It’s never too early to start educating your kids about money!

10 Ways to Practice Money Management Skills

If you teach them, they will learn. One of the most important things that parents can do to help their children develop positive money attitudes and behaviors is to get them involved with the real life, day-to-day financial workings of the family. Additionally, children need opportunities to earn, spend, and save money.

1. Hold regular family discussions about money with specific details about the family’s income and expenses.

2. Keep a family income and spending log/diary for 30 days (individual family members can also do this for their personal income and spending).

3. Solicit ideas (and commitments), especially from older children, on how to reduce spending – allow children to keep a % of the savings resulting from any of their cost-cutting efforts.

4. Have older children participate in monthly bill paying and grocery shopping. Teach them about sales and coupons.

5. Have an older child teach a younger child an important money concept.

6. Have family members get together and make short, medium and long term savings goals. Have each family member sign the agreement, and then post it in a prominent location of the home to remind everyone of the things they are working towards.

7. Have children develop a specific family spending goal (vacation, big screen TV, etc.). Allow them to contribute some of their allowance or earnings toward the goal.

8. Have each child set personal earning and spending goals. Regularly discuss progress and setbacks. Teach them to avoid compulsive buying.

9. Given a certain amount of money, regularly have children plan a meal, purchase the ingredients, and prepare the meal.

10. Regularly have a “no -frills” entertainment night (“old fashioned” board games, $1 video rental, talent shows, sandwiches in the park, storytelling, etc.). Fun activities don’t have to be expensive.

This article was written by Margie P. Memmott, M.S., C.F.C.S., Juab County.

Make your garden kid friendly with these simple tips!

It’s Time to Play Dirty!

What child doesn’t love to have fun in the mud? Now instead of scolding them for it, you can encourage it! How is this possible you might ask? The answer is gardening.

Gardening is a great way to have fun and bond with your kids while teaching them important lessons too. The curiosity that children have and their love of playing in the dirt make them natural gardeners.

To help get your garden kid-ready and kid-friendly, the Organic Forecast has compiled 10 top tips!

Tip 2: Incorporate kids crafts in the garden. Have your kids paint ‘marker’ stones or color garden stakes to mark plants. For a fun and easy DIY stepping-stone project, click here.

For 9 other fun and helpful tips, check out the article “Top 10 Tips for Gardening with Kids.”

Remember, it’s never too early to introduce your kids to the wonders of the garden. There’s nothing quite like fresh garden vegetables, colorful flowers and of course, surprise visits from eight-legged friends!

Single-use laundry pacs are convenient, but there are a few things you should know about them.

The Convenient Pac That Packs a Deadly Punch

Single load liquid laundry packets are a new laundry innovation that contain highly concentrated detergent. Their convenience appeals to adults responsible for the family’s laundry, but their bright colors and small size make them attractive to children. If not handled properly, the laundry packets can lead to injury if the contents are swallowed or the detergent comes in contact with the eyes.

Since coming on the market in 2011, the National Poison Data System has received more than 35,000 calls from January 1, 2012 to July 31, 2015 involving children exposed to the chemicals in the packets. Of those, 769 children required hospitalization, and two children died.

To keep children safe, follow these guidelines.

1. Keep the laundry packets out of the reach and sight of children.

2. Read the product label before use.

3. Do not cut, tear or puncture the packets. They are designed to dissolve in water.

4. If the packets stick together, throw them away.

5. Always handle the liquid laundry packets with dry hands. The film that encases them is designed
to dissolve quickly, even in small amounts of water.

6. Do not use single load liquid laundry packets when washing laundry by hand or pre-treating stains.

7. Add the packets to the bottom of the washing machine (in both front loading and top loading machines) before adding the clothes. Do not put the packets in the washer’s dispenser drawer.

8. Ensure that the recloseable bag or container in which packets are stored is tightly sealed after use and during storage.

9. Store laundry packet containers away from food, so children don’t confuse them with something they can eat.

10. Keep the laundry packets in the original container with the labels intact.

*If you think your child has been exposed to the contents of a single-load, liquid-laundry packet, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.*

References

American Cleaning Institute

The Hill

American Association of Poison Control Centers

Summer isn’t over yet! These last few weeks of summer are the perfect time to have fun and connect with your kiddos.

The Four E’s of Summer

Summer is almost over, which means kids still need activities to keep them busy, and school isn’t too far in the future. Consider the following steps that will help you to create healthy, productive and, above all, fun activities for your children.

1. Encourage Proper Nutrition.
The risk of childhood obesity and other health factors can be combated with proper eating habits. Give your children plenty of encouragement to stay healthy this summer. One activity that is great for encouraging proper nutrition (and it also helps build strong relationships by working side-by-side on a task) is gardening. Take your children to a local garden nursery and choose fruits and vegetables to plant in your garden. As you describe how the plant will look and how the fruit of the plant will taste, allow your child to pick the fruit or vegetable. When children are involved in the planting, growing and harvesting process their knowledge of healthy eating habits are greatly increased. Another great activity is preparing healthy foods and meals. Include your children in menu planning, grocery shopping, as well as food preparation for making delicious meals. Check out eatwellutah.org and extension.usu.edu/foodsense for more healthy eating ideas.

2. Enhance Creativity.
Creativity is a very important process that helps a child gain powerful problem solving skills as well as exploring different ideas. Creativity can also lead to discovering hidden talents. A perfect activity to enhance your child’s creativity are crafts or DIY activities such as home and yard décor. Create different types of décor alongside your child, such as painting stepping stones or miniature figurines that can be placed in the home, flower beds, or gardens.
Remember an important part of creativity is allowing children to explore and play in a safe environment without restraints or distractions, with minimal guidance (i.e., let them get dirty and make a mess!). Use positivity as you accept and praise their creative projects, and limiting rejecting unusual ideas. Allow sufficient time for your child to explore all possibilities, moving from popular to more original ideas.

3. Encourage Mathematics’ and Literacy.
Math and literacy don’t need to wait for school. Did you know students can lose up to a 1/3 of the knowledge they gained during the school year? Help you student retain all that hard-earned knowledge. Encourage your child to participate in as much mathematic or literacy activities without overwhelming them. These activities can be anything that involve numbers, reading or writing, such as scavenger hunts, read-a-thons, cooking with recipes, library trips, or reading with your child for at least 20 minutes a day. Most local libraries provide lists of great read-aloud books for any ages, which can be a great source of entertainment for you and your children. By engaging your child in these activities, you are helping them to retain the knowledge they gained during the previous school year.

4. Extra Time with Your Child.
To some adults, packing a picnic or going to the park may not seem like the most exciting way to spend their afternoon, but to a child it can bring so much joy and excitement to their day as well as make them feel special. Spending extra time with their child can make all the difference in the social, mental and emotional health of your child.

If you’re unsure about what activity your child would like to participate in with you, simply ask them. Commit to your child and set aside time to participate in that activity. By spending a few extra minutes or hours, you’re guaranteeing a stronger and prolonged relationship with your child.

BONUS!

Check out these Pinterest Boards for more fun ideas!

Ways to Encourage Mathematics

Places to Visit in Utah

This article was written by Whitney Trapp, Family and Consumer Sciences summer intern and Melanie Jewkes.

Melanie Jewkes works part time in Salt Lake County and has worked for USU for 6 years. The best part of her job is learning and relearning some of the things that matter most–loving and caring for marriage and family, living within your means, and growing, cooking and eating delicious, nutritious food. She is married with two adorable children and lives in Taylorsville.

References

1. http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/05/30/12-free-or-low-cost-summer-activities-for-your-kids
2. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/facts.htm
3. http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Creativity_Young/
4. http://pdk.sagepub.com/content/92/7/64.extract

Don’t know what you’re doing yet this week? Let us help you! Here’s what’s going on in your neighborhood this week:

Cache County

Thursday 6/25

11am – 12:30 pm – Going Grain: Daytime Food Sense (SNAP-Ed)

Davis County

Monday 6/22

9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Tuesday 6/23

All Day – Master Food Preserver Course
9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Wednesday 6/24

11 am – 12:30 pm – Finding Meals in your Pantry- Food $ense (SNAP-Ed)
9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Thursday 6/25

All Day – Master Food Preserver Course
1 pm – 2 pm – Snacking For One – Food $ense (SNAP-Ed)
9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Friday 6/26

9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Salt Lake County

Monday 6/22

All Day – USU Free Water Check Program
6:15 pm – 8:45 pm – Smart Dating – SLC
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Horticulture Spotlight Lecture Series: Vermicomposting-Turning Scraps to Garden Gold

Tuesday 6/23

6 pm – 8:30 pm – Smart Dating – West Jordan
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Parenting the Love and Logic Way

Wednesday 6/24

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Parenting the Love and Logic Way
6:30 pm – Food $ense (SNAP-Ed) Murray
7 pm – 8 pm – Food $ense Quick Meals Class

Thursday 6/25

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Couple LINKS

Swaner EcoCenter

Wednesday 6/24

7 pm – 10 pm – Owl Prowl 2015

Saturday 6/27

1 pm – 3 pm – Climbing Wall

Uintah County

Tuesday 6/23

10 pm – Public Speaking, Demonstrations & Other Related Contests

Wednesday 6/24

9 pm – Food Preparation Contests

USU Botanical Center

Tuesday 6/23

6 pm – 8 pm – Youth Fishing Camp

Wednesday 6/24

9 am – 12 pm – Enchanted Garden Fairy Camp
6 pm – 8 pm – Youth Fishing Camp

Thursday 6/25

10 am – 2 pm – Trails, Treks and Treats

Friday 6/26

6:30 pm – 8 pm – Marriage…Not So Impossible: Scavenger Hunt Date Night

Utah County

Wednesday 6/24

7 pm – 9:15 pm – Couple Links

Washington County

Monday 6/22

10 am – 3 pm – 4-H Hero’s Guide Camp – Grades 5-8

For even more events and activities in Utah, click here!

4-H Aggie Adventures and Summer Camps are great for all kids over the summer. They are entertaining, fun and interactive. Youth love attending the camps and you will love knowing that they are making friends and learning over the summer!

Looking for an Adventure?

Learning. Discovery. Engagement. Sound like a great way for kids to spend the summer? Then Aggie Adventures and Summer Camps might be for you!

4-H Aggie Adventures and Summer Camps for Kids are educational day camps for children and youth in first through eighth grades in Utah. All camps emphasize hands-on learning and explore a variety of subjects including archeology, robotics, art, history, astronomy and more! Click on over to find a camp location in your area.

In this age of technology, smartphones, apps and online games have become the norm for children, with thousands of options to choose from. While many apps offer little educational value, did you know hundreds of apps out there can help your children learn while playing?

Check out this video clip from Channel 5 to learn about finance apps that teach kids about money and savings. Though financial topics can be overwhelming to children, these apps make learning about money simple and fun!

By Naomi Brower & Kyle Barth (WSU Intern)

Parenting can be very difficult at times, especially when children make decisions that parents disagree with. If a child makes an unwise choice, it doesn’t mean the parent is a failure or the child will continue making unhealthy choices. The following are tips for parents on how to successfully help their children make smart decisions.

•        The center of effective parenting is love. Fathers and mothers both have what it takes to be effective parents.
•        Make the time you spend with your children count. For example, read books with them. This can also provide a way to talk about difficult topics.
•        Allow your children to learn from their mistakes when the “prices” are affordable. Provide opportunities for them to make choices. Avoid protecting your children from natural consequences; allow them to learn from their choices.
•        Teach your children how to set goals and solve problems instead of doing it for them. Set limits on behavior while helping them find solutions.
•        Be honest and specific when praising and encouraging your child.
•        Be aware of your children’s emotions, and help them label their emotions. Avoid telling your child how he or she should feel.
•        Keep calm if your child comes to you with a serious problem. Be supportive, empathetic and let them learn from their choices.
•        Be aware of your own emotions and recognize when you need to take a time out. Remember, it is okay to take time for yourself.
•        Model the actions and behaviors you expect from your child.
•        Responsibility cannot be taught; it must be “caught” by providing opportunities for children to be responsible.
•        Use thinking words instead of fighting words. Fighting words: “Don’t talk to me like that.” Thinking words: “You sound upset. I will happily listen to you when your voice is calm.”
•        Avoid “siding with the enemy” and communicate understanding.
•        Offer your child choices. For example: “Bob would you rather sit in your chair, or would you like me to help you sit in your chair?” Don’t offer a choice to your child you are not willing to follow through on.
•        Mean what you say and say what you mean.
•        Discipline does not always need to occur in the moment. It’s okay to tell your child why the choice they made was wrong and let him or her know you need time to think about the best consequence.
•        It takes a village along with parents to raise a child. Remember to utilize trusted resources such as community organizations or members, religious organizations or members, as well as family and friends.
•        Remember, no parent is perfect, even those who appear to be perfect.

References:

Cline, F. & Faye, J. (2006). Parenting teens with love and logic:  Preparing adolescents for responsible adulthood. United States of America: Piñon Press.

Gottman, J. (1997). Raising an emotionally intelligent child: The heart of parenting. New York,

NY: Simon and Schuster, Inc.  

Naomi Brower is an Extension associate professor for Utah State University. She has a master’s degree in family and human development from Utah State University. Often called the relationship guru by friends, Naomi is passionate about helping others improve the quality of their lives through creating and strengthening their relationships with others.

Author – Nikki Capener

The cooling weather and changing seasons brings many opportunities to create family traditions. Family traditions strengthen families and create lasting memories. Here are five inexpensive and fun fall family traditions:

1.  Head out for a scenic drive and enjoy the beautiful changing leaves. Better yet, take a hike or have a picnic while enjoying the scenery.
2. Pumpkin bowling! Pick up a few small pumpkins at a local pumpkin patch or grocery store, set up some bottles or anything that might work for “pins” and start bowling.
3. Create a Halloween candy house. Purchase graham crackers, frosting, and Halloween candy; assemble your house anyway you would like.
4. Build a scarecrow. Scarecrows can be silly or scary. Build a scarecrow using household items and set it out in the yard.
5. Rent or purchase a Halloween movie and watch it as a family.  For a yummy treat to sip on while you watch, make a batch of orange hot chocolate.

Orange Hot Chocolate: 10 Servings

Ingredients:

12 oz. white chocolate
8 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Orange food coloring
Peeps ghost marshmallows (optional)

Directions:

1. Coarsely chop the white chocolate, transfer to a medium-sized heatproof bowl and set aside.
2. Heat milk in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat until bubbles begin to form at edge of surface (about 4 minutes).
3. Immediately pour heated milk over chocolate; when chocolate begins to melt, stir until combined.
4. Whisk in vanilla and orange food coloring to desired shade. Whisk until a light foam forms on the surface.
5. Pour and serve immediately.

Recipe from: Matthew Mead

Nikki Capener is a student at Utah State University studying family and consumer science education. She is the family consumer science intern in Box Elder County and has loved working with the Extension faculty and 4-H youth. Her experience working with Extension has been incredibly beneficial; she has learned so much while working with Ann Henderson. Her hobbies include running, cooking, sewing and making crafts.

Author – Carrie M. Durward PhD, RD

As a registered dietitian, one of the most common questions I get from parents is how to get their child to eat vegetables. Luckily for me, nutrition research has given us a lot of great information about how to do this.

First and most important: if you want your child to like and eat vegetables, offer them early and often! Feed your child a variety of fruit and vegetable purees as soon as you introduce solid food (5 to 7 months). This is a time period when children are more open to trying new foods, so it is a great time to have them learn the flavors of many different vegetables.

However, if you missed this window, it isn’t too late! We like and eat the foods we are familiar with. The best way to get your children to like vegetables is to keep offering them. In one study, children had to taste a new vegetable up to 15 times before it was accepted.

It is normal for young children to be wary of new foods. If your child rejects a new vegetable or refuses to try it, don’t give up! Just try again another day.

Try to avoid showing a negative reaction like frustration if you child refuses vegetables. Never pressure your children to finish food or force them to clean their plate. Encourage them to try a bite, but don’t force it!

Instead, try one of these 10 positive ways to help your child try new vegetables.

Top 10 Ways to Help your Child Eat More Vegetables

1. Be a good example. Keep vegetables in the house, serve them at every meal and let your child see you eating and enjoying them.
2. Offer vegetables first, when children are hungry. Try vegetables as an after school snack or have a salad or soup at the beginning of dinner.
3. Take your child shopping and let him or her pick out the vegetables, or let your child choose between two different vegetables to have with dinner.
4. Get your children involved in the cooking. If children help prepare a vegetable, they will be more likely to try it.
5. Grow a vegetable garden or visit a farmers market or local farm. These can be fun ways to help your child explore new foods.
6. Make eating vegetables fun by playing with your food. Try ants on a log, rainbow salad or pizza faces.
7. Try preparing vegetables in different ways: raw, steamed, roasted, etc. The flavor and texture can be very different, depending on how you cook them. If your child doesn’t like vegetables one way, he or she might like them another way!
8. Try a small reward, like a sticker or praise to help convince your child to taste vegetables. Don’t use food as a reward or punishment.
9. Use marketing in your favor. Put stickers of your child’s favorite book or TV characters on containers of vegetables to encourage intake.
10. Offer vegetables with a low-calorie dip, or use a small amount of sugar when cooking to help your child be more willing to taste and eat vegetables. This will help your children become more familiar with the taste of vegetables, and they will learn to like the flavor more, even without the dip or sugar!

Carrie Durward PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Extension Nutrition Specialist at Utah State University. Carrie is a Registered Dietitian and holds her doctorate in Nutritional Sciences from the Pennsylvania State University and her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition from Arizona State University. Carrie has expertise in obesity and health, weight loss, and nutrition behavior change. Her research interests include promotion of vegetable intake and weight bias prevention. When she isn’t working, Carrie loves to garden, spend time outdoors, and cook and eat delicious food.