How To Have A Happy And Healthy Back To School
It's the time of the year that most kids have been avoiding;
Back To School!
Going back to school can make some kids anxious. Some are
starting kindergarten and others are transitioning from
elementary to middle school or from middle school to high
school. Help your child keep things in perspective by helping
them to realize that this new experience is exciting. Encourage
them to have a positive attitude about the experience. Back to
school can be frustrating and stressful due to poor time
management, organizational and communication skills. Start off
the school year by leading by example. Set the standards for a
responsible, independent, and successful child by living by the
core life values you want to instill in your child. If you are
always running late or making excuses, your child will assume
that this is the attitude to take towards life.
Nutrition
Preschool: Make sure your preschooler starts the day with a
healthy breakfast. If you have a fussy eater, try variations of
their favorite foods. Give them a piece of their favorite fruit,
but do not force your child to eat something. If you are
concerned about their vitamin intake, offer them a supplement. A
good one to try is Childs Life Essentials. For great recipes,
check out: Healthy Food for Healthy Kids by Bridget Swinney .
Elementary/Middle School/High School: Kids in this age group
need to have healthy eating habits as well as a fitness regimen.
Serve your children healthy snacks and involve them in grocery
shopping and the preparation of food. Try a new snack for lunch
each week. If you're stuck on what to serve your children, check
out http://www.yourkidsandnu
trition.com. Make sure your kids get adequate exercise each
day. A great way to stay physically active and distress is Tae
Kwon Do.
Sleep
Preschool: Your child needs 10-12 hours of sleep per night.
Develop and be consistent with a bedtime routine. Have your
child engage in quiet activities before bedtime, such as reading
a picture book or completing a puzzle. Avoid liquids close to
bedtime. If you have a little night owl, try placing a few drops
of pure lavender oil on a tissue paper and place it by your
child's bed. Check out: http://www.sleepforkids.org
Elementary: Encourage your child to develop a routine of falling
asleep and waking at the same time, even on weekends. After a
summer vacation, it can be quite difficult to get into the habit
of falling asleep early. Have your child start sleeping an hour
earlier and slowly transition into the appropriate bedtime.
Avoid television and caffeine close to bedtime. Extra tip: Pay
attention to any signs of stress. Ask you child questions to
find out if they are anxious or feeling stress because of the
new school year. Let them know you are available to listen, if
they want to talk. For more information on kids and stress,
visit http://www.kidshavestressto
o.org
Middle School/High School: Your child needs between 8.5-9.5
hours of sleep. Your child needs less sleep and less
supervision. Advise your child to avoid computer games and heavy
studying before bedtime. Make sure your child turns off the
television before bedtime.
Time Management
Preschool: If you want to avoid being late in the mornings, wake
up a 1/2 to 1 hour earlier and get yourself prepare. Lay out the
clothes the night before or if you able to for the entire week.
Have breakfast ready for your preschooler and make getting ready
a game. Play a beat the clock kind of game with your child.
Preschoolers are very competitive and like to win.
Elementary School: Show your child the value of time by how you
prioritize and organize your time. Teach your child to be more
independent and responsible by allowing them to pick out their
clothes (within reason). Agree to a scheduled study time and
support your child in being consistent with this time.
Middle School/High School: Avoid resentment and power struggles
by setting reasonable guidelines. Help your child to approach
time management with confidence. Instead of lecturing about the
importance of time, show your child how to use their time more
effectively. If they see you procrastinating, then they will
assume it's acceptable for them to procrastinate. Create a
schedule and a list of things to do together. Teach them to set
and follow through on specific goals. For more tips, check out
http://www.organizeti
ps.com/chore2.htm.