Winter Break Ideas to Keep Kids “Consumed”

To continue our series on Shaping Youth’s ways to "market mindfulness," I’ll first shine the spotlight on Ms. Freddi Zeiler, who at age 14, decided to make a difference in the world and set out to find where that enthusiasm should be funneled. Voilà ! A Kid’s Guide to Giving! It’s my Shaping Youth tween/teen book pick for our advisors this … [Read more...]

Virtual Worlds As Learning Environs For Global Kids

Marie Curie once said, "Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. " If machinima and avatars are not in your parental lexicon, deep breath, relax...Shaping Youth is out to unfog the lens and peek into virtual teaching and learning on the teen grid of Second Life. Virtual worlds, emerging social media networks, and just about any kids' digital dialogue … [Read more...]

Game That Nourishes Kids’ Minds, Souls & Tummies!

Last fall I wrote about Food Force, an internet game you’d WANT your kids to play. Now, the same ingenious folks are at it again, this time with Free Rice, a new, quiz-style vocabulary builder that rewards correct answers with ten grains per bowl to feed hungry children, distributed by the U.N.’s World Food Programme. Beth Kanter’s blog listed it as one of … [Read more...]

Table Topics & Dinner Dialogue Builds Intimacy W/Kids

"I’m thankful for…" C'mon now, don't give me a 'Miss America' answer; what's an event, a growth point, an 'aha' moment you've had firsthand? We ALL know experience matters!) Intimacy-building can be dicey stuff, especially when kids are in ‘preadolescent privacy’ mode…Nevertheless, table time can be the equivalent of the carpool … [Read more...]

Planting Earthseeds Via The Magic School Bus: Eco-Media for Kids

Awhile back we wrote about Shaping Youth Correspondent and children's media consultant Ashley, who specializes in kids' TV with an experienced eye toward all things green... Ashley wrote a great post deconstructing the potential 'greenwashing' of Dora's adventures with an octopus trashing the sea, and though I love splashing kids with an eco-message early on, I too fear it … [Read more...]