You Can Do It! Shaving Cream Dyed Easter Eggs

From Crafty Morning, here's a quick and easy way to dye your Easter eggs this year using shaving cream and food coloring. You can also use cool whip as a substitute. Either way, the results are fantastic!

Materials Needed:

• Neon or regular tint food coloring

• Eggs

• Cookie sheet

• Shaving cream or cool whip

• A straw

• Gloves (optional)

Start by squirting white shaving cream onto a cookie sheet and spreading it evenly. Drip different colored food coloring onto the shaving cream, randomly in spots, leaving plenty of white cream. Take a straw and swirl the colors until you get a tie-dye look.

Roll an egg through the colors on one side and flip it over to do the other side. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so and then rinse clean. Easy!

What Is Betty Reading? Emma, by Jane Austen

I have just finished Emma by Jane Austen. This is the completion of my second Austen book in the past few months. I found it to be a humorous novel that follows Emma, the protagonist, through time as she tries to set up a close friend for marriage and encounters several blunders along the way. I am becoming a fan of Austen’s; I greatly appreciate her use of words and wit, her sentence structure, and her ability to “paint the picture” of the beautiful England countryside.

Letter from Betty for March 2023

Hello Friends,

Many times in our lives we get the uncomfortable feeling that we don't really fit in or that we are engaged in some sort of deception of others regarding our true abilities. This happens to just about everyone. But how could we all be imposters? Find out more about this under-discussed aspect of our lives, how it impacts students, and how to cope with it by reading our feature article for March, "Feeling Like a Fraud? Let's Talk About Imposter Syndrome."

March is here, and with it the arrival of spring. On the 20th of this month, the vernal equinox will bring an exact balancing of the day and night hours. Or will it? All is not quite so tidy for those of us keeping a very careful track of things. Find out why in our bonus article for this month, "Did You Know? The Length of The First Day of Spring Is Not What You Think."

Finally, check out my review of a book that takes the reader into an uncharted realm of new insights in this month's special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? Predictably Irrational."

Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.

Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.


Best regards,

Betty

Feeling Like a Fraud? Let's Talk About Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is an often hidden, rarely spoken about phenomenon that can impact performance in college and on into our adult lives. It’s that little voice inside our heads that tells us that we’re not good enough, that we don’t belong, that we don’t know what we’re doing, and we may wonder why this school, this company, this record label or gallery even chose us at all. We feel like…a fraud. We may have persistent feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy, even despite our successes and other evidence to the contrary. We may feel like we don’t actually deserve our accomplishments and positive recognitions and that they really should go to the other students, artists, co-workers. We worry that we’ll be “found out.”

That feeling of being a fake, not deserving, not belonging, hits many people, but because we don’t talk about it, we tend to feel like it’s just us that feels like an imposter. In fact, a study by the National Institute of Health reported that up to 82% of people will face the syndrome at some point in their lives, and a study by Brigham Young University found that 20% of college students experience this phenomenon.

How college students may be affected by imposter syndrome:

With the now higher expectations, those students who found high school easy can find themselves floundering during their college years, or at least have the impression that they are doing so.

In response to the stress associated with imposter syndrome, college students might avoid taking risks for fear of failing, or avoid speaking up in class. They may procrastinate, or over prepare, ignore positive feedback with the assumption that it’s just a fluke and not meant for them. They may withdraw from social activities, fail to make connections with other students or group members. And because this feeling can so rattle a person’s self-confidence, it can contribute to anxiety and even depression. All of these things can end up hurting their sense of well-being, their academic performance, and enjoyment of their college experience as well.

So how does a person manage these invasive thoughts of being a fraud?
 
The re-wiring and challenging of this negative thought process is very doable with some time and attention.

It’s time to lose the perfectionist goal and give yourself some slack. Let go of the need to be or appear to be perfect. Allow yourself to make mistakes or express weakness. If you don’t know how to do something or have the answer, try anyway. You might not get it right, but this is how learning happens and this is what college is for.

Understand that a person needs to accept both their strengths and their weaknesses. This is key to having a healthy sense of self-esteem and self-worth.

Challenge those negative thoughts, and swap out negative thoughts for positive ones.

If imposter syndrome is causing general anxiety, test anxiety, troublesome procrastination, or feelings of isolation, then reaching out to the campus counseling department can be a real help. Every campus has this resource and talking about feelings with another person can be extremely helpful.

Adopt a “fake it ‘til you make it” mentality. Make it a daily mantra! Nearly everyone gets nervous, including college professors, the Deans, and other professionals at the school. Even our idols in the music, art, stage and screen fields have to deal with imposter syndrome and work to overcome these thoughts. No one is perfect.

Recognize and accept these feelings. Sit with them, talk about them, let them pass. Taking the power away is a good thing.

Focus on the learning process rather than the result. Embrace challenges and understand that just because something is hard now doesn’t mean it will always be.

Again, talk about it. Opening up about your feelings of being a fraud can help to normalize them, and know that your parents, professors, mentors, and peers have likely dealt with these issues too and can help. 

Celebrate your successes! It’s too easy to ignore what is going right in your daily life and to only focus on the negative. If it helps, keep a diary and track those events that went well and the positive feedback that you’ve received from others – and look back on this list often.

Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, who will cheer you on, and that you enjoy spending time with.

Stop comparing yourself to others. The truth is that other people’s achievements have no bearing at all on your worth or your talent. Most everyone is just trying to figure this out and again, no one is perfect.

Remember, many people experience imposter syndrome, people of all ages, and it’s a very common human experience. We just don’t talk enough about it. It may come on a bit during later high school years, stronger at college or grad school level, and continue on into your professional life, but perceptions are not always a reflection of reality. And to quote Dr Seuss: “Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as beautiful as you’ve ever imagined.”

Did You Know? The Length of The First Day of Spring Is Not What You Think

In 2023, the first day of Spring is on March 20. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, one question revolving around the vernal equinox concerns the length of day versus night. We have been taught that on the first days of spring and autumn, the day and night are equal to exactly 12 hours all over the world. Yet, if you check the calendar pages in the Almanac, you will find that this is not so. In fact, the tables tell you that on the days of the spring and fall equinox, the length of daylight is actually longer than the darkness by several minutes.
 
The reason this happens can be attributed to the atmosphere. If Earth was a planet that did not have an atmosphere, then yes, on the equinox days the length of the day and night would be exactly even.

However, our atmosphere acts like a lens and refracts (bends) its light above the edge of the horizon. Put in another way, when you watch the Sun either coming up above the horizon at sunrise, or going down below the horizon at sunset, you are looking at an illusion – the Sun is not really there, but already below the horizon.

As a result, we actually end up seeing the Sun for a few minutes before its disc actually rises and for a few minutes after it has actually set. Thus, thanks to atmospheric refraction, the length of daylight on any given day is increased by approximately six or seven minutes.

What Is Betty Reading? Predictably Irrational

I am currently reading Predictably Irrational – The Hidden Forces that Shape our Decisions by Dan Ariely with one of my college students. It is an entertaining book that provides descriptions and results of interesting experiments done throughout the world that help us to better understand who we are, why we do what we do and how we can make better contributions to society.  

I particularly enjoyed reading about the brain stimulation that occurs when people drink Coke and Pepsi in an MRI tube! The brain actually was stimulated more when participants drank one of the beverages. Can you guess which one?

Letter from Betty for February 2023

Hello Friends,

It is hard to describe the satisfaction that comes with list-writing, but it is real. One of the surest ways to achieve anything in life is to write it down, to see the goal written out clearly. This is true for all of us at any age. Parents can introduce their middle school children to the wide world of organizational methods, as detailed in our feature article for February, "Helping Your Middle Schooler Develop Better Organizational Skills."

One way a parent can teach organizational skills outside of school studies is a family baking session. Show your children how to buy and set out ingredients and follow directions, as well as make some timely Valentine's Day gifts by reading our bonus article for this month, "You Can Do It: Rocky Road Cookie Cups." Plus, delicious!

Finally, check out my review of a classic work of fiction that ignited the Nigerian literary renaissance of the 1960s, China Achebe's Things Fall Apart, in this month's "What Is Betty Reading?"

Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.

Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.


Best regards,

Betty

Helping Your Middle Schooler Develop Better Organizational Skills

We know that being organized will help your child be more successful and learning these skills now will not only help your him this year, but throughout middle school, high school, during his college years, and beyond. Why are we talking about this when the school-year is half-way over? Because these are skills that need to be revisited from time to time, and even if the year started out with A1 organizational skills, by this time some attention may have slipped, some areas where organization may be lacking have likely surfaced, and a refresher is needed.

Here are a few reasons why this is an important focus and an important key to success:

• Your child is less likely to “forget” about assignments.

• Your child is less likely to be unprepared for tests and quizzes.

• Your child will be able to easily locate supplies and school-work when they are needed because everything will have it’s place and will be easily found.

• Your child will have fewer late assignments and more assignments turned in.

• Your child’s self-esteem will rise as they are able to turn in work that they’ve spent time and effort on, without the penalty for tardiness or missed assignments.

• Your child’s increased self-esteem will lead to continued success in the classroom, knowing that his work is a job well done and credit is received.

Tips and tricks for getting and staying organized:

• Make sure that your child has a good book bag/backpack. It’s likely that the one he started the year off with is in need of replacing or could use a re-thinking. Get one that is sturdy, has enough zippers and compartments so that there is a place for everything, but not so many that he’s constantly looking for his stuff. Having a tote bag for in-school use might be a good idea as well, if the school allows it. That way he’s not having to lug around a huge load of books throughout the day. Remember that the recommendation is to not carry around more than 10% of his total body weight in those backpacks in order to avoid pain in shoulders and back.

• It's time to take another look at the supplies on-hand. Re-visit the teacher’s supply list and restock as needed. Your child will need fresh notebooks, paper, pencils, folders, highlighters and binders too, one for each class. Make sure that every notebook, file, and binder is labeled for each class and if you can, color coordinate for each class.

• Make sure that your child is using a pencil case to collect his writing implements, erasers, sticky notes, paper clips, markers, etc. rather than just throwing them blindly into his bookbag where they’ll be too hard to find when needed.

• Have a hole-punch for the binder so that any classroom hand-outs can be instantly added to the correct binder.

• Organize loose papers: Reiterate for your child: do not just shove all papers into the backpack or they’ll never be able to be found quickly and may become damaged or lost completely. Everything in its place! 

• Make the locker more useful: Consider buying a small whiteboard with magnetic pencil holder to hold markers. Attach the board to the inside of the locker door for quick notes. A locker organizer is useful also and can be used for dividing books into sections such as morning classes/afternoon classes.

• Update the planner with after-school activities, class schedule, meetings, project due dates and other assignments.

• Make sure that everything has a place and everything is in it’s assigned place. For example, history papers do not belong in the math notebook and nothing should be tossed into the dark maze of the book bag willy-nilly. 

• Re-visit the daily routine/schedule. Is your child waking up in the morning to eat a good breakfast and get ready for school? Is he routinely getting to school on time? After school, is he sticking to a set time to get homework done?

• Homework list: Another tip: if your cidl has a lot of homework and/or homework in many different subjects, before starting, take a sheet of paper and write down each of the subjects and the assignment for each. That way nothing will be forgotten and being able to cross each subject off the list as he goes along will serve as positive reinforcement. A white board will work for this tip as well.

• Down time: You also want to make sure that your child is getting plenty of down-time built into the day, and getting to bed with enough time to get a good amount of sleep each night.

This may sound time-consuming, but taking the time to get re-organized will pay off and help your child to finish off the year with success!

You Can Do It: Rocky Road Cookie Cups

Here’s a lovely Valentine’s Day treat that is super easy and super delicious. Whether you make them for your loved ones, or with them, these yummy bites are sure to be a hit. Enjoy!

Rocky Road Cookie Cups
Prep: 20 min. Bake: 15 min. + cooling
Yield: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 tube (16-1/2 ounces) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough

• 3/4 cup miniature marshmallows

• 2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips

• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-1/4-in. balls; press evenly onto bottom and up sides of 24 greased mini-muffin cups. Bake until edges are golden, 10-12 minutes. Using the back of a measuring teaspoon, make an indentation in each cup. Immediately place 3 marshmallows and 1/4 teaspoon chocolate chips in each cup; sprinkle with almonds. Return to oven; bake 1 minute longer. Cool completely in pans on wire racks.

What Is Betty Reading? Things Fall Apart

I recently finished rereading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe with a high school sophomore.  The novel chronicles the life of the protagonist, Okonkwo, during pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the invasion of Europeans towards the end of the19th century. Okonkow's mistakes lead to his eventual downfall within his tribe. Some of the characters' names can be challenging to read and the occasional use of Nigerian words can cause a reader to pause, but a quick look at the glossary at the end of the book is helpful. Things Fall Apart has been compared to Greek tragedies and I can certainly see why! The plot is engaging and the writing style has an even flow to it.

Letter from Betty for January 2023

Hello Friends,

Happy New Year! Another year dawns full of possibilities. I don't know if you are like me, but I love blank pieces of paper because anything I can imagine, I can write down or draw a picture of it and glimpse an exciting future. If you make resolutions for a new year, you are taking part in a long history. Humans have been making such self-declarations for many centuries! Read all about them in our feature article for January, "New Year's Resolutions for 2023."

Speaking about New Year's resolutions, trying something new is always a good way to get started. With the help of our bonus article for January you can do just that: "Try a New Recipe in 2023: Potato Chip Cookies." Yum!

I love my job — in no small part because I get to read so many wonderful books. This month you can get a tantalizing glimpse of the novella I picked up over the holidays. Take a look at our special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? Jonathan Livingston Seagull"

Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.

Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.


Best regards,

Betty

New Year's Resolutions for 2023

It’s a new month and a new year! We long for a blank slate, a do-over, and so create resolutions for ourselves in hopes of changing an undesirable behavior, accomplishing a goal, or continuing a good practice in order to live a better life. This is what many of us, all over the world, set out for ourselves on January 1st.

How did this once-a-year practice start? According to Wikipedia, the Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus. During medieval times, the knights would take a “peacock vow” to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. Many Christian churches hold “watchnight” or Covenant Renewal services on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and during these gatherings build prayers and resolutions into the liturgy. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, one reflects on one’s wrongdoings over the past year, seek and offer forgiveness, and reflect on self-improvement for the year ahead.

A medieval knight taking a "peacock vow."

Mentions of these New Year’s resolutions can be found as early as 1671 in the diary of religious writer Anne Halkett in Walker’s Hibernian Magazine back in 1802. The complete phrase “new year resolutions” was found in a Boston newspaper on January 1, 1813 which read “And yet, I believe there are multitudes of people, accustomed to receive injunctions of new year resolutions, who will sin all the month of December, with a serious determination of beginning the new year with new resolutions and new behavior, and with the full belief that they shall thus expiate and wipe away all their former faults.”

Do people really make these New Year’s resolutions or is this all hype? Yes they do! At the end of the Great Depression, nearly a quarter of all Americans reported that they follow this tradition. At the start of the 21st century, approximately 40% to 50% joined in. 

But just how successful are we? It turns out that 46% of all people who made common New Year’s resolutions were likely to succeed if the resolution is made at the beginning of January, over ten times as many as those that decide to make life changes at other times of the year. The key is to set realistic and specific goals, track your progress, and to avoid setting too many resolutions. 

So have you decided what your New Year’s resolutions will be for 2023? Here is a list of some life affirming, life improving, achievable ideas for you.  Remember though, just pick a few! 

• Vow to be more organized this year

• Drink more water

• Move more, sit less

• Make plans to take a mini adventure

• Prioritize eco-friendly choices

• Volunteer more often

Volunteering can be an activity for the whole family.

• Adopt an attitude of gratitude

• Send handwritten letters

• Spend 5 minutes a day cleaning

• Call parents/siblings/grandparents more often

• Live simply, consume less

• Perfect one recipe

• Turn on music instead of the TV

• Try something new

• Floss every day

• Ditch one bad habit

• Create a bedtime routine

• Get in touch with your creative side

2023 is a great year to rediscover your creativity.

• Make time for self-care

• Embrace spontaneity

• Use To Do Lists

• Clean out your inbox

• Take a 24-hour break from social media every month

• Take time to appreciate your accomplishments

• Make coffee at home more often to save money

• Start a journal

• Clean out your closet

• Go meatless on Mondays

• Make a new friend

Friendship makes life wonderful.

• Keep a notepad next to your bed for ideas that come to you at night

• Start your morning with a stretching routine

• Practice the do-it-now rule (avoid procrastination)

• Double the amount of time you spend outside

• Wear sunscreen daily

• Put a kit of essentials in your car (jumper cables, blanket, phone charger, etc)

• Organize your photos

• Delete unused apps on your phone

• Put your phone away an hour before bed

• Watch documentaries

• Send thank-you cards

• Lower your daily sugar intake

• Read at least one book each month

• Get an annual checkup

• Balance your checkbook daily

• Do an act of kindness weekly

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop

Try a New Recipe in 2023: Potato Chip Cookies

We all love chocolate chip cookies, right? Here’s a recipe we bet you’ve not tried before. Sweet, salty, crunch on the outside and chewy on the inside. You’re going to love these Potato Chip Cookies!
Tip: While we may prefer thinner chips for casual snacking, we recommend a sturdier variety, such as a kettle chip, for this recipe. This type of chip will hold its own when folded into the batter, helping to create that chewy center we’re looking for, and the pieces on the outside will stay crisper for longer too. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp. baking soda

• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

• 2/3 c. light brown sugar

• 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/3 c. granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

• 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

• 2 3/4 c. crushed kettle-style potato chips, divided

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.

In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat brown sugar, butter, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.

Beat in egg and vanilla until combined, then reduce speed to low and beat in dry ingredients until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips and 2 cups potato chips. Cover bowl and refrigerate 1 hour.

Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place remaining 3/4 cup potato chips in a small flat dish.

Scoop dough into balls about 3 tablespoons each. Roll in potato chips, gently pressing to adhere. Arrange on prepared sheets, spacing about 1" apart. With a clean palm, flatten balls into pucks about 2 1/2" in diameter.

Bake cookies, rotating sheets top to bottom and back to front after 7 minutes, until puffed and golden brown around the edges, 11 to 14 minutes.

Let sit 2 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

What Is Betty Reading? Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Prior to the Christmas holiday, I looked through my alphabetized bookcase to decide which books I was going to read during my time off. Quickly the novella Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach jumped out at me. I do not know when or how I acquired this well-kept 1973 version of the book, but as soon as I picked it up, I was brought back to my high school days!

The book is a short story interspersed with pictures of seagulls in flight. It sends the message that we can all be more than we think we can, as long as we believe in ourselves.

Since reading the book, I have learned that in 2013 Bach added a fourth part to it after he had a near-death experience in 2012. I have not read it yet, but I plan to in the new year! 

Letter from Betty for December 2022

Hello Friends,

Deck the halls with books a-plenty, fa la la la lah, la la la lah! For the young avid reader, there is no gift more magical than a new book. So with gift-giving in mind for this holiday season we offer a selection of great 2022 titles in our feature article for December, "Great Books of 2022 for Teens and Kids."

And while you're feeling the spirit of giving, we have a gift suggestion you can assemble and decorate yourself in our bonus article for December: "You Can Do It! Hot Cocoa Gift Jar." Yum!

They say if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I think of that saying every time I sit down to read a great book for my work as a tutor. Find out what I've been enjoying recently in our special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? The Things They Carried."

Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep. Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.


Best regards,

Betty

Best Books of 2022 for Teens and Kids

Still doing your holiday shopping? Here are some recommendations for 2022’s Best Books For Teens, and Best Books For Kids, from the New York Public Library.

Best Books for Teens 2022

Crumbs, by Danie Stirling
Ray, a talented seer who dreams of being on the ruling council, falls in love with Laurie, a barista at an enchanted bakery who aspires to be a musician. Can they chase their dreams together even if that pushes them apart?

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, by Axie Oh
In this Korean folktale–inspired read, Mina sacrifices herself to the Sea God to save her family and discovers a world of magic, deceit, and love.

The Last Session Vol 1: Roll for Initiative, by Jasmine Walls
What happens when a bumbling newcomer joins the never-finished D&D campaign that brought this tight-knit friend group together all those years ago? A romping tale of adventure, magic, and the messiness of growing up—but not apart.

Unretouchables, by Sofia Szamosi
In a world dominated by influencers and impossible beauty standards, Olive's internship makes her question her morals and the authenticity of everything around her.

Wandance, by Coffee
Kabu has always flown under the radar because of his stutter... but when he sees carefree classmate Wanda dance, he's inspired to try this new way to express himself. Together, who knows how high they'll fly.

What The Fact?: Finding the Truth in all the Noise, by Dr. Seema Yasmin
What is a "fact"? Is TikTok a reliable source? How do you win that argument with your uncle about if the moon landing was real? Do you really know what you think you do? Discover all the answers in this fascinating guide.

Best Books for Kids 2022

Days Like This, by Oriane Smith
From a beautiful poetic introduction to an ending that may pleasantly surprise readers, this charming and extraordinarily detailed picture book presents experiences in nature from two perspectives.

Every Dog in the Neighborhood, by Phillip C Stead
How do you survey a neighborhood to determine if it already has enough dogs? Follow Louis and his grandma in this door-to-door adventure, where readers will discover new details and humor with every read.

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza, by Mac Barnett
A mind-bending, laugh-out-loud story about a cat, a toenail-clipping robot, and a lunar princess who are tasked with saving the moon from being eaten by a sea of rats. Will the moon be saved in time? Will the cat ever get a slice?

Sir Ladybug, by Cory R Tabor
What's all the buzz about? It's Sir Ladybug, a beetle always looking for his next heroic quest!

The Wolf Suit, by Sid Sharp
Terrified of the rumored wolves in the woods, Bellweather the sheep makes himself a wolf costume to blend in and enjoy berry picking in peace. When his plan begins to unravel, he realizes things may not be exactly what they seem.

Yoshi and The Ocean, by Lindsay Moore
"Hello from Yoshi. I am here." Yoshi the sea turtle is rescued as a baby, but after years of rehabilitation she is tagged and released into the ocean, where she follows her instinct to her natural home. This true story features powerful images of nature and survival.

You Can Do It! Hot Cocoa Gift Jar

Here’s the perfect, hand-made gift that is fun to make and fun to give! The ingredients are readily available in your grocery store, and you’ll find 4-ounce mason jars in your local craft store, along with any items you might like to use to decorate them.

Ingredients / Supplies
4 4-ounce mason jars
1/2 cup instant dried milk or coffee creamer
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips)
48 mini marshmallows
1/4 cup crushed candy canes (optional)

Instructions
1. In each of the four 4-ounce mason jars, layer in ingredients in this order:

• 2 Tablespoons dried milk or coffee creamer (bottom)

• Pinch of salt

• 2 Tablespoons cocoa

• 1 Tablespoon granulated white sugar

• 1 Tablespoon chocolate chips

• Sprinkle of crushed candy canes (optional)

• 12 marshmallows

    Each item should have its own layer. (Don't mix or shake!)
    Gently tap to get the ingredients to settle, if needed. 
    You can also add different layer or change up the ingredients:
    - Dark chocolate chips
    - White chocolate chips

2. Place lid on mason jar and seal.
 
3. Add a handmade label with the following:
    HOT COCOA IN A JAR 
    - Pour mix from this jar into a mug.
    - Add 1 cup of boiling water.
    - Stir and enjoy!

4. Decorate your homemade jar gift with ribbons, twine, candy canes,
    chocolate or peppermint stir sticks/spoons.

What Is Betty Reading? The Things They Carried

I am currently rereading Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. If you have not read this book yet, please do so. Using both fiction and nonfiction, O'Brien chronicles the literal as well as figurative belongings he and those in his platoon carry to and throughout the Vietnam War. I am currently reading it with a high school junior, but it speaks to those in upper middle school and adulthood.

Letter from Betty for November 2022

Hello Friends,

One of the great comforts of life is a good night's sleep. But there are many obstacles to achieving this simple pleasure, especially during the teen years. Read about the importance of sleep and how teens can improve their night-time rest in our feature article for November, "Is Your Teen Getting Enough Sleep?"

To learn unusual and fascinating tidbits about sleep and dreams, take a look at our bonus article for November, "Did You Know? Facts About Sleep." Dream on!

I love my job — in no small part because I get to read so many wonderful books. This month you can get a tantalizing glimpse of some great short stories I am digging into in our special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? Three Short Stories."

Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.

Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.


Best regards,

Betty

Is Your Teen Getting Enough Sleep?

It turns out that, although the teen stereotype has them sleeping weekend mornings away and catching naps on the couch whenever they get the chance, the reality is that teens probably are not getting an adequate number of hours of good sleep. With increases in homework, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, it’s difficult for them to get to bed before 11 p.m. Add to that early school start times, the stress to perform well in their studies, social pressures, and hours of internet use, and chronic sleep deprivation may be a real issue that needs a parent’s attention.

Without adequate sleep, a teenager's day-to-day functioning is greatly affected. They may be vulnerable to an increased level of depression, struggle with sleepiness in class, poor concentration, problems with cognition, memory, or understanding, emotion regulation, and impulse control. All of this could lead to issues involving poor decision-making, risky behaviors, and behavior or temperament changes.

Sleep deprivation may also affect their grades. A 1998 study from the College of the Holy Cross and Brown University Medical School, found that students who received lower grades got about 25 minutes less sleep and went to bed 40 minutes later than students who were earning A’s and B’s.

And just to add one more scary scenario, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsiness and fatigue cause more than 100,000 traffic accidents each year, and teens are the drivers in more than half of those crashes.

So how much is enough? Believe it or not, teens need 9 to 9½ hours each night. That’s an hour more than was needed at age 10. The reason? Teens are going through a new stage of cognitive maturation, their brain is developing, and they’re going through physical changes and growth spurts as well.

High school and college-age students may also experience trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or even have some insomnia due to anxiety and the daily stressors they experience in this new stage of their lives. Other causes could include chronic pain from injuries or growth spurts, changes in hormones, or the side effect of medications.

There are several strategies teens can implement into their bedtime routine to help them settle down, calm a racing mind, and hopefully get a good night’s sleep? Here are a few suggestions:

• At the end of the day, take 10 minutes and make a to-do list. Doing a short brain dump like this will eliminate the need to hold on to these thoughts overnight and reduce the stress of possibly forgetting something important.

• Turn off all screens and allow yourself respite from not only the information overload that comes with internet use, but also blue light that is emitted from them, which has been shown to cause sleep depreivation issues.

• Eat a light carbohydrate snack before heading to bed. Avoid high protein or highly processed foods which can actually stimulate the brain by causing a release of norepinephrine. Instead, reach for popcorn or crackers, which releases serotonin, a sleep hormone in your brain.

• Once in bed, read a book or listen to a podcast for about 20 minutes. Audio books are great too since you won’t have to turn on a light, and you can rest your eyes.

• Consider trying a white noise, or brown noise machine. It may help to create a relaxing environment.

• Focus on breathing. Sounds too simple, right? It actually takes some concentration to really focus on your breathing, and that concentration is good because it will direct focus rather than letting the mind wander. Deep, slow breathing can also slow the heart rate, which will help if dealing with anxiety or the stress of the day. Suggestion: try yogic breathing: breathe in through the nose for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, gently exhale through the mouth for 8 counts. Just a few of those cycles will calm and soothe.