GAMING WITH YOUR KIDS WHY YOU SHOULD PICK UP THAT CONTROLLER
Video games are present in an increasing number of American households. The Entertainment Software Association found that in 2018, 70 percent of parents reported that games were a positive activity in their children’s lives, and 67 percent even play alongside their child at least once a week. Some of you may already be regularly gaming with your kids, but for the rest of you, here are some things to keep in mind. Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and UC Berkeley have shown that video games can have many positive effects on a child, from encouraging critical thinking and social skills to imparting the value of perseverance. Beyond these life skills, video games can also be a way for you to better connect with your child. As game designer and New York Times bestselling author Jane WHY GAMING TOGETHER MATTERS
McGonigal, Ph.D., writes, “Games make it easy to build stronger social bonds with our friends and family. Studies show that we like and trust someone better after we play a game with them — even if they beat us.”
“Scribblenauts Remix” can act as a great sandbox for you and your child’s imaginations to run wild. Does your child love to solve puzzles? “Snail Bob 2,” “Snipperclips,” and “Portal 2” will have you and your child thinking outside the box for hours. Want to engage in a little friendly competition? “Mario Kart,” “FIFA,” and “Bam Fu” are all excellent choices. Whether you pick up a controller yourself or just watch your children play games, the most supportive thing you can do as a parent is reinforce the skills they are learning. Understanding that the same creativity and determination that gets them to the end of a level can be applied in the real world is be a powerful thing for a child’s development. GOING BEYOND SCREEN TIME
FIND THE RIGHT GAME
Finding the right game to play with your child can be a challenge. Regardless of what platform your child plays on, there’s a nearly inexhaustible list of games to choose from, and some are more child-friendly than others. At the very least, research the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s (ESRB) rating of a game to make sure its content is age-appropriate. When choosing a game, it’s a good idea to keep your child’s interests in mind. Do they enjoy creating things? Games like “Minecraft,” “Super Mario Maker,” and
VALENTINE’S DAY COOKIE CARDS
HOW BIG IS YOUR BRAIN?: Don’t forget to participate in our practice’s weekly trivia contest for a chance to win prizes! To play “Tuesday Trivia,” start by “liking” Anderson Dental Care on Facebook. Here’s how it works: we will post one trivia question each Tuesday, and you can answer it by commenting on the post. If you guess correctly, you will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card. HOW ARE YOUR CHILD’S TEETH?: In addition to being the month dedicated to celebrating your Valentine, February also marks National Children’s Dental Health Month! When it comes to patients, we here at Anderson Dental Care can’t help but favor the smallest (and cutest) ones. Good dental health habits start when patients are young, so now might be the best time for you to bring your child in for their first cleaning! Call in to make an appointment today! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
INGREDIENTS
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2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
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2 large egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Royal icing, sprinkles, and edible markers, for decorating
2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375 F. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour with sugar and salt. Add butter and combine using a mixer at low speed, until butter breaks down into small, crumbly pieces. Increase mixing speed to medium and mix until butter and flour clump. 3. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract to bowl, return mixer to low, and mix until dough congeals. 4. Carefully roll dough into a sheet 1/16-inch thick and cut into 4x6 inch cards. 5. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, bake cookie cards for 6 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. 6. Let cookies cool completely, decorate, and distribute.
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine.
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