Family and Consumer Sciences

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Soft Skills Across the Lifespan

Depending on the context, soft skills are also called:  Social Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Life Skills, Job Skills, People Skills, Success Skills, Essential Skills, Executive Function Skills and even Tough Skills. Different settings might have different terms such as Social Emotional Learning in schools and Emotional Intelligence in the workplace. The title of one article summarizes […]

WRITTEN BY: Patrice Powers-Barker, CFLE, Extension Educator, OSU Extension Lucas County

REVIEWED BY: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • pixabay

SOURCES:

  • Amdurer, E., Boyatzis, R., Saatcioglu, A., Smith, M. & Taylor, S. (2014). Long term impact of emotional, social and cognitive intelligence competencies and GMAT on career and life satisfaction and career success. Frontier Psychology, 5: 1447. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4267171/
  • Brandt, B. (2016). Supercharging chaperones: A meeting toolkit for maximizing learning for youth and chaperones. Journal of Extension [online], 54(2). Retrieved from https://www.joe.org/joe/2016april/iw4.php
  • Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), https://casel.org/
  • Ebner, P. (2017). Preparing students for extension careers and expanding US Extension reach through international service learning. Journal of Extension [online], 55(4), 4FEA2. Retrieved from https://www.joe.org/joe/2017august/a2.php
  • Fisher Merkowitz, R. & Earnst, G. (2006) Emotional Intelligence: A pathway to self-understanding and improved leadership capacities. Journal of Extension, 44(4). Retrieved from https://www.joe.org/joe/2006august/iw3.php
  • Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child (2018). Activities guide: Enhancing and practicing executive function skills with children from infancy to adolescence. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/activities-guide-enhancing-and-practicing-executive-function-skills-with-children-from-infancy-to-adolescence/
  • Hurrel, S. (2015). Rethinking the soft skills deficit blame game: employers, skills withdrawal and the reporting of soft skills. Human Relations. Vol 69, Issue 3, pp. 605 - 628
  • Kamenetz, A. (2015). Nonacademic skills are key to success. But what should we call them? NPR Ed Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/05/28/404684712/non-academic-skills-are-key-to-success-but-what-should-we-call-them
  • Slov´ak, P., Rowan K., Frauenberger, C., Gilad-Bachrach, R., Doces, M., Smith, B., Kamb, R., & Fitzpatric, G. (2016). Scaffolding the scaffolding: Supporting children-s social-emotional learning at home. AMC Conference Paper. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310822579_Scaffolding_the_scaffolding_Supporting_children-s_social-emotional_learning_at_home
  • Trotta, R. (2015). Tackling the tough skills: A curriculum building skills for work and life. University of Missouri Lincoln University, Outreach & Extension. Retrieved from http://extension.missouri.edu/tough-life-skills/

Mind Your Meals this Holiday Season

With fall in full swing and Thanksgiving just a few days away, many of us are faced with lots of opportunities to eat. Though the many celebrations and festivities of the season can be a great time to catch up with family and friends, these might also tempt us to overindulge. The gatherings and special […]

WRITTEN BY: Misty Harmon, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.417@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Joseph Maiorano, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Harrison County, maiorano.2@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • American Heart Association, Mindful Eating Infographic. Retrieved from: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mindful-eating-infographic

SOURCES:

  • Nelson, J. (2017). Mindful Eating: The Art of Presence While You Eat, Diabetes Spectrum. American Diabetes Association, Retrieved from: http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/3/171
  • Harvard Health Publishing (2016). 8 steps to mindful eating. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/8-steps-to-mindful-eating
  • Mindful Eating. Retrieved from: https://smokefree.gov/stay-smokefree-good/eat-healthy/mindful-eating
  • Dugas, Julia (2017). Mindful Eating Checklist: How To Master Mindful Eating, Food Insight. Retrieved from: https://www.foodinsight.org/mindful-eating-checklist-flavors-meditation

How Do You Define Family?

OSU Extension, Lucas County was fortunate to have the assistance of Michelle during her 2018 internship rotation. She supported the Extension staff with food systems work including mapping, summarizing data, teaching and planning for Dine In day 2018. Please enjoy her guest post this month. This October was life changing for me. With the passing […]

WRITTEN BY: Michelle Huepenbacker, 2018 Cedar Crest College Dietetic Intern with OSU Extension, Lucas County

REVIEWED BY: Patrice Powers-Barker, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Lucas County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • pixabay

REFERENCES:

  • American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences https://www.aafcs.org/fcsday/home
  • Dellifield, J. (2016). Living with loss. Live Smart Ohio. https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/family-and-relationships/dellifield-2osu-edu/living-with-loss/
  • Hill, M. (2010) Thankful for the memories. Live Smart Ohio. https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/family-and-relationships/hill-14osu-edu/thankful-for-the-memories/
  • Marks, N., Heyjung, J., & Song, J. (2007) Death of parents and adult psychological and physical well-being: A prospective US national study. Journal of Family Issues. 2007; 28(12): 1611–1638. doi: [10.1177/0192513X07302728]
  • Technology at the table. (2018) The Family Dinner Project. https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/technology-at-the-table/

At Least I’m not Married to That Person

My wife sometimes shares a story with me about an encounter she has had with a person whom she perceives as difficult—arrogant, insolent, and/or egotistical. She might end the story with the phrase, “At least, I am not married to that person.” I want to analyze this phrase. ‘At least’, the first part of the […]

WRITTEN BY: Joseph Maiorano, PHD, Family and Consumer Sciences, Harrison County Ohio, maiorano.2@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Perry County Ohio, harmon.416@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/path-hiking-trail-grass-travel-18197/

SOURCES:

  • Hyntish. (March 2, 2012). How to deal with difficult people. Albert Ellis, Ph.D. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rwkU8BfVgk
  • Harris, V. (written 2012, reviewed 2015). 9 Important Communication Skills for Every Relationship. Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Found at https://ifas.ufl.edu/media/smartcouplesifasufledu/docs/pdfs/9-Important-Communication-Skills-for-Every-Relationship.pdf

REFERENCES:

  • Ellis, A. E. & Harper, R. A. (1997). A Guide to Rational Living. Chartsworth, CA: Wilkshire Book Company.
  • Futris, T. & Richardson, E. 2013. Are We Compatible? University of Georgia. Downloaded on February 22, 2018 from: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%201052-09_1.PDF
  • King, A. (April 25, 2017). When dating take OFF your rose colored glasses. Huffington Post. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/when-dating-take-off-your-rose-colored-glasses_us_58feab5de4b0f420ad99cb47
  • Spires, C. 2010. Resolving Conflict Constructively and Respectfully. Ohio State University Extension. Downloaded on February 26, 2018. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5196
  • Wiley, A. R. 2007. Connecting as a couple: Communication skills for healthy relationships. The Forum for Family and Consumer Sciences, 12 (1). Downloaded on February 22, 2018 from: https://projects.ncsu.edu/ffci/publications/2007/v12-n1-2007-spring/wiley/fa-11-wiley.php

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off to School They Go

It seems like just yesterday that I was sending my kids off to their first day of preschool. Fast forward to now, I have a college senior, a college freshman, and a high school freshman. Where did all those years go? How are my little kids young adults or teens now? How can I be […]

WRITTEN BY: Misty Harmon, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.417@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Belmont County, dunfee.54@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/en/classroom-school-education-learning-2093744/
  • https://pixabay.com/en/school-education-learning-converse-909381/

SOURCES:

  • National Center for Education Statistics (2018). Fast Facts: Back to School Statistics. Retrieved at: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372
  • Harmon, M. (2018). Mindful Parenting: Enjoy Every Moment. Live Smart Ohio. Available at http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/harmon-416osu-edu/mindful-parenting-enjoy-every-moment/
  • Great Schools Staff (2018). 11 tips for adjusting to a new school. Retrieved at: https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/adjusting-to-new-school/
  • Coburn, K. (2018). Letting go: tips for parents of new college students. Found at: https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/letting-go-new-college-students/
  • Garey, J. (2018). Preparing for College Emotionally, Not Just Academically. Available at: https://childmind.org/article/preparing-for-college-emotionally-not-just-academically/

Why Laugh?

I recently got back from vacation and started to reflect on the wonderful opportunity to share time with family and friends. One thing that stood out for me was the amount of laughter experienced.  According to Merriam-Webster, laughter is a sound of laughing, a cause of merriment.  From the very beginning to the very end […]

WRITTEN BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, M.S., Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Belmont County.

REVIEWED BY: Lisa Barlage, M.S., Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

SOURCES:

  • Recker, Nancy. Laughter Is Really Good Medicine. 2007, www.dartmouth.edu/~eap/library/Laughter_Good_Medicine.pdf.
  • “Stress Relief from Laughter? It's No Joke.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 21 Apr. 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456.
  • Marano, Hara Estroff. “Laughter: The Best Medicine.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, Apr. 2005, www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200504/laughter-the-best-medicine.
  • “Laughter.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, 2018, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laughter.

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