STARS+CLAP+INC+1

STARS CLAP INC
ISSUE 01 /JAN. 2017
B r i n g i n g Y o u t h I n t o T h e N e w Y e a r

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RESOLUTIONS ARE GOOD FOR KIDS
Every New Year's Eve, I write a list of
resolutions. Some are practical (volunteer
more), while others are a bit of a stretch
(write a best selling novel) These promises
to myself run the gamut -- from physical
to mental, possible to improbable -- but
all have one thing in common: New
Year's resolutions are, a triumph of hope
over experience. They're a way to quantify
what we wish for ourselves. They are a
means to cataloguing our personal dissatisfactions.
And, perhaps most
importantly, they serve as a personal road
map of goals for the next 12 months. Yes,
New Year's resolutions are all about
hopefulness in achieving a goal. And it's
always been that way.
After a bit of research , ok a lot of research,
turns out, setting goals on New Years Eve
isn't a modern tradition at all. Some 4,000
years ago, Babylonians rang in their new
year with an 11-day festival, in which they
made promises to the gods in hopes they
would earn good favor in the coming
year. It was a traditional time to celebrate
a new beginning.
For many of us, the New Year means it’s
time to take stock of our lives and fix what
we don’t like. Whether it’s our diet,
exercise routine or tendency to
procrastinate, there is always room for
improvement in the coming year. We not
only benefit from New Year’s resolutions;
our children can also learn a lot about
self-discipline and the value of making
goals.
Most school age youth are old enough to
think about what a resolution is and to
make their own. They are still young
enough that their habits are not firm,so
parents can still help guide them through
the process of setting a goal and working
towards achieving it. They're beginning
to be mindful and to understand others'
perspectives. They're doing more
independently, and they're starting to
open up to broader goals of how to
become their best selves.
Making resolutions with your children
can be fun and exciting, a time for growth
and change, and an opportunity for
family bonding. Read our tips on how to
make New Year's resolutions a positive
experience for kids and to help them
keep in touch with their goals all year
long.
HAPPY
NEW
YEAR
1Be A Role Model
As parents, it's important to practice what
you preach. You have to walk the walk
and talk the talk to be most effective.
Bring your own resolutions to the kitchen
table. Kids look to you to learn how to
approach new things. Its a great way to
start a family discussion and build
wonderful at home support systems that
our youth can be significantly involved in.
in.Mommy is going to make exercise her

New Years Resolutions are wonderful way to teach our kids how important it is to
continue to set goals no matter how old or young you are. It also lets them know
that you don't ask them to do anything that your not willing to do.
2Keep It Positive
There's a celebratory feeling to setting
goals on New Year's that doesn't exist at
other times of the year. It's about
happiness and tradition! Present it
optimistically: A lot comes from your
tone. If you're putting it in a punishing,
preachy way, they'll be turned off.
Start by going over the positive things
your kids accomplished last year. Instead
of pointing out shortcomings, be the
historian of their previous successes.
Now that you have set the stage ask them
“ "What are some of the great things you
want to do this year?” Build from there.
. 4
Be Specific
The important thing is not to end up with
too many resolutions. We don't want to
teach our kids it's about making a huge
list of resolutions and not following
through, nor do we want them to feel
overwhelmed. So help your child narrow
them down to a couple of things to focus
on. Be specific, and manageable. Vague
but good-sounding resolutions don't
make for change. Encourage goals that
are within their reach, so they don't get
discouraged. Some realistic resolutions
for kids might be "I'm going to keep my
room neater," "I'm going to be a better
friend," "I'm going to read once a
week," or "I'm going to study my spelling
words more." Even these are broad
resolutions that need to be broken down
into do-able, step-by-step pieces. Let
your child make the goals and the steps
to achievement.
way, help figure out another way to get
there. This teaches our youth to not only
set goals but to never give up and figure
out other alternatives to the desired
results.
6Support Each Other
Most importantly do it together and
support each other. Resolutions aren't
easy for anyone. It's a process that many
of us as adults give up on each year..
Just remeber the tradition your creating,
the lessons your teaching and learning
together with your children will always
make it a success.
3Don't Dictate
The first step is to listen, ask them what
they want for themselves. Be open to
what's important to them. It's a great way
to have a meaningful conversation with
your kids and see what they're thinking.If
it's your agenda that's driving the
conversation, you're not listening. Most
kids may need a little guidance. Come up
with three or four broad categories --
such as personal goals, friendship goals,
helping goals, and school goals -- and let
them fill in the specifics. Help your child
clarify goals, and make sure they're ageappropriate
but kids should come up
with resolutions themselves. This is how
they take ownership of their goals and
learn to plan.
5Follow Up & Adjust
Check in periodically but don't worry
about lapses. No big change is ever
accomplished perfectly. If your child isn't
making progress on a resolution, first
affirm how hard it is: Explain some of
your own stumbling blocks for your
resolution. Talk about a solution where
you can assist or challenge each other.
Help them get excited about it again. Of
course, if the plan isn't working, you can
always adjust it. The beauty of letting
kids choose their own goal is that they
want it for themselves. If they lose their

4
If I Could Change The World 2016

5

6
Bully Proof Dads In 20
As the New Year arrives, it’s natural to think about what we
can do to improve the upcoming year, maybe its turning over
a new leaf or bad habits you'd like to stop and good habits
you'd like to start. Maybe its a list of promises you've already
made you would just like to keep.
On a personal level, maybe you’d like to lose a few pounds
next year, get out of debt, get better organized, or read a
book every week. Those are all great goals, but as a parent,
especially a Dad, sworn to be the family protector, make sure
you also have specific resolutions for helping your child deal
with bullying on your list this year.
New Years is an excellent time to form a plan and put it into
action. How do you start? Thankfully, the New Year holiday
provides us with some extra free time— So spend some of
your time this week reflecting ,thinking about your children
and how they’ve grown and changed in the last twelve
months. What issues are they dealing with now, and what
challenges will each of them face during the next year? And
more importantly how you as a Dad can help protect them.
Here are eight tips dads can use to help their kids resolve
issues with bullies.
Tip #1 Look up the school’s policy on bullying. It's important
to know what the school policies are and how to comply with
them. Thankfully, this problem is already on the radar for
many schools and administrators, and many have published
recommendations for how to handle it. They may even have a
no-tolerance policy and expect to be informed at the first sign
of bullying. Remember, you’ll want the school’s cooperation if
your child is bullied.
Tip #2: Coach your child not to retaliate. This could lead to
serious injuries, and it sends the message that violence is
acceptable. We know its in a Dad's protective nature to fight
for those they love and to teach them to fight for themselves,
but it is more important to teach your child to be assertive,
but not aggressive. Coach your child on how to look, walk,
and talk like a confident person. Talk about non-verbal cues
like eye contact, facial expressions and posture that your child
can adopt to so that he or she exudes confidence. This in itself
makes bullying less likely to occur. Over time, your child can
learn to deflect the taunts and teasing without physical
confrontation if they have a confidence base to stand on.
Tip #3: Talk to your child about appropriate responses that
will help your child deflect the taunts and teasing. Help your
child figure out what might work, and what might not work.
Children naturally look up to their fathers for solutions, if Dad
thinks it will work then they will too. See if you can help your
child come up with solutions to avoid situations altogether
like walking with friends.
Tip #4: Make sure you and your child know what bullying is.
Its ok to learn together. In fact its incouraged! Also make sure
you know the warning signs to watch for that your child may
be doing bulling behavior or may be a victim of bullying
behavior.
1. Sudden decreased interest in school and quality of school
work.
2. Wants to take a different route or use different
transportation to get to school.
3. Wants to avoid certain areas of school or neighborhood.
4. Seems preoccupied or tense on Sunday nights but happy
and relaxed come Friday and Saturday.
5. Suddenly prefers the company of adults.
6. Has frequent illnesses, such as headaches and stomach
pains. Also has nightmares and insomnia.
7. Comes home with unexplained bruises, scratches, or torn
clothing.
8. Suddenly starts bullying others.
9. Seeks the wrong friends in the wrong places.
10. Talks of suicide and feeling depressed.
Tip #5 Sometimes, as a Dad, you may feel the need to step in
and take action to protect your children, that is exactly what
you should do. If you believe your child is a victim of bullying
behavior, or if you believe your child is participating in
bullying behavior, step in but do so correctly. You might need
to place a friendly call to the teacher, or set up a more formal
meeting with the school. The key is to stay in close contact
with your child to make sure you have a grasp on what is
going on in their lives.
Tip #6: Get your childs perspective and give them a say in the
way you handle the situation. The key, here, is to let your child
know that you are willing to help. At the same time, you allow
your child to feel that they have some control in the situation
including allowing them to have compassion for the person
doing the bullying behavior.
Tip #7: Do what you do best, become a watch dog for your
children and their friends. Put yourself in a position as a male
role model in the hallways, classrooms, lunchrooms, libraries
and playgrounds. This encourages educators to follow
through, sets an example for other fathers, supports your child
in the things they love to do and more importantly helps keep
them safe and feel secure.
Tip #8: Suggest that your child take a more active role in
standing up for other kids when he sees bullying behavior
going on. Let him join you as an up and coming protector/
super hero.

17
7

BOOKS YOU WANT Y

OUR CHILD TO
Chrysanthemium
Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest
school story about teasing, self-esteem,
and acceptance to share all year round.
Chrysanthemum thinks her name is
absolutely perfect—until her first day of
school. "You're named after a flower!"
teases Victoria. "Let's smell her," says Jo.
Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take
to make her blossom again?
Chrysanthemum
by Kevin Henkes
Available on Amazon.com
Princess Kaylex's
Garden
Princess Kaylex has everything a young
princess could want but the thing she
loves most is her garden. Join her as
she discovers the most special thing in
her garden.
Princess Kaylex's Garden
by LaDea Sanders
Available on Amazon

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Grow Together
Community Garden
Stars Clap Inc would like to announce our new project in
Eustis Florida! We will be creating Our first Stars Clap Lake
County Anti-Bullying GROW TOGETHER COMMUNITY
GARDEN in 2017 and we need volunteers now! We
officially have the the property at 820 Getford Ct and its
time for the next step to Grow Together! We have been
given a wonderful opportunity to not only create a
community garden but to watch it grow into a way to work
together and help others by donating all food and
proceeds from the garden to others in need. If you would
like to volunteer, participate in any way call us!

Growing Together in 2017
One seed, one smile, and one
heart at a time.
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Give your child diversity...
Look at every toy box and bookshelf with a critical
eye. Make sure the things your child is playing with
and learning from represent a spectrum of identities.
A little diversity — even in something as simple as
toys or books — can go a long way to promote
understanding of all people and perspectives.
Use curiosity to teach...
When a child asks a question about difference in public your
child's curiosity is worth addressing in a strong and sensitive
way, in the moment. Not only does this help your child learn,
but it also shows that you are a strong ally to other
communities, willing to teach and advocate even in awkward
situations.
Talk about the issues
As children grow older, current events will inevitably
catch their attention. And when those current events
highlight injustice, it's practically required to turn it
into an open, honest conversation, but not just on
television and in the media but also when you notice
something, acknowledge it and explain why it's
problem. Model the values you want your child to
embody.
Volunteer...
Volunteering is a simple way to do good for the
community and your child. See which organizations
in your area need extra love, but have your child pick
what to do. Giving them the ability to choose the
agenda will allow them to be more invested — and
guarantees they'll learn a lot about the value in
helping others.

13
RAISING A SOCIALLY
AWARECHILD
Community involvement. It’s something we all strive
for. It’s written on our hearts. Help people who need
to be helped is the battle cry of all responsible
citizens. As parents it’s our responsibility to instill
that value in our children. But how? And when?
Social injustice is a planet-wide problem, but I can’t
take my five-year-old to war-torn Iraq. I’m not even
sure I’m thrilled about taking her downtown to a
soup kitchen.
Like most parents, I struggle with how to teach my
children social awareness and compassion. I want to
get them involved with projects that matter, but I
also don't want them in harms way. It’s one thing to
write a check and have them drive downtown with
me to the charity we’re supporting. But I don’t really
think that’s the mark I want to hit. To me, teaching
awareness and compassion is more than writing a
check and making your kid go with you to deliver it.
In order to teach my kids social awareness and
compassion, I want to dig in and get my hands dirty
for a good cause. And I want my kids to get their
hands dirty too.
Teaching your child to be compassionate and
socially aware is more than picking a charity and
throwing money at it. It’s finding a cause that you
believe it, and letting your child know that this cause
is worth your time and energy. As soon as children
are developmentally able to be aware of others and
their needs, get them started on something that
matters. It’s never too soon to help your children get
involved in their community and the world.
Helping children become empathetic and aware of
social issues is not about raising the next generation
of activists, though some may grow up to dedicate
their lives fighting unjust causes. It’s about raising
kids to become compassionate leaders at work,
involved members of their community, dependable
friends at school, and caring brothers and sisters at
home.
Social consciousness doesn’t just happen, though. It
requires the conscious efforts of parents, friends and
others in their communities to foster an environment
of love, gratitude, empathy and empowerment. Here
are some tips on how to raise socially conscious
children. It really does take a village.
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A FEW OF O

UR 2016 HERO'S
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THANK YOU FOR AN
AMAZING YEAR!

STARS CLAP INC.
SOMEONE THAT ACTS RESPONSIBLE STANDS
ON
COURAGE LOVE AWARENESS & POSITIVITY
www.starsclap.com
Stars Clap Incorporated, 2017
www.starsclap.com
(618) 513-5258