Child Obesity
Child obesity is a heavy problem in the country and our state is no different – 1 in 3 children in Alaska enter kindergarten overweight. Kids who are fat can have serious, even fatal, health conditions, they get picked on and they don’t feel good about themselves. Sick and teased with low self-esteem – that’s no way to be young! That’s why this time we’re talking about preventing childhood obesity and overweight in Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, May 15 @ 2p & 7p
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Motherhood Throughout History
This Mother’s Day special explores how motherhood has evolved since the Greek and Roman times. We’ll be looking at moms through the ages as well as discussing modern trends in motherhood with our guest Dr. Shari Thurer, author of Myths of Motherhood: How Culture Reinvents the Good Mother. It’s a fascinating discussion on family structure, societal expectations and the importance of moms.
KSKA: Tuesday, May 8 @ 2p & 7p
Get Ready for College!
Preparing for college can be an entire family affair, not to mention the teachers and counselors who all pull together to help a young person get ready to succeed in higher education. This time on KTD we’re talking about what it takes to get to university – and once accepted – how to do one’s best during those college years. For this conversation we check in with advisors from two of Alaska’s higher learning institutions: University of Alaska, Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University.
KSKA: Tuesday 5/1 @ 2p & 7p
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The Cultural Education Debate
Place-based education means learning about the immediate environment and cultural history and heritage, too, as part of a student’s overall education. This time on KTD educators Paul Ongtooguk and Lynda Prince, join host Shana Sheehy in the studio to talk about the philosophy behind the movement and explain its origins. And we’ll hear from Dr. Ben Chavis, a School Choice supporter who is critical of the idea that schools should teach culture.
KSKA: Tuesday 4/24 @ 2p & 7p
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All About Autism
Autism is being diagnosed with more and more frequency; recent reports say 1 in 88 kids in the United States have it. So next week on Kids These Days! we’re talking about autism spectrum disorders wit our guests Teresa Hirst, ANP and Kris Green, Autism and Services Manager for the State of Alaska. We’ll learn about screening, supports and resources for Alaska families, and what’s changing for autism when new diagnostic criteria come out in 2013.
KSKA: Tuesday 2/17 @ 2p & 7p
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License to Drive
Car, boat or snowmachine, driving is a reponsibility, a privilege, a rite of passage, a danger and a freedom at any age! This time on KTD we’re exploring all the facets of what it means to be young with a license to drive in Alaska with our guests, Don McDermott, a retired-educator-turned-driving-instructor, and Lt. Arthur “Tom” Dunn, the deputy commander of the Alaska Highway Patrol. We’ll discuss safety issues, driver’s ed, licensing, preventing drunk driving and why modern teens aren’t getting their licenses as early as teens of yore.
KSKA: Tuesday 4/10 @ 2pm & 7pm
Technology in the Classroom
Technology is changing the way we do so many things – how we communicate, navigate and regulate our every day lives. So how is it changing the way that we educate? We’ll explore what technological innovation means to the future of classroom learning with Dr. Mark Bailey, an Oregon professor who is developing “play-based” digital curricula for early learners, and with Amanda Duvall, an Alaskan teacher who educates educators on using technology. That and distance learning in rural Alaska and we’ll look at video games in a new light!
KSKA: Tuesday, 4/3 @ 2pm & 7pm
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Developing Sexual Identity
Growing up means forming a solid sense of your self, figuring out who you are and what you like in order to eventually become a fully realized adult. When a young person begins to identify as GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender) it can be a difficult time in an already fragile period of life. So, what is “coming out” truly like for Alaska’s rural and urban youth and how can loved ones can best support these kids as they struggle to accept themselves – and to be accepted? The president of Alaska PFLAG and two of Alaska’s young GLBT leaders join us to discuss developing a sexual identity.
KSKA: Tuesday 3/27 @ 2pm & 7pm
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Springtime & Your Family’s Health
Can you feel it, too? The days are getting lighter, the temps a little warmer and our cabin fevers are starting to break. Next time on KTD we’re exploring what effect the springtime change of season has on the bodies and the minds of people of all ages. We’ll talk camping, hiking and the outdoors with Babes in the Woods author, Jen Aist; we’ll learn about sun and vitamin D from Dr. Matthew Benson and we’ll ask: “Is there really a medical explanation behind spring fever?”
KSKA: Tuesday, March 20 @ 2pm & 7pm
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Raising Spiritual Kids
Youth leaders from Alaska’s Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities join us to discuss the value of raising children to have faith in a higher power. We’ll explore why some kids will choose to reject their parents’ religion, while others will remain devout in the faith of their childhood. Afshan Mohammad, Principal of Al- Noor Academy Sunday Islamic School, Rabbi Michael Oblath from Congregation Beth Shalom, and Mark Zweifel, District Youth Director of the AK Ministry Network are guests.
KSKA: Tuesday, 3/13 @ 2pm & 7pm
Standardized Testing
Assessing students’ progress means a regular battery of standardized tests, a fact of life in most public schools – so how are Alaskan kids measuring up? We’ll look at the history of this kind of testing, the current tests our kids take, and we’ll also learn about the new, proposed standards for Alaskan K-12 students that could be implemented this fall if they are adopted. Guests from the Department of Ed and the classroom join us to discuss.
KSKA: Tuesday, 3/6 @ 2pm & 7pm
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Children & Pharmaceuticals
More and more kids are being prescribed medications. From psychotropic prescriptions to pills for obesity-related diseases, the rate of meds given to kids is increasing at a higher rate than any other age group. Caregivers have questions about this, and about side effects and dosages too, so we’ll be exploring all things pharmaceutical next time with our guest, Dr. Shubu Ghosh, an Anchorage-based child psychiatrist.
KSKA: Tuesday, 2/28 @ 2p & 7p
Developmental Milestones Ages 0-3
They grow up so fast, don’t they? This time on KTD! we’re talking about early developmental stages – where should very young children be developmentally at one year, two years, three years? And where can caregivers find help and support if their children aren’t meeting those recommended milestones? We’ll meet some of the resources available to help caregivers learn how to support their growing little ones with the state’s Early Intervention Manager, Erin Kinavey and Dr. Donna Galbreath who’s in a new film all about keeping “Babies on Track”.
KSKA: Tuesday, 2/21 @ 2pm & 7pm
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Romance & Sex After Kids
To celebrate Valentine’s Day week, Kids These Days! is hosting a discussion about sex and romance after kids. We’ll talk with Alaskan relationship and sex therapists, Chris Reynolds and Rebecca Love, about the common issues couples face in the bedroom, and they’ll share ideas for moms and dads who want to keep the magic alive.
KSKA: Tuesday, 2/14 @ 2p and 7p
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Alaska’s Juvenile Justice System
When young people are processed into a justice system, an arrest and a courtdate are only the very beginning of the correctional journey for juvenile offenders – one that hopefully ends with successful rehabilitation. So, how does the juvenile justice system in Alaska work? And what does successful rehabilitation look like? To find out we’ll speak with Brian Petrilla, a teen-bankrobber-turned-adult-probation-officer and Rob Wood, the Deputy Director of the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice.
KSKA: Tuesday 2/7 @ 2p and 7p
Work/Family Life Balance
There are only so many hours in the day in which to balance a career, a family, a social life, and all the other obligations that go along with being a well-rounded person – how to juggle it all with grace? And, what happens when there’s a new baby or an illness added to this mix? We’ll take a look at how employment policies do or don’t support working families with our guests…
KSKA: Tues 1/31 @ 2pm & 7pm
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Starting a Family: Adopting
Continuing our conversation on starting a family, next time on Kids These Days! we’ll be talking about adoption. There are many ways to adopt a child – as an infant, through the foster care program, internationally or from right here in Alaska – and those who are considering it have many questions. Joining us to answer these questions are guests from Catholic Social Services of Alaska and the State of Alaska Office of Children Services.
KSKA: Tuesday 1/24 @ 2pm and 7pm
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Immunizations in Alaska & Around the World
Getting shots is never a kids’ favorite activity, but we do it to keep everyone well, right? How do immunizations help the individual and the group stay well, and what are the risks of immunizations? Host Shana Sheehy speaks with Dr. Tom Nighswander, a longtime Alaska doc who also will share his firsthand experience on the impact of vaccination in countries in Africa, and with Laurel Wood, former head of the state’s immunization program who now works with the national Immunize Action Coalition.
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Learning from Failure
Failure is an essential part of the learning process, and learning how to handle failure appropriately without giving up or freaking out is all part of maturing. How can caregivers help kids to “fail” well? Studies show that kids who are praised for their effort instead of their intelligence are more likely to overcome failures and do better in school and life. The leading international researcher in this field, Dr. Carol Dweck, joins us as well as Dr. Maria Ippolito from UAA.
KSKA: Tuesday, 1/10 at 2pm and 8pm
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The Family Vacation!
The holiday season for many of us means planning family travel. Are you headed out of town for the holidays with your family? Or will your clan enjoy a “stay-cation” this year? Where do you go and how do you get there safely, affordably and with the least amount of headache while keeping everyone happy? Host Shana Sheehy explores these questions and more with our guests Scott McMurren of Alaska TravelGram and Erin Kirkland of AKontheGo.
KSKA: Tuesday, 12/27 @ 2pm and 7pm
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