Family resources

Free Activity Books for Military Families – Order by 4/1

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We are excited to announce that once again, Ohio Military Kids is offering free projects books for you and your family! Continue reading to learn more about how you can get your hands on a free project activity book.

 

Our partners at Ohio 4-H are proud to present a collection of project books to military families – at no cost to you! Ohio Military Kids is an organization that benefits from the youth development education offered from Ohio 4-H and the organization resources contributed from Ohio National Guard Family Readiness and Warrior Support. Together, we hope that your families may benefit from the education opportunities found in the collection of project book titles listed in this survey.

Here are the books we are offering:

 

Ohio Birds – “Observe and identify birds with bird feeders in your yard and on field trips to see the many benefits our feathered friends provide. This project book is intended to be used for two years.”

Geology: Can You Dig It? – “Discover our planet’s past with clues in rocks, minerals, and fossils that you collect. Learn where to find these items, how to identify them, and how they formed. Showcase all your findings in a display of your design.”

Let’s Start Cooking – “This project takes a fresh look at basic cooking and baking skills. You’ll learn about kitchen equipment and food prep, and how to read recipes and measure ingredients. Then you’ll tackle how to slice and dice food, and how to cook in a microwave oven, on the stove and in a conventional oven all while keeping safety in mind. Appropriate for members of all ages with little or no cooking or baking experience.”

Everyday Food and Fitness – “Learn how to prepare healthy and hearty snacks using MyPlate as a guide, and discover how powerful healthy food can be for your body and mind. Fun and easy recipes help build your skills in the kitchen. See how well your current diet fits into the MyPlate food groups. Find out what makes grains great, and why vitamins and nutrients are so beneficial. This project shows you how to add exercise to a healthy diet and find the path to a better quality of life.”

Sports Nutrition – “Eating well and exercising daily are two keys to a healthy life. This project shows why these habits are worth forming. Learn how to balance the calories you eat with the calories you burn, why to hydrate, and how carbs, protein, and fats work to support your body and mind. Use what you learn as you compete in sports or just want to increase your fitness level.”

 

Please note that we have a very limited supply of each book. You may only select one of each book per order. If a book has “sold out” it will not be displayed as an option.

Requests must be placed by April 2 at 11:59 PM. Orders will then be processed and sent to families approximately 3-5 weeks after the order deadline.

For additional information about this program or enrollment in Ohio 4-H, please contact State 4-H Healthy Living and Ohio Military Kids Student Assistant, Matthew Swearingen (swearingen.96s@osu.edu)

go.osu.edu/omk4hbookorder

Daylight Saving Time Facts and History

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Unfortunately, next week we will be “losing” an hour of sleep. That’s right, your clocks will spring forward for Daylight Saving Time on March 10th! What does this mean? Well, you can expect longer days with the sun staying out later each night.

 

You might be asking yourself, who do I have to blame for losing an hour of sleep? According to Almanac, the true “founder” of Daylight Saving Time is William Willet. Willet became a proponent of the light-saving campaign when he was riding his horse early in the morning and noticed that the shutters on houses were sealed up, despite the Sun being out. 

 

Willet would go on to lobby the English Parliament, businesses, and the U.S. Congress in support of saving daylight.  Willet wrote, “Everyone appreciates the long, light evenings. Everyone laments their shrinkage as the days grow shorter, and nearly everyone has given utterance to a regret that the nearly clear, bright light of an early morning during Spring and Summer months is so seldom seen or used… . That so many as 210 hours of daylight are, to all intents and purposes, wasted every year is a defect in our civilization. Let England recognize and remedy it.”

 

Willet suggested that society should move their clocks 20 minutes forward each of the four Sundays in April and reverse the process in September. Although spending a small fortune to promote this method, Willet was mostly met with ridicule.

 

Most popular, though, might be Benjamin Franklin’s “An Economical Project,” written in 1784, in which he advocated for citizens to wake at the crack of dawn in order to save the expense of candlelight.

 

It wasn’t until World War I that Daylight Saving Time was truly adapted and accepted. Both governments and citizens realized the importance of conserving coal used for heating purposes. In 1915, Germany officially adopted the light-extending system and the next year, Britain introduced their verison, which is known as British Summer Time.  

 

The United States followed in suit in 1918 when Congress passed the Standard Time Act. This established time zones, despite public opposition. A Congressional Committee was formed to research the benefits of Daylight Saving Time. The general public viewed Daylight Saving Time as absurd. Advocates for Daylight Saving Time advertised it as the more natural option and an extension of summer.

 

Ultimately, Congress was able to officially declare that clocks would be moved one hour ahead at 2:00 A.M. on March 31, 1918. To combat its effects, Americans were encouraged to turn their lights off and go to bed at an earlier time than normal.

 

A common misconception about Daylight Saving Time is that farmers are at the root of its creation. Farmers were actually strongly against the time change and opposed it from the beginning. After WWI ended, farmers began to openly speak out against Daylight Saving Time. Opponents most often identified the gap between urban and rural citizens, as the change impacted the two communities in significantly different ways. The pushback resulted in the initial Daylight Saving Time experiment lasting only until 1920, being repealed primarily due to opposition from dairy farmers. 

 

When World War II came around, Daylight Saving Time was once again implemented to save fuel. After this, Daylight Saving Time seemed to stick on a state-by-state basis. Then, in 1966 Congress passed the Uniform Time Act which established a consistent use of Daylight Saving Time. States like Hawaii and Arizona did not change their clocks. Additionally, some residents of Indiana opposed the idea.

 

Daylight Saving Time as we know it today was established with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that went into effect in 2007.Generally, Americans spring forward on the second Sunday in March and fall back on the first Sunday in November. Check out how your sunrise and sunset times will change here: https://www.almanac.com/astronomy/sun-rise-and-set 

 

Today, there are still many opponents of Daylight Saving Time. As of January 2023, 19 states have passed bills that would end the practice of switching clocks. Even the Senate passed a permanent end to Daylight Saving Time, but it was not taken up by the House. To stay up-to-date on the current Daylight Saving Time policies, click here: https://www.almanac.com/states-object-changing-clocks-daylight-saving-time 

For now, we are left to deal with longer summer days at the expense of losing an hour of sleep in March. The time change can come along with some difficulties. So, as we spring forward on March 10th, check out this list of ways to combat the struggles of Daylight Saving Time: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/how-to-prepare-for-daylight-saving-time

Webinar Opportunity for Military Families – “Supporting Military Families in the Artificial Intelligence Era”

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OneOp is an organization dedicated to providing professional development for military family service providers. This month, OneOp is offering a webinar titled “Supporting Military Families in the Artificial Intelligence Era”

 

Date: February 20

Time: 11:00am-12:30pm

Registration: https://oneop.org/learn/160020/

 

Webinar description: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) can provide valuable assistance to family service providers in various ways, enhancing their ability to offer support and improve outcomes for their clients. Explore AI as a tool for family service providers to increase efficiencies, creativity and engagement in their work with military families. While AI can offer opportunities for family service providers, it should be deployed thoughtfully in order to enhance the relational aspects of service delivery and with workplace policies in mind. In an evolving artificial intelligence landscape, it is essential for family service providers to consider the social impacts for military families including employment and workforce changes, fraud/scams, privacy concerns, and AI bias/discrimination.”

 

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the various ways that service providers may already be experiencing artificial intelligence 
  • Identify professional uses of artificial intelligence for service providers and adult educators
  • Explore the social impacts of AI for families and service providers

 

Presenters:

Dr. Barbara O’Neill

Dr. Barbara O’Neill, CFP®, AFC writes, speaks, and reviews content about personal finance. A Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University, after 41 years of service as a Rutgers Cooperative Extension educator and personal finance specialist, she has written over 190 articles for academic publications and received over 35 national awards and over $1.2 million in grants to support her financial education programs and research. Dr. O’Neill is a past President of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE), a recipient of the AFCPE Distinguished Fellow Award, and a Next Gen Personal Finance fellow.

 

Bob Bertsch

Bob Bertsch has worked for more than 20 years in communications, education, and web technology, and has found a passion for building human networks, especially those focused on collective action. He seeks and shares insights on weaving collaborative networks and on developing a culture of innovation through his work with the North Dakota State University Extension and OneOp.

 

For more information about this webinar, visit: https://oneop.org/learn/160020/ 

Safety Tips for Families This Halloween

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The ghouls and goblins out and about on Halloween are all in good fun, but no one wants to be spooked when it comes to their kids on the upcoming holiday. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your family safe this trick-or-treating season.

For kids 12 and under

  • Dress your kids in clothing that is easily visible at night time or add features to make them visible. Light-colored costumes will make it easy to keep an eye on your kiddos. Furthermore, you can give them glow-in-the-dark bracelets or add reflective tape to their trick-or-treat bags to make sure they’re visible.
  • Masks, wigs, and beards can make it hard for kids to breathe and see. Consider alternatives like face paint and makeup!
  • Make sure your kids’ costumes fit well in order to prevent falls. Oversize shoes and long costumes can be a tripping hazard.
  • In the case that you and your kids do get separated, make sure they are equipped with a name tag that includes your contact information. 

For kids 12 and up

  • Check with your older kids who are trick-or-treating alone and ensure they know their planned route. Familiarize yourself with the route in the case of an emergency.
  • Make sure older kids who plan on going trick-or-treating without adult supervision go with a group and stay with that group for the duration of the evening.
  • Let them know that they should never enter a stranger’s house or car while trick-or-treating. Additionally, encourage them to only go to houses with porch lights on.
  • Consider letting your older kids carry cell phones or other communication devices. This way, they can get in contact with you at any point while they’re trick-or-treating.

For all kids

  • On Halloween, kids are more likely to get hit by cars than any other day of the year. With this in mind, make sure your kids know to stay on sidewalks, only cross streets at crosswalks, and walk facing traffic if they absolutely have to walk on roads.
  • Supply your kids with flashlights or glow bracelets/necklaces.
  • Stay local and trick-or-treat in neighborhoods/communities that you are familiar with.
  • Check to make sure all the treats they receive are sealed, and throw out anything that looks to be tampered with or damaged. Pay attention to candy that may be a choking hazard for younger kids.

Adapted from:

“Halloween Safety Tips (for Parents) – Nemours Kidshealth.” Edited by Melanie L. Pitone, KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, Oct. 2022, kidshealth.org/en/parents/halloween.html.

4 Tips on Getting Through The Mid-Semester Slump

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Are you a high school or college student that is feeling overwhelmed? Are you spending all your time studying for midterms and feeling burnt out? Do you just have a lack of motivation when it comes to school? You might be experiencing a phenomena known as the “Mid-Semester Slump.” According to UC Berkeley, the Mid-Semester Slump is the point of semester when students start to lose momentum in their classes, and heavy work loads begin to catch up with them.

So how can you overcome the Mid-Semester Slump? This blog features ideas and methods for students to get their head back in the game for the back-half of the semester!

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Prioritize Selfcare

According to The Auburn Plainsmen, an important step to combating the Mid  Semester Slump is taking time for selfcare. Endless hours spent studying and doing homework can cause a lot of tension. So, it can be helpful to schedule a massage or spa day. Afterwards, you might feel fresh with a new perspective on the rest of the school year!

If a spa day or massage isn’t for you, Tulane University suggests taking a walk or utilizing at-home selfcare. A simple 20-minute break from your computer screen or textbooks allows you to come back rejuvenated!

 

Be Okay With Logging Off

Distractions come from all over, but especially from cellphones and internet usage. You might be prolonging your study sessions with by scrolling on social media as a procrastination tool. Tulane University explains its important to put your phone away during study/homework time. To fully increase productivity, consider putting your phone in an entirely different room when you’re doing school work.

 

Hold Yourself Accountable

Actively finding time to study with peers or having progress check-ins with family members can help you achieve your goals, according to Tulane University. This method of accountability makes your goals feel real. Similarly, Tulane University suggests writing down a to-do list or reminders. Take time to speak to your  guidance counselor or advisor about your goals and academics. These professionals can help you make sense of your stressors and get you back on track.

 

Ask For Help

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be useful to have someone by your side to help you out and put things into perspective. According to Truett McConnell  University, asking for help from teachers and professors can be significant aid when getting through the Mid-Semester Slump. Similarly, taking advantage of  free student services (on a school-by-school basis), can push you through the slump.

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This isn’t a comprehensive list, and there are so many more methods to getting through the Mid-Semester Slump. It’s important to remember you’re never the only one struggling, and the people in your life are there as a support system. Plus, don’t forget that Winter Break is right around the corner!

 

References:

“Overcoming Midsemester Slump.” Overcoming Midsemester Slump | Center for Teaching & Learning, teaching.berkeley.edu/overcoming-midsemester-slump. Accessed 19 Oct. 2023.

Parson, Mackenzie. “Ways to Avoid the Mid-Semester Slump.” The Auburn Plainsman, 1 Mar. 2023, www.theplainsman.com/article/2023/03/ways-to-avoid-the-mid-semester-slump#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Cmid%2Dsemester%20slump%E2%80%9D,easy%20to%20get%20burned%20out.

“Preventing the Mid-Semester Slump.” Tulane School of Professional Advancement, 10 June 2020, sopa.tulane.edu/blog/preventing-mid-semester-slump#:~:text=This%20is%20the%20time%20in,practices%20and%20tips%20can%20help.

Walker, Zach. “8 Ways to Conquer the Mid-Semester Slump.” Truett McConnell University, truett.edu/blog/archive/8-ways-to-conquer-the-mid-semester-slump/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2023.

Fall Craft For Families – Turkey Windsocks

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Happy Fall, ya’ll! As the weather gets cooler, you might be wondering what kind of activities can keep your kids entertained indoors. Check out this fun and cost efficient craft for your family!

thanksgiving kids craft turkey windsocks

(Image from Happiness is Homemade)

What you’ll need:

  1. Recycled Aluminum Can
  2. Brown Paint
  3. Craft glue
  4. Orange Paint Pen
  5. Large Googly Eyes
  6. Ribbons-Fall Colors
  7. Feathers, Felt, and/or Construction Paper-Fall Colors
  8. Scissors
  9. Masking Tape (optional)

Directions:

  1. Start by painting the Aluminum Can with the brown paint. 
  2. After the brown paint is dry, use your orange painter’s pen to draw an upside-down triangle as the turkey’s “beak.”
  3. Then, attach the googly eyes using your craft glue.
  4. Using your choice of feathers or construction paper, create the turkey’s “tail” by gluing the feathers/construction paper to the top of the back of the can on the inside rim. The can will have sharp edges, you can apply the masking tape there to protect your fingers.
  5. Cut 10-15 pieces of ribbon at about 18” in length.
  6. Apply a thick layer of craft glue to the inside rim at the bottom of the can, and then place your ribbon streamers. Allow the glue to dry.
  7. Cut out a red waddle (in either felt or construction paper). Use your craft glue to attach it beside the beak.
  8. Attach ribbon to the inside rim of the top sides of the can using craft glue to create a handle.

Adapted from: Happiness is Homemade. For more fun, Fall crafts, check out their website:

https://www.happinessishomemade.net/thanksgiving-kids-craft-turkey-windsocks/