Parents can enhance their children’s screen-time value by choosing high-quality media – that is, content with educational benefit. PBS Kids has many popular shows, from “Nature Cat” to “Sid the Science Kid,” that would qualify as educational.
Two other elements contribute to the quality of screen time.
First, screen content should be age-appropriate – that is, parents should choose shows, apps and games that are specifically designed for young children. Using a resource such as Common Sense Media allows parents to check recommended ages for television shows, movies and apps.
Second, parents can look for shows that use evidence-based educational techniques, such as participatory cues. That’s when characters in shows break the “fourth wall” by directly talking to their young audience to prompt reflection, action or response. Research shows that children learn new words better when a show has participatory cues – perhaps because it encourages active engagement rather than passive viewing.
Many classic, high-quality television shows for young children feature participatory cues, including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Dora the Explorer,” “Go Diego Go!” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.”
Point out basic concepts, such as letters and colors.
Model more advanced language using a “think aloud” approach, such as, “That surprised me! I wonder what will happen next?”
No. 3: Connect what’s on screen to real life
Learning from media is challenging for young children because their brains struggle to transfer information and ideas from screens to the real world. Children learn more from screen media, research shows, when the content connects to their real-life experiences.
To maximize the benefits of screen time, parents can help children connect what they are viewing with experiences they’ve had. For example, while watching content together, a parent might say, “They’re going to the zoo. Do you remember what we saw when we went to the zoo?”
This approach promotes language development and cognitive skills, including attention and memory. Children learn better with repeated exposure to words, so selecting media that relates to a child’s real-life experiences can help reinforce new vocabulary.
No. 4: Enjoy screen-free times
Ensuring that a child’s day is filled with varied experiences, including periods that don’t involve screens, increases language exposure in children’s daily routines.
Two ideal screen-free times are mealtimes and bedtime. Mealtimes present opportunities for back-and-forth conversation with children, exposing them to a lot of language. Additionally, bedtime should be screen-free, as using screens near bedtime or having a TV in children’s bedrooms disrupts sleep.
Alternatively, devoting bedtime to reading children’s books accomplishes the dual goals of helping children wind down and creating a language-rich routine.
Having additional screen-free, one-on-one, parent-child play for at least 10 minutes at some other point in the day is good for young children. Parents can maximize the benefits of one-on-one play by letting their children decide what and how to play.
Even in small doses, parent-child playtime is important.Vera Livchak/Moment via Getty Images
A parent’s role here is to follow their child’s lead, play along, give their child their full attention – so no phones for mom or dad, either – and provide language enrichment. They can do this by labeling toys, pointing out shapes, colors and sizes. It can also be done by describing activities – “You’re rolling the car across the floor” – and responding when their child speaks.
Parent-child playtime is also a great opportunity to extend interests from screen time. Including toys of your child’s favorite characters from the shows or movies they love in playtime transforms that enjoyment from screen time into learning.Erika Squires, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University and Lucy (Kathleen) McGoron, Assistant Professor of Child and Family Development, Wayne State University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
(Family Features) They may be cute, fluffy and friendly, but some dogs also have an important job: protecting America’s food supply.
By deploying specially trained beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russell terriers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Services’ (APHIS) Detector Dog Program puts elite canines to work on the front lines at international airports, mail facilities and border crossings throughout the nation. These furry sleuths maneuver between passengers and luggage to search, locate and respond to the presence of banned fruits, plants and meats that may harbor damaging insects and diseases that threaten the country’s agricultural production and natural resources.
The program was started in 1984 and soon grew in demand. By 2009, APHIS opened a 17-acre National Detector Dog Training Center near the Atlanta International Airport. At the center, dogs and their handlers go through an 8-10-week training program to learn how to inspect passenger luggage and handbags for agricultural goods such as fruits, vegetables, beef and pork.
Detector dogs patrol ports of entry, borders and airports to keep harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies, out of the country. For example, labrador retrievers and their handlers protect the nation’s fruit by patrolling citrus orchards along the Texas-Mexico border in search of infested or diseased crops.
Safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources is part of the program’s mission, but APHIS’ Detector Dog Program also partners with countries like Canada and Taiwan to supply guidance, training and testing of canine detection. There are even detector dog teams on the job at cargo airports throughout countries in the Pacific, tasked with identifying invasive species and stopping them from reaching Hawaii. The work these dogs and their handlers do is critical to help stop the spread of invasive plant and animal pests and diseases that could ravage America’s agriculture.
A detector dog’s career spans 6-8 years before they retire at 9 years old. At retirement age, 90% of dogs are adopted by their handler. In the rare case they are not, the handler will recommend a good home and a successful adoption program ensures all dogs are well placed.
Constantly on the lookout for new pups, APHIS works closely with animal shelters, rescue groups and private individuals to find the right dogs for the job from anywhere in the country. New recruits are 1-3 years old, heartworm negative, have high food drive and are environmentally and socially friendly. The ideal candidate is often that high-energy, hard-to-handle pooch who simply needs a job and a purpose.
If you or someone you know would like to help the program grow its squad of super sniffers, email usdacanineadoptions@usda.gov, call (887) 797-3899 or learn more at aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/ppq-program-overview/nddtc.
Content courtesy of USDA
SOURCE:U.S. Department of Agriculture
5 expert ways to make the most of seasonal gatherings
(Family Features) From summer holidays and pool parties to spontaneous backyard barbecues with friends and neighbors, the hottest season of the year brings people together. When it’s your turn to host, make the most of the occasion by setting up your space to maximize the fun while showing off your festive side.
“Summer is hands down my favorite time to host,” said Kristina Zias, lifestyle, beauty and fashion expert and mom. “I love any excuse to bring people together and – let’s be real – I’m always looking for a reason to throw a party. The key is keeping things low stress for the host and making sure guests feel comfortable the second they walk in.”
This season, Zias and Glade are teaming up to share some of her favorite summer entertaining tips, which are simple, low-effort ways to make every gathering feel special. Whether you’re planning a full-blown backyard bash or hosting a few friends for drinks, Zias’ go-to ideas are all about setting the mood and enjoying the moment.
1. Set the Scene Without the Stress
To achieve a beautiful scene and make cleanup a breeze, try using disposable plates, utensils, napkins and cups in red, white and blue. A self-serve drink station with strawberry-infused water and a table of colorful fruit skewers adds charm without requiring much prep.
2. Tap Into Nostalgia Through Scent
Scent can instantly transport guests back to cherished summer memories, making it a powerful way to set the tone and spark conversation. Zias suggests using home fragrances to do just that. The new Glade Americana collection, available exclusively in stores and online at Walmart, features three limited-edition scents inspired by nostalgic summer traditions like beach trips, ice pops and garden-fresh fruit. Masterfully crafted to help bring summer to every room of your home, they’re designed to evoke warm-weather traditions.
Berries & Cream: Scents of a classic American summer treat spring to life in a picnic-perfect blend of apple, red berries, apricot, vanilla and sweet cream.
Summer Pops: Reminisce on childhood memories of a cool ice pop on a warm summer day with bright notes of Brazilian orange, pineapple, strawberry, white peach and sandalwood.
Beach Life: Transport yourself to a favorite summer vacation spot by the ocean with a breezy mix of sea salt, driftwood, white moss and white peony.
“These seasonal scents can help you evoke nostalgic memories and bring that summer energy into any room of your home,” Zias said. “They make everything feel a little more special and, honestly, they just make me happy.”
3. Keep It Simple and Guest-Friendly
Part of summer’s appeal is its easygoing vibe, so there’s no need to overdo it with complicated snacks or overwhelming decor. Lean into the simplicity of the season with ready-to-serve bites that can please guests of all ages, like berries, sliced or cubed watermelon, meat and cheese trays, sliders or chips and light dips. A separate kids station with games and snacks can keep little ones entertained.
4. Create Comfortable Hangout Spots
The hot summer sun and cool indoor air means guests will likely filter in and out of the house, so help them feel welcome and comfortable wherever they may be. Consider flexible seating guests can move around on the patio or in the yard, like bag chairs or foldable lawn chairs. Complement your festive indoor drink station with beverage-filled coolers to keep guests refreshed and designate an area for essentials like sunscreen and bug spray.
5. Have a Backup Plan
The best-laid plans can go awry when summer storms pop up. Before inviting the entire town for a barbecue, make sure you have enough indoor space and seating in case of rain or extreme heat. For grilling plans, Zias recommends prepping an alternate cooking method to avoid last-minute stress. A little backup planning can help keep the good vibes going, rain or shine.
For more summer entertaining ideas, visit Glade.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (group of friends eating)
Photo courtesy of Glade (candles)
SOURCE:Glade
Guests can enjoy refreshed amenities at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay; signature shipboard pool programming; and captivating historic adventures
SEATTLE /PRNewswire/ — Holland America Line, a leader in leisurely travel and personalized service, released its 2026-2027 Caribbean season — featuring more voyages nine days and longer than any other cruise line sailing in the region. Nearly every itinerary features a call at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas. As part of the 2026-2027 season, guests will be able to enjoy a number of enhancements at the destination, including a new beach club featuring priority tendering, waiter service and exclusive food and beverage offerings. Beach club guests will have private beach access with upgraded beach furniture as well as indoor and outdoor seating with ship views.
Zuiderdam at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
For all guests visiting the island, additional upgrades will provide more ways to experience the tranquility of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Guests will enjoy enhanced beach facilities, upgraded cabanas, villas and canopy loungers for two. Guests can also visit new shopping venues and refreshed dining locales — including a refurbished food court and Lobster Shack, as well as new food trucks with island-only menu items. Other highlights include new pickleball courts, and refreshing beverages delivered via Aperol Spritz tricycles or Bacardi Beach Buggies.
“The Caribbean, with its crystal-clear blue waters and sandy beaches, is the perfect destination to unwind — and we’re enhancing the guest experience to ensure the most relaxing vacation possible,” said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development. “Whether on board or at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, guests will feel immersed in the Caribbean’s charm and the award-winning, personalized service Holland America is known for.”
Holland America Line is also debuting a new adults-only Signature Pool Experience on its Caribbean cruises for those looking for the ultimate relaxation experience at sea. Available at each ship’s Sea View Pool, guests can unwind with spa-like amenities including complimentary cold towels, cucumber water and lemonade, as well as services like sunglass cleaning. On sea days, the experience will feature live ambient music.
Guests seeking these new offerings can select from more than two dozen itineraries aboard six ships, ranging from seven to 14 days. Cruises are roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, Florida, sailing from October 2026 to April 2027.
A Historic Adventure As part of Holland America Line’s newly announced partnership, guests can choose from five departure dates and come aboard Nieuw Amsterdam for a 9-day Southern Caribbean and ABC Islands voyage with The HISTORY Channel. The carefully curated itinerary calls at each of the three ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — as well as RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, and features a late-night call at Curaçao. While in port, guests can choose from a number of shore excursions, including Caves & City Highlights in partnership with The HISTORY Channel. The excursion will explore Curaçao’s role in Leeward Island expansion and provide the opportunity to tour Willemstad’s center — a UNESCO World Heritage site — as well as take in the stunning limestone formations of the Hato Caves. Guests aboard these cruises will be able to further immerse themselves in the complex history of the region via special onboard programming.
An Extended Holiday For those looking for longer vacations in the Caribbean, Holland America Line offers over 70 departures on cruises that are over nine days in length — more than any other line cruising in the region. Guests can choose from 11 unique itineraries, including explorations focused on the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, partial transits of the Panama Canal, Greater Antilles and beyond.
Guests looking to take one of these trips over the holidays can embark Rotterdam to celebrate both Christmas and the New Year while cruising the Caribbean. Guests can expect to celebrate Christmas Day in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and New Year’s Day at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. The voyage will also call at ports in St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda.
A Perfect Week in the Tropics Holland America Line’sseven-day Caribbean cruises will sail aboard Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Nieuw Statendam, each featuring convenient weekend departures. Late-night stays in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and evening departures from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, allow guests to further dive into the tropical beauty, delicious cuisine and spellbinding history of each destination.
Nearly three dozen departures on four different itineraries allow guests to choose both the island experience that best matches their dream vacation and their ideal timeframe.
Highlights of the 2026-2027 Caribbean Season
Western Caribbean: Greater Antilles and Mexico aboard Eurodam, Nieuw Statendam or Zuiderdam, sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, with calls at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico. A special holiday edition of the voyage sails roundtrip from MiamiNov. 21, 2026, and replaces RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, with Key West, Florida.
Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas aboard Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Nieuw Statendam will sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, calling at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and either Key West or Nassau, Bahamas.
Eastern Caribbean: San Juan and St. Thomas aboard Eurodam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, calling at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, a late-night visit to San Juan, and Grand Turk.
9-Day Eastern Caribbean: U.S. & British Virgin Islands sails aboard Nieuw Amsterdam, roundtrip Fort Lauderdale, calling Tortola, Antigua, San Juan, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and features a late-night call at St. Thomas.
10-Day Western Caribbean cruises sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale aboard Rotterdam or from Miami aboard Zuiderdam, and explore the Greater Antilles, Mexico and, on select itineraries, Belize.
11-Day itineraries sail aboard Zuiderdam, Rotterdam and Eurodam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Guests can choose between itineraries that explore the eastern or southern Caribbean.
Two 12-day itineraries are available aboard Nieuw Amsterdam, sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Guests can either discover the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Greater Antilles, or cruise to the Windward and Leeward Islands.
A 14-day voyage is available on Volendam, sailing over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Guests will enjoy eight ports in the eastern Caribbean, including a late-night call in Aruba.
Have It All Early Booking Bonus Starting Have It All fares for Caribbean cruises begin at $1,299 per person, based on double occupancy. For a limited time, when guests book 2026-2027 Caribbean cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid crew appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.
Guests can also take advantage of Holland America Line’s Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom when these cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by June 30, 2025, to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
Find Holland America Line on Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Savour the Journey isn’t just a tagline, it’s a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising.
SOURCE Holland America Line
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here:
Cookie Policy
Erika Squires, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University and Lucy (Kathleen) McGoron, Assistant Professor of Child and Family Development, Wayne State University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
(Family Features) They may be cute, fluffy and friendly, but some dogs also have an important job: protecting America’s food supply.
By deploying specially trained beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russell terriers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Services’ (APHIS) Detector Dog Program puts elite canines to work on the front lines at international airports, mail facilities and border crossings throughout the nation. These furry sleuths maneuver between passengers and luggage to search, locate and respond to the presence of banned fruits, plants and meats that may harbor damaging insects and diseases that threaten the country’s agricultural production and natural resources.
The program was started in 1984 and soon grew in demand. By 2009, APHIS opened a 17-acre National Detector Dog Training Center near the Atlanta International Airport. At the center, dogs and their handlers go through an 8-10-week training program to learn how to inspect passenger luggage and handbags for agricultural goods such as fruits, vegetables, beef and pork.
Detector dogs patrol ports of entry, borders and airports to keep harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies, out of the country. For example, labrador retrievers and their handlers protect the nation’s fruit by patrolling citrus orchards along the Texas-Mexico border in search of infested or diseased crops.
Safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources is part of the program’s mission, but APHIS’ Detector Dog Program also partners with countries like Canada and Taiwan to supply guidance, training and testing of canine detection. There are even detector dog teams on the job at cargo airports throughout countries in the Pacific, tasked with identifying invasive species and stopping them from reaching Hawaii. The work these dogs and their handlers do is critical to help stop the spread of invasive plant and animal pests and diseases that could ravage America’s agriculture.
A detector dog’s career spans 6-8 years before they retire at 9 years old. At retirement age, 90% of dogs are adopted by their handler. In the rare case they are not, the handler will recommend a good home and a successful adoption program ensures all dogs are well placed.
Constantly on the lookout for new pups, APHIS works closely with animal shelters, rescue groups and private individuals to find the right dogs for the job from anywhere in the country. New recruits are 1-3 years old, heartworm negative, have high food drive and are environmentally and socially friendly. The ideal candidate is often that high-energy, hard-to-handle pooch who simply needs a job and a purpose.
If you or someone you know would like to help the program grow its squad of super sniffers, email 
2. Tap Into Nostalgia Through Scent
Scent can instantly transport guests back to cherished summer memories, making it a powerful way to set the tone and spark conversation. Zias suggests using home fragrances to do just that. The new Glade Americana collection, available exclusively in stores and online at 
