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Just For Fun Turks Caicos Information

How to Avoid Constant Screen Time on Summer Vacation

Mom and Dad are taking a break, too.

Summer vacation is just around the corner. For children it typically means freedom from the day-to-day routine of school. However, for parents the words “summer vacation” tend to conjure up a dilemma: how to make sure devices and screens don’t fill every waking minute of every day for two months.

Too much screen time has indeed been linked to sensory overload, lack of sleep, diminished ability to recognize emotions and even genuine addiction. On top of that, by keeping themselves glued to their screens, your kids may be missing out on many of the summer pastimes that have marked childhood since time began, from going to the beach, exploring the neighborhood with their friends to simply dealing with being bored.

In limiting screen time for kids, you are working to create a healthy “play diet” that balances many types of play. You can keep screen time as part of this play diet, while also ensuring your kids get in some social, physical, unstructured, and creative play.

But how to achieve this balance?

Here are some tips for limiting screen time while helping your kids enjoy a fun and memorable summer. And remember: success comes when parents enforce the family rules while demonstrating by by example.

Tips for Limiting Screen Time in Summer

Kids these days use their devices for everything: research for school projects, texting with friends, letting us know they’re safe when they’re out, as well as for gaming and consuming media. Yet kids need to spend time outdoors or reading books, or simply just thinking.

However, it can be difficult to set and then reliably and consistently enforcing rules. As with most everything else in life, developing a game plan can help pave the way for success.

summer screen time with kids

Tip 1: Be Realistic

“Forbidden fruit is the tastiest,” says Lucy Jo Palladino, a clinical psychologist and author of Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers. Completely banning screen time may simply double the desire of your kids to get online.

Instead, be realistic: devices are a part of everyday life for kids. Accept that fact, and create a flexible plan that manages screen time.

Tip 2: Start With an Endpoint

Negotiate the length and amount of screentime with your kids ahead of time. Either set firm time limits, or limit screentime to the duration of a specific program. That way, one show won’t flow into the other, and you can avoid commercials.

Because most games don’t have built-in endings (and are, in fact, designed to make kids play as long as possible), set a timer or some other cue that says “time to stop.”

Tip 3: Help Kids Balance Their Day

Kids need guidance from you on a daily plan that includes a little bit of time for everything. Kids whose parents make an effort to limit media use spend less time with media than their peers do, according to a study. As parents, it can be easy to nag kids to try to get them to do things, but this will not necessarily work with limiting screen time.

Instead, it’s best to work on a concrete plan that structures activities throughout the day. This gives kids a sense of predictability, and also lets them know what your expectations are. They can also more easily refrain from turning to devices when bored by focusing on some other activity.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ worksheets to create a family media plan that can help you and your kids balance their day.

Tip 4: Walk the Talk 

If you want to make sure your kids reduce screen time this summer, it’s important to model behavior. It’s tempting for adults to keep reaching for your phone to check email, texts, Facebook, or the news. But your kids will be the first to call you out for not “walking the talk.” Plus, they’ll pick up habits from you.

Model the media behavior, and enjoy your summer, too!

Why Not Take a Family Vacation in Turks and Caicos?

If you want to make sure your kids have plenty of things to do besides stare at a screen, why not plan a family vacation in Turks and Caicos? Check out our blog post 5 Fun Activities In Turks and Caicos to get some ideas about what to do while you’re here.

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Announcements Just For Fun Things To Do In The Caribbean Turks Caicos Information

Touring Grand Turk in Great Company – an Extension of “Hartling Girls Empowered” Day

As GM of The Sands at Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos resident, and part of Team Hartling, I was thrilled to participate in the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre Summer Camp Program that took place at The Palms Resort called “Hartling Girls Empowered” day. It was a special experience to mentor teenage girls from the island. I learned that one of them had never been off of Providenciales so I decided to take her to Grand Turk to visit as many sights and attractions that we could see in a day. She would be “Tourist for a day,” learning about her country’s heritage, history, and facts via her own experiences and through her own eyes live and in person.

It was an amazing adventure that we shared and that she documented in a journal along the way.  Here’s a photo tour of some of the interesting and simply breathtaking sights that we visited together:

Flight to Grand Turk from Provo

Aerial view from the plane’s cockpit on our flight to Grand Turk from Provo

Learning about the Grand Turk Historic Lighthouse

Learning about the Historic Grand Turk Lighthouse

Built in London and shipped to Grand Turk in 1852, The Grand Turk Lighthouse

Built in London in 1852, the lighthouse was shipped to Grand Turk

Did you know that Grand Turk was the first landfall of Christopher Columbus in the new world?

Grand Turk certainly has beautiful beaches!

Flamingos on Grand Turk

Check out some of the exotic local resident flamingos

Don’t be surprised by the unique street signs…

Donkey on Grand Turk

You are sure to see donkeys along your travels on Grand Turk — and even a British-style telephone booth

The Mystery Wreck of Molasses Reef

It was fun to learn about “The Mystery Wreck of Molasses Reef at the Turks and Caicos National Museum, Grand Turk

Excavating the mystery wreck of Molasses Reef - Grand Turk

Dating back to the 16th century, it is the oldest wreck of a European ship in the Americas that has been scientifically excavated (Turks and Caicos National Museum, Grand Turk)

Check out some of the 16th century finds excavated in the ship wreck (Turks and Caicos National Museum, Grand Turk)

Replica of John Glenn's Friendship 7 on Grand Turk

We saw the replica of John Glenn’s Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft at the entrance to the airport. The original landed in the Atlantic near Turks and Caicos islands. The USS Randolph brought the capsule to the shores of Grand Turk, then it was transferred to Grand Turk dock via a small launch. From there it was secured and taken to Grand Turk airport for the return flight to Florida.

History of John Glenn on Grand Turk

Exciting and intriguing history greeted us including images of John Glenn after his lunar capsule landed off the waters of Grand Turk

Cruise ship in port of Grand Turk - Turks and Caicos

We even caught a great view of one of the many mega cruise ships that visit Grand Turk every week

mango smoothies at Bohio Resort on Grannd Turk - Turks and Caicos

We enjoyed lunch at Osprey Beach Resort, then we went for a dip in the ocean at Bohio Resort whilst sipping on their deliciously concocted mango smoothies, with our packed bag of snacks we made out well for our day of exploration!

Grand Turk 2017

With so much to see and do our day of touring Grand Turk was as splendid as the island is beautiful!

Stay tuned for some more great adventures that we look forward to sharing together in the future…and continue our mission of mentoring and empowering girls from our island home.

Mona Beeson, General Manager, The Sands at Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands, B.W.I.

 

 

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Things To Do In The Caribbean

5 Fun Activities In Turks and Caicos

A Luxury Travel Blog featured 5 experiences not to miss in Provo and we wanted to share these recommendations with our resort guests, as fun and optional day activities during your stay at The Sands at Grace Bay:

  1. Watch Mermaids Swim: The Undersea Explorer offers semi-submarine tours that allow kids to see a real life “Bella the Mermaid” – a free diver who swims in a mermaid suit for all to experience during this underwater excursion adventure.
  1. Snuba: This cross between snorkeling and scuba diving allows travelers (8 years and older) to stay underwater for long periods of time and see the gorgeous underwater sights of Provo without the hassle of wearing a scuba tank or taking scuba dive lessons. Enjoy the gorgeous barrier reef with bright corals and abundant marine life by booking a Snuba excursion on your next trip to Turks & Caicos.
  1. Visit Iguana Island: Endangered Turks & Caicos native Rock Iguanas have made “Iguana Island” their home. Just a short boat ride away from Provo, this uninhabited and protected island allows visitors to view friendly and harmless Rock Iguanas sunning themselves on the beach and rocks and is a favorite day trip for families. Island tour and excursion providers including Caicos Dream Tours offer snorkeling adventure excursions that include stops to Iguana Island for a truly fun family outing. Caicos_Dream_Tours_DG_0118
  1. Good Ship Atabeyra: Offering sunset cruises and glow worm tours, this ship used to be a trading schooner that ferried commodities between the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Turks & Caicos.
  1. Island’s Weekly Fish Fry: Experience the island’s weekly Thursday night Fish Fry and celebration, that boasts freshly caught fish and seafood, local bands and entertainment, dancers and much more. This celebration brings together tourists and locals for a fun night of everything “Turks & Caicos.”

To checkout the blog article, visit the following link: http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2014/10/07/5-experiences-not-to-miss-on-the-turks-caicos-provo/

For an extensive list of Turks & Caicos excursions and activities in Providenciales, visit our enhanced “excursions” page at the following link:http://thesandstc.flywheelstaging.com/excursions/overview/ 

 

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Turks Caicos Information

Encounter a dolphin at our Caribbean luxury resort

So you’ve decided to come and stay at our Caribbean luxury resort. If you’re very lucky, you may get a chance to swim with a friendly dolphin.

The British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos is spread out across nearly 200 different islands and cays in the Caribbean Sea, of which only 8 are inhabited. Long expanses of deserted white sand, such as Long Bay Beach, offer the most romantic honeymoon or special vacation in a private villa.

Providenciales, also known as Provo by its residents, is the most developed of Turks and Caicos islands, and features shopping and fine dining opportunities, as well as an international airport near Grace Bay that offers easy access to Miami. The convenience and sophistication of Provo is a perfect contrast to the isolated wildness of the territory – 80 percent of the Turk and Caicos are uninhabited and is home to wildlife that can be found in few other parts of the world. For example, dolphins have long been linked Grace Bay, and one dolphin in particular has prompted the government of the Turks and Caicos to establish 27 national parks and protected areas, in an effort to safeguard the country’s pristine shores and coral reefs.

The dolphin’s name is JoJo, an Atlantic Bottlenose who has visited the crystal clear waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands for thirty years, one of a rare handful of dolphins around the world who voluntarily interacts with human beings in the wild. These types of dolphins are known as lone, sociable or ambassador dolphins.

Loved by the islanders and visitors alike, the government has recognized JoJo as a National Treasure, and has appointed a warden to protect him. There is even talk of providing him with a luxury Caribbean villa with a saltwater swimming pool.

The friendly dolphin has become a symbol for the natural beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Sparsely populated and so far unspoiled, the islands offer a special experience to all those who travel or live there.

This article was written by Charles Edwards for the Sands at Grace Bay, a Caribbean luxury resort on the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos.

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Things To Do In The Caribbean

Grace Bay things to do: watersports

So you’ve made it to Grace Bay and your Caribbean vacation. For most, it’s enough to sit on the white sugary sand of Grace Bay Beach and gaze out at the beautiful azure tones of the Caribbean, or perhaps relax at the pool, in the private seclusion of gardens of tropical plants.

Others, however, get itchy feet, and need to relax by actually doing something. If you’re looking for things to do in Grace Bay, we recommend these 2 watersports.

SNUBA
Want to witness an amazing 7,000 foot drop off and stunning coral reefs, but don’t have a scuba license? SNUBA may be for you. For all intents and purposes scuba diving, SNUBA is a system that provides you with air underwater, but does not require special technical training. You’ll be able to spend more time underwater discovering superb sites and underwater marine life. In the last decade on Turks and Caicos, divers have begun to discover some of the finest coral reefs and walls in the world. From the legendary walls of Grand Turk, West Caicos and Provo’s Northwest Point to the historic wrecks south of Salt Cay, a dozen world-class walls have become Mecca for the serious diver.

Kayaking eco safari
Experience the beauty and tranquility of the Turks and Caicos as you paddle a glass bottom kayak through gentle, shallow waters surrounded by seaweed meadows. See various plants, birds and an impressive Osprey nest. The clean bottom kayak will allow you to see the marine life that lives in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Great for bird watching, this is a true eco safari.

Always a source of Grace Bay things to do, Charles Edwards frequently blogs on Caribbean topics

 

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Things To Do In The Caribbean

Things to do in the Caribbean: Splashdown Grand Turk

things to do in the caribbeanIf you’re looking for an unusual something to do in the Caribbean (in this case the Turks and Caicos), why not check out Splashdown  Grand Turk? As its name implies, this attraction is located on the island of Grand Turk, about 20 minutes by plane from Provo, the Sands at Grace Bay’s home island.

Splashdown Grand Turk is a free exhibit located at the Grand Turk Cruise Center that features exhibits, replicas and memorabilia from the Mercury Space Program, specifically the Friendship 7 mission, which ended when John Glenn splashed down in his capsule in the Atlantic, just a short distance from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Splashdown Grand Turk also features a lot of cool stuff, such as a 20-foot-tall replica of the Atlas rocket that carried John Glenn into space, plus a reproduction of John Glenn in his space suit, and a life-sized model of the Friendship 7 space capsule itself.

There’s also a lot of other cool stuff to see, including more space memorabilia, lots of detailed models, and displays that talk about the past, present and future of space flight.

The attraction is perfect for families with young children, and can be reached by air, cruise, charter, or even your own sailboat.

Charles frequently posts about things to do in the Caribbean

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Things To Do In The Caribbean Turks Caicos Information

Turks & Caicos information: top 3 things to do

We’re proud to say that the Turks & Caicos are natural paradise that appeals to lovestruck newlyweds, serious explorers, and families with children – there’s something to do here for everyone in this natural playground. However, not everyone is familiar with our islands, so we’re preparing a serious of blog posts that detail Turks & Caicos information.

Today’s topic: things to do on the Turks & Caicos

While the Sands at Grace Bay offers the perfect relaxing retreat, either by the side of the pool, or on a sandy beach with views of beautiful turquoise ocean and even bluer sky, there are plenty of other things to do around the islands if you’re in the mood to explore.

Here are the top 3 things to do here:

1. Scuba Diving

The Turks and Caicos island chain features the third-longest barrier reefs in the world – it’s over 125 miles long, and shelters the north shore of the island of Providenciales.and the reef is perfect for scuba diving.

With spectacular underwater visibility providing excellent opportunities to explore spot the coral reefs, sea mounts and sea walls, as well as encounters with schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, eagle rays, sharks and even migrating humpback whales, the Turks and Caicos barrier reef is a must-see destination for anyone interested in underwater activities.

The Turks Bank is also another popular scuba destination, and is made up of two expansive underwater limestone plateaus. If you’re hoping to encounter turtles, dolphins and Blue Marlin, head to the Turks Bank.

2. Explore Provo’s natural beauty

On terra firm, the island of Providenciales (where Sands at Grace Bay is located) features many salt marshes that act as a watery landing strip for migratory birds including egrets, terns and frigates. Bird watchers can track more than 150 species of birds, such as pelicans, flamingos, osprey and Cuban crows. There’s even a Flamingo Pond that’s home to hundreds of these graceful pink creatures.

If you feel like chartering a tour, there is also habitat on isolated cays for rare iguanas.

The Turks and Caicos are also famous for limestone caves, among the most expansive in the entire Caribbean. Middle Caicos, to the east of Provo, has the most limestone caves. Once on Middle Caicos, visitors are greated by the towering cliffs that climb above Mudjidin Beach. The caves themselves are reached after a short walk across the Cay.

3. Relax on the beach

Providenciales and the Turks and Caicos are known all over the world for superb beaches, romantic sunsets, and an premium mix of privacy and tasteful oppulence. Sit beneath the shade of a beach umbrella and enjoy a magnificent panorama of soft white sand, azure ocean and cloudless skies the color of sapphire by day, and blazing sunsets and sensual moonlight bynight.

Not everyone is familiar with our islands, so we’re preparing a serious of blog posts that detail Turks & Caicos information.

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Things To Do In The Caribbean

Turks and Caicos things to do for Christmas and New Years

things to do turks and caicos christmas
Courtesy TCI Tourism

There are many things to do on Turks and Caicos during the Christmas holiday season. Here are a few activities:

2nd Annual Maskanoo Celebrations
Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and the Cultural & Arts Commission (CAC) are pleased to announce the 2nd annual Maskanoo Celebrations. Maskanoo will be held in the tourist capital of Providenciales, following a route along Grace Bay Road between the Regent Village and Salt Mills Plaza. Persons attending the event will enjoy the street parade, local music, island food, arts, & entertainment.

Post-Christmas Beach Party
On December 28, come out to enjoy local band, native foods, model sailboat racing, kayak racing, handcrafts and more. Ferry/bus combo tickets from Provo and local bus for North & Middle Caicos available. Church groups cook & raise funds for their projects-call 231-4884 for details.

Old Year’s Night
Old tradition for bringing good luck in the new year. All night service in churches, everyone rings out old year and rings in New Year with bells, church gatherings and community greeting.

New Years Eve Parties
Ports of Call, Providenciales – Live Music – No Cover
Check with the local restaurants for special events

Jump Up Junkanoo
Junkanoo street music takes place from midnight to sunrise, New Year’s morning on most islands.

If you have any ideas for more things to do on the Turks and Caicos during Christmas, please let us know!

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Beach Weddings Turks Caicos Things To Do In The Caribbean

When planning a Caribbean beach wedding, Turks & Caicos is an ideal choice

When planning a beach wedding, Turks & Caicois is an ideal choice.Over the past 15 years, Providenciales, or “Provo”, the westernmost island in the Turks & Caicos chain, has enjoyed fantastic growth – the island has really come into its own as a Caribbean destination.Growth in this case means careful preservation of a balance between providing amenities for residents and visitors, while also preserving the stunning natural beauty of the island.This combination of convenience and secluded beaches and luxury resort destinations make the Turks and Caicos the perfect place to plan a “Caribbean-style” beach wedding.

But first, more about our wonderful home:

Providenciales (aka “Provo”) is the commercial hub of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a relatively little-visited island chain floating on the blue and placid Caribbean Sea.

While we love to swim, windsurf and scuba dive here on Provo, our islands, with their backdrop of onyx water, brilliant coral sand, and majestic palm trees makes what we feel are the most romantic weddings in the world.

But it’s what newlyweds and their guests can do after the wedding during their stay here that is equally important.

What to do on Provo after your wedding

1. Go golfing

Provo is home to an 18-hole golf course, a casino, three marinas and multiple shopping centers. Yet it is the the sea, focus of all life on the islands, that is the true treasure here.

2. Go exploring

shallow azure sea that home to an abundance of marine life, including conch shells and lobster.
Grace Bay, on the the north coast, is the one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean.

Add an air of mystery to your wedding experience by visiting “The Hole” at Long Bay. The Hole is a deep limestone chimney that ends with an unexplored pool of saltwater. Pirate treasure is rumoured to be buried here, so maybe your guests will be the first to find it.

3. Go cruising

For your guests, arrange a sunset sailboat cruise. Visit Cheshire Hall and the Richmond Hill plantation ruins, or Sapodilla Bay and its many shipwreck remains.

4. Spend time on the beach

Famed for bathing, snorkelling, and even a long-distance open-water race, this beach is the perfect backdrop for a wedding, or the perfect place to spend your honeymoon.

5. Spend time at our resort!

Bask in the sun alongside one of our free-form swimming pools or on the sands of our pristine beach. The location of our resort is spectacular – on the shore of the famous Grace Bay Beach Turks and Caicos with more than 12 miles of white powdered sand and dazzling transparent turquoise waters.

Anything is possible when you get married on Provo.

We think that when planning a Caribbean beach wedding, Turks & Caicos is an ideal choice.