Healthy Habits

As your kids face another pandemic year, it’s more important than ever to encourage and instill healthy and hygienic habits.

Remind them that social distancing is still the best way to help them adapt to the situation.

Help them get reacquainted with wearing masks, and remind them why this is necessary.

Instill effective handwashing techniques, and ensure they use safe hand soaps.

Healthy Bodies

Putting a premium on your kids’ health is the most crucial thing you can do, as a healthy immune system is still the best way to ward off the threat of COVID-19.

Understand that though risks are lower in children, kids are not immune to COVID-19, particularly the Delta Variant.

Remember that your kids’ immune systems benefit from healthy nutrition.

Pack them healthy lunch options to keep them fueled.

Healthy Homes

While possible exposure to COVID-19 still exists in the world at large — including school, despite best efforts — it’s still wise to take great pains in keeping your home clean and free from virus-carrying germs.

Disinfecting your home regularly is the best thing you can do to keep the virus at bay.

It’s smart to make use of disinfectants that are EPA registered and certified.

Look into green cleaning practices to make your home a truly healthy one.

Healthy Learning

Make sure your children are prepared for school, whether it’s in person or online.

If you didn’t last year, consider purchasing a laptop or Chromebook for your child for remote learning.

Be sure to also buy compatible device chargers so they can stay powered up.

Collect any additional school supplies so they have one less thing to worry about.

Remember to take steps to keep kids safe online.

We didn’t expect to still be fighting COVID at this point, but here we are. This means we must stay vigilant as parents and engage our kids to keep them protected. It’s the most we can do for now.

About Daniel

I’m Daniel. I’ve been a single dad to my daughter (9) and son (6) for three years now. I’ll admit I don’t always know what the heck I’m doing, but every day is definitely an adventure and a blessing. And for that, I’m truly grateful. I noticed that there aren’t a lot of resources out there for us single dads so I thought I’d share some of what’s worked for me here on my website.

Homework is frequently an activity of dread for

parents and children.

A common question and complaint is: What does homework have to do with real life? Homework can teach study skills, time management, and foster the growth of responsibility—important skills for future success in all areas of life.

Try these tips to help navigate the choppy waters of homework and avoid tears.

1. Snacks to feed the brain.

A hungry person does not think clearly. Small amounts high-protein, lower-sugar snacks like nut butter on apple slices, cheese sticks, Greek yogurt, trail mix, whole-grain toast with butter and cinnamon, and hummus on whole-grain crackers help keep the body energized, mind clear and ready to work. Don’t worry too much about the fat in cheese, yogurt, or nuts. Sugar is a much bigger culprit.

2. Location.

Find a space in the home that is quiet and as distraction free as possible. There should be enough room to spread out homework materials.

3. Materials.

Homework cannot be completed unless all the materials are available. Keep school books, pencils, pens, crayons, rulers, paper, and any school related electronic devices in the chosen study location. Having all materials in one location helps avoid the need to wander the house and avoid homework.

4. Organizing.

Many schools supply students with calendars to write assignments due for class. Check the backpack for the calendar. (Sometimes a plethora of papers lay hiding scrunched up at the bottom of the backpack.) If your child is having difficulty getting all the information from the board to the calendar, speak with the teacher. It may be possible that there is a vision, distraction, or eye-hand coordination issue. The teacher may provide a homework list, pre-printed that may be attached to the calendar.

5. Movement.

Children need to move around and if hyperactive, actually think better when moving. Staying seated for extended times is not a good idea for any child. Short breaks should be encouraged about every half hour. Getting the “wiggles” out periodically will allow for greater concentration.

6. Mood.

Frustration due to length of time to complete an assignment is a huge problem. If this happens regularly children may become anxiety ridden over homework. If frustration is rearing its ugly head, draw a horizontal line on the paper, sign it and give the length of time it took to get that far. The teacher may have assigned too much work and not realized that, or may decide that half the amount of problems to solve or questions to answer is enough.

7. Ownership.

Homework takes less time if parents do it, however children need responsibility and homework is part of their job. Be supportive, the homework belongs to the kids.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/high-protein-low-sugar-snack-ideas-kids-2328.html

Tag: school

Preparing Your Kids for School

Healthy Habits

Healthy Bodies

Healthy Homes

Healthy Learning