"I Have a Dream" & "Yes We Can"

Peace & Love,
Brown Sistah

How TV Affects Your Child

Most kids plug into the world of television long before they enter school. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF):

• two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch a screen an average of 2 hours a day
• kids under age 6 watch an average of about 2 hours of screen media a day, primarily TV and videos or DVDs
• kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under 2 years old not watch any TV and that those older than 2 watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming.

The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.

As kids get older, too much screen time can interfere with activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family.

Of course, television, in moderation, can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it — TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.

But despite its advantages, too much television can be detrimental:

• Children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.
• Kids who view violent acts are more likely to show aggressive behavior but also fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.
• TV characters often depict risky behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, and also reinforce gender-role and racial stereotypes.

Children's advocates are divided when it comes to solutions. Although many urge for more hours per week of educational programming, others assert that no TV is the best solution. And some say it's better for parents to control the use of TV and to teach kids that it's for occasional entertainment, not for constant escapism.

That's why it's so important for you to monitor the content of TV programming and set viewing limits to ensure that your kids don't spend too much time watching TV.

My 7yr old love watching TV, especially horror movies, he had a bad dream the other night and it scared the mess out of him and so I believe that he will not have a liking for horror movies to much any more:-)

I believe education is very important, especially for me and I want my children to know that also, I want them to live education, breath it, eat it, do whatever, but know that it's very, very important to get a education.

So, therefore I will be eliminating TV time for my children, because my 7yr old wants to watch TV before doing his home-work and that's not happening in my house. He really need improvement in his math so I would have to remove him from the TV and I believe I would see some improvement with his school work:-) Week-ends I will give him the opportunity to watch, but doing school days I will get rid of it. I also print out educational sheets for him to do at home, to keep him busy with learning. He gets upset sometimes but, he'll thank me later:-)

I want smart educated children, that's really important to me and I'm have it my way.

Parents let's eliminate a little TV from our children and replace it with books, I'm not saying totally remove TV watching, but slow it down some.

Let's make the world a better place and educate our children, it's not all up to the teachers, it's up to the Parents as well...Let's do it!

Can we do that?

Yes we Can!

Peace & Blessings,

Brown Sistah

Know Your History

Nat King Cole Biography (1919 - 1965)

by name of Nathaniel Adams Cole , family name originally Cole

(born March 17, 1917, Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.—died February 15, 1965, Santa Monica, California) American musician hailed as one of the best and most influential pianists and small-group leaders of the swing era. Cole attained his greatest commercial success, however, as a vocalist specializing in warm ballads and light swing.

Cole grew up in Chicago where, by age 12, he sang and played organ in the church where his father was pastor. He formed his first jazz group, the Royal Dukes, five years later. In 1937, after touring with a black musical revue, he began playing in jazz clubs in Los Angeles. There he formed the King Cole Trio (originally King Cole and His Swingsters), with guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince (later replaced by Johnny Miller). The trio specialized in swing music with a delicate touch in that they did not employ a drummer; also unique were the voicing of piano and guitar, often juxtaposed to sound like a single instrument. An influence on jazz pianists such as Oscar Peterson, Cole was known for a compact, syncopated piano style with clean, spare, melodic phrases.

During the late 1930s and early '40s the trio made several instrumental recordings, as well as others that featured their harmonizing vocals. They found their greatest success, however, when Cole began doubling as a solo singer. Their first chart success, “Straighten Up and Fly Right” (1943), was followed by hits such as “Sweet Lorraine,” “It's Only a Paper Moon,” “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons,” and “Route 66.” Eventually, Cole's piano playing took a backseat to his singing career. Noted for his warm tone and flawless phrasing, Cole was regarded among the top male vocalists, although jazz critics tended to regret his near-abandonment of the piano. He first recorded with a full orchestra (the trio serving as rhythm section) in 1946 for “The Christmas Song,” a holiday standard and one of Cole's biggest-selling recordings. By the 1950s, he worked almost exclusively as a singer, with such notable arrangers as Nelson Riddle and Billy May providing lush orchestral accompaniment. “Nature Boy,” “Mona Lisa,” “Too Young,” “A Blossom Fell,” and “Unforgettable” were among his major hits of the period. He occasionally revisited his jazz roots, as on the outstanding album After Midnight (1956), which proved that Cole's piano skills had not diminished.

Cole's popularity allowed him to become the first African American to host a network variety program, The Nat King Cole Show, which debuted on NBC television in 1956. The show fell victim to the bigotry of the times, however, and was canceled after one season; few sponsors were willing to be associated with a black entertainer. Cole had greater success with concert performances during the late 1950s and early '60s and twice toured with his own vaudeville-style reviews, The Merry World of Nat King Cole (1961) and Sights and Sounds (1963). His hits of the early '60s—“Ramblin' Rose,” “Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer,” and “L-O-V-E”—indicate that he was moving even farther away from his jazz roots and concentrating almost exclusively on mainstream pop. Adapting his style, however, was one factor that kept Cole popular up to his early death from lung cancer in 1965.

Take Time out and Learn your History!

Peace & Love,

Brown Sistah

Read Daily!

This is a brand new day...

The past has passed. This day is a gift, a day I have never seen before.

I am breathing in new health, gratitude, peace and love.

I have the tenacity to solve my challenges and create my goals.

I feel worthy of receiving respect, peace, love and the abundant life.

I am not in this world alone. I know other people around me have their

own pain, dreams, emotional issues, values and personal rights.

I'm learning to interact and serve others with respect, integrity and

compassion.

I follow through on what I start. I am worthy, loving and capable of

achieving my personal definition of success. I am strong and know

what I want and what I am willing to work for. My worth is not

defined by marital status, age, race, religion, job, gender, body

image, income, address, car or accomplishments.

This is a brand new day to live without apology and to live with

gratitude, courage, hope, love, discernment and faith. I am growing

each day with inner strength to overcome the challenges of life.

I'm learning everyday to forgive myself and draw emotional

boundaries around those who have hurt me as I release my anger

and forgive them. I am taking better care of myself. When I

experience the "joy stealers" of depression, guilt, low self-esteem,

clutter, fear, doubt, temptation or procrastination ... I am willing to

recognize and resolve my unhealthy patterns. I'm learning that all

relationships are teachers. I am developing wise judgment and

boundaries to know which people in my life are the lifters and which

ones are the leaners. I am using my time, talent and treasures in

better ways because I realize that each day is a gift. Today I am

focused on my goals and priorities because I am learning how

to keep the main thing...THE MAIN THING! I choose to live on

higher ground and not drown in the sea of negativity, self-pity and

unfulfillment. My life is growing in a positive new direction.

I am feel worthy, ready and open to receive "unusual blessings."

I am too blessed to be stressed. I see and feel something new in myself

and in those around me. My possibilities and potential for success are

unlimited. I am discovering the truth that sets me free to be more

whole, relaxed, trusting, active and optimistic. I am always in the

right place at the right time with the right outlook. My very presence

impacts others in a positive way. I am attracting into my life people

and circumstances to take my life to the next level of awareness and

abundance. Those things that use to tempt and tear me apart, no

longer hold so much power over me because I am learning each day

how to stay in the light of God's power, peace, protection, provision

and a positive state of mind. This is a brand new day and I will be

glad in it. Yes, there will be issues out of my control and yet

opportunities to grow in my faith and courage. No matter what

challenges or changes I must face today, this is the day the Lord has

made. I am still here and there is nothing that is going to happen

today that my God and I together can't handle. I will do my best to

reduce my stress and until further notice...God is in charge.

~ Daily Affirmation written by Jewel Diamond Taylor

Get You Child Barack Obama Books today!

That's right, purchase your child a couple of Barack Omaba books, it's the best present ever!







Peace & Love!
Brown Sistah

Know Your History ~Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth's fight for the abolition of slavery, women's rights, and her attempt to help former slaves has made her a legend in American history. Despite the scars of slavery and the inability to read, she became a respected public speaker and advocate for the oppressed.



I believe that each Black Child should know their history, as well as the Adults. I'm be honest, I don't know much about our Black History and I haven't really taught my children much either about black history, probably, once a month and that will some change. It will change because I'mma change it, I'm going to starting buying Black History books, I'm going to take some classes and it's a lot of information online that I can research and learn about, so therefore I'm going to teach it to my children. I'm excited about that:-) Black History, in my opinion should not only be taught during the month of February, but throughout life period. Please, educate yourself and educate your kids about black history.


Peace & Love!
Brown Sistah

8 Reasons to Read Daily!

Greetings Parents, I would like to give you 8 Great Reasons to Read with Your Child Every Day!

(1) To improve your child's listening skills and attention span.

(2) To share stories and ideas with one another.

(3) To broaden your child's world. When you read together, children can understand and enjoy books written above their independent reading level.

(4) To exchange ideas and opinions as you discuss the story together.

(5) To present reading as a pleasurable experience your child will want to do alone.

(6) To introduce your child to a variety of subjects, authors, and illustrators.

(7) To build your child's vocabulary.

(8) To increase your child's sense of security, safety, and confidence.

Parents, please read to your child at least 30min a day and if you have teenagers encourage them to read also.

Peace & Blessings,
Pretty Brown Sistah