Little Connection between beliefs and behaviors until age 8

A study from the University of Michigan found that children do not connect their beliefs and their behaviors until they make a cognitive leap around age 8. This has implications for parenting and teaching -- apparently helping kids "know" what they should do doesn't make it any easier for them to do it until age 8. The study doesn't provide a lot of concrete suggestions for helping younger children change behavior (other than a traditional carrrot/stick approach) and I wonder if it doesn't lay the groundwork for reflection to begin practicing it even before they can effectively do it on thier own, but it is useful to remember that when a young child fails to abstract or behave as they say they will, it is more about immaturity than a character flaw... The study also pointed out the ways that magical thinking could help young children, because they can still imagine themselves as "practically perfect in every way" which is a gateway for all kinds of possibility.

StoryTelling Event

Family Tellabration Time: November 22, 2008 at 3pm Location: Breakwater School Street: 856 Brighton Avenue City/Town: Portland, Maine 04102 Website or Map: http://breakwaterschool.org Contact Info: (207) 892-9346 Event Type: Tellabration Organized By: Susan Dries The family performing storytellers will be: Jean Armstrong, Susan Dries, Jody Fein, Pat Gardiner, Desiree Marin, Deena Weinstien. For advance tickets(until Nov.14) please call 772-4295 ext 226 advance pricing:$3.00 for children, $4.00 for adults, $12.00 maximum per family $5.00 each the day of the show. breakwaterschool.org

THURSDAY NIGHT CONVERSATION __ PLEASE COME!

Parenting For Peace : A Community Conversation about the Commercialization of Childhood Thursday November 11 5:30 -- Reception 6:00 -- 7:30 -- Program Childcare is available Feel free to bring supper with you Queries that will guide our conversation: ~ How does the value of simplicity shape our family lives? ~ What strategies can parents share about how to promote the value of simplicity in a commercial world? ~ When and how should children be protected from media and marketing, and when and how do they develop skills to critically engage? ~ What should the role of school be in all this? The Media Education Foundation has just released a film entitled Consuming Kids -- we can watch some of the film if there is interest in it, and FSP has a copy that can be loaned out. Here's the trailer A few facts from the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (and more available) The United States deregulated the marketing of children in 1984, and "With deregulation, it became legal to sell toys and other products linked to specific TV programs for the first time. As a result, the toy and television industries quickly joined together to develop toy-linked TV shows. _Within one year of deregulation, 9 of the 10 best-selling toys were connected to TV shows_ (Carlsson-Paige & Levin, 1990)." *Marketing to children is a huge business *. Companies spend about $17 billion annually marketing to children, a staggering increase from the $100 million spent in 1983. . Children under 14 spend about $40 billion annually. Compare this to the $6.1 billion 4-12 year olds spent in 1989.9 10 Teens spend about $159 billion. . This generation of children is the most brand conscious ever. Teens between 13 and 17 have 145 conversations about brands per week, about twice as many as adults. . Children ages 2-11 see more than 25,000 advertisements a year on TV alone, a figure that does not include product placement. They are also targeted with advertising on the Internet, cell phones, mp3 players, video games, school buses, and in school. Resources The Center for the New American Dream (org. that pulls enviornmental concerns and strategies for lowering consumption) TRUCE -- Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment The Resource page connected to Diane Levin and Jean Kilbourne's book "So Sexy So Soon" provides a great bibliography

Multicultural Book Festival in Portland Maine

MANY VOICES: A multicultural book fair for families Saturday, November 22, 10:00 – 1:00 Breakwater School gym, 856 Brighton Ave., Portland EXPLORE BOOKS that take your child around the world. The fair features the latest children's books and classics depicting the cultures of China, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as African American, Native American, Latino American, Jewish American, Muslim American and immigration books. MAKE YOUR OWN ORIGAMI BUTTERFLY just like in the book Butterflies for Kiri! We'll also offer face painting, balloon tying and other kids' activities. MEET THE AUTHOR: Cathryn Falwell, author and illustrator of Butterflies for Kiri and other children's books, will be on hand to meet the children and autograph books. COME AND SHOP! The fair will also sell bake sale treats, gently used traditional Chinese clothing for kids and adults, and our special limited-edition tote bag by Maine artist Betsy Thompson. THE BOOK FAIR IS FREE and open to the public. EDUCATOR DISCOUNT Educators receive a 20% discount on all books. FOR MORE INFORMATION email bamboo@... or visit cafamchineseschool.org. Presented by the Chinese and American Friendship Association of Maine's Chinese School. Titles selected by Curious City (www.curiouscity.net) and provided by Books Etc. (www.mainebooksetc.com) *ABOUT C.A.F.A.M. AND CHINESE SCHOOL* The Chinese American Friendship Association of Maine (C.A.F.A.M) is a non-profit cultural organization whose members include Chinese- Americans, Americans who have lived or worked in China, parents who have adopted children from China, and others with an interest in Chinese history and culture. In addition to the Chinese School, C.A.F.A.M. offers lectures, holiday celebrations, and an annual Chinese New Year celebration (slated for January 31, 2009--more later!).

Bookcloseouts

I'm big on buying local and hope everyone will support Books Etc. during their promotion for FSP (25% of profits toward building our library when FSP is mentioned during the weekend of Nov 14 - 16!!!).... but for remainders and inexpensive books, bookcloseouts is my favorite, and they are offering free shipping this month... As our gift to you for the holidays we are offering free standard shipping on all orders of $35 or more from November 1st until December 31st 2008. This promotion includes all our products and categories including, kid's books, new arrivals, scratch and dent, fiction, non-fiction etc. Please read the promotion details carefully here. To take advantage of this limited time offer, on the checkout page, be sure to type in the following when prompted for a coupon number: Coupon Number: freeshipping Coupon Password: bookcloseouts.com Start shopping now, and let us give you the gift of FREE SHIPPING! Free Shipping Offer details: Order subtotal must be equal or above $35.00. Valid only for shipping to Canada & USA (50 states only, including Alaska and Hawaii) Free shipping promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any additional coupons. Free shipping applies to the standard shipping option only - you must select the "free shipping" option when checking out. Order must be placed between November 1st and before Midnight December 31st 2008

Mad Science at the St. Lawrence

Mad Science at The Saturday Show! November 8, 2008 11am Tickets $8 Adults, $5 kids (look for coupon below) Fire and Ice program: Children will be dazzled and entertained as they interact with our Mad Scientist! This spectacular show will thrill audiences with impressive science experiments dealing with the wonders of dry ice and the dynamics of air pressure (with a little help from Eggbert the egg). The event includes foggy dry ice storms and demonstrates how giant beach balls can float in the air. Volunteers from the audience can taste a special Mad Science "burp" potion and measure their "hot air". We'll search the audience for children and invite them up to be our special "Lil' Mad Scientist' helpers. This event will excite every child's scientific curiosity. ****************************************************************************************************** This coupon good for one half-price admission to The Saturday Show! Limit one coupon per family, please. Coupon may be used for the adult ticket price (only $4!!! Wow!) *****************************************************************************************************

Recipes from the 3-4 Harvest Lunch - continued

Pasta Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes from Daniel 1 med onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, chopped 4 med tomatoes, peeled and pureed 1/2 tsp dry basil 1/2 tsp dry oregano pinch of salt saute onion in olive oil until soft, about 1/2 hour Add garlic during cooking. When onion is soft, add remaining ingredients. Cook until thick.

Recipes from the 3-4 Harvest Lunch - continued

Creamy Coleslaw from Miranda 7 Cups shredded green cabbage 1 Carrot, peeled and grated 3 tbsp minced onion 1/2 Cup mayonnaise 1/4 C sugar 1/4 C cider vinegar 1/2 tsp dry mustard 1/2 tsp salt In a large bowl toss together the cabbage, carrot and onion. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sugar, vinegar, mustard and salt Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and stir well to combine. Refrigerate 2-8 hours. Before serving, por off excess liquid and stir well.

Recipes from the 3-4 Harvest Lunch

1. Pear and Raisin Crumble from Yacob.
2. Salsa from Elena.
3. Indian Sunflower Cookies from Nathaniel.
4. Sweet Corn Cakes from Grace
5. Gingered Beets with Raisins, from Darrah.

1 can sliced beets 3 T sugar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/2 tsp ginger 1/4 tsp salt 2 tsp lemon juice 1/4 c raisins 2 Tblsp butter drain beets, reserve 3/4 c liquid. In saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch, ginger and salt. Blend in reserved 3/4 c liquid from beets and lemon juice. Add raisins. Cook over medium heat, stirring until thick and bubbly. Add butter and sliced beets. Simmer through util heated, about 5 - 10 minutes

Planetarium Trip - -Nov 11th!

We’re going out of this world! The FSPA is sponsoring a trip to the Southworth Planetarium on our next school in-service day(Tuesday, November 11th). The show starts at 10:30 am and costs $4.00 per child. We will gather for lunch (bring your own or buy) at the Student Union afterwards. The show will be RUSTY ROCKET'S LAST BLAST: Join Rusty Rocket and his band of _rocket rookies as they explore the wonder worlds of the Solar System. Directions: I-295 NORTH OR SOUTH: Take Exit 6B. Go west (straight) on Forest Avenue to the second light. Turn left onto Falmouth Street. The Planetarium is on the left in the Science Building on the USM campus. Parking: There is on-street parking on Falmouth Street Please rsvp to Maureen @ erkmpq@aol.com if you know that you're coming, but feel free to just show up as well.