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Press Pause Activities Calendar

It’s time to spring into action because things are heating up!

Unprecedented times call for updated measures. Finding new ways to stay connected, entertain each other, educate ourselves and organize our homes is important as ever. That’s why the team at Press Pause is sharing a list of weekly activities designed to help you bond with loved ones, learn or do something new, and most importantly, have fun! Check back weekly for new suggestions or download the calendar at the beginning of the month.

From our team (and homes) to yours!

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Featured friends

Here’s where you’ll find our Featured Friends of the week. We're taking every opportunity to highlight our people at Pearson by spotlighting your story submissions. Join us weekly to celebrate the growing community inside Press Pause. If you would like to be featured, please submit your story through the form below. Please keep submissions to 1,000 words or less. We can’t wait to see what you share!

Troy from Minnesota
So many people started working from home in the past year, and my job was no different; I traded my in-person role for an at-home position. Here, I oversee a technical support team who serves customers online and over the phone.

As a result, my wife and I have encountered so many... surprises. Don’t get me wrong, getting cozy with my better half for the better half of a year was actually pretty great! Still, the experience presented new challenges for the both of us. At one point, the Wi-Fi signal was so weak, we both worked from the same 280-square foot office for a day (Video calls were not on the agenda).

One of my favorite parts from working at home with my wife was the surprise conversations we’d have with each other. I’d host a meeting with my team, but my wife wouldn't know I was on a call. I wouldn’t know she was standing outside of my office either. I’d ask my coworkers questions like, “Have you tried the new Girl Scout cookie flavor yet?” I’d share, “That episode of WandaVision blew my mind!” Next thing I know, I’d hear her verbally responding to my thoughts and expressions on the other side of my office door. If my wife didn’t quickly realize I wasn’t talking to her, I’d text her as a heads up.

Other times, my wife would keep her office door closed when she could not be disturbed. Some days, she was buckling down and being productive. Other days, her schedule was stacked full of meetings. Occasionally, she would leave her office door open, only because her office was overheating... but how was I supposed to know that? There were definitely a few days where I interrupted her video calls by asking her about lunch/dinner plans, or sharing that I was hopping in the shower. Awkward!In the end, I recommend quarantining with your partner for an extended period. If you can thrive during that time together, there’s really nothing you two can’t do.

- Troy (35), Minnesota

At your leisure

Five classic toys with a twist for today

Some children’s toys have withheld the test of time. Others have required a few updates throughout the years. Some brands have expanded to encompass a wider range of interests while others have accommodated valuable consumer feedback. Modern times call for modern measures, including refreshed tools and toys for children. Keep reading to see how a few of our favorite childhood toys have improved their classic line of products, specifically in the areas of diversity and inclusion.

Barbie Fashionistas

Barbie has experienced so much change throughout the years. From endless career possibilities to ever-changing looks, Barbie has proven she (and her friends) can do it all. In January 2016, Mattel announced an expansion to their “Barbie Fashionistas” line of dolls to include a wider range of body types including petite, tall, and curvy. Within the year, Mattel added over 100 new looks and changes to appearance. In February 2019, Mattel expanded Barbie dolls even further with the availability of wheelchairs and removable prosthetic limbs. In September 2019, Mattel set out to reach new audiences with the release of a gender-neutral doll. As the world evolves, so does the Barbie doll. Mattel continues

The “Potato Head”

Everybody’s best "spud" received a makeover of his own in February 2021. Proving “there’s no wrong way to play”, Hasbro announced the Mr. Potato Head brand would be dropping the “Mister” from its title for the classic line of toys. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head aren’t going away; Hasbro wanted to make this distinction before the company released its “Create Your Own Potato Head Family” set. Through this “ap-peel-ing" rebrand, Hasbro shared a way for consumers to more openly discuss gender identity and replicate their unique family dynamics in true potato fashion.

Crayola’s Multicultural Collection

Finding the perfect lifelike skin tone in a box of crayons or pack of markers wasn’t always easy. In 1992, Crayola introduced Multicultural Crayons after receiving feedback from consumers and educators. Since then, the company expanded its color selection to represent a variety of skin tones across an assortment of products (E.G. Paint, markers, and colored pencils). In 2020, Crayola released its “Colors of the World” line featuring 24 colored pencils, crayons, or markers to celebrate people from all over the world. These coloring supplies have allowed children and adults alike to see themselves more accurately and live more authentically. Consider us “tickled pink”.

LEGO BrickHeadz Go Brick Me

Finding yourself inside your own toys has been a struggle, but it’s becoming easier. In April 2018, LEGO released the 708-piece “BrickHeadz 41597 Go Brick Me” set, allowing customers of all ages to re-imagine and re-create themselves as LEGO characters. Unlike a traditional LEGO Minifigure, this lot from the “BrickHeadz” collection let beginners and master buildersalike to build with more accurate flesh-toned bricks than ever before. The construction set allocated for limitless unique appearances of two “BrickHeadz” characters. Unfortunately, this kit was retired in January 2019, even following its extremely popular release. Here’s hoping LEGO brings these bricks back someday because embracing our differences never goes out of style.

Beyond These Brands

Many companies beyond these popular toy manufacturers are working hard to improve and include diversity and inclusion during playtime. The Janod Emotions Magnetic Game and Darlyng & Co’s Alphabet Affirmation Flash Cards teach children about self-awareness while supporting learning areas like emotional development and motor skills. The Kindness Book Set by Highlights and the Little Feminist Picture Book help explain concepts like change and share how individual actions can positively impact others. From STEM toys that develop critical thinking skills to coding games that inspire creativity (and vice versa), the Bitsbox monthly subscription and the Melissa & Doug Innovation Academy – Planetary Orbiter help children explore these new, exciting areas of interest, passion, and education.

How to break a bad habit and replace it with a good one

Bad habits. We all have one, or maybe even more. A bad habit can be many different things, including serious or simply silly. Regardless of your personal tenacious tendencies, we want to share a few suggestions for how to break a bad habit and get a good one going. Keep reading to learn more about ways to implement impactful changes into your regular routine.

About The “Three Rs"

Did you know all habits begin the same way? Professionals have theorized three main components lead to developing a habit. Sometimes referred to as the “Three Rs”, these steps include Reminder, Routine, and Reward. Think of “Reminder” as a trigger or cue to act. “Routine” is the action that follows the reminder or signal for action. The “Reward” element is the positive outcome that keeps the habit around; if a habit has previously helped relieve stress or deliver enjoyment, it’s more likely the habit will remain in place for longer. One example of this process can be illustrated through a common shared experience. Imagine you have a stressful day working from home (Trigger). So, you decide to go for an early evening jog (Routine), which helps relieve stress and positively impact your health (Reward). See? Not all habits need to be negative!

The “Three Rs” in Action

Now that we know more about how habits form in our lives, let’s talk about ways to hijack a bad habit and build a base for a good habit. Identifying “reminders” and tracking patterns is a great way to start something new. For example, common triggers include stress and boredom. Once these stages are recognized, it will be easier to create a new routine.

Rather than cut a bad habit “cold turkey”, which is often tough to do, experts recommend exploring alternative routines or replacing the current routine with a new one. Creating a list of options will help determine new rewards as well as provide a larger sense of freedom throughout this process. For example: Rather than scroll though social media (Routine) at bedtime (Trigger) for social, emotional satisfaction (Reward), plan to call a loved one on a walk after work, immediately following dinner, or two hours before bedtime (Trigger and Routine). This helps reinforce your reward as receiving a good night’s sleep (Reward).

Tips and Tricks

Expecting the unexpected is another way to appropriately approach developing strong new habits. Be prepared to move past any missteps and forgive yourself for occasional mistakes, like reverting to previous routines. Giving yourself grace will help frame the correct mindset throughout this ongoing process.

Here are a handful of quick-hit tips and tricks to help improve habits:

We’re our own harshest critics. Speak to yourself kindly in terms of, “I can” and “I will” to reinforce positive habits and outcomes.
Shift your daily surroundings to determine any environmental triggers.
Partner with a buddy to keep yourself accountable.
Pace yourself and give it time.
Celebrate wins!

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Resources

All about “A Kids Book About”

Five mental health resources for your reference

All about “A Kids Book About”

Life can be confusing and complex. Creating a safe space for difficult discussions with children can be complicated, too. From adoption and mindfulness to emotions and voting, these topics are everywhere these days. Some adults may be wondering how to best explain these elaborate topics to children. Luckily, there’s a simple solution created by a parent for grown-ups everywhere. Keep reading to learn more.

The Mission

"A Kids Book About Racism” is where it all began for author and co-founder, Jelani Memory. As a Black man and proud father of a blended family, Memory understood discussing the topic of racism was inevitable. Here, Memory discovered an opportunity to a present this challenging topic in an informative, deeply impactful way through the creation of a single book.

The Subjects

After sharing his story, other adults acknowledged a need for honest discussions about more serious subjects in way children can understand. Since then, “A Kids Book About” has expanded to cover a range of new topics like body image, cancer, gender, and even COVID-19, all written by a selection of new authors. “A Kids Book About” is on a mission to publish “kids' books that matter” because as they say, “kids are ready.”

The Design

Unlike other children’s books, the “A Kids Book About” series does not feature illustrations of characters or scenery. These books speak to children in a straightforward way that make them feel important as well as an important part of the conversation. The books feature stylized colors, layouts, and fonts to convey these essential messages. They're also much longer than a standard children’s books to give readers a deeper dive into each topic.

Explore their website to read the company’s story, meet the authors, and preview the products.

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Five important self-care resources for you

Self-care is the practice of deliberately taking action to support your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Just to be clear, self-care does not mean being selfish. Self-care means shifting the focus back to yourself every so often for your overall benefit. This practice increases confidence while decreasing stress and simultaneously building a foundation of wellness. Additional benefits from performing self-care include greater productivity and better physical health. Self-care opportunities can be sensory, physical, emotional, or social among other forms. So, wrap up in a soft blanket or start meditating daily and learn more about what self-care can mean for you below.

Ms. Mindfully Self Care

Ms. Mindfully is an educational resource intended for teachers and students. The author of this website is determined to destroy barriers surrounding mental health discussions both inside and outside the classroom. Ms. Mindfully believes practicing self-care helps created a more inclusive and inspiring environment for everyone. Through a variety of free resources, Ms. Mindfully encourages instructors and pupils to learn more about themselves through the practice of self-care. A little self-care knowledge goes a long way. Isn’t that genius?

The Self Care Suite

Created by a Black woman named Tara Pringle Jefferson and based on her lived experiences, The Self Care Suite is a wellness community designed for women of color. The goal of “TSCS” is to build a strong network of self-care until self-care becomes second nature. This organization seeks to provide fulfilling self-care experiences such as retreats or support groups to encourage personal and collective growth. This community allows women to learn from each other and focus on the whole, worthy human. Self-care can be so “Suite”.

Oprah Magazine's 25 Self-Care Tips to Boost Your Mental Health

Q: Is there anything Oprah can’t do? A: No, Oprah can truly do everything. This time, Oprah’s website features a slideshow of self-care activities. This collection of tips, tricks, and simple suggestions features mindful methods for beginners and self-care experts. Use a face mask or drink a cup of tea, then start writing in a gratitude journal or get yourself a side hustle. Prepare to make yourself a priority (thanks to Oprah) — you deserve it!

Self-Care Day

Did you know there’s an entire day dedicated to self-care? It’s true. International Self-Care Day is celebrated annually on July 24. This website is a project by the Crisis Text Line inside the United States. The Crisis Text Line understands that self-care looks different for everyone, so they provide an extensive assortment of resources that promote #SelfCareTime every day of the year. Take care of yourself, tell others about it, or discover new resources from the self-care community by using #SelfCareDay on social media. You got this!

Active Minds Self-Care

Active Minds was created by Alison Malmon after her only sibling committed suicide while Alison was a junior in college. Since then, the nonprofit organization has expanded to become a leading institution for mental health awareness and education for students in the United States. Active Minds makes it part of their mission to educate teens and youth about the importance of self-care, among their other practices. Making these resourcesmore easily available to younger audiences helps them prioritize self-care for longer. Self-care is an active process that’s truly timeless.

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Press Pause Activities Calendar

It’s time to spring into action because things are heating up!

Featured friends

At your leisure

Five classic toys with a twist for today

How to break a bad habit and replace it with a good one

Resources

All about “A Kids Book About”

Five mental health resources for your reference

All about “A Kids Book About”

Five important self-care resources for you

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