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New Old Games for Summer Fun June 15, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in active kids, fun products, games, summer fun, toys.
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Every year during the last couple weeks of school, my students would finally tire of each other and become bored with the playground and probably me.  That’s when I’d drag out the oldies but goodies of MY childhood and teach them hopscotch, marbles, jacks and silly jump rope rhymes.  There was something for everybody to get us smoothly to the last day of school. 

If you school aged child is spending way too much time at the computer or in front of T.V. or becoming bored with you, drag out these fun “ancient” childhood games.

Hopscotch-this game REALLY is ancient!   It was played by ancient Romans.  All you need is a stick of chalk and a rock.  Simply draw a grid on the sidewalk, toss your rock and hop.  It’s easy to find the rules and even watch a video demonstration.

Jacks-little metal objects and a small rubber ball and you’ve got yourself a game of jacksthat takes a little skill and practice.  Kids can play alone or with friends.  Play onesies, twosies or eggs in a basket.  And practice makes perfect. 

Marbles-this game really appeals to boys for some reason but my best player was a girl!  Her dad had taught her and she was queen of the marble ring.  There are various games of marbles but they are all fun for everyone.

Jump Rope-good exercise and a couple fun new (old) silly rhymes maake this a great activity for the shake of a big tree.

Have your kids give these a try but don’t forget drinking lots of water, the sunscreen and a big dose of fun!

What Does a Piece of Cheese and a Stick of Sugarless Gum Have in Common? May 28, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in Food and Nutrition, fun products, health.
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Helping your child learn to care for his teeth does a lot more than prevent cavities.  Maybe more importantly it helps guard against gum disease and the problems associated with that -such as heart disease and diabetes. 

 Here are a few habits geared toward a healthy mouth that you might not have heard of:
 
*When you can’t have your child brush or floss, my dentist recommends chewing a stick of sugarless gum.  It increases saliva and whisks away bacteria.  Gum varieties that contain xylitol make the mouth’s pH less hospitable to germs.
 
*Eat cheese.  Scientists think Cheddar, American and other popular varieties contain fatty acids that the bacteria in the mouth do not like.
 
*Bacteria feed on sugar; so brush before you eat sweets as well as after.  This means there will be fewer of them hanging around to do any damage. 
 
A fun  toothbrush will also entice kids to brush better and longer. I just walked through the dental care aisle of my grocery store and saw these.  Each of the four Crayola Games toothbrushes from GUM comes with kid-friendly games in the handles.  Some tooth brushes have timers to be sure kids brush long enough and the Hasbro Tooth Tunes brushes play songs that keep kids brushing for as long as the music plays.  The handle of the Dr. Fresh Firefly Toothbrush flickers on and off for 60 seconds to keep kids at the sink longer.
 
I think I’m going to try the cheddar cheese idea for better dental and gum health and maybe get a toothbrush that Hannah Montana sings on.  Why let the kids have all the fun??