Just a note from Love and Logic

Video and Computer Games: Often Not so Good for Kids
Weekly Tip from the Love and Logic^® Experts

"My typically nice and responsible kid turns into a monster after he plays his computer games."

If you've noticed this same thing with your kids, you're not alone. Listed below are some thoughts about why this is so common, as well as actions we can take to protect our kids:

Understand that Electronic Games can be Extremely Addictive

Since most of these games operate according to variable schedules of reinforcement (the user cannot entirely predict when something exciting will happen) our kids get hooked into thinking that they have to play "just a little bit longer" each time.

Even educational games present these risks. To grab the attention of the learner, our kids' favorite games are highly entertaining…and stimulating. Is it any wonder that kids who spend too much time glued to these games find everything else boring?

Real life is always a downer when you're hooked on electronic uppers.

The symptoms of withdrawal also indicate the addictive nature of these games: Irritability, extreme moodiness, and attempts to get a "fix" even if it requires manipulating and mistreating those who love you the most.

Set Enforceable Limits

Children under 5 should spend almost no time playing video games, computer games, or watching television. Again, this also applies to educational games and shows. Older children shouldn't spend more that 15-30 minutes per day engaged in these activities. Wise parents set the following limit:

I allow video games, computer games, or TV in our home
only when they are causing no problems.

Wise parents don't hesitate to remove these items from the home when "problems" begin. For more tips, listen to our MP3 download, Taming the Technology Monster in Your Home.

Replace Electronic Screens with Loving Relationships

Kids don't miss their computers and TVs near as much when they have parents who spend plenty of time with them playing catch, riding bikes, sledding, and doing other sorts of good old-fashioned things that build relationships.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay

science study guide

Light and the Eye Unit Study Guide

Science test on Monday, December 19th

Label all the parts of an eye.

Know these definitions:

- Spectrum: all the colors (ROYGBIV) that come together to make up white light

- Prism: a transparent object that is used to separate white light into the spectrum of colors.

- Refract: to bend

- Reflect: to bounce back

- Transparent: You can see clearly through it and light can pass through it. (A window, eye glass lens, glass, water.)

- Translucent: You can not see clearly through it, you can see shadows of objects. Light can pass through it. (Most colored glass or glass with a design, fluorescent light covers, some shades, gauzy curtains).

- Opaque: You can not see through it. No light can pass through it. (Person, car, tree, wall, desk, chair.)

- Convex: curved outward- Larger view, used in stores to see around corners. Used in microscopes.

- Concave: curved inward- smaller view, objects appear upside down. Used in telescopes.

Know this information:

- Light travels in a straight line.

- Light travels in waves.

- Light is energy.

-We can only see things when light hits an object and bounces off it. The light from the object then travels through our pupils which creates an upside-down image on our retina. The image then travels on the optic nerve to the brain, where it is turned right side up again.

- Dark objects absorb more light than light colored objects. This is why dark clothing is hotter in the summer. It is collecting more energy from the light.

-The best object to reflect something would be a flat mirror. It creates an exact reflection, only backwards.

-Light is bending and slowed down when it is refracted.

-A transparent object, such as water or a lens, is used to refract light.

-When light is blocked by an opaque object, a shadow of the object is formed.

-White light is made up of a spectrum of colors (all the colors of the rainbow).

- A prism or a drop of water can be used to break up white light into a spectrum.

- ROY G BIV- Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet

Balaret

We really enjoyed our frigid but beautiful adventure with Balaret.

Hiking in 2 feet of snow.
Cold fingers and toes.
Fields of elk and bison.
Good thing we didn't need a license.
Below zero temperature.
We couldn't help but say "brrrr"
Riding back on the bus
Napping couldn't be helped by us.


We think we're ready... all bundled up!


In Genesee State Park with our fearless Balaret leader, John.


Let's do this thing! You want me to taste what? Yes- a pine needle. It tastes like citrus!!


Animal tracks! Let's follow them up the trail!
When leaving the park, we saw this herd of Bison being fed...

And this herd of elk just laying around.
So cool!