Parent
Information
Welcome
Welcome to Cloverbud Family Times, a new quarterly newsletter
for 4-H Cloverbud families. Each issue will include Parent Info,
Family Activities, and a Kids Page. Let us know what you think of
this newsletter.
Pumpkin for the Holidays
Pumpkin is the best known and most used member of the squash family.
Pumpkin dates back many centuries. The name pumpkin came from the
Greek word for large melon — pepon.
Native Americans used pumpkin in a variety of ways. The most popular
way to use pumpkin today is as pie. The pumpkin pie probably originated
when someone sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds and filled
the insides with milk, spices and honey and then baked it in hot
coals.
The sugar pumpkin, a small, sweet variety with close-grained flesh
is preferred for cooking. Most people prefer canned pumpkin, which
tastes as good as fresh, and is much easier.
Pumpkin is low in calories, sodium and fat and high in fiber and
vitamin A.
Celebrating Family Traditions
Over the past several years, researchers have noted several activities
that strengthen family ties. These activities include open communication,
spending time together, having fun together, and celebrating
family traditions. Celebrating family traditions during
the holidays is an important way to help your young Cloverbud child
develop a strong sense of family.
You may recall family holiday traditions with fond memories, but
knowing where to start may not be easy. Deciding whether or not
to keep with the traditions of your family of origin or create new
ones can be a difficult task. The first place to begin may be to
determine your purpose for creating new traditions or for perpetuating
past family traditions. For some families it provides a sense of
togetherness through fun or even ceremonial type activities. It
can be a time of sharing through giving gifts, sharing time, or
sharing from the heart. It may even be a time for thoughtful reflections
or it may be a time to give thanks. Some families choose to enhance
their child’s sense of ethnic identity by combining old traditions
with new ones.
Whatever your family chooses to do to celebrate family traditions
during the holidays, the most important thing to remember is to
make it special. A couple of activities to consider trying:
- Baking cookies or create holiday gift baskets full of confectionary
delight.
- Involve your child in making special gifts for those who are
less fortunate.
- Create memory boxes for each holiday & use it as a time
capsule.
Cloverbud Family Resources
Fall by Ron Hirschi
Autumn Days by Ann Schweninger
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
Illustrator - Megan Lloyd
The Festive Table : Recipes and Stories for Creating Your Own
Holiday Traditions by Ronni Lundy
Kids Pumpkin Projects by Deanna F. Cook
Website:
http://www.nncc.org/Curriculum/sac12_holiday.stress.html
(for single parent or recently divorced families)
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