January
National Hobby Month
Celebrate January as National Hobby Month every year with your family and friends. To help you, we’ve gathered a list of fun things to do.
Things You’ll Need
Imagination
Celebrating National Hobby Month
Pick a new hobby to try as a family.
Learn about the hobbies of other family members.
Give an honest try to a hobby you’ve never considered before.
Ask your family what hobbies they have always wanted to try.
Try to take your hobby from spare time to career.
article from ehow.com
February
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
Have your kids test their knowledge by taking this quiz.
National Dental Health Month
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Click on the Calendar below to chart your brushing and flossing progress.
Valentine’s Day
February has long been known as the month of Romance or love. Every February 14, across the United States candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Valentine’s Day is big business that can leave you confused on what to do. Below is a list of things you can do for your kids:
Tour a local chocolate or candy factory
Write a sweet letter to your kids
Make homemade Valentine’s Day card
Bake Cookies or other chocolate goodies
Send Flowers
Create coupons or gift certificates
March
National Nutrition Month
The Theme this year is “Eat Right With Color”. Color your plate each day with color — Here are some samples:
Green: avocados, apples, grapes, asparagas, broccoli, green beans
Orange or yellow: cantaloupe, grapefruit, peach, pineapple, carrots, corn
Purple or blue: blueberries, plums, raisins, eggplant, cabbage
Red: cherries, cranberries, red grapes, watermelon, tomaotes, red peppers, red onions
White, tan or brown: banana, dates, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions
Click on the calendar to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables
March 2011 National Nutrition Month
Marti Gras
Marti Gras is also known as the Carnival Season. It refers to the events of the carnival celebration beginning or after Epiphany and ending on Ash Wednesday. Marti Gras is French for Fat Tuesday referring to the last day of eating rich, fatty foods before you start fasting for the Lenten Season. Marti Gras is always 47 days before Easter.
Goto the Eats and Treats section to make a Marti Gras King Cake or visit the Tips section to learn how to make a Marti Gras Mask
Teacher Appreciation Week
If you are grateful for the knowledge you have learned from your teacher, then you need to show you’re thanks to your teachers by celebrating Teacher Appreciation week which is the 2nd through the 6th of May 2011. This is your chance to show your gratitude to your favorite teachers and reward them with a special gift.
Teacher appreciation week is the perfect time in the year for you to take a moment to show your appreciation to teachers for all the effort they put forth in each day to teach us and for the education that we receive. This is a great opportunity to increase interaction between teachers and students.
Below are some ideas for gifts
*Write a thank you note telling them how much they mean to you
*do a gift basket filled with things they like
*give them a plant or flowers
*gift certificate for a local coffee shop
*personalized stationary
June
National Safety Month
June is National Safety Month and we encourages you to get involved and participate in the different themes they offer each week that brings attention to critical safety issues.
Dates and Themes
Click on each of the themes and get more helpful materials or even take a webinar.
August
Back to School
Choosing the Right Backpack
It’s hard to believe that it is that time of year again, but in less than 4 weeks you will be sending your kids back to school. You have probably already seen the school supplies in the stores and in the ads, so please start your shopping early to ensure that you get everything your child needs.
One of the most important things you can get for your child, from preschool to collage, is their backpack. Selecting the proper bag is not always easy, they might want to select a bag based on certain characters, colors or style but that might not always be the safest choice for them.
Check out the following tips below to guarantee you select the proper bag for your child:
- Lightweight backpack to carry their supplies and books – you don’t want your child complaining about back pain, suffering from headaches, or have posture problems because their bag is stuffed to heavy
- Look for a backpack with wide, padded straps – this will help to distribute the weight evenly
- Make sure the backpack fits properly. The straps should not be so tight that the pack goes above the collar line or is wider than the shoulders. It also should be adjusted tightly enough so it does not hang more than 4 inches below the belt line.
- The weight of the loaded backpack should not be more than 15% of the child body weight. Kids tend to pack everything but the kitchen sink in their backpacks. Make sure they pack the heaviest items first so they are carried lower and closer to the body.
- Try not to have them sling the backpack over one shoulder. Messenger-style bags, which get slung over one shoulder, should be avoided. This will force your child to lean to one side to offset the weight ( I know I’m guilty of this with carrying my gym bag)
November
Thanksgiving
In 2010, Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 25. This is a great time to gather with loved ones and share a meal, football and fellowship. It is a great holiday, and typically kicks off the Christmas shopping season. Enjoy your family on this day…..prepare food at home, or select a special restaurant in which to celebrate. In either case, be thankful of what you have – especially each other.
December
Advent Calendar
Trees, nativity scene, baking cookies, December is a time when families begin decorating inside and out. You will start mailing out the Christmas cards and playing the Christmas music. An advent calendar is the anticipation that Christmas is coming.
What is an Advent Calendar?
An advent calendar is a special calendar which contains reminders each day that Christmas is coming. Today, most advent calendars are made for children. Many have “windows” that you open every day and contain small gifts like chocolates or toys, some contain activities to do.
Write a Friend Month
Did you know that December is “Write to a friend” month? When was the last time you saw your child write a handwritten note? Better yet, when was the time time you wrote a handwritten note? Writing is a lost art, a dying art. With today’s technology, where everything is emails, text messages and Im’s, your child thinks it’s perfectly exceptable for a text message to serve as a thank you note.
Teach your kids the art of writing, it doesn’t have to be lengthy, but it may grow to that. Have them write a note to Grandma or Grandpa telling them about what they learned in school or what they did that week. Or have them write their teacher saying how much they appreciated them and have learned. (not to score any brownie points) Better yet, you may even encourage them to get a Pen Pal. Remember when you were in school and you got to chose what country you wanted your pen pal from? Did you know this is something that is still available for kids? Your child will gain so many valuable skills with writing to different people and different countries.
In fact, I personally have a pen pal and have been writing her for years. However, I’m kind of a hypocrite because it’s always been through email. Maybe this is my chance to practice what I preach and send a note to a friend.
Christmas….and holiday traditions….
Create a holiday tradition such as Christmas China….you can do this at a local pottery shop. Fun, creative and memories for life….