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Science Tips for Raising Brilliant, Kind Kids

Science Tips for Raising Brilliant, Kind Kids

Danielle Sexton
February 02, 2024

"Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye."

- Helen Keller

Good Morning, Mama! It's Friday! Time for a weekend filled with 'relaxing'... and by relaxing, we mean keeping our tiny humans alive and entertained. Let's get started!

Today’s Mommy scoop:

Science's tips for raising brilliant, kind-hearted kids
Rainy days car seats hack
Tuna Melt magic 🥪
Turn a wall into a canvas of creativity

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Little Scholars & Growing Giggles

Want to Raise Smart, Kind Kids? Science Says Do This Every Day

Raising children to be smart, kind, and conscientious adults is a formidable task for any parent.

Amidst the chaos of daily life, one key habit can set the foundation for your child's success.

The Power of Reading Aloud

Widens Vocabulary: Reading aloud introduces a variety of words, enhancing language skills and comprehension.
Brain Development: Regular reading sessions promote neural growth and connectivity, essential for cognitive development.
Fosters Lifelong Reading Habits: Early exposure to reading cultivates a lifelong love for books and learning.
Improves Behavior: Reading together increases attention span and reduces behavioral issues.
Strengthens Parent-Child Bond: This shared activity nurtures a deeper emotional connection.
Enhances Empathy: Fictional stories allow children to experience diverse perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding.

Overcoming Common Barriers

Busy Schedules: Integrate reading into daily routines, like during meals or bath time.
Reading to Older Children: Continue reading to children even after they learn to read themselves to further enhance their skills.
Personal Enjoyment: Choose books that are enjoyable for both you and your child.
Active Children: Incorporate reading into active times, like outdoor picnics or while your child plays.
Exhaustion: Shift reading time to earlier in the day when energy levels are higher.
Diverse Age Groups: Select books that can cater to various age groups within the family.

Making Reading a Habit

Consistency: Aim to read aloud every day, even if it's just for a few minutes.
Library Visits: Regularly visit the library to keep the book selection fresh and engaging.
Interactive Reading: Use different voices, ask questions, and encourage participation to make reading more dynamic.
Set Boundaries: It’s okay to limit re-reading the same book to keep things interesting for you too.

Reading aloud to your child is more than just a bedtime ritual; it's a keystone habit that has profound impacts on their development.

By investing a little time each day into this simple activity, you’re paving the way for your child's success in life, academically, emotionally, and socially. 📚💕👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Keep reading here.

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Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤

How do you manage work-life balance?

-> Vote to reveal what other moms think

Poll Results From 1/29

How often do you read to your child?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Daily (70%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ A few times a week (17%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Occasionally (9%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ They prefer to read on their own (4%)

Featured Response😄

“Even though my child is only 3 months old, my husband and I make a point of reading to him as part of his bedtime routine to help promote language development. I hope to go also instill a love of reading since I have loved books since I was a child and learned a lot from them. Even so young, you can tell he enjoys it (especially when daddy does all the voices.) ”

- Community Mom

That's so sweet! Reading to your little one, even at such a tender age, is a beautiful way to bond and foster a lifelong love for books. Plus, those daddy-voiced stories sound absolutely adorable! Keep it up, mama! 📚 - Danielle 😊

Mom Hack

Rainy Day Car Seat Umbrella Shield

coffeeandcoos

Mom Hack

Keep a spare umbrella in your car for those unexpected rainy days.

When you're strapping your little one into their car seat and the rain is pouring down, just open the door slightly and place the umbrella on top.

It'll create a makeshift shelter, keeping both you and your child dry during the process.

Mom’s Menu

🥪 Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich

skinnytaste

For all the tuna lovers out there, this Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich is a delicious and healthier take on a classic diner comfort food.

Serving it open-faced not only cuts down on calories but also amps up the taste and satisfaction.

Why You'll Love It

🐟 Packed with protein-rich tuna and fresh veggies.
🍞 Half the carbs by using only one slice of bread.

Ingredients 📝

4.5 oz can of tuna (in water), drained
¼ cup carrots, minced
¼ cup celery, minced
1 tbsp red onion, minced
1 tbsp light mayonnaise (like Hellman's Light)
1 tsp red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
2 slices whole wheat bread
2 slices 2% reduced-fat cheddar or American cheese
2 slices tomato
Oil spray (like Misto)

Instructions 👩‍🍳

Combine tuna, celery, carrots, onion, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Heat a large skillet over low heat and spray with oil.
Place two slices of bread on the skillet.
Top each bread slice with cheese, then the tuna salad, and a tomato slice.
Cook on low heat until the cheese melts and the bread is toasty.
Serve immediately.

skinnytaste

Note 📌

To make prep time quicker, use a mini food processor for the carrots, celery, and onion.

This sandwich pairs wonderfully with a green salad, a cup of soup, potato salad, or even a dill pickle.

Feel free to swap the whole grain bread for bagels, sourdough, or English muffins, and experiment with different cheeses like Swiss or gouda.

Full recipe here.

Daily DIY (Home Edition)

DIY Huge Chalkboard

overthebigmoon

Build a large chalkboard using MDF, 1×4 wood planks, chalkboard paint, stain, and picture hangers.

Paint the MDF with chalkboard paint and let it dry.
Frame the MDF with cut and sanded 1x4s, then stain the wood.
Screw the frame to the chalkboard, add a cup drawer pull for chalk, and use sawtooth hangers for mounting.

This sizable chalkboard is great for family organization or as a playroom feature! 😊

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

This book is a game-changer for early communication with your baby.

It's a fun and engaging way to bond with your little one while teaching them a valuable skill.

I love it because it's not just a book, it's a tool for connection and understanding. 😄

My First Book of Baby Signs

Educational: Helps you and your baby communicate before they can talk.
Engaging: Fun for both you and your baby to learn together.
Inclusive: Features diverse children, making it relatable for everyone.

Game

Tiny Faces, Big Names

Always put together, this present-day guru of all things baking and décor dons a powder-blue dress to pose in front of her Christmas tree. Who is she?
(Answer below)