Watch DOGS:

• Are you a father or father figure who is interested in helping out during the school day? It's not too late to sign up to be a Watch DOG! Check out the flier and sign up at: https://bit.ly/beaverwdsignup

Parenting Tips:

Did you know that research shows over half of children and teens have reported feeling lonely? 41% of students said they are moderately lonely, 20% said they are very lonely, and 9% said they are extremely lonely.

Sometimes kids have trouble making positive friendships because they need to learn social skills, they have a disability which makes interaction difficult, or they need more exposure and time spent with others. As parents we want our children to have friends and learn how to be a good friend to others.

At home, you can help your child feel connection AND learn positive social skills simply by spending time as a family. 

• Increase conversation time - Ask your child different questions and give them your full attention (this means putting down our phones!). Their answers will help you get to know your child and teach them how to listen and share in a conversation. Some questions you can try:

  • • If you had a million dollars, how would you spend it?

    • If you were king/queen for the day, what would you do?

    • What are you most scared of?

    • What do you love most about our family?

    • If you could have a "yes day", what would you want to do?

• Play games as a family - Games help children learn the rules of playing fairly, how to take turns, and how to lose or win graciously. Some games you can try are Uno, Jenga, Phase 10, Headbands, or Yeti in my Spaghetti.

• Create something together - Kids love being creative and it's good for adults too! Do a puzzle together, decorate the Christmas tree, make cookies, or do a craft together.

• Volunteer together - It's important for kids to learn to think of others around them. The holidays offer many ways to help others. Shop for food and donate it to a food pantry, donate toys or buy toys for kids in need, buy socks or blankets for the homeless, visit a nursing home, or donate to a pet shelter. 

• Make time for your child to play with friends - Allow your child to have a friend over to play. This is a great way to increase connection with others and to get to know your child's friends from school.