Match Events

It’s always a good idea to review best practices to keep children safer while they surf the web. As we know, kids spend more time in front of their phones and computer screens than previous generations. Our youth have grown up with the internet and various kinds of technology, but it’s still crucial to remind them about online risks and how to avoid or report unsafe behavior.

Talk to kids about online safety issues, such as inappropriate websites to avoid, malware, fraud, phishing scams, and sexual predators. Keep an open dialogue with your kids about their safety and what they are doing on the computer and smartphone.

Set clear rules about internet and phone usage. Some examples are:

• • Do not give out personal information. Avoid using birthdates, legal name or other identifiers in handles
  • Do not post your photo on public sites.
  • Do not open emails, texts, or DMs from someone you don’t know. If they claim to know you but the message seems strange, show it to a trusted adult.
  • Always report inappropriate messages to a trusted adult
  • Ignore or delete hurtful, insulting, or bullying messages and comments
  • Never agree to meet up with someone you’ve only chatted with online
  • Set time limits for being on the computer

Other guidelines for improved internet safety include:

• Keep kids’ computers in a common area to monitor activity
• Check your child’s browser history
• Activate privacy features within the internet browser and all devices
• Know your children’s passwords and change them regularly. Again, avoid using birthdates or easily guessed information.
• Watch for changes in behavior that may indicate cyberbullying or contact with an online sexual predator.
• Monitor chats within live streams on Twitch, YouTube, and gaming platforms

Technology has enhanced the way we learn and communicate, but we also have to adapt the way we keep our kids safe while online. We’ve included some online safety tips below:

CDC: Information on Safety in the Home & Community

Child Safety Tips & Resources

Internet Safety for Kids

This year, Tito’s is honoring Black History Month by amplifying our support and donating $25,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida. To learn more, visit lovetitos.com. 

 

Every February, people across the nation come together for events and activities to celebrate Black History Month. Now is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the history, contributions, and global impact of the African Diaspora with your Little. We hope these activity suggestions will inspire you and your Little to honor Black History Month and learn more together!

MOVIES TO WATCH:

• Hidden Figures 
• Black Panther
• A Ballerina’s Tale
• The Princess and the Frog

EASY RECIPES TO MAKE TOGETHER:

• 21 Black History Month Recipes 

BOOKS TO READ:

• Ages 5-12

Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? by Patrice McLaurin | Journey into the often forgotten contributions of African-American inventors, that contributed to the American landscape. It chronicles the school day of a little boy, highlighting different inventions that he uses throughout the day, all of which were invented by African-Americans. 

• Ages 8-12

Black Heroes: a Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U. S. A. by Arlisha Norwood | You’re invited to meet ancient Egyptian rulers, brilliant scientists, legendary musicians, and civil rights activists–all in the same book! Black Heroes introduces you to 51 black leaders and role models from both history and modern times. 

• For your teenaged Littles, click here to see a list of 74 Teen and Young Adult novels written by Black authors!

In recent years, bullying has expanded from occurring in-person to also taking place online. Between 2007 and 2016, the percentage of people who have experienced cyberbullying in their lifetime nearly doubled from 16% to 34%. Bullying no longer occurs primarily in school, and it is more difficult to escape online.

This video from Common Sense Media has some important tips on how we can help youth recognize cyberbullying and learn how to handle it if it happens.

We’ve also broken down some of these tips below:

1. Ignore the bully. Do not retaliate in any way; it only adds fuel to the fire. Besides, who wants to sink to that level?
2. Block the bully. Add phone numbers, email addresses, and social media accounts to your block list. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok all have easy ways to block and mute any user that is harassing you.
3. Document the bully. Before blocking a bully or deleting unwanted comments and messages, be sure to print out physical copies of the harassment. (If you don’t have access to a printer, take screenshots on your phone or computer and save them in a special file.) Saving evidence is critical in case there is any need for proof in the future.
4. Report the bully. Also before blocking the bully, be sure to report them for violating the community guidelines.
5. Tell a trusted adult, like a parent/guardian or your Big. Bigs, be sure to connect with your Match Support Specialist if your Little reports cyberbullying (or any kind of bullying.)
6. Another guideline to follow is to set social media profiles to private and/or friends only. This way, it’s generally easier to track and identify who is instigating the bullying. (Many bullies hide under anonymous or “puppet” accounts to avoid being identified.)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay serves children and their families through one-on-one mentoring programs in Hillsborough County and the surrounding counties, including Pinellas County, Pasco County, Alachua County, Polk County, Citrus County, Marion County, Hernando County, and Sumter County. If you’re looking for a rewarding and fun volunteer opportunity, find more information here.

 

Need ideas for some things to talk to your Little about? Looking for low-cost or no-cost community events and activities? Check out our Conversation Starters & Activities to help you and your Little learn about new topics and discover new hobbies and interests.

Do you want to learn what it takes to become a mentor and be a consistent friend for a kid in our community? Learn more at our Big Orientation & Training info session. View the schedule.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

Check in with your Little to see how they feel school is going. Do they need to catch up on anything over the winter break? Are you (or your Little) traveling for the holidays?

-November is National Aviation Month: Research about the history of Aviation and make some paper airplanes together.

-November 2^nd is “Look for Circles Day”. Yes, there is such a day. How many circles can you find around you in 30 seconds?

-November 3^rd is Sandwich Day. What kind of sandwiches are your favorite? What is the definition of a sandwich? Is a hot dog a sandwich? How about a burrito? What do you like to eat with your sandwiches?

-November 4^th is King Tut Day. Who was King Tut? Research King Tut and come up with 5 facts about him.

-November 9^th is Young Readers Day. What does your Little like to read? What did you read when you were young? If your Little was an Author, what would they write about?

-November 11^th is Veterans Day. Do you or your Little know any Veterans? Research what Veterans Day is. Does your Little ever consider joining the military?

-November 15^th is America Recycles Day.  Why is it important to recycle? Learn about the process of recycling.

-November 16^th is Fast Food Day. What are some of your favorite spots to grab a quick bite? If you made your own Fast Food restaurant, what kind of food would you serve? Is there a way to make fast food healthier?

-November 20^th is Beautiful Day.  Sometimes we have a tendency to focus on the negative. Let’s think about some things that we find really beautiful. Think about beautiful scenery, sounds, smells, etc. Look up some beautiful pictures and take some time to admire them.

-November 25^th is Thanksgiving Day. What are some things that you are thankful for?  How do you show people that you are Thankful for them? How do you celebrate Thanksgiving? What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions?

-November 28^th is Red Planet Day. Research the red planet, Mars. Come up with 5 facts about the planet together.

ACTIVITIES

• Help your Little make holiday gifts to give to their parent(s) and/or teacher(s).
• Collect non-perishable food items and taken them to a local food pantry. Discuss the idea of paying it forward with your Little.
• Have you ever wondered why leaves change colors? Try out this leaf chromatography STEM activity with your Little to find out!
• Make a homemade apple pie in a can with your Little! Make some and give them to family and friends as gifts! Click here to view the recipe.
• Visit a local corn maze: Sweetfields Farm 17250 Benes Roush Rd. Masaryktown, FL 34604 (352) 279-0977

FREE & LOW-COST COMMUNITY EVENTS

48th Annual Temple Terrace Arts & Crafts Festival — Nov. 14th | Woodmont Park 407 Woodmont Ave, Temple Terrace, FL 33617

You are invited to join us at our biggest outdoor event which is also the longest-running outdoor event in NE Hillsborough County—this marks our 48th year! 100+ award-winning artists and crafters share their valuable treasures with you just in time for holiday and home gift shopping. Or shop for yourself because you love beautiful, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted art, clothing, jewelry, photography, pottery, oh my! Free admission, free parking, free live entertainment, food trucks, free public art, and over 300 pieces of K-12 student art and photography on exhibit. Click here for more details.

 

33rd Annual Sponge Docks Seafood Festival— Nov. 12th-14th | 4800 U.S. Hwy 301 N. Tampa, FL 33610

Over one hundred artists and crafters! Thousands of people! Tasty food! Free parking! And great free entertainment! This November at historic Woodmont Park. Click here for more details.

 

Tampa Bay Times Turkey Trot— Nov. 25th | 540 S Hercules Ave, Clearwater, FL 33764

This is the largest running event in the Tampa Bay area with more than 17,000 runners participating annually! There’s a race for every skill level, including one for competitive runners, one for recreational runners, and one for walkers. The top finisher for the competitive races will receive a trophy. Proceeds benefit local charities and canned goods and non-perishable food will be collected in the stadium on race day to be donated. Registration includes an event t-shirt; the races start at 7 a.m.

Click here for more details.

 

Holiday Lights In The Gardens — Nov. 26 |  12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 33774

Each year this amazing light display is visited by over 100,000 guests from near and far. The Gardens will sparkle with 1 million, twinkling, LED lights in a multitude of colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures round out our display to wow guests of all ages. New this year will be our Children’s Candy Cane Area with family-focused fun and activities. Please consider joining us as a sponsor and help us spread lots of holiday cheer!

Click here for more details.

 

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process children go through in learning about who they are and how to navigate their environment including managing their emotions, relationships, and interactions. These skills are important to a child’s development and mental health, becoming their guide for building self-confidence and positive relationships with others. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is dedicated to providing our community with tools and resources to enhance youth development.

There are five core competencies of social-emotional learning that include:

Self-Awareness – understanding your emotions and thoughts and how they influence your behavior.
Skills include identifying emotions, self-perception, recognizing strengths, self-confidence, and self-efficacy.

*Self-efficacy is the belief in your ability to succeed in specific situations or the accomplishment of a task. 

Self-Management – the ability to regulate your emotions and behaviors in different situations and to set and work toward goals.
Skills include executive function and self-regulation, stress management, and self-discipline.

*Executive function and self-regulation are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. Our brains need this skill set to filter distractions, prioritize tasks, set and achieve goals, and control impulses. 

Social Awareness – The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others.
Skills include empathy, appreciating differences, and respect.

Relationship Skills – The ability to establish and maintain healthy and meaningful relationships with others.
Skills include: communicating clearly, listening, cooperating, resisting negative pressure, resolving conflicts, and supporting one another.

Responsible Decision-Making – The ability to make positive choices and take responsibility for positive and negative outcomes.
Skills include: identifying problems, analyzing situations, solving problems, and reflection.

Mentors can encourage a positive self-concept and weave opportunities for developing, practicing, and applying social and emotional skills into outings and conversations. Doing so will have a positive influence on a kid’s confidence, learning, and relationships.

Being a Big, or mentor, to a child in our community is an opportunity to help build a child’s social-emotional learning with one-to-one support from an adult. Become a Big and be that supportive adult for a child in our community. Attend a Big Orientation & Training session to get started and learn how you can empower a child’s social-emotional learning.

 

Additional resources on the impact of SEL on youth development and how to implement it:

The Benefits of Utilizing SEL Methodology

Why Social Emotional Learning is Suddenly in the Spotlight

SEL Activity Examples