Fall is creeping in with cool crisp nights in Michigan, and with Labor Day approaching, school will be back in session very soon. Our calendars will fill up with practices, parent-teacher conferences, and due dates. And in the midst of the hustle of getting back into the school year routine, we want to keep our family healthy and safe. I have never heard anyone say that parenting was easy, and as much as we love being parents it comes with many responsibilities and we want to be the best mommies and daddies we can be. I talked with some stellar parents that offered some inside tips on getting us ready for the 2022 school year.
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School Saftey
Huron Valley Schools stepped up their safety measures when they put in place a security feature with a video system requiring visitors to show identification through a camera prior to entering the school through doors that are only unlocked after they have been identified and cleared to enter the building. Additional cameras have also been placed in the schools, along with reinforced windows, doors, and walls. Huron Valley Schools regularly works with law enforcement to keep our schools and children safe.
Additionally, the district has made mental health a top priority for staff and students, making it easier to identify students who may be at a higher risk of hurting themselves and or others. Huron Valley Schools staff members have also been trained in the principles of A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate).
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Keeping your kids healthy
Caitlin Aumann, NP and a mother of 4 young boys, recommends a consistent bedtime routine with an adequate amount of sleep. Sleep quality is directly associated with the ability to fight off infections, kids in Kindergarten through 6th-grade need 9-11 hours of sleep each night. Screentime ending at least an hour prior to heading to bed will help everyone go to sleep easier, the light emitted from our phones and tablets can reduce melatonin levels and interrupt the circadian rhythm.
Our children's mental health is extremely important as well. Stress and anxiety in children affect the immune system and can reduce the immune response to bacteria and viruses. So be sure to talk to your children in a non-invasive way letting them know that they can trust you and can feel comfortable sharing things with you. We are raising them to be adults that are capable of handling stress in a healthy way.
And don´t forget to hydrate, drinking plenty of water to flush toxins is an easy way to help the whole family stay healthy!
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Finding the right time for homework
Ms. Young, a 4th-grade teacher, and mom of 2 elementary-aged boys shared with me how she approaches the homework struggle in her home.
One of the biggest headaches for parents is homework, as a parent and teacher, here are some things I suggest to make things easier for everyone at home.
Setting up a workstation for your child to complete their homework, and supply them with the right tools to complete their task. If it's difficult for your child to sit down and do their homework, create a plan. Work together with your child and ask things like, "When would you like to do your homework? Would you like to start your homework right after school? Let's decide on a time that works for you." Offering choices to your child will help them feel they have more control. When you settle on a time, you can set an alarm or give them the responsibility to set the alarm. At my house, we use Alexa to make the announcement, reminding everyone that it´s homework time. If your child struggles with their attention span, take short breaks every 15-30 minutes depending on your child's age.
Research shows that taking breaks and doing 5 minutes of physical activity while studying or doing homework refreshes your brain (dopamine levels), increasing motivation and productivity.
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