Sparkle Buds August 2025

Traffic In this variation of “Red Light, Green Light,” there's more going on on “the road.” Kids stop and start at red and green lights, but they also shuffle to the side for a yellow light, do bunny hops at speed bumps, link elbows and run with a partner for a “carpool,” and even gallop when the cue is “deer crossing.” Make up some more moves! Benefits? Some of the benefits include aerobic exercise, balance, and coordination practice.…

There was once a poor peasant named Hans. He lived with his wife and children in a valley at the foot of a snow-capped mountain. Hans often drove his sheep to pasture up the mountainside. He always carried his crossbow with him to protect the sheep. He was a skillful marksman. Once in a while, Hans would shoot a deer. The deer meat would serve as food for his family for many days. One day Hans was watching his sheep while they grazed on the mountainside. Suddenly a deer appeared. Its spreading antlers glittered in the morning sunlight with wonderful brightness. The deer bounded across the pasture to the rocks higher up the mountain. Hans followed quickly, hoping to approach near enough to shoot an arrow. From rock to rock,…

Aura Bzdel Great Kids Award Canada 2022 Two years ago, Aura and her father were in a serious car accident and her father passed away. Aura spent a week in a coma and when she awoke, she needed to re-learn how to speak, talk, walk and use the right side of her body. Losing a parent is devastating, as is suffering a debilitating physical injury, and Aura experienced both at a young age. In the face of this adversity, Aura demonstrated remarkable resilience. Aura participated in physiotherapy and occupational therapy for several months, and 9 months later, she returned to in-person school and joined the swim team. Aura's teachers and those around her have been touched by her courage and determination.…

Primary school children need 10-11 hours of sleep each night and teenagers need about 9. Not getting enough sleep is common among school children. Going to bed when you are not tired increases the chances of bedtime struggles. Therefore, for some children it is best to start by setting the bedtime at the time they usually fall asleep and gradually making the bedtime earlier. Sleep is important for children's learning and behaviour. Sleep also helps children's brains grow. Key points to remember about normal sleep patterns for school going children, bedtime should ideally be no later than 8.30 pm going to bed when you are not tired increases the chances of bedtime struggles work out when you are naturally falling asleep and set this as the temporary bedtime try your…

The ocean sunfish is famous for being the largest bony fish in the world. Its scientific name is the mola mola and it is often called the mola fish. The average weight of ocean sunfish is 2,200 pounds. However, some have reached a size as large as 5,000 pounds. The sunfish has a grey, rough skin which can get infested with lots of parasites. They use other fish and even birds to help eat the parasites and clean them from their skin. Amazing Facts! Because of their massive size, they can cause serious damage to boats that run into them in the ocean. Ocean sunfish live in warmer ocean waters throughout the world. They often swim in open waters, but will sometimes come to the surface, lying on their sides…

There is a story told in Troy and Albany about a couple returning home from a trip to New England. They were driving home in a carriage and were somewhere near Spiegletown when the light failed and they knew they would have to seek shelter for the night. The husband spied a light through the trees and turned their horse into a small lane leading up a hill. A pleasant little house stood at the crest, and an old man and his wife met the couple at the door. They were in nightclothes and were about to turn in, but they welcomed the travellers and offered them a room. The old woman bustled about making tea and offering freshly-baked cakes. Then the travellers were shown to their rooms. The husband…