 On the doorstep of October, the weather has been so warm that kids have been able to continue to enjoy outdoor play. And among those outdoor activities undoubtedly is bike riding with the family.
Once children lose those training wheels, they think they are ready to tackle the world -- or at least the neighborhood sidewalks or bike trails. But be sure they have the gear to keep them safe before they start pedaling. Here is the list of Bike Safety for Big Kids, as presented by Safe Kids Worldwide, in their words. They’re the experts and can say it better than we can: Helmets
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 Sixteen years ago this month, we in New York's Capital Region and the rest of the world watched in horror as terrorists attacked the United States. Unfortunately, terrorist attacks continue around the world today, and our children are exposed to those images, even as much as we try to shield them.
At some point, we all need to talk to our children about terrorism – even from our safe homes in Troy or Albany or Clifton Park. Here are some tips on how to discuss the topic of terrorism, or other uncomfortable topics in the news, with your children, inspired by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
For more information, visit the memorial's website. And if your children have any concerns you'd like to discuss with us, see your TSL Adventures center director.  OK, so Mother Nature isn’t exactly cooperating on the first day of fall.
Instead of cooler temperatures and a brisk breeze, the forecast calls for summer-like temperatures for the next week. Still, every week in this space we’re going to bring you Friday Fun -- tips of great things to do with your kids. Let’s get started!
Here at TSL, we have a fall full of adventures planned. Just wait!  As parents, we always want to expose our children to experiences that will benefit them in both the short and long term.
We take them to the libraries or places like the Museum of Innovation and Science in Schenectady or the Via Aquarium in Rotterdam or the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in Delmar to learn and see new things. But how about the experience of youth sports? The fields of the Capital Region, from Bethlehem to Ballston Spa, are filled with youngsters playing football, soccer, field hockey and fall baseball these days. Is that right for your child? The perils of youth sports are in the news these days with all the talk of concussions in football. Still, youth sports can be a huge positive for both boys and girls as they grow up. Some of the benefits:
Yes, there are negatives. Frequently, they are created when parents and coaches put too much pressure on children to succeed. By tempering your expectations, and watching how the team is structured, your child will be able to have fun. She might find out that softball isn’t for her, and that’s OK. She had the chance to play and be a part of a team. That experience is priceless and will only help her down the road as she goes on to her next event and adventure.  Dog. Man’s best friend.
But a dog, or a cat, or any number of pets can be the best friend of a little boy or a little girl, too. Your child might be clamoring for a pet. And the idea is growing on you, as you envision all the fun your family can have watching a pup prance around your backyard or at one of many fabulous dog parks in the Albany area, such as the Normanskill Farm Dog Park or the Town of Bethlehem Dog Park. But how do you know if your family -- and you -- are ready for the responsibility of a pet? Here are some questions to ponder, and research, before you take the plunge into pet parenthood, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association:
If, after considering these questions, you decide pet ownership is right for your family, check out the American Veterinary Medical Association website for tips on selecting the perfect pet. The time investment you make in researching the pet that fits your lifestyle and will mesh with your family will pay off.  That annual rite of every school year is just around the corner for elementary school students: school picture day.
School pictures are wonderful mementoes of childhood and make great holiday gifts for grandparents. So why do the words “school picture day” cause moms so much stress? Because we want the perfect picture. In reality, the perfect picture is the one that perfectly captures our kids at that stage of life. A cowlick that just won’t lay down? Adorable. Missing front teeth? Even more adorable! Follow these tips, gleaned from the pros, to get your little one as ready as possible for those annual pictures. Then, let the photographers who work in the schools throughout Troy, Albany, Guilderland, Clifton Park -- and the whole Capital Region -- do what they do best.
 Our TSL Adventures family, like the rest of the nation, has watched in sadness as families in Texas and Florida struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Irma. Our thoughts continue to be with them. And while the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area doesn’t face the same threat of hurricanes as the Gulf Coast or the same threat of earthquakes as the Pacific Coast, we aren’t immune to emergency situations. Remember the ice storm of December 2008, which left 300,000 utility customers in the Capital Region without power? Because of incidents like that one, every household should have an emergency kit. And what better time to assemble it than now, when the sun is still shining, before the temperatures drop and without the distractions of the holidays that are just around the corner. Take a few hours to put together your kit. You have many of the necessities in your home already. Get the kids to help! Here’s what the Department of Homeland Security suggests you include in your kit. Remember to place your items in airtight plastic bags -- those vacuum-sealed large travel bags work great -- and store them in containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag that are easy for you to carry. The basics
Add the following items, based on your needs.
Storing your kit Since you don’t know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for your home, work and vehicles.
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TSL Team ContributionsThis blog is for parents and educators to learn more about our organization. It's also the space where we share information of interest to parents. Archives
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