Request your eBook Copy of Timmy the Tug and Billy Barge

Meet Grace

Shop Amazon

Halloween Spooktacular at the New Jersey Children's Museum

Halloween Events in NJThe 11th Annual Halloween Spooktacular!
Saturday October 17-Saturday October 31st.

The 11th Annual Spooktacular! at the New Jersey Children's Museum in Paramus The whole museum will be transformed for Halloween! Parents never fear we will not scare the little ones! Be sure to wear your costumes and join in our trick-or-treating throughout the museum. Decorate your very own pumpkin to take home! Halloween Stories, hand & face painting and much more. The Children's museum will have extended hours on weekends 10am-7pm during this Halloween event! The admission price is $14.00 per child and $10.00 per adult. Your admission includes unlimited and extended playtime, candy*, crafts, story time, and your own pumpkin to take home!

* This is not a peanut free event.

The New Jersey Children’s Museum, 599 Valley Health Plaza , Paramus, NJ 07652
No pre-registration for activities. Groups must register for this Halloween event. For additional information call (201)262-5151,or e-mail NJCMinfo@aol.com


Please note the Children's Museum will be CLOSED: Friday, October 16th for set-up.
NJCM Website www.njcm.com


Afraid of missing out on any great Halloween Events in the Area why not subscribe to Kidzense.

Subscribe to Kidzense RSS FeedSubscribe to Kidzense Feed

Back to School Tips

Back To School Tips
Submitted by Juanita Keys

For those of you who have young children returning to school and those whose kids are going to school for the first time, make sure the school year starts off right with these back to school tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site (http://www.aap.org).

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER

-- Remind your child that he/she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
-- Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. He or she will see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh his/her positive memories about previous years, when he/she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because he/she had a good time.
-- Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
-- If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with him/her) to school and pick him/her up on the first day.

BACKPACK SAFETY

-- Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
-- Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child's body weight.
-- Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
-- Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.

TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Review the basic rules with your youngster:

School Bus
-- If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus. If your child’s school bus does not have lap/shoulder belts, encourage the school to buy or lease buses with lap/shoulder belts.
-- Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
-- Do not move around on the bus.
-- Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing.
-- Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.
-- Children should always board and exit the bus at locations that provide safe access to the bus or to the school building.

Car
-- All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.
-- Your child should ride in a car safety seat with a harness as long as possible and then ride in a belt-positioning booster seat. Your child is ready for a booster seat when she has reached the top weight or height allowed for her seat, her shoulders are above the top harness slots, or her ears have reached the top of the seat.
-- Your child should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle's seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age). This means that the child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with her legs bent at the knees and feet hanging down and the shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat; the lap belt is low and snug across the thighs, and not the stomach.
-- All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles. If you must drive more children than can fit in the rear seat (when carpooling, for example), move the front-seat passenger’s seat as far back as possible and have the child ride in a booster seat if the seat belts do not fit properly without it.
-- Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You should require seat belt use, limit the number of teen passengers, do not allow eating, drinking, cell phone conversations or texing to prevent driver distraction; and limit nighttime driving and driving in inclement weather. Familiarize yourself with your teen's graduated drive license law and consider the use of a parent-teen driver agreement to facilitate the early driving learning process.

Walking to School
-- Make sure your child's walk to school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
-- Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
-- If your child is young or is walking to a new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely.
-- Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
-- In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider starting a "walking school bus", in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school.

EATING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

-- Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat.
-- Try to get your child's school to stock healthy choices such as fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, water and 100 percent fruit juice in the vending machines.
-- Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child's risk of obesity by 60%. Restrict your child's soft drink consumption.

BULLYING

Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. It can happen at school, on the playground, on the school bus, in the neighborhood, or over the Internet.

When Your Child Is Bullied
-- Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to:
1. Look the bully in the eye.
2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
3. Walk away.
-- Teach your child how to say in a firm voice.
1. "I don't like what you are doing."
2. "Please do NOT talk to me like that."
3. "Why would you say that?"
-- Teach your child when and how to ask for help.
-- Encourage your child to make friends with other children.
-- Support activities that interest your child.
-- Alert school officials to the problems and work with them on solutions.
-- Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child's safety and well-being when you cannot be there.

When Your Child Is the Bully
-- Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.
-- Set firm and consistent limits on your child's aggressive behavior.
-- Be a positive role mode. Show children they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone.
-- Use effective, non-physical discipline, such as loss of privileges.
-- Develop practical solutions with the school principal, teachers, counselors, and parents of the children your child has bullied.

When Your Child Is a Bystander
-- Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying.
-- Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying.
-- Help your child support other children who may be bullied. Encourage your child to include these children in activities.
-- Encourage your child to join with others in telling bullies to stop.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE

-- During middle childhood, youngsters need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to get them ready and off to school in the morning and watch over them after school until you return home from work.
-- Children approaching adolescence (11- and 12-year-olds) should not come home to an empty house in the afternoon unless they show unusual maturity for their age.
-- If alternate adult supervision is not available, parents should make special efforts to supervise their children from a distance. Children should have a set time when they are expected to arrive at home and should check in with a neighbor or with a parent by telephone.
-- If you choose a commercial after-school program, inquire about the training of the staff. There should be a high staff-to-child ratio, and the rooms and the playground should be safe.

DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS

-- Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy.
-- Set aside ample time for homework.
-- Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time.
-- Supervise computer and Internet use.
-- Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework for her.
-- Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying. It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch, and take a break periodically when it will not be too disruptive.
-- If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first.

Children's and Infants TYLENOL Recalled

Children's and Infants TYLENOL News
September 24, 2009

You may have heard that McNeil Consumer Healthcare (the makers of TYLENOL®) is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Children's and Infants' TYLENOL® liquid products that were manufactured between April, 2008 and June, 2008. All products manufactured met internal specifications. However, the company is implementing this recall because during this period, an unused portion of one inactive ingredient did not meet all quality standards. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, it was decided to recall all Children's and Infants' TYLENOL® liquid products listed below, which were made during this time.

Parents and caregivers who have questions or concerns should contact their child's health care provider or our consumer call center at 1-800-962-5357 (available Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time). Consumers can find the lot numbers on the bottom of the box containing the liquid product and also on the sticker that surrounds the product bottle. The lot numbers of the affected products are listed below.

These actions do not apply to Children's TYLENOL® Meltaways and Junior Strength TYLENOL® Meltaways. The voluntary recall applies only to select lots of Children's and Infants' TYLENOL® liquid products.

Recalled Products - Full List

Lot # Product Description
SBM041, SBM067, SCM037, SDM027, SEM109 Children's Tylenol Plus Cold MS Suspension 4 oz. Grape
SBM042, SCM015, SCM036, SDM034 Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Grape
SBM043, SBM044, SCM029 Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Bubble Gum
SBM045, SCM011, SCM030, SDM035 Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Strawberry
SBM064, SCM033, SDM020 Infant’s Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops 1/4oz.
SBM065, SCM005, SCM006, SDM032 Infant's Tylenol Suspension 1/2oz. Cherry
SBM066, SCM068 Children's Dye Free Suspension 4oz. Cherry
SBM068, SCM035, SCM070, SCM080, SDM005 Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Cherry
SBM069, SBM070, SCM081, SDM006 Children's Tylenol Plus Cough & Runny Nose 4oz. Cherry
SCM012, SCM067, SDM007, SDM068 Infant's Tylenol Suspension Drops 1/2oz. Grape
SCM013, SCM014, SCM069 Children's Tylenol Plus Flu 4oz. Bubble Gum
SCM016, SFM024 Children's Tylenol Plus Cold Suspension 4oz. Grape
SCM017 Children's Tylenol Plus Cough/ST Suspension 4oz. Cherry
SCM082, SDM039, SDM040 Infant's Tylenol Suspension Drops 1oz. Grape
SCM083, SCM084, SDM008 Infant's Tylenol Dye Free Suspension 1oz. Cherry
SDM064 Children’s Tylenol Pediatric Suspension 1oz. Cherry
SDM038, SDM009 Infant's Tylenol Suspension Drops 1oz. Cherry
SDM033 Children's Tylenol Plus Cold/Allergy 4oz. Bubble Gum
SDM078 Infant's Tylenol Drops 1oz. Grape
SCM034 Infant’s Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops H/G 1/2oz.
SDM028 Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Cherry, Hospital Govt.


Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs is sure to put a smile on your face and have your belly rumbling for the concession stand

The 3D movie based on the Books by Judi and Ron Barrett Tells the story of Flint Lockwood an aspiring inventor who since childhood has seen all his inventions end in failure. But all that changes when he creates an invention that can covert water into food. Will he be able to save the bankrupt town of Swallow Falls, Will the Mayor ever stop eating will Brent be able to transcend his former childhood stardom, Will Flint find someone to believe in him win his fathers love, will Steve ever string together more than 3 words. Find the answers to these questions and more

The 3D effects fall short in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs . Although on par with many of it's three dimensional peers, I thought this movie had potential to really exploit the abilities of 3D film technology (you know raining burgers and flying spaghetti - just think of the pastabilities). But I never felt like I was in the the movie.

BottomLine
Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs is a Chuckle in your seat funny movie for the whole family with a great story and and a like able cast of characters that you will be rooting for making this a must see in the theatre.

Spend a Day Under the Big Top

The Zerbini Circus on Sunday, Sept. 20, at McBride Field on Franklin Lake Road. (Across the street from the Market Basket)
Show times are 1, 3 and 5 p.m.
Ticket prices are $9 in advance and $11 the day of the circus. Children under 3 are free.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at Cartridge World in the Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, and TD Bank in the Urban Farms Shopping Center.

The circus will be held rain or shine under a big-top tent. This year’s show includes clowns, acrobats, aerialists, trapeze artists, dogs and a buffalo. There will also be food, pony and camel rides, and a ship slide. For more information, call 201-891-3431.


Zerbini Family Circus - Sunday, October 4, 2009

Show times: 1:00-2:30 PM & 3:30-5:00 PM

There will be activities all day long. Children will enjoy face painting, the moon bounce, titanic slide,pony & camel rides.

Rides and food available at an additional cost.

Advanced Tickets: Adults: $10.00
Children: $8.00~3-12 yrs. of age
Day of Show: Adults: $15.00
Children: $10.00 *Children under 2 yr. free

Advanced tickets will be sold at the Community Center on River Road beginning Monday, September 21, 2009.

Tickets will only be sold on Monday, Wednesday, & Fridays

8 AM-2 PM & 5 PM-9 PM.

For any further information please contact the Recreation Dept. at
(201) 943-1700 ext. 6000 & 6002

Sponsored by the Edgewater Recreation Dept.

Add to your child's circus experience with some circus themed food that you can make together
Check out Big top recipies for little people


Here are some great books about the circus with familiar favorite characters like Curious George, Clifford, and more.


Curing daughter’s diabetes motivates this mom

Juvenile Diabetes

Betty Cole will have a personal mission when she leads a BP Texas City team in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) “Blast Off for the Cure” walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Reliant Park in Houston.

In addition to coordinating a team and spreading the word about diabetes, Cole said, “I hope to find a cure for my baby, Hannah. The walk is on the one-year anniversary of Hannah’s diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. She doesn’t yet understand the concept of having to live this way for the rest or her life. She tells me every day that she wishes she didn’t have diabetes.”

Hannah, age 8, is one of more than 24 million Americans suffering from diabetes. The annual JDRF walk raises funds to support research into finding a cure for the disease and its complications. With BP serving as an event Silver Sponsor, Texas City and Westlake have a goal to raise $250,000 and field a large team.

For a year, Hannah complained of stomachaches and had insatiable thirst. Cole attributed the ailments to the stresses of school and Hurricane Ike because she didn’t know the symptoms of juvenile diabetes. Finally, Cole knew something just wasn’t right and took her daughter to the doctor.

Cole said, “One prick of her finger and the doctor told us to take her straight to the hospital. Her pancreas had stopped producing insulin, causing a blood sugar level so high it was off the meter. It took five days in the hospital to regulate her blood sugar.”

On a good day, Hannah pricks her finger five times to check her blood sugar and Cole gives her three insulin injections. On a bad day, she needs eight finger pricks. Cole said, “For us, life with diabetes is all about shots, needle pricks and constantly checking my daughter’s health and well-being. We have to take insulin, syringes and other supplies everywhere we go. It takes a lot of pre-planning, but we manage around it.”

Cole added, “JDRF-funded research also might lead to development of a different meter or pricker that doesn’t hurt kids as much or a new insulin pump – things that make life more tolerable until there’s a cure.”

You can make a pledge by going to www.jdrf.org, finding Team BP and choosing a team captain’s name. Cole’s goal is to raise $1,000.

The President to Address the Children of the United States

The White House said the address, set for Tuesday, and accompanying suggested lesson plans are simply meant to encourage students to study hard and stay in school.

Many conservative parents aren't buying it. They're convinced the president is going to use the opportunity to press a partisan political agenda on impressionable young minds.
I really have to question if these parents have read what the President intends to say to youth of America. Because I have and I not quite sure what they are objecting to. What statements do they disagree with? That every child has there own unique abilities and that our school system provides them with the ability to cultivate that ability.
"Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide."

And while some statements resonate with JFK saying "ask not what your country can do for you"
"We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country. "
I don't think it is socialist or a waste of time.

I don't see how one of the most important and influential people in America taking the time to talk our children is a waste of time.

If anything it lets them know that they are important and gaining an education is important.

What in his speech is un-American ("Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future."

Seems like a pretty American Idea to me.
Also this Speech provides an opportunity for you as a parent to ask more than "how was school today"
You can read and/or watch the video and actually have a conversation over dinner about the presidents speech. (without the TV on)
Oh this brings to mind another question. How come some parents think that it is a waste of time or that their children are being influenced in some bad way by listening to the president speak for an hour. Are those same parents monitoring their children's TV/YouTube watching with the same rigor?

I really have to wonder are there people out there who object to the President addressing children during School time. Let me know if you really do have an issue with this and what it is. In the USA we are all entitled to our own opinion and thanks to the internet most of us have a forum to voice that opinion. (Thanks to Al Gore :)


For a transcript of the Presidents Address click here

New York Renaissance Faire

Hundreds of brightly costumed performers fill the stages and streets with laughter.
Queen Elizabeth and her royal court celebrate the day! Cheer your favorite knight at the Joust Tournament.
Meet Robin Hood and his merry Men. Feast on savory sweets & tempting treats.

Watch amazing acrobatic feats! Enjoy and Interact with magicians, jugglers & strolling musicians; join in a Living Chess Match, or thrill to swashbuckling pirates and laugh at tall tales!

Play a game of skill or chance. Browse hundreds of shoppes, featuring the finest in hand made
wares, as you stroll through our quaint village. Join us in this Great Escape!

DATES: WEEKENDS INCLUDING LABOR DAY
August 1st through September 20th 2009
Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday
10:00 am to 7:00 pm each day - Open Rain or Shine!

WHERE: 600 Route 17A - Sterling Forest – Tuxedo Park, NY 10987

In the heart of the Hudson Valley – 40 Minutes from Manhattan;
11 miles south of The Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

TICKETS: At the Box Office on Faire Days
· Adult Ticket: $20.00
· Child Ticket (ages 5-12) $10.00
· Children under 5, always FREE!

DISCOUNTS: Discount Tickets on-line at www.RenFair.com via ClickN’Print.
· Group Rates available for 20 or more by calling 845-351-5174
· Senior & Military discounts at the Box Office
· Discount Savings coupons on-line.
· Season Pass $95.00
· Weekend Pass $34.00

PARKING: General Parking Free! - Preferred Parking $5.00 per vehicle
Transportation: Direct Bus Transportation to our Front Gate! Take the bus with
ShortLine/CoachUSA from Port Authority Terminal. For information
visit, www.shortlinebus.com.

600 Rt. 17 A Ã Tuxedo NY 10987
(845) 351-5171
www.renfair.com

IMBA's Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day is Saturday, Oct. 3

IMBA will celebrate its sixth annual International Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. This is a great opportunity for you to pass your passion for pedaling on to kids!





You can find an event in your area on our new Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day Worldwide Map. Clubs and individual groups from around the world have already registered events in Canada, Italy, Mexico, Myanmar, South Africa and all over the United States.

Don't see a ride near you? If you'd like to organize a kid's ride, you can
register your event by Sept. 15 and we will send your group a box of goodies containing:
race plates, stickers, and Clif Kid Organic ZBaRs to support your event.

Groups of all sizes, ages and skill levels are welcome to participate. We’ve created an online toolkit to help you organize and get the word out about your event. And while we encourage groups to hold events on Oct. 3, if that date doesn't work for your community, feel free to change the date to fit your needs.
All groups that register by Sept.15 will receive goody boxes regardless of the event date.