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While back-to-school will definitely be different this year, it’s important to make it as exciting and normal as we can for our kids, whether they are heading back to a physical campus, distance learning, pods or a hybrid of some kind. These recent NAPPA Award winners provide a great way to get the school spirit going.

Keep Positivity Going

Provide an uplifting daily message for your kiddos with these adorable Washaway Lunch Box Notes that will completely disappear each night! These personalized peel-and-stick labels will adhere to the outside of your kid’s lunch container every morning so you can write them a daily message. Once you’re done with it, the label will disintegrate quickly in water, whether you wash the lunch box by hand or in the dishwasher – no soaking or scrubbing required.  Available in 8 adorable designs. $17.

 

A Fun Treat

 

Don’t pay a fortune on store-bought crustless sandwiches. Instead use your creativity and healthy ingredients to create fun snacks and meals. BWICHED Sandwich Cutter and Sealer by Savoychef is changing the way we eat a sandwich by creating a tool to make it more enjoyable. $17.99.

 

Get Organized

Get organized with Classroom Lineup Floor Decals and Classroom Name Tags from Mabel Label’s. The durable, non-slip floor stickers are a fun and useful addition to any classroom, whether you need to guide students where they should line up or where to sit. The strong material will adhere to most floors, including low pile carpet. Classroom Floor Decals are easy to apply, wipeable and removable when you’re finished with them. Available in 8 design choices and a wide variety of color options. $18.

The class name labels can be customized with up to 30 kids’ names so that teachers or parents can label individual items around the classroom or study area like kids’ cubbies, shelves, bins and more. The labels are super-durable and waterproof but are also removable at the end of the school year. Classroom Name Tags are a great tool for keeping students’ items organized and separated this school year and they help curb the spread of germs in the classroom Available in a wide array of color choices. $18.

The Easy Up Reusable Multi-Purpose Utility Hooks are super handy anywhere — at home or in the classroom. Infinitely versatile and made out of high-quality plastic, free from phthalates and BPA. Because of the arch shape and the gripping pins these hooks can be squeezed and released in any corner between wall and ceiling and easily removed without leaving noticeable marks, allowing for hassle-free hanging. $15.95

Add Some Style

This Pink Unicorn Backpack by JOJOOKIDS is bright and fun and features 3 easy-access compartments, 2 side elastic pockets for water bottles and adjustable padded shoulder straps.  Great for kindergarten or elementary school. $35.

The Obersee Preschool Sparkle Backpack collection has a simple yet stylish design, perfect for kids who love glitter and glam. Features zippered insulated front pocket to keep lunch and snacks cool and a side pocket to hold a water bottle or thermos. Comes in 8 vibrant colors and make a grate tote for gymnasts, ballerinas, soccer players, and cheerleaders. The small, compact size is easy to carry for younger kids. $34.99.

 

For more product reviews visit nappaawards.com

by Christina Elston

It’s probably been a while since you actually sent your kids off (as in out of the house) to school. All signs indicate that it could be a while longer until you do, but any school day, even a day of distance learning, should start with the right breakfast fuel.

In 2015, Catherine McCord realized that wasn’t happening at her house. That’s a surprise, since she is the mom behind Weelicious, a website devoted to simple and healthy recipes for the whole family. Her son, the oldest of her three kids, was experiencing unexplained headaches, nausea and fatigue. McCord eventually identified breakfast as the culprit. The family was eating a super-healthy diet the rest of the day, but in the morning, she was letting the kids have the pancakes, waffles and toast they requested.

She realized that these foods weren’t giving her son what he needed to start his day. Smoothies became the family’s new breakfast, her son’s health problems disappeared and McCord wrote “The Smoothie Project,” a cookbook with almost 100 smoothie recipes to fuel healthy eating.

“The idea is that all the smoothies have fruit and vegetable and protein, and that they’re keeping you full and energized,” says McCord. “Having a smoothie a day means you’re replacing a meal that might not be as good for you.”

To get your family in the smoothie-a-day habit, McCord’s book proposes a 28-day plan: Have a smoothie for one meal a day for 28 days and you’ll notice a difference in your body, she says. “Then you have two paths. You can have mac and cheese or chocolate ice cream later in the day and feel less guilty because you know you had a good meal already, or you can feel so good that you want to keep the feeling going, and you’ll make better choices,” says McCord.

The book has smoothies to suit every flavor preference, including coffee- and chocolate-based smoothies, tropical, berry heavy and seasonal options. There are also chapters to help simplify smoothie making, a bit about blenders, nutritional information and a thorough guide to the types of “super boost” ingredients you’ll find in the supplement aisle at Gelson’s. “There’s something for everyone, depending on your flavor preference and what you’re trying to get done in your body,” says McCord.

Through the online community McCord built using #smoothieproject, she has heard how smoothies have helped parents with picky eaters, parents trying to minimize their kids’ processed-food intake, people trying to lose weight and even senior citizens. One Potato, McCord’s family meal-subscription service, recently added smoothie kits to its menu of options.

Want a taste of what it’s all about? All you need is a blender (a high-powered one, if possible, and McCord suggests borrowing a friend’s rather than buying one if you’re just getting started).

A great gateway is this Blueberry Cherry Lemon smoothie, which McCord says is an “antioxidant bomb” with tons of nutrition and flavor.

Blueberry Cherry Lemon Smoothie from ‘The Smoothie Project’

Serves one

¾ cup (111 grams) frozen blueberries

¼ cup (38 grams) frozen cherries, pitted

¼ lemon (with peel and pith), seeds removed

2 tablespoons coconut yogurt

1⁄8 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 tablespoon hemp seeds

1 tablespoon honey or blue agave

¾ cup (180 milliliters) almond milk or milk of choice

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

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We’re excited to introduce you to entrepreneur and dad Jordan Weiner, the founder behind the 2020 NAPPA Award winning How to Be Good Behavioral Learning Kits.

Jordan Weiner with daughter Lauren Alexa.

We would love for our readers to get to know you better. Tell us a little about your daily life.

In addition to investing time daily in children’s educational businesses I also own Internet Consulting, Inc.  Working on these businesses aren’t work to me – it’s play. I am a single father, which is my most important job/love.  I truly live an American Dream fairytale life, which I am grateful to the core of my being.  Everyday I wake up and wonder how did I get to be so lucky in life, and I try and give back as much as possible.

One of my favorite parts of the job is seeing our illustrators bring our characters and products to life.  Knowing our work will help kids strengthen and expand life skills and self-worth.  The work is chicken noodle soup for my mind, heart, and soul.  Seeing and hearing the kids, parents, grandparents, teachers, nannies, babysitters, counselors, and therapists all say how much they love our materials makes getting all the details done fun.

What was your motivation behind launching this company and developing these behavior education kits?

How To Be Good For Santa was my daughter’s, Lauren Alexa Weiner’s, flash of genius when she was only 7 years old.  She was playing a SIM’s game and building an online bookstore when I asked her what some of the titles of her books where.  She rattled off some amazing titles such as “The Meaning of Life” and I forget most of the others … but when she said “How To Be Good For Santa” I immediately knew that it was a flash of genius because what kid doesn’t want to know the secrets for how to be good for Santa and what parent wouldn’t instantly by that product as long as it was truly top tier award winning materials that would genuinely help their kid(s) build life skills?

A few of my motivation goals for launching this business where to show my daughter that she has million dollar ideas, to help her learn real business in the business world, and to help her get into a top college by brining her idea to fruition.  Other core motivational goals are to genuinely help kids have fun learning to build life skills and making it easy for guardians to have access to award winning materials that help their kids live happy and wonderful lives.

I help a lot of businesses and people with Internet Consulting, Inc., which is what is funding How To Be Good For Santa and How To Be Good with Polly the Parrot (The Polly the Parrot product versions are for people that don’t believe in Santa and for the educational market).  By the time I die, I want to leave something truly humanitarianly beneficial behind – and what better way to invest time, money and my human resources than helping children build life skills and self-worth? The pay it forward returns are exponential.

Our products are amazing, with hand illustrated water colored animal characters that kids, parents/grand parents, teachers/educators, counselors/therapists, and everyone that sees them love.

Why do you think character development is so important for kids?

Helping children build life skills and self-worth provides a solid foundation for them to do well and feel good about who they are.  If we invest a little time, efforts and resources while the children are learning how to act it truly helps all stakeholders.  Knowledge is power.  Kids minds are sponges, by being a little proactive instead of reactive we can increase our children’s positive to negative ratio, helping them know how to be safe, how to act properly so the ongoing cause and effect is in a positive direction.  An evolutionary advantage humans have is the ability to create tools and pass knowledge down through our generations… so our children don’t have to recreate the wheel for experiences we know have already learned.  Investing time helping kids with their character development will pay exponentially in their lives as well as the lives they influence.

What do you enjoy doing when not working?

I love raising my daughter, spending quality time with my family and friends.  Playing any type of game, watching quality movies, I love to cook and feed the people in my life, I used to love to travel but the pandemic put a stop to that for a while.

Favorite place to be with your family?

Anywhere as long as I am with family and friends.  I’ve done everything from parachute to scuba dive and try all types of experiences in my life’s journey.  I truly appreciate the nuances of life and living in the moment, the where and what are not as important as the with who.

Best life advice?

One of my characters Georgey the Gerbil who specializes in greeting people nicely sums up my best advice in life “Run through life happy and free while treating others with dignity!”  A couple other Jordanisms are everyone goes through ups and downs and you must make it through the lows to get to the highs.  Positive actions usually get positive reactions and negativity usually gets negative responses so for your own best interest it is best to be kind to others.  I also believe that you can only do so much with your own hands and thoughts and that to truly leverage yourself and ideas in life you need to work well with others by building a strong relationships with quality people. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and/or admit to being wrong.  Live to learn and enjoy the ride, you only go through this life once so try and be kind and help everyone, so you don’t have any regrets.

Best advice for dads?

Say and do positive things for the kids, role model how you want your kids to act, and most important is time on task… spend as much time with your kids as possible and they will turn out knowing they were loved and be good humans.

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We have great new products just for baby and new mom — all NAPPA Award winners!

Soothing Baby Massage Oil

Made with only five ingredients that are all natural and organic, including over 50% cold-pressed sunflower seed oil. $16.00, ever-eden.com

Evereden Baby Moisturizing Lotion

Lightweight and specifically designed to soothe and comfort your child’s delicate skin with 2% colloidal oatmeal. $17.00, ever-eden.com

Day at the Spa Candle

Hand-poured with the finest quality soy wax and cotton wicks available. The perfect way for moms or moms-to-be to destress and relax. $39.95, thespagirllife.com

Honest Baby Wipes

Clean up all of life’s messes with these 100% plant-based baby wipes, made with over 99% water and gentle on sensitive skin. $4.95, ages birth+, honest.com

Honest Baby Diapers

These eco-friendly diapers offer advanced leak protection, cloud-like comfort, and stylish prints that keep your baby dry, comfy, and happy on life’s daily adventures. $10.95, ages birth to 3, honest.com

CicaLux – Energized Scar-Care

Helps new moms easily care for their c-section scars using heat and tension. $79.00, cicalux.com

Infinity Convertible Stroller

Perfect for the active family and will take you from birth through toddlerhood. $175.00, ages newborn to 45 lbs, evolurbaby.com

Coast Rider and Stroller

Can be easily plugged-in with any stroller, making it a perfect dual ride for older brothers or sisters, relinquishing the need to purchase yet another twin or extra stroller. $70.00, ages 6 months+, dreamonme.com

I Dreamed You

A love poem, a testament to the gift that every child is to those who care for him or her and to the unbreakable bond between them. $7.95, ages birth to 8 years, amazon.com

 

For more award-winning products, visit NAPPAAwards.com

 

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One fun side-effect of being at home is that everyone has lots more time to make – and eat – breakfast. This French toast recipe from La Brea Bakery makes use of their wonderful baguette (in case you didn’t finish it off with dinner) and doesn’t require any special equipment or technique. You can put the whole thing together the night before, then quickly finish it up in the morning to kick-start everyone’s day.

La Brea Bakery Oven Puffed French Toast

1 La Brea Bakery baguette (unsliced)

10 eggs

½ cup all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons sugar

½ teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup milk

1 cup dark beer

Pinch of coarse salt

8 tablespoons unsalted butter

Cut the bread diagonally into ¾-inch slices and place in a dish in a single layer. Whisk together the eggs, flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla, milk, beer and salt. Pour over both sides of the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a very large ovenproof skillet, melt the butter. Add the soaked bread, and brown on one side. Turn the bread over and place the skillet in the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the toast is puffed and golden brown on the bottom.

For Los Angeles residents, fresh-baked artisan breads and pastries are available for 25% off for pick-up at the La Brea Bakery Café on South La Brea. The café’s full menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner is available for pick-up, and also through Grubhub, Postmates, UberEats and DoorDash. In addition, health care workers, first responders and essential front-line employees can receive a free boxed meal that includes a sandwich, chips and a cookie when they present their badge or proof of employment at the South La Brea café.

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When it comes to parenting in the COVID-19 era, the onslaught of “new normal” practices is, frankly, exhausting. But parents everywhere are rising to the occasion and finding ways to adjust.

In the realm of co-parenting – the term used most for parents who are divorced, separated or not in a relationship with each other – the challenge is especially real. Conflicts about shared custody, safety protocols and court-ordered support payments are on the rise. Family law attorneys are being inundated with calls and questions about co-parenting daily.

Communication, consideration and cooperation are key to co-parenting that is best for your child. Photo by Jonathan Daniels on Unsplash

Some of the more frequent inquiries are:

  • Can I have visits with my child during quarantine?
  • I don’t live near my child’s mother or father. How can I visit?
  • My former spouse cleans offices for a living. I’m scared for them to have custody. What should I do?
  • I need to work, and my co-parent isn’t helping with childcare. What do I do?

There are also questions about financial support, and the list goes on and on.

I sat down with Judge Sherrill A. Ellsworth, co-founder of the parenting app CoParenter and past presiding judge of Riverside County, and Laura Wasser, author of “It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way: How to Divorce Without Destroying Your Family or Bankrupting Yourself” and founder of It’s Over Easy online divorce services.

Ellsworth and Wasser agree that the first step during this unprecedented time is to take a deep breath and think before you act. Understand that you are in a very different situation. Take away the animosity for the moment. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to go rushing to an attorney at this point, because most of the courts are closed, and you are not going to get a hearing,” says Wasser. “The courts are only dealing with domestic violence cases. So, save money and save your child’s emotional wellbeing during this time.”

First, think about what you need to do now. “This is about empowering parents to do the best thing for their family financially, emotionally and at this time for safety purposes,” says Ellsworth. “At the heart of this is keeping children safe and families safe. How can we plan for right this minute?”

Both experts advise discussing crucial questions together and putting everything in writing. You can always revise and readjust later. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Who is an essential worker?
  • Whose health might be especially at risk due to underlying conditions?
  • What is the family’s safety plan? All must adhere to it.
  • Whose household is safest?
  • Can co-parents safely exchange custody?
  • How can co-parents remain consistent during this time and keep the children’s needs at the forefront?
  • What is the schedule for each parent to see their child who might be sheltering in place in the other parent’s home?
  • What is the plan for making up days missed?
  • What is the “new normal” schedule in relation to school, chores and tech time?

Wasser believes that what she calls the “three Cs” will also help. “Even without a global crisis, we generally try to recommend that parents try to adhere to the three C’s: communication, consideration and cooperation,” she says, “and really, really listen to each other, keeping in mind that there are court orders in place and to the extent that you can adhere to those court orders, you should do so.”

Wasser’s CoParenter app is designed to help parents get through the most trying times. It is dedicated to eliminating high-conflict divorce from the list of adverse childhood experiences (ACES). According to co-founder Jonathan Verk, the platform has helped divert more than 20,000 cases from family courts. The app allows users to resolve disputes online in real time with a qualified mediator, and also helps them manage co-parenting duties via a calendar, messaging and journaling functions.

Start by taking that breath, as Ellsworth and Wasser suggest, and resolve to find ways to agree and to settle disputes during these difficult times. Along the way, practice compassion for yourself, your ex and, most importantly, for your children. If we rethink how our actions and words impact our children’s health and wellbeing, this situation could create a reset for the entire extended family.

Donna Tetreault is a journalist and host of the podcast Kids Under Construction.

by NAPPA Awards Team

Our homes have always been our havens and now more than ever we are grateful to have a cozy place with our families to shelter in and face the current crisis with strength and hope.

With kids learning from home and parents working from home, we want to share a few NAPPA Award-winning products that will bring a sense of security, some ease and fun to daily activities.

Baby & Toddler Proof with Ease

Keep your little explorer safer while at home with Safety 1st Furniture Straps. These universal straps work in 3 different configurations to keep your children safe. Secure your TV to the Wall; Secure your TV to your Furniture; Secure your TV to your Furniture and your Furniture to the Wall (first strap of its kind).

While your curious toddler explores the house, the Safety 1st Adhesive Magnetic Lock will keep them out of restricted cabinets and drawers. Each magnetic lock provides a strong, childproof hold, and can be easily mounted to most surfaces. Operates with a magnetic key that should be stored in a high or secure spot. Adhesive backing allows for easy installation.

Make Brushing Teeth More Fun

BriteBrush is a game changer for kids who don’t always love to brush their teeth. This toothbrush uses songs, games and live coaching to encourage proper brushing in accordance with the Modified Bass Technique, a method that is widely endorsed by dentists. The brush also uses proprietary, smart sensor technology and a vibrating handle that encourages total mouth coverage and side-change recognition – and is equipped with a Parent Check Light to provide peace of mind that children are brushing correctly.

Add Ease to Your Cooking Time

We are all spending a lot of time home cooking now and the Kitchen Gizmo Snap N’ Strain’s universal design will take the strain out of straining. This heat-resistant, silicone colander is a practical way to get your food strained thoroughly while avoiding transferring the food out of the pot.

Keep Your Makeup Tools Clean

We know that your time is valuable and the Luxe Makeup Brush Cleaner is here to help. Who wants to take the time to not only clean makeup brushes, but wait for it to dry? The Luxe spinner uses the newest technology to get all the dirt, grime and oil off of your brush within seconds of pressing the handle button.

For more award-winning products visit nappaawards.com

 

by Christina Elston

When was the last time you took a deep breath? If you’re like many of us, it’s been a minute. Stressful times (like when you are quarantined at home with your kids) make most of us resort to shallow breathing – or even holding our breath.

This can lead to low-grade chronic stress, says Sandy Abrams, who specializes in sharing calming, empowering breathing tips in the corporate world and is the author of “Breathe to Succeed.” Abrams, mom of sons who are now 22 and 24, uses these techniques in her parenting as well. “I started to use the power of breath in parenting for all sorts of different applications, like patience and being present.” Here are three of her favorites:

Sandy Abrams

Beverage and Breath: Most of us like to enjoy a cup of something (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) to start the day, even when the morning is chaotic. Create a morning ritual by setting an intention for the day, holding your cup, closing your eyes and taking three deep breaths. “Find in that small moment a sort of meditation to empower yourself for the day,” she suggests.

Lion’s Breath: This is one of Abrams’ favorite breathing methods to use with kids. It immediately purges negative energy – and makes everyone laugh. Just close your eyes, take in a deep breath through your nose, then snap your eyes and mouth open wide as you stick out your tongue and breathe out with a roaring sound. Afterward, enjoy the giggles. “Laughter is a great thing to do with your children,” Abrams says. “Laughter is breath, too.”

Bumblebee Breath: To close all the “open tabs” you have running in your brain and tap into creativity, try this technique. Close your eyes and take a long, deep inhale. Close your ears with your thumbs and use your fingers to gently cover your eyes. For the whole length of an exhale, make a humming/buzzing sound like a bee. “After one or two rounds of that, you just breathe normally for a few rounds and then you open your eyes, and you’ve got that blank slate you need for creativity,” says Abrams.

Taking three deep breaths any time (especially with your eyes closed) is a great way to regroup when life throws you a curve. Make your exhales longer than your inhales for a deeper sense of relaxation.

Stay well.

#staywell #playlearnconnect #nappaawards #family #parenting #kidsathome

 

 

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Our latest NAPPA Award winners bring fun and learning together.

Bookful

Bookful

A mobile app for kids that uses augmented reality to bring books to life. Choosing from an extensive library of AR books that features the best publishers such as Penguin Random House and DK, the child can learn, read and have fun at the same time. The books range from classics such as Peter Rabbit to Hasbro’s Transformers. Ages 3-8, $59.99, bookful.app

Cooking class Global Feast!

Provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to gain practical kitchen skills through preparing food from around the world. Step-by-step photography feature children from a wide range of backgrounds preparing dishes that reflect their unique food traditions. A pop-out food passport, world language flash cards, and flag stickers provide additional fun on their global food journey. Ages 8+, $18.95, www.storey.com 

Heartsongs of the Rainbow

Created by a pediatric speech pathologist with the goal of uplifting, inspiring, nurturing and supporting those in the Special Needs Community. This album can also be enjoyed by all children. Each song allows children the opportunity to learn and demonstrate simple physical and gestural movements as well as to vocalize with repetitive, easy-to-make sounds. Ages 2-10, $15, theadrienneprocess.com

Busy Kid

Start the important conversations about money early with this educational app. Kids will learn about money management, including saving, spending, investing and helping others through the app. Ages 6-16, $7.99/year, Busykid.com

Be Kind: You Can Make the World a Happier Place! 125 Kind Things to Say & Do

With joyful illustrations and kid-friendly writing, this idea book serves as a delightful, easy-to-read collection of 125 concrete activities kids and their families can pick and choose from and act out in their daily lives — no special occasion required. Ages 5+, $12.95, storey.com

Kid Activists

Every activist started out as a kid—and in some cases they were kids when their activism began! But even the world’s greatest champions of civil liberties had relatable interests and problems–often in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. Features kid-friendly texts and full-color cartoon illustrations on nearly every page. Ages 9-12, $13.95, quirkbooks.com

For more book and app reviews, visit NAPPA Awards. #playlearnconnect

 

by Elena Epstein

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Birthday or just because, we’re always on the look out for the perfect gift that will bring a smile to your child’s face. And these 2020 NAPPA Award winners will not disappoint.

SVOLTA “Ace” 2-in-1 Sit and Stand Scooter

 

This gender-neutral scooter allows kids still trying to find their balance a way to scoot around. Convert to a stable 3-wheel scooter by snapping the seat in the front holders. Ages 1-5, $108.00, svoltaride.com

Chalk of the Town Unicorn Chalkboard T-shirt Kit

Let your child’s creative juices flow. This T-shirt kit includes a cotton shirt, a unicorn stencil, three chalk markers and an erasing cloth that allow your child to freely design as many times as they like. Ages 4+, $29.95, chalk-of-the-town.com

Hue Animation Studio

Everything you need to create your own stop motion animation videos. Whether you are making a LEGO® brick film; animating in claymation or capturing a flower bloom using time-lapse photography, you can bring anything to life in minutes with the easy-to-use software. A great gift for kids who love to use their imagination. Ages K-12th grade, $69.95, huehd.com

Continent Race

A fun family game designed for 2+ players featuring the national flags of countries throughout the world. The first player to collect the required number of country cards from each continent wins the game. Ages 7+, $29.99, byronsgames.com

Eat2explore Explorer’s Box

eat2explore

An educational food and culture explorer box inspiring families to cook, taste and discover different world’s cuisines and cultures. Each box includes unique country recipes, essential spice/sauce mixes, educational materials, shopping lists, cooking tools and fun collectibles. $24.95, eat2explore.com

Children on Parade

Children On Parade
Does your child love to sing or dance? Children’s on Parade has a variety of musical styles, including folk, R&B, blues, reggae, rock and country — great for the whole family. Ages 4-10, $9.95, Keenanliteracy.com

For more gift ideas visit NAPPA Awards! #playlearnconnect

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