Nat Geo Family Camp begins; plus, begin a bug count, virtual playdates, a happiness class
|  | Sunday, June 28, 2020 | | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN KOZICK, GETTY IMAGES | | By Rachel Buchholz, KIDS AND FAMILY Editor in Chief
The other day I was out for my morning run, deftly avoiding dog walkers and kids on bikes, when an older, mask-wearing gentleman tripped and fell in a crosswalk. My first instinct—everyone’s first instinct—was to head over to help. But at almost the exact moment, we all reared up and stopped, suddenly remembering that none of us were supposed to go anywhere near an older, mask-wearing gentleman.
Luckily he was fine and waved us all off. But now—in addition to worries about health, faraway loved ones, and the fact that many of us haven’t had a literal face-to-face conversation with anyone but immediate family in more than three months—I realized that another pandemic woe is now on our list: that as much as we might want to, we just can’t always help.
Multiple studies have shown that children are intrinsically motivated to help others, meaning that they help because they want to, not because they have to or are being offered a reward. One recent study even showed that babies as young as 19 months are willing to give up a snack—even if they’re hungry—to a stranger in need.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has limited how much children can help others. No more lemonade stands to raise money for good causes. No more music performances at nursing homes to help cheer up residents. Heck, you can’t even hug a friend who’s feeling sad.
That helpless feeling children might have right now is one reason why it’s important for parents to continue seeking out ways they can help others. “Something happened out of our control,” says associate professor of psychology Amanda Zelechoski in a Nat Geo story about kid-friendly volunteer opportunities during the pandemic. “What are ways we can bring control back into our lives? How can we feel empowered?”
Opportunities are out there, whether it’s making masks for hospitals, writing cards to teachers, or fostering a pet. (How are your children helping others? Tell us!) The key is to help kids feel like they can do something. “They feel competent. They’re contributing,” developmental psychologist Maryam Abdullah says. “And that feels good.”
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 | | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FLUXFACTORY, GETTY IMAGES | | Virtual playdates: What can possibly go wrong? Oh, we don’t know … awkward stares, disappearing participants, maybe some tears. Luckily we’ve got expert tips (and by “experts” we mean “parents”) in this article about how to help your kid become the virtual host with the most. (Hint: It’s all about having a plan!)
We asked, you answered. Keeping kids safe has gotten trickier as states keep reopening amid rising numbers of coronavirus cases. Readers had lots of ideas on how to keep up the conversations about ever-changing rules, as well as having a Plan B in case Plan A is too crowded. One mom says her young children feel like heroes when they wear their masks because they understand they’re protecting “mom moms and pop pops” everywhere.
Reinforcements: They prefer to be called social distancing ambassadors. But these Chicago parks employees are gently reminding people to wear masks to protect other “mom moms and pop pops,” too. When a Chicago Tribune columnist tagged along, she was surprised to see a level of gratitude among park-goers for the ambassadors. Passing a couple in their 20s wearing masks, one ambassador called out “thank you” across the park. The man shouted back: “Thank you guys for working to make sure people stay safe.”
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 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHEW RAKOLA, FROM THE BOOK TRY THIS! | |
Don’t bug out, but …. This activity will give kids some much-needed exercise (and you a much-needed break), plus help them use math and observation skills. With just a Hula-Hoop, some string, or a box, children can take a bug count in their yards, just like entomologists do.
Happiness class: One father and his teenage son have used the lockdown to take a famous—and free—online course on happiness together. Dad ended up writing a gratitude journal. His son took up meditation, joined by his mom. Both father and son deepened a connection by sharing the course, the Washington Post reported. | | | |
| TRY THIS: BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR KIDS | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY WALLEYELJ, DREAMSTIME | | Saturday is Independence Day! Teach your kids the history behind the holiday (fun fact: John Adams, the second U.S. president, predicted this day would become an annual celebration) and show them secrets about our national bird. They can also take a tour of the country in our music video series, 50 Birds, 50 States, hosted by Barry the bald eagle, or learn more wacky facts from the Nat Geo Kids book Weird But True! USA. Use these tips on the big night for photographing fireworks—at an appropriate social distance, of course.
Who is Alexander Hamilton? Ahead of Friday's streaming of the play-turned-movie Hamilton, Nat Geo Kids has put together quick facts on the audacious orphan, hard-working immigrant, aide to George Washington, and America's first Treasury Secretary, the person whose face graces the $10 bill. Here's a trailer from the movie.
This newsletter was edited and curated by David Beard and Rachel Buchholz. Have a healthy and a sane (as possible) week ahead! | | | |
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