Healthy SoFlo Issue 51 - Inca Goes Above and Beyond to Provide Safe & Healthy Foods
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HEALTHY KIDS · AUGUST 2017<br />
BACK TO<br />
SCHOOL:<br />
Making the Shift<br />
a Little Easier<br />
The shift from summer in<strong>to</strong> the fall<br />
season can be a <strong>to</strong>ugh time for many<br />
kids—even if they’re eager <strong>to</strong> get back<br />
<strong>to</strong> school. If the transition is <strong>to</strong>ugh for<br />
them, you better believe that means<br />
you’ll have your h<strong>and</strong>s full.<br />
I’ve been through the shift many times as a<br />
mother, <strong>and</strong> I’ve watched it in thous<strong>and</strong>s of my<br />
patients over the years. Here are a few things<br />
I have learned that help make life a little easier<br />
during this time:<br />
01<br />
ONE MORE HOUR MATTERS<br />
Studies have shown that when kids get even one<br />
more hour of sleep per night, they concentrate<br />
<strong>and</strong> perform better at school. It may not seem<br />
like much <strong>to</strong> an adult, but <strong>to</strong> a growing child, sixty<br />
extra minutes of snooze time helps make them<br />
less irritable <strong>and</strong> it makes teachers (<strong>and</strong> you)<br />
happier, <strong>to</strong>o.<br />
So, move bedtime back an hour. If this is <strong>to</strong>o <strong>to</strong>ugh<br />
<strong>to</strong> do all at once, then start with fifteen minutes,<br />
then half an hour, <strong>and</strong> then one hour.<br />
02<br />
REWORK BEDTIME<br />
Many children have difficulty falling asleep at<br />
night—especially at the beginning of a school year.<br />
They are so used <strong>to</strong> being active up until bedtime<br />
that they have a hard time winding down. If you<br />
implement good sleep hygiene, they will fall asleep<br />
much more easily.<br />
Make sure they s<strong>to</strong>p watching television, playing<br />
video games, or being visually stimulated one<br />
hour before bedtime. If they want a snack, make<br />
sure it is at least half hour before bedtime <strong>and</strong><br />
make it light—no heavy foods. They can listen <strong>to</strong><br />
soothing music or a book on tape (one that is a bit<br />
slow moving) <strong>to</strong> help them wind down. One that<br />
is particularly good for kids is the Adventures in<br />
Odyssey Golden Audio Series.<br />
03<br />
MAKE ELECTRONICS RULES<br />
CLEAR FOR EVERYONE<br />
Most kids can’t adequately discipline themselves<br />
regarding electronic gadget use. In my experience,<br />
most kids (even teens) want help learning <strong>to</strong> “turn<br />
off” stuff but won’t say this. So, begin by making<br />
house rules that all electronics stay off from 10-7<br />
am.<br />
Remember, many kids chat or text one another at<br />
night, <strong>and</strong> this keeps your kids up. If some can’t<br />
sleep, they will turn on the Internet <strong>to</strong> watch a<br />
show, play a game, etc. You may even need <strong>to</strong> have<br />
all electronics left in the kitchen for the night.<br />
Offer <strong>to</strong> put your cell phone in the kitchen, <strong>to</strong>o.<br />
You may start with every other night <strong>and</strong> move <strong>to</strong><br />
every night <strong>to</strong> make the transition more gradual.<br />
This is extremely important for kids who have<br />
difficulty concentrating on the school work.<br />
04<br />
DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST<br />
Many parents (<strong>and</strong> kids) downplay the importance<br />
of the morning meal, but studies show that it<br />
makes a big difference in a child’s performance.<br />
So, make sure your kids eat a good meal. If<br />
they have <strong>to</strong> get up really early, you can make<br />
something the night before <strong>and</strong> zap it in the<br />
morning.<br />
For kids who hate breakfast, drinking breakfast<br />
can be a good way <strong>to</strong> get some calories in. Make<br />
smoothies with yogurt, protein powder, <strong>and</strong> some<br />
fruit <strong>and</strong> they can drink it on the way <strong>to</strong> school.<br />
Even an instant breakfast drink mix is better than<br />
no food at all.<br />
05<br />
MAKE WEEKENDS FUN<br />
Many kids look forward <strong>to</strong> getting back <strong>to</strong> school,<br />
but others dread it. They grieve leaving the easy,<br />
carefree schedule of summer <strong>and</strong> lose their<br />
enthusiasm for life. So, plan small outings on the<br />
weekend in order <strong>to</strong> give them something <strong>to</strong> look<br />
forward <strong>to</strong>.<br />
You many plan <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> a movie, go <strong>to</strong> a beach, or<br />
go on a bike ride. The important thing is <strong>to</strong> give<br />
them a slice of “summer life” back <strong>to</strong> help them<br />
ease away from it.<br />
06<br />
BE PATIENT<br />
Children starting kindergarten take longer <strong>to</strong><br />
adjust <strong>to</strong> their new fall routine, <strong>and</strong> many parents<br />
hit mid-Oc<strong>to</strong>ber wondering what happened <strong>to</strong><br />
their lovely, easy-going child. Be patient, many kids<br />
take about six weeks <strong>to</strong> get back in<strong>to</strong> the rhythm<br />
of school.<br />
The kindergarten year is particularly <strong>to</strong>ugh for<br />
kids, <strong>and</strong> they need extra sleep (even an afternoon<br />
nap) in order <strong>to</strong> get back on their feet. If you find<br />
that you have a little monster on your h<strong>and</strong>s later<br />
in the fall, remember that your kindergartner<br />
could be particularly tired from working hard <strong>to</strong><br />
behave, focus on school, <strong>and</strong> make new friends.<br />
The back <strong>to</strong> school season is an exciting yet trying<br />
one. Just a little focus on making these tweaks <strong>to</strong><br />
your child’s routine could go a long way in helping<br />
them go back <strong>to</strong> school with success!<br />
By Meg Meeker, MD<br />
10 HEALTHY MAGAZINE