Be Thinking About Back to School

Although it may seem early, getting a new school year off to a good start can influence children’s attitude, confidence, and performance both socially and academically. The transition from August to September can be difficult for both children and parents. Even children who are eager to return to class must adjust to the greater levels of activity, structure, and, for some, pressures associated with school life.
The degree of adjustment depends on the child, but parents can help their children (and the rest of the family) manage the increased pace of life by planning ahead, being realistic, and maintaining a positive attitude. Here are a few suggestions to help ease the transition and promote a successful school experience.

 

1 Month Before School Starts

Good physical and mental health. Be sure your child is in good physical and mental health. Schedule doctor and dental checkups early. Discuss any concerns you have over your child’s emotional or psychological development with your pediatrician. Your doctor can help determine if your concerns are normal, age-appropriate issues or require further assessment. Your child will benefit if you can identify and begin addressing a potential issue before school starts. Schools appreciate the efforts of parents to remedy problems as soon as they are recognized.

Review all of the information. Review the material sent by the school as soon as it arrives. These packets include important information about your child’s teacher, room number, school supply requirements, sign ups for after-school sports and activities, school calendar dates, bus transportation, health and emergency forms, and volunteer opportunities.

Mark your calendar. Make a note of important dates, especially back-to-school nights. This is especially important if you have children in more than one school and need to juggle obligations. Arrange for a babysitter now, if necessary.

Buy school supplies early. Try to get the supplies as early as possible and fill the backpacks a week or two before school starts. Older children can help do this, but make sure they use a checklist that you can review. Some teachers require specific supplies, so save receipts for items that you may need to return later.

Re-establish the bedtime and mealtime routines. Plan to re-establish the bedtime and mealtime routines (especially breakfast) at least 1 week before school starts. Prepare your child for this change by talking with your child about the benefits of school routines in terms of not becoming over tired or overwhelmed by school work and activities. Include pre-bedtime reading and household chores if these were suspended during the summer.

Turn off the TV. Encourage your child to play quiet games, do puzzles, flash cards, color, or read as early morning activities instead of watching television. This will help ease your child into the learning process and school routine. If possible, maintain this practice throughout the school year. Television is distracting for many children, and your child will arrive at school better prepared to learn each morning if he or she has engaged in less passive activities.

Designate and clear a place to do homework. Older children should have the option of studying in their room or a quiet area of the house. Younger children usually need an area set aside in the family room or kitchen to facilitate adult monitoring, supervision, and encouragement.

Freeze a few easy dinners. It will be much easier on you if you have dinner prepared so that meal preparation will not add to household tensions during the first week of school.

Have any other great Back-to-School strategies..........add them with a comment below!

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

As the summer heat really kicks in, kids often need a fun way to cool off!  From preschool to high school, there are not many kids that don't enjoy eating ice cream....and for some reason, we find it tastes so much better when you make it yourself!

·         Quart Ziplock

·         Gallon Ziplock

·         Ice

·         Rock Salt

·         ½ cup milk

·         1 Tbs Sugar

Vanilla (2-3 drops) 

How to make it:

1. Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
2. Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
3. Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
4. Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.
5. Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully. Enjoy!

Leaf Creatures

Several weeks ago, we encountered an easy, inexpensive, creative craft from the amazing folks at Wallowa Resources. Since then, just about every time we go on a walk, my children are busily collecting items to make our next Leaf Creatures!  From people, to animals, to monsters.....the possibilities are endless.

Materials
Heavy Paper
Glue (warning....it takes lots of glue and drying time to get nature items to stick)
Anything you can find outside (leaves, sticks, berries, pine needles....collecting is part of the adventure!)
Google/Sticker Eyes (or use white paper and a pen to make your own)

The procedure is pretty self-explanatory.  Let the kids create and have fun!

Essential Parenting Tools: Supervision, Distraction and Redirection

Understanding the concepts of discipline for young children is one of the most frequent frustrations heard at Building Healthy Families parenting classes.  The folks at Positive Discipline have some great tools for understanding developmentally appropriate behavior and offer numerous strategies to encourage positive self-development!
 
Children under the age of three do not understand “no” in the way most parents think they do. (And a full understanding of “no” doesn’t occur magically when the child turns three. It is a developmental process.) “No” is an abstract concept that is in direct opposition to the developmental need of young children to explore their world and to develop their sense of autonomy and initiative.

The three most important discipline tools to use with children under the age of four is supervision, distraction and redirection. Showing them what to do instead of what not to do (showing them how to touch nicely instead of saying, “Don’t hit.” During the first years of life, your job is to keep your child safe without letting your fears discourage her. For this reason, supervision is an important parenting tool, along with kindness and firmness while redirecting or teaching your child.

Distraction and redirection work well with toddlers. Fifteen-month-old Greyson was toddling toward his Dad’s computer. Dad called his name and Greyson looked at him, grinned, and toddled so fast in the direction of the computer that he almost fell. Dad picked him up, gave him a big hug, and took him over to his blocks.  What if Greyson keeps returning to the forbidden computer? How many times must a parent distract or redirect a child’s attention? Well, as many times as it takes. As we’ve mentioned before, it takes patience and perseverance to train a young child.

 Toddlers are experiencing individuation, learning to see themselves as separate, independent beings. It’s a natural and healthy process, but one that is frequently trying for parents. At one level it doesn’t take long for a young child to learn the power of the word “no,” or that by using it he can provoke all sorts of interesting reactions. Adults can’t always avoid these confrontations, but changing your own behavior and expectations can lessen their impact.

5 Steps to Sun Safety For Kids

The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs during childhood -- and that just one blistering sunburn can double the risk of getting melanoma later in life. Protect your children by following these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Pediatrics:

1. Limit outdoor playtime between 10a.m. and 4p.m. Avoid unnecessary exposure when the sun's rays are at their strongest. Even on cloudy or cooler days, ultraviolet (UV) rays remain strong. Shady spots can be just as tricky because of reflected light. If your child is playing outdoors during these hours, make sure to apply sufficient sunscreen.
2. Apply sunscreen properly. Generously apply sunscreen 30 minutes before your child goes out in the sun. Choose a sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 or higher. Scented and colorful sunscreens appeal to some kids and make it easier to see which areas have been covered well. Don't forget nose, ears, hands, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck; lips can also burn, so apply a lip balm with SPF protection. Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours, or after sweating or swimming.
3. Cover up. Wearing protective clothing and hats is one of the most important ways of warding off UV damage. When wet, light-colored clothing transmits just as much sunlight as bare skin. Keep your kids covered with dark colors, long sleeves, and pants whenever possible. And don't forget the accessories: sunglasses with UV protection to guard against burned corneas, and hats to prevent sunburned scalps and faces. Protective clothing, hats with brims, and sunglasses are just as important for babies. At the beach, bring along a large umbrella.
4. Keep watch on medications. Some medications increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, so make sure to ask your doctor whether your child may be at risk. Prescription antibiotics and acne medications are the most notorious culprits, but when in doubt, ask.
5. Set a good example for your kids. If your child sees you following sun-safety rules, he'll take them for granted and follow suit. Skin protection is important for every member of the family, so team up with your children to stay protected when venturing out in the sun.                                                       Parent Magazine 2011

Clothes Pin Words

This easy to make game serves as an introduction to letter recognition, sight words, and a real confidence builder for the child who can exclaim "Mommy, look!  I spelled dog!"  Simply use a permanent marker to write the letters of the alphabet on 26 clothespins.  Then create cards with simple words and/or names of people important to your child.  The kids make words by matching the letters on the card to the clothespins.

Home Made Puffy Paint

Who would have thought that 3 simple ingredients could create so much fun?!?!?! 

Salt
Self-Rising Flour (the self-rising part is key)
Food Coloring

Mix equal parts of salt and flour.  Add enough water to make a paste (about the thickness of glue).  We poured ours into muffin tins and added food coloring to create a rainbow of colors.

Paint on card stock or thin cardboard with Q-tips or brushes.  Once each painting is finished, place in the microwave for 15-20 seconds and be ready to be amazed!  Homemade Puffy Paint!