School Spotlight: Take Two Film Academy
As part of a new series, we’re shining a bright light on amazing schools. First, up, Take Two Film Academy in Manhattan. It’s a youth filmmaking and media literacy program where instructors bring filmmaking into existing classroom curriculum for everyone from second graders to high schoolers.
5 Best Planners for Crushing the New Year
We’re pretty sure the best part about the New Year is picking out a fresh planner. Blank pages are full of possibility, and you can change it up with a fun cover or brand-new planner type. But how do you find the best planners for sticking with your resolutions? Here are five productivity planners we love.
10 Ways to Share Kindness With Your Kids This Holiday Season
Do you remember the last time someone was kind to you? Kindness is powerful. One small act can change the entire course of your day, your week, or your whole life (or someone else’s). We share tips on teaching kindness to your kids and offer 10 ways to share kindness this holiday season.
4 Inclusive Holiday Classroom Activities
Holiday break is almost here, but first, there’s December. Antsy students. Extra activities. And probably some students who are struggling with the season. So how do you choose holiday classroom activities all your students can enjoy? We’ve rounded up 4 ideas to make everyone feel included.
The Time Timer Holiday Gift Guide
Our Holiday Gift Guide is here! We’re sharing gift ideas for the special people in your life. The Time Timer family of products are perfect for creating less stress and more ease for everyone, whether at home, school, or work.
10 Gratitude Exercises for Holiday Gatherings
Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holidays! But what if you could pay your Thanksgiving gratitude forward all season long? Placing extra focus on gratitude during this busy time can help you build stronger connections. We’ve found 10 creative ideas for how to practice gratitude at your holiday gatherings.
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. We’re sharing ways to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, how to get involved with Alzheimer’s disease awareness, and resources for people with Alzheimer’s diseases and their loved ones.
Have a Loved One with Alzheimer’s? 4 Tips for Spending Quality Time Together
A simple phone call or Sunday afternoon visit may not be so simple if your family member or loved one has Alzheimer’s. The normal rules don’t always apply when you’re faced with everything from memory loss to agitation, depression and confusion. But you still want to spend quality time with those who count most. We’ve uncovered five tips to help you connect even in the face of Alzheimer’s.
- Focus on Your Own Emotions
You don’t have any control over the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia on your loved one. But you do have the ability to regulate your own emotions. Before you head out for a visit, take a few minutes to focus on cultivating a calm demeanor and positive emotions. Try meditating for five minutes or listening to calming music in the car before you head inside. People with Alzheimer’s pick up on your emotions and body language, so staying calm can help set the tone for the whole visit. Remind yourself that any “difficult” behavior from your loved one is a symptom of the disease.
- Embrace Structure and Schedules
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “structured and pleasant activities can often reduce agitation and improve mood.” If you provide Alzheimer’s caregiver support by taking care of your aunt or mom every Saturday, you might make these visits more enjoyable by creating a schedule. List out meals, personal care tasks and simple activities—watching birds in the backyard or visiting a neighborhood bakery for a treat. Try listing everything out and assigning a timeframe to each activity. Try the Time Timer® MOD + Dry Erase Board to make your schedule then track each activity with the visual timer. It will help you both keep track of what’s next.
- Create a Calm Environment
We’re all influenced by our environment, but it can have an especially big impact on someone with Alzheimer’s. Distractions make it hard to focus on your time together, and they may even increase confusion or irritability. Depending on the stage of the disease, you may want to avoid crowded stores or even big, loud family events. Instead focus on one-on-one time or small group visits. Then be sure to switch off the TV, close the windows if it’s loud outside and eliminate any other distractions you can. This gives you both the chance to focus on each other—even if that’s just sitting together and enjoying the quiet.
- Tap into Life-Long Interests
Look for ways to help your loved one connect with the things he or she always loved. If your mom was the best baker on the block, ask her to help you frost some cupcakes or watch a cooking show together. Listening to the person’s favorite music may be another great way to have fun—even singing along and clapping. Nature lovers might enjoy a walk through the park or just sitting on a quiet bench under some trees. Try to fit the activity to the person’s current abilities and keep activities to relatively short time periods.
How Do New Moms Get Anything Done?
No matter how many books you read or how much advice you get from your mom and friends, nothing can prepare you for the life that comes after the birth of your first child. However, with a little bit of organization, those few first months do not necessarily have to be so harsh on new moms. Whether you’re a working mom or not, your schedule affects the well-being of both you and your child.
Life is Here
We asked our intern, Calvin, to write something about his friends and family for our blog, to help us celebrate our Friends & Family month. He came back with a personal story that truly illustrates our “Make Every Moment Count” motto. His story not only encompasses the true meaning behind our tagline, but he also acknowledges the value that we can gain from our aging friends and family.
Behind the Scenes at SCPA: Matilda, Time Timer and Arts Education
SCPA is a K-12 arts school with 1,400 kids nestled in downtown Cincinnati. Students in fourth grade and up focus on one of seven disciplines: Creative writing, visual arts, drama, dance, vocal music, instrumental music and technical theatre. These artistic pursuits happen on top of all the normal course work.
The Inclusive Classroom: 4 Strategies for Helping Students with ADHD
You might have one or two students in your class with ADHD. They’re likely bright and awesome, but they probably also face some challenges—leaving their seat often or struggling to finish homework. To help you create a truly inclusive classroom, we’ve found 4 strategies that just might help all your students.