Easter is the greatest news from God for He is Risen!

Easter marks the end of the 40-day period of fasting and repentance.  But for children, it’s the time for cute EASTER BUNNIES, EGG HUNTING, JELLY BEANS, MARSHMALLOW CHICKS, and CHOCOLATE EGGS! Yum yum!  I’m sure your sweet tooth won’t mind sharing the extra calories these candies bring.  It is after all a time for celebration and rejoicing.

But that’s where the difficulty arises.  Despite the many cute bunnies and all the candies from all the picnics, the message of Easter Sunday sadly gets drowned by its commercialism.  It actually makes other Christians resort to calling this occasion as Resurrection Day instead.

As a parent, how can you celebrate a FUN Easter and help your children understand the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ?

• Resurrection Eggs.  Use the cute Easter Bunny to teach about how Christ has risen!  Instead of eggs containing only candies, include memory-grabbing objects telling the story of Christ’s journey in Earth.  You can focus on his resurrection and his ascension to Heaven.  These Resurrection Eggs from Nest Learning are cute and perfect for a Sunday Egg Hunting activity after church! Make sure you order them early as these sell like hotcakes! Also to make sure it arrives in time for Easter!
• Easter Decorations.  Make meaningful Easter decorations that don’t entirely revolve around Easter Bunnies and colorful eggs.  You can decorate a table setting reminiscent of spring or the olden days.  Make a Piñata filled with Resurrection Eggs if you don’t have a large backyard for Egg Hunting.
• Film Showing.  What better way to spend a quiet Easter Day with the family! After attending Church service, you can watch animated films about Jesus and his life on Earth.  Just pop in that DVD. Eazy Peezy! A great way to help your children learn about Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.  You can even get an interactive DVD like “He is Risen” which includes activity books containing puzzles and coloring pages.
• Create a Special Easter Meal and Role Play.  You can try to recreate a meal that consists of traditional food that Jesus and his Apostles may have had during Passover.  Unleavened bread. Spring Vegetables.  If your kids are picky eaters, try making pancakes shaped likes donkeys or maybe just get them to dress up like Roman Guards and tell them stories while you are all at it. Kids LOOOVE role playing. It’ll make it fun and easy for them to retain what they learn.

There are a lot of other FUN ways you can think of to help your young children learn about Jesus and his resurrection and ascension.  The Easter Bunny doesn’t have to be a bad thing either.  Easter also marks spring season and bunnies come out on spring.  The eggs also symbolize new life and it makes it more enjoyable for kids, whether you’re all from the same church or not.  Just be ready to explain to your children the difference between the two symbols of Easter.  Besides, it’s a happy time for Christians and a great time to be Christian-like.

He is Risen after all.

About Nest Entertainment: From its origin over twenty years ago, NestEntertainment.com has become a leader providing entertaining and educational resources for the expansive family market.  In addition to creating enriching stories and highest quality animated and musical productions, we have carved a niche as the nexus distributor between the wholesome Family Entertainment, Home Education and Christian markets through our proven Internet retail and wholesale distribution system.

NEST Family Apps Launches to Bring Families Enhanced Story Appisodes That Inspire, Educate, Entertain and Nurture

New York, NY (March 21, 2013) – NEST Family Learning, a leading source of wholesome entertainment and learning materials for families, announced the introduction of NEST Family Apps, a venture dedicated to giving parents additional sources of inspiring and nurturing content in exciting new digital formats. The company will introduce ‘appisodes’ featuring animated stories from the Bible as well as the inspiring stories of history’s most outstanding heroes and heroines.

Currently under development for Spring 2013 availability, the first titles will include powerful stories such as “The Life of Harriet Tubman” and “He Is Risen: The Story of Easter”, among many others. The apps will be available for smartphones and tablets on Apple, Amazon, Google Play and Barnes & Noble platforms for $1.99.

These new apps will take advantage of the latest technologies and practices available in this medium to incorporate teaching opportunities into the stories while also prompting conversation and learning. As more and more families look to tablets and smartphones as an educational resource, we have made it a priority to meet their home education and entertainment needs with classic apps that have our company’s values at their core.

Each timeless appisode will be a transcreation of existing NEST Family Learning DVDs and other sources so parents will have access to familiar and reliable, curriculum-infused apps for homeschooling, entertaining and sharing. In addition, we will provide helpful tips for parents about how to make these apps part of helping their children meet the new Core Curriculum State Standards that will be introduced in 47 states during the 2013 and 2014 school years.

About Nest Family Apps

From its origin over twenty years ago, NESTLearning.com has been a leader in providing entertaining and educational resources for the family.  NEST is recognized worldwide as a trusted source of wholesome family entertainment by parents, families and the community of academic and faith-based educators. With the introduction of Nest Family Apps, the company is providing sound content for digital learning that is inspiring, educational, and entertaining while infused with positive values, morals, knowledge and wisdom. The stories found in Nest Family Apps feature characters that have transformed our world and demonstrate spiritual strength. For more information about Nest Family Apps, visit www.NestFamilyApps.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Pinterest.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEST Family Apps Introduces He is Risen – An Easter Story,
The Company’s First Timeless Appisode for Tablets and Smartphones

Coppell, TX (March 21, 2013) –NEST Family Learning, a leading source of wholesome entertainment and learning materials for families, announced the release of their first NEST Family Apps title, He is Risen – An Easter Story. In this new enhanced storybook app, readers will learn about the story of Jesus’ miraculous Resurrection.  This enduring story is beautifully crafted into an appisode that presents classic images familiar to children and their parents in an exciting digital format. The app is available for smartphones and tablets on Apple, Amazon, Google Play and Barnes & Noble platforms for $2.99.

“We’re very excited to be able to share He is Risen in this new platform, just in time for Easter,” said NEST Learning Founder Seldon Young. “This miraculous story from the Bible has been brought to life for readers of all ages to be able to understand and experience the miracle of Christ via wonderful features that lead to creative play and teachable family moments.”

He is Risen – An Easter Story includes:

• Age-appropriate interactions make the app accessible to young children and give older children more information and text to learn from
• Reading skills are reinforced with text highlighting and synched narration; Three reading modes include: Read & Learn, Read to Me, and Just a Book
• Hands-on learning activities enhance the appisode experience with Word Search, Word Jumble and Maze activities in easy and hard levels for a range of ages
• Families will enjoy the sing along music video for He Gave His Life for Me
• Coloring pages give kids an opportunity to be creative while painting scenes taken directly from the story
• NEST Family Chat offers parents, caregivers and educators questions designed to prompt meaningful discussion about the story

NestFamilyApps.com and a Nest Family Apps Facebook profile and Pinterest boards are also being made available to support the educational and entertainment needs of parents looking for reliable apps to be part of their children’s overall learning process.

About Nest Family Apps

From its origin over twenty years ago, NESTFamilyLearning.com has been a leader in providing entertaining and educational resources for the family.  NEST is recognized worldwide as a trusted source of wholesome family entertainment by parents, families and the community of academic and faith-based educators. With the introduction of Nest Family Apps, the company is providing sound content for digital learning that is inspiring, educational, and entertaining while infused with positive values, morals, knowledge and wisdom. The stories found in Nest Family Apps feature characters that have transformed our world and demonstrate spiritual strength. For more information about Nest Family Apps, visit www.NestFamilyApps.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Pinterest.

Still the month of LOVE and songs keep filling the air.  We should not be surprised that Stevie Wonder’s song “Black Man” will also be playing on air.   Black History and the Month of Love go hand in hand, and a little trivia goes in the name of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.  He’s the first African-American, pioneering, open-heart surgeon in the United States.  He also founded the first non-segregated hospital in the United States in 1893.  This is a principle founded on non-segregation and equality, a principle championed by another inspirational woman of faith and strength:

Sojourner Truth (Isabella Baumfree).  She is best known for her extemporaneous speech on gender inequalities, “Ain’t I a Woman?”.  But she is also known to have fought a white man in court to get his son back, who was taken away from him.  She won.

She also had one of the saddest love stories.  She fell in love with a slave owned by another family.  Forbidden by their owners and forced to marry at their Masters choosing.  She once narrated that her second Master once whipped her with “a bundle of rods, prepared in the embers, and bound together with cords.” She found her refuge in religion – beginning the habit of praying aloud when scared or hurt.  Sojourner was a name born out of her life-changing religious experience and belief that she was called by the divine power to preach on the abolition of slavery and inequality. She was a traveling preacher and she told her story.

“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud puddles, or gives me any best place, and ain’t I a woman? … I have plowed, and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me — and ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man (when I could get it), and bear the lash as well – and ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children and seen most all sold off to slavery and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me – and ain’t I woman?” – Ain’t I a Woman, Sojourner

Sojourner understood fairness and duty.  She believed in gender equality.  She believed that her purpose has been communicated. Her FAITH in the divine power pressed her on to preach this wisdom and made her one of the most important Black African American freethinkers in history.

About Nest Entertainment: From its origin over twenty years ago, NestEntertainment.com has become a leader providing entertaining and educational resources for the expansive family market.  In addition to creating enriching stories and highest quality animated and musical productions, we have carved a niche as the nexus distributor between the wholesome Family Entertainment, Home Education and Christian markets through our proven Internet retail and wholesale distribution system.

Did you know that John Lee Love, a Black African American, invented the pencil sharpener, which was patented as the “Love Sharpener” in 1897?

So in honor of this Day of LOVE and Black History Month, let’s put the spotlight on two inspirational Christian women who, despite all their hardships, have anchored their strength on Love and Faith.

Harriet Ross Tubman.  She is probably one of the most famous African American women in the history of America.  An ill-treated slave from Maryland, she escaped to Pennsylvania only to return to Maryland and help free her family.  For 11 years, she rescued about 70 slaves, and helped more than 50 others to escape to Canada using the Underground Railroad System.

Though we believe that her most important resource was her religious faith in God, many believed that her bravery was brought about by her FAITH with the divine power.  And just like the Three Kings when Christ was born, the North Star guided Harriet Tubman.  And just like Moses, she guided the slaves heading north. Harriet Tubman has been a very devout Christian and as you go along learning more about Harriet Tubman, it seems her FAITH in the divine provided her with immediate assistance.

Every day, she prayed her master to be kinder.  But one night, she was so angry at her master for his maltreatments, she prayed: “First of March I began to pray, ‘Oh Lord, if you ain’t never going to change that man’s heart, kill him, Lord, and take him out of the way.”  A week later, Brodess (Master) died, and Tubman expressed regret for her earlier sentiments.”   [Bradford, Sarah Hopkins (orig. pub. 1869), (1971). Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman. Freeport: Books for Libraries Press. ISBN 0-8369-8782-9.]

It was the death of his former Master that pressed her to fight against being resold to a “new owner,” knowing that this will cause her family to be separated like property settled in estate.

It was Harriet’s LOVE for her family that has been her definitive motivation above anything else to risk her life.  It is her constant belief in God’s promise that gave her the protection and the courage she needed to tread on, and be the one of the bravest women in Black African American History.

About Nest Entertainment: From its origin over twenty years ago, NestEntertainment.com has become a leader providing entertaining and educational resources for the expansive family market.  In addition to creating enriching stories and highest quality animated and musical productions, we have carved a niche as the nexus distributor between the wholesome Family Entertainment, Home Education and Christian markets through our proven Internet retail and wholesale distribution system.

Did you know that as early as the 16^th century a lot of African Americans managed to be great inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs in their own right?  Thanks to efforts of Henry Baker, who dedicated his life back in the 1900s chronicling and unearthing information about Black Inventors and their inventions.

In those early years, slaves were not given the right to patent or get exclusive ownership over the right their inventions.  In the case of Black African American free men, they always feared prejudice at that time in history.  The very first patent holder is Thomas Jennings.  It was patent for a dry cleaning process that allowed him to earn enough money to free him and his family from slavery.

These Black Inventors invented things to help in farming; clothes line supports, horse carriage improvements to folding chairs.  Inventors whose contributions to society continue to be seen in our generation:

• Nathaniel Alexander of Virginia owned in 1911, the patent to the revolutionary, yet often ignored “folding chairs.”

• Jan Ernst Matzeliger revolutionized shoe making using a shoe lasting machine to attach a shoe sole and pins and stitches them in place.

• Norbert Rillieux is a free man born of a slave mother invented a sugar refining machine that transformed sugar into a household item.  His technology was adapted and used for production of glue, as well as soap.

• Lewis Latimer found a way to create a long lasting lightbulb, greatly improving Thomas Edison’s light bulb.

• Fredrick McKinley Jones developed a refrigerating system for long haul trucks, common carriers and ships.

You can help your child learn more about these remarkable people and make it fun for them by encouraging him to find out who the inventors are of his favorite things.  You could also ask them to find African American inventors whose inventions you all always use.

About Nest Entertainment: From its origin over twenty years ago, NestEntertainment.com has become a leader providing entertaining and educational resources for the expansive family market.  In addition to creating enriching stories and highest quality animated and musical productions, we have carved a niche as the nexus distributor between the wholesome Family Entertainment, Home Education and Christian markets through our proven Internet retail and wholesale distribution system.

What do these three remarkable Black African American figures have in common besides their courage fight for their rights?  According to USA Today, Tubman, King and Parks are the most famous Black Americans that children know.  Dennis Denenberg, author of 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet, was quoted why their popularity is astonishing, he thinks “educators feel it’s truly a story young people need to know about because we’re still struggling with it…The Cold War is over and gone. The civil rights movement is ongoing.”

Interestingly enough, in a Stanford University news release, a study also showed that both adults and teenagers list King, Tubman and Parks as the top choices when asked about greatest American heroes.  Professor Sam Wineburg and Monte Sano attributed these as effect of “multicultural education” occurring in the changes in “history curricula and textbooks, as well as the effects of news media, public discourse, the people we name our streets after—even on our coins.”  Professor Wineburg and Monte Sano particularly attributed this to the annual February’s Black History Month that effectively brought awareness about these Black American heroes.

The Professors came to a conclusion that “there is a very different national story that is being told right now, in terms of what it means to be an American,” he said. “We are at a moment in our history where the national story is not one that is symbolized by Paul Revere and Betsy Ross, but rather by Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks—people who selflessly gave of themselves to bring about betterment for all.

It’s no surprise the immense effect Black History Month have had among young and adults alike.  Black History Month has helped educate people of every race or nationality about African Americans.  Even more than that, Black History Month has also educated people about diversity, tolerance and equality.

If you or you’d like your children to learn more about Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, Nest Learning has a wide range of resources you can look into.

About Nest Entertainment: From its origin over twenty years ago, NestEntertainment.com has become a leader providing entertaining and educational resources for the expansive family market.  In addition to creating enriching stories and highest quality animated and musical productions, we have carved a niche as the nexus distributor between the wholesome Family Entertainment, Home Education and Christian markets through our proven Internet retail and wholesale distribution system.

“We believe in celebrating Black History Month because the history of any people group is important, because we are all important.  We believe in the value of people.” said Grace.

Grace is one of those few people that gets a little surprised when people ask why Black Month needs to be celebrated.  While some, like Hollywood’s favorite actor to play “God” – Morgan Freeman – would rather not distinguish Black History and would rather call it part of American History.  But for Sgt. Williams Peoples, it gives him the “opportunity to salute African-American men and women who have served in the military. These pioneers played a vital role in the African-American struggle for freedom, justice and advancement in our society.”

Since that fateful day, when Former President Gerald R. Ford called upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout history”, February was no longer just Valentine’s Day.  It was no longer just Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birth month.  February was no longer about leap years.  Since then, February is the month American Citizens remember the empowerment of their Black African American brothers and sisters.  Schools are encouraged to celebrate and impart knowledge of noble African Americans who have had a positive impact to the American Society.

Celebrate Ralph J. Bunche and Martin Luther King, Jr. – Nobel Peace Prize awardees that are dedicated to world peace.   Celebrate the strength and courage of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Ida Wells-Barnett, and other African-American women who fought against the inhumanity.  Celebrate inspiring contemporary heroes like Jackie Robinson, Michael Jordan and writer Maya Angelou.  Celebrate black inventors like Dr. Charles Drew, blood plasma founder, and Garrett Morgan, creator of the automatic traffic lights.

. . . Celebrate people.

How you celebrate Black History Month is up to you.  Some may go to church service or join a parade.  You may also talk to your child about diversity and equality.  You can watch films about these notable men and women together.  Find ways to celebrate Black History Month that would give the movement a personal meaning to you.

Click here for more learning materials about inspiring African American men and women.

About Nest Entertainment: From its origin over twenty years ago, NestEntertainment.com has become a leader providing entertaining and educational resources for the expansive family market.  In addition to creating enriching stories and highest quality animated and musical productions, we have carved a niche as the nexus distributor between the wholesome Family Entertainment, Home Education and Christian markets through our proven Internet retail and wholesale distribution system.

If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world… – Carter Woodson

Then we will celebrate the tradition of Black History Month! Dating back 1926, this year marks the 87^th year of recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black African American citizens to society as well as their resilience and strength to overcome hardships.

Initially, only celebrated for a week in February in the United States, this tradition revolved into Black History Month in the 70s, and has also been carried over and celebrated annually by Canada and the United Kingdom.

This holiday of awareness was born out by a man’s vision to preserve the history of Black African American inventors, leaders and visionaries.  This man is Carter G. Woodson, also known as “The Father of Black History.”  Born out of a former slave family, he was self-taught in basic education.  You can say he was homeschooled, without the conveniences we have on homeschooling.  He completed his high school education in two years and later on earning his bachelor’s and master’s in University of Chicago to a doctorate in Harvard University.  Woodson, as a man of education and learning, gave people the opportunity to learn about African American people beyond slavery. He died in the 50s and left a legacy of learning.

And learn we should!  Black Americans have contributed immensely to American heritage and culture.  Through the effort of free thinkers on Black History that began from Carter G. Woodson, we can also share these inspiring stories about free thinkers with our children.

For instance, you and your kids can spend time discovering the selfless work and bravery of Harriet Tubman in animation.  For a more mature audience like your teenage children, you can teach them more about Black History reading about Martin Luther King Jr. or listening to Jimi Hendrix using various materials.

About Nest Entertainment: From its origin over twenty years ago, NestEntertainment.com has become a leader providing entertaining and educational resources for the expansive family market.  In addition to creating enriching stories and highest quality animated and musical productions, we have carved a niche as the nexus distributor between the wholesome Family Entertainment, Home Education and Christian markets through our proven Internet retail and wholesale distribution system.

Nope. We’re not talking about computer programming for kids – “VBS” is Vacation Bible School.  VBS is a summer program that generally lasts a week or two, depending on the program planned.  Children that join are mostly between the ages 4 and 14.  But that doesn’t mean parents can’t join in the fun!  Parents and older siblings are encouraged to volunteer and help with the program and you do not even have to be a church member to join VBS! In fact, non-members are always welcome.

And the best part about participating in a Bible Vacation School for summer – It will NOT depress your bank account!

Because it’s the Volunteers that run Vacation Bible School programs, most programs are given for free.  Some charge a reasonable amount that covers snacks and supplies and sometimes T-Shirts and musical CD costs are padded in the sign-up fee or maybe bought at an additional fee.  Other reasons why you should consider Vacation Bible School:

• VBS is not just bible lessons for children.  If you are a non-religious parent, the program teaches them life lessons on how to be a good person and a friend to others.  All VBS programs have character-building as goal in their activities.  It is also one of the best tools to introduce spirituality and values to your child.

• VBS is a DAY CAMP.  It is perfect for or children who haven’t spent much time away from home.  VBS can give them the feeling of camp without staying away from home.  No homesick worries for your child and for you!

• Kids meet new friends who share their beliefs.  For families with strong religious beliefs, it gives churches a chance to both grow their relationships with the children who are already in the congregation, and to discover and cultivate relationships with those who have a sporadic relationship with Christ.

• VBS is a positive outlet.  It gives kids an outlet to discover themselves and what God is all about in the summer months that may sometimes be dull or unproductive.

• VBS programs have a different fun theme each year. Let your child’s creative imagination go wild!  (If you’re planning to host a VBS, learn more on “Planning and Choosing the right VBS Theme”)

Check your local community newspapers, local magazines and message boards of your church websites for Vacation Bible School dates.  You can also look for Vacation Bible School Materials through Nest Learning.

About Nest Entertainment: From its origin over twenty years ago, NestEntertainment.com has become a leader providing entertaining and educational resources for the expansive family market.  In addition to creating enriching stories and highest quality animated and musical productions, we have carved a niche as the nexus distributor between the wholesome Family Entertainment, Home Education and Christian markets through our proven Internet retail and wholesale distribution system.