10 Day of the Dead Recipes for a Sweet Celebration

by Susie ForesmanOctober 1, 2023

Dia de los Muertos is a day to remember departed friends and family. Use these Day of the Dead recipes to celebrate!

After your kids have ridden the sugar high of Halloween night, take some time on Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to honor friends and family members who have passed away. The Mexican-originated holiday can spark interesting conversations about life and death. Feed your kiddo’s curiosity by making some Day of the Dead recipes, from traditional Mexican recipes to colorful sugar skull–inspired treats.

Atole de Pinole

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Try this delicious, classic Mexican drink! Atole de Pinole has flavors of cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla mixed with ground corn. It’ll keep you warm on cold, fall days. Get the recipe here.

Dia de los Muertos Pancakes

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Try out these sugar skull pancake designs. It’ll put an artistic spin on your celebration.

Pan de Muerto

day of the dead recipes — Mangio da Sola

Make a batch of pan de muerto like this one from Mangio da Sola to celebrate the day. The “bone” decorations on top represent loved ones who have passed away. A simple sweet bread flavored with anise seed and orange, this is sure to be a win with the whole family.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Pair your pan de muerto with a comforting cup of Mexican hot chocolate, like this one from Onion Rings and Things. Rich bittersweet chocolate contrasts beautifully with black pepper to make a spicy but decadent treat.

Day of the Dead Cookies

These cute cookies from Girl versus Dough are a fun take on sugar skulls. The chocolate cinnamon cookies are delicious, and the kids will love helping decorate them with sprinkles and candies.

Tamales

Tamales are traditionally served for big celebrations like the Day of the Dead, Christmas, and Mexican Independence Day. Let the kiddos get involved in making this fantastic recipe from How to Feed a Loon. They definitely require time and patience, but the result will be well worth it.

Roasted Vegetable Sopa Azteca

Similar to tortilla soup, this dish from The Bojon Gourmet is made with lots of roasted veggies and topped with crispy tortilla strips. It’s easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and cheese, too.

White Chocolate Covered Strawberry Skulls

For an easy but delicious take on sugar skulls, try this recipe from Growing Up Bilingual. Candy markers make it a breeze to decorate the white chocolate strawberries. Sugar skulls are traditionally part of the ofrendas (offerings) made to deceased loved ones as part of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Chicken Empanadas

Empanadas might sound tricky to make, but with a few shortcuts from Food Lovin’ Family they’ll be a breeze. Refrigerated pie crust cuts out a lot of the work, and you can let your mini sous chefs help fill the pockets with a chicken mixture and top them off with an egg wash.

Potato Peanut Butter Calavera Candy

These cute peanut butter candies from Presley’s Pantry will make the perfect Day of the Dead treat. The best part? They're made out of pantry staples that you probably have on hand.

10 Places to Learn About Black History in San Diego

by Bonnie TaylorFebruary 15, 2022

It’s Black History Month, making it an obvious time to celebrate the richness of Black History with your children, but you can visit these San Diego spots throughout the year. Visits to San Diego museum exhibits, sculptures and historical sites will spark discussions and enlighten young minds with history lessons about the first Black San Diegans as well as famous Black leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sojourner Truth. Read on for where to go for an educational and inspiring tour around the city on walking tours in San Diego.

Breaking of the Chains Monument

Teach your kids to keep Breaking the Chains of discrimination as this monument depicts. It was created by Melvin Edwards in 1995 as a testament to African Americans’ bravery on their path toward civil rights. This is found next to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade, along with other outdoor sculptures and works of art nearby.

Breaking of the Chains Monument
301 1st Ave., Downtown

Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade

Let the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspire your discussions as you walk down the promenade dedicated to him. It’s a 0.6-mile long walkway lined with 30 plaques engraved with his famous words. All along this path, you’ll find additional works of art and outdoor sculptures. It begins near Petco Park, runs through the Gaslamp Quarter and continues across from the Convention Center along the Children’s Park and ends at W. Market St.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade
326 Harbor Dr., Downtown

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San Diego Public Library

It's a great time to explore the San Diego Public Library as it honors Black history, celebrates culture and community, and recognizes the achievements as well as the ongoing struggles of Black Americans.

In celebration of Black History Month, SDPL is hosting various thought-provoking programs both in-person and virtual as well as offering an opportunity for students to participate in a creative works contest. Check out our events page for month-long activities.

Online: www.sandiego.gov/public-library

World Beat Center

This renovated water tower has become one of the most important multicultural art and event centers in San Diego. The walls inside and out are brightly covered in murals and flags to commemorate Egyptian, African and Indigenous Cultures’ important leaders and historical cultures. Their weekly family drumming, dance and other classes are on hold right now, but there are virtual events online from poetry, tribute bands, a Malcom X birthday panel and discussions about African Americans’ presence in Latin America. They also have an onsite WorldBeat Café, currently open Fri.-Sun. for take-out featuring cultural dishes made with produce from their ethnobotany garden outside.

Work Beat Center
2100 Park Blvd., Balboa Park
619-230-1190
Online: worldbeatcenter.org

Sojourner Truth Statue

This famed UCSD sculpture was created by alumni and African American sculptor, Manuelita Brown. Sojourner was a suffragist and abolitionist who used the power of her words to stand up for women’s rights and combat slavery. You’ll find this sculpture near the Thurgood Marshall College on the UCSD campus.

Sojourner Truth Statue
UCSD Campus
9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla

Julian Hotel (originally Hotel Robinson)

Hotel Robinson was built in 1897 by freed slave Albert Robinson, who came to California to start a new life. This is one of the first Black-owned businesses in San Diego County and is now part of the National Register of Historic Places. Today it continues as a hotel now called the Julian Gold Rush Hotel and has been authentically restored to provide an ambiance of the history. This is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Southern California.

Julian Hotel
2032 Main St., Julian
800-734-5854
Online: julianhotel.com

African Museum (Casa del Rey Moro)

Learn about African world history with a special focus on African-Spanish, African-Mexican and African-American heritage. You’ll find charts, timelines, carvings, weavings and more relics from ancient, colonial and current periods. There are study guides that overlap the California public school’s framework to better understand African cultural history and its impact throughout the world. The bookstore has a lot of books featuring San Diego Black pioneers and local Black history. When the museum opens up again you may even get to meet Congo, the African-Grey parrot.

African Museum - Casa del Rey Moro
2471 Congress St., Old Town
619-220-0022
Online: africanmuseumsandiego.com

Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center

Schedule your library book pick-up here and you can learn and read about Malcolm X. You’ll find a large statue of the civil rights leader that’s sure to spark a discussion with your kids about what he stands for. Librarians can help you choose something that’s just right for your kids to read from their Special Collection of African Diaspora books, newspapers and magazines. It also features an African American Genealogy section if you have roots in your family to research. This library branch serves the largely African-American communities in this neighborhood and it was designed to serve as a cultural institution for the community with its performing arts and cultural center. The library is currently open for limited services.

Malcolm X Library
5148 Market St., Valencia Park
619-527-3405
Online: sandiego.gov/public-library

San Diego History Center

Search the new “Celebrate: Black History & Heritage” online exhibit at the San Diego History Center. It starts back in 1798 with their collection of historical documents and photos that record African American history in San Diego. This is a dynamic unfolding exhibition that’s not complete without on-going community involvement and "will be an ever-evolving exhibit."

San Diego History Center
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park
619-232-6203
Online: sandiegohistory.org

Gaslamp Quarter

Walk where the first African Americans lived and worked in San Diego and see how they helped shape the city. The first Black-owned businesses started along Market Street in the Gaslamp Quarter with hotels, a barber shop, a candy & sundries shop and a laundry service, among others. One of the most well known was the Douglas Hotel in 1920 (no longer there). It offered the first desegregated gathering place for black and white people for lodging, dining, dancing and entertainment. Famed Black jazz musicians like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday would play there often.

Gaslamp Quarter
Between Broadway - K Streets
and Fourth - Sixth Streets
Downtown

––Bonnie Taylor

featured image via Bonnie Taylor

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Marie Kondo Your Life with These 10 Genius Storage Solutions on Amazon

by Karly WoodDecember 1, 2021

Marie Kondo has been an organizing guru for years, but when Netflix debuted not one, but two shows based on her methods, everyone binged watched. Moms everywhere purged their homes as if their life depended on it and took the KonMari method to heart.

If that was you and you’re still hooked on keeping only those things that spark joy, then keep reading to see some of our fave storage solutions that are totally KonMari-compatible.

Kitchen Drawer Organizer

If you've watched Tidying Up, you've probably seen Marie show up with her own box of...boxes. The organizer swears by the technique of using boxes within drawers to help keep items alongside like items for that perfect tidy look. This 8-piece set ($8) of kitchen organizers comes in varying sizes to accommodate all sorts of baubles, but more importantly to keep everything organized. Perfect for your bathroom drawers, too!

Foldable Drawer Boxes

Once you've mastered the KonMari folding method, you're going to need to plenty of space to keep those beautifully folded clothes. If your drawer system is lacking, then these foldable drawer boxes ($27) can keep you on track. They're great for organizing baby and kid clothes since they're too small to stand up in large drawers, and to keep undergarments tidy, too.

Delta Children MySize 9 Bin Plastic Toy Organizer

If this storage solution looks familiar, it's because it actually made an appearance on the first episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo! The toy organizer ($58) comes with nine bins and is available in six different colors to match your decor, while also providing some major functionality.

Boxbox Plastic Storage

Drawers can quickly become a haven for mess, especially when you have a junk drawer––wait, isn't that a "bad word" in Marie Kondo's world? Instead of tossing pens, keys and random objects into the abyss, stock up on simple clear boxes like these. For $14 you'll get a pack of 10 that can wrangle all types of clutter.

Battery Organizer

Is it us, or does this battery organizer ($18) spark some major joy? With room to store 82 batteries in all shapes and sizes, this holder not only keeps them from accidentally de-charging, but you can also use the detachable battery tester to make sure you're only keeping the ones that actually work.

Sterilite Stacking Drawers

Whether you use them to organize shoes, small toys or garage essentials, this six-pack of stacking drawers ($45) will keep your home looking clutter-free. The stacking features means you'll have ample floor space, while the clear plastic keeps everything within eyesight.

Flex Totes

Whether you're storing away sweaters for the summer or just trying to organize the linen closet, flex totes ($20) like these will get it done. The clear plastic panels are Marie Kondo-approved and makes finding what you need a cinch! The top zipper makes for easy access and the huge size means these little bags can pack it all in.

Air-Tight Food Storage Containers

Tired of never knowing what you have in the pantry? Make grocery shopping more enjoyable and cost-effective by keeping snacks and other foods in clear containers in your pantry. This airtight version ($30) not only looks sharp, but it's also clear and will keep your food fresh longer than a toddler who doesn't know how to close a bag to save their life!

Clear 70 Quart Ultra Latch Box

Even if you follow Kondo's method to a T, we all still have items that call for storage throughout the year. These four-pack of clear latch boxes ($89) make great garage storage because they are large, clear and all match. Nothing says tidy like matchy-matchy boxes!

Sterilite 6-Quart Boxes (Pack of 12)

This basic 6-quart size clear box is a must when it comes to organizing. There are so many uses that you won't have a hard time using the entire 12-pack ($31) for things like shoes, craft supplies, toys and pretty much anything.

––Karly Wood

Featured photo: Canva

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Nostalgia Alert! Strawberry Shortcake Is Back in New Reboot

by Karly WoodSeptember 21, 2021

Did you drift off to sleep clutching your strawberry-scented Strawberry Shortcake doll? Then you’ll be elated to find out that your fave fruit-infused girl is back!

Strawberry Shortcake is returning in an all-new animated series, Berry in the Big City. Debuting on WildBrain Spark’s Strawberry Shortcake YouTube and YouTube Kids channels on Sat. Sept. 18, young viewers will be introduced to Ms. Shortcake and her new found pals as she navigates Big Apple City.

photo: Courtesy of WildBrain Spark

The first two episodes start Strawberry Shortcake’s journey to Big Apple City, where she’s hoping to get her big break in baking. With her cat Custard in tow, Strawberry also finds new friends in Orange Blossom, Lime Chiffon, Lemon Meringue and Blueberry Muffin. Together, the friends run their food trucks and fun adventures with plenty of singing along the way.

Berry in the Big City will consist of 40 four-minute adventures for kids ages 3 to 6 (though we admit, it was just as entertaining for us parents who loved the OG version!). After the launch, new episodes will drop every week through June 2022.

And fear not, a second 40-episode season is already planned, in addition to 44-minute Strawberry Shortcake family specials! Berry in the Big City also features 10 original songs that will be released next year as animated lyric videos for kids to sing along and enjoy on WildBrain Spark’s official Strawberry Shortcake channel.

––Karly Wood

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Teaching Children to Be a Spark of Good

By Chris Parsons

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

September 8, 2021

Photo: iStock

As children grow in the world, they start to slowly look out, and realize that there are other people besides themselves. As the selfish toddler years subside, you can slowly see children start to share, to worry over other’s pains and to think about what people around them would want or need. As a parent, teacher, or guardian, you want to help usher them into being compassionate people. You try to instil some values, some insights, and some moral understanding; but you are also just hoping for the best. Things like TV, school, other children and external stresses can set the wrong example for kids or lead them in a direction you’d rather help them turn from.

Chris Parson’s book, “A Little Spark” helps us realize the kind of resources we have on our side. The story follows the adventures of a little mouse (Spark), and through his diverse trials and tribulations, he learns the importance of believing in himself, not judging others without knowing where they’re coming from, the value of friendship and the essential nature of forgiveness.

It is this cast of lively characters that can help further your discussions of empathy with the children in your life. Telling a child about the importance of sharing is one thing, but it is far more effective to illustrate this lesson through engaging storytelling. This is what “A Little Spark” is all about. The compelling story, hilarious, warm-hearted, or challenging characters and relatable scenarios make the book a great jumping-off point for framing talking points with your young listeners.

In fact, the book is great for entertainment and instruction between parents and children, but it’s actually suited for a lot more than that. Parsons’ vision for the future of his book is to see it used in classrooms and reading groups, to help foster conversations with children about topics of interest and worked with a first-grade class in Texas, in order to explore the applications of the book and its themes. He goes on to explain a little about their experience, “The teacher read the book, and the students listened to the music and discussed the lessons—the teacher, parents, and the kids loved it. Our goal moving forward is to develop a “Be That Spark” program for schools/caregivers focused on helping develop positive character traits in kids.”

How to Discuss Empathy with Children
If you would like to use the book as a way to broach the topic of empathy with your kids, there are some strategies to keep in mind. Try taking a situation from the book and asking how your child would have acted. Or choose a scenario from the book and apply it to the child’s life: how would the child deal with someone who needed help or could benefit from sharing? Ask the child to explain the character’s motivations for being sympathetic or empathetic. And you can also discuss what the word means to you and to them.

During the Discussion, Identify & Reflect on People’s Empathy
Children gain a better understanding of a topic by identifying an action of someone they know during a discussion. While teaching them about empathy, show them an act of kindness and selflessness performed by someone they had seen before, emphasizing both the immediate and long-term benefits of such activity. Furthermore, by appreciating such acts of empathy, the children learn to accept and imbibe the virtue quite easily.

Ask Them to Describe How They Feel When They Show Kindness to Their Friends
Discussing empathy with children should begin with obtaining their understanding of acts of kindness demonstrated between them and their peers. This should be accomplished through the use of subtle questions designed to elicit their natural perspective on empathy. You can ask them how they feel if a classmate is having lunch and has enough of it to spare but refuses to share it with another classmate who has nothing. Make them understand that even the smallest act of kindness, if shown to the classmate without lunch, can go a long way towards relieving his or her hunger and ensuring he/she feels the company of his/her classmates. In a variety of other situations, the emphasis should be on the fact that it is humane to show empathy.

Being aware of and caring about the feelings of others is a quality that everyone should strive for, and it is best instilled in children. Making them aware of this feeling and demonstrating it necessitates a thoughtful discussion. The focus of all discussions with the children should be on identifying the attributes of empathy as it manifests itself in the various situations brought to the children’s attention.

Chris Parsons

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Chris Parsons grew up in Flatrock, Newfoundland. After many years of telling his stories, he published his first book "A Little Spark" in October 2020. The book is a fully illustrated chapter book - complete with a Soundtrack and Audiobook. The book recently received the Mom's Choice Gold Medal. He resides in Dallas.

This New Version of Monopoly Is Right on Target

by Karly WoodAugust 3, 2021

Calling all Target lovers! Now you can combine your love of the bullseye retailer and your prowess as a property owner in a whole new game: Target Monopoly!

Target and Hasbro are bringing shopping enthusiasts a limited edition version of Monopoly that you can finally get now. Monopoly: Target Edition plays the same way the OG version does, but with all the things that make Target the magical place it is.

Instead of buying property, you get to pick up Target items, and in typical Target Circle fashion you can earn tokens that will help you increase your savings. When you pass GO, go ahead and buy those items in your Target basket! To win, be the player with the most savings at checkout.

“Monopoly: Target Edition is the latest example of how we are always exploring new ways to spark moments of joy with all of our guests within our curated assortment of fan-favorite and Target-exclusive games and toys,” says Nik Nayar, senior vice president, hardlines, Target.

The limited edition game is available now stores and Target.com.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Target

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5 Children’s Books That Illustrate the Importance of Friendship

By Jon Hoefer

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

June 15, 2021

Photo: Max Goncharov on Unsplash

I reflect fondly on the nights reading bedtime stories with my two boys. I loved watching them scurry and giggle in their pajamas as I asked them to go pick out two or three of their favorite books from their bookshelf. Looking back, the stories that I loved reading the most were the ones which initiated a conversation that ultimately lasted longer than reading the book itself.

With that in mind, here are five children’s books (some old, some new), that touch on the importance of friendship and love and can easily spark an interesting discussion between a parent and child:

1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein:
This Shel Silverstein classic focuses on the relationship that develops between a tall tree and a young boy. With simple words and black-line illustrations, Silverstein quickly draws the reader in as a believer of this unconventional friendship. It’s a warm and wonderful story, yet it is quite sad on some levels. The tree is so giving and loves the boy unconditionally. The boy takes what he is able to from this generous tree throughout his entire life. But who is happiest at the end: the individual who gives or the one that takes? It’s truly open to interpretation, which makes for a nice conversation. Parents and kids can talk about the importance of giving, equally weighted friendships, and the benefits of showing appreciation.

2. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch:
Our copy of Love You Forever is probably the most tattered of all our children’s books. Maybe it’s the colorful illustrations or the repetitive rhyming chorus, but it is a story that can be read over and over again. It is a confirmation of the heart-felt relationship parents have with their children and vice-versa. Life can be funny and each stage has a way of being awkward or self-serving, especially when we are kids. The text taps into how parents both “love” and “like” their kids, which in itself is a good conversation topic. The lump-in-the-throat moment is at the end of the book, when he rocks his mother, and then introduces the song to his infant daughter. After reading the book—plan on singing the song together, be prepared to talk about family dynamics, the concept of growing older, and how love (and like) endures the circle of life.

3. Avery’s Gift by Jonathan Hoefer:
Waking up in a dream-like setting, and discovering that she has lost all of her colors, Avery goes on a quest to find them with a new friend, Dalton. Though the story of Avery’s Gift is inspired by a heavier topic, this modern fable can be used to discuss the importance of love and friendship. After reading the story, parents can discuss the feeling of being lost or “colorless.” The journey within the story not only shows the importance of being open to making new friends, it also demonstrates how being generous and kind can bring “colors” into another person’s life. This book contains many metaphors of love and loss, with the opportunity for dialog to run deeper if the parent so chooses.

4. The Sandwich Swap by Kelly DiPucchio:
Friendships are built on strong foundations, especially in grade school. Forming true friendships is a wonderful process, though sometimes challenging. Through our formative years, we are introduced to many people with different families, backgrounds, and cultures. As simple as showing the oddities of a hummus sandwich and a PB&J, The Sandwich Swap embraces the beauty of friendship by appreciating the differences we all possess, not just recognizing what we have in common. In today’s climate, it is nice to point out what makes us unique and how these individual qualities can be the building blocks for a solid and true friendship. Let this book spark a conversation with your children about what makes them unique and what interesting aspects of their culture or heritage would they want to share with a new friend? What food do you serve as a family that could be viewed as odd to another person?

5. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams:
The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic tale of friendship, love, and becoming Real. The version illustrated by Don Daily is especially intricate and mesmerizing. There are so many life lessons that can be found inside this iconic story, but an interesting thing to point out is that the letter “R” is capitalized whenever the author uses the word ‘Real.’ The reason? According to the author, being Real is a very big deal, and worthy of its capitalization! The rabbit searched for friendship and love, and he found all of this with the boy who cherished him. This love created an abundance of self-worth in the rabbit, ultimately allowing him to become Real. Ask your young reader how the book made them feel? Does your child have a favorite stuffed animal? What would it be like if they loved it so much – it became Real? Do they ever feel like the velveteen rabbit? Use this book as an opportunity to tell your young reader how much you love them – it can make a real difference.

Children’s books are full of beautiful imagery and wonderful words. But, I find, some of the most intriguing words come from the minds of young readers sharing their thoughts about what was just read. Feel free to create your own prompts after reading your child’s favorite book and wait for their response. It might just be the best story you’ve heard all day.

Jon Hoefer

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Jonathan Hoefer is an author, illustrator, and art director that has been involved in the printing and publishing industry for over 20 years. His new book, Avery's Gift, is available now.

When Motherhood Isn’t a Fairytale

By Holly Hatam

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

May 21, 2021

Photo: Aikomo Opeyemi on Unsplash

Once upon a time, I lived in la-la land. I had magical dreams of a unicorn baby. A baby that slept through the night and never cried. A toddler that was a well-behaved angel. I dreamt of how easy it would be for a baby to nestle into my existing life as a career-driven woman. My dreams were just that, dreams.

The fairytale life I had envisioned quickly turned into a nightmare. My baby had colic, so not only did he not sleep through the night for months, but he cried all day and night, for months. I felt so alone. I felt betrayed by all my mom friends. No one told me how hard motherhood would be. Everyone let me believe that every moment was filled with glitter and rainbows.

My days were filled with darkness. There was no glitter. Unless you count my glistening tears. Every day, I counted down the hours until my husband came home from work. My favorite noise was hearing his key in the door. As much as I couldn’t wait for him to get home every day, I also resented him. I resented the fact that he got to go to work every days. For nine hours a day, he got to escape a crying, screaming, pooping baby. He got to be around adults and have more meaningful conversations than I was having. Although I don’t think goo goo ga ga qualifies as meaningful or a conversation.

I missed working my regular 7-8 hour days. I missed being creative. I missed setting and achieving big, audacious goals. I tried to work whenever the baby was sleeping (which was hardly ever). But I just couldn’t focus. My art wasn’t flowing. I was exhausted, had mommy brain and was always watching the clock. Counting down the minutes until the baby woke up from his nap.

And then, the villain of my fairytale appeared out of the shadows. Guilt. Relentless Guilt with his sharp claws digging into my heart. Guilt made me feel like a bad mother and wife. Guilt made me feel disgusting for wanting to spend more time working than with my baby. Guilt made me feel shameful for not loving and enjoying every moment I had with my newborn. Guilt made me feel like a horrible human being.

I started to spiral. Looking back now, I know I had a postpartum. But I didn’t realize it then. I just thought this is what motherhood is. None of the moms I knew talked about this stuff. And I felt ashamed that I was having these feelings. I put on a make-believe bright and happy face for the world. I was only posting the picture-perfect moments on social media. I was telling people that being a mom was so fun and fulfilling. But behind all the make-believe, I was having mental breakdowns and dreaming of running away.

I loved my baby, but I didn’t feel like myself. I missed my old life. I have always been a high achiever, setting out to be the best in everything I do. My career and art were such a huge part of who I was. I felt like I was losing all the parts of myself that I admired and loved. I didn’t feel like I was the best mom, wife or artist. I felt like an absolute failure.

Being a children’s book author and illustrator, I set out to inspire children and children inspire me. But motherhood left me uninspired. It was only when I confronted my guilt, that the darkness started to lift. I realized that in order for me to be a good mom and be the person I was meant to be, I had to work. My job sparked a twinkle in my eyes and lit purpose in my heart. It wasn’t motherhood that made me feel uninspired. It was too much guilt and too little of what sparked a light in me.

Just because I was now a mom, didn’t mean I was any less of an artist, a goal-oriented high achiever, a complete fantasy nerd, a big goofball and most importantly, my own person. All those things helped me be a better mom and being a mom helped me be a better person.

Holly Hatam

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Holly Hatam is the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dear Girl and Dear Boy, as well as Unicorns Are Real, Made by Maxine, and Jack (Not Jackie). She loves hugging trees, drinking tea, sniffing books, music, animations and most importantly, unicorns. She invites you to be transported into her magical world by visiting hollyhatam.com.

Survey Finds Children of All Ages Have Increased Their Reading During The Pandemic

by Karly WoodMay 11, 2021

Did your kiddos find themselves reading during the pandemic? A new survey says they’re not alone.

Epic, in partnership with Morning Consult has just released a report on the habits and reading preferences in kids taken from a survey of parents. The report, titled Read All About It: A Report on the State of Kids’ Reading Habits and Interests During the Pandemic, combines the result of the survey on the activities and feelings kids had during the pandemic with date taken from Epic’s data team. What did it find?

photo: iStock

The report found that children of all ages increased their reading, resulting in improvement of their wellbeing. 2020 found that kids read an extra hour each month, read for fun four or more times per week and that they read for 20 minutes each day.

Most importantly, parents reported they felt that 69 percent of kids were happier after they read and close to 75 percent said their children were more creative, curious and willing to try something new.

Kevin Donahue, co-founder of Epic shares “It’s a dream for us to see that the data reflects one of the founding principles of Epic: to inspire curiosity in children and fuel their innate love of learning. Discovering that 82% of parents said their kids were eager to discuss what they read after putting down the book made us proud of what Epic has accomplished; not only in its ability to effectively engage kids in reading, but to spark family conversation and continue the learning beyond the platform.”

What else did the study find?

86 percent of finished books were fiction of the books kids finished in 2020 were fiction
Kids read more Monday through Friday and in June and July
The 10 most popular search terms were animals, friendship, funny, pet, cat, bedtime, strange, monster, family and dog

––Karly Wood

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Kids Love Stickers but Do They Have Any Educational Value?

By Gay Cioffi

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

May 3, 2021

Photo: Melissa & Doug via Amazon

Like most four-year-olds, my granddaughter, Alma,” LOOOOVESSSS“ stickers! She has lots of sticker books that provoke limitless conversations and long periods of play.

From vehicles and outer space to ballerinas, unicorns, and various animals, these collections provide her with hours of fun. And in addition to being very entertaining, stickers are loaded with learning.

Discussions about her little stickies increase vocabulary and hone her verbal skills as she describes what they are and what they are doing. Using these stickers also develops excellent visual discrimination as well as sorting and categorization skills. Moving the stickers and placing them in new locations requires dexterity and improves fine motor skills, especially the important “pincer grasp” of thumb and pointer. All of the above are necessary skills for learning to read and write.

When Alma first came across the “pinata” sticker, she had never heard that word before. After learning what a pinata is and where you might find it, she set about to draw the picture above. Not only did she understand the meaning of a new word, but her imagination was sparked to create a scene complete with all the ingredients for a wonderful birthday celebration for her ladybug stuffy…presents, balloons, and yes, a piñata!

The next time you are considering a gift for a member of the Pre-K or kindergarten set, check out a sticker collection—they entertain and educate!

This post originally appeared on Kids Love "Stickers", But Do They Have Any Educational Value? www.littlefolksbigquestions.com.

Gay Cioffi

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.

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