Fight Against Child Trafficking

I suppose I've always known that human trafficking exists. But I've NEVER realized that it happens here in the States. I don't know why I've been so ignorant about that. I guess like many people, I didn't want to acknowledge that something so horrific could happen here in the country where I live.

But an estimated 5.5 million children are victims of trafficking, an illegal enterprise that generates an estimated $32 billion in yearly profits. Human trafficking cases have been reported in every state in the United States. Rates are particularly high in California, Texas, Florida, and New York.

As a mother, the numbers horrify me. But when I learned that the U.S. Fund for UNICEF has launched The End Trafficking project to raise awareness about child trafficking and mobilize communities within the United States to take meaningful action to help protect children, I knew I wanted to share it with you.

In partnership with concerned individuals and groups, the initiative aims to bring us all closer to a day when ZERO children are exploited. Actress Angie Harmon, who I love, is UNICEF's newest ambassador, and she is lending her support for the fight against child trafficking during Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January.

To learn more about the End Trafficking initiative, visit UNICEF's website. If you are an educator, you will find resources there for middle and high school. And EVERYONE will benefit from the Toolkit on the site that shares 20 ways to take action.



Disclosure: This post is written in collaboration with Global Team 200 and our efforts to do social good by writing about issues that affect our communities and the organizations who are doing something to make this world a better place.

Education Can Be as Simple as WaterAid

"Millions of children around the world suffer because they don't have access to safe water and sanitation. Living without these vital services has a devastating impact on their health, education, and family relationships."

Everyday, I make my kids drink water. Why? Because I know that a healthy brain and body requires that basic ingredient that all life on this planet needs. I know that sugary drinks affect my kids' ability to focus when we are doing school, and can affect their energy level later in the day. In the morning, my kids drink milk or orange juice to help their brains find the energy it needs for them to focus and calculate. But at some point during the day, my kids have to drink a glass of water.

You know what? I'm lucky. I'm lucky because I can give them clean, safe water to drink. But did you know that across the globe, 800 million people do not have access to it? And because of that, 2,000 children die every day from easily prevented diarrheal diseases.  hundreds - maybe even thousands - of others are unable to attend school because they are too busy carrying water for their families and communities... especially young girls. These girls may have to carry large, heavy containers full of water for up to three miles or more, and the weight can damage their heads, necks, and spines. Other girls are forced to quit school whenever they reach puberty because their schools do not have private sanitation facilities.

Children may also be forced to skip school because they are suffering from water-related diseases. And in turn, their mother may not be able to work because she is too busy taking care of her sick child.

Which is why I want to take the time to endorse WaterAid. Founded in 1981, WaterAid transforms lives by helping the world’s poorest people gain access to safe water and sanitation. Together with local organizations, communities and individuals, WaterAid uses affordable and locally appropriate solutions to provide safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education to people in developing countries. They have programs in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific region and Central America.I love that WaterAid especially focuses on the needs of children. Their teams create centrally located water sources (wells) to minimize the distance that children will have to walk to carry water. These water sources also allow families to grow and cook food, which helps children to grow stronger and healthier, and better able to concentrate on their studies. WaterAid also checks that latrines (in schools) are designed so they are appropriate for use by children.

I want to encourage you to talk with your children about the importance of fresh, clean water. Last week, I shared on my FB page, this free, new printable diagram of the water cycle that was recently created by the U.S. Geological Survey for elementary and middle-school students. Print it out and share it with your child!

And make your children drink plenty of water on a daily basis. You can add flavor with a slice of lemon or strawberry. But I think it is better to train them to love the taste of water in its purest form.

And if you'd like to show your support to WaterAid, you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: This post is written in collaboration with Global Team 200 and our efforts to do social good by writing about issues that affect our communities and the organizations who are doing something to make this world a better place.

New Book Reviews on the LBBC

Hi, Everyone.

Just wanted to remind you that our sister site, the Latin Baby Book Club, has some new book reviews up this month, including Escucha Means Listen, Jungle Tales, and Tamalitos: A Cooking Poem. As part of our commitment to our movement Latinas for Latino Children's Literature, we are venturing into eBooks, as well as print books. I want to especially call your attention to the book, Jungle Tales, by Horacio Quiroga as this book is required reading for most elementary students throughout Latin America. It is now available in English for the first time. We have LOVED reading it, but make sure you read the review as there are a couple of things parents should consider before buying the book.

I'm happy to be focusing on the LBBC once again (last year most book reviews were published here on MommyMaestra instead). But I do want to put out a call to you for submissions. If you have a favorite book that falls under the category of Latino children's literature, we'd love for you to write up a short piece sharing your thoughts on the book so that other Latino parents might benefit and purchase it if they so choose. You can enter the title in the search bar on the LBBC to see if we've already posted a review. And if you'd like to submit one, just contact me.

Un abrazo...

Venezuela's Daring Investment in Music Education

What do you think?

Classical Music App for Kids: Mozart Interactive

Today's app was developed by Melody Street, a company devoted to introducing children to the world of Classical Music and the orchestra.

Name: Mozart Interactive 
Subject(s): Intro to (Classical) Music
Brief Description: An interactive app introducing children to Mozart’s ‘Rondo Alla Turca’
Price: FREE
Language: English
Ages: 2 and up

What my kids like:
The fact that they get to orchestrate their own version of Mozart's Rondo alla Turca. This app lets kids decide which instruments will play certain portions of the piece. Their "movie" is then recorded and they can replay it or share it with their family and friends. They also really love the animation, and how each instrument is a character in the movie with its own personality. Possibly the best part is that they can do it over and over, making each movie/piece unique.

What I like:
The introduction to classical music in such a fun, interactive manner. But I think what captured my attention the most is the seamless way the developers have merged a live performer - the 10-year-old host, Ethan Bortnick, on the piano - with the animated characters.

I also love how Ethan is actually a very talented musician despite his young age. I think it is important for our children to see other kids like them being successful, because it helps to motivate and inspire them.

Additional notes:
Melody Street has its own YouTube channel where the instruments come to life and your child can find videos, games, and other fun stuff. It is very lively and engaging for young children.

Don't miss their other fantastic (and free!) apps for kids!

Disclosure: I was not contacted by Melody Street, but discovered them on my own while doing research for Music Week on MommyMaestra.

Non-Musical Parents Supporting Musical Kids

by Betty Galvan

Introducing music or a musical instrument to our children is one of the greatest gifts we can give as parents. Listening and concentration skills are strengthened in our kids when they learn to play. It also promotes discipline, structure, time management, and increases memory, math and reading skills. We all know every child can benefit, but what happens when we, the parents, don't know how to play?  

When our oldest son expressed an interest in playing piano at the age of five, we knew that although he was young, he could probably start. My husband and I were hesitant, not because we thought it would be a passing phase of interest in our child, but because he and I don't even know how to read music, let alone play an actual instrument. 

Like any activity we sign up for, we talked to Diego and reminded him of the rule we have always had in place when starting something new-we start and we don't quit. After the assigned dates are completed, we can then talk about his decision to continue or not. Jose and I knew that piano was going to be challenging...for us! There had to be a way for us to help Diego even though we were completely unaware of the process. We knew that the benefits outweighed our personal hesitation. So we all gave it a go! 

We had to make sure that like any activity or sport we had to follow these guidelines as a family to support Diego with piano playing:  

Make practicing part of the routine. We have added piano practice to our after-school schedule. Right after homework, dinner and bath, piano is scheduled right in there as well.  

Keep constant communication with teacher. If possible, be there for drop-off and pick-up. Seeing the teacher once a week, even for a few minutes, gives us the opportunity to touch base. Diego also carries a special notebook to class and back home so his teacher and I can send each other notes.  

Help practice when possible. We can do musical note flash cards together. I quiz Diego and it is like a game to him. I also sit with him or near him when he plays. His brothers are around to benefit from listening and watching, and Diego doesn't feel isolated. 

Reinforce music as much as possible. Find music to play that isolates your child's instrument of choice. And take the time to point out when you see someone playing live (the organ player at church, the guitar player on the subway, and the mariachi band at the wedding). 

Listen. Be available when your child should be practicing. We don't know all the songs but once in a while you'll recognize a tune even though you didn't know the name of the song! The more your child plays, the more you'll recognize mistakes. It's hilarious when Diego is surprised that I caught a mistake! 

Allow for free play. Every so often Diego just wants to "mess around" on his keyboard. Why not? Practicing doesn't have to be so structured. Who knows? You might have a little composer in your home.  

Be supportive. There will be tears (and I'm not talking about them being induced by "tiger mom" behavior)! There will be times when playing an instrument is frustrating. We take a deep breath, a break, a snack and we resume or not. We always make sure to make a note for his teacher if something is too difficult. I can't help-but she will!! 

Enjoy! First and foremost, kids should have fun with any activity they pick up. And the earlier you expose them to extracurricular activities, the easier it will be to find out what they love - or don’t love.  

Good luck!  

Betty

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Free Online Piano Lessons: Encore Music Studio
  
  
• Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln
  
  
• Online Preschool Music Class

• Little Creatures: An Introduction to Classical Music
  
  
• Great Spanish Songs for Your Classroom!

 

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Betty Galvan, is helping her readers "find the positive and seek the benefits" over at her blog, MyFriendBettySays.com.

She is the mother of three beautiful little boys and a teacher.

 

Infographic on Music Makes You Smarter

Love this infographic I discovered on Pinterest. I hope you enjoy it, too!

High School Salsa Band in Inaugural Parade

image courtesy of 2013pic.org

This week on MommyMaestra we're focusing on one of our favorite topics: music in education. I want to kick it off with a giant BRAVO to the Seguro Que Sí salsa band from Osceola County School for the Arts in Kissimmee, Florida. The band is made up of 10 members all between the ages of 15 and 17.

Tomorrow they will be lending their Latin music to the Inaugural Parade.

Felicidades to all these talented kids and their parents!!

Put a Little Creature Power in Your Kid's Day

Last Wednesday my son spent almost the entire day in a Wild Kratts fog. The PBS KIDS show is his absolute favorite. I don't let my kids watch much TV during the week, but I know they looks forward to watching World Girl and Wild Kratts for an hour each afternoon before their dad comes home. It's my chance to sit down and relax with a little "me" time. It's their time for some super fun science learning.

Anyway, as I was saying, after last Tuesday's Twitter party which featured both Kratt brothers as special guests, my son was floating on cloud nine (yes, I let him stay up way past his bedtime so he could ask questions). He was so excited to "talk" to Chris and Martin. Chris is his favorite (sorry, Martin) and for Christmas, we bought him a green Kratt shirt so he can dress up just like - yep! - Chris.

During the party, they shared a link to some Wild Kratt printables. So on Wednesday, my little printer churned out page after page of Wild Kratt goodness. My son cut some of them up and glued them to poster board to make his own scene. And then he spent a good bit of time drawing/designing Creature Power Suits on both Chris and Martin. He hung them all up on his bedroom wall.

My kids love animals. And they are simply enthralled with the idea of wearing Creature Power Suits that give them the powers of specific animals. My son will rattle off the adaptations of all the animals that have already been featured on the show. I know about platypus' electromagnetic "sixth" sense, and how they are an egg-laying mammal. I know that red kangaroos have incredible strength in their legs and can pack a mean kick. I know that birds of paradise have colorful displays and groovy dance moves.

After last week, they now know all about blowfish and dolphins. And your kids can know all about them, too, because Monday is the world premiere of the Wild Kratts "Lost at Sea." The one-hour science special has Chris and Martin exploring the coral reef along with some under-the-sea treats and other materials to help kids explore their creature powers. Check your local listing for air times. I guarantee your kids will be fascinated even if they aren't already animal lovers!

I think my bilingual readers will especially love the “Speaking Dolphinese” episode where Aviva (the show's Latina character who is the smartest one of the bunch, if you ask me, because she's the designer of all the Creature Power Suits!) speaks Spanish to show how fun it is to learn another language.
I hope you take some time to let your kids watch because it is one of the funnest ways to learn about animals that I've ever seen.

See you on the Creature Trail!

Disclaimer: I'm a PBS KIDS ambassador and received a screener for my kids to watch. All thoughts and opinions listed above are strictly my own. And the stories are true - my kids really are WK groupies.

Happy Kid Inventors' Day!

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
- Alan Kay

Did you know that today is Kid Inventors' Day? It's celebrated every year on January 17th in honor of one of our country's greatest inventors: Benjamin Franklin. He was born 307 years ago today.

We studied Franklin last year and the kids had a blast learning about all of his inventions: the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, bifocals, the flexible urinary catheter (yikes!), the odometer. And at the ripe young age of 12, he invented swim paddles (flippers). He also discovered many fascinating things about electricity, including how to store it in a crude battery of sorts.

People who invent things fascinate me. More often than not, they invent more than one thing. Some would say that few people are born true inventors. I would argue that everyone is born with that natural curiosity and creativity that are the parents of invention. But instead of encouraging our children and students, we tend to discourage it.

How often do your kids create elaborate mazes or machines out of ordinary household items? How often do you compliment your child when they do...or are you like me, sometimes fussing about the mess they've made?

Instead, why don't we make it a regular habit to encourage their spirit of invention? Today, I'm setting aside some time this afternoon for my kids to create something. Whatever they want. And to inspire them, we'll explore the Kid Inventors' Day website.

To make things fun, we'll be putting together an Inventor's Kit that includes (among other things) an Inventor's Journal, tape, glue, pipe cleaners, paper clips, brads, popsicle sticks, yarn, magnets, and anything else my children happen to think of. I'll post a picture when they're finished with it.

The Kid Inventors' Day website has some great books about inventors around the world. But before I end this post, I wanted to share with you a list of just some of our favorite Hispanic inventors:

Narcis Monturiol - Spanish inventor of the first submarine.

Ellen Ochoa - Invented optical analysis systems (and was the 1st Latina astronaut).

Victor Ochoa - The Mexican American Inventor of the Ochoaplane, and a windmill, magnetic brakes, a wrench, and a reversible motor.

Ileana Sánchez - Puerto Rican inventor of a book for the blind that brings together art and braille.

Guillermo González Camarena - The Mexican inventor of the first color tv.

Ronald "Ron" Rivera - Puerto Rican. Invented an inexpensive ceramic water filter used to treat gray water in impoverished communities.

Jose Hernandez-Rebollar - Invented the Acceleglove, a glove that can translate sign language into speech.

Pedro Flores - Inventor of the yo-yo. (He's actually Filipino.) 

Tech Tuesday: Rounds Parker Penguin App

Today's app was developed by Nosy Crow, the same company who created Rounds: Franklin Frog. I decided on sharing this second review because my kids enjoyed Franklin Frog so much!

Name: Rounds: Parker Penguin 
Subject(s): Science, Reading
Brief Description: An interactive life-science, non-fiction app following the life cycle of a penguin.
Price: $4.99
Ages: 2 and up

What my kids like:

Even though my oldest is eight, this app is so engaging and interactive, she opens it again and again. My kids are huge animal lovers, and they really enjoy learning all sorts of facts about the animal world. This app satisfies their appetite for animal trivia, while making learning fun with its interactive layout. Kids tap on the characters to read or hear the dialogue, or they swipe the screen to make Parker dive, eat, and even jump out of the water. The app gives them the option of reading the story on their own, or using the narrator. And if they happen to get stuck on what to do next, the characters prompt them through their dialogue.

What I like:

The educational aspect, of course. I really like that they understand the concept of a life cycle after playing with both of these apps. And it is great for studying about the Antarctic and its habitat. Along the way, my kids learn about other animals, too.

But I also like that my six-year-old can practice reading with the app. Even if he chooses to use the narrator, the app uses word tracking and highlights the words as they are spoken. This app is great for preschoolers and elementary students.

Notes:

This app is only available in English. I'm hoping they consider offering a Spanish version, as I know many of you would use it with your nenes!

This is a great supplement for your child's core curriculum, and really helps kids to understand how a life cycle works.

You can learn more by watching this introductory video:

Do You Believe in Art Education?

The Jungle Book

I truly believe art is an essential part of every child's education. I know deep in my heart that allowing children to learn about art and art history, helps them become stronger in other areas like science and math and reading. And I think that providing them a creative outlet and letting them explore different techniques helps to not only ground them, but also encourages them to think outside the box and understand that there are different ways to achieve the same result, different ways to solve a problem. That perspective is all in the eye of the beholder and just because it is not the same as everyone else's doesn't mean that the perspective is wrong.

I have two kids who love art. And they are very different in their approach to art. One is very precise and careful with proportions. The other is less concerned about neatness and more about detail and richness. Both are talented (as all children are) and unique in their own individual way.

I use art to help them explore topics or themes we are studying. For example, when we were studying life cycles in science, I had them choose a life cycle and then draw it out for me. I love how they chose different animals and had fun with the process. But what I love even more is the fact that in order to draw it, they had to think about it and understand it. The whole process helped them to better understand the concept.

Art is important. And it bothers me how many schools are struggling to keep their art programs alive. So I was thrilled to learn about Art Room Aid. 

A program of Blick Art Materials, Art Room Aid is helping teachers across the country enlist the aid of parents, families, friends, and other art advocates to fund their art projects and keep creative learning going.

Want to learn more? Join me at a Twitter Party to find out how you can support art education, make sure art continues to play a role in your children’s lives, and spread the word about Art Room Aid in your community. We'll be discussing projects you can do with your own kids, and sharing sources of inspiration.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m. ET

Where: They’ll be on Twitter – follow the #BlickARA hashtag to track the conversation. See this Twtvite for more info and to RSVP: http://twtvite.com/BlickARA

Hashtag: #BlickARA

Prizes: They'll be giving away five total prizes - two $25 Blick gift coupons, two $50 Blick gift coupons, and one $75 Blick gift coupon.

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann

Check out Art Room Aid here: http://www.dickblick.com/ara

Blick Art Materials website: http://www.dickblick.com/

Hope to see you then!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with the Motherhood. All opinions are strictly my own. I only work with campaigns with which I approve or agree and feel are beneficial to my readers.