Pre Thanksgiving Craft!

Crafting is a form of Art Therapy allowing you to take your mind off whatever you are going through that day. It also happens to be fun! Here is a pre thanksgiving craft you can use to get in the mood for the kick off of the Holiday Season.

Make this paper plate Turkey Craft, and I love how the use fall leaves to make feathers!

For the steps go to http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/paper-plate-turkey-craft/

A great thanksgiving program!

Giving back is a big part of Thanksgiving month. It also can be helpful in when dealing with your illness. This is a great program that you should look into. It has the theme of giving back this holiday season and really help pay it forward.

Food and Healthy eating, we address theses topics all the time on this blog. Here is an organization that helps supply healthy food to those in need, its called Katie's Krops, and they give grants to kids who want to build a garden to donate the crops to food banks. She even started it when she was a kid herself very similar to the founding of Teen with a Dream. Kids are the future, and we truly can do so much good all we have to do is start!

http://www.katieskrops.com

And don't forget to write us at Teenwithadream.org if you would like to pay it forward with us. You can volunteer for a program and pay it forward to others with cancer.

Mindfullness to help emtional health

Cancer, Cancer Treatment, and Post Cancer Treatment is stressful, it will mean instead of a few things going on in your life like most kids you will have dozens. But don't worry, like it was said yesterday, you are strong! Stronger for having to endure this. Here is a helpful link that will help you learn how to meditate. I know to some mediation sounds silly or even a waste of time, but it really is just a way to center yourself, turn off your mind for a bit so that you can oragnize your thoughts, and gives you prespective on things happen in your life. Some form of meditation just 5 mintues a day will most likely change the way you think about things. Try it and see what you think!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5480/5-Tips-to-Teach-Children-Mindfulness-Meditation.html

#TBT to Teen with a Dream's Spooktacular Germ-Lite Party

Holidays are a time for kids to let go, relax and have fun. Halloween is full of kids on the run, laughing with friends and collecting goodies through out the neighborhood. Being able to do this when you are a pediatric cancer patient becomes really difficult due to their suppressed immune systems. 

Most patients are unable to attend parties, hang out with friends and Trick-or-Treat that is why Teen with a Dream finds it to be important to offer an alternative. That is why we are sharing Throwback Thursday Photos of our past "Spooktacular Germ-Lite Event" for our program resource. 

Patients engaged in art therapy through decorating pumpkins, played Halloween themed games and also participated in a D.I.Y. cupcake decoration station!

Enjoy!

Tips + Tricks to Chemo: Concealing and Keeping Your Ports Safe

Apart of being a pediatric cancer patients means you are forced to deal with lots of needles, which is why through the years doctors have created a tool that lessens the number of needle pokes a child will get by implanting either a "Right Atrial Catheter", "Central Line" or "Port". 

Whether you already have one, or know that it is is you treatment future, it is important to keep this very important "tool" germ-free, safe and comfortable. That is why today's Tips + Tricks to Chemo is all about working with this tool and making it is comfortable and stylish as possible. 

With Halloween around the corner there has never been a better time to invest in either creating your very own covers to cater your Halloween attire + costume OR order remade covers!

Check out the video below to see how to make your very own port covers!

If you are not in a hurry to get a port cover or if you just want to choose from pre-made options check out PICCZEES where you are sure to find a cover that fits your unique personality. 

Therapy Animal Resource

Today's program resource is a state-by-state list of animal therapy organizations. Additionally there are a multitude of organizations that provide working with these therapy animals and your child through reading. Since this week is all about the significance of reading, we were ecstatic to find such a thorough resource!

To begin lets take a look at therapy animals in general and the comfort that they could provide your child during treatment...

What is Animal Therapy?

It is a guided interaction between the certified animal, an individual and the animals trainer. The purpose of this interaction is to provide comfort and help the individual cope with health problems or mental disorders.

What does Animal Therapy do?

The bond between humans and animals have been an established part of our nature for centuries and this type of therapy simply builds on this bond to accomplish progressive coping skills. According to Healthline.com it can help with [but not limited to]:

• improve fine motor skills
• improve assisted or independent movement
• increase self-esteem
• decrease anxiety or loneliness
• increase verbal communication 
• develop social skills
• increase willingness to join in activities
• improve interactions with others
• motivate willingness to exercise

Check out a full list of Animal Therapy Services in your state HERE at the Local Therapy Animal Organizations resource!

Program Resource: The Blanket Fairy

For today's program resource Thursday we would like to share with you a wonderful resource that is spreading awareness of pediatric cancer and whose mission is to:

"The Blanket Fairy's Mission is to make and donate as many blankets as she can to children with pediatric cancer. The Blanket Fairy follows many blogs & websites and when she sees a child that needs a lift in spirits while going thru treatment she will contact their parents to have their child go into her Sprinkle Dust Treasure Chest to pick out a blanket or any other item that may be available in there."

Lets take a look at where the inspiration for The Blanket Fairy all began....

I have had several people ask me why I started this. January 2010 my husband had just left the kids and I in Arizona so he could start a new job in Missouri. We had a bad year in 2009. The economy in Arizona was crazy. He could not find anything in AZ that was just enough for us to survive. So we sacrificed. We could not afford to all go at the same time.

The day that he rolled out of our driveway it tore me to pieces. I was now a single parent and we would not see him until the very end of May. It broke my heart that my kids would ask when is daddy coming home. Mady was 1 at the time and Zach was 5. I thought my life was just so terrible and I had a hard time sleeping missing my husband, taking care of the kids 24/7 by myself, putting the house on the market, packing up the house getting ready for the big move, going thru an unexpected surgery while trying to pack the house being told not to lift anything more than 5 pounds, etc.

---

My Inspiration - Layla Grace Marsh

It was about a week after he left on one of my sleepless nights. I saw a prayer request for Layla Grace Marsh on twitter. I was curious so I clicked on the link and read the current journal entry. Layla had just relapsed with Neuroblastoma. Curious on what this was I went back to the first page of their journal and I stayed up all night and read the whole journal. My heart was broken to think of the pain that these innocent children go through. Not just that but what the whole family goes thru. 

---

Parents are seperated to long periods of time in between hospital stays, siblings don't see their mommy or daddy for long periods of time during treatments and I realized that cancer affects the whole entire family. 
I thought to myself what can I do. For 5 years I had been making baby blankets and selling them online.  I remember seeing alot of Layla's pictures and she had a blanket with her in several of those pictures. 

Take an in-depth look at The Blanket Fairy and their astounding cause here

Foods that help lift your mood

Food is what fuels us, so what we eat can deeply impact how we feel, and/or help how we feel about things.

Cancer and cancer treatment is a rough road period, it can make you very emotional for many many months during treatment and even after. So here is a quick list of food to look at that is shown to help lift your mood. Be sure to check back on Sunday for some recipes that use mood lifting foods! Also if the support team, the parents, siblings, and friends are feeling down try eating from the list and maybe it will help lift you as well.


1. Leafy Greens
2. Fish
3. Mussels
4. Walnuts, Almonds, Hazelnuts
5. Blue Berries and other berries
6. Lentils, chickpeas, beans
7. Dark Chocolate, raw cacao powder or nibs
8. Pumpkin seeds
9. Foods with Probiotics.
10. Turmeric (a spice that is amazing and easy to add to dishes)

Throwback Thursday: Local Student's Message about Compassion

Happy Thursday Dreamers! As this month marks a year from our blog's launch we hope to share with you some of our favorite posts through out the year. Additionally, September is a very special month to us as it is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

We would like to it back to a Dream Team Feature that we shared with you almost a year ago today of local student, Morgan. Morgan was apart of the very first Compassion Project that ever took place and created a Compassion Bag that had a combination of store bought items as well as items that she crafted up herself, really bringing her bag to the next level.

Morgan has rallied students together over the past two years to support Teen with a Dream and joining the fight against pediatric cancer. It was Morgan who presented the idea of hosting a school wide Compassion Project to her school's student council and successfully got the idea voted in. This school wide event took place only a few months ago and was a raving success!

Read Morgan's Message in her Dream Team Feature HERE

Look to yourself, Document your journey

Inspiration can be hard to come by when you are going through treatment and even after treatment. This is a program we love doing at Teen with a Dream and and thanks to the magic of technoledgy everyone can do it now, make a video diary, weather its every day or just once a week record your journey. Get done, how you are feeling, how you look, important events or activities you did, things that make you upset, or things that make you happy during your time. Then you can look back at it from time to time and see what an inspiration you are! Look at what you have gone through, and you are doing it! It is a hard thing to know unless you can actually see yourself and what you have been through.

If your not into the video diary thing, do a photo diary and/or just a diary/joural.

For those of you who have apple products there is an app you can load called MVD that makes it easy to make a video one.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-video-diary-8.0-your-multi/id488615645?mt=8

and what better month to start then Childhood Cancer Month.

Tips for the Emotional Transition to High School

Transitioning to high school is an exciting time for teens and a big mild stone. It is common for there to be a little anxiety when making this transition. As we mentioned yesterday, this topic hits close to home for us here at Teen with a Dream because our founder was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma a week prior to starting his freshman year.

Below you will find three categories of tips provided by Cancer.Net that will ensure a healthy emotional transition into high school and beyond...

Key Messages:

• After you are diagnosed with cancer, it’s important for your parents to contact your school to let them know how often you will need to miss school and for how long.
• There are different ways to stay involved with your friends, classmates, and schoolwork. Go at your own pace when you can and when you are ready.
• You may also want to consider what, when, and how to tell your classmates about your cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

After you are diagnosed with cancer, one of your concerns may be how to handle both school and treatment. Depending on your treatment plan, you may be able to continue to attend school and keep up with schoolwork, with short breaks for appointments and treatment. Or, you may need to take more time off from school.

Staying involved

There may be times during treatment when you can’t go to school on a regular basis. However, staying involved with school can help you feel like you’re missing less and make it easier to return when you are ready. Here’s how to stay involved:

• Keep in touch with your friends online, through texting, instant messaging, video chats, e-mail, phone calls, or visits.
• Ask a friend to take notes for you if you need to miss a class.
• Ask teachers if you can photocopy their notes, record their class, or reduce your homework load, if possible.
• Consider asking for a reduced class schedule if possible – maybe you can skip a gym class or an elective class and concentrate on core subjects such as math and English.
• Ask your teachers if they would be willing to e-mail you assignments or send work home with a sibling or friend.
• Consider getting a tutor or hospital teacher to help you with your work from home or the hospital.
• Try to arrange to attend school for special events that are important to you.

Remember that your health has to come first while you are receiving treatment for cancer and recovering. Side effects from your treatment, such as extreme tiredness, called fatigue, and feeling like you need to throw up, called nausea, may make it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or to spend a lot of time with friends. Try not to feel embarrassed or upset if you need extra time to complete schoolwork or don’t feel like being with your friends.

Interacting with your classmates

Your classmates will react to your cancer differently. How they react may depend on how much school you miss or if your appearance changes, such as if you temporarily lose your hair. Here are some tips that may help you talk with your classmates and prepare yourself for their reactions:

• Ask a parent or teacher to give the class some basic information about the cancer and treatment. Or, if you feel comfortable, ask your teachers to arrange a time for you to tell the class about the cancer.
• If you decide to tell your classmates yourself, decide what you’re going to say; you may want a parent or the school counselor to be there to help answer questions. If you feel you are in control, you will be more comfortable and the conversation will flow more smoothly.
• If you decide to have someone else, such as a parent or a counselor do the talking, decide whether you want to be there and how much you want people to know.
• If you’re going to be away from school for a long time, consider visiting for a couple of half-days or for a few hours before going back full-time. You can also ask a friend or two to meet you outside school on your first few days back, so you don't have to walk in alone.
• Be prepared to answer questions, but if someone asks you something you don’t want to answer, it’s fine to say, “I’d rather not talk about that.”
• Be prepared for insensitive comments or questions, and try not to let them upset you.

Any information you feel comfortable giving can go a long way toward helping your classmates better understand your situation. Many people are just curious and simply want to help. Don’t forget that you don’t have to deal with any issues with your classmates by yourself. If you need help, talk with someone you trust, such as your parents, a teacher, or the school counselor.

Core Subject Resources [Middle School Edition]

As you may have seen last Thursday we broke down each of the common core subjects for elementary school. Now, we would like to apply that same layout for the core subjects of middle school.

 

Let's begin,

Language Arts 

ReadWriteThink

Language Arts within this stage of education begins to focus more on comprehension of language and reading while beginning to expose students learn how to analyze what they are reading. All of these topics build on building a strong foundation of creativity and a better understanding of language. Check out this wonderful resource who encompasses all of these traits...

Get started HERE!

Mathematics

Education.com

This is a great resource for any middle school student through their numerous activities that they provide to help your child build their confidence and skill within the mathematic world.

Get started HERE!

Sciences

Middle School Chemistry 

Download free activities, lesson plans, related readings AND view video demonstrations of science experiments.

Get started HERE!

Social Studies

Discovery Education 

This is a great resources, providing you with SIX options of social studies courses. This resource has digital text books, related readings, technological activities. Additionally all of their resources are aligned with core curriculum requirements

Get started HERE!

Foreign Language 

Share My Lesson

Browse through numerous of foreign language lessons created by actual teachers for even more practice!

Get started HERE!

Health

teAchnology

This resource has everything health curriculum related from grades 6-8 including free printables!

Get started HERE!

Educational Subjects Breakdown Resources

Today we will break down great resources for elementary school students by subject matter. Each resource is a great go-to for essential information and interactive materials/activities. Let's start!

LANGUAGE ARTS

teAchnology

This language arts resource has a bundle of various activities that highlight different aspects of this core subject. From vocabulary worksheets to interactive visual activities-your little one is sure to be challenged to learn through their resources.

Get Started HERE

READING

Now, there are many resources for you to choose from for this core subject-but we want to encourage you to really delve into a hands on approach for this topic. That is why for this subject's resource we encourage you to investigate your local library. At Teen with a Dream's local library there is designated story times, interactive readings and lessons at the library. The wonderful part is the hand's on approach that this resource perpetuates!

MATHMATECTICS 

MATHlanding

MATH landing provides you with endless opportunities to view lesson plans and activities. This resource allows you to choose from numerous topics which makes it the perfect fit for anyone!

Get Started HERE

SOCIAL STUDIES

Social Studies for Kids

This site covers cultures, economics and delves into the United States history! Check out this wonderful resources and utilize the interactive timelines and work sheets!

Get Started HERE

SCIENCE

National Science Teachers Association

This website provides essential articles to vamping up your child's science education. It highlights topics from fossils to hands on science experiments

Get Started HERE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE 

American Council on The Teaching of Foreign Languages

A great resources to begin a fabulous foreign language journey with support for parents and students alike!

Get Started HERE

Things Parents Should Let Their Child’s Teacher Know [Elementary School Edition]

Back to school after going through treatment is a hard thing, so here is a check list of things you should let your child’s teacher know to hopefully allow for a easier transition back into school. Just never forget that your child went through something very difficult so reentering school isn’t easy for everyone. 

1. What type of cancer did your child have and a little about it
2. Estimated time away, if you have this it may be best to share in advance however explain that cancer and being a cancer survivor has many variables. 
3. Possible side effects or the side effects your child is dealing with
4. Information on your child’s doctor/medical team should be updated at the school =. 
5. Ask to create a plan to help ease absences. 
6. If you think setting some realist goals for your child is helpful, ask the teacher for help in whatever goals you think. 
7. Important details, example if your child now has a heart condition because of treatment, or if you have to be away from school that year if there is a very severe flu season. 
8. It’s important to let them know that illness will most likely effect your child longer because of their treatment. 
9. Also important to know that fatigue is a constant battle to overcome and a break is sometimes needed. 
10. Explain what Chemo Brain is, Chemo Brain is a very real side effect that chemotherapy has that can almost be described has living in a fog, it makes your reaction to recalling things and learning things slower and can be very frustrating to the child and the teacher, it is important that teacher know what this is and does research on their one to see what style of teaching will help overcome this issue.

Exchange and establish the best form for contacting each other is also important to building an ongoing relationship. 

We could never write out all the things someone should know about childhood cancer because their is so much, so hopefully these are some of the most important ones, every year at back to school we will come up with more, and if you have any that are important to you make sure you voice them and let your child’s teacher know.

Free Online Educational Games

As we are now in the mist of August, back-to-school is right around the corner! That is why today for "Program Resources" we wanted to share with you some great free online educational games and resources to make the transition from summer to school a little easier!

These resources are a great and FUN way to get that brain back into school mode. Check out our top three favorite online educational resources for your kids....

Toddlers

PBS Kids

This website is a great way to get your little one thinking. The best part is that each game is hosted by your child's favorite television character! G

Adolescents 

Kid's Pages

This website provides a wide variety of activities from flash cards to coloring pages to silly jokes making it perfect for those kids going through primary school.

Tweens & Teens

Learn 4 Good

Great for older children it is a site "where you can play free fun online games & interesting business strategy simulation activities. Exercise & challenge your brain"

#TBT & A Little Christmas in July.....

Today's program resource, we are throwing it back to our 2011 Giving Tree Program to showcase a little holiday spirit in July! This particular year's themes were.......

Hollywood Glamour

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

What is Teen with a Dream's Giving Tree Program?
Every holiday season we conjure up two fun and innovative themes for our two Giving Trees that we put up at Rocky Mountain Children's Hospital. Every trinket that we decide to put up on our tree's are carefully thought through and have every patient that walks through their doors in mind. We ensure to have a wide range of accessories that will be wonderful for all ages.

What is the purpose of our Giving Tree Program
The Giving Tree program assists in accomplishing a core part of our mission to provide aid and comfort in pediatric cancer patient's physical environments by providing engaging, enriching and most importantly fun accents to make going to doctors appointments a little less sterile.

Reach for the Stars

Halfway through the week and we could all use a good dose of inspiration, and there is no better place to start looking then yourself. Being cancer patients and going through the monumental task of going through treatment and dealing with the side effect means you've achived something in life that is incredible. Here at Teen with a Dream we do research all year round to find things to post, but also to know other nonprofits that help children with cancer this being Space week I thought that the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center STARS Survivorship Clinic fits in perfectly. 

www.starssurvivorshipclinic.com  

This is there matto Reach for the Stars and there may not be a better saying that fits what childhood cancer survivors can do! You can do anything you set your mind to, and it may be hard but know that there is help all you have to do is ask.