Why Playing with Dirt Doesn't Hurt

The Spring weather has finally arrived! Soon enough you may find that your children are covered in dirt, leaving a trail of their adventures on your kitchen floor. Sure, dirt hurts the cleanliness of your home, but studies have shown there are many benefits to playing outdoors, with the company of dirt. 

According to the National Wildlife Federation, playing outside can have a long-lasting impact on child development. Playing outdoors increases fitness levels, and promotes healthy bodies. While outside Vitamin D levels have been known to increase, which is a preventative for future healthy problems like issues relating to bone development, heart disease, and diabetes. 

Playing outdoors also has some great social benefits. Studies have shown that within minutes of seeing green space children's stress levels fall significantly. Playing outdoors also benefits children socially, allowing them to form close relationships. 

And then dirt comes in. Playing with dirt exposes children to healthy bacteria, parasites, and viruses, that help build a healthy immune system. Children who are rarely exposed to dirt have a higher chance of suffering from allergies, asthma, and other autoimmune diseases. Research has shown that within minutes of children making contact with dirt, their moods have improved, stress has been reduced and anxiety has decreased. 

You might be thinking how you can play in the dirt with your children. Luckily, we have a few ideas that you can take advantage of.

1. You can pick a spot where your children can dig. Give them a shovel and a bucket and watch them explore the world of dirt. 

2. You can go for a walk in your own yard or take a walk with your children through your neighborhood. 

3. Plan a nature scavenger hunt. 


These three very different activities will allow you to interact with your children outdoors and explore nature. You'll be amazed at how much your mood will change, from doing something as simple as going on a short walk. 

In the celebration of dirt and all the fun it brings along, we are happy to invite to our Dirt Don’t Hurt event. On Thursday May 28^th from 10am-1pm, we will explore the wonders of the natural world, and meet a few animals along the way. We can't wait to see you there!

* Written by Melinda Kinnear - Public Relations Intern

Healthy Winter Living for the Whole Family Part 1: Eating Right

        This winter, don’t let the cold freeze your healthy way of living! There are many simple ways to keep you and your family healthy through this chilly season.

        One of the best ways to save your money and improve your health is through home cooked meals. While going out to eat sometimes seems like the easier option, it is one of the top three causes of the increasing problem

of child obesity. On a snowy winter day when you are stuck indoors, cooking may not seem too bad. It can even be enjoyable if you find ways to get the whole family involved in the process. It is the perfect time to talk about your day and bond as a family overall. Here are some examples of meals to consider cooking with your kids:

Meal Choices List 1

Meal Choices List 2

Meal Choices List 3

Busy nights are unavoidable and we all have them sometimes, but that’s what quick and easy recipes are for! There are still many options for you to cook when you are short on time. You can also help yourself out by preparing the meal the night before or the morning of, so you will have less to do in the small time frame before everyone gets hungry for dinner.

        Everyone likes something to snack on when they are stuck inside all day, but there are ways to be smart and healthy about what you choose to eat. If you leave fruit and vegetables within reach, they will seem like the simple choice of snack for your family. It’s possible that you could even get your kids excited about vegetables by teaching them about “the rainbow” that they should be eating every day, which includes the various choices and colors of fruits and vegetables available. Some popular vegetables among children include zucchini, cucumbers, broccoli, red peppers, carrots, and celery. There are also many healthy dips that they might enjoy, like ranch, black bean, and hummus.

One enjoyable and healthy snack requires:

-1 can garbanzo beans or chickpeas

-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

-1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon

 Blend these ingredients together until it is smooth and creamy and serve it with fresh cut vegetables immediately.

You can also keep your children healthier through the choices you make at the grocery store. Instead of choosing a juice full of sugar, maybe you can find one that tastes just as good but is 100% juice with no added sugar. It can be hard to say no when your child asks for a treat, but try to give them a healthier option and only say yes to the treat once in a while. If you are able

to find a healthier option that they enjoy eating, you may even see a difference in how often they ask for the treat, meaning you will be forced to say no less often. It also helps if you teach your children which snacks they should ask permission to have, like cookies, and which ones they can take on their own, like fruit and vegetables. Click here to view the 20 best snacks for kids!

Another component of healthy living is being active. Look for tips to stay active this winter in part 2 coming soon!

The Benefits of Music in Early Development and Education

Art, Music, Drumming.  The value of music is often underestimated in the positive impact that it has on childhood development.  Kids who are involved in drumming, for example, learn to focus their attention and efforts on one activity improving concentration and focus.  Also, studies reveal that playing percussion instruments strengthen children’s skills in other areas such as math and science. 

Drumming teaches students about material science as well as the science of sound.  Beginning as early as first grade students can learn that each material, wood, metal, skin (drum heads), have their own capacity or ability for vibration.  Drumming teaches young students that sound occurs through vibration.  As students grow older, they can learn more about the science of sound.  Tuned percussion instruments such as a piano afford the opportunity to learn about frequency, intervals and harmony. 

Math is improved by drumming for example, because drumming teaches early elementary students to count.  It helps with basic counting and learning to count in cycles which are fundamental parts of drumming.   Drumming and percussion can also teach middle/elementary age students fractions and introduce the mathematics behind frequencies, intervals and harmonics. 

Drumming also helps with overall brain development and stimulates the left and right side of the brain simultaneously.  Little activities are involved in playing the drums, causing multiple parts of the brain to be used.  Kids have to use different parts of their brain to listen to music around them, to instruct their body to move and to create and understand either a rhythm given to them or to create one of their own.  Playing music develops analytical processes in the left side, whereas the right side is more involved in the creative process. Increased networks between the left and right brain form thick fibers that interconnect the two areas, an area that is larger for musicians.

Music is not only good for mental health and development in children, but it’s also great in helping kids develop physical fitness and in understanding how their body works.  Drumming increases your heart rate and blood flow.   Drumming teaches students about their body.  The entire body is used in drumming and most especially the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, arms, shoulders and legs are all physically developed through drumming.  Children can also gain a better understanding of rhythm in their own body by realizing that the heart has its own steady rhythm to keep the body functioning properly and that breathing often involves rhythm too. 

Quick, Easy, Healthy! (Recipes for the summer!)

Inspired by Rolie Polie Guacamole (a kid-friendly band whose songs promote healthy living – check here for more info) the Children’s Museum in Easton has decides to put together a 3-course menu for healthy barbecue eating! These recipes are both good for you and easy to make with your kids. Get ready for some no-fuss food and a full tummy!

Course 1: Instead of chips and crackers, opt for a healthier dipping option!

Fruit Dip:  Original recipe here!

            Ingredients:

-          8 oz. cream cheese (you can use light to make it healthier if you choose)

-          2 cups of frozen whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip/Cool Whip  works wonders!)

-          ½ cup marshmallow cream (Fluff!)

-          ¼ cup unsweetened pineapple juice

Directions:

1.      Help your kids blend together the cream cheese, marshmallow cream and thawed topping. Add enough pineapple juice to make it dipping consistency. Chill for 1 hour.

2.      Pick your kids’ favorite fruits, cut them into bite-sized pieces and serve on a platter!

 

Course 2: Kabobs are easy, customizable, and on a stick…what more could your kids ask for?

            Kabobs: Original recipes here!

            Ingredients:

-          Pick any meats you want! Lean meats like chicken are tasty and rich in protein. Choose one or a combination of meats!

-          Three or four colorful vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, onions, carrots, new potatoes, bell peppers or cherry tomatoes

-          Wooden skewers

Directions:

1.      Have the kids choose their favorite meats and veggies.

2.      Help them put it on wooden skewers.

3.      Place the kabobs on the grill.

4.      Cook the kabobs over the grill until the meat is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

5.      Take the kabobs off, let them cool a little, and enjoy!

6.      (Optional) Add some spice with different dipping sauces or even adding fruit!

Side Dish! “Mom’s ‘Healthier’ Pasta Salad”: This side offers a traditional summer side dish with a healthier twist using whole-wheat pasta, provolone cheese and kid-friendly veggies; you can even use the homemade dressing to dip your kabobs in! This might be hard for your kids to help out on, but it’s definitely worth trying out on your own! Check it out here!

Course 3: A sweet, cool dessert for the hot summer days, minus all the fat and calories!

Popsicles:

Ingredients:

-          Your kids’ favorite fruit juice!

-          Fun shaped ice trays:

o   You can find popsicle trays at your local Target or WalMart OR you can find a lot of really cute ones online! Check out these intricate ones at amazon.com here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hog-Wild-Idea-Kitchen-Pops/dp/B00169P36K

Directions:

1.      Help your kids pour their favorite juices into the molds

2.      (Optional) Add some blueberries to freeze in the pops for a nice surprise!

3.      Place gently in the freezer until frozen through

4.      Check that the pops are frozen, take out and eat before they melt!

** If you want a creamier popsicle option, try the Can’t Be Beat Banana Ice Cream Pops! (A recipe from Sneaky Fitness by Missy Chase Lapine)

            Can’t Be Beat Banana Ice Cream Pops:

           

            Ingredients:

                        - 1/2 cup low-fat milk

                        - ½ cup vanilla (or banana) yogurt

                        - 2 large bananas

                        - 2 tablespoons sugar

                        - (optional) ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, ideally “mini”

           

            Directions:

1.      Blend all ingredients except chocolate chips in a blender until smooth.

2.      Pour equal amounts in popsicle molds.

3.      Drop about one tablespoon of chocolate chips into each pop, if desired.

4.      Insert stick.

5.      Freeze for at least 3 hours.

 

We hope you enjoy these kid friendly recipes! Remember, all of these are generally easy to make and customizable so your kids are bound to love them! Make them for a family party, a barbecue, or just to spice up a regular summer day.

Don't forget, these healthy eating recipes were inspired by the messages Rolie Polie Guacamole sings about! Check them out at http://www.roliepolieguacamole.com/ and stop by the Children's Museum in Easton on July 25th at 10am for a concert put on by the band!

We hope to see you at the Children’s Museum soon! Let us know what you think.:)

An Apple a Day!

We recently started our Cooking With Kids series! We tested out different spreads and toppings such as yogurt and caramel to see what you liked best, and even made apple, cheese and chicken paninis.
We asked you how you eat your apples, and this is what you had to say!

• Add apples to your coleslaw to give it a tastey crunch!
• Make homemade applesauce, it's easy and delicious.
• Slice apples and spread either almond butter or peanut butter on top.
• Dice up an apple and add it to tuna salad, you can add cranberries too!
• Dice up an apple and add it to your holiday stuffing.
• Bake an apple pie.
• Make caramel or candy apples.
• Slice up an apple and drizzle honey on top for an easy snack.
• Make a grilled cheese and apple sandwhich.
• Make some apple pancakes for breakfast!
• Add apples to any salad.
• Make apple popcorn balls.
• Brew some mulled apple cider.
• Bake your apples and put icecream on top!
• Bake some spiced apple bread.
• Make a peanut butter and sliced apple sandwich.
• Make an apple gravy for a pork dinner.

Some reasons why we should eat apples

• They make for a quick, easy, and portable snack!
• They are high in fiber and low in calories.
• Apples are rich in antioxidants.
• Apples are known to be "brain food".
• They are easy to cook and bake with.
• They help fight against certain cancers.
• Apples are a good source of boron, which helps bone growth and density.
• Let's just say an apple a day really can keep the doctor away!

Some great places to go apple picking!

• Tougas Family Farm, in Northboro MA
• Honey Pot Hill Orchard, in Stow MA
• C.N Smith Farm, in East Bridgewater MA
• Red Apple Farm, in Phillipston MA
• Russell Orchards, in Ipswich MA
• Cider Hill Farm, in Amesbury MA
• Highland Farm Orchard, in Holliston MA
• Marino Lookout Farm, in Natick MA

Don's miss the next event of our series, Canning with Rosa. Join us and learn how to can and preserve fresh ingredients on Tuesday, October 23. Click here to check out Cooking with Kids!