Latest news with #Connect4
Irish Examiner
03-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Joanna Fortune: How can I control my young children on their first flight?
We're going on holidays at the end of June. It's my children's first time on a plane. The oldest is five and gets anxious easily, while the youngest, at three, is a tearaway and difficult to control. I'm already dreading the trip, though it's weeks away. What would you suggest? The key here is to plan for the journey. Ensure that you have a small backpack for each of them, containing the bits and pieces they like. These might include colouring books, a beloved teddy, and a small travel game, such as Connect 4. Also, ensure you have snacks they enjoy, as they may not like what is offered on the flight. Try to book flight times around their sleeping or nap schedules, or at least for a time when they won't be too tired or irritable upon boarding. Ensure you have your preferred seating arrangement all together. And bring a treat, such as lollipops, to suck on during takeoff and landing to protect their ears from popping. Arrive early enough at the airport to ensure there is no need to rush, allowing time for the children to move and relax, as well as to use the toilet before boarding. Take a playful approach to your planning. Set up a plane in your living room (arrange the dining table chairs in to pairs, lined behind each other, with leg space in between). In your first role as security screener, ask them all place their bags into a bucket or basin to go through your 'X-ray machine', so that they are prepared to hand their bags over at that point, which some children find difficult. Your next role is to be the air steward, and you will distribute hand-drawn boarding passes and provide each child with a backpack (school bags are also acceptable) to carry their belongings. Have them line up to show you their boarding passes, and then direct them to find their seat numbers. Tell them that their bags must be stowed under the seat in front for takeoff and help them close their seatbelts for takeoff (tie a scarf around each chair). Stand and make up some safety announcements, such as: All children flying must listen to what their parents tell them; If the seatbelt sign is lighting up, you must stay in your seat with your belt on; All passengers can enjoy their flight, so everyone must use their 'inside voices' when on the plane. Next, hand out small trays (a piece of cardboard is fine) for a snack, and then take the snack away. Let them know they can use some supplies from their bags for drawing, etc. Finish by practising the format for landing, such as trays away, seatbelts on. This game allows you to convey some of the rules for flying. If you play this a few times in the coming weeks, you can refer back to the play when on board. Make a list and ensure you are packed well in advance. Weigh your bags and pack some play items in your own backpack to offer variety if they tire of their own items. You don't specify the duration of the flight, but adjust all the above in line with your flight duration to determine how many toys or snacks you will need to get through it. And, most of all, have fun on your holiday. You've waited and planned for this, so be sure to make the most of it. If you have a question for child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune, please send it to parenting@
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Staff and students from Wexford secondary school enjoy feast of activities for well-being week
Organised by the Amber Flag team, led by Mrs Jackie Byrne, the week encouraged students to prioritise their mental and physical well-being while fostering a strong sense of community spirit. The school's Wellbeing Week incorporated outdoor activities designed to encourage mindfulness and exercise. PE classes, led by Ms Daphne Kennington, took advantage of the Greenway for wellbeing walks and a nature scavenger hunt, where students were challenged to observe their surroundings, capturing photographs of specific items as part of a creative task. Meanwhile, on school grounds, students and staff revisited childhood fun with vintage games and activities, including hopscotch, ring toss, skipping, and Connect 4. An Easter egg scavenger hunt added a competitive element, with teams racing to solve clues in the fastest time. Wednesday brought a bake sale to the jam-packed schedule, which was held in the refectory. It was again organised by the Amber Flag team and the event featured a variety of homemade treats, with students and staff showing their support by purchasing and enjoying the baked goods. Proceeds from the sale will be used to fund future wellbeing initiatives within the school. The school marked International and Multicultural Day, on Thursday, which involved a celebration of the rich diversity within the school community. Students and staff were invited to wear clothing representing their heritage, whether national colours, jerseys, or traditional dress. Spanish students in Transition Year prepared a selection of traditional Spanish dishes for sampling during the morning break, while students from the music department provided traditional Irish music at lunchtime. Throughout the day, members of the Amber Flag team led a series of cultural workshops. Ella Yu and Natanya Howey (both 5th-year students) introduced students to elements of the Chinese language by teaching students how to read and write. Brooklyn Catt (3rd year) delivered a cheerleading demonstration for her classmates in 3M, while Leah St. Ledger (5th year) taught hip-hop dance to students in 5M and 5R. These workshops provided an opportunity for students to engage with different cultures in an interactive and enjoyable way. In adding to the events and as part of the school's focus on positivity, a Promote Positivity Inspiration Chain was launched. The initiative aims to encourage students and staff to write uplifting messages for others to take and share. A special box was placed in the refectory where messages could be dropped off and picked up, ensuring a continuous circulation of encouragement throughout the school. Additionally, an interactive whiteboard was made available for students to leave positive and inspirational notes. The students and staff extended their commitment outside of school hours in concluding their Wellness Week of events as they attended J.F. K. Arboretum at the weekend to participate in the weekly Parkrun event. The event, which began at 9.30 a.m., provided a final opportunity for the school community to come together, get active, and round-off Wellbeing Week on a high note. "We'd like to say a huge well done to all those involved in organising and participating in this fantastic week of events and we look forward to more wellness events in the future,' a staff member commented.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Peoria County residents access community resources at fair
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria County residents were able to seek out community resources, whether it be health related or otherwise, at a fair on Monday. It was held at the Peoria City/County Health Department's Health and Human Services community room from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., featuring organizations in healthcare, education, and more. Heartland Health Services, Solvera Health, Central Illinois Friends, and PCAPS were a few of the represented organizations, informing people of what they do and how they can be contacted. New Peoria County Health & Human Services building dedicated The free event also had some fun games for the kids, including Connect 4 and a coloring station. An inflatable lung was there as well, providing helpful information regarding keeping your lungs healthy. Free popcorn was provided too. Community health worker Jovon Matthews said the department decided to hold this 'one-stop shop' for community resources after some residents expressed confusion over where to go for certain services. 'It's easier for you to just come here and get everything you need. We figured that would be the best way to go about that,' he said. The event is also meant to kick off National Public Health Week, which goes from April 7 to 13. Matthews said the health department plans on doing more events like this over the coming months. 'This is just getting our feet off the ground, and we plan on doing way more things in the future. So, be on the lookout for our Facebook or Instagram for stuff like this,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Family's heartbreak as 'inspirational' 13-year-old losing mobility at 'alarming rate' after shock diagnosis
A family from Pontypridd are "in pieces" after their 13-year-old son was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). This time last year, Kyle Sieniawski was like any other healthy child, enjoying his favourite hobby Taekwondo, going to school and playing with his friends. However, in March 2023, Kyle suddenly started losing mobility in his left arm and experiencing other neurological symptoms. Since then the Kyle and his parents, Melanie and Mark Sieniawski, have been back and forth to hospital between appointments for scans and tests to try and find out what was wrong. Then on Friday, January 17, after all the tests, Kyle's family received the devastating news that he has MND. "We're in shock. It's been heartbreaking," says Kyle's aunt Heather Jones, from Abercynon. READ MORE: Shoppers stuck 'for four hours' in St David's car park queues in Cardiff trying to leave READ MORE: Traffic held on M4 after crash as car left in central reservation Heather says the disease is developing "rapidly" and is taking away Kyle's mobility at an "alarming rate." She added that "Kyle's mobility has deteriorated rapidly. It wasn't long before Christmas he could walk." Get the latest Ponty news by signing up to our newsletter here For a few months, the issue remained contained to Kyle's left arm, before it started to affect his right one. Now, Kyle only has 30% mobility remaining in his right arm, leaving him able to play with his phone if he puts it at a low level, but unable to raise it high enough to feed himself. He is also unable to walk and has spent the last three weeks in hospital. According to the MND Association, MND is a disease in which messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste, which can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. There is no known cure for MND. It usually affects adults over 50 and although Kyle's family had begun to notice that many of his symptoms mirrored those caused by MND, his diagnosis came as a huge shock. "It's been a heartbreaking time for us all," says Heather. While Kyle's family have been utterly devastated by the news, it has been made a little bit easier by Kyle's bravery. Heather says that Kyle is "such a happy child" and still "always has a smile on his face". She says, "Kyle has been amazing, stronger than I would ever imagine a 13-year-old being. He always has a smile on his face. He is so brave. Whenever you ask him how he is, he says he's ok. He's an inspiration to us all." Kyle has been at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital at the Heath in Cardiff for the last three weeks, and whenever he is visited by the family, including his 17-year-old brother Liam, they have been playing Connect4 together. "He can't move his hand so he tells us which slot to put the pieces in and he wins everytime, so he thinks he's a champion," Heather laughs. While there is no cure for the disease, the family have been given a "shred of hope" as Kyle was placed on a list for a clinical trial earlier this week. However, they don't know how long the waiting list is. As well as Kyle's bravery, the family are also being comforted by the support they have received from the community since Melanie shared Kyle's story and set up a JustGiving page, which you can find here. She says, "The support has been outstanding. The comments in particular are really helping the family as Melanie and Mark are reading them and it's comforting them. "Someone who lost a loved one to MND even got in touch to offer a toilet for MND users. The comments and general support from people - strangers - offering to do fundraisers, it's just so lovely. I can't even describe how amazing people have been." Since it was set up last week, the fundraiser has raised nearly £6,000. The money will be used to help the family get through this tough time with little income and to support Kyle with any equipment or treatment he may need. "I just want Mark and Melanie to be by his side. My brother, Mark, is a carer, but there's no way he could possibly work at the minute because he's in pieces. They need to be by his side because MND is very rapid and Kyle could deteriorate quite quickly." The family are also holding out hope that Kyle will be able to return home at some point and so the money will also be put towards getting equipment to help Kyle and make the home suitable. The family only moved homes last year, but the may have to move again or get it completely redone due to the bathroom being upstairs. Heather added: "Kyle's parents - Melanie and Mark - want to thank everyone for their kindness and generosity, as well as the staff at Noah's Ark, where Kyle has been staying.' While Kyle is on the list for a clinical trial, the family are also looking for any alternative therapies that may help Kyle and are urging anyone who can help to get in touch.
