JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
The Free Press MEDIA
SMILE Smile with us…we care!
Mankato 507-387-4078
New Ulm 507-354-8943
SPECIALIZED Care For Your Child
www.kidswillsmile.com
C
d i s k t r n e e ont Cov
6 Peeps
Amy Phares
7
Say What
8
There is Plenty of Room at the Top For All of Us
Who is your best friend and why do you like them?
13 A Place for
Boys & Girls
14 Are You a Bully? 16 Money
Sesamae
What are your Financial Goals for 2018?
Photography by:
Inspired Portrait Photography
17 Be Healthy
Healthy Media Choices for the New Year
18 How Do You Do It?
Mari Riquelme
20 Mental Health
Understanding Bullying Behavior
22 Nosh
Friesen's Granola
24 Historical Feature
Are You a Young Historian?
26 Mankato Area
Public Schools
Work-Based Learning Makerspace 2 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
30 Kid Writer
Christmas Is...
32 hOMie
Eagle Pose Camel Pose Mermaid Pose
34 Healthy Kids
RSV Dagnoss What to know
36 The Children’s Museum
42 DIY Craft
Stamped "LOVE" Bracelet
52 Author of
The Alphaplanet Kevin McLaughlin
Special Thanks Hazel
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
The Free Press MEDIA
Do you want to continue to receive
Kid-Oh magazine
in the mail? Are you not getting Kid-oh and you want to? Please visit our Facebook page or stop into The Free Press to fill out a subscription card. Facebook.com/kidohmag
OLD TOWN MANKATO 615 N. RIVERFRONT DR. TUES—FRI. 10-6 SAT. 10-4 SOMETIMES SUN. 12-4 SALVAGESISTERSMERCANTILE
SALVAGESISTERSMANKATO
keepsake gifts for your little SALVAGESISTERSMERCANTILE.COM
Making a difference... one child at a time. Main Clinic
150 St. Andrews Ct, Suite 310 Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-388-KIDS (5437) Fax: (507) 388-2108 General E-Mail: ptskids@kidtherapy.com
Satellite Clinic
Pediatric Therapy Services Children’s Health Center 1421 Premier Drive, Mankato, MN 56001 Therapy sessions at Satellite office are by appointment only.
www.kidtherapy.com Pediatric Therapy Services
has been making a difference in the lives of children for the past 27 years. We continue to provide physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language therapy for the children in a kid friendly environment. As we have grown, our mission remains unchanged: Making a difference…one child at a time. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call 507-388-KIDS (5437)
Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. Making a difference... one child at a time
November/December 2017 | Kid-oh! • 3
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 PUBLISHER Steve Jameson
Hello!
T
his issue is going to look a little different. It's geared more toward the older kids out there. It is also about a topic that is hard to talk about but is also front and center in the public discourse. Bullying. Everyone is talking about it, but is anyone doing anything about it? Are you having conversations with your kids about it? Are they being honest with you? Would they tell if they were being bullied? Would you know if they were doing the bullying? The thought of either of those is heartbreaking. I was on the receiving end of a lot of bullying, from Kindergarten through High School. The thought of any kid going through that, of having those feelings of loneliness and self-doubt, is gut-wrenching. I can't even imaging how much more intense all of it is with the added pressure of Social Media. You would never be able to escape it. I hope this issue sheds some light on the topic for you. I hope it gives you some talking points to discuss with your kids. I hope it gives you some resources if you or someone you know needs them. A huge thanks to Sesamae Riquelme. I got the chance to see her speak at the YWCA Women's Leadership Conference this past fall and it was amazing. The poise, openness and maturity in this teen are inspiring! Her willingness to share her story of bullying and mental illness is like nothing I have seen in a young woman that age. Please read her story with an open heart, I guarantee it will be full when you finish. This issue is partially a family affair because Sesamae's mom Mari wrote the How Do You Do It page for me and her little sisters did the coloring pages. It is important to remember that the kids that get bullied are not the only ones affected, how do you care for you child when that is their everyday? If you know it is happening, what do you do to support them? But, if you don't know it is going on, how do you recognize it? I hope that this issue open hearts and minds. I hope it makes you think. I hope it gives you things to talk about with your kids. I hope it can keep one Kid-oh from feeling like they aren't good enough. Jordan Greer-Friesz
EDITOR/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Jordan Greer-Friesz CONTRIBUTORS Mayo Clinic Health System The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota Gena Heminover Blue Earth County Historical Society MN Valley Federal Credit Union Cliff Coy E. Madelyn James Heather Fisher Mankato Clinic Health System Friesen's Bakery & Bistro District #77 Amy Phares Marianne Carlson Tamera Marie Hansen Mari Riquelme Isaluuna & Karinya R. Anna M. Jane Ek, Five Rivers Mental Health Julie Schrader PHOTOGRAPHERS Inspired Portrait Photography Cliff Coy PAGE DESIGNER Christina Sankey ADVERTISING SALES Jordan Greer-Friesz Marianne Carlson Josh Zimmerman Theresa Haefner ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Barb Wass ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Christina Sankey Sue Hammar CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Justin Niles Kid-Oh! Magazine is published by The Free Press Media bi-monthly at 418 South Second St., Mankato MN 56001. For editorial and advertising inquiries, call Jordan Greer 507-344-6337, jgreer@mankatofreepress.com To be included in future Kid-Oh! mailings, call 507-625-4451, ext. 7
4 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Adult, Child & Family Services is here to walk with you and your loved ones through the journey towards emotional health. We offer: • individual therapy • couples counseling • family therapy • therapeutic skills support for children and adults of all ages. • rehabilitative group therapy for individuals in the legal system.
1400 MADISON AVE SUITE 610, MADISON EAST CENTER , MANKATO (507)387-3777 • WWW.ACFSMANKATO.ORG
STOP
Adult, Child & Family Services.
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 5
s e r a h P y m A Occupation: Mom of three + Community Relations Manager at Feeding Our Communities Partners (best known for the BackPack Food Program)
How long have you lived in Mankato? 7 years What is your favorite thing to do in Mankato for fun?
This is an easy tie. Thrift store shopping is a love of mine ... but really it's the thrill of the hunt at those stores that is the most exciting! Oh and small shops. Give me a small local shop that focuses on interior decorating and I fall apart. I not only love to see what they have that would compliment what I already have at home, but getting ideas spark my creativity too. Add a Coke in my hand while doing these things and it would easily be my best day 6 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
In the photo, my middle ch ild Max is far the middle an left, my oldest d Jane, my yo Jack is in ungest is far ri together. #win ght. I hold th em all k #itisnottheb estfamilyphot #butitadequate o lydepictsus
What is your favorite part of your job?
Building relationship with others in the community, knowing that together we can make a difference.
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a missionary, a school teacher and a mom. All of them. And while having three careers never crossed my mind, I love how they all three really connect. As a missionary, I thought I had to go far, far away in order to love & help people. Being a teacher, I would get to help others grow & learn (#smallpassion). Put the two together and being a mom allows me to be able to do both ... love on my little humans while watching them grow & learn. #missioncomplete #heartfull
About Me: The very best job I ever had was in sales ... I love people and building relationships, so it was a natural fit. Fast forward to kids and marriage, I found a new happiness with being a stay-at-home mom of three. But soon after I divorced, I found myself back to working outside of the home. When I was really able to narrow down what was next, I knew I wanted to do something for other people, where I would be able to build relationships and help others grow & learn ... and still be able to focus on my little humans. FOCP is just that. At Feeding Our Communities Partners, I develop and build relationships with businesses & individuals in the community, in hopes of raising awareness of the hunger issues we see right here in Blue Earth County. Hunger is a real deal and I think it's eye opening for some to hear of Blue Earth County as being the third highest county in Minnesota for poverty. 20% of us are in poverty ... or 1 in 5 of us. That's huge! And though I'm sad the issue exists, I'm thrilled to be a part of an organization that is all about allowing me to get out and do something about it. Not only do I get to help raise awareness, but I get to help people who are struggling with a basic need ... food. I can help meet that need! #feedinghungrytummies #itiswhatido #iwouldnotchangewhatido #thisisnowthebestjobihaveeverhad
We asked some Kid-oh’s...
Who is your best friend and why do you like them?
Amelia
Age: 7 Karly, because she’s funny and she’s kind to me.
Flora
Age: 12 Emma beacause were both weird in so many ways.
Breckyn
Hayden
Adam
Anna
Age: 6 Joey because he is nice.
Age: 7 My best friend is Hayley because she is funny and kind. And because she is a new girl like me.
Age: 6 Patrick, because he is funny and we have known each other since we were born.
Age: 10 Emma G. & Molly E., because they are so fun to hang out with.
Macey
Liliana
Jaxson
Age: 11 My dog. Because sometimes dogs are better than people.
Age: 6 My friends and family because they are always there for me .
Age: 9 Greyson because he is funny and nice. January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 7
Don't be too loud
There Is Plenty Of Room At The Top For ALL Of Us
Don
Don't be too fake
By Marianne Carlson | Photos by Sherry Shultze 8 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
e c i n o o t on't be
Don't be too quiet D on't be too shy n a e m o o t e b n't
I
hospital where she spent a week learning about herself and her condition. “As a mental health professional at Adult, Child and Family Services working with both children and families who have dealt with bullying, I have seen the impact that bullying can have on the bullied child's self-esteem, beliefs about themselves and the world, physical health, mental health, sense of safety, and family dynamics,” said Jessy Shouler, MS, LMFT from ACFS. “Bullying is a strong word and is used very frequently, too frequently, because when bullying is truly happening, we may marginalize the child who is experiencing the abuse, stating they are being over dramatic or oversensitive.” After Sesamae’s stay in the hospital, her parents decided she needed to go to a school that was closer to home, so she could get the help she needed, when she needed it. “It was a commute to her other school and her friends were so far away,” Sesamae’s mother Marisel GlacklerRiquelme said. “We needed her to be more connected here in Mankato. She had tons of friends here in Mankato but because they didn’t have that day to day interaction at school they weren’t staying connected. We didn’t realize how socially isolated she was. She was lonely.” Sesamae started her new school and she made the decision that she was not going to care what people thought of her, but that didn’t happen. She went straight to the popular kids looking for their acceptance. She quickly realized that this was not the crowd she wanted to be friends with. “They weren’t good people or good friends,” Sesamae said. “They would turn on each other all the time and talk about each other behind their backs. I finally decided not to be friends with them and I got picked on for that. I was really trying to tell myself that it was fine, but I realize now that I was pretending.” Only two months after starting at her new school, Sesamae was hospitalized again. “We are taught that all of this is just part of growing up, but it’s not,” Sesamae said. “We are told not to talk about it. I asked for help, but I know there are so many people out there who are afraid to talk about it, who are afraid to ask for help.”
Therapy Can Help
Don't be too much the same
magine waking up every morning and there it is again. Dread, the kind of worry that makes you sick to your stomach. You feel physically ill because you are constantly looking over your shoulder, uncertain about what is going to happen at school today. According to the National School for School Engagement 160,000 students skip school every day for fear of being bullied. Almost every day there is a new tragic story on the news about some young person taking their own life because they were bullied. This abusive behavior seems to be starting younger and younger. A recent story that made nation headlines was about a 13-year-old Rosalie Avila of Yucaipa, CA, who after years of relentless bullying by classmates, decided to take her own life. She hanged herself on November 28, leaving behind a note apologizing to her parents. In an interview with CBS, Rosalie's father Fred Avila had a message for people everywhere. "Think about what you say, before you say it, because your words are going to hurt somebody," he said, with tears in his eyes. Movies and television try to portray the message that being different is cool. Of course, you have to watch the main character get tortured and teased by his peers for two hours until he busts a move at the very end of the movie and gets the standing ovation he deserves. But life isn’t a movie. In real life, blending in seems to be the safest way to go. Don’t make any waves or stand out too much. Don’t be too pretty or too ugly. Don’t be too loud or too quiet. Just blend in. “Kids don’t know how powerful their words are and how much they hurt,” confirmed Sesamae GlacklerRiquelme, a 17-year-old high school student from Mankato. “I wish I could tell these kids, ‘This isn’t your fault. You didn’t cause the problem. You don’t deserve it. There is nothing wrong with you. You are not alone.” These words come straight from the mouth of a girl who has been there, on both sides. In first grade, Sesamae got a pixie haircut, but according to the boys in her class – it was a boy haircut. “That was the first time I was really picked on,” Sesamae said. “That went away because I was a confident person, but there has not been one year where I haven’t been picked on for something.” Sesamae went to a small school where she said there was always a sense of competition. In sixth grade she was the girl who dyed her hair different colors and let her unique light shine, but when she started at new school in seventh grade, she really focused on what she looked like, because she didn’t want to get bullied. “Instead of hanging out with the kids who were unique, more like me, I wanted to be with the popular group because I didn’t want to be a target,” Sesamae explained. “I changed who I was so I could fit in. During this time, I was actually a bully to other kids, because I didn’t feel good about myself. Looking back it makes me sick.” During this time Sesamae was secretly dealing with depression anxiety and finally in ninth grade she reached out for help. That very day, the police took her to the
According to Shouler from ACFS, we have to curb our emotional reaction in watching our kids hurt in order to support them in gaining coping and relationship skills. All that said, bullying is about a power and control differential - size, status among peers, and an intentional goal to harm and humiliate without self-awareness or discontinuing the behavior when realizing the hurt it is causing. If the situation is assessed to be impacting the child's overall mental health-including an increased risk for suicidal thoughts, academic performance, sense of safety, and general well-being, then it needs to be addressed on many different levels. It is nothing to minimize and should be taken very seriously. If it is not handled well, there could be grave consequences for the child, their family, the school, and the community.
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 9
1. Bullying is the Same Thing as Conflict. 2. Most Bullying is Physical (Involves Hitting, Shoving, Kicking). 3. Bullying isn’t Serious. It’s Just a Matter of “Kids Being Kids.” 4. Bullying Doesn’t Happen at My Child’s School. 5. I will know if my child is being bullied. 5. Bullying is Mostly a Problem in Urban Schools 6. Children and Youth Who Are Bullied Will Almost Always Tell an Adult 7. Children and Youth Who Bully are Mostly Loners with Few Social Skills 8. Bullied Kids Need to Learn How to Deal with Bullying on Their Own. 9. Most Children and Youth Who Observe Bullying Don’t Want to Get Involved. 10. You can spot a bully from the way they look and act 11. Reporting a bully will make things worse 12. Children grow out of bullying
10 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Being a victim of bullying can result in difficult emotions such as anger, worthlessness, shame, anxiety, and isolation, Shouler said. The child may not feel safe, and may begin to internalize negative thoughts and feelings, which left unattended can compromise the child's personal well-being. Some people who are victims of bullying may internalize a sense of helplessness, which can cause challenges in relationships, sense of self, and overall resiliency. A mental health professional can help a person better understand how this role impacts their lives, as well as teach coping skills for moving forward, such as assertive communication and boundarysetting, Shoulder said. Therapy might focus on the child finding their own unique strengths, we might role play what the child would want to say to the bully, we highlight the courage it takes to talk about being bullied, and we work through related anxieties and stress resulting from the bullying. According to Shouler, therapy might problem solve ways to increase the child's sense of safety like collaborating with the child's school to make sure the child is safe and protected, encourage participation in activities where the child might have the opportunity to build a healthy friend base, and some victims of bullying benefit from support groups or group therapy, in which people who have experienced similar types of victimization can support one another in healing. “We have to take action and make it clear to the child that we believe them and want to respect their desired establishment of boundaries,” Shouler said. “Lastly, therapy might address risk for suicidal thoughts and feelings.” Some warning signs that someone may be considering suicide according to Shouler include: writing about or drawing images of death; looking for ways to die, such as shooting, overdosing or hanging; expressing having no reason to live or no meaning in life; exhibiting
abnormal changes in mood; experiencing significant disturbances in sleep habits; withdrawing from loved ones and activities; exhibiting uncontrolled anger or atypical impulsivity; and showing a decline in academic performance.” Sesamae said it breaks her heart to see how her classmates treat one another. “In this school environment, kids are not fully educated about what is okay to say and how to treat each other,” Sesamae explained. “The language they use is disgusting. They use words like faggot, gay and retarded. That’s not okay. You don’t say that. And the school does nothing to address it. They make jokes about suicide, school shootings and rape. They call girls whores and sluts That is not okay. They pick on the Somali kids. They say they smell. They say all kinds of nasty, racist things when they walk by and these kids (bullies) get away with it. The most teachers do is say ‘hey stop.’ That is not enough. The staff needs to understand how powerful those words are and the impact they have. Kids are not just getting pushed, they are getting bull dozed. Being bullied for your sexuality, your gender, your race, your culture, or your religion is not okay.” Kids in school are caught up in a mob mentality, Marisel said. “They have to participate or they will be the odd duck,” Marisel said. “So they all start participating and that is how they get away with it. No one wants to stand up and be the one to say this is not appropriate. The kids who know this is not okay just need to be louder, but they are all scared.” The bullying is just another layer on top of the uncertainty that comes with her mental health stuff that Sesamae has to deal with, her mom explained. “Mental health is not a quick fix,” Marisel said. “You have to set up building blocks, a support system to create tools to navigate the pressure of school. That includes teachers and other adult advocates.” Sesamae and her mother are disappointed and disillusioned with
Don't be too intense
d r i e w o o t e b 't n o 12 Myths D o to e b 't n o D about Bullying
Don't be too happy
Don't be too confident authentic the amount of help they have received from school administrators, but they will continue to fight everyday to be heard.
What About The Bully?
Don't be too different
It is important to note that very often, the children who are doing the bullying, have been exposed to or have experienced some type of hurt, neglect, or overindulgence in their lives, Shouler said. It might be the kid who is treated poorly or abused by their caregiver, the kid who is ignored and unloved by their caregivers, the child who is not given any boundaries or consequences for his/her behavior, or the child that is over concerned about their popularity and power over others. Bullying behavior may be exacerbated by the child's unmanaged mental health, developmental deficit, or family dynamics. These dynamics, however, are not to serve as excuses for bullying behavior, according to Shouler. People who bully others may benefit from therapy, though they may be reluctant to acknowledge their bullying behavior openly. In therapy, bullies may begin to understand the impact their hurtful behavior has on others, explore reasons for why they bully, learn new skills for communicating positively with others, and address personal experiences that may have contributed to their bullying behavior. Often bullies have unresolved personal wounds that contribute to their bullying behavior, and addressing these emotional wounds or identity and social issues with a therapist can be a huge step towards stopping bullying behavior, according to Shouler.
Healing
This year Sesamae received The Young Women of Distinction Award from the YWCA and spoke at the annual Women's Leadership Conference. "Instead of seeing everyone as competition, we should all help each other out," Sesamae said. "Instead of pulling each other down, we need to raise each other up. It's exhausting to
This year Sesamae received The Young Women of Distinction Award from the YWCA and spoke at the annual Women's Leadership Conference.
d i p u t s o o Don't be t
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 11
y r g n a o o t rt a Don't be m s o o t Don't be ny Don't be fun too
s Don't be too seriou
fight. There is plenty of room at the top for all of us.” Sesamae recently launched a new website called She Of Strength and it is no coincidence that the acronym is S.O.S. There is a sense of desperation in the name. “I want She of Strength to be a resource, a place where girls can feel comfortable,” Sesamae said. “When I accepted the Young Women of Distinction Award at the annual women’s leadership conference and looked around, one of my first thoughts was that they need to have more young women here. We need more girls. We need more middle school and high school age girls at this event.” Young girls need to meet and be surrounded by these powerful strong women who are changing the world, Sesamae said. “They need to see what it feels like to be brave and inspired,” Sesamae said. “Because right now they are exposed to a male dominated high school, a society where everything is a competition and where they learn that they have to fight to each other to get ahead instead of lifting each other up.” Sesamae is also looking for some older women to actively help with the website, contribute content and act as mentors. “I want woman to visit the website so they can see how much influence they have and decide to help these girls,” Sesamae explained. “I want this to be a place where girls help each other. I want it to be a safe place where girls can make themselves more confident. I want these girls to see that we are not enemies. We are sisters.” Sesamae has two younger sisters Karinya (9) and Isaouna (7) and she hopes that her work with She of Strength will pave the way for them. “I don’t want them to go through any of the things that I went through,” Sesamae said. “My dream is to have a This year Sesamae received The Young Women of Distinction leadership conference for younger girls. I am looking for a Award from the YWCA and spoke at the annual Women's grant and someone to help me write it. And I want it to be Leadership Conference. free for everyone. It is so sad when girls can't participate in something because they don’t have the money. I need some help developing this dream and helping make it what it is capable of becoming.”
n i d n e l b Just
Top 10 Bullying Websites & Blogs 1) noplace4hate.org/real-bullying-stories/
6) sociallyawareblog.com/cyberb
2) stopbullying.gov/blog
7) brainstormproductions.edu.au
3) cyberbullying.us/blog
8) bullyingrecovery.org
4) nobullying.com/blog
9) teensafe.com/cyberbullying
5) netfamilynews.org
10) anti-bullying.over-blog.fr
12 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
A Place for Boys & Girls
L
es Kopendryer has been an educator within District #77 for more than 25 years, and he is continuing the trend of helping kids reach new heights by opening up a Boys & Girls Club in a six classroom space leased from St. Johns Catholic Church here in Mankato. Boys & Girls Clubs of America started in 1860 with three women in Hartford, Connecticut - Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin and Elizabeth Hammersley. Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the first Club. With character development as the cornerstone of the experience, the Club focused on capturing boy’s interests, improving their behavior and increasing their personal expectations and goals. Their mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. “When I was actually a Principle at Franklin Elementary School and we had an intern by the name of Mel Hoffner who came up with this idea,” said Kopendryer. “We talked a lot about how to get those kids engaged that aren't going to dance, who aren't going to all of the things that this community has to offer. How do we engage them, how do we get those kids active and just hanging out at home until they get older and they end up hanging out on the streets or in different places in the community.” Boys & Girls Club of America is designed for school aged children from Kindergarten up through twelfth grade. The program is meant to help kids become productive adults by focusing on three things, academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, and character building. “Obviously there will be some fun things to do, but even within those fun things there will always be an attempt with the professional staff that's on-board to develop character, to help kids to learn skills that are going to help them down the line,” said Kopendryer. “We will always have homework help, we will always
Story & photo by Cliff Coy
have academic programming available to kids, and we will always be trying to help in that academic success realm.” One of the goals of the club will be for kids to be at grade level and on the way to graduating and to set goals for the future for themselves. Many of the kids that are attracted to a Boys & Girls club don't always see hope and opportunity, but Kopendryer hopes that kids who belong to the Boys & Girls Club will begin to see that they want to go to college for their future “They begin to see a future for themselves,” said Kopendryer. “We would love to see kids coming from here and entering the workforce either as students or as they get older. Really it's about healthy lifestyles. Helping kids to know how to eat, how to exercise, and how to do all of those things that will help them to lead healthy lives, including the emotional part of that, but also to develop those skills that we need to hold jobs and to go to college, and do the kinds of things that make us a productive person in our current culture.” Mankato’s Boys & Girls Club is currently in the process of finishing up getting their funding all in order, hiring their first staff members, and getting the programs developed. They hope to have all of that done, as well as recruiting kids to come take part, by the end of the summer. This way when fall comes around, kids will have a place to go for after school activities.
“We will probably open up with kindergarten through eighth grade and then move it one grade older each year as we move forward. We want to start with a very manageable size and hopefully grow from there,” said Kopendryer. “Our plan right now and our hope right now is that we can begin to develop a membership over the summer and that by fall we would be running at full tilt with a full membership.” Boys & Girls Clubs do typically carry a small fee structure to have the kids involved in the programs, but that is not what is important to Kopendryer. “We do have fees but no child will ever be turned away because of that. We haven't set up our fee structure yet,” said Kopendryer. “I know for Rochester's program, they have a monthly fee for elementary aged kids, but what I find out is that four percent of their kids pay that in its entirety. So really it's about making sure that every kid that wants this available to them, has it available to them. Fees aren't what are going to drive us.” When it comes down to it, the important part for Kopendryer is that the kids of Mankato who don’t have anywhere to go after school, have a place that not only will be somewhere they can easily get to, but also a place that prepares them for the future. “It really is about those kids who are sitting at home playing video games and watching TV, and as they get older they are hanging out at Burger King or other places in large numbers, and they just have nowhere else to go. Those kids need a place to go and this is what that is going to be for them,” said Kopendryer. “There are awesome resources in this community, athletically, dance, music, art, theater, all those kinds of things. And two thirds of our kids, those are the statistics we have been seeing, are really involved in those things and don't really need a Boys & Girls Club, but the other third do. We have a lot of kids in this community that aren't engaged and what we are finding is that they need a place.” January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 13
ARE YOU A BULLY?
W
By Tamera Marie Hansen
hen I asked the question, at what age do you think of when you think of a bully? Nine out of ten answered that it was elementary or middle school aged kids. I hope it wouldn’t surprise you that many adults are some of the biggest bullies. That friendly face you have come to know in passing just might be one of them, sometimes bullies like to hide in plain site. You might be shocked to know that someone you actually like turns out to be a bully behind closed doors. You just might be surprised if you were to really know the ugly side of someone you thought you knew. Maybe it’s even you! How do you treat your co-workers, family members, employee’s, strangers or even your children? When you're stressed does the dreadful bully come out? Are you part of the problem? Maybe we all need to take a good look in the mirror and ask ourselves that very question, “Am I a bully?” Bullies can also create bullies. Are you raising bullies? Maybe you don’t even know your child is a bully. Bullying can spread like wildfire.
14 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
How do you talk to your kids? Is it kind and is it appropriate? If you heard someone talk to your child like that, would you be mad if it came from another? Maybe you don’t even know you’re being a bully. Pressure can act as a bully, do you push people too far to do better, be better? Tell them their not good enough? What is your delivery of your expectations? Maybe you don’t know your child is being bullied. Life can get pretty busy and you could be missing the red flags and warning signs. We need to open up these conversations in our homes about bullying with our families, it is important to be aware, be present and be open to seeing what’s going on around us. The bullied can get picked on, hurt and sometimes bullying causes death. It’s toxic, dangerous and completely draining. It causes grief, depression and pain. The bullied beatdowns hit self esteems and can create a person to rethink who they actually are. Bullying can cause a lifetime of scars.
Different types of bullying Physical bullying • Hitting • Kicking • Tripping • Pinching • Glaring • Pushing • Property damage
Verbal bullying • Insults • Teasing • Intimidation • Name Calling • Swearing • Nasty jokes • Lying • Mimicking
Social bullying
• Spreading rumors • Embarrassment • Humiliation • Encouraging others to socially exclude someone • Damaging someone's reputation
Cyber bullying
• Abusive and hurtful texts, posts, emails, photos, images or videos
If you want to learn more about bullying you can go to: StopBullying. gov or Bullying Statistics - National Bullying Prevention Center - PACER Center Like me on Facebook at: The Race to End Bullying.
not define who you are. Be in control of knowing who you want to be, stay strong, be brave and tell someone you trust. Do not let anyone tell you that you are not good enough, because you are. You are not weak because you have been bullied, you have just become someone’s target because of their weaknesses. If you see or encounter bullying, “Speak up and speak out!” Being a bully doesn’t impress anyone. Bullying is abusive and it is truly disturbing behavior and it has to stop.
BUYAT REGULAR A LARGE PIZZA MENU PRICE AND GET A MEDIUM 1-2 TOPPING PIZZA
FREE!!
Limited delivery area. Charges may apply. Carryout or delivery. Expires 1-31-18 7-31-17
order online at: www.papajohns.com
387-2345
Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.
826 South Front St, Mankato (Next to Family Dollar)
We are not animals we should not treat people like prey. Bullies are cowards! They don’t know how to effectively communicate and they like the power of making someone feel frightened, stealing their emotional energy. They spread shame and shatter another's heart without regard, cutting deep into one’s self worth. We need to move out of these negative patterns, slow down, think before you speak and chose our words wisely. Work on ourselves to be better people, and teach our children to be better people. Stop listening to the negative, be and think positive and stop with the judgements of others. We have to make a change, stick up for one another, have each others backs. NOBODY deserves to be bullied and for those who have encountered bullies in your life, you are just fine the way you are. Don’t allow another to disregard, change who you are or take away the things you like to do. Do not lose your confidence or derail your path. One person does January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 15
What Are Your Financial Goals for 2018? G Submitted by Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union
et On Track Today. As you look into the future, what do you see? Are your kids in college? Do you get to travel the world? Are you living in the same home or a new one in a different part of the country? Most people have dreams that require financial stability. With that said, getting what you want does not always come easily. In fact, you must work hard to achieve the results in life that you desire. Just like anything you dream about, getting out of debt and securing your financial future requires perseverance, consistency, dedication, and the ability to manage your money properly. In order to achieve any financial success, you must create meaningful and realistic goals. Make sure they are written down somewhere where you can see them in a clear and concise manner. Sometimes, when people write down their goals, they find that some are broad and some are more focused. Some will take more than five years, while others
16 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
can be accomplished in six months. There are three different types of goals to consider, each with a unique timeframe. Each type of financial goal is based on the date the task is needed, the total estimated costs needed to accomplish the goal, and the required savings needed to achieve results. Short-Term Goals. Short-term goals generally take one year or less to achieve. Examples of short-term financial goals include such things as paying off a credit card, buying a piece of furniture for your home, or saving for a family vacation. Intermediate-Term Goals. Intermediate-term goals generally take between one and five years to complete. Examples of intermediateterm goals include such things as paying off your student loans, getting an education or certificate, or purchasing a new car. Long-Term Goals. Long-term goals are those that won't happen overnight, no matter how hard you work to achieve them. They may
take a long time to accomplish, usually more than five years. Longterm goals require longer commitments and generally a larger amount of money than other types of goals. Examples of long-term goals include such things as saving for a child's education or purchasing a new home. Sometimes, you may need to change the timeframe on certain financial goals. Take the time every three to six months to review your financial goals to see what you may need to adjust. In this way, you can ensure that your goals are always realistic. The key, however, is to maintain the discipline needed to follow your plan. You may need to wait to make a purchase, or you may have to make a choice between purchasing two items because you can't afford both. Whatever the case may be, it is important to recognize that if you write down your goals, you are more likely to accomplish what you set out to do.
Healthy media choices for the new year What’s your family’s “digital diet” plan for 2018?
A
group of kids sitting together all looking down at their phones — probably texting the person across from them. A family sitting together, their attention on a device, while stationed in front of the television. Do either of these scenarios sound familiar? Screens are all around us — our homes and cars, classrooms and restaurants, hospital and clinic lobbies, and even on gas pumps. The average teenager spends approximately nine hours per day looking at a screen, while younger children often spend up to six hours a day engaging with a screen. Technology has changed the way we live, interact and communicate — all of which has significant health consequences. Some of the health-related impacts of screen time include: • Obesity due to decreased physical activity • Behavior problems • Divided attention, which affects learning at a time when kids need to learn to focus • Loss of face-to-face social skills • Strain on relationships due to distractions
One study sent a group of children to a camp for five days where there were no electronic devices allowed and followed another group of children who lived life as usual. The children at the camp with no access to electronic devices did better at the end of five days in recognizing facial emotions and reading nonverbal cues. The time away from technology appeared to increase social awareness. And although screen time for children is significant, the same can be said for adults. With so many screens around us, parents simply aren’t giving their kids the attention they need. Children have always had to compete for their parents’ attention, but this generation is experiencing something new. Parents may be physically close, but emotionally they’re elsewhere. Talking and reading an actual book with your kids continues to be critical for their language and social development.
Here are some tips on being intentional about your family’s screen time and creating healthy media habits: • Spend time each day talking face to face with kids, and give them your full attention. • Put handheld devices away during family times such as dinner or during family-based activities. • Set a time at night when handheld devices can be put away, or placed to charge in a common area, and not taken to rooms where sleep can be interrupted. • Play a game or read a book with your kids rather than watching television. • Encourage periods of time where there’s a break from technology. • Help children and teenagers learn to prevent technology from interrupting homework or study. • Model healthy screen time habits – your kids are watching you. Adam Anderson, Ph.D., is part of Mayo Clinic Health System’s behavioral health team in Mankato. January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 17
HOW DO YOU DO IT? By Mari Riquelme
I
’ve been staring at a blank page for several days asking myself “how do I do it?” and I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m a total fraud. The question itself implies success and I’m not so sure that’s how I would define “it”. If I had to explain my life process it’s like I’ve been driving a car with my eyes shut and somehow I got to where I needed to be for the time being. It hasn't always been a smooth ride. I’ve run over the curb, swiped a mailbox here and there and possibly ran over a squirrel. There were a few times I ran out of gas at an intersection. The point is I can’t give anyone an explanation because I myself don't really know how I got here. I just pressed the gas pedal and went with it. Don't get me wrong I’ve enjoyed the breeze on my face and the music from the radio but the things I controlled were limited. I do however have some secrets to maintaining my sanity. I should note that with seven siblings I grew up in house with nine other people, and one bathroom. Remembering that always gives me perspective. For times that doesn’t work I use a lot of caffeine, spontaneous dancing, counseling, a sprinkle of denial here and there and a whole lot of laughter. My life is also all about strategies. I’ve tried many different tactics in the past. For example I create lists and put fake things on them. Along with pay this bill and organize the front hall closet I add things like show up for work just so I can cross them off and feel like I’m accomplishing something. Somehow I ended up on this road with 3 daughters, Sesamae 17, Karinya 9, and Isaluna 7. They are all unpredictable questioners and have already outsmarted me in logical discussions A LOT. And to top it off I love spending time with all three of them. You need to understand that this is the place where I could go on and on about my children because that is what I do and who I am but I will limit myself today. I should also mention my
18 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
husband Mick, who never fails to be a side note. He's stuck in a world where he will always take the back seat to our children. It’s not that we don't make an awesome team. He teaches me things about myself everyday but he knew it when we met that my children will always be my first priority. He accepted it and decided to go along for this ride anyways. As a parenting team we did everything “right”. We paid attention to all the information. We implemented all those watch your kids online, eat supper together, read to them, make sure they have chores, limit TV, we came up with creative ways to empower our kids, and also made them think deeply about things going on in the world. They have learned that they have the power to impact their community and they know that we will listen to their ideas. We taught them not only to say “please” and “thank you” but the reason why we do it. We live in a home where hugging is as natural as sneezing and saying I love you is as common as turning on a light switch. Being a mom is something I just knew how to do and loved doing it. No matter what fender benders that came along, deployment, losing our house, losing my mom. The damage varied but all caused dents that you just couldn’t buff out. No matter what, I had to just keep driving on even though I knew I required repairs. My children needed me to. Sometimes I felt that, being a mom was the only thing I could say I was completely successful at. That is until my life crashed straight into a brick wall on December 2015….. My 15 year old, at the time, went to the emergency room because she was suffering internally with deep pain
we would never had guessed. I had to question everything that I knew about being a mom and everything i thought I knew about supporting my children. Mental illness barged through the door like that obnoxious cousin nobody invited destroying our house and not leaving no matter how many hints we gave them. I can tell you how my guilt consumed me and I became obsessed with trying to understand. I can tell you how our predictable days turned random and erratic. I can tell you I became a novice who had to relearn everything I thought I knew. I can tell you that I had a lot of shame because I knew I was not spending enough time with all three of my children. I can tell you that I had to learn to let others drive for a while and trust their direction. I can tell you many days I would hold my breath wishing I could take the pain away. But as for anything more specific than that those details do not belong to me to share. My speed now is slow trying to absorb every minute of this journey to make sure I implement all the things I know I should remember. I know I have to forgive myself for not having finished writing my novel. I have to forgive myself because there is always laundry everywhere. I have to forgive myself when I lie and say I’ll start to exercise tomorrow. I have to forgive myself that I didn’t see my daughter's struggles coming. I have to remind myself that I can’t give those things anymore power because I rather use all my leftover fuel to bake and burn cookies with my daughter’s. Yup, it’s inevitable, they always burn and I’m ok with that. As for the future, no matter how winding this road gets I will no longer close my eyes. I will set my own speed limit and take in all the sights. My hands are on the wheel and from this point forward I will turn it in the direction I choose except when I let someone else drive for a bit because that’s ok too. Sometimes there’ll be dead ends other times there'll be construction but other times there will be majestic scenic views. All I can say for sure is that this road in front of me is mine and I’m in no hurry. That’s how I’ll do it, at least on the good days.
CALL FOR ENROLLMENT
Now Enrolling for 2018 Pre-School Spaces are filling fast! Call now for a tour!
625-2141
300 Madison Ave. mankatolittlestars.com
Mankato Area Gymnastics School Winter Session Dates: December 4th- March 3rd *Gymnasts may join at any time for a pro-rated fee!
MAGSGymnastics.com 507.625.6260
321 N. RIVERFRONT DRIVE MANKATO, MN 56001 507 351 3111 ARTIFACTMANKATO.COM INFO@ARTIFACTMANKATO.COM
NOW OPEN! January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 19
Understanding Bullying Behavior I
By Jane Ek, MS, Five Rivers Mental Health Clinic
t can be painful to see your child bullied by others, causing you to be very protective and angry at the children causing them pain. It can also be painful to know that your child may be the bully. Either way, it is beneficial to understand what may cause youth to lash out at one another. Bullying behavior, at its core, is an
unhealthy coping tool children develop to deal with some kind of stress, trauma, or insecurity. It is a way for a child who feels powerless to get power. There are several risk factors that can lead to bullying behavior. People who bully are more likely to act out aggressively, are easily frustrated, may dislike following
Five Rivers
Mental Health Clinic
, LLC
507-345-7012
Care & Compassion Providing Individual, Family & Group Therapy info@FiveRiversMHC.com www.FiveRiversMHC.com 103 N. Broad Street, Mankato, Minnesota 56001
20 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
rules and may see violence as a way to get what they want. It is not uncommon for bullies to have seen hostility and aggression, or even violence in their home. Often, children who bully feel insecure in their relationships, from feeling that their parents are not involved enough in their lives, to having been rejected by someone, to feeling that they only way to gain acceptance by friends is to be a bully. Deep down, a child who is hurting others is most likely feeling hurt, or has been bullied themselves. They may feel aggression toward others gives them a feeling of control at a time when they feel powerless. If your child is the one doing the bullying, it can be difficult to ask for help, as they are often seen as the "problem" child and are getting in trouble at school. These children often need love and connection the most, even though they are asking for it in a problematic way. Practicing openly discussing emotions to prevent them from bottling up and turning into aggression is crucial. It is important to validate those feelings by saying that their anger, fear, or sadness are
normal emotions and that it is okay to feel this way, while helping them to understand their behavior is not okay. Do not be afraid to seek help from a mental health professional to support your child in learning healthier ways of coping with their overwhelming emotions. Teachers and other important adults can help support these youth by avoiding harsh punishment. Punishment, especially yelling or aggression, tends to be reinforcing, as it provides the attention children are seeking. Children will seek negative attention when it is easier to get than positive attention. This negative attention adds to the negativity that already led to this behavior in the first place. Seeing the child behind the behavior and avoiding labeling them as "bullies" can be healing. Being a mediator between children in a safe, neutral setting, and making sure both children feel validated is a way to help work through the issue in a healthy way. Understanding the causes behind bullying behavior can help us be more empathetic to a young person who is expressing a need in a
negative way. Parents of children who are bullied can use this information to help their child understand that they are not getting picked on because of who they are, but because the other child has problems of their own that they most likely cannot see. The best way to respond to bullying is to acknowledge that it is an attempt to get a need met and responding accordingly. For adults, that means attending to positive behavior and providing healthy ways for youth to build social connections and a sense of power and self-worth. For youth, that means not fighting back against or giving in to bullies and instead responding with assertive compassion. Acting kind and confident deprives bullies of the reaction they are trying to get. Overall, supporting all children to learn healthy ways of expressing themselves, enhancing strong relationships, and building selfesteem can help children on both sides.
Chase Away the Winter Chills! We pay $$$ on the spot for gently used clothing, toys, & equipment your kids have outgrown. No appointment necessary. Plus, low prices on everything they need NOW! Located conveniently across from Cub Foods 464 Raintree Road, Mankato 507-344-8799 Mon.-Sat. 10-8 Sun. 12-5 www.onceuponachildmankato.com January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 21
Chef Sarah
Nosh
Friesen’s Granola Ingredients: 6 cups of oats and ½ cup brown sugar ¾ cups olive oil ½ cup honey
(preferably Moody Bees Honey)
½ cup raisins ½ cup sunflower seeds Heat and stir olive oil and Moody Bees Honey.
Stir well. Bake at 350° approximately Add honey 30 minutes. Stir every and oil mixture 10 minutes to oats and while baking. brown sugar mixture. Mix oats and brown sugar together.
22 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Remove from oven and add raisins and You can sunflower substitute in your seeds. favorite nuts or seeds to make your special Stir constantly blend. while cooling for loose granola or press into pan for granola bars.
Enjoy!
The Hum of Bees is the Voice of the Garden: The Story of Moody Bees Farm
O
ur mission is to help honey bees and native pollinators by creating healthy habitats and strong pollinator health. We passionately raise bees to produce quality honey and beeswax products that are healthy for human consumers, bees and the environment. Furthermore, we are a local family owned business that inspires to support and educate the community about sustainable farming practices involving pollinators.
In 2014, we started with four honey bee colonies on our farm site. Other than the interesting weather we had that summer, our hives did very well. In the spring of 2015 we are starting the year with 30 colonies in five different bee yards. Our five bee yards are scattered between Comfrey and Mankato, Minnesota. The hives we use are Langstroth hives and we do not use any chemicals on or around our bees.
Our farm started with a few chickens and a small vegetable garden. Now we have roughly 30 to 50 chickens at a given time for both egg and meat purposes. We have a breeding pair of turkeys, and a small flock of ducks. Our herd of goats currently consists of 4 members, Stella, Keela, Jazibelle and Molly. The goats give us milk and new babies every spring. We also maintain a 25’ x 60’ vegetable and herb garden and over 30 maple trees that we tap for syrup.
515 N Riverfront Drive • 507-345-4114 • info@friesensfood.com January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 23
Are You a Young Historian?
Many Families have old photos like this. What can you learn from old photos?
Discover clues about life long ago at the Blue Earth County History Center.
What is Genealogy? Genealogy is the history of your family. It’s the story of how you are connected to your ancestors. Why is it important? This is the story of how you came to be! It means that you and your ancestors have stories that might be written in Bibles or other records, seen in photos or need to be written by you! How you tell the story is up to you. Could you make a photo collage or scrapbook? Could you write a short story about one of your ancestors? Could you sketch out a family tree? Become a Young Historian Genealogist and find out more about your family!
You be the Historian! Here is your evidence...
What are the objects and documents you see below? What can they tell us about our ancestors? What is an ancestor? Ancestors are family who lived in the past. After you look at the pictures below and discover what the clues are telling you about the people, write your answers below each picture.
Do you know what this object is? Hint: This is a Marriage Certificate, a document that can tell us important legal information about family. Can you find the woman’s maiden or last name on this certificate?
This object is a Photo Album with photos of someone’s ancestors. Do your parents have photos of ancestors in your family? What are they doing? What are they wearing? Why do you think people have family photos taken?
What is this? Hint: In the past people used these tools to write letters, diaries and to keep records. It is a pen and inkwell. What do you use today to keep track of family records?
______________________
______________________________
___________________
Blue Earth County History Center is located at 424 Warren Street, Mankato
What’s Your Story?
Be a Young Historian and search for answers to what makes you, well, you! Start by asking your parents about their families. Look at photos of your family to learn more about the people in your family tree. Use this family tree to make a photo collage or tear it out, cut it up and begin a family scrapbook.
DID YOU KNOW? Genealogists are Historians who ask questions about their family to learn about their history. Ask your parents these questions, write down their answers and you will begin to be a Young Historian! Where did you grow up? What were your parents like? Your siblings? What do you remember about your grandparents? Who were your friends? What was school like for you? What did you do for fun when you were a child? What movies and songs did you like? Genealogists have fun and even have their own jokes? Here’s one to tell your family.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Visit the Blue Earth County History Center. Join Young Historians—a free, monthly, hands-on history workshop for school age kids the 2nd Saturday of each month, September through May, 10 a.m. to Noon.
BlueEarthCountyHistory.com
507-345-5566
If you shake your family tree, watch out for the nuts to fall!
Work-Based Learning: Students at Businesses Mankato Public Schools is increasing career pathway exploration by encouraging students to participate in Work-Based Learning opportunities. All high school youth are eligible to participate in activities to help them explore and refine skills through this unique form of learning that takes place out of the classroom. We are excited that so many local businesses have opened their doors to help youth discover and explore their futures! Our options in work-based learning are scaffolded to provide “layered learning” for students who need additional experiences to help shape their decisions. These range from short job shadows to multi-year youth apprenticeships. Student job shadows are 1-2 hour unpaid experiences, where students simply explore a career field by shadowing an area or person within a field of interest. All students take interest inventories to determine if this first layer would be a match for them. Last year, 503 students participated in job shadows within the district! Our Career Development Assistant, Carol Bredesen, helps students connect with willing job shadow sites. Some classroom teachers, such as AVID and Career and Technical Education teachers, are encouraging their students to shadow for classroom enrichment, once they have identified a career of interest. Another layer of early career development is taking a course called Career Planning. This course is open to students in 9-12 grade and is the precursor to doing Work Experience for credit. Work Experience is typically a 90 hour, semester-long, entry-level job that students can find throughout our community. They apply the employability skills they learned from taking Career Planning and reflect weekly on their work. A third layer of exploration takes a deeper dive into a career of interest by participating in a career internship or youth apprenticeship. Once students have completed a job shadow, interest inventory, and have completed a course in a related area of interest, they can apply. Students must have a teacher recommendation, have at least a 2.0 GPA, and have good attendance to qualify for these opportunities. • A Career Internship is a paid or unpaid experience that typically lasts around 90 hours within a semester. Students attend a weekly seminar to help build their resume, portfolio and build on soft skills. A specific internship in welding is in partnership with several manufacturing sites in our community. • We have three current Youth Apprenticeship opportunities: YEAP (Youth Employment Acceleration Program) in Manufacturing, Phoenix Program (MNDoT) in Engineering, and Snell Motors in Business and Technology. These students spend 450 hours per year (2 years total – up to 2,000 hours) delving into a career they are passionate about. Each of these opportunities provides students with skills to help them in their career development and decisions about their future. It also sets them up for future success in the workplace by focusing on much-needed soft skills. Through these experiences, students are developing a network of support, that can help them long after they graduate. Students taking advantage of any of the work-based learning options are building their personal toolkit to be career, college, and life ready.
26 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
507-387-1868 • maps@isd77.k12.mn.us Facebook Twitter
Mankato Area Public Schools Makerspace Movement
What is a Makerspace? The idea behind the Makers Movement includes allowing people to imagine, envision, create, innovate, play, formatively learn, experiment, collaborate, share, and most of all dream of possibilities. A makerspace is a place where students can gather to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials. Makerspaces provide hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in science, engineering and tinkering. A makerspace is not solely a science lab, woodshop, computer lab or art room, but it may contain elements found in all of these familiar spaces. It is a space where students and teachers learn together through direct experience with an assortment of high and low-tech materials. A makerspace can be anything from a repurposed bookcart filled with arts and crafts supplies to a table in a corner set out with LEGOs to a full blown fab lab with 3D printers, laser cutters, and handtools. No two school makerspaces are exactly alike, nor should they be. Makerspaces are as unique as the school cultures they represent. There is no such thing as one form of making being more valid or better than the other. Makers are artists, crafters, knitters, seamstresses, builders, programmers, engineers, hackers, painters, woodworkers, tinkerers, inventors, bakers, graphic designers, and more. Allowing our students to be Makers opens the doors to personalized and authentic learning. Goals for the makerspaces in Mankato Area Public Schools: • Allow for student intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning • Support students in a natural connection toward the facilitation of the 4 C’s (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) • Engage students in significant content by allowing for connections to curriculum • Immerse students in experiences that promote the idea of flow • Provide students opportunities that allow them to fail in order to succeed • Emphasize to students and teachers the importance of process over outcome • Amplify or introduce to students the components of a school STEAM disciplines • Provide for student opportunities to enhance Project, Problem, Design, Inquiry, and Challenge Based Learning January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 27
VEX Robotics Mankato has become a hub for robotics in the past few years. The introduction of VEX Robotics, a student organization that allows students to explore in-depth technical skills revolving around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, has spurred this movement. Once just a small club consisting of a handful of students, this movement has grown to include middle school and high school students. Mankato even hosted its first annual VEX Robotics tournament this fall that was well-attended by area districts and schools. Mankato Public Schools is introducing a VEX Robotics class in the 2016-17 school year to allow even more students to learn hands-on problem solving skills. Each year, a new VEX challenge is created and students must work together in teams to create robots to discover solutions to the challenge. Through the use of technology and robotics equipment, students not only learn the technical skills necessary to achieve their goal, but they are developing the soft skills of communication, teamwork, professionalism, and integrity that employers seek. Dave Stahl, Tech Ed teacher states: “VEX has been fantastic for students. Students who are interested in math and science now have a creative and unique platform to hone their skills and to foster their interests. I am thrilled with the growth of robotics education in our communityâ€? 28 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
507-387-1868 • maps@isd77.k12.mn.us Facebook Twitter Mankato Area Public Schools in partnership with Junior Achievement was awarded the 2017 Brian Fazio award by Greater Mankato Growth (GMG). The Brian Fazio Business Education Partnership Award recognizes partnerships that enhance education and business in Greater Mankato. JA Company Program gives students hands-on experience developing a small business. The experiential learning environment created demonstrates to them how applicable entrepreneurial concepts are to the real world. JA Company Program takes students step-by-step from the creation of a business idea, through the execution of a business plan and development of a product or service, ending with the liquidation of the company. Overall, the goal of the program is for students who participate in JA Company Program to gain: • An understanding of what it takes to engage in a social enterprise. • An improved ability and confidence in the areas of creative thinking, public speaking, research, and teamwork. • An increased confidence in their ability to successfully achieve their educational and career aspirations. • An increased awareness and interest in entrepreneurship and its power to make positive changes to our communities. Ultimately, students who participated in JA Company Program benefited from the following outcomes: • An understanding of what it takes to create a social enterprise. • An improved ability and confidence in the areas of creative thinking, public speaking, research, and teamwork. • An increased confidence in their ability to successfully achieve their educational and career aspirations. • An increased awareness and interest in entrepreneurship and its power to make positive changes to our communities. Student Company Examples: Mankato East High School, JA Company Program students have formed a company, “Yin Yang” sold a dual chamber water bottle to the Mankato East High School students, teachers, staff, family, friends and community members. This was an in-school program, mentored by local entrepreneurs and a former JA Company Program student, Jack Livingston. Student Testimonials: In their own words, here are some of the student’s responses: • “The best part about participating in JACP was learning valuable leadership skills, business ins-and-outs, and cooperative teamwork.” – Mankato East High School • “Through JACP, we were able to learn from each other, teach each other, and most importantly, build something we all cared about.” - Mankato West High School January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 29
Christmas is…
By E. M. James
G
eode Mianni celebrated Christmas for the eight-hundredsixty-ninth time last week. And now, she’s celebrating it for the eight-hundred-
30 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
seventieth time. She is not dead, or alive. She is what we like to call a memory. She forever lives in a void of everything and nothing, love and hate, motionless and active. In other words, she lives in a picture. She is a still there, and has been ever since her last Christmas. She had gone missing when she was six, and then moved into a picture to always be remembered. Her parents try to celebrate Christmas as much as possible. They never take down their Christmas tree, they always have presents waiting under the tree. The calendar always says
December 25th. Geode was always planning an escape from her picture. And this year, she did it… She was ready. She’d done her hair, dressed up, and practiced her smile. Everything. The only thing standing between her and her family, was physics. But this year, she had a plan. She traveled four inches to the edge of the picture, and asked Physics itself. Physics was large, full of gray and smelled like eggs, olives, and ink. It pulled things in whenever you got too close. She was sure not to get too close. She walked up to it, and
this was their conversation: Geode: Physics, I need you to expand! Physics: No. I will not. I like this size. It suits me. Geode: Please, Physics. I need you to! I’m leaving this picture, and I need to see my family! Physics:I SAID I LIKE THIS SIZE! NOW GET OUT AND LEAVE ME ALONE! Geode: NO! I want to see my family! So you are going to expand for me! Physics: Oh, okay. Here you go. Physics swiped a gloomy hand across its chest, and it grew. As it did, the edges of the picture began to split and tear. Geode was finally going home. Opal and Amethyst Mianni had lost their child Geode when she was six. They celebrated Christmas every week for another six years. They never thought she would come back, so they’d decided to have another child. They named her Turquoise. Turquoise was already two months old. They were celebrating Christmas. A photo of Geode appeared on the ground in front of Opal’s foot. She picked it up. To her astonishment, the thin edge began to tear in a perfectly straight line across the page. A pink hand appeared out of the cut… Geode Amethyst Opal Mianna arrived back home that night. Her parents looked at her with a sad face, then they both cried, hugging both their children. She has now been home for almost twenty five years, which gives her just enough time to write a story, just like this one…
Concordia Classical Academy
A Ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pre-School 3 & 4 Years Olds Through 8th Grade
Classical Christian Education
• Christ centered education • Strong classical academic curriculum • Small classes, personal attention • Caring professional teachers • Music, Spanish & Latin instruction • Hot lunch program • District 77 busing • Affordable Tuition
388-4336 2101 Lor Ray Drive, North Mankato
goodshepherdmankato.org/school
Farm Direct Beef & Pork
Original Chip Steaks
Make Dinner Time Easy This Winter! Customer Favorites Taco In A Bag & Taco Bar Pulled Pork & Shredded Beef OTHER OPTIONS:
• Burgers • Hot Dogs • Sloppy Joes
• BBQ Chicken • Cheesy Turkey • Potato Salad
• Cookie Dough • Valentine’s Cut Out • Gourmet Soups Cookies Coming Soon • AND SO MUCH MORE!
507-387-2467 M-F 9-6, Sat. 9-3 • 232 Dewey St. • Next to Cub West
B l u e E a r t h C o u n t y ’s
HOME to HISTORY
Blue Earth County History Center 424 Warren Street, Mankato History Center Hours Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The History Center Museum is filled with hands-on history fun in the Discovery Lab, 1880s Mankato diorama and an interactive pioneer cabin and barn. Admission charged.
TheHISTORIANS Saint John’s Bible Traveling Exhibition YOUNG : Explore History Through the Decades at the History Center September 1, 2017 Hands-on History Workshops for Kids through 2nd Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. FREE.
Growing up amidst revolutionary social change and political turmoil had a lasting impact on teens in the late 1960s. This special interactive exhibit from the Minnesota Historical Society is on display at the History Center now-June 15. Free.
BlueEarthCountyHistory.com | 507.345.5566 January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 31
Yoga Gena Heminover:
Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher and mother of two girls, Elea age 6 (pictured) and Ava age 3 (not pictured). Teaches yoga at Fitness For $10, private lessons and at other places in Mankato. Specializing in Kids Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa and Advanced Yoga. Find me on Instagram at ‘Gena Heminover Yoga’ and Facebook at ‘Gena Heminover Wellness’ https://www.facebook.com/ genaheminoverwellness Website: GenaHeminover.com Or email: heminoveryoga@yahoo.com
Tips for Kids: • Kids naturally have a short attention span so keep each pose under 30 seconds. • If they are old enough have them help you count to 10 while holding the pose. • Allow your child to play around with their body positioning in each pose. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it should be FUN!
32 32 •• Kid-oh! Kid-oh! || January/February January/February2018 2018
Eagle Pose
Begin standing and pick your left foot off the floor and cross your left leg over the right. Try to cross the thighs tight. Put a little bend in your standing right leg, pushing the hips back as if you were going to sit on a chair behind you. Balance on the one leg and add the arms by wrapping the left arm under the right and bending the elbows to bring your hands up under your chin.
Benefits of Eagle Pose:
• Stronger arms, legs, knees and ankles • Open shoulder joints, creating space between the shoulder blades • Open hips and IT band • Increased circulation to all joints • Improved digestion and elimination • Improved balance • Improved focus
Camel
Mermaid
Start on your knees, you can have your toes tucked under or have the tops of your feet on the floor. Slowly reach one hand at a time back to grab your heels. Drop your head back. Try to keep your hips over your knees, and lift the chest toward the ceiling.
Start with your left leg bent in front of you and your right leg extended long behind you. Try to keep your hips facing the floor and not roll over onto the left hip too much. Turn to the right a bit to reach back toward your right foot. Bend the right knee bringing the right foot to the crook of your right elbow. Now with the right arm bent, reach it behind your head and try to take the left hand off the floor, reaching it behind your head and clasping hands. Bring your chin up and let the back of your head push against your hands.
Pose
Benefits of Camel pose:
• Stretches the entire front of the body, the ankles, thighs and groins, • Abdomen and chest, and throat • Stretches the deep hip flexors (psoas) • Strengthens back muscles • Improves posture • Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck
Pose
Benefits of Mermaid Pose:
• Stretches the front torso • Lifts and opens the heart • Stretches the thighs, groins, shoulders, and chest • It improves mobility in the spine and hips • Strengthens the abdominal muscles January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 33
RSV diagnoses
ramp up in the winter: what to know
A
virus that causes infections in the lungs and respiratory tracts starts to make its way into homes of young children this time of year. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes upper respiratory tract infections, or colds, bronchiolitis (infection of the lung passages) and pneumonia. Common among children, RSV is spread personto-person when an infected person sneezes or coughs, allowing the virus to be carried to other people on droplets of saliva or mucus. These secretions on objects such as toys and furniture may contain the live virus for a number of hours. 34 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Young children, especially those younger than one year of age, have the highest risk of getting RSV infections. Because they are often exposed to RSV outside of the home, children tend to pick up the illness at school or day care. However, infections can happen at every age. Those with already-weakened immune systems, very young children and elderly people can also develop a severe infection. Like other viruses, you can get RSV even if you’ve been diagnosed with it in the past. If you’re concerned that someone has RSV, watch for a fever, runny nose or nasal congestion, cough, chest congestion, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Rarely, very
young infants with RSV infections may have periods during which they stop breathing, or apneas. Symptoms of RSV will present themselves about three to seven days after exposure. Your healthcare provider can diagnose RSV based on the above symptoms. Special testing can detect the virus by sampling nasal secretions, but the test is not always necessary. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for RSV and antibiotics aren’t helpful for this type of infection. A medication called palivizumab may prevent RSV infections and protect babies with certain chronic conditions who are at high-risk from serious complications of infections. Medications like acetaminophen for fever or albuterol for wheezing may help relieve symptoms, but there are no specific medications that work against the virus. Most cases of RSV improve within one to two weeks. In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized for a short period of time. Some other tips parents can use if their child has RSV gentle suctioning of nasal secretions, using a cool-mist vaporizer to keep the air most and make breathing easier, and providing fluids. Preventing an RSV infection is as easy as covering your coughs and sneezes and washing hands frequently. In addition, don’t share cups or utensils and avoid kissing others who are not sick. Parents and children should be especially careful around people with weakened immune systems.
Intro to Dance Ages 3-6 Wednesday at 5:00-5:45, starts January 3rd, enrollment ends February 1st, $35 per month, performs in Spring Recital, learn jazz, ballet, and basic tumbling Winter Combo Ages 6+ Wednesday at 6:00-6:45, starts January 3rd, enrollment ends February 1st, $35 per month, performs in Spring Recital, Learn jazz, ballet, and basic tumbling Intro to Irish Dancing Ages 8+. Saturdays 1 :00-1 :55 Starts January 6th, enrollment ends February 3rd, $35 per month, performs in Spring Recital, learn a basic introduction to Irish Dance. Will need black jazz and black tap shoes. Dance Session Sampler Class Ages 3+ Saturdays at 12:00-12:55, Session is February 3- March 24, $80 for 8 weeks, learn jazz, ballet, and basic tumbling, *Non-performance class
For More Information Call 507-625-2005 1400 madison ave. #318 dcdance002@gmail.com • dcsmdance.com
Birthday Party Package
get your hands
messy
• Over an hour long of hands on fun! • Cake decorating demonstration • Create your own cookies and cupcakes • Get your hands messy making cherry & apple bread Tak
$14 per child
8 children minimum Special dietary requirements available upon request.
Hom e Goo e d Bag y $1 0 Va
lue
Donald Putzier, MD Mankato Clinic Pediatrician
515 N Riverfront Drive • 507-345-4114 info@friesensfood.com Monday-Saturday 6am-6pm; Sunday 6am-2pm Supporting our community! Everything we carry is produced onsite! January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 35
Make long winter days shorter:
, y a l P
, y a l P Play, 224 Lamm Street, Mankato www.cmsouthernmn.org info@cmsouthernmn.org
507.386.0279
Admission: $8 per person; free for children 12 months and under Annual family and grandparent memberships are available!
Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:30 pm Closed on Mondays. 36 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Have you played in the new exhibits? A Northwoods Winter…
Travel back in time to a world of simplicity, ease, excitement, and great fun–visit a new temporary exhibit, and find yourself up north without leaving downtown Mankato! Play in the great Minnesota inside the Children’s Museum; go snowshoeing, skiing, or take the dogs for a sledding outing. Ice fish, build a snowman, or participate in a snowball fight! Come inside before you get frostbite, and gather in front of the fireplace to experience the warmth, charm, and magic of this handcrafted cabin. Bring your family and friends and put together a puzzle, roast marshmallows, bake gingerbread cookies, and look through photo albums during the long winter months.
Eldon Marks’ Workshop
In November, the Museum opened another new exhibit–an expanded hands-on tool learning area. This exhibit, Eldon Marks’ Workshop, offers opportunities for children to gain a sense of power and competence as they use real tools and materials while working on projects to take home. Becoming more skillful at using tools helps children solve problems, become flexible in their thinking, and boosts their confidence about their abilities. Come use a drill press, sanding tools, saws, and other tools designed with children–and safety–in mind! January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 37
What’s there to do?
The Museum’s exhibits and programs are geared towards children birth to 10 years old, but there is something for everyone! Check out the map and exhibit description to learn more about what can be found at 224 Lamm Street.
Are there exhibits you’ve not played in? Cecil’s Imagineering Loft This friendly and intriguing work area encourages older children, usually 6 and beyond, to delve into a variety of projects. They will observe, experiment, invent, create, build, and explore. The Loft is the home of the Museum’s 3D Printing Lab, Robotics Lab, Clay Lab, Animation Studio, and more.
AgLab
In the AgLab, visitor of all ages can learn about innovation in farming technology as they explore a variety of naturethemed tabletops and programs that take place in this section of the Grow It Gallery. The AgLab is also the home of an aquaponics system, worm composting, and many temporary exhibits, such as a scale model dairy barn or the newest Beaver Builders exhibit
Dotson Back 40
Within the fenced-in-freedom of this outdoor world, climb a boulder, roll down a grassy knoll, or build a fort with loose parts, such as sticks, stones, leaves, bark, nuts, and seeds. The Back 40 is a seasonal exhibit that has the overgrown brushy feel of a field that adults have forgotten and children have made their own. This exhibit is usually closed during the cold winter months. 38 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Kato Engineering Explorer’s Lab
This hands-on gallery is all about the exciting world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). The Explorer’s Lab is the home of the Paint Wall, Wind Tunnel, Gear Table, various tabletop activities, and the Museum’s new and expanded toollearning exhibit, Eldon Marks’ Workshop. This space attracts a wide variety of ages, from toddlers to older schoolchildren.
Temporary Exhibit Space This area of the Museum has been the home of many traveling and temporary exhibits, such as Games, If You Build It…, and the Northwoods Winter, a hands-on play experience that is all about the great outdoors of Minnesota during the cold season.
Coughlan Quarry
At the Quarry, it’s all about working together to get the job done. A sand pit with construction toys, moveable crane, and a big conveyor system for transporting blocks all provide real-life action. Hard hats and safety vests are provided. The Quarry is recommended for all ages.
Infant/Toddler Play Porch
The Infant/Toddler Play Porch is a charming, BetsyTacy inspired setting, designed especially for the Museum’s youngest visitors. Babies and toddlers, birth through three years old, can climb, crawl, touch, and explore, then settle in with their caregivers to enjoy a book on the Capstone Story Porch.
Grow It Gallery
This is the Museum’s largest indoor exhibit and it’s all about farms, food, fields, and family. Children can plant, harvest, transport, sort, buy, and cook fresh produce while learning about how foods we eat make their way from seed to table. This gallery was designed with children 2 through 7 years in mind, but it provides hours of fun for most ages, depending on their skills and interests.
Mankato Clinic Tree of Forts
Identified as one of Minnesota’s most epic playground spaces by Explore MN – Come climb, stretch, reach, and find your way through the nets, tunnels, and seven forts of this massive climber and its large spiral staircase. This tree is so big it has burst through the roof! This exhibit requires explorers to have sufficient strength and coordination and is recommended for children 5 years of age and beyond. The Tree’s newest addition, the Toddler Fort, was designed with younger children in mind.
Dakota Culture and Heritage In the spirit of the Dakota concept “mitakuye owasin,” which can be understood as “we are all related” or “all my relations,” the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is bringing a thread of Dakota experiences to its exhibits and facility. Through these experiences, visitors of all ages will understand that Dakota culture and stories are present among the people and landscape of Minnesota.
Ridley Farm Animal Experience The Farmyard is a seasonal exhibit where visitors can explore how soil, seed, sun, and water work together to help plants, animals, and people thrive. It offers a hands-on chance to connect with the way farming is done in Minnesota. This is the home of seasonal and visiting farm animals, as well as a variety of garden beds. Just like the Dotson Back 40, the Farmyard is usually closed in the winter.
Lauri Kuch Theater
This is the Museum’s place designed for dramatic play. All ages are encouraged to explore and act out their imagination as they use costume pieces, animal masks and tails, musical instruments, and a variety of other props.
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 39
Looking for Fun Things To Do in the Middle of Winter? Coming in February: Beaver Builders
Just like beavers, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota just can’t stop imagining, designing, and building! Come see our new beaver exhibit in February, and will include a “build a beaver den” activity, large “chewed tree” artifacts, a touch and feel table with a pelt and skull, as well as some tabletop interactive components that show how a beaver uses its tail for steering, propping, and warning. Did you know that the North American beaver is the largest rodent in North America. Did you know it is found throughout the state of Minnesota? Come to the Museum to learn more about beavers in our area!
Coming in February: Our Feathered Friends Learn about Raptors with the University of Minnesota - Raptor Center
On February 17, come to the Children’s Museum at 10:00 am for “Our Feathered Friends,” an educational program presented by the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. The Raptor Center was established in 1974 as part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. It is an internationallyrenowned education facility that rehabilitates around 800 sick and injured raptors each year, while helping identify emerging environmental issues related to raptor health and populations. The Raptor Center also trains veterinary students and veterinarians from around the world to become future leaders in raptor medicine and conservation. In addition, the Raptor Center reaches approximately 150,000 people every year through its unique education programs and events. 40 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
What is a raptor? A raptor is a meat-eating bird, also known as bird of prey. There are approximately 482 species of raptor worldwide, and they include owls, falcons, hawks, and eagles.
Play & Win
Bring this page to the Children’s Museum next time you go play and win a temporary Museum tattoo! What color are a beaver’s incisors (front teeth)? 1. White 2. Orange 3. Green 4. Black How long does it take a beaver to gnaw through a 6” tree? 1. About 15 minutes 2. 1 day 3. 4 hours 4. All night What can a beaver use its tail for? 1. Steering while swimming 2. Propping its body up while standing 3. Warning slap on water to others 4. All of the above What are the main characteristics all raptors share? 1. 8 sharp talons 2. Excellent eyesight 3. A hooked beak 4. All of the above What raptor is found on every continent except Antarctica? 1. Peregrine Falcon 2. Cardinal 3. Sparrow 4. Barn Owl What bird has the Raptor Center treated more than any other? 1. Eagle 2. Peregrine Falcon 3. Great Horned Owl 4. Barn Owl
Mayo Clinic at the Museum Stop by the front desk next time you come to play at the Museum and pick up a free 2018 calendar, filled with healthy habits for kids and grown-ups. Mayo Clinic Health System is proud to support ongoing health and wellness at the Museum and in our community. Here’s to a healthy 2018!
Trivia Night Let’s Play Trivia!
Friday, January 26, 2018, 6:00 pm Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 Premier Drive, Mankato Get a team together or join a new one, then test your knowledge and support the Children’s Museum! 6:00 pm – Social 6:30 pm – Dinner 7:00 pm – Trivia Tickets are $40 per person or $320 for a table of eight. Reserve your spot today! www.cmsouthernmn.org/events
Friday, January 19, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Children with special needs or sensory challenges and their families are invited to a playdate at the Museum on Friday, Janaury 19, during a time when fewer visitors will be present. Explore the Museum from 4:30 - 7:30 pm at no cost thanks to the sponsorship by Pediatric Therapy Services.
Become a member and support our Museum
Children’s Museum membership is a great option for families who like to play and create lasting memories! All members get unlimited access to Museum exhibits and galleries during business hours, special discounts on programs, events, camps, and birthday celebrations. There is a variety of membership packages to suit the needs of individuals, families, and groups. If your family likes to travel, make sure to choose a Passport Membership, which includes a 50% discount for up to 6 people at more than 200 participating children’s museums in the United States and Canada with the ACM Reciprocal Pass.
What do beavers and raptors have in common? 1. 2. 3. 4.
They live only in Minnesota They have scented glands near their tails They have sharp vision They have a nictitating membrane – a third eyelid that can be drawn across the eye for protection while maintaining vision
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 41
DIY
Valentine’s Day Stamped
“Love” Bracelet
Mix metal stamping and leather cord to make a cute Stamped “LOVE” Bracelet DIY project. Creating metal stamped jewelry is easier than you think with the right tools.
TOOLS & MATERIALS: • Metal Stamping Kit: Letter stamps for metal, hammer, solid surface • Stamp Straight Tape • Metal blank to be stamped; find at any hobby store, make sure it has holes • Black Acrylic Paint • Paper towel • Leather cord • 1 Hex nut • Scissors 42 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Instructions: Step 1 I found the best way to work is to tape your metal blanks to your stamp pad. This keeps them from shifting or scooting around when you’re stamping. Also use the tape to make marks where you want your stamps to be.
Step 3 When you’ve finished your design use some black acrylic paint and a paper towel and wipe the paint across your design. The paint will settle into the design, use your paper towel to clean off the excess. This will help to define your design.
Step 2 Position the first letter stamp where you would like on the metal blank and strike with hammer until you feel you have reached the desired indentation into the metal. Continue with the rest of your word.
Brought to you by
Step 4 Cut your leather into two pieces with a bit of excess to create as an adjustable bracelet. Step 5 Thread the leather through the holes on the plate and tie a knot on the topside of the plate then thread both ends from one side through your hex nut and tie knot, thread the ends from the other side through the hex nut in the opposite direction and tie knots. January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 43
Paper Dolls
Carefully Cut-Out Paper Dolls
44 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
To make your paper dolls more durable: First look in the recycle for an old cereal box and glue the page of paper dolls on the cereal box. Next, when the glue is dry, carefully cut out dolls and outfits. Now you should be ready to play!
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 45
What do you call a fake noodle?
A. Gets jalapeno business!
Q:
I can run but not walk, have a mouth but can’t talk, and a bed, but I do not sleep. What am I? A: A River.
Did you hear about the race between the lettuce and the tomato?
A: A penny.
Q:
What is brown and has a head and a tail but no legs?
Q:
A: The lettuce was a “head” and the tomato was trying to “ketchup”!
Q:
Q:
A: To get a root canal.
Q:
What did one eyeball say to the other eyeball? A: Between you and me something smells. 46 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
What happened to the wooden car with wooden wheels and wooden engine?
What stays on the ground but never gets dirty?
Q:
What has one head, one foot and four legs? A: A bed.
Why did the tree go to the dentist?
Q:
A: it wooden go!
A. A towel.
Q:
Q:
A: Shadow.
What gets wetter the more it dries?
What has four wheels and flies? A. A garbage truck!
What does a nosey pepper do?
Q
What stays in the corner and travels all over the world?
A. An Impasta
Q
:
:
A. A stamp.
Jokes
Q:
Isaluna age 7
Icy Squares Take turns drawing straight lines between two dots. If your line completes a box, write your initials inside. The person with the most points at the end oif the game wins!
Use the key below to keep score.
Empty Box = 1 point Hockey Skate = 2 points Figure Skate = 3 points
48 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Karinya age 9
A GOOD FRIENDSHIP WORD SEARCH C H E E R F U L A C F O G L I S T E N E R I P V X E Q
O M O E I B O R Q X F D O A X B V A Y U J L M C B S U
N L T A F F E C T I O N A T E H E S H E A R T F E L T
S P A Z A O Y L X K R B A R O N R O A O E O P N M H R
I E B T I O N O I V G N E U A L N C W U I P S O O X U
D C Q E T S F P O E I M R T A O Q I R S O I M U E J S
E E S O H E W E O Z V W G H E V A A N E T K G P R T T
R A S P F U N N Y Q I A Q F B I H B Q I X H W M X O W
50 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
A S X A U K X T A W N E B U M N I L V X T I S E A P O
T Y E E L Y H A I M G R Y L X G G E X F U M T Y F R R
E G X V G W T I O V X I K O E B X O U R H E X A L E T
V O I J Q E O I T J E N V O K E Y L K E E T S E N O H
X I U R A E N M M F X M X I X R N O Y L Q A A C Z A Y
E N Q M V N X E B G O X N R N O X Y V I A F T R G A M
C G E N T L E Z R U A D M E Q G F A P A F H Y E C I N
Q X R U I E U X A O R O Y X M X X L S B B Q I M E U G
U E I A X P I N V H U M O R O U S O E L A R L M P W Z
C A R I N G O E E R E S P O N S I B L E E R E C N I S
Can you find words hidden below? affectionate attentive believable brave caring cheerful considerate easygoing faithful forgiving funny generous gentle giving listener heartfelt honest humorous kind loving loyal nice reliable responsible sensitive sincere sociable sweet thoughtful trustworthy truthful See Solution on Page 55
Anna age 11
January/February 2017 | Kid-oh! • 51
Meet KEVIN MCLAUGHLIN, Author of
THE ALPHAPLANET
A
By Julie Schrader
new adventure picture book, “The Alphaplanet” written and illustrated by Kevin McLaughlin, takes readers on a journey to a made-up world of letters and unique creatures, where all the continents are shaped like letters of the alphabet. Beginning with the Awesome Argyles on the land of A and ending in the land of Z where there’s not much life, just ice and snow. Each alien land has its own unique features and creatures. The book uses alliteration and rhyme to tell the story of two astronauts exploring space.
Let’s meet the author… Tell us a little about yourself:
Kevin: As a baby boomer I grew up watching many cheesy sci-fi movies and always loved monsters, ghosts and alien creatures and that has influenced my illustrations. I was a Graphic Communications instructor at South Central College in Mankato for almost 28 years and retired last year. My wife Vicky and I have been married for 42 years, have three children and live in Eagle Lake, MN. Vicky worked for the Mankato school district for more than 20 years in the special education department. After working on the “Alphaplanet” for many years, our oldest son Andy said it’s about time to get the book finished and published.
How did you come up with the idea and characters for your book?
Kevin: It first started with the concept of the Alphaplanet itself. Years ago I was doing a lot of cartooning and always carried a small notebook with me to write down ideas when they came to me. One day the idea of a planet where the lands were shaped like letters came to me. I then decided to start writing the text, because that would stimulate my imagination for the illustrations. My wife, Vicky came into the project to help finish writing and editing the text. During that time, I made hundreds of thumbnail sketches to develop the characters for each land. 52 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Who are some of the characters readers will meet on the Alphaplanet?
Kevin: Bashful Boingers are round colorful fur-balls that live in the Land of B. They have large eyes and have springs for legs. They’re very shy, and will bounce away as soon as they are spotted. Dippy Doodlers are stocky four-legged creatures that live in the Land of D. With long pencil noses and eraser tails, they draw on everything they come into contact with. Needle Nosed Nomads are very shy, fast moving colorful birds that live on the grassy plains of the land of N. It’s rare to see one, because they usually hide. Snoopy Snorkelers are very curious, colorful sea creatures that swim upright, sort of like seahorses. They have trunk-like noses and enjoy squirting water through them.
Can you give me an example of a critique or suggestion that you used from your kids or students?
Kevin: We had many suggestions from the kids that dealt with colors of the creatures and suggestions for other book subjects. We did find out that they were all thrilled trying to find the Alphabug! We realized the harder it was to find the better. We didn’t realize what a popular part of the book that would be.
What do you want parents/adults to know about the book?
Kevin: It’s not just another A is for apple alphabet book. It’s also an adventure storybook with rhyme and rhythm as well. The illustrations are very colorful and bold and there’s an “Alphabug” hidden on all of the A-Z pages.
Dippy Doodlers
Snoopy Snorkelers
What would you tell a young person who would like to illustrate or write a book someday?
Kevin: If you would like to write a book, choose a subject that interests you. Keep notes of ideas as they come into your head. If you don’t write them down, you’ll forget them. If you want to be an illustrator, keep drawing and doodling. Just like anything else, the more you practice the better you will get. Study books and online videos about
Needle Nosed Nomads
basic drawings skills and how to create drawings with basic forms. This will help you improve your skills much quicker. Always be open to suggestions about your writing and illustrations. Since the book was published, Kevin and Vicky have been very busy promoting it at book festivals, art and craft shows and visiting schools. There is also an Alphaplanet Coloring book version available. Books may be purchased online from the author: www.thealphaplanet.com or from Amazon.com.
Color the Bashful Boingers below
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 53
COLOR THE LOVEABLE BEARS BELOW
54 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
Solutions
A GOOD FRIENDSHIP WORD SEARCH
C H E E R F U L A C F O G L I S T E N E R I P V X E Q
O M O E I B O R Q X F D O A X B V A Y U J L M C B S U
N L T A F F E C T I O N A T E H E S H E A R T F E L T
S P A Z A O Y L X K R B A R O N R O A O E O P N M H R
I E B T I O N O I V G N E U A L N C W U I P S O O X U
D C Q E T S F P O E I M R T A O Q I R S O I M U E J S
E E S O H E W E O Z V W G H E V A A N E T K G P R T T
R A S P F U N N Y Q I A Q F B I H B Q I X H W M X O W
A S X A U K X T A W N E B U M N I L V X T I S E A P O
T Y E E L Y H A I M G R Y L X G G E X F U M T Y F R R
E G X V G W T I O V X I K O E B X O U R H E X A L E T
V O I J Q E O I T J E N V O K E Y L K E E T S E N O H
X I U R A E N M M F X M X I X R N O Y L Q A A C Z A Y
E N Q M V N X E B G O X N R N O X Y V I A F T R G A M
C G E N T L E Z R U A D M E Q G F A P A F H Y E C I N
Q X R U I E U X A O R O Y X M X X L S B B Q I M E U G
U E I A X P I N V H U M O R O U S O E L A R L M P W Z
C A R I N G O E E R E S P O N S I B L E E R E C N I S
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 55
RENOWNED AND RENEWED: RTJ TURNS 25
Acclaimed as one of the world's great golf destinations, Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail invites you to celebrate its 25th year by offering fantastic deals. Unlimited golf packages are easy on your wallet. All of the original RTJ Golf Trail sites have been renovated and are ready for your arrival. Celebrate our silver anniversary while saving some silver yourself.
» Plan your visit to the RTJ Golf Trail by calling 1.800.949.4444 or visiting rtjgolf.com.
56 • Kid-oh! | January/February 2018
facebook.com/rtjgolf
twitter.com/rtjgolf «
January/February 2018 | Kid-oh! • 57
SPECIALIZED CARE JUST FOR CHILDREN.
Jennifer Marr Nurse practitioner
Allie Metzler Physician assistant
Ken Weimer, M.D.
Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato Call 507-594-4700 to make an appointment. mayoclinichealthsystem.org
New providers Jennifer Marr, nurse practitioner, Allie Metzler, physician assistant, and Ken Weimer, M.D., care for children from birth through their late teens. Whether it’s a routine exam or a diagnosis of an illness, they provide exactly the care each child needs.