It seems that more and more pesticides are becoming part of the problem: linked to growth development, illness, and now proven to be correlated to ADHD, they’re bad. What becomes more problematic, however, is when one considers just how many “kid-friendly” foods are on the Dirty Dozen list, like strawberries, blueberries, and celery. The blogger points out that there is no one formula for ADHD and to avoid food with toxins may not necessarily prevent ADHD all together – studies like this cannot be performed on groups of children since a variety of factors influence ADHD, including genes and exposure to lead and cigarette smoke. Further, exactly how the organophosphates compounds (the pesticide) are linked to the disorder remains unclear, but in a study of 1,139 children, researchers found that the number of children with ADHD rose with higher levels of pesticide breakdown products.

Organophosphates, of which there are 40 kinds used as pesticides in the US, were first developed for chemical warfare. Though organic produce may be out of your budget — and it certainly is out of mine! — it’s best to look for ways to avoid pesticides however you can.

What’s most important is to remember to always wash your produce, regardless of how clean it may look.

For more information on the study, click here.

Recent studies now question just how Facebook, MySpace, and other competing social networking sites can benefit – not harm – your teen’s development. It seems that Facebook and MySpace have bred a more well-adjusted population of adolescents. Contrary to popular belief, most teens are not friends with large numbers of strangers and use the websites to keep in touch with distant friends or maintain relationships outside of the classroom or off the field. In fact, the use of social media may be helping teens “shape their own identities,” according to a recent LA Times article. Now that Facebook has opened itself up to people of all ages, allowing parents and adults to join networks based on region as well as profession, parents are able to monitor their children’s use of the sites simply by adding them as a friend. In this way, parents have a bit of insight as to whether their children would be likely to throw themselves into harm’s way.

According to the Digital Youth Project, “Most youth use online networks to extend the friendships that they navigate in the familiar contexts of school, religious organizations, sports, and other local activities.” It also notes that social media allows for interaction based on interest, hence the reason for joining a group on Facebook or joining a social network designed primarily for athletes. Social media gives a new meaning to friendships and allows for a casual, comfortable place where teens can express themselves. Flirtatious comments left on a friend’s “wall” will be seen by others, and in a way, can be thought of as a means of self-protection. In a way, the same school yard tensions and cliques can develop, but really, the only reason it seems frightening is that it’s not as clear cut as it was when my parents were children. Instead of the football players on one side of the lunchroom and the Mathletes on the other, it’s done digitally, often times reinforcing these boundaries but also reinforcing the connection these kids feel with one another. As a high school debater, I loved finding groups on Facebook where my debate peers came together to celebrate our tournaments and the activity; it gave me a sense of home and a really strong sense of community.

What’s most important is just that teens (and parents) use these networks for constructive purposes. Cyber-bullying, sexting, and other forms of harassment are always a threat, but I feel like that is because most people fail to educate themselves of the legality and seriousness behind it. Like a threatening phone call, a threatening email can be held against you. Once your teen is made aware of these facts, all fears should subside.

Do you let your kids use Facebook? If not, why? I’d love to hear your feedback!

For more information on the Digital Youth Project or to read the original LA Times article please click here.

Though curriculum and lesson plans have a lot of other requirements, it’s important to remind today’s kids of just how precious our environment truly is. Water and energy consumption in developed countries is astronomical, particularly in the U.S. Over 1.1 billion people in the world have inadequate access to clean water, for personal hygiene and consumption. As Americans, we often forget just how fortunate we are to have virtually limitless access, save for the drought periods that sporadically affect communities. Ask your kids, or students, to consider how much water they use. Ask them if they let the shower run for a bit longer or if they turn the faucet off while brushing their teeth. Every little action adds up.

Energy awareness is equally as important. How much time does your child spend on their computer or in their room with the lights on? In terms of personal economics, parents could benefit from encouraging their children to spend more time outside playing than sitting indoors watching T.V. or playing video games. Spend a day outdoors with them and show them just how much they can accomplish. For parents with teenagers, remind them that carpooling is normally more cost efficient and helps reduce carbon emissions. Though one car won’t make a difference, their suggestion may be influential on their friends and the community as a whole. Recycling is still key and should be practiced in the home and classroom. If it takes bribery, tell your kids or students that for every bottle or can they collect, they have an opportunity to earn a little – ok, admittedly, very little - cash on the side.

There are tons of nature and environment centers around the States, even for New Yorkers. Encourage parents to go to the local nature center and spend some time there with their kids. We all have to set an example for the future generations, and EE Week is a great place to start.

For more information and resources on National Environmental Education Week, check out the official website at : http://www.eeweek.org/

For details on the study check out the story at Telegraph.co.uk

When you’re not out tricking or treating this Halloween, there’s plenty to do at Speakaboos:

Watch one of our spooky stories, like our brand-new storybook video Frankenstein, or the now-classic Billy and the Witch.

Then, scare your brain silly with the online Halloween Word Search Game, and print-out instructions for some creepy arts and crafts:  make your own Witch Hat and Monster Ooze (PDF printouts).

Happy haunting!

Encourage your young ones to read this summer with Speakaboos storybook videos—use our handy summer reading list to make sure you get the most out of the summer hours!

Family activities (PDF file downloads):
•    Arts and Crafts: Build a Birdhouse, Make Your Own Guitar, Cotton Ball Hare
•    Recipes: Mediterranean Fruit Kebobs, Banana Hot Dogs, Chicken Fingers
•    Coloring Pages: Jack and the Beanstalk, The Ugly Duckling, Cinderella
•    And much more at our Activities Page

The Top 10 Tech Skills Your Teen Needs Now – Education.com.

Here’s the story: Crispin Glover’s Creepy Reading Of Miss Muffet (VIDEO).

An article by Dr. Perri Klass in the New York Times challenges popular notions of contagious illness–just because a kid is showing symptoms of illness like runny nose, cough and sneezing does not necessarily make him more contagious than one who seems perfectly healthy.

She argues that schools are so filled with germs from kids who didn’t get sick or are already over being sick that it doesn’t make sense to focus only on the noticeably sick children.

So what is a concerned parent to do?

Lots of handwashing. And of course, keep your kid home if he/she has a fever or is generally not feeling well enough to go to school.

Dr. Klass admits herself that as a working parent, she is much more motivated than some to send her kids to school, but also the Times is on a big “expose your kids to germs” kick lately as per this article. Stay tuned for news about schoolyard epidemics in NYC…

Full story from Dr. Klass:

The Cough-and-Sniffle Question – When to Keep a Child Home? – NYTimes.com

http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/gd/applications/controller.cfm?page=204&id=588&type=new