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When you have a question, you should be able to go to your parents for answers. But if the question is about drugs, they may not always know the answer. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has a quiz parents or grandparents, or any other caregiver can take to see if they know as much as they think about the dangers kids face. By pointing parents in the right direction, you're helping prepare them to help you make good decisions in life.
Last month's challenge for Missouri elementary school writers was to determine a healthy choice that made them feel good about themselves. And the winner is Abby Bishop from Blue Ridge Elementary in Raytown. Abby wrote about her choice to eat apples instead of drinking soda. She says the choice not only made her feel like she'd made the right choice but also that she felt good physically. Listen to this week's show to hear her essay. Then write one of your own.
The Memorial Day holiday is Monday, May 26th. Besides marking the unofficial start of summer, the holiday is meant to honor the men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation. How can you celebrate you ask? How about making a decoration to be placed at the gravesite of a soldier. Or write a letter to current service men and women to tell them how much you appreciate what they're doing. Check out Kids' Turn Central for more on Memorial Day.
Getting a sunburn is never fun. It's important that you have sunscreen on when you play outside or go swimming. And you need to put it on every couple of hours or every time you dry off with a towel. Don't give your parents attitude when they remind you. It's for your protection. You don't want to be too sore to play do you? You can even help your parents pick a kind of sunscreen. Tell them that experts say the best sunscreens are those that contain either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
April showers bring May flowers. And in many locations throughout the U.S. Flower Day is celebrated. What a great time to plant a flower of your own or study the different kinds available in your area. Take some time to smell the flowers you come across in your daily life. The variety is great and the scents are varied. Check out the free greetings you can send to your friends on the kid friendly site Up to Ten.
When you're not familiar with the location you're in, it can be easy to get lost. Sometimes, finding your way back to your friends and family can seem impossible when you don't recognize your surroundings. Listen to this week's show to get tips about finding your way. Sometimes the best idea is to just stand still. Have you ever been lost? We'd love to hear your story. Tell us what safety measures you took and how you recommend kids react to a scary situation.
May is National Mental Health Month. What does that mean for you? It means it's a good time to focus some attention on how you're feeling. Everybody feels sad or gets stressed out sometimes. When that's you, it's important to talk to someone about it, like your parents. Medical News Today features an article about how important it is for kids to have a good relationship with their parents. The article says, "Research shows that children who feel warmth and caring from their parents are more likely to be successful in school, less anxious and depressed, and have higher self-esteem than those without."
The parks are a popular place this time of year and all through the summer. They can get crowded and you probably won't know many of the people you're playing around. It's important to not only be careful and safe at the park, but also to be respectful of those around you. Listen to this week's show for helpful tips about park etiquette and safety.
KidsCast host Suzanna Pinkley has been honored with a Youth Service Award from the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce. She was given a certificate and medal at this year's Partners in Education Banquet held in the capital city. Suzanna was given the award for her service in helping reduce underage drinking and drug use by Missouri kids through the KidsCast program. She has also made many contributions to the community through her numerous extracurricular activities and hobbies. For more on Suzanna, check out her blog.
KidsCast is sponsored by the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse"
