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April 23, 2018 By Lindsey Johnson, Communications Specialist - Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee

Child Abuse & How Community Members Can Make A Difference

Prevention of Child Abuse Comes in Many Forms

Steve coaches baseball for the local little league, giving kids encouragement (and Gatorade) at practices after school and during weekend games. Ashley volunteers in her church nursery, loving on babies and giving parents a needed break. Cedric spends time mentoring elementary school kids through a local agency, teaching them about life, working hard, and how to do a behind-the-back pass on the basketball court. And even though they might not realize it, Steve, Ashley, and Cedric are all preventing child abuse and neglect.

When communities are full of active, supportive adults, children grow up feeling secure and valued. And while only 27% of Americans report that they are engaged in prevention,

  • 80% of Americans reported donating goods, money or time to an organization supporting children and families,
  • 70% reported volunteering with children through places of worship, schools, and sports or academic clubs, and
  • 56% provided mentorship to a child in their family, neighborhood or community.

What does effective support and protection of children look like?

These are all effective, meaningful ways to protect children and support happy, healthy childhoods! Whether or not you have children, you can have a profound impact on their well-being. It only takes ONE caring, supportive relationship with an adult to positively impact a child’s long-term success.

No matter if you are a parent, a grandparent, a neighbor, a coach, a teacher or simply a friend, know that when you spend time making children feel supported and valued, you are building a layer of protection around them, preparing them not only for a lifetime of success but also building their resilience for when the road gets rocky.

How to Make a Difference in A Child’s Life

While there are countless ways you can make a difference in a child’s life, here is a list of five things that EVERY child needs:

  1. Holding and cuddling does more than just comfort; it helps children’s brains to grow and develop.
  2. Music expands a child’s world, teaches new skills, and offers a fun way to interact.
  3. Talking with a child helps to build verbal skills needed to succeed in school and later in life.
  4. Play activities help children explore and develop their senses and discover how the world works.
  5. Reading to children from the earliest days of life shows its importance and creates a lifelong love of books.

It’s important, too, to recognize the people who are playing these important parts in the lives of children. That’s what Prevent Child Abuse Tennesee’s #PassThePinwheel campaign is all about. It’s about calling attention to all the people who are preventing the abuse and neglect of children, even when they don’t realize that’s what they are doing. So find someone who is doing great things for kids – or maybe someone made a difference in your own childhood – and Pass the Pinwheel to them! When we all work together, we can make sure that every child experiences the happy, healthy childhood they deserve.

Filed Under: Awareness, Kids on the Block

December 7, 2017 By Shannon Minton

Look beyond the disability.

There’s a person there.

In 1977 Kids on the Block was created from one teacher’s vision and determination to have her students with special needs integrate into the “regular” classroom with the least amount of fear and rejection as possible.  She made a puppet that resembled one of her students after he had told her that the kids were making fun of him for being different because he was in a wheelchair.  She took her handmade puppet who was also in a wheelchair and did a skit for the regular classroom about what is like to have cerebral palsy.  She put the puppet away and asked the kids if they had questions for her but they didn’t…they had questions for the puppet, Mark Riley.

She put Mark back on her hand and took the students’ questions and answered through Mark.  She discovered as every hand went up, a barrier came down.  Once the students learned about Mark, they were not afraid anymore and the teasing stopped.  They could easily ask Mark questions they may have been uncomfortable asking their peers.

From this discovery, Kids on the Block was founded and many more puppets were created all of whom have their own unique characteristics and spread awareness about all types of differences.   The mission grew from just awareness of disabilities to a variety of topics on different health and social issues that affect kids’ lives.  The main theme in all of Kids on the Block programs is that we should all accept people for who they are regardless of their differences.

Mark Riley and his friends are still teaching kids all over the world 40 years later!

Parents and Educators:  Here are some tips from Mark!

  • It’s ok to ask questions about disabilities!
    • Kids are naturally curious and observant of differences.  Let them know why someone might be in a wheelchair or using a white cane with the language they can understand.  Once they have the knowledge, they usually aren’t afraid anymore.
  • It’s ok to look!
    • Avoid shaming your child for looking at something new such as a wheelchair or a prosthetic limb.  It’s hard NOT to notice.  If your child tends to have a tendency to stare, gently remind them that there is a person in the wheelchair and they have feelings and might get uncomfortable being stared at.  But looking is OK!  It’s better to look and acknowledge someone than to pretend like that person isn’t even there!
  • I am not my disability!
    • Try to always use language such as, “the kid who is blind” instead of, “the blind kid.” Remember a person may have a disability but it is just a small part of who they are.
  • Having a disability isn’t a weakness!
    • It is a difference.  People with all sorts of disabilities do most things people without disabilities do…they just do them in a different way!
  • Do research together!
    • Look up some famous people with disabilities such as Stevie Wonder, Helen Keller, Stephen Hawking and Beethoven who did not let their disabilities stop them from doing amazing things!
  • Everyone is different!
    • Even people who may have the same disabilities are different!  Not everyone with cerebral palsy (CP) uses a wheelchair.  Some people with CP can walk and others use crutches and braces.  Just remember, everyone is unique!

I’m a regular kid and I like it when people treat me like one. –Mark Riley

 

Filed Under: Kids on the Block

November 30, 2017 By Shannon Minton

The Power of Literacy

Kids on the Block bring Literacy to Buena Vista

Kids on the Block (KOB) brought the Literacy Program to the first graders at Buena Vista Enhanced Option School in Nashville.  Over several weeks KOB encouraged the importance of reading through various fun and engaging activities in which students:

  • View a puppetry presentation that includes story time when they get introduced to the book they will be reading in their small groups
  • Get up and moving combing phonics with song and dance
  • Practice reading aloud with a reading buddy
  • Use tools such as story mapping, spelling puzzles, and puppets to review what they have read and act out parts of the book
  • Receive books to take home and keep
  • What people are saying:
    • Literacy Coach – “Not one day went by without at least one student stopping me and asking if it was the “Kids on the Block” day. As important as the student’s reactions are, the growth in their reading levels during the time you worked with them is impressive.”
    • Teacher – “They (the kids) really enjoyed the program and getting to work with the teachers (KOBers). The teachers were very caring and encouraged later reading with the gift of books.”
    • Student – “I learned a lot of new words that I never even new (knew). I loved being in Kids on the Block. Thank you.”

Why is literacy so important?

Only 1/3 of American 4th graders are proficient in reading. By the 4th grade, if a child is unable to read at the basic level of proficiency for that grade, they are unlikely to ever catch up.

Source

Today’s Readers become Tomorrow’s Leaders

Tips to get your kids into reading:

  • Make special library dates with your kids! Go to the public library with a list of the type of books they want to check out and make sure they get some that they are truly interested in reading.
  • Schedule family time to read with your children. You can read to them, they can read to you, or take turns reading to each other.
  • Ask questions about the book that is being read.
  • Create a special reading place or ‘nook” in your home that is cozy and inviting. Make it a fun activity to do with your children by finding pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and a variety of books so they will be excited to go to their reading area.

 

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Filed Under: Kids on the Block

October 11, 2017 By Shannon Minton

Stopping bullying is your responsibility too!

It’s each of our responsibilities.

For over 30 years, Kids on the Block has performed bullying prevention programs in hundreds of schools throughout Middle Tennessee. From kindergarten through 4th grade, the age-appropriate puppet presentations promote respect and understanding and acceptance of all individuals regardless of their differences.

The Kids on the bullying prevention programs are designed to:

  • Openly and honestly discuss issues around diversity, teasing, and name-calling that may lead to bullying and exclusion
  • Discuss the effects bullying behavior has on everyone while encouraging kindness and compassion
  • Answer students’ questions through our kids (puppets) about bullying that they may not otherwise feel comfortable asking another peer or adult
  • Provide powerful information about what bullying is and identify various forms of bullying in a kid-friendly way
  • Empower students to speak out in unjust situations and take action to be a “hero” in their school by reporting bullying to trusted adults
  • Help students come to understand that a safe school climate is EVERYONE’S responsibility!
  • Provide tools they can use to stand up for themselves and others

“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.”                – Frederick Douglas

Tips for Parents and Caregivers:

  • Know what bullying is and what it is NOT. It can be difficult for kids and adults to distinguish between friendly teasing, conflict, and bullying behavior. When in doubt, refer to the Olweus definition of bullying:“Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself.”
  • Do not permit bullying in the home. Encouraging kindness and modeling respectful behavior at home will let children know hurtful behaviors are not tolerated anywhere and with anyone, even between siblings.
  • Keep lines of communication wide open. Let kids know if they ever have a problem with bullying, the adults in their lives will listen, take them seriously, and do whatever they can to make sure it stops. It’s never too early to start conversations about bullying behavior.
  • Remember: You can do so much to help your kids be a HERO and put a stop to bullying!

Here’s our “Be a Hero” Rules that you can share at home or in your school:

  1. Do not bully other kids! Heroes don’t hurt, they help!
  2. Help another kid if they are getting bullied. Instead of being a bystander, be a
    STAND-BYER! For example, if a kid is being bullied, stand next to them. This shows you have their back and lets the kid who is bullying know that you do NOT agree with it.        Tip: Always try to include kids who are getting left out.
  3. Report bullying to an adult at school and an adult at home.

Resources: 

Kid-friendly Books About Bullying:

  • The Weird Series by Erin Frankel (Stories About Overcoming Bullying in Schools)
  • Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
  • Here is a great resource for educators:

For more information on bullying visit the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. 

October is Bullying Prevention Month
It started in 2006 as a nationwide campaign founded by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign’s goal to raise awareness about bullying prevention around the world! Thousands of schools and organizations participate in activities throughout the month of October in efforts to unite around the common goal of preventing bullying in our schools and communities.

To learn more about the National Bullying Prevention month visit their website. 

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Filed Under: Kids on the Block

September 7, 2017 By Shannon Minton

When you improve yourself, you improve your life.

When we think of self-improvement, millions of things pop up into our heads about how we can “fix” ourselves. 

“I need to eat healthier, start working out, meditate, save more money, read more books.”

The list goes on and on. Usually, we begin to feel overwhelmed and stressed by all the things we think we need to do to improve our lives. Maybe you can relate?

Self-improvement is not about “fixing” ourselves.

We are not broken. We are human!  We are constantly learning to navigate life with all the demands we have on us as parents, teachers, caregivers, employees, spouses, friends, and whatever other roles we have at any given moment.

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”
― Jim Rohn

So, let life be a time for growth and balance.

Here are a few recommendations:

  • Take some time to sit down and reflect on your current life situation.
    • Ask yourself questions: Where do you feel out of balance? Are you working too much? Not spending enough quality time with family?
    • Maybe you’re taking care of others and not taking the necessary time to care for yourself. Many of us feel at least one area of our life is lacking attention. This could be our physical health, mental or emotional well-being, spirituality, relationships, or career.
  • Pick one area and make a small goal for growth in that area.
    • First, choose an area of growth that is doable and enjoyable. Small changes lead to big results!
    • There tends to be a compounded effect when we make a small change and over time we realize that that one little change has become a habit and has a trickle effect into the rest of the areas of our lives that can truly lead to amazing transformation.
    • If you feel ambitious, pick one area to improve each week.
  • Share your journey of self-improvement with your family, co-workers or group of friends.
    • Involve others in your goals.
  • Write down goals.
    • When we write goals and share them with others who care about us and want us to succeed, we are much more likely to be accountable while being encouraged with loving support.

So, I will start us off my sharing my goal with you:

  • I will be more mindful and present.
    • Strategy is key. I have come up with three simple action steps I will incorporate into my life to help me grow in this area.
      • #1. I will listen to guided meditations at least 4 times a week.
      • #2. I will take some deep breaths while in my car during my commute.
      • #3. I will spend time outdoors daily to connect to nature-with no electronics.

Good luck with your journey and be sure to encourage others on their paths to self-improvement.

Don’t forget to share your journey with us.

Filed Under: Kids on the Block

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