared pans. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

Step 2:
Tint the frosting a light green with the food coloring. Use a tiny dab of paste to start and add more if necessary. (Kids can help.) Spoon some of the frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a small star tip.

Step 3:
Help kids place the chocolate cookies on top of the cupcakes. Starting at the base, pipe lines all around. Continue layering until completely covered. Let kids place the candies on top for the face. Pipe dots as the pupils with the black frosting. Add two 6-inch pieces of the black licorice as the legs.

Kitchen Tip:
To help the cookie stay in place, spread a thin layer of frosting on the bottom of the cookie before placing on the cupcake.

Jack-o'-Lantern Cupcakes

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:18:00 GMT

These Jack-o-lantern cupcakes are oh-so-delicious. They will be the highlight of any Halloween party even if a goblin or two decide to show up.

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 1 hr. 15 min.
Cook Time: 22-25 min.

Ingredients:

1 box (18.25 oz.) favorite cake mix
1 can (16 oz.) plus 1/2 cup vanilla frosting
Yellow and orange paste food coloring
1/2 cup dark chocolate frosting
You’ll also need:
Cupcake pans
24 cupcake liners

Kitchen tip:
Make sure that the frosting is at room temperature when you start to fill the icing bags. With this type of icing, you can fill the bags in advance of making the cupcakes to save time later. You and your child can practice your icing technique with a little frosting and a piece of cardboard or a cookie.

Directions:
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. Kids can help prepare the cake mix according to the package directions and fill the cupcake liners. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean; 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

Step 2:
Tint 1/2 cup of the frosting yellow and spoon into a resealable bag; set aside. Tint the remaining vanilla frosting orange. Frost the tops of the cupcakes with the orange frosting. Pipe the outline of the jack-o'-lantern faces with the chocolate frosting. (Parents may want to do this part.)

Step 3:
Heat the yellow frosting, in the bag, in the microwave for 2 to 3 seconds to soften slightly. Snip a small corner from the bag and fill in the outlines with the yellow frosting. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes.

Easy Caramel Apples

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:46:00 GMT

Ooey and gooey, these caramel apples will make everyone at home happy that it's fall again. Just make sure the caramel candies make it into the bowl!

Servings: 5 Prep
Time: 20 min.

Ingredients:

Butter or margarine for greasing

5 apples 1 pkg. (14 oz.)

caramel candies

1 tbsp. water

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
You’ll also need:

Cookie sheet Wax paper

Directions:
Step 1:
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, and grease with a dab of butter or margarine. Kids can help wash the apples in a colander and dry them with a kitchen towel. If they have stems, you may need to help remove them. Insert a craft stick into each apple.

Step 2:
Let kids unwrap the caramel candies and add them to a microwave-safe bowl. Help them measure out the water and add that to the candies.

Step 3:
Place in the microwave and heat on high for about 3 minutes. Stop the microwave and stir the caramels every minute or so. While you hold the bowl (be sure to use oven mitts--some bowls get very hot!), kids can help stir with a wooden spoon or a spatula. Continue heating the caramels until they are completely melted and smooth.

Step 4:
Carefully remove the caramels from the microwave. Please note that the caramel will be very hot, and the bowl may be hot, as well. Help kids dip the apples into the caramel and hold them over the bowl to let the excess caramel drip away. Dip once or twice to coat the apples. If you like, you can also dip them into the nuts. Set them on the buttered wax paper to cool.

Kitchen tip:
If you prefer, you can heat the caramel and water mixture in a medium pot on the stove over medium-low heat.

Have I Got a Book for You!

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:49:00 GMT

Have I Got a Book for You!
Written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt

The bestselling author-illustrator and creator of publishing sensation Scaredy Squirrel presents a character you just can't say “no” to: salesman Mr. Al Foxword. Al can sell anything. You can't help but be impressed by his lineup of satisfied customers: he's sold an icebox to a penguin, an umbrella to a fish and a dirt vacuum to a mole. Al knows you're looking for a great book, and this is your lucky day. Say goodbye to books that leave you bored and uninspired. Research shows that 100 percent of Al's customers notice a dramatic increase in happiness after buying his book. Not totally convinced yet? Just when you think you're ready to close the book on this relentless salesman, he comes up with a clever tactic that you simply can't refuse.

The retro design and the sheer absurdity of Foxword's powers of persuasion make for an off-the-wall picture book with major crossover appeal that pokes fun at our hard-sell society.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

How to Find a Nanny

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:08:00 GMT

Mary Poppins made it look easy, but in reality, finding the right caregiver for you and your family can be an arduous task. To help out with this important undertaking, we spoke with Martha Scully, president and founder of Canadiannanny.ca and Canadiansitter.ca, and put together a list of indispensable nanny sourcing tips.

1. Take Your Time
First and foremost, says Martha Scully, when searching for a caregiver, give yourself plenty of time. “Sometimes families will call us and say ‘We need care for next week’, but we think you should give yourself four weeks to find live-out care, and even longer for live-in care.”

2. Spread the Word
Web sites and agencies are useful, but you should also check with friends, family members and coworkers when beginning your quest for a nanny. Liz Davis, a Toronto mother of two, shares a nanny with a friend in her neighbourhood. “A good friend of mine from a mommy-baby workout class mentioned she was going on maternity leave and needed to reduce her nanny’s hours. I now employ her nanny two days a week, and it’s working out very well. Once my friend’s maternity leave is over, I’ll have to start looking for someone else, and will probably rely on word-of-mouth again. I’ll ask around at the classes I go to, and tell friends what I’m looking for.”

3. Find a Good Agency
If you choose to go with a nanny or sitter placement agency, use the internet or the yellow pages to find a reputable firm using the following criteria:

Evaluate how long the agency has been in business. Many of the best agencies in Canada have been established for at least five years.

Seek out agencies with good reputations. The Canadian government does not regulate the activity of caregiver agencies (in the United States, these agencies are governed by trade agencies) so it’s important to shop around and ask friends, family members and coworkers about their experience with various agencies. You may also want to ask the agency to provide references from previous clients. If they cannot do this, best to keep shopping!

Be sure the agency employs a Certified Immigration Consultant and is familiar with the employment and tax laws in your province.

4. Use the Web Wisely
The internet is a cornucopia of nanny finding resources. Sites like Canadiannanny.ca and Canadiansitter.ca operate almost like dating agencies, says Scully. “Parents can complete profiles and match themselves to the right caregiver.” The benefit of using this kind of service is that there’s no ‘finder’s’ fee, which can run up to a whopping $2000 with some agencies. Instead, families pay $75 dollars for online access to that database, and also receive a comprehensive manual that details the many steps in finding and keeping a great nanny. The manual includes information on in-home caregiver options, wage guidelines, tax basics and more.

5. Check Backgrounds
If you’re working with an agency, they should carry out all background and reference checks, plus provide potential nanny/sitter profiles for you. However, if you’re hunting for a caregiver on your own, you’ll want to get this information yourself. Visit your local police station to find out how to perform a police record check on your potential caregiver. And always ask for at least three references, even if they don’t all pertain to child care. “The references should be relevant to the type of work the nanny will be doing,” says Scully. “So, for example, if she worked at a clothing store previously, checking that reference won’t really help you. But if she worked with special needs children or seniors, calling that reference will give you an idea of how well she cares for and interacts with people.”

6. Set the Stage
“Have a calm, face to face interview with the children present, and be sure you have plenty of time set aside to get to know the nanny,” says Scully. But don’t expect your potential employee to spring into action right away. If the interview goes well, Scully recommends setting up a trial day, which the nanny will be paid for. “She can come into your home, and you’ll be there and available if she has questions. You can get a sense at that point of what she’s like with your kids.” Once you’ve decided to hire, Scully also recommends easing the new nanny or sitter into your lives gradually. “Set up maybe two or three days of care during which you’re at home and readily available. Observe her during that time and be sure you still get that good feeling from her.”

Hiring Childcare 101

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:51:00 GMT

By Tracy Feduck

You couldn’t be prouder of your bundle of joy, but now comes the daunting task of hiring the childcare for him/her because you have to go back to work.

The best way to hire your own nanny is by word of mouth. If you have a friend that knows a friend that knows someone who’d be great, then give him or her the first interview. There will be many issues that need to be discussed to be sure you’re hiring the right person, but the key is to be sure how you feel about certain things before the interview. Have a definite opinion in your mind about the following things before you interview your candidate:

Discipline -Feeding
Diapering/toilet training
Naps -Indoor vs. outdoor play
Structured vs. free play
Use of television
Nanny responsibility for other work in your home (i.e. doing dishes, making beds, doing laundry)
Ability of nanny to do personal things (telephone calls, errands) while your child is in his/her care)
Hours of work

If you don’t even know where your head is at on these things, then no one will be able to give you the right answer. Once you know where you stand on these issues (hopefully before he/she reaches university), then you’re ready for the face-to-face interview. Here are some questions to help you along:

Why do you want to be a nanny?
Why did you leave your previous position?
What child rearing philosophies do you lean towards?
What are your strengths in working with children?
What is your experience working with children of xx age?
What was the best part of working with children of xx age? What was the worst part?
How would you discipline a child in the following situation (describe one appropriate for your child’s age)?
What sort of activities would you plan for a typical day with the children? A rainy day?
When the weather is nice, do you prefer to be inside or outside?
Have you ever had a dangerous or emergency situation with a child in your care? What was it and how did you handle it?
What are your expectations of your relationship with parent/employer? How much direction/autonomy do you need?
What are your hobbies/interests?
Do you smoke?
Can you drive?
Do you consider yourself a tidy person?

When you are finished your interview, it might be a good idea to have your child meet the candidate. If your child runs screaming from the room, set up some more interviews! When you are interviewing complete strangers (no preceding thumbs up from anyone you know), be sure and ask for personal references as well as employment references. Most of all, check every reference you get.

Hiring childcare is one of the most difficult things to do. Once you have found your Mary Poppins, treat her well and hopefully you won’t have to go through this interview process again. Above everything, follow your instincts.

Article courtesy of:

Fussy Toddlers

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:33:00 GMT

By Tiffany Richardson

Research has shown that it can take 15 or so exposures to a given food before a child accepts it, so if he doesn’t like it the first time around, don’t give up.

At the toddler stage your children grow very quickly and are usually very active so they need plenty of calories and nutrients. They should be eating foods from the four major food groups (including milk and dairy foods, meat, fish and alternatives, bread and other cereals and fruits and vegetables).

Each day your child, age two to six, should be eating 6 servings from the grain group (one serving can be a slice of bread, ½ cup of cooked rice or pasta, ½ cup of cooked cereal, one ounce ready-to-eat cereal), 2 servings of fruit (1 piece of fruit of a melon wedge, ¾ cup of juice, ½ cup of canned fruit), 3 servings of vegetables (1/2 cup of chopped raw or cooked vegetables, 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables), 2 servings of meat (2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish, ½ cup of cooked dry beans or 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of meat), and 2 servings of milk (1 cup of milk or yogurt, 2 ounces of cheese).

To reduce the risk of allergies, don’t offer peanut butter until your child is 3 years old. Peanuts can cause violent allergic reactions and they’re also large enough for your child to choke on. Whole grapes should also be cut into quarters for toddlers as they can get lodged in a child’s throat.

The food a child eats affects his or her health and growth. Good food habits learned between one and five years of age can form a lifetime pattern of healthy eating. Children learn from example so don’t eat pizza five nights a week or be munching away on a bag of potato chips as you’re making dinner.

Here are some ideas that you can try to get your fussy toddler to eat and help ensure that he is eating healthy:

Give foods special names like ‘flying saucer pancakes’ that can have bananas or berries stirred into the batter.
Make faces or animal shapes from vegetables and fruit. Cucumbers make great eyes and carrot sticks make the perfect nose!
Serve frozen vegetables as a snack and tell your child that they are Eskimo food.
Cut sandwiches into a variety of smaller shapes such as rectangles, triangles, half-moons, etc. This is also an effective way to teach your toddler about shapes.
Let your child help you prepare the meal, obviously don’t stand them by the hot stove, but try to make them feel like they have choices.
Have themed meals such as a circus dinner where everything is colourful or shape dinners where everything is cut in shapes. It makes for a lot of work, but if it gets them eating, Kudos to you!
If your child refuses to eat certain foods then respect your child’s wishes, even if nothing is eaten. Children will not let themselves go hungry, they will eventually eat, but after a reasonable length of time, remove the food if it is untouched. Toddlers have small stomachs and do not need to eat every meal.

Remember food likes and dislikes change over time, so a food refused today may be eaten next week. Hang in there and happy dining!

Article courtesy of:

Baby Proof Your House

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:47:00 GMT

Tips from Dylan Marcel of Save Us from Our House:

Dylan’s tips to baby proof your house:

As a new dad I have realized that there are a lot of things in the home that can be hazardous to your little one. Here are a few easy tips on baby proofing your home to insure that they are safe.

1. Look at your house from your baby’s point of view, and remove anything hazardous or breakable. An exploring baby can reach anything below your chest.
2. Secure cupboard doors, drawers, and toilet seats with childproof locks, clips and magnets.
3. Put plastic plug covers on your electrical outlets or replace them with child proof ones.
4. Turn your hot water heater down to prevent burns, about 48 degrees Celsius.
5. Use a baby gate to keep kids out of unwanted areas and away from staircases.
6. Cover sharp corners by installing plastic or rubber bumpers. These can be removed afterwards. Although you should have this in your home regardless, make sure that there is a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector in every room of your house.

Article courtesy of:

Preschool Plant Pressing

treeadmin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:03:00 GMT

A great way for parents and children to appreciate nature is to press some of your favourite flowers and leaves. This is a great way to preserve some of your summertime memories and observe all the beautiful changing colours that the Fall provides. You can use them to add colour and texture to regular colouring pages. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Collect some of your favourite leaves and flowers, try collecting a variety of sizes and colours
2. Arrange them so that they are spread out and can be flattened on a sheet of newspaper
3. Place a sheet of newspaper on top of them
4. Apply weight on them by placing heavy books, a phone book, or weights on top
5. Let the plants dry for 2-3 days
6. Once they’re dry, you can glue them onto a sheet of paper
7. Put a layer of wax paper over the plant and weigh it down to make sure it sticks to the paper
8. Once dry, you can colour and paint around the plants to create your own garden scene

Franklin's Christmas Gift

treeadmin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:58:00 GMT

In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin can’t decide what to donate to his school’s Christmas toy drive. At first, all of his toys seem too special to give away, then nothing seems special enough. With some inspiration from his Great Aunt Harriet, Franklin finally comes up with the perfect gift.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

123 I Can Build!

treeadmin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:57:00 GMT

This book in the Starting Art series provides an introduction to all the materials kids need to start building. They'll learn simple architectural techniques such as joining, roofing and folding, in addition to concepts such as foundation, structure and function. Projects include a breezy birdhouse, a mushroom mansion, a perfect palace and a fabulous funhouse. Budding builders will proudly say, “I can build!”

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

The Delicious Bug

treeadmin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:57:00 GMT

On a quiet and peaceful day in the forest, beaky birds, lemurs and a tomato frog are hanging out by the pond catching, or trying to catch, their meals. Two chameleon friends, Willy and Wally, are also looking forward to their lunch when a rare thing happens. KerBLAPP! - their tongues simultaneously latch onto a passing bumblebug. Who saw the bug first? And who will be the first to let go?

As the two argue and fight, their actions lead to serious trouble and threaten the peace of the whole forest. But when Willy and Wally are forced to use teamwork to narrowly escape the jaws of doom, they recognize the virtues of working together. Can they agree to share the mouthwatering bug after all?

Janet Perlman's own adaptation of her award-winning animated film Dinner for Two, The Delicious Bug will encourage discussion about the many facets of cooperation and friendship and highlight the importance of peacefully resolving conflict.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear

treeadmin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:57:00 GMT

The ninja, the cowboy and the bear do everything together — they paint pictures, compare cloud shapes in the sky, fly kites and much more. Though each friend is very different from one another, they enjoy each other's company. Until one day when they begin quarreling and compete to see which one is the best. The bear can pile up rocks the highest. The cowboy can collect the most raspberries. The ninja can catch the most rabbits. When each contest leads to more resentment, it seems the friends will never stop disagreeing. Only when they learn to be considerate of their differences do they finally realize how much they appreciate each other.

The cute, yet stylized artwork combined with a fun story about friendship and celebrating differences make this legend an unforgettable one.

This playfully illustrated picture book also includes instructions for the Ninja-Cowboy-Bear game, which is similar to Rock Paper Scissors except that kids use their whole body

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Snowy Sports

treeadmin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:57:00 GMT

Illustrated by Per-Henrik Gürth

It's a bright winter's day bursting with activity as this adorable cast of animal characters bundles up to skate, slide, sled, ski and more. The day begins with the friends dressing warmly for all the fun ahead. Over the course of an exhilarating day the friends take a twirl on the ice, pass the puck, slip and slide and zippity-zip down hills, half-pipes and tracks - ending up back home warming themselves by the fire with hot chocolate.

With a mix of competitive and non-competitive sports, the book highlights winter activity at any level of play. Snowy sports featured include bobsleigh, curling, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, freestyle skiing, hockey, ice skating, luge, skeleton, ski jumping, sledge hockey, snowboarding and speed skating.

Each page has an illustration of a piece of winter clothing that makes up a complete cold-weather outfit by book's end. The bold and cheerful illustrations are perfect for encouraging youngsters to embrace the chilly weather with their friends. Dress warmly and let's go play!

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Big Bear Hug

treeadmin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:56:00 GMT

A huge bear is wandering through the forest - but wait a minute! Who's that he's hugging? A beaver? And a moose? And a bird? And a tree?

Welcome to the world of Big Bear Hug, a contemporary fable about a bear who has an appetite for hugging everything in sight - even creatures that bears have been known to eat. One day, the benevolent bear meets up with a human. This human proceeds to do something the bear cannot understand: he raises his axe and begins to cut down a tree. Suddenly the bear doesn't feel like hugging anymore and must make a difficult decision on how to stop this destruction in his forest.

The environmental message of Big Bear Hug is both funny and powerful, while simple enough to engage very young children and show them the awesome power of a hug.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Lulu's Pajamas

treeadmin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:53:00 GMT

Written by Lucie Papineau
Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

Young Lulu has the best Mama and Papa in the world and the best pet ladybug, Lili-Poo. After her Mama tells her a story and her Papa sings a goodnight song, Lulu drifts gently off to sleep in her favorite soft-as-a-butterfly-kiss pajamas. In the morning she decides “never ever” to take them off again! What will she do when her friends laugh and her beloved pajamas show the scars of a busy day at school? Suddenly Lulu can hardly recognize her pajamas, and they sure don't smell like a pink dream anymore.

Lulu's spirited, independent handling of a childhood rite of passage - choosing one's own clothes - will resonate with both children and parents. Irresistible illustrations and Lulu's note-perfect child's voice will make Lulu's Pajamas a bedtime favorite sure to become as well-worn as an old pair of pajamas.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Me and You

treeadmin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Geneviève Côté

Two artistic friends, paintbrushes in hand …
“I wish I were just like you,” says the rabbit to the pig.
“I wish I were just like you,” says the pig to the rabbit.
As the friends use paintbrushes and a few props to adjust tails, ears and noses, something soon becomes clear: they liked each other better before. “I am me and you are you … that's why we love each other, me and you!”

This gentle celebration of friendship and individuality by award-winning writer and illustrator Geneviève Côté will reassure young readers that they are loved and special as themselves. It's a book with all-ages appeal and an ideal gift for a child — or a best friend.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Have You Ever Seen a Duck in a Raincoat?

treeadmin — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:10:00 GMT

Written by Etta Kaner, Illustrated by Jeff Szuc

Have You Ever Seen a Duck in a Raincoat? compares human clothing, footwear and headgear with the equivalent animal adaptations. Have you ever seen a lobster in a helmet? No? That's because lobsters don't need helmets because they have a hard shell to protect their heads and bodies.

The animal tic-tac-toe activity at the end of the book will provide hours of educational enjoyment. Each informational picture book in the Have You Ever Seen series uses lighthearted human-animal comparisons to teach primary-level children about animals.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Online Safety for Kids

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:02:00 GMT

More often than not, kids know more about the Internet and computers than their parents. This need not stop you from learning. In fact, this is an opportunity to have your child teach you about the Internet. Sit down with your child and explain to them what's good and not so good about the Internet. Regardless of how Web-literate your kids are, you should still provide guidance.

Here are some tips to follow when advising your kids on Internet use:

Never give out identifying information like home address, telephone number, or school name.
Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make it in a public place, and accompany your child.
Keep track of any files your children download and consider sharing an e-mail account to oversee their mail.
Remember that people online may not be who they seem. Someone pretending to be a 13-year-old girl could in reality be a 40-year-old man.
Be wary of offers that want you to send money or credit card information.
Check out filtering programs that block sites that contain nudity, sexual content, hateful or violent material, or that advocate the use of drugs, tobacco, or alcohol.
Attend online classes and spend some time listening to and speaking with other concerned parents.
Keep your computer in a family room rather than a child’s bedroom, where you can keep an eye on it. You wouldn't allow a stranger in your child’s bedroom; don't allow them in via computer either.
Grant your children Internet access only when you are at home and awake. If they can't hang out at the park at all hours of the night, they shouldn't be surfing then either.
Talk to your children about the things they may encounter online. You don't have to scare them, but they need to know the risks.
If your children encounter material online that makes them frightened or uncomfortable, they should always feel comfortable talking to you about it. Try not to respond in a way that blames them or they’ll be afraid to come to you the next time.

Written By: Christine West Article courtesy of:

Put your child’s best foot forward – Buying baby and kid’s shoes

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:58:00 GMT

Buying the right shoes for your child goes a long way to protecting the pitter-patter of their little feet. And browsing the kids' footwear section in any store will bring out the inevitable "oohs and aahs." What's cuter than a pair of baby runners from the Gap? But according to the California Pediatric Medical Association, almost 80% of children of all ages have trouble with their feet because of the shoes they wear. So how do you make the right buying decision at the store? Are the more expensive brands any better? And when your child is still too young to talk, how to do you know if the shoe really fits?

BABY SHOES

Pediatrician Dr. Godfrey Baumgard says, "Until you learn to walk, you don't really need to wear shoes." He sites a 1979 study that found that babies who wore shoes early on were more likely to develop foot problems as children. At this early age, babies only need footwear that will protect their feet and keep them warm and dry. Socks and booties do the job just fine. But if it's too hard to resist those little patent leather shoes, remember the key is to look for shoes that have a soft sole and that aren't too tight or too loose, especially in the toe area.

TODDLER SHOES

Once your baby has learned to walk independently for a few weeks, it's time to hit the pavement in search of a pair of well-fitting shoes. John Lewis, manager of shoe store The Kerrisdale Bootery, says guidelines have changed for buying that first pair of shoes. "The old way of thinking was that the first pair of shoes had to have a very high top, have laces and be very rigid. But we've moved away from that to a first pair of shoes with a slightly lower top, that's sturdy, but not too rigid. The thinking here is that if the child's ankle is overly supported by the shoe, the ankle might not develop properly."

Support, structure and fabric are still important. Here are some tips on what to look for in the shoe store:

"Well ventilated shoes are very important," says Dr. Baumgard. Leather shoes are generally better as they allow the foot to breathe and they have more give.

Shoes should have a firm "shank." That's the area from the ball of the foot to the heel. This keeps the foot from rolling inward.

Look for shoes with rubber soles. However, soles that are too sticky can cause new walkers to trip over their feet. So find a shoe with a bit of slide.

Shoes should be flat - no heels.

The toe of the shoe should be wide (square or round) so that the toes have lots of room to spread out. That's why open-toe sandals are a good choice.

And as for size:

You should have ¼ to ½ of an inch of space between the tip of the shoe to the tip of the toes. Make sure there is also some room in the width.

The heel should not be able to move up and down in the back of the shoe.

As all parents know, children's feet grow very quickly. You should be buying a new pair about every three to five months. In an effort to save money, some parents may be tempted to purchase shoes a size too big and wait for the child to grow into them. Experts say that's a no-no.

"We never allow for more than an extra half an inch. That's less than a full size between the end of the toe and the shoe. Anything more than that and the child's foot will slip out and they could trip. It's okay to get a little extra room when the child is small, but when they get older, the shoes should fit exactly," says Lewis. Although you'll have to upgrade those shoes regularly, there's no need to spend a bundle. Dr. Baumgard stresses that inexpensive shoes are fine as along as they're comfortable and well ventilated.

CHILDREN'S SHOES

The good news is that your child can now help you get your money's worth; they'll be able to tell you if you the shoes are comfortable or not. The bad news is kids' shoes can be almost as expensive as adult shoes - the same workmanship goes into both. And kids, like adults, often choose fashion over comfort. But to ensure you get the best fit possible, here are some things to keep in mind:

Buy shoes late in the day. Feet are 5 to 8% bigger then than in the morning.
Make sure the salesperson measures both feet. Most people have one foot that's bigger than the other. Buy shoes to fit the larger foot.
The toes shouldn't touch the end of the shoe and the heel should be firm. The width should be ample across the front and top.
The sole of the shoe should bend in the ball, not the arch. A sturdy arch provides support.
A rubber sole supplies the best cushioning.
Shoes should feel comfortable right away. Don't expect your child to break them in.
Velcro isn't as stable as laces. So if you do buy Velcro, make sure the fastener is wide, sturdy and good quality.
Hand-me downs or second hand shoes are not optimum as shoes mold to the feet that wear them.

A key thing to remember for all ages is that the shoe shape should mirrors the natural shape of the foot. Finally, since we all spend so much time in shoes, it's not a bad idea to encourage your kids to run barefoot as well. Not only will it help muscles develop properly, there's also nothing like tiptoeing through the cool grass or feeling the warm sand between your toes on a sunny summer day.

Article courtesy of:

Kids in the Kitchen

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:47:00 GMT

Do you have a potential sous-chef or two in the kitchen? Why not let the kids create their own snacks? Below you'll find some fun and easy snacks you can make together.

Personalized Pita Bread Pizzas

Pick your favourite ingredients at the store. The basics: Sauce, cheese, veggies, meat. Let the kids spread their sauce on the pita bread and sprinkle on the cheese. Then, they can decorate their pizza with the ingredients however they like before they go in the oven. They'll love eating their creations!

Ants on a Log

For really little ones, this is a cute snack to make. Take finger-sized slices of celery and spread peanut butter or cream cheese in the middle. Now, together you can take raisins and place them on top: little ants marching on the log.

Smoothies

You can talk about the importance of cleaning fruit before using it. Start with smaller fruits that don’t need to be chopped so that your child can be completely involved. Blend with juice and yogurt and enjoy this sweet, healthy drink.

Doughy Treats

Teach your child a basic sweet dough or regular dough recipe then together you can roll them into long, twisty, pretzel treats. Top with cinnamon or herbs depending on your dough choice.

Kabobs

After showing your kids how to clean and prepare vegetables, get them to work sticking them on wooden skewers. You can use fruit for these as well. Then, cook them up on the BBQ to enjoy.

Tacos

Have fun creating tasty tacos by going through the step-by-step process with your kids. Soft-shell tortillas should have less fat than the crunchy shells.

Cookies

Whether you’re working with gingerbread, shortbread or another type of recipe, it’s always fun to decorate cookies with sprinkles and other treats.

Banana Boats

A little slice on your part down the middle of a banana (skin still on) and you can stuff away with chocolate chips, marshmallows and other goodies before wrapping them up in foil and baking them.

You can use your imagination to come up with new ideas. It's fun to play with your food! Think of your kids' creations as edible objets d'art. Take a look through your recipe books for more easy-to-make snacks for the kids to create and enjoy.

By Robyn Burnett

Article courtesy of:

Ask a Nutritionist: Kid's Snacks

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:40:00 GMT

Q: I have two small children (aged 3 and 1) and am looking for suggestions for purchased snacks - items that don't have to be refrigerated and can go in the diaper bag for those "emergencies." Any ideas?

It is a fun adventure satisfying the palates of children. Here are my favourites:

I love carrying some almond butter in a small jar, packing celery sticks and dried cranberries and combining them when you get to snack time into healthy celery boats. The almonds are safer than peanut butter and loaded with immune boosting plant sterols. It is great to give kids a rest from refined foods at snack times due to all the concern over Trans-fats and wheat intolerance. Check that the Goldfish do not have trans-fats.
I make great high protein rice crispie squares that are full of kid friendly ingredients that would provide them with a balanced delicious snack on the run. Check it out on this site by clicking on recipes at The Right Fit page.
I love the unsweetened berry and peach apple sauces available in most stores.
Sesame snaps are great because there are high in plant sterols that keep their immune system high year-round. Look for the ones made with molasses which are healthier than sugar and packed with extra minerals like iron.
Unsweetened fruit leather, Jennie's sugar-free macaroons, carob bars(carob is a great substitute for chocolate as it has no caffeine and is high in minerals), dried apricots are high in iron and are tasty with a piece of cheese if they can tolerate dairy.

I would suggest a trip to your local health food store or the health food isle of your local grocer. They will have lots of healthy bars and cookies and mixes that are sure to keep them both healthy and satisfied!

Article courtesy of:

Kids and Travel

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:32:00 GMT

Whether it's a trip to Grandma's or a voyage overseas, knowing fun and simple ways to entertain your kids during vacation travel will reduce the number of times you have to hear "Are we there yet?" Preparation is the key to freeing up time to actually enjoy the whole reason you are on this holiday from the everyday. Looking for destination inspiration? Use the tips below to assist you in your travels.

Before You Go

Anticipation is half the fun of any trip. Prepare a Countdown Calendar for your child to follow. Prepare foreign foods at home, teach them some of the local language.

In a perfect world, there would be no illness or injury, and both parents would always be traveling together with their children. But in this day and age, children have asthma, diabetes, and other types of challenges, and remembering to pack medicines and medical information is a must. If your child has any serious medical ailment, such as an allergic reaction to a certain food, write the information on a postcard and tuck it in your child's pocket. In an emergency, especially in a foreign place, panic can take over. It would also help if you had the information translated into the native language (Spanish, Portuguese, French, etc.) ahead of time. Keep all government documents in a safe place with you while you travel, and bring only photocopies if possible. Be sure to check your medical insurance coverage. It is worth the investment.

Check out www.bluecross.ca for information on purchasing medical plans.

If both parents will not be traveling with the child, signed notarized documentation is needed from both parents that states permission is granted to travel.

It is very difficult to keep a child from ever getting lost. Be prepared by putting information inside your child's fanny pack or pocket. Let the child know of the information. You can call it the "I'm Lost" ticket and tell them to take it to a policeman or adult working in a store or restaurant. This, too, would be helpful to have translated. Let your child know what police uniforms look like in different parts of the world. One trend at the Disney parks is families dressing in similar Hawaiian print shirts, etc. so that at a quick glance, it is easy to find your brood.

Packing

For tips on packing for travel, check out www.travelite.org. This site will help you with everything from luggage to electrical outlets. Many chat rooms mentioned packing a day's worth of baby supplies in large plastic bags, so that each day, you just grab a new plastic bag and put it in the diaper bag. For children who are old enough, pack disposable cameras in their carry on luggage, so that they can take pictures throughout the trip. They can create Memory Books at home upon their return.

Air Travel

There are three things to remember regarding air travel and children: delays, food, and inner ear pressure.

The saving graces of Crayola Watercolour pencils. They don't melt and they can be transformed into face paint with water. If you're at the airport with a long layover, you can paint your kids faces to keep them entertained.

Be sure to pack some food that children like, such as crackers with peanut butter, carrot sticks, granola bars, and jube-jubes. The latter will help combat inner ear pressure. Having a younger child drink from a "sippy" cup or using a pacifier can ease inner ear pressure.

Train

Pack non-toxic glow-sticks to entertain your children on overnight rail travel. The sticks will amuse them until they fall asleep. You can also bring their iPod or handheld games to keep the kids from getting bored on long rides.

Boat

Keep in mind that little tummies get upset very easily. Pack some Gravol, dry crackers and a larger sickness bag, as the ones provided can be quite small. If you are going on a cruise, take advantage of the child services offered. This will let you and your child enjoy a better vacation.

Car

Before you start out on your venture, be sure to put a blanket or towel down on the seats. There is a high probability that your child will spill something along the way. Baby wipes are also a good thing to have around to clean up spills and sticky hands.

Many web sites mention packing age appropriate bags to keep your children occupied. Fill the bags with colouring books, crayons, hand-held games, trivia cards, stickers and books. One great book to pack for the ride is Kids Travel: A Backseat Survival Kit. In it you'll find games for kids: crafts, puzzles, dot-to-dots, crosswords, mazes and more, all in a zippered case with the materials for each activity included.

There are several car games that the whole car can participate in (well, anyone who isn't currently driving the vehicle!). Here are a few you might remember:

Highway Bingo: Make up a list of items before you go. When your child sees these items, they can check them off the list (Think of what you might see: sleeping cows, a VW beetle, a farm, a construction sign and so on.)
License Plate Game: See how many different provinces or state plates you come across
Alphabet Name Game: for children aged 7 and up. Choose a topic, like girl's names, and start at A, and take turns saying a name with the corresponding letter

It is inevitable that children will ask, "Are we there yet?" A great way to combat this is to pack a roll of nickels per child. Each time they ask, they owe you a nickel. They may ask, but make them use different words.

Written By: Tracey Lord

Article courtesy of: