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August 13, 2017

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2 Kids

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Westside News Inc.

How to make practicing music fun for kids (StatePoint) While many children enthusiastically elect to study music, not all of them stick with the program. This is because many kids are surprised by the challenges associated with learning to play an instrument.

If you are familiar with the many benefits of music education, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to help kids commit to practicing. From learning to read music to getting comfortable with an instrument, the process of becoming a musician is rife with challenges and potential frustrations. But by making it fun, you will give kids more of an incentive to stick with it.

Make it personal While music lessons in the past may have followed a very structured formula, today there is an endless wealth of music available online. This gives students more opportunities to personalize their lessons, even at the earliest stages of music education.

As kids make progress, let them pick out increasingly challenging songs they want to learn to play. They will be motivated to hone their skills as they begin to see doing so as an opportunity to play more of their favorite music.

Use new technologies When selecting instruments for kids, consider newer interactive technologies that can make music more fun and aid the learning process. For example, the LK-265, a lighted 61-key keyboard with a Dance Music Mode, which allows kids to get creative while composing and remixing electronic dance music.

Tools like Casio’s Voice Fingering Guide, the Step-up Lesson System and Lesson Lite enable beginners to learn built-in songs at their own individual pace. The keyboard also is compatible with an app that allows

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August 13, 2017

you to import any standard MIDI file off the Internet, giving users opportunities to learn what they want. Its LCD display and light up function help students master both music notation and correct hand positioning. Users can also track their progress in a way that is fun, with the keyboard’s Scoring System. For more information, visit casiomusicgear.com.

Get together One tried and true method for making music fun is camaraderie. Encourage your child to join the school band or orchestra.

These programs can introduce students to a wide-range of instruments, musical styles and theory, and help them make lifelong friendships. Many programs will carry them throughout high school. Or, if they prefer, help them form a musical ensemble or band with friends or family at home.

To help your children develop a long-lasting appreciation for music, you can provide them with opportunities to learn and play in ways that are fun and engaging.

After school fuel for busy families (Family Features) After a long day at school, kids need a chance to unwind. Often that down time involves physical activity, and a nutritious snack is the perfect way to make sure kids are ready to take on their free time with gusto then recharge to keep going until bedtime.

A busy schedule may make the temptation for unhealthy convenience snacks strong, but it’s actually easier than you think to refuel with good-for-you foods on the go. One simple trick: use kids’ favorite ingredients in unexpected ways.

For example, these Chocolate Banana Muffins show that a glass isn’t the only way to enjoy chocolate milk. When you use a nutrient-rich option like TruMoo Chocolate Milk, you can feel great about serving up these muffins to your whole family. It’s a nutritious and delicious treat for adults and kids alike, whether you enjoy it on its own - served cold or hot - or as an addition to recipes.

It’s made with fresh white milk sourced from local dairies, pure cocoa and just enough natural sugar to make it taste great, it’s a nutritious and delicious treat for adults and kids alike. What’s more, there’s no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial growth hormones and no GMO ingredients.

“The protein, vitamins, minerals and great taste in TruMoo Chocolate Milk can help kids meet their nutritional score in every pour,” registered dietitian Leslie Bonci said. “The protein and carbohydrates included is the perfect ratio to help replace electrolytes lost after engaging in afterschool sports.”

Find more delicious after-school and after-sports snack ideas at TruMoo.com.

Chocolate Banana Muffins

Recipe courtesy of the Mommy Hates Cooking blog on behalf of TruMoo: Yield: 18 muffins 1 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 cup baking cocoa 1 1/2 cups TruMoo Chocolate Milk 4 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 large eggs 3 medium bananas old-fashioned rolled oats Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and cocoa. Add in milk, butter, vanilla and eggs. Continue mixing until batter is formed.

Mix in bananas. Add spoonful of batter to greased muffin tins; fill about halfway full then sprinkle batter with rolled oats.

Bake 25 minutes, or until golden on top.

August 13, 2017

Westside News Inc.

Kids

3

Five fun ways to promote tween confidence (Family Features) Experts say a significant drop in self-esteem happens between ages 9-12. Instilling confidence in kids during these pivotal years can start with actionoriented activities that promote family time and conversation.

“Simple tasks like doing a good deed for others, learning something new or accomplishing a goal, goes a long way in boosting self-esteem for tweens,” said Dr. Michele Borba, a globally recognized educational psychologist, parenting expert and author of “UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About Me World.” “It’s important for parents to support and encourage their tween by creating experiences they can complete together as a way to build confidence.”

With the arrival of a new school year, set out to tackle this bucket list, created

by Tom’s of Maine Wicked Cool! Deodorant in partnership with Borba, to help build confidence:

Spread kindness Encourage your tween to team up with a pal to complete five acts of kindness in one week for people outside of your immediate circle. It could be helping a coach clean up after practice, holding the door, pitching in with a neighbor’s yard work, paying for the ice cream of the person behind you in line or any number of small gestures that help spread kindness.

Test out a new activity Brainstorm activities with your tween that he or she has always wanted to learn but never tried like drawing, kickboxing or yoga. Engage your child in exploring how to make it happen. Ask around: many places offer free trial classes, the library may have a how-to video or you can work together to find someone who can help teach the new skills.

Be an agent for good Inspire your tween to look for someone who has had a hard day, needs a friend or just a positive boost and encourage him or her to do something to make their day a little brighter. Think of simple, small gestures like leaving a note of encouragement for a friend, baking extra treats to thank a neighbor or cleaning up trash for the school janitor. Let your tween decide whether to make the actions known or keep it a surprise.

Interview a grown-up Promote positive role models by asking your tween to interview someone he or she admires. It could be a favorite uncle, grandparent, teacher or anyone they find interesting. Challenge them to discover at least three new things, take notes or record the conversation and then write up a story to share the discoveries (be sure to send the interviewee a copy).

Learn a new family task Initiate a chore swap with family members and encourage your tween to take on a task someone else normally does around the house to foster learning new skills that can come in handy later in life. Options could include doing the laundry, mowing the lawn, washing dishes or cooking a meal. Invite your tween to watch how, ask for pointers and then practice until he or she masters another life skill.

Explore more ideas to encourage and inspire your tween at TomsofMaine.com.

y h t l a e H Kids THOMAS C BURM JR. D.M.D. 523 Beahan Road Rochester N.Y. 14624 Phone 585-426-2550 Fax 585-426-4118 Connect on Facebook

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One of the most common causes for poor grades among children ages 5-8 isn’t from lack of trying. It’s because they have trouble seeing the blackboard. Yearly eye examinations are highly recommended for children under the age of 16. This school year, give your child the opportunity to bring home a report card he/she can really be proud of.

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4 Kids

Westside News Inc.

August 13, 2017

Five ways to help kids start the school year strong (BPT) - The beginning of the school year isn’t just about getting backpacks and school supplies ready. It’s also a time when parents check to make sure their children are ready for success in their next classroom.

According to a national survey of K-8 parents conducted by the parent organization Learning Heroes, parents are uneasy when it comes to raising their children, with peer pressure and their children’s happiness at the top of their worries. In fact, three of five parents say it is more important their child be happy and not overly stressed than to do well academically.

When it comes to academics, nearly all parents - nine in 10 - believe their children are performing at or above their grade level. In reality, however, only about a third of American students are performing at the level they need to be to succeed in school.

“As a mother of two teen boys, this disconnect is a heartbreaking wake-up call,” says Bibb Hubbard, founder of Learning Heroes. “Parents are all in when it comes to their children’s happiness and success, owning the responsibility for how well their children perform in school. It’s clear that most parents lack an accurate picture of their children’s progress, as they aren’t getting clear, understandable and actionable information they need to best support their children’s learning and growth.”

To help parents get their kids ready to start the school year on the right foot, Learning Heroes offers parents five easy actions they can take to help get a more accurate picture of their child’s academic progress.

interest your child. Find math problems in everyday life and turn it into a game.

Practice subtraction, measuring and division when cooking together or while grocery shopping.

Celebrate hard work Our attitudes about learning - called “mindsets” - have an impact on how our children learn, how they feel about making mistakes and their self-confidence. Promote a “growth mindset” at home to help your child see that hard work is what leads to success.

Congratulate your child for the hard work and effort put into completing a task. This will help your child feel less nervous about taking on new tasks or subjects.

Start strong As part of your back-to-school routine, help your child get ready for his or her new grade. You are the expert on your child.

Check the Readiness Roadmap (https:// bealearninghero.org/readiness-roadmap/), which Learning Heroes designed after hearing from many parents, to know what’s expected of your child this year and how to support your child at home. Review your child’s annual state test results from last year. If you haven’t received the results yet, ask your child’s teacher or school. Look at this information and your child’s end-ofyear grades from last year to see where your child is doing well and where more support is needed.

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Inspire after-school playtime (Family Features) Filling the hours between the final bell of the school day and bedtime isn’t always easy, and if you’re like most parents, the search is always on for playful - and even educational - experiences you can enjoy with your kids.

An important aspect of after-school activities includes snacking, and when you combine that with playtime, you can open the door to imaginative, discovery-filled experiences for the whole family.

Whether you’re putting together a musical instrument with items from your pantry or whipping up a homemade science experiment, a delicious snack can help spark playful moments of discovery and natural curiosity. A snack like Teddy Soft Bakes, which are bear-shaped, soft-baked treats with a hidden flavored filling that kids will love to discover, can help provide these moments of discovery at snack time.

These individually wrapped treats are a snack parents can feel good about saying yes to because they are free of artificial flavors, artificial colors and high fructose corn syrup. This snack can help open the door to after-school activities like these:

then guess which ones will float. Examine which items float and which do not.

Make raisins dance First, take a glass and fill it with carbonated water. Collect 20-30 raisins and slowly drop them into the cup then watch as they dance to the top.

Make power with static To start, blow up a balloon and tie the end closed. Stand in front of a mirror and rub the balloon on your head to watch the power of static. Wander around the house and see what the balloon sticks to.

Leaves really breathe Head outdoors and collect 4-5 different types of leaves. Fill a baking dish with water and drop in the leaves. Find a few rocks to weigh the leaves down and watch what happens.

Make a balloon sing Collect small household items such as beans, pennies, rocks and dried pasta.

Place a few of these items in a balloon then blow up the balloon without tying the end.

Slowly let the air out of the balloon and listen to the noise. Repeat these steps with different items to hear different tones. To make your own musical instrument, tie the balloon closed and shake it.

For more treats and activity inspiration, visit DiscoverTeddy.com.

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Make it fun You know your child best and you can help make learning enjoyable for him or her. Read together to discover topics that

See if it floats Create a floating science project right in your kitchen by collecting 10-15 household items such as rubber bands, flower petals, paper clips or pencils. After you have your items, fill a large, clear bowl with water and slowly place each item in the water

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Partner up When you meet with your child’s new teacher, bring your child’s state test results from the past school year and ask what they mean for the year ahead. Ask your child what he or she is excited and nervous about and why, and let the teacher know. Share your goals and expectations for your child’s learning and growth for this upcoming year.

Find out what’s expected of your child and what you can do at home to help.

Encourage life skills along the way When it comes to your child’s potential and happiness, focus on the whole picture.

Strengths like being able to communicate, problem-solve, show patience and act independently will help your child in school and life. Talk openly with your child about how he or she is feeling and reacting to situations at school, on the playground and at home.

Back to school is an important time for both kids and parents, and these five tips can help provide a strong kick-off to a successful school year. By taking actions - big and small - every day to support your child’s learning, you can be a learning hero. Share your advice, stories, and questions using #bealearninghero. For more tips, ideas and activities (in English and Spanish), visit bealearninghero.org/super5.

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August 13, 2017

Westside News Inc.

Tame the back-to-school madness (BPT) - It seems like you just adjusted to managing your children’s summer schedules, juggling camps and making sure all that free time doesn’t get them in trouble.

Now it’s time to switch gears. Summer is nearly over and school is about to begin.

Back-to-school time might mean new outfits, reconnecting with old friends and fun new classes for your kids, but it is not uncommon to feel like your brain is in a bit of a scramble.

Despite the impending chaos, with a little planning you can glide right into backto-school mode and be on top of your game.

Here are some tips to make the transition seamless.

a calendar you can easily mark up, take advantage of calendar software that allows you to sync with your entire household so everyone gets automated reminders and updates.

Start early You’ve probably heard that it’s never too early to get your back-to-school shopping done. This is true - in fact, the number one rule for back-to-school success is: Don’t procrastinate! Before summer is over, start getting the kids back on a normal sleep schedule and make sure they know where the bus stop is or what route to take to get to school. The earlier you start, the easier their first day will be.

Set up a command center for your kids Parenting is largely a battle against chaos.

What is clean and tidy one minute is a mess the next. This is not a situation you want to be in the first week of school! Set up designated stations in your home where your kids can keep school supplies, shoes and outerwear.

By rolling up your sleeves and staying organized, you might even find that getting the school year off to a smooth start can be surprisingly easy. Now, if you can just make doing homework and bedtime so simple!

Prepare lunches ahead of time Who wants to go through the mad dash of packing a lunch in the morning when you’re already pressed for time? Take 15 or 20 minutes on Sunday to make sandwiches (for freshness, keep the bread separate from meat or other toppings) and divide snack items like Snack Factory(R) Original Pretzel Crisps(R) into small bags. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it will be to get your kids out the door!

Keep after-school snacks on hand The last thing you want is to come home to hungry kids after a long day at work, especially if you have teenagers who seem to always be asking for something to eat.

Keeping a well-stocked pantry with snacks like Pretzel Crisps, which are made with no trans fat, saturated fat or cholesterol, is the simple and tasty way to keep your kids satisfied.

Kids

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6 Kids

Westside News Inc.

August 13, 2017

Experts say it’s never too early to teach compassion and empathy to children (BPT) - The news is filled with articles about the opinions and attitudes of the millennial generation and now, Generation Z. But what about the youngest generation - youths 4-9 years old? These children are growing up in a time of unprecedented access to information, when civility, kindness and compassion have taken a back seat to bullying and violence. Experts say it is more important now than ever for parents to seek learning moments in which children can experience compassion and empathy.

The Jensen Project is a program designed to foster compassion, inspiration and courage in young people as a path to avoiding the bullying and sexual harassment prevalent on college campuses. The program examines the attitudes and opinions of young people with the goal of inspiring a gentler, kinder, more empathetic dimension in their lives.

Janet Jensen, founder of The Jensen Project, says, “Children are at their most vulnerable when they are forming their social skills. They are a reflection of what they see and hear around them. Parents, educators and media influencers need to take extra care to teach compassion and courage at an early age.”

Recent research conducted by YouthBeat and commissioned by The Jensen Project, asked youths ages 4 through 9 if they thought the world would be a better place

when they grow up. Forty-one percent said yes, while 38 percent felt the world would be the same or worse.

In an alarming statement about what stresses them the most, death and bullying each rose to the top third of concerns after family and school issues.

Experts agree bullying is becoming a critical issue at a younger age and must

be addressed proactively if future generations will be able to reduce the incidents of harassment and sexual abuse in colleges and beyond.

Jensen offers the following recommendations for parents to raise children with compassion: •Children learn by example, so let them join you in volunteer projects or encourage

them to get involved in age-appropriate volunteering.

•Actively engage them in conversation about behavior that is troubling to you, whether it be playground taunting or headlines in the news. Ask them why that behavior is hurtful.

•Inspire children to select friends of all races, creeds and economic status - not just friends who look like them. Exposure to cross-cultural families and friends teaches tolerance and understanding.

•It’s been said before, but is worth emphasizing, that monitoring a child’s exposure to video games, live streaming and television time is one way to reduce exposure to bullying and violent behavior in entertainment.

Newscasts are filled with broadcasts of murders, robberies, fires, war and political corruption. Small children are taking this in and processing it, along with their visions of superheroes. Today’s youth are the longterm future of our country, Jensen says.

Watching how the world influences their thinking at a young age is truly an investment in the future of the country.

“Adults must become agents for positive daily behaviors that can lead to long-term change,” Jensen says. “The Jensen Project is committed to providing the inspirational resources to help make this happen.”

For more information about The Jensen Project, go to www.thejensenproject.com.

Early childhood education is crucial: how you can help (StatePoint) New research shows that many pre-K classrooms could benefit from more resources, especially for the most vulnerable children. Ninety-four percent of Head Start teachers report needing more resources to enrich their classrooms, and 84 percent say they are unable to fund experiences they want to provide, in a recent study by the National Head Start Association.

Early education and child development programs, such as Head Start, support the nation’s youngest children during the early critical years. What if you could help those children most in need to receive more classroom resources and learning experiences with a few mouse clicks?

Now you can, thanks to a new $5 million grant from the PNC Foundation to DonorsChoose.org. The grant helps preschool teachers obtain enhanced classroom resources and experiences to inspire their students’ love of learning.

Help a child DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that connects individual donors with classrooms in need. This collaboration with PNC helped the charity expand its platform to include Head Start teacher requests.

The Head Start study also noted that 93 percent of teach-

A Public Safety Reminder Passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing is against the law and could result in serious fines, license suspension or something much, much worse.

Please remember to stop until the red lights on the school bus are turned off and never pass on the right side of the bus (where children enter and exit).

Please be patient and use caution to ensure safety for all.

ers either considered buying or bought classroom supplies out of their own pockets; 88 percent reported spending up to $500.

These figures suggest that pre-K teachers need more resources to give students the best education possible.

According to DonorsChoose.org, pre-K teacher requests on their site typically range from books to art supplies, science equipment, field trips and more.

How you can help The PNC Foundation entered into this alliance as part of the mission of PNC Grow Up Great, a $350 million, multi-year bilingual initiative in early childhood education. A recent donation of $504,000 was used to

“flash fund” 849 open preschool teacher requests in PNC’s footprint.

Individuals can take advantage of the initiative, too. PNC will match donations dollar-for-dollar for pre-K requests listed on DonorsChoose.org that fall within PNC’s primary footprint in 22 states and the District of Columbia, subject to some restrictions and a maximum dollar amount.

Donors can make the most of their support by taking advantage of the match.

High-quality early learning prepares children for kindergarten and beyond. When classrooms have the resources they need, teachers are better equipped to inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Tidy back-to-school transitioning (Family Features) With shopping that needs to be done and supplies that need to be gathered for busy days ahead, preparing for the back-to-school season can descend into near chaos for many parents. When long school days leave little time for organization and decluttering, any home can quickly become a mess.

According to a survey conducted by ClosetMaid, 92 percent of parents describe their kids as messy. Among those same parents, 80 percent give their kids chores and about half of them end up doing the work themselves to ensure it’s done properly. Two out of three of the parents surveyed said their children’s messiness often leaves them in bad moods. Considering one of the hardest things about back-to-school season is creating an organized routine, the time to start is now.

When every room in the home can use some reorganization, decluttering in preparation for busy school days can be overwhelming. A smart place to start is in the room you and your kids waste the most time looking for things. These other useful tips can help you take it from there: •Tackle your child’s closet and take inventory of what’s in it.

Before you buy anything new, go through and get rid of torn clothes and items that no longer fit. It can help you see what is needed and ultimately make it easier for them to get dressed in the morning.

•Get your command center in tip top shape.

Set up a system for storing important paperwork and create a centralized family calendar to help coordinate everyone’s schedules.

•Create a drop zone. Contain clutter before it spreads too far around the house with ClosetMaid’s KidSpace, a line of juvenile storage furniture featuring a storage locker that is perfect for backpacks, coats, sports equipment and supplies. Since it’s kid-sized, children can be responsible for making sure their belongings are put neatly away.

•Create a comfy homework station. Designate a special space, perhaps under a lofted bed, that can keep kids organized, productive and focused on work while helping inspire creativity.

•Download productivity apps on your phone. Help make your life easier as you get into the swing of the school year with apps that assist in organization and time management to help reduce day-to-day family stresses associated with hectic school days.

One thing is certain every school year: having an organized home and systems in place can keep parents happier and the household running smoothly. Find more home organization ideas and tips at ClosetMaid.com.

August 13, 2017

Westside News Inc.

Kids

Child Care

Best bets for back to school (Family Features) Every family needs the right items on hand to ensure students are geared up to succeed in the classroom and on the playing field. These supplies and handy tools are designed to make backto-school season easy as 1-2-3 for kids and parents alike.

A sticky solution Art projects abound when a new school year begins and the perfect paper crafts require a secure bond that withstands transportation from school to home. An Elmer’s ReStick Glue Stick lets little hands fine-tune placement of different pieces for up to five minutes before a permanent bond forms.

The sticks apply smoothly and dry clear for a mess-free appearance that is ideal for younger learners, as well as making poster presentations, crafts and more. See what ideas will stick for you at elmers.com.

Smart sipping Good hydration is important for overall health and keeping a water bottle by your side is one way to help ensure you’re keeping your intake steady throughout the day.

The Contigo AUTOSPOUT Chug Water Bottle enables simple sipping on the go with its patented technology and high flow for quick, one-handed drinking. The vacuum-insulated stainless steel keeps beverages refreshingly cold for up to 24 hours, and a protective spout prevents leaks and helps keep out dirt and germs. Find more information at gocontigo.com.

Word-wise From creating spaces at home that help organize school paperwork to identifying personal items like laptops or calculators, an electric labeler makes short work of the job. The DYMO MobileLabeler offers Bluetooth connectivity for fast and easy setup, along with a voice-to-text feature and spellcheck to help save time. A free app lets you create the label via a smartphone using a wide variety of colors and font libraries then print the size you need from one-quarter inch to one inch wide. Learn more at dymo.com.

Organize with color Keeping track of schedules, homework and other activities can be an exhausting chore,

but a color-coded dry-erase board is one way to keep everything straight. A highly visible, low-odor ink like the one used in the EXPO Dry Erase Markers with Ink Indicator makes getting organized fun, plus the easy-to-see ink levels ensures you’ll never unknowingly run dry. The versatile chisel tip marks broad, medium and fine lines, and six bold and bright colors let you add a little creative flair to your efforts to bring order to the chaos. Check out these and other dry-erase tools at expomarkers. com.

A cool way to refuel A rigorous morning of academics calls for an energizing and nutritious lunch to power through the end of the school day.

Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE Lunch containers are leak-proof with airtight latches and adjustable insert trays and dividers to create custom compartments inside. The ultra-durable material keeps the container stain-free and odor-free. They’re also BPAfree and safe for the dishwasher, microwave and freezer. Find this and other lunch solutions at rubbermaid.com.

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Artwork for the senses Nothing sparks creativity like engaging all the senses, and an array of bold scents and vivid colors is the perfect combination for some inspired artwork. Mr. Sketch Scented Crayons come in a package of 12 and feature a twist design that means they never need sharpening. A hard plastic body reduces crayon breakage, making these instruments ideal for children as young as 3 years of age. Explore more crayons and tools to encourage creativity this school year at mrsketch.com.

WAldorf inspired nAture BAsed eArly educAtion

A bright idea Defining important text or keeping track of key calendar dates is easier with Sharpie Clear View Highlighters that feature a see-through tip that allows for precise highlighting. The versatile blade-style tip draws thick lines for highlighting or thin, defined lines for underlining, while specially formulated ink technology resists smudging of many pen and marker inks.

Choose among four bright colors to make your mark and find additional answers to your highlighting needs at sharpie.com.

full and part time programs children Ages 2-5 33 West Avenue, Brockport 518-410-1137 www.gardenchildcare.com michaelann@gardenchildcare.com

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KIDS! - A SpeciAl Section Prepared by Westside News Inc. August 13, 2017

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Published by Westside News Inc. as a second section of Suburban News and Hamlin Clarkson Herald newspapers which circulate by private carrier and the U.S. Postal Service to free distribution recipients and paid subscribers in Bergen, Brockport-Sweden, Chili, Churchville-Riga, Clarendon, Clarkson, Hamlin, Hilton-Parma, HolleyMurray, North Greece, and Spencerport-Ogden. Business offices are located at 1776 Hilton-Parma Corners Road, Spencerport, NY 14559. (585) 352-3411. Entered for mailing at Spencerport, NY 14559. Subscription rates are $40 per year; $25 for six months or less.

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Back-to-school power for body and mind (Family Features) Nutritious, well-rounded meals are essential for growth and proper brain development. A complete midday meal also helps boost mental and physical power so kids can keep on learning until the afternoon bell rings.

It’s not always easy to find new and appealing ideas to fuel kids’ bodies and minds as they head back to school, but programs for families and educators such as the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge can help.

“Families are looking for ways to start the year on the right foot and the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge offers everything they need in one spot,” said Trish James, vice president of Produce for Kids. “Families want to know their kids are receiving the right brain food to get them through the day. Our registered dietitian-approved meal inspiration, tips and ideas provide the foundation families need for success.”

In addition to kid-tested, lunchboxfriendly recipe ideas, the program provides resources and lesson plans for educators who want to create activities to inspire healthy eating in the classroom. This year’s program also includes a partnership with The World of Eric Carle, allowing students to win copies of his popular collection of children’s books. Additionally, every online pledge results in a $1 donation to Feeding America programs that support families and children.

Look for recipes, tips and ideas on Instagram and Twitter using #PowerYourLunchbox, and learn more about the program at poweryourlunchbox.com.

Banana Sushi Rolls

Recipe courtesy of Produce for Kids: 1 large (8-inch) whole-wheat tortilla 3 tablespoons peanut butter, divided 1 banana, peeled 1 strawberry, sliced 1/2 kiwi, sliced 1 tablespoon shredded coconut Lay tortilla on flat surface. Spread with half of peanut butter. Place banana on one end of tortilla and roll up. Cut into even slices and place strawberries and kiwi slices on top.

Microwave remaining peanut butter on high 30 seconds, or until melted, and drizzle over banana sushi. Top with shredded coconut.

Brown Bear Bento Box

Recipe courtesy of Produce for Kids: 1 tablespoon soy butter 3 graham cracker squares 3 banana slices 9 blueberries variety of colorful fruit, chopped Spread soy butter on graham crackers.

Arrange banana slices and blueberries to create eyes and noses to resemble bear faces. In another container, add colorful fruit, such as raspberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, honeydew, blueberries and blackberries, to create a rainbow fruit salad.

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Fun ways to get kids to enjoy math

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(StatePoint) For some kids, one of the toughest parts of the back-to-school season is getting back into the swing of math class. You can help ease the transition this fall and beyond by making math a wholly integrated part of the day.

Math plays a hidden role in so many aspects of daily life. By pointing out these connections in ways that are fun and engaging, you can help make math one of your child’s favorite subjects -- or at least less feared.

Bake your lesson plan Learning fractions? Use pies and cookies to demonstrate the concept visually. It’s a tasty and fun way to learn how fractions and percentages work.

Calculator fun Get out the calculator and help children explore patterns. First to third-graders can add or subtract the same number repeatedly. Children will observe patterns that emerge and get a better sense of arithmetic.

Children can even make their own “pattern puzzles,” which are number sequences where some numbers are omitted. For example: 7,14, _, _, 35, _, 49. The activity can make addition and multiplication more comprehensible. Look for a model that will be useful for the next several years of math class, such as the fx-300ES from Casio, which offers two-line display and 240 functions. Free educational resources and activities to try on the calculator can be found at CasioEducation.com.

Money math At home, use spare change to teach children simple addition and subtraction. Set a timer and see if they can make proper change in record time. Ask kids to solve increasingly difficult problems, and when they answer correctly, give them the change as a reward.

Make it interdisciplinary Leverage your children’s favorite school subjects and hobbies to pique their interest in math. If they love reading, help them select literature that celebrates math. If they find history fascinating, have them read about famous mathematicians and scientists who used math to make discoveries. For young athletes, there are always ways to turn that pick-up game in the park into a math lesson. Angles, distances, times and averages all figure into sports. Using these concepts in an applied way can make math more interesting.

Help kids get off to a great start this back-to-school season by making math fun and engaging.