Mrs. Pizzo's Workshop

A: Teaching a young learner the importance of bees to our food supply and nature can help decrease their fear. We often fear the unknown. There is no guarantee, but decreasing the mystery of bugs, in particular bees, can help make them less scary. 

A: Eid Al-Adha is a yearly celebration of the Islamic faith, remembering the story of Abraham. It focuses on sacrifice, the pilgrimage to Mecca and giving to those less fortunate. The celebration is based on the lunar calendar which changes the date each year. Most Muslims celebrate for four days, however the celebration of the first day is a must. This year it is celebrated July 19 through July 22.

A: What great memories the Olympics create for both the audience and the athlete. There is nothing quite like the adrenaline pumping our collective hearts faster when a sprinter crosses the finish line or a gymnast flips across the balance beam. The Olympics offer thousands of lessons, but some of the most significant are perseverance, hard work, managing disappointment, and patience. And what better time to prepare than while the summer Olympics are occurring, July 23 through August 8.  

A: Did I hear someone say ICE CREAM? What about VIDEO GAMES? Or even CHOCOLATE? Each of these represent a great way to keep learning fun, all summer long because they all have a special dedicated celebration day.

A friend who is a new mom recently told me they wanted their little one to have more opportunities for social interaction. COVID-19 isolation had prevented their child from engaging with others regularly.

How about a trip to the ocean? Yes, it’s terrible to answer a question with a question but this month marks National Ocean Month. Nature provides a view into friendships using a variety of species – including in the ocean! From a pod of whales to a school of fish to more unusual pairs such as sharks and remoras, the ocean is filled with cool and unusual friendships.  

A: As a mom of athletes, I often heard the term "practice how you play." In terms of conflict resolution, this means rehearse strategies to resolve a conflict before there is actually a conflict. This preparation can reduce anxiety and the negative reactions that can lead to escalation when an actual conflict arises. Play-acting with two dolls who aren’t willing to share or discussing ways to handle mean words can help a young person understand how to manage behaviors and emotions effectively. This will also build their confidence in navigating social environments.   

A: What a great question, with June 8 being recognized as National Friendship Day! PBS KIDS programming seen on WKAR offers the best selection of content promoting caring friendships. 

We have certainly experienced a LONG winter. Spring, although a time of growth and awakening, is also a time for restlessness for many children. Understanding the developmental cycles of children and indicators of growth during seasonal changes can better prepare you for the onslaught of increased energy observed (during a pandemic, no less!) in most classrooms and at home. 

I’m thrilled to introduce Summer Godette as the engagement coordinator for WKAR Family and Michigan Learning Channel. Summer brings a wealth of expertise to WKAR as a classroom educator and as a broadcast journalist, having worked for several years at Radio One.