Many people think that watching television is a bad habit—just think of some of the names people have given the TV over the years: idiot box, boob tube, etc. However, as a creator of educational television shows for kids, I know that television is a powerful teaching tool. And it’s especially powerful—and has proven successful in longitudinal studies—when written with the intent to teach. My shows are all based on a school curriculum and have a foundation in research on child development. Given that, Super Why has helped kids learn to read, according to one study from the University of Pennsylvania) and Blue’s Clues has helped kids score better on standardized tests, research from the University of Alabama indicates.

But the truth is ALL television is educational—kids learn from everything that they watch on TV. The question to us parents is what exactly are they learning? If our kids are bombarded with commercials that have been written with the intent to sell “less than nutritious foods” to our children, is it harmful? The answer is yes. But believe it or not, the commercial content isn’t your only concern, according to recent research—the mere act of watching television during meals has proven to be problematic.

Tube-watching eaters consumed fewer fruits and vegetables, and more pizza, snack foods, and sodas than children who came from families where TV watching and snacking were kept separate, according to a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics. So it’s not just the advertising that sets kids up for bad eating habits, but the act of watching television while eating, which can lead to mindless eating and negative food choices.

With my research background, I’m totally on board with this. I know that TV watching and eating can be a dangerous combo. Except, as a mom, I have a problem: My girls want a snack every time they watch TV! It has become an association for my girls: TV=Snack. So, with this study as my armor, my husband and I have started a new regime to combat the snacking/tv obsession!

These are the tricks that we employ at home; maybe you’ll find one or more useful, too.

• Choose TV programs the way you would choose the food you eat

That means opting for better quality shows that are age-appropriate for your child.

• Have a “television-watching” allotment

Remember, everything in moderation and what works for us might not for you. Our girls, 8 &10 yrs old, watch one hour of TV on Saturday and Sunday.  No TV during the week.

• Skip commercials

If possible, use a DVR and/or ON DEMAND viewing to avoid those tempting ads.  Kids can quickly learn how to fast forward commercials.

• Make some simple NO-TV rules

We have two: No TV in eating areas & no TV during meals. With regard to snacking, we are “working towards” a no-snack rule in our house.

Right now, we are allowing one approved snack while watching (granola with milk has been their choice as of late). However, due to this research, we are slowly moving towards no snacks at all during television so there is no “habit” that forms (TV = food) .

Do you feel that the use of “Educational” Websites & Apps complement students’ daily learning in school or Is it a part that is missing from their curriculum?

In my opinion, the use of websites and iTunes purchased Apps during school time should be limited and that they can be used at home to complement what is done in the classroom. I think that in-school computer classes that instruct children how to use the computer are valuable, but as a teacher, I feel like we shouldn’t lose the human and social element to learning by relying too heavily on software to do our jobs for us.

A silent room of children staring at computer screens engaged in so-called “interactive” learning programs cannot compare with the buzz of an engaged classroom where children and students are discussing, reading, debating and really interacting with each other.

Where do you weigh in on the use of this technology in your child’s classroom? Let’s hear your comments.

Parenting Challenge #1: I don’t care if Hannah Montana hates brussels sprouts, but what does make my child like or dislike a food? Sure, taste is a big factor, but there are so many other things at work. Our own tastes as parents, our childrens’ personal preferences as well as what their friends like, and, of course, what they see on television all affect the food decisions our children make. That’s why it incenses me when popular TV characters—role models for our children—shed a negative light on healthy foods. For instance, Hannah Montana says she hates Brussels sprouts in one of the shows’ episodes. Why is that funny?

WGBH, creators of Curious George on PBS Kids, receives many letters from parents saying that their kids love George and they eat so many bananas now because George does! But can George also eat broccoli?

They have a good point—those of us in the media have a responsibility to make sure that we model good choices. Messages like, “Try a new food, it might taste good!” are so important; they help get our little ones on the road to good, healthy habits!

When creating my television shows, my colleagues and I go to schools to talk to kids, teachers and parents to find out what concerns them, what interests them, and what they want in their programming. During these talks, parents often get around to talking about kids and their eating habits. A common complaint I hear: Many of their kids like to eat just one or two foods. Just like my daughter!  She’s in her pasta phase.  “Pasta pasta pasta pasta!”

In fact, my daughter inspired a whole new episode of Super Why, which will air this fall.

The story is about King Eddie who only wants to eat spaghetti. “Spaghetti, spaghetti, spaghetti!” In a light and humorous way, Super Why and the Super Readers introduce King Eddie to new foods. He tries them…and likes them! Now King Eddie is eating a well balanced diet with fruits, veggies, whole grains and protein. (Keep your eyes open; the show will air this fall!) Our only hope is that kids all over will be like King Eddie and try new foods!

In my own home, we’ve tried a few tricks to turn my daughters into the new King Eddie!

1 – Keep offering new foods. If he doesn’t like a food, don’t give up. Try again. It can take a long time to influence a palate. In fact, it might take as many as five tries before a child will accept a new food.

2 – Try all foods, especially veggies, in many different ways. A child may not like boiled vegetables (and really, who does?), but they may like roasted, baked, grilled or sautéed versions instead.

3 – Top new foods with a sprinkle. Sprinkling some sesame seeds, grated cheese, cinnamon or garlic salt on top of a new healthy food might make it more interesting and tasty for your child.

4 – Dip! Dipping makes everything more fun. Dip veggies in honey mustard or ranch dressing. Dip fruit in yogurt or applesauce. Dip turkey in a sweet and sour sauce. Be creative!

5 – Try sweet veggies. Sweet potatoes are a healthy, sweet option for kids. Cutting them up and roasting them to make “fries” is a great option or try mashing them; it makes a flavorful and nutritious mash.

6 – Everyone try something new! When parents make a big deal about trying something new, kids will be curious and more inclined to try! Test it out at your next meal.

Trust is very important for any relationship to grow and flourish. However, for parents the communication process becomes more difficult as our children grow older. But it’s our job to keep them safe and help them develop into the person they’re going to be. To do this, we have to know who their friends are, what decisions they are making, their likes and dislikes, their strengths, weaknesses and mistakes. Yet as they grow, it’s important that they have the space and independence they need. So, what’s a parent to do?

A recent survey conducted by Laptop magazine found that 24 percent of parents got involved with social media because that was “the only way” to see what was going on with their kids. And 13 percent of those surveyed log in just to “snoop around” and see what their kids are up to. There are other ways to keep communication open…

[read the entire Greenwich Magazine Article]

We all know that education is the best way to set our kids out on the right path. Unfortunately, some of the worst food choices are at school—where we send our kids to be educated…go figure. So, what’s a parent to do? We need to take matters into our own hands: We need to teach our kids how to make good food choices at home, so that when they’re out in the real world (or at school), they’ve had lots of practice!

Here are some tips on how to help your child make healthy eating choices where they are:

• Eat what the kids eat. Eating healthfully is like any other good habit we want our kids to pick up—reading, exercising, being kind to others, to name just a few. If you want them to do it, you’ll have to do it yourself. So if you typically eat carrots and dip them in hummus, they’ll want to try it soon enough! Mom and Dad make most everything look good.

• Eat meals together whenever possible. Meals are a great time to talk about food choices, how food is prepared, what is a healthy sized portion, what they like, what they don’t like. Don’t be afraid to discuss how fast food and other “not so good” choices are cooked and prepared. This open communication goes a long way to teaching our kids about food.

• Try, try again. Just because your kids might not like broccoli boiled (who does?), they might like it roasted with some olive oil.  Or they might like it sautéed with homemade tomato sauce on top or steamed with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The point is, just because they don’t like a food one way, doesn’t mean they don’t like the food.  Don’t give up too soon on a good-for-you food.  Experiment.

• Give your child a label lesson. Teach your kids to read labels. Go through the ingredients list and point out what’s in that salad dressing or granola bar. Run through all the words for sugar. Explain to them that if they can’t produce a word (try saying stearoyl lactylate), it’s probably a chemical. My daughter looked at the back of a “syrup” bottle and said, “Mom, there is no maple syrup in this maple syrup!” One very basic lesson to impart: The more ingredients listed, the more unhealthy the food is.

Brush up on the buffet. Set up a buffet style spread, similar to what your kids might find at school, right at home. Put out the food on the counter so the kids can serve themselves. Really, any type of foods can work—the point is that they have to serve themselves. If you want to get really creative, you can put out more than one entrée, side dish, and so on. For instance: Salad, dressing on the side, grilled chicken, barbeque chicken, brown rice, red potatoes, cookies and brownies for dessert. This will give you interesting insight into what your kids might choose, and whether your kids want to go back for more (and for what foods?!). If it’s easier, you can go to a local restaurant that serves buffet style and have the same type of experience. You might be pleasantly surprised at how well your child does! And if things don’t go as well as expected, use it as a teaching moment. Talk, without judging, about variety of foods, healthy portions, and trying new things.

And remember, you have a voice in your community—if you’re unhappy with the food choices in your school’s cafeteria, you should speak up to your school board or parent teacher association.

For more information, visit The LunchBox.org

Earlier this week, Bob Greene shared a number of creative, healthy lunch ideas for children. I wanted to chime in with a few of my own that I pack for my two girls Hope (age 10) and Ella (age 8). The key to making a lunch they’ll love (and you’ll feel good about) is to find fun and creative ways to package healthy foods (fresh produce in a variety of colors, whole-grain breads, beans, nuts, and meats.) Here’s how I get creative:

Make the cut: It takes only a second to cookie-cutter a sandwich. Kids like their food to be bite-sized, so cube or miniaturize everything from rotisserie chicken to cheese to melon. My girls are partial to hearts, princess crowns (although at 10, my oldest will deny this!) and gingerbread boy shapes! But we try to get creative around the holidays. My husband Greg’s favorite is the Halloween shapes!

Skewer: My girls will eat almost anything on a stick. You can skewer cubes of chicken, melon, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese and have a sandwich-on-a-stick! (use a blunt edge stick, of course!)

Go for a dip: Kids also love to dip their foods—it’s so much fun to use your fingers and dip! So provide basic sandwiches and a healthy dip. Turkey and cheddar dipped in honey mustard is Ella’s fave; or try Mozzarella and tomato dipped in balsamic vinegar. Raw veggies and fruit with a dip of hummus, guacamole or organic ranch is a crowd pleaser. Even organic chicken fingers in a dip is yummy!

Show some love to your leftovers: Packing a lunch-sized portion of dinner (for example, brown rice, grilled chicken and veggies) and freezing it all together in a container will make for a great future lunch.  Just put the container in the fridge the night before, heat it up in the morning in the microwave and pack in a heat insulated lunch pack. It’s easier for mom and dad, and kids like having a full “dinner” type meal for lunch every once in a while.

For more information on healthy and creative school lunches, visit these sites:

http://momitforward.com/school-lunches-kids-and-healthy-eating

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/appetizers-snacks/healthy-snacks/

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/lunch-ideas/sandwiches-burgers-wraps/hot-dog-mummies-715031/

As you well know, this Sunday is the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. While it remains difficult for us to make any sense out of such a dark day, the flood of conversation will undoubtedly reach our childrens’ ears.

But how do we even begin to discuss these issues?

I sat down with my graduate school adviser,  Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, who is also the VP of Research and Education at Sesame Workshop to open up this discussion.

The bottom line?

– Listen more than talk

– Our kids need to feel safe, secure and assured that their thoughts matter

– Shield them from age inappropriate images and stories

– Be there for them – whole heartedly.  Life is short…and precious

See my interview with Dr. Truglio on PBS.org/parents/theparentshow and let me know your thoughts!

A great Hurricane kids snack/activity!

Have you tried the “banana ice cream” recipe?? My friend Becky told us about this and it is amazing!

– Just freeze peeled bananas (seriously hard to un peel a frozen banana!)
– Blend in the blender (have no power? No problem. Just put in a plastic bag and let the kids SMASH AWAY! More fun that way)
– Add (optional) a little coconut cream for your preferred creaminess or agave for sweetness….

You get a “soft serve” ice cream version of a banana!

TOP: With any favorite ice cream toppings. My favorite is heating blueberries and pouring them over! YUM! (and it only counts as 2 fruits!) 🙂

I just finished reading The Hunger Games and I could not put it down. It is well written, creative, insightful and definitely a book that should spark needed discussion on our current society. Our kids are growing up in a world where they will not only need to decide what they broadcast to the world, but how they want this information to be perceived…if they even have control of this. Which side of their personality will they be known for? And since there are many traits, depending on circumstance, how does one control which trumps which?  And of course, does everything we do need to be documented, YouTubed or blogged about?

I do, however, feel strongly that this not a book for kids.   I get the real life parallel that Suzanne Collins is drawing here, but what does it mean when a book about killing children for sport is so popular with kids?  I get it for adults. I get it for older teens. I worry about how kids are processing such information before they are developmentally ready to. Will the book desensitize them when the goal is presumably otherwise? Is it worse than a video game where you are the killer? I think so. Because Katnis, the heroine, is so likable, empathetic and strong – a role model for girls. But with that said, the killing and the craziness of this situation is so real that, to a young mind, you can’t help but imagine yourself in Katnis’ shoes.

10-13 yr olds are figuring out who they are, navigating middle school, understanding the difference between real friends and those that are far from it, right vs wrong, how to almost cross the line but then come right back, etc. With the popularity of The Hunger Games, we are handing them a book that negates what they have worked so hard to understand.  This book is not written as fantasy. It’s not in a galaxy far far away. It’s not a true good vs evil, nor a robin hood story.  It’s not a family who is doing anything to survive. All this death happens as a game where kids need to kill each other to win. A game set up by the government. A game where adults bet and smoke out the kid contestants so they have to fight each other to the death.

I know exactly when my childhood ended.  It was when I came to the realization that adults can be wrong and cause physical harm to kids. As there are enough real life traumas that catapult our kids into adulthood, why would we choose to have them deal with a gruesome adult world as they read for pleasure?

To deter any hint of a summer slump, Summertime Reading is an excellent way to continue feeding those little heads at home. Since we’re well into August, kids around the country are now busy checking off the books from their summer reading lists. But, hey! What about writing? Why is writing the lesser known twin?

For PBS’ latest Parent Show, I spoke with my very good friend (better known as the voice of Blue from Blue’s Clues) Traci Paige Johnson, about putting a little something extra behind the motivation to write over the summer break. Build upon this skill at home & they’ll walk right into school next month a passionate and eager writer!

Check out this version of The Parent Show with Angela Santomero on PBS.org and let us know what you think.

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
-Benjamin Franklin