family journalism: for week of feb 28

*For this week's Family Journalism, I thought I would focus on the rising protests happening around the world.* 

A review of local, national and global current events that can be shared and discussed among families with young children.

People & Places: 

Libyans, Egyptians, Tunisians and Wisconsinites? (oh my) are protesting for a score of reasons. As the world watches - what are we to learn from what's happening? And why?
Source: NPR, Reuters, Politico, ABC News

This is one of my favorite pictures of my Dad, peacefully protesting in the streets of Manhattan in 1980 - against Russia's invasion of Afghanistan - a relevant piece of history in our lives because it resulted in life changing experiences for millions of Afghans displaced by the war - including us. Those who sought refuge abroad continued to help fight back by raising public awareness as to what was happening on the other side of the world.

I've personally never rallied at a protest - for fear of getting squashed. Kidding aside, the opportunity hasn't presented itself, but instead I have had the chance to voice my opinion through other vehicles - like signing petitions or fundraising for good causes - and most effectively, simply sharing my knowledge with those willing to listen. 

The kind of protesting happening around the world today has me somewhat dumbfounded. I'm having a hard time keeping track of the anger, the injustices, and the caliber of its widespread growth. Still - it's something that may be positively taught to our children -  

There have been many times where I have felt myself demand, as a dictator would, that the kids listen to what to me, seems obvious and right. But they will protest with both arms crossed and sing an encore of reasons, or stand defiantly in silence, followed by tears heavy with anger. Ultimately, we are both passionate about what we believe in - and although at times we label this kind of behaviour as "testing their boundaries" - I also think its the beginning of defining their core value systems - which to me is more important than being right as a parent.

After all, it was the late Ghandi that said, "A 'No" uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble."

• Table Talk: What does protesting mean? Give examples of when and why people demonstrate for what they believe.
  
  If eating their veggies is the hot topic at the dinner table right now - like pouting or pressing their heads against their plates - they are in fact, "protesting" against the green stuff. Talk about whether this is an affective or ineffective approach - from their perspectives, and come up with examples together of how each you can better communicate your feelings about veggies, and then after wards, work towards a plan that both parties are happy with (like numbing the taste of broccoli with ketchup?).
  
  
• Educational: Chances are, there is a relative or friend of the family that is either currently residing in a country/state where the protests are happening or has actually been involved in or witnessed a protest or two in their past. Help the kids conduct a formal "interview" - and ask questions that will help them imagine what it is was like to protest with hundreds? thousands? and what people did and said around them... the outcome of the protest and its impact (if any).

• For more ideas on teaching about this topic: WaukeshaPatch - Mom's Talk, Positive Protesting with Children

family journalism: for week of feb 21

A review of local, national and global current events that can be shared and discussed among families with young children.

People & Places: 

   

Earthquake Strikes New Zealand
A state of emergency has been declared after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island on Monday - causing fatalities and wide spread destruction. The earthquake was an aftershock of the Sept 3, 2010 earthquake. Source: BBC World News and USGS

family journalism: for week of feb 14

A review of local, national and global current events that can be shared and discussed among families with young children.

People & Places: 

Happy Valentine's Day! In the US today, we're celebrating a day of love and confection - sending sentiments to loved ones, exchanging gifts, flowers and chocolate. But around the world, others celebrate this holiday by varying degrees - such as giving books to each other in Spain's Catalonia region in the month of April. What ever the reason - there needn't be one. Because as my daughter says it best, "Every day is Valentine's Day!"

monday posts: family-oriented journalism

Although we may not always have the answers to our children's inherent “but why” reactions - it’s an opportunity for all of us (the family unit) to expand and deepen the understanding of what’s happening around us in the world today. While there is so much negative media out there - there are also positive ones making big differences all around the world - and it is these types of stories that I would like to weekly post on Mondays.

I encourage you to use your knowledge, ideas and experiences, and to even take a few moments to do further research on each "current events" to help guide a family discussion at the dinner table each night this week, and share what's happening in the news. Perhaps on Wednesday, you can study a map together after talking about the blizzards up north... or craft a weather wheel, track temperatures, measure rain fall, and so on. Ask them about their thoughts and feelings, what's good, what can we learn from it... and what, if any, changes can we make as a family?

Weekly "Tabletop News" will be posted on Mondays and will include:

People & Places - From Ghandi to the seven wonders of the world, this section will feature influential and interesting people and places of our time (past and present), as well as cover current event news stories that impact people and places around the world; teaching children about cultural and societal similarities and differences. 


 
Health - How much do we know about our bodies? This category will cover educational features as it pertains to the human body. The more we know together, the better we can make individualized decisions - especially true when it comes to picky little eaters. From nutrition to exercise - informative tips and ideas to help encourage an all-around healthier family life-style. 


Environment - What is pollution? Why does snow have to melt? From the simple,to the most complex questions and issues, this category will cover news stories focusing on our changing planet. It’s one thing to adapt into a “greener” life style, but its another to understand and appreciate why we should... and why now instead of tomorrow.

Economics - Although financial news is boring to most {like me}, teaching young children about money is critical to their long term understanding and responsibility for themselves and our economic society. This category will feature ideas on how to explain the financial process, institute a family financial plan, and encourage active participation and contribution to the family’s financial goals.

My hope is to inspire you to have healthy discussions about current events with your children. While thinking about it throughout the week - think creatively on how to extend  the learning beyond the dinner table - For example, take a trip to the library together to check out books about the historical person or country you spoke about, sign up for charitable walks, visit a recycling center, and your local bank to make deposits from their piggy banks, etc.

Not all categories will be featured each week, as much of it will depend on what's in the news, which will always be sourced for you to check out and learn more.

I hope you will join me on this new project of family-oriented journalism - If you know of a news item that falls under these topic guidelines, please let us know by leaving a comment.