Video Games

They come home from school, kick off their tennis shoes, throw their backpack on the kitchen table and run up the stairs as fast as they can to plug into the X-Box. Habits like this may seem harmless, but day after day, kids who spend their afternoons glued to the TV are slowly letting their childhood slip by. Aren’t some of the fondest childhood memories made while playing in the front yard with the neighborhood kids? It is crucial that children are able to have time to develop social connections, and when the video games get in the way, it could place a damper on social skills. If their only interaction is with a controller and TV screen, they will become withdrawn from the world. Sadly, patterns like this make it seem as though video games have become a major part of the daily lives of children today.

So, are videogames actually addicting?

The answer is yes. According to an addiction counselor, when a video game is being played it causes the brain to release endorphins that produce a high similar to that experienced by a drug addict. Addiction is quickly associated with substances, but addiction can also be found within certain behaviors. Kids that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are found to be at a higher risk for forming an addiction to the games.

A few of the warning signs of an addiction are:

·      Using the video games as an escape from reality

·      Using the video games to change their mood

·      Lying about the amount of time spent gaming

·      Felling symptoms of withdrawal when not playing the games

·      Spending an increased amount of time playing

·      Grades and homework are no longer a priority

The video gaming industry has kids hooked. They can control every aspect of their own virtual world. I guess when Mom said that, “video games will turn your brain to mush,” she wasn’t kidding. Of course, these games are ok in moderation, but when gaming becomes priority, the children are missing out on crucial developmental opportunities.

~Sara Luckham

Social Media Specialist

Seaside Staffing Company

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun

http://www.psychguides.com/guides/video-game-addiction-treatment-program-options/

http://www.video-game-addiction.org/video-game-addiction-treatment.html

Why Are Babies So Cute?

Have you ever wondered why babies are so cute? Believe it or not, there’s actually a science behind it all. So, is it the chubby cheeks, that baby smell, or those big eyes? Actually, it’s all of those adorable features combined!

These adorable baby features are called Baby Schema. Scientifically named, Kindchenschema. Proposed by Konrad Lorenz, a German Ethologist, suggests that a baby’s oversized head, large eyes, and a soft rounded shape promote mothering and caretaking in other humans. The cuteness actually triggers the Mesocorticolimbic system in our brain, which identifies a rewarding stimulus (aka the baby). This system in our brains creates the sense of enjoyment, and even the urge to cuddle something. (Aww!)

These evolutionary- rooted responses all work in favor of the baby. Since human babies are incapable of taking care of themselves, they rely on adults or other humans to provide care. So, the more Baby Schema traits the baby has, the more attention and care it is likely to receive. Hook, line, and sinker! Their irresistible cuteness gets us every time!

Sources:

Glocker, Melanie L., et al. "Baby Schema In Infant Faces Induces Cuteness Perception And Motivation For Caretaking In Adults." Ethology 115.3 (2009): 257-263. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.

Why Are Babies So Cute? By Mitchell Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown. Youtube. AsapSCIENCE, 16 Apr. 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.

~Sara Luckham, Social Media Specialist, Seaside Staffing Company

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy happy birthday to the one and only Dr. Seuss! This American writer and cartoonist would be 111 years old today! SO...we thought we would pay tribute to this lovely, looney, tooney legend with a craft from one of his famous stories, Bartholomew and the Oobleck. 

As a child, this was one of my favorite rainy day activities and would keep me entertained for hours. :) This super simple oobleck slime recipe will guarantee a goopy good time (with barely any ingredients!) 

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1½ cups of cornstarch
• 1+ cup of water
• green food coloring
• glass mixing bowl
• mixing spoon
• newspaper or other covering for a work surface

Then just slowly mix together the water and cornstarch and add the food coloring to achieve the desired slime green! For the complete instructions, click HERE 

Have your child experiment with the different forms the goop will take, it's like magic! 

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** When finished, do not pour the oobleck down the drain as it will clog. Dispose in the trash** 

Valentine's Day Craft Idea!

Well January has come to a close and February is just around the corner. Wow! We wanted to give a some fun Valentine's Day craft ideas over the next few weeks to inspire some creativity for you and your children. 

When I was little, I was fascinated with melting crayons and making crafts out of the wax. I have done this craft in the past, but a step by step guide is on Martha Stewart's website too. How gorgeous are these hearts? It's also a great craft to do as a family as each person can customize their shape, colors and design. The possibilities are endless! 

All you need is:

- Wax paper

- Wax crayons of various colors 

- Handheld pencil sharpener

- Iron

- Craft paper 

- Scissors

- Yarn, thread, twine etc. (to hang the hearts) 

To see the how to make these beautiful and easy decorations click HERE 

Halloween Crafts for Kids!

I just found this website with a TON of fun Halloween craft ideas for kids! Check them out :) 

Bat Crafts (10 crafts)

Cat Crafts (6 crafts)

Ghost Crafts (13 crafts) Lots NEW!

Jack o' Lantern Crafts (21 crafts) Lots NEW!

Monster Crafts (15 crafts)

Skeleton Crafts (9 crafts)

Spider Crafts (8 crafts)

Witch Crafts (11 crafts)