Avoid "If-Then" Rewards

During a workshop for our local child care providers, Alexis Robin Nourish Life & Business Coach recommended the book "Drive" by Daniel Pinks. While Pink's book is directed more toward business managers, the underlying theme is about human motivation and is a great read for any parent or adult who works with children. 
In his book, Pink shares with readers a study conducted in 1973 by Lepper, Greene & Nisbett. The researchers went into a preschool classroom and identified the children who naturally chose art and drawing when it was free period. 

They divided these children into 3 groups. 

• The first group had an "expected reward". They were promised a "Good Player" certificate with a blue ribbon for completing a drawing.
• The second group was given a certificate spontaneously after completing a drawing and they weren't expecting the reward.
• The third group was never given an award.

Two weeks later the researchers returned. When given free time, the kids in group 2 and 3 still chose art equally but those in group 1 chose significantly less than at the start of the study.

Pink explains that "if-then" rewards require people to forfeit some of their autonomy (think of this as safe power) and drains their enjoyment of the activity.

Relating this to child development....avoid "if-then" rewards. If you eat all of your dinner you get dessert. If you clean your room you can watch a movie.  If you help me with the dishes we can go to the park.....

Instead, catch children being good. Notice good behavior as close as possible after the fact with genuine and specific acknowledgement. If a spontaneous reward follows, that works too! "Thank you for helping me clean the kitchen. With your help we finished faster. Now we have extra time to go to the park."

Down on the Farm Crafts

During the month of July, Amy with the Alpine County Wellness Center, hosted a Summer Reading Program session themed "Down on the Farm"
She read a brief history on how humans changed from nomads to farmers. Books selected were "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" by Doreen Cronin, "Bob" by Tracey Campbell Pearson and "The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down" by Paul Brett Johnson.

Most children started with the pig painting.
Pigs don't have sweat glands and roll in the mud to cool off.

You will need:
Pink card stock OR pink paper taped to cardboard or paperboard
A printer to copy the pig image onto the paper OR draw your own pig :)
Shaving cream
School glue
Brown Paint
Paint brushes (optional)

We printed a pig from clip art we found on the web onto various colors of pink card stock. The paint medium works best on a stiff surface so if you don't have card stock just tape your paper onto a stiff piece of paperboard or cardboard. You could also have kids draw their own pig.

Mix equal parts of shaving cream and glue in a bowl. Actually "fold" the two ingredients together. Mixing too much releases the air in the shaving cream and will leave the mix flat. Add brown paint until you get a mud worthy hue.

Kids can use paint brushes, spoons, their fingers, etc. to spread the mud on their pig. We had some pink pipe cleaners on hand and the kids added curly tails by piercing the tails through the paper and bending on the other side to hook it on. One child even tied a bell on her pig.
Mixed properly, the paint mix dries like puffy paint with a 3-D effect.

Then the children moved on to "Cow Bells". Never fear! They aren't really cow bells so the sound is much more appealing and won't leave you rattled after 5 minutes.

You will need:
3 ounce plastic cups or empty yogurt containers or other similar type of cup
awl
pipe cleaners
bells
liquid starch
paint brushes
tissue paper pieces, magazine clipping, fabric scraps or permanent markers

For this project we worked a hole in the bottom of the cup with an awl.

The children then threaded the bell on their pipe cleaner. We tied a knot a inch or so above the bell. However, it might be easier to take a small segment of pipe cleaner (1") and wrap a "knot" in the same location. This keeps the bell from moving to the top of the cup when you hold it from the other side.

Next, poke the ends of your pipe cleaner from the inside of the cup through the hole and form a handle with the pipe cleaner sticking through the top of the overturned cup.

The last part is to decorate the cow bell. We used tissue paper and liquid starch but thought magazine clippings or fabric scraps with liquid starch would look great too. Permanent markers would also be a good option- with a bit more supervision.

Why do cows need bells?
Because their horns don't work!

Should You Pay Your Child for Chores?

In 2003 Russian economist Anton Suvorov developed the "principal agent theory".
Principals in this theory are the people who are trying to convince the agent to do something. Since we are talking about allowance in this case, the parent is the principal and the child is the agent.

Let's create a scenario where the parent wants the child to take the garbage. They create an allowance amount for their child, $5 a week to take out the garbage.

• According the the "principal-agent theory" offering your child money to take out the trash implies it is an undesirable task that no one would do without being compensated for. 
• And according to this theory, your child may agree to take out the trash for the $5 but will never again take out the trash for anything less than $5. 
• Furthermore, the influence of the allowance tends to wear off over time. Your child may become more and more reluctant to take out the trash as time goes on, requiring more prodding on your part. They may even negotiate a higher rate when they realize the leverage they have- and you might readily agree, hoping it will extinguish the complaining and ignite quicker action! 
• Or they may decide they don't need or want the money and forfeit the task.

Keeping in mind the "principal agent theory" you may decide it is easier to have your children complete chores with no monetary compensation. Household chores can instead be viewed as something each member of the family does to contribute to the health and well-being of the family. Completing chores together can help you and your children feel more connected since conversations may flow more easily when you are occupied side by side with a similar task and are working together as a team.

Children still need to learn how to manage money. Giving them a set allowance, unrelated to the completion of chores, along with some coaching about spending and saving can help them develop healthy money habits they will need sooner than you think!

Ocean in a Bottle

During the Alpine Summer Reading Program, "What Kind of Animal's Swim?" week, Amy with Alpine County Wellness Program, helped children upcycle a plastic bottle into their own ocean.

You will need:
empty plastic bottle
water
vegetable oil
funnel
blue food dye
glitter pieces, glitter strands
shells
sea glass
plastic sea animals
E6000 glue or duct tape

Each child needs an empty plastic bottle with cap. Depending upon ability, have them fill their bottle 2/3 with water. 

Amy had them add one drop of food dye for each year of age which was a fun twist. Note: that the lighter the "ocean water" the easier it will be to see the treasure within. 

Fill the remainder of the bottle with vegetable oil. 

If using E6000 or other waterproof glue have an adult apply. Otherwise, children can wrap a piece of duct tape over the cap. 

Plastic sea animals also have to be able to clear the bottle neck. 

"Along the Sea" 

Author Unknown

Come walk with me
Along the sea
Where dusk sits on the land
And search with me
For shells are free,
And treasures hide in the sand.

Growing a Healthy Body Image

This month our agency presented the last workshop in the series "Understanding Today's Youth" in collaboration with Alpine County Behavioral Health: Body Image.

We learned a great deal about how our self talk, especially spoken criticism of our bodies can directly influence how our children feel about their own bodies. If children hear you speaking negatively about your own body, they will begin to focus negative attention on theirs as well. To help improve your child's body image, work first on not voicing those concerns. When discussing food and activity choices, focus on health rather than weight or appearance. Instead of saying, "I am on a diet and can't eat that" say, I am focusing on making better food choices. And instead of saying "I need to walk to burn off these thighs" say "Would you like to take a walk with me? I would love your company."  Be sure give thought and voice to the things you like about yourself and what you do well.



Besides the messages we inadvertently send to our children, the media consistently sends us and our children unrealistic standards of beauty. Models body sizes (~5'11" and 117 lbs) represent only 2% of American women. The average American woman wears a size 12 and the average American model wears a size zero. Models currently weigh 23% less than the average American women compared to only 8% less 20 years ago. Even plus-size models have been expected to reduce their size. Ten years ago the average plus-size model wore a size 12-18, currently plus-size models wear a size 6-14.

It is estimated that 100% of fashion images are digitally edited- providing an illusion of thinness, smoothness and bigger bust lines. While the difference between an average American woman and an average American model is drastic, marketing digitally editing images of those 2% bombards us with body images that are not humanly attainable; unrealistic waistlines, altered bust lines, blemish free, glowing faces....giving a new meaning to "picture perfect". Share this information in a manner that is appropriate for the age of your child so they are aware that photo advertisements and television and movie personalities are little more than cartoon characters.

Complimenting your child's appearance isn't in itself bad and really depends on context. Rather than saying "You are so pretty!" say, "That color really brings out the color in your eyes" emphasizing their uniqueness. Also be sure to help boost your child's self-esteem in ways that don't focus on appearance by noticing their capabilities and accomplishments.

Realize that boys are not immune from body image pressures. Photos of men are digitally edited as well. Boys may feel they need steroids, androgen enhancers, and protein powders to achieve an impossible look. Also realize that boys see the altered images of those 2% of women and may develop an unrealistic expectation of women's beauty. (The same goes for girls and impossible images of males) Be sure to include your sons and daughter when discussing fashion images of both men and women.

Also practice accepting compliments on your appearance. If someone says, "I love your dress!" Simply say, "Thank you!" rather than putting yourself down or making excuses like "Really?! I think my tummy looks awful in this!" Embrace the compliment! You are beautiful! We are all beautiful!

Printing from Fresh Fish

Last week at the Summer Reading Program, Amy with the Alpine County Wellness Program, had a great, low-cost art activity for the kids, keeping with the week's theme
"What Kind of Animals Swim?"

This activity uses real fish from the meat market! Amy purchased two tilapia from our local carnirceria at $4 for each fish. Tilapia is great for this project because of the pronounced scales. You could use any whole fish for this project. Surprisingly, not one of the dozen or so children who participated shied away from this activity.

This type of printing is called "gyotaku". It is a form of art created over 100 years ago by Japanese fisherman. They would apply ink on one side of their catch and press onto rice paper. This served as a way to keep track of which fish they caught as well as how big they were. Then they would rinse and clean the fish and eat. You can use this art activity as an opportunity to talk about the anatomy of a fish.

You will need:
a whole, fresh fish- patted dry with towels
washable paint
paint brushes- wide foam preferable
a plate, tray or pan to place the fish on
finger painting paper

A tilapia is naturally a silver color. As you can see in the photo below, the children have already painted these fish. The children took turns painting the fish and making a print. They did not wipe the paint off of the fish between turns and each print was markedly different.

Once the child is happy with their paint layout, gently and slowly have them press the paper over the fish and slowly peel back.

Since you are using non-toxic paints, you can rinse off the paint, clean the fish and fry or grill for a seafood supper.
Waste not, want not!

Cucumber: Fruit / Vegetable of the Month

Of course you've heard the saying "As cool as a cucumber". Who couldn't use a little cool during these hot summer days?

Cucumbers are great summer food because they are 96% water helping you and the kids stay hydrated. Cucumbers are also a good source of vitamin K, needed for blood clotting, bone health and protecting against heart disease. Cucumbers have a mild taste and can be paired with many different foods because of this. Some people describe cucumbers as tasting bitter; peeling a cucumber will remove this taste. 

Cucumbers are members of the gourd family and are technically a fruit but are prepared and eaten culturally as a vegetable. Choose firm, dark green cucumbers that are heavy for their size. Keep wrapped in a plastic bag or sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you slice them, be sure to wrap them well so they don't lose much of the water that makes them so crisp. 

Slice cucumbers into ice water to infuse flavor.

Our local deli makes a sandwich referred to as "The #2" made with bread (your choice), cream cheese spread on each slice. They add peeled, sliced cucumbers to one slice and sliced, green onions to the other slice. Then they load shaved ham in the middle, bringing both sides together and cutting in half. Children will enjoy the creamy taste of this sandwich. If they shy away from green onions, just omit or perhaps offer a bit of fresh dill in it's place. 

We also made these delicious and nutritious finger foods using cucumber slices.

Spread cucumber slices with any soft cheese (we used ricotta) and top with a dried fruit (we used dried cranberries). 

If you are child care provider in California you can receive cash reimbursements for providing healthy food to the children in your care. If you are a child care provider in El Dorado, Alpine, Placer, Nevada or Mono county our agency can help you enroll in the California Child Care Food Program.

Recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables varies with age.

Children ages 2-3 need   1- 1.5 cups of fruits and 1- 1.5 cups of vegetables each day.

Children ages 4-8 need   1-2     cups of fruits and 1.5-2.5 cups of vegetables each day. 

Children ages 9-13 need 1.5-2  cups of fruits and 1.5-3.5 cups of vegetables each day.

Teens ages   14-18 need   1.5 -2.5 cups of fruits and 2.5-4 cups of vegetables each day.

Keep in mind that fruits and vegetables are rich in essential vitamins and minerals needed for optimum growth and development. Check out  CDC's fruit and vegetable calculator for an more accurate recommendation based upon age, sex, and activity levels.

Remember your plate.......

Painting with Plants

Nearly anything can be used to apply paint on paper. For this project, go on a nature walk and collect some plants and flowers.

Put some paints out- we upcycled this container after eating the mini tarts it came with ;)

Set to work painting....

Even more colorful than the plants used to paint it!

June 2014 Child Care Referral Data

See what kind of child care parents in El Dorado County were looking for in the month of June -based upon data collected when parents contacted us during this time frame.

If total percentages exceed 100% it is because more than one response or category was recorded for some clients.

Light-Up Egg Fireflies

We got this great activity from Amy, The Alpine County MHSA Wellness Coordinator at the Library Summer Reading Program "Fly Guys & Gals".

You will need:
1/2 clear plastic egg
1/2 opaque plastic egg
wax or hot glue
a battery operated tea candle
pipe cleaners
scissors
googly eyes
tissue paper

For this activity, save or purchase some plastic eggs. You will need 1/2 of them to be clear.
Place the tea candle inside so it is showing through the clear egg.

Glue on eyes, antennae, and tail. Tape on wings. We had some white tissue paper with silver glitter saved from a present in the craft cabinet. You can use any color tissue paper.

For this activity, the eyes, antennae and tail are attached with wax which was softened in the sun.
Since bees are insects that fly and make wax and the library had some wax on-hand in their craft stash, Amy set the wax in the sun to soften while she read insect stories in the park and encouraged the children to explore the material. Afterwards they were able to use the softened wax instead of glue. If you don't have wax.....hot glue will work but since it is an adult's job it doesn't allow as much child participation. Paraffin craft wax can be found at any craft store or near the canning supplies of your local grocery or drug store. Although paraffin wax isn't bees wax it is a great topic of discussion about how bees build comb out of wax to store their honey.

But since we made fireflies we don't want to leave them out...National Geographic shares how fireflies glow. They have dedicated light organs that are located under their bellies. When they take in oxygen it combines with a special substance in this organ to produce light with almost no heat. Firefly light doesn't flash constantly but when they do flash there seem to be different flashing patterns that are unique to each species. Those unique flashing patterns make great mating signals and also might be a way of warning potential predators away.  

Great books to pair with this activity:
"The Very Lonely Firefly" by Eric Carle
"Sam and the Firefly" by P.D. Eastman
"Honeymakers" by Gail Gibbons

And some corny jokes about bees and fireflies....
"How do bees brush their hair?" "With a HONEYCOMB."
"How do fireflies start a race?" "Ready, set, GLOW!"
"What to fireflies eat?" "LIGHT snacks."