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Resources for raising healthy children
10 Ways Parents Can Bring SEL Home
10 Ways Parents Can Bring SEL Home
"Practice makes perfect," and that is the message delivered in this article for all to hear. SEL is not just something we do in schools, but for it to be truly effective, it must continue at home. We are no strangers to reinforcing skills at home like math and language arts. Even coaches tell athletes to reinforce skills at home, hit the weight room for additional reinforcement, and watch game film to study your opponent. As adults, we are familiar with taking work home as well, which propels us forward when we get back to the office. Social Emotional Learning is no different. It must be practiced at home to experience all the benefits it has to offer. Click on this link to learn more about how you can share social emotional skills with your entire family.
In this recent article out of Educational Leadership, author Micera Keels emphasizes the need for parent self-care. Taking care of a family is challenging, and even more difficult in a pandemic. If we pay attention to our emotions, our body, finances, and several other facets of overall family health, we will be better equipped for successful outcomes and happier children. Taking care of children, starts with taking care of yourself. Click here to read the article...
From NJ Family Magazine, Melissa Nelson, Guidance Counselor at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit, says there are several ways parents and caregivers can model and guide their children. The foundation to raising kind children starts at a very young age. Here are some ways to inspire your kids to think of others.
2020 Children’s Mental Health Report: Telehealth in an Increasingly Virtual World
2020 Children’s Mental Health Report: Telehealth in an Increasingly Virtual World
The coronavirus pandemic has been hard on kids and teens everywhere — especially those who were already dealing with mental health challenges. Telehealth (which uses technology to deliver healthcare remotely) has emerged as a promising treatment option for children’s mental health. Read the report here....
How much is too much?
How much is too much?
Talking to children about some topics can be incredibly difficult. How do you explain ADHD to a child who struggles with those challenges daily? How do you talk to a 6-year-old about her bullying tendencies and the effects this has on other children? How do you explain selective mutism to your child when she is puzzled as to why her classmate doesn't contribute to the group?
The Child Mind Institute has compiled a list of 44 children's books related to those topics and many more. Other themes include mental health issues, learning disorders, family dynamics, autism, anxiety, trauma, privacy, boundaries, and many more topics. These books are a great way to initiate difficult conversations with children about sophisticated topics. Whether you are a parent or a teacher, resources like this can help deliver important social emotional content to children.
Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
Have you ever had one of those mornings where nothing goes right? Maybe the alarm clock didn't wake you up, you spilled your coffee, you know you need to stop for gas, and it just feels like it's going to be a bad day? You look and feel stressed. Then, just as you think you're ready to leave the house, your six-year-old can't find a sneaker. You explode in frustration! If you find yourself having moments like this, think about how your stress affects your child. Reading "How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids" might help too.
Don't Neglect the Power of Sleep!
Don't Neglect the Power of Sleep!
Numerous studies demonstrate the enormous benefits of sleep and the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation. This is especially important for our teenage population. Teens are being held to higher standards, more rigorous course work, and lofty expectations in the classroom, on the fields, and even at home. Factor in other issues like over-stimulated minds, social media consumption, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition, and we begin to see how our children may develop unhealthy habits from an early age. As with any poor health habit, consequences will eventually follow. Below, the Child Mind Institute explains the cost we pay for not getting enough rest, and how we might be able to redirect our children who aren't placing enough importance on a good night of sleep.
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