Teachable Moments | 3 Boys And A Dog

Giveaway: The Story of Hanukkah Howie (book)

January 12, 2012 By Erika

Ever had a bad hair day? My kids are notorious for those, water, hair gel, etc., usually fixes the uncompromising hair for my kids but in this story, the mom isn’t so lucky! The Story of Hannukah Howie is a great little story about the adventures of a small Jewish boy who grows up with hair with a mind of it’s own but in the end it turns out to be a really special gift. What seemed like just another bad hair day, is what makes Howie eventually become a special boy.

As a mom and teacher, I really enjoyed reading this book to my kids. We got to learn about the religious practices of another culture and I thought it was perfect because it was during a time when our family was celebrating Christmas. So we got to compare and contrast the two holidays. Why would a Christian family want a Hanukkah book? Simple, Jesus Christ was Jewish! It also gave me an opportunity to also teach that our Christian faith was grounded on Judeo-Christian principals. This light little story aided in this process at our home and the added feature was how well the story was written. It felt like listening to your favorite grandmother telling you a real story about a little boy with bad hair who turned out to save Hanukkah and bring cheer to others! The rhyming feature in the book gave it that great added touch everyone enjoys in a read aloud. The text was also predictable so the kids were able to chime in ever so often to keep them engaged in the story. The illustrations helped in this aspect as well. In a very clever fashion this book teaches about Hanukkah but in a subtle and gentle manner. Actually, Howie reminded me a little of Santa Claus a little! :) So whether your family is Jewish or not, I recommend this great little story!

About the Book:

Have you ever had a bad hair day? Well, imagine eight bad hair days in a row — and at just the wrong time. Our hero, Howie, has very strange spiked hair, but only during the eight days of Hanukkah. By day eight, in fact, there are “… nine spikes in all, four at right, four at left, one in center so tall”. Howie’s Mom gradually realizes that Howie’s hair looks like a menorah — the nine-candled centerpiece for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. But just when she wonders what she can do, Hanukkah ends and the spikes disappear.

Was the hair-spiking a one-time event? Not a chance. Each year at Hanukkah, Howie’s hair springs into spikes. Since they are impossible to control, over the years both Hannah and Howie search for possible remedies. Readers learn that “…the only solution that seemed to be there… was for Howie to cover his very strange hair.”

This clever book, besides being hugely entertaining, presents a gentle message that, regardless of our personal appearance and our differences we each have a role in this life – we each have a place in the family of man. For Howie, his hair and its particular uniqueness ends up being the crown jewel of his personality!

Buy it!

Interested in adding this great book to your family library, buy it today!

Win It

One lucky reader will win a The Story of Hannukah Howie Book of their own!

REQUIRED COMMENT: Visit the The Story of Hannukah Howie website, look around, then come back and tell me why you would be interested in adding this story to your family library.

BONUS #1:

Follow @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY!

BONUS #2:

Like 3 Boys and a Dog on Facebook, then share this post by clicking the Facebook share button at the bottom of this post. You also want to follow them on Facebook, because they let you know of events related to this book.

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CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on 1/26/12

OPEN TO: US & Canada

*DISCLAIMER: I was sent items to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*

Filed Under: Early Years, Giveaways, Holidays / Seasons, Homemaking / Housekeeping, Homeschooling, Just for Kids, Parenting, Parenting, Parenting and Family, Reviews, Teachable Moments Tagged With: bad hair, bad hair days, books, celebrations, children's book, cultures, faith, hair, hair gel, Hannukah Howie, Hanukkah, hanukkah book, holidays, howie, howies, jesus christ, Jewish, jewish holiday, kids books, menorah, multicultural, real stories, religion, religious, story, storybook, teaching, the story

Teachable Moments: Midwinter Blues January 2012

January 3, 2012 By Kelli 2 Comments

Does your child have the midwinter blues?

Dr. Susan Bartell

At this time of year kids and teens may be susceptible to the winter blues, which, in its more serious form, is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Usually, SAD occurs during the winter months, when it is colder and there is less sunlight. Although, one does not have to live in a freezing, snowy climate to experience seasonal depression, even in a milder form, like the blues.

It is important to learn to recognize the symptoms of depression in children, so that, if necessary, you can address them immediately. All types of depression are more common in older children and teens, but it is possible for a younger child to experience SAD, especially with a family history of depression. Therefore, if your child’s behavior seems to change with the season, it is time to take notice.

Childhood depression often looks different from the adult type. Even very sad kids will appear happy sometimes—during a funny movie, or playing with friends, but it doesn’t mean they are fine. Children typically have mood fluctuations, even if they are depressed.

The most common symptoms of SAD (and childhood depression) include:

Feeling sad, overly sensitive or crying excessively
Anger, crankiness, moodiness
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
Eating much more or less than usual (for an extended period of time, not just a day or two)
Low energy level, difficulty concentrating
Reduced interest in normal activities at home, in school and socially
Stomach aches, headaches or other physical complaints that don’t respond to medical treatment
Thoughts of death or suicide (not as common in young children)

Not every depressed or sad child will exhibit every symptom; some may have only two or three. If you think that your child has the winter blues, take these five steps:

Continue to observe. Watch your child’s behavior for a week or so. Then, if you still see symptoms and feel that he is emotionally under the weather, move to step #2.
Talk to your child. Ask how she is feeling. Enquire about possible school and friend stressors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—you won’t ‘give your child ideas’ that she doesn’t already have. If there is no significant stressor, but she still seems unhappy, move to step #3.
Talk to the teacher. In most cases, when a child has the blues, his behavior will change everywhere, not just at home so the teacher is sure to notice any mood change. If the teacher (and other significant adults in your child’s life), confirms your concerns, move to step #4
Meet with your child’s doctor. It is important to rule out medical factors that may cause a child’s mood to change. For example, either mononucleosis or hypothyroidism can cause low energy level or trouble concentrating. After ruling out medical factors, you and the doctor can decide the next step. If the doctor recommends that you speak with a mental health professional, do so right away. See step #5.
Seek expert help. If treatment is necessary, it will vary depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms and her age. No one child is the same and there are several treatment options, including light therapy, increased natural light exposure, talk therapy or medication.

Dr. Susan Bartell is America’s #1 Family Psychologist. Her latest book is The Top 50 Questions Kids Ask. You can learn more about her at www.drsusanbartell.com

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Filed Under: Parenting, Teachable Moments Tagged With: childhood psychiatric disorders, Children, depression, Parenting, Teachable Moments

Review: Kiwi Crate Activity Subscription

December 24, 2011 By Tamera 1 Comment

This sounded like such a great idea! You get activities in a box every month to entertain your kids!

About Kiwi Crate

Kiwi Crate is a subscription-based activity service for kids, dedicated to sparking children’s natural creativity. Each month, Kiwi Crate provides families with hours of hands-on-fun–delivered right to your doorstep! Kiwi Crate is designed to offer the ultimate convenience for busy parents by providing all of the inspiration and materials needed to inspire creativity and curiosity. Kiwi Crate projects are age-appropriate for boys and girls ages 3 to 6. Each Kiwi Crate delivery centers on a particular theme (e.g. Colors, Gardening, or Dinosaurs) and includes all the materials needed for a child to create at least two projects. Projects range from arts and crafts to science experiments to imaginative play and more. Activities are designed by a community of parents, guided by the Kiwi Crate advisory board, and tested by kids to ensure developmentally-appropriate and engaging activities. The Kiwi Crate website has additional resources for each theme to encourage further exploration. Kiwi Crates are delivered monthly by mail. Subscriptions can be ordered month-to-month, annually, or gifted for three, six or twelve month periods.

My Thoughts

I think this “crate” is fantastic! It got here super fast (FedEx) and had fun activites ready made for my kids to do! There was enough for all four of my older kids to make dinosaur “fossils!” They are ages 2-9, so the age range could be expanded! Then when they were done, they had a ton of fun with the dough making all kinds of other things (including a Baby Jesus and a star)! That was very fun! The other activity looks like lots of fun too! They will get to make dinosaur feet and after they play as dinosaurs they can use the bags individually! This is so fun, and it took a load off of my shoulders! They were able to play on the table as I made dinner and they had a LOT of fun! I had a hard time getting them to put it away to eat! This is definitely a great gift to give for Christmas!

As a plus, the crate is super strong, as evidenced by my 4-year-old stepping on it and it not falling in. Awesome!

Buy it!

You can buy your own (or for a child you know and love) crate here! Monthly subscriptions are $19.95 per month, including shipping. An annual subscription is value priced at $220 and includes one free month. Three and six month gift packages are also available ($60 and $110, respectively).

*Disclaimer: I was provided a crate to review from Kiwi Crate and was not compensated for my thoughts and opinions!*

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Filed Under: 3 Boys & A Dog General Posts, Crafts & Games, Early Years, Homeschooling, Just for Kids, Living and Lifestyles, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews, Teachable Moments Tagged With: Age-appropriate, Ages 3-6, arts and crafts, Busy Parents, creativity, Dinosaurs, for kids, hands-on-fun, Kiwi Crate, Resources, Science Experiments, Subscription

A Teachable Moment: Nurture Yourself During the Holidays!

December 6, 2011 By Kelli 3 Comments

Dr. Susan Bartell

Nurture yourself during the holiday rush…really!

Are you exhausted? I know that I am! After fighting crowds at the mall, baking mountains of cookies, and managing meltdowns by overtired kids, every parent is ready to drop! It’s difficult to avoid the insanity of the holidays, which is why it is so important for you to find a few moments to care for yourself. After all, if you feel cheerful and energized, rather than tired and stressed, you will be better able to juggle your way through the next few weeks. It doesn’t take much to get the relief that you so desperately need, so please enjoy these tips, as my holiday gift to you:

Turn up the tunes. Loud, fun music will lift your spirits and distract you. When you dance and sing along, it will definitely put a smile on your face. Soothing music will signal your body to relax and it will help you slow down.

Breathe in. Certain aromas have an instantly calming effect on your body. Lavender, rose, vanilla and many other scents will send signals to your brain to become calm and feel good. Carry an aroma that appeals to you in the form of a small container of balm, cream or essential oil. When you feel stressed, open the lid and inhale the soothing smell.

Breathe out. Stress can make your heart race. To slow it down, breathe in for a count of five, and breathe out for five. Repeat this another three or four times. You will be surprised at how this simple technique can calm you down. It is especially effective in traffic or while waiting on line. Practice this often to get better at it.

Indulge in a mini-massage. Use your favorite lotion (extra points if you use one with a soothing smell) to massage your hands together, or to rub your feet. It may not be quite as good as a professional massage, but your body will still thank you.

Limit caffeine. Too much caffeine amplifies stress. Although you may be exhausted, resist the urge to drink too much coffee. Don’t forget that there is also caffeine in some tea, soda, and chocolate.

Sip a cup of hot, herbal tea. The act of taking a moment to boil the water and brew the tea, will give you a time out. Then, since it’s hot, you will be forced to sit and sip it. Pick a flavor that feels calming (perhaps chamomile).

Stretch. The next time you watch TV with the kids, or chat on the phone, give your back, legs and neck a gentle stretch. You’ll feel your body instantly de-stress.

Exercise—even for a couple of minutes. Run upstairs or jog to meet the school bus. Your body will release feel-good endorphins that will keep you going for a while.

Take a hot shower or bath. The warm water will soothe your aching body and give you a few minutes of peace and quiet—if you’re lucky!

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Filed Under: Guest Blogger, Holidays / Seasons, Teachable Moments Tagged With: Dr Susan, holidays, nurture, Parenting, self, Teachable Moments

Review- Fisher-Price Little People Zootalkers Animal Sounds Zoo

November 19, 2011 By Tamera 1 Comment

This sounded like a perfect toy for my kids-who all LOVE animals and I was right!

About Fisher-Price:

Fisher-Price, Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT) located in East Aurora, N.Y., is the leading brand of infant and preschool toys in the world. The company’s legacy of high quality toys has enhanced early childhood development for more than 80 years. The Fisher-Price Play Laboratory, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, was the first child research center of its kind in the industry. Herman Fisher established the Play Lab to observe real children playing with the company’s toys during various stages of development. The Play Lab remains at the heart of product development today. Some of the Company’s best-known “classic” brands include Little People®, Power Wheels® and View-Master®. Fisher-Price is also a leading developer of baby gear products (infant swings, bouncers, high chairs), as well as a wide array of character-based toys inspired by high quality children’s programming such as Dora the Explorer™, Kung Fu Panda 2™, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Penguins of Madagascar™ and Thomas & Friends™. The Company’s web site, www.fisher-price.com provides valuable information and resources to parents and grandparents.

About Little People® Zoo Talkers™ Animal Sounds Zoo™

When you place the lion, polar bear, gorilla or any Zoo Talkers™ animal in the hut, you’ll hear its name and the sound it makes! It recognizes lots of animals! (Additional animals sold separately.)

There are other fun sounds too, and lots of action, with a water slide, drop-through cave, a swing for the animals and more! Includes Zoo, Zookeeper Zack figure, Polar Bear, Gorilla and Lion Zoo Talkers™ figures. Additional features include an easy-carry handle, and all the animals (& more) store inside the cave. Requires 3 AA batteries (not included).

FISHER-PRICE® LAUNCHES LITTLE PEOPLE™ ANIMAL SOUNDS CONTEST

WITH HELP FROM CELEBRITY ZOOLOGIST JAROD MILLER

Parents can submit a video of their child making his or her favorite zoo animal sound and they

could win a $10,000 cash prize and a trip to Fisher-Price for a special photo shoot for their child

EAST AURORA, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2011 – Fisher-Price is launching a contest of animal proportions today with help from celebrity zoologist and children’s television show host, Jarod Miller. Appropriately named the Little People™ Animal Sounds Contest, the contest calls on parents to submit a video of their child demonstrating his or her best roar, grrrr or squawk (oh my!) for the chance to win a $10,000 cash prize and a trip to Fisher-Price headquarters in East Aurora, N.Y. (for a special photo shoot and an opportunity to have their child featured on a Little People® toy package or website).

It’s easy for parents to help their children ages one to five to get their imaginations soaring and their voices roaring! Parents simply visit the contest website www.animalsounds.fisher-price.com to get started:

1. Grab a video device like a smart phone iPhone® or Android™ mobile device, digital camera or camcorder

2. Record a 20 second or less video (in AVI, MOV, MPEG or WMV format; no larger than 30MB) of a child age 1-5 making his or her best zoo animal sound of one of the following animals: lion, tiger, elephant, bear, penguin, rhinoceros, leopard, whale, polar bear, hippopotamus, monkey, seal, gorilla, alligator, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, dolphin, snake, or bird

3. Submit the video in one of three ways: Via the contest website, iPhone App or Android App (limit five contest entries per person/email address)

4. Share the website link with friends and family so they can visit the public gallery to vote

The Animal Sounds contest runs Aug. 1, 2011 through 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 30, 2011.

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, ten First Prize winners will receive a Zoo Talkers toy prize pack. All successful submissions will be entered for a chance to win one of 100 Zoo Talkers Safari Trucks in the Animal Sounds Sweepstakes.

For more information and complete contest rules, visit the Animal Sounds Contest website at www.animalsounds.fisher-price.com.

NO PURCH. NEC. TO ENTER/WIN. A PURCH. DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Open to residents of 50 U.S. or D.C., at least age of majority. Begins: 12:01 AM ET on 8/1/11; ends: 11:59 p.m. ET on 11/30/11. Odds of winning sweepstakes depend on the total number of entries. ARV of sweepstakes prizes: $2,300; contest prizes: $14,200. Sponsor: Fisher-Price, Inc. 636 Girard Avenue, East Aurora, NY 14052. For details, including how to enter and how winners will be selected, see Official Rules at www.animalsounds.fisher-price.com.

November 10th download 002 150x150 Review Fisher Price Little People Zootalkers Animal Sounds Zoo

My Thoughts on the Animal Sounds Zoo

I completely love this toy and so do four of my five kids! They can play at the same time, because it’s large enough to play from different sides without a problem! It came with three animals and the Zookeeper, so I had to buy a couple more animals in order to keep all of my kids happy, but still lots of fun! It’s been a few weeks and my kids are still regularly playing with it! My ten-month-old likes holding the animals and playing with the canopy swing. My two-year-old loves the waterslide! My four-year-old likes the turtle seesaw (it dumps the animal onto the slide). My almost-nine-year-old loves playing with it in general. They all really like the sounds it makes and playing with the hippo! I like the animal sounds when you place them on the platform and push hard (the polar bear is super hard to push down, so you squeeze its middle). It tells you the name first and then when you push again it makes the sound. I also really like the hide-and-seek spot. I think it’s a very fun toy! It is perfect for families, daycares, homeschools, etc! I think the contest sounds fun too! You can check it out on youtube!

Buy it!

You can buy it here for $40! You can also find them at all major retailers! I bought my extra animals at Wal-Mart!

*Fisher-Price provided this item for my review and my thoughts are not compensated!*