Presidents Day: Got a Dollar?

Using an everyday item, like a dollar bill, you can share a lot with your kids this Presidents Day. A dollar, showcasing our first president, is worth far more than you realize —it offers a way to teach your kids some fun history lessons.

Do you know a dollar bill has hidden pictures, spots of color, and odd symbols? And that’s just the beginning. Do you have any idea what all of those seemingly random letters and phrases mean? Take this opportunity to explore the dollar bill and share some surprising money and history facts with your kids.

When To Do

Presidents Day

What To Do

Ask your bank for some fresh, crisp new bills, two for each kid, so they can explore and compare both sides at once. Have at least one magnifying glass; ideally, one for each kid; it’s a must for the items they’ll be looking for. Lay out the bills under a good light, look closely, and answer the following dollar bill trivia questions, in honor of our first U.S. president, George Washington.

·       How come when you accidentally launder a dollar bill it does not fall apart?

o   The dollar bill is made from a blend of cotton and linen. Combining these two materials makes a very durable piece of paper — one that will not fall apart if it goes through the wash.

o   Look closely at a bill with the magnifying glass to find the red and blue silk fibers woven throughout. Hint: Look in the white spaces on the face of the bill for little bits of the colored threads.

·       Can you find any tiny owls or spiders hidden on the front of the bill?

o   Look for a teeny owl next to the large "1" on the upper right of the bill. Look at the shield shape that surrounds that "1"; in the top left corner, the owl’s head and shoulders appear in the “scoop” of the shield, right next to the stylized leaves.

o   Now take a really close look all over the bill. What shapes do your kids see: a spider, an owl, something else?

·       On the reverse side of the dollar bill, look closely at the bottom of the pyramid. Why are there a bunch of letters: MDCCLXXVI?

The letters are actually Roman numerals:

o   M is 1,000

o   D is 500

o   CC is 200 (C is 100, 100 x 2 = 200)

o   L is 50

o   XX is 20 (X is 10, 10 x 2 = 20)

o   VI is 6 (V is 5, I is 1, 5 + 1 = 6)

Add all of these up, and you get 1776: the year our country was formed.

·       The eagle on the right is holding a ribbon or streamer in its bill. What does the phrase “E Pluribus Unum” mean?

"Out of many, one." This was added to the bill to celebrate that the original 13 colonies came together to form one new country — the United States of America.

·       Why do we have a bald eagle on our dollar bill?

Our founders wanted an animal native to America to be the new nation's symbol. The Second Continental Congress officially declared the bald eagle the national emblem of the United States in 1782. (Benjamin Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be the national bird, but he was outvoted.) The bald eagle’s image and symbolism have played a significant role in American art, folklore, music, and architecture.

·       What is the eagle is holding in its talons (feet)?

o   It holds arrows, to signify war, and an olive branch, to signify peace.

o   Can you think of why the founding fathers would put both items in the eagle’s talons?

·       How many groups of 13 can you find around the eagle?

There are six groups of 13, in honor of the original 13 colonies:

1.    13 leaves on the olive branch the eagle is holding in its right talons

2.    13 fruits on the olive branch

3.    13 arrows in the eagle’s left talons

4.    13 letters in the phrase “E Pluribus Unum”

5.    13 stars over the eagle's head

6.    13 bars on the shield on the eagle's chest

What You Will Need

A few one-dollar bills

Magnifying glass

Talk About It

Did your kids know there was so much history in one piece of paper? Show them a five-dollar or ten-dollar bill; are they interested in seeing what’s hidden on them and finding out the stories behind them? Why do they think we put presidents on our money? 

Getting Better At Waiting

Some kids are born with a tendency to be impulsive; others are born better able to not give in to temptation. Studies have shown that kids who learn self-discipline early in life are more positive, self-motivated, determined in the face of difficulties, and able to delay gratification in the pursuit of their goals. Conversely, kids who do not master self-discipline are more troubled, inflexible, and indecisive, and less self-confident as adults.

If we want our kids to develop better self-control, we parents have to control our own tendency to protect or indulge them; instead, we can help them learn to wait their turn, delay gratification, and resist temptation.

How can we do this? One way is by modeling how to wait. If we can keep our cool by patiently waiting to pay the bridge toll, or calmly standing in a long line at the bank, our kids will begin to imitate this patient behavior in similar circumstances. Another way to teach our kids the art of waiting is by guiding them through their own “patience practice” in their everyday activities.

When to do it

After school for one week

What to do

1.    Jot down two or three situations in which your kids can practice delaying gratification: completing a task before moving on to a desired activity, understanding and accepting when a desired purchase must be postponed, or controlling an impulse when it’s not appropriate. Here are some examples to get your thinking started:

·       Finishing dinner before getting dessert

·       Being very quiet while you are on the phone

·       Not eating breakfast until dressed for school

·       Finishing homework without an extended break

·       Brushing teeth before getting to read a bedtime story

·       Not buying sneakers until they go on sale or are really needed

2.    Select one area to practice with each of your kids. The idea is to have them try and master the new behavior. An honest effort counts, even if they need a few attempts before they succeed. (That’s why it’s called practice!)

3.    Set up a simple worksheet like this one to keep track of their progress and consider posting it on the fridge or another favorite spot where everyone can see their progress.

Name

Monday   Tuesday   Wednesday   Thursday   Friday   Saturday   Sunday

4.    Explain to your kids how the exercise will work, which days you will be doing it on, and what specifically you are expecting of them.

5.    If you are practicing an activity that involves improving wait time, when they begin their exercise you can mark the start time and see how they do. You can use a timer to see how long can they can wait without a break and record how long they were able to wait on their tracking sheet. If all goes well, their waiting ability will increase substantially by the end of the week.

6.    If you are practicing completing tasks before moving on to another activity, you can monitor progress on the tracking sheet with a few metrics: “Good effort,” “Almost there,” Able to wait!” For example, your kid may be holding on, bursting with what she wants to say, and not quite able to wait until your phone call is over. You mark “Good effort” on the worksheet and let her know she’ll have more opportunities to show she can wait through the whole call.

7.    By the end of the week we suggest you reward your kids for their efforts by making a favorite dinner, going to the movies, or another desired activity they help to choose.

Bonus

1.    Take time to examine your own level of self-control.

2.    Select two or three areas in which you could practice delayed gratification and patience, such as waiting in a long line, being kept on hold by customer service, or being delayed in a traffic jam.

3.    As you find yourself in these settings, be conscious of how patient you are or are not being.

4.    By developing your own self-control, you can not only ease your own stress and frustration but also set a better example for your kids.

What you will need

Paper/Pencil

Timer

Worksheet to track and record results

Talk About It

How did your kids like the exercise? Was it hard to do? Did anything make it easier as the week went on? Do they want to try it again with another activity? Why or why not?

Revisit The Grinch

There’s no better time of year to sit with your kids and read or watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the beloved classic tale by Dr. Seuss.

The Christmas-hating Grinch tries very hard (but unsuccessfully) to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. As the story unfolds, both the citizens of Whoville and the Grinch realize that Christmas is in their hearts and not found wrapped up under the Christmas tree. The cleverly constructed rhymes teach the value of making amends for misdeeds — and gently question the commercialization of Christmas.

When to do

Find an hour or two over the holiday break (there is usually a live broadcast of the animated version, but it tends to air early in December).

What to do

Watch the TV or movie version and/or read the classic illustrated story with your kids. We’ve gathered basic information on the two screen versions and the book. Any one (or all three!) will give you and your family plenty of enjoyment and open the door to interesting conversation this holiday season.

DVDs

1966 Version:

Title: Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Released: 1966

Rated: NR

Starring: Boris Karloff (narrator), Thurl Ravenscroft (singer)

Duration: 29 minutes

Summary:

This half-hour television cartoon introduces kids to the green and mean face of the Grinch; his long-suffering dog, Max; and of course the adorable Cindy Lou Who. Your kids will be singing along to great songs like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."  This movie version is great for a first-time introduction to the traditional tale.

Talk about it:

Do your kids think they act like the Whos? Why or why not? Would they enjoy Christmas as much without lots of presents? How might your family make Christmas special even without presents?

2000 Version:

Title: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Released: 2000

Rating: PG; includes scenes with mild peril and some crude humor

Starring: Jim Carey, Jeffrey Tambor, and Christine Baranski

Duration: 105 minutes

Talk about it:

Ask you kids what part of the film was their favorite? Why? Who was their favorite character? Why is the Grinch so different than the people in Whoville? His looks? His size? His color? The Grinch sometimes does things that he thinks will make him feel better. Do they work? Do they help him forget that he is lonely? Why not? Did your kids like the ending of the story? Why did they like it?

The Book

Title: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Author: Dr Seuss

Illustrator: Dr Seuss

Pages: 54

Released: 1957

Read aloud: ages 4 to 6; read alone: ages 6 to 8

Summary

This classic Christmas read-aloud features one of the funniest rascals in kids' literature. The bad-tempered Grinch just plain hates the holidays — apparently because of the Yuletide hullabaloo. Kids will love hating his villainous deeds and cheering his redemption. Whimsical illustrations and witty rhymes keep kids mesmerized. The true spirit of Christmas leaps off the double-page spread of the Whos holding hands, even after all their presents and decorations have been stolen. If you notice, Dr. Seuss uses the same illustration he used at the beginning of the story to show that their spirit has not changed.

Talk about it

Talk about your family traditions or customs. What traditions do your kids look forward to when the family celebrates the holidays? Would the holidays be as meaningful if they did not have some of the store-bought decorative elements?

What you will need

Movie DVD or book to share with your kids

Fun Winter Stories

By reading aloud with our kids, we can boost their interest in reading and their fundamental literacy skills, including reading ability and comprehension, vocabulary, listening comprehension, attention span, and ability to articulate thoughts. Being read to by an adult also helps build a kid’s self-esteem and confidence.

We have gathered some fun stories you can add to your reading list that can expand your kids’ awareness and ideas about spending money wisely.  Mmmm, spending — one of our favorite topics (and did we mention, one of our favorite pastimes?).

When To Do

Bedtime or a quiet hour before dinner

What To Do

Here are three storybooks to share with your kids — all focused on spending lessons.

1. Title: You Can’t Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime, by Harriet Ziefert

Ages: 4 and older

Not at your library? Amazon Link

What it’s all about: Your young reader will follow the story of Pete, a dinosaur-loving boy who saves up to buy himself a toy dinosaur. Pete uses all his savings for the new toy. Then he realizes that although he loves his new dinosaur, he is also sad to not have any money in his bank jar. With the help of interactive questions, you can help your kids relate to the story and learn simple basics about spending money.

2. Title: The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Ages: 4 to 8

Not at your library? Amazon link

What it’s all about: Like most kids, Brother and Sister Bear sure know how to spend money. Whether it’s for ice cream or balloons, they can go through their allowance before they know it’s gone. But what they don’t know is how to manage their money. This story will teach your kids that there is nothing wrong with spending money, but it’s always smart to understand the value of money and how to save it. The book also includes tear-out checks that kids can use, just like in the book!

3. Title: Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells

Ages: 3 to 8

Not at your library? Amazon Link

What it’s all about: The beloved bunnies Max and Ruby have saved enough money to buy a present for their grandma’s birthday. Ruby already has an idea of what they want to buy, but Max has other ideas. One thing leads to another, until they’ve spent most of their money but still haven’t bought a gift! In the end it all works out, and Grandma is extremely pleased with the gifts she receives from her favorite grandchildren. See what your kids think about how Ruby planned and saved enough money to buy something she wanted, how to spend money wisely (unlike Max), and how you can spend too much money without realizing it.

What You Will Need

Visit your local library or bookstore if you do not have copies of the suggested books.

Talk About It

After reading any one of the books with your kids, can they think of ways they have seen money spent well? Spent poorly? Is there anything they have ever bought and later decided they did not like anymore? If so, do they know why?

This week we got a great question from a reader: “What should we do if one of our kids breaks something?” We all know that with kids, things will get broken. It’s just a matter of time! So what is a parent to do? How should broken items be replaced, and who should pay for them?

It is possible, and valuable, to teach and inspire your kids to take responsibility when accidents happen.  We’ve got some good ways for you to start the dialog before you are get into a meltdown over a broken item in a store — or at home.

When to Do

Some relaxed evening or a Saturday afternoon

What to Do

The key to this practice is advance preparation. Once you’re all prepared, you can use accidents as opportunities to (1) teach your kids that they can learn from and make amends for mistakes, (2) help them recognize the financial consequences of their actions, and (3) build their sense of personal responsibility.

Establishing the Family Rules

Each family should set up rules for broken items and who is responsible. Take time to think through the possibilities and get clear on your point of view — before something happens.

Here are some example rules:

·      In our home, if anyone accidentally breaks something that belongs to someone else, the right thing to do is to make amends by offering to fix or replace the item.

·      In our home, we will work to help whoever accidentally breaks something to be able to help pay for a replacement item.

Practice/Dialog

Set up time to talk to your kids about accidents before they happen. To make it fun, consider playing the “What if?” game by asking your kids what they should do if they accidentally break something and how they’d do it.

1.    Pull together a number of items in your home ranging in value from very inexpensive to very expensive. For example:

·      Milk glass

·      Kitchen chair

·      Front window (point it out, over there across the room)

·      Music player

·      Video game player

·      TV

2.    Set the items on a table (if at all possible) for the review.

3.    See if the kids can guess their approximate cost — it’s OK to tell them if they are too young to know.

4.    “What if XXXX gets broken?” Discuss with them what they might pay for each of the items on the table, and how. 

How Much to Pay?

1.    You can negotiate with your kids on how much money would be reasonable for them to contribute to buy a new item they have broken.

2.    For young kids, consider helping them to replace the item, so trying to replace costly items all by themselves does not overwhelm their fledgling efforts at money management.

3.    Depending on the item, that could mean having them pay a percentage of the cost of the item (for example, if the item cost $10, you could ask your kid to pay 20% or $2), or your kid could pay one flat rate regardless of the cost. 

4.    Even paying a small portion of replacement cost can be a very valuable lesson for younger kids.

What you will need

Items from around the home to practice “What if?”

Websites or magazines to help kids determine the cost of items

Patience

Talk about it

Do you kids think it is fair to have to pay for something they break? Do they know kids who already do this? Do they know other kids who do not have to — and if so, what do they think of those family rules? Does knowing they’ll need to pay something for broken items help to make them more careful?

Look Who's Cooking

We know that these days it's hard for busy parents even to take time out to make three square meals a day for their kids, let alone find the time to teach them basic cooking skills and techniques. And we know that including the kids in cooking meals requires time, patience, and some extra cleanup, especially when they are younger. But many experts – ours included! – think you’ll find it well worth the effort.

Some key benefits of spending time together in this way:

·      It can encourage your kids to try healthy foods.

·      Your kids know they are accomplishing something and contributing to the family.

·      You get to spend quality time with your kids.

·      It’s time that your kids aren't spending in front of the TV or computer.

·      And our favorite: you can involve your kids in meal planning, budgeting, and shopping for the food, so they learn about costs, ingredients, sales, coupons, and so on.

Read on, and soon you’ll be ready to take on a fun meal planning and cooking night with your kids!

When To Do

Weekend day when you have time to enjoy the full experience

What To Do

Host a cooking show together.

1.     Decide with your kids on a menu or a dish to prepare. Some ideas:

·      Pizza and salad

·      Tacos and salsa

·      Mac and cheese

·      Grilled cheese sandwiches

2.     Work together to write the shopping list and locate any available coupons.

3.     Give your kids a budget to cover the costs of the needed foods. (Tip: Be sure to check the pantry to see whether you already have any of the needed items.)

4.     Take the kids shopping for the food, and if they prove to be prudent and savvy shoppers and have money left over, let them keep it!

5.     Assemble all the ingredients for the dish in advance in small bowls.

6.     Help your kids follow the recipe/your instructions to complete the chosen menu/dish. 

7.     Enjoy the finished product(s)!

If you can:

a.     Dress your chef assistants in aprons and chef hats! You can make chef hats out of paper plates, napkins and sheets of paper. Cut a circular hole in a paper plate to fit over each of your little ones heads. Then add the cylinder piece by attaching a sheet of paper (legal size or big drawing paper) to the paper plate.  Finally top the cylinder with a napkin to make the poufy top.

b.     Come up with a name for your family cooking show.

c.     Encourage your young sous chef to talk to the camera (imaginary or real) as you prepare the meal together. If you do choose to record the “show” do replay it for friends and family.

What You Will Need

Recipes or cookbooks

Ingredients

Paper and pencil to make shopping list

Coupons

Bowls, aprons, hats, cooking utensils

Napkins and paper plates for making chef hats, optional

Camera or video camera, optional

Talk About It

What was your kids’ favorite thing about the cooking show? Did they find it hard to make the food? What was the easiest part? Did they find it hard to stay on budget while shopping for the food items? Did they succeed in making a good meal or dish?

First, Clean Out Those Closets

Ah, the sounds and smells of summer! Little League, hot dogs, swimming pools, and lemonade stands ... and then, it’s back to school? Yep. Though summer’s in full swing, it's time to think about what you will need this year for your kids’ back-to-school clothing and school supplies.

Before you read through a single back-to-school sales flyer, be sure of two things: what you need, and what you already have on hand.

We encourage you to get your kids involved in the first phase of the back-to-school (BTS) frenzy by hosting your family’s first BTS closet and drawer archeology dig.

When To Do

Saturday or Sunday, soon

What To Do

1. Know What's on the List? The Needs!

a. Often local discount and office supply stores have handy checklist kiosks for the neighboring schools; your schools’ websites are another good source for supply lists. Download or grab each kid's checklists as your starting point for this year’s BTS shopping list.

b. Assemble a clothing list for each of your kids and share it with them so they understand what is needed this year.

2. Know What You Already Have.

Clothes

a. Help your kids do an inventory of their closets.  Figure out what still fits and what doesn't, what needs to be repaired or could be handed down. Maybe that fall skirt just needs a new button or the loose pocket repaired. There’s no need to spring for a brand-new backpack if last year's is still in good shape.

b. Help your kids check off the clothing items you decide are keepers.

c. Pack/bag up the still-usable but outgrown stuff that some other kids could put to good use.

School Supplies

a. Help your kids do an inventory of the household drawers, filing cabinets, and garage storage areas for school supplies. Many items – like pencils, pens, notebooks, and scissors – may have been bought on long-ago shopping trips and can be found stashed under things or in an overlooked drawer.

b. Keep track of what your kids find by checking off items on your supply list.

c. Consider giving your kids a point for each item they find on the list. Total up the points at the end and hand out a small reward to each for a job well done.

Bonus: Have your kids calculate how much they helped save with the clothing and supply items they found.

3. Be Charitable.

a. If you have outgrown clothes to give away, donate them to a local nonprofit so your kids learn to give to others in need.

b. Bring your kids along to drop off the clothes and talk about the people who will receive what you give.

What You Will Need

List of school supplies

Paper and pencils or pens

Bags for clothing donations

Calculator

Talk About It

Did your kids find it hard to give up their clothes? Or were they reluctant to keep and reuse any of those old familiar items from last year? Did they have fun unearthing hidden treasures in drawers around the house? Were they surprised at how much they helped the family save?