Back-to-School Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

As summer draws to a close, many children across the country are looking forward to going back to school. They anticipate reuniting with friends, beginning the next grade level, and learning about all sorts of new and exciting things. While this may be an exciting time for most kids, parents may be feeling more trepidacious.  The idea of returning to school during a pandemic may be unsettling for parents.  If you find yourself feeling anxious about the prospect of your child returning to school this fall, know that you’re not alone. Fortunately, we have come up with a list of back-to-school safety tips to help ease your mind and ensure your kids’ safety upon returning to school!

Practice social distancing

Sitting or standing too close to others can increase the risk of contracting germs such as those caused by the coronavirus. This is where the importance of “social distancing” comes in. Social distancing (or physical distancing) is the practice of putting enough space between yourself and others in order to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission.

While schools play an important role in implementing social distancing both inside and outside the classroom, it’s also imperative that parents remind children to maintain a safe distance from others as well. Children should also avoid sharing food, drinks and any other personal items. 

Wear a mask

Children are no exception when it comes to the importance of wearing a mask. Face coverings are crucial as there may be times when maintaining a safe distance from others becomes impossible or challenging.

Make sure your little one always wears a mask in public places, especially at school. The transmission of the virus can happen instantly when there is no face protection. Infectious respiratory droplets from an infected individual can be released into the air when he or she breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes. Ensure that your child has an extra layer of protection by providing a mask. 

Remember to include masks on your list when you purchase school supplies. Have your child wear a mask as soon as he or she steps out of the house, and be sure to include a “back-up” mask if a replacement is needed during the day. 

Keep hands clean

With or without a pandemic, proper and frequent hand-washing is one of the most important habits parents need to teach their children. Regular hand-washing can help protect your child from contracting  germs and viruses that cause illness. Teach your little one the importance of keeping hand-washing. Encourage young children to practice this habit before and after meals, after playing with  toys, after playing outside, and before they touch their face.

At times when hand-washing isn’t possible, for example if children are in a classroom that doesn’t have a sink, it is recommended that your child use hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol. Furthermore, children should be reminded to cover their faces with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

Boost your child’s immune system

Another back-to-school safety tip you shouldn’t overlook is helping to strengthen your child’s immune system. A strong immune system can help keep your child from contracting viruses and other diseases. Strengthen your little one’s ability to fight off sickness by ensuring proper nutrition. Limit children’s intake of unhealthy foods like sugary and salty treats. Instead, encourage children to eat a balanced diet, and always incorporate fruits and vegetables into your family’s meals. Remember to also prioritize quality sleep and make sure your kids get at least eight hours of sleep every night.

Closely monitor their health

Checking your child’s health and wellness should always be one of your top priorities as a parent. Therefore, be sure to always monitor your child’s health condition. Don’t ignore minor symptoms. A simple fever or cold may seem harmless, but it’s always better to be sure. Be sure to follow your child’s scheduled check-ups regularly  and don’t put off consulting with a doctor if you notice anything strange or unusual.

Listen to your child’s concerns

As a parent, one of the most important roles you play is being your child’s confidante and advocate. If your child voices any anxiety or concerns about returning to school amidst the pandemic,  be available to listen. Discuss all of the health and safety measures that will be followed at school, and assure them you’re doing everything you can to ensure their health and safety as well. 

It’s understandable how parents like you may feel anxious about your child returning to school. By following these back-to-school safety tips, and choosing the best educational child care setting that prioritizes your child’s wellness and safety, you can put your mind at ease and be assured of their safe and continued quality learning. Give us a call at Imagine Nation Learning Center for more information. 

 

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5 Ways to Practice Playful Parenting

Playing is an innate part of childhood that especially comes naturally to young kids. Children engage in play not only for fun but also as a means to learning and exploring the world around them. However, for busy parents trying to strike a balance between the demands of work and home, play can often be the last thing on our minds. But what if you were told that “playful parenting” actually plays an important role in the formation of a deeper bond between you and your child? Making time for playful parenting can also help to lighten the mood in a stressful home as it creates a positive atmosphere. Perhaps you recognize the importance of incorporating play into the time you spend with your child, but you just don’t know where to start.

Many parents find it challenging to interact on their child’s level and engage in fun play together. If you find yourself caught in this dilemma, you’re not alone. Read on and learn some helpful tips to practice playful parenting in your home.

Begin the day with play

One of the first things that comes into  the mind of a young child the moment he or she opens his or her eyes in the morning is playing. Young children may immediately think about their toys and the games they plan to play throughout the day. Just thinking about the fun that awaits them often makes them giddy and excited. But who says children are the only ones who can benefit from play? Starting the day being playful with your child can help energize you and set a positive tone for the rest of the day. 

Make it a habit to start your day with your child  by incorporating time for play. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy session of play. It can be quick, even while you’re preparing breakfast. Or you may spend a few minutes taking your little one outside for some quick outdoor play while enjoying some sunshine. It’s not difficult to incorporate a little playtime into your morning routine. In no time you’ll see that it can work wonders!

Dedicate a time for play

If it’s impossible to engage in a little playtime in the morning, try to find a different time or hour you can dedicate to playing with your little one.. Allocate a 30-minute or even one-hour window for some playful bonding time with your child. You can be spontaneous as you come up with different games to play… or better yet, encourage your little one to spearhead the planning!

Let young children come up with a list of games you can play together, as well as the toys and supplies that will be needed. Allowing them the chance to do the planning and make choices is highly beneficial to the relationship between you and your child. One of the only times you should be involved in directing the activity is when safety is a factor. Otherwise, have fun channeling the inner child in you as you engage and enjoy this precious bonding activity with your little one!

Use dolls and puppets

Many young kids like to use dolls or puppets in their pretend play. They also respond well when these types of toys are incorporated into playtime  because it can stimulate their imagination and spark their creativity. Don’t be afraid to be silly when playing with puppets! Have fun as you develop silly and interesting characters that make play time more fun and exciting! You can be goofy and use different voices to represent each character, which also makes it easier for your child to distinguish between characters.

Turn mundane tasks into fun games

Do you find it challenging to squeeze playtime into your extremely busy day? You can make household chores and routine tasks more fun by incorporating play. For example, you can turn collecting clothes from the clothesline into a race! Or perhaps put on upbeat music in the background while you clean around the house so you and your little one can sing and dance as you tidy up!

Not only is incorporating fun play into household tasks an excellent way to make something that is typically boring and tiring lighter and more fun. It can also be a terrific way to teach young kids about household chores. 

Revisit classic games

Some classic games from our own youth never get old! Take a trip down memory lane and recall some of your favorite games from your own childhood. Which games did you enjoy most? Now is a perfect time to introduce these activities to your kids and play them together!

Playful parenting can benefit your kids and the whole family in many ways. Follow these tips to help you jumpstart your journey through playful parenting with your little one

For more helpful resources on parenting, or if you’re looking for a great preschool for your child, please visit Imagine Nation Learning Center. 

 

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6 Effective Screen Time Rules Parents Should Use for their Kids

Stories about kids throwing tantrums for their parents taking away their smartphones or tablets are not uncommon. If you’re a parent, you may have seen or experienced it yourself.

Parenting in the digital age is certainly not easy. Screens are addictive and children can’t help but stay glued to the couch watching TV or playing video games. This is where screen time rules come in.

Too much screen time can be detrimental to a child’s healthy growth and development. It takes away the time and opportunities they should be spending for other activities and interaction with people. It can even impact their sleep, trigger behavioral problems and lead to obesity. Technology and entertainment media is everywhere and though it’s difficult for kids to put their devices down, it’s important that parents set healthy boundaries for their children. 

Read on and learn effective screen time rules to use for your kids.

Set a time limit for their use of technology

The exact number of hours young kids spend on screens may vary depending on your family’s lifestyle. But it’s important that you don’t let them spend hours without limits. 

As a parent, you should be the one to set the time limits and schedule your child’s use of technology. If they’re allowed to use the screen for a maximum of 2 hours each day, be sure to stick to it. Set a timer and give a heads up if their time is almost up. Also have it scheduled accordingly. Do not encourage or allow screen time use during meal time or before bedtime. 

Determine screen-free zones

Screens should not be allowed just anywhere in the house. Make some areas in your home technology-free zones. For example, the TV should be exclusively in the living room. Kids shouldn’t have a TV in the bedroom nor should there be one in the dining area. Only allow them in the living room or play area.

By keeping the devices away from certain places around the house, you’re providing your little one more opportunities for important interactions with the family as well as other helpful learning activities. 

Redirect use of screens for learning

The internet and technology aren’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, they can be helpful when utilized in the right way. Find ways to turn screen time into time for learning. Search for kid-friendly apps and websites that offer educational content. There are also online games and activities that promote creativity, imagination, and literacy, among other things.  

No screen time before bedtime

If you’ve been struggling with putting your child to bed at night, you might want to revisit how they’re exposed to screens at night. Do they still have their tablet with them or are they still watching TV before getting to bed? If so, it’s time to change this habit. Stop screen time an hour before bed. 

Find fun alternatives

Let’s admit it. Smartphones and tablets come in handy when we need to keep our kids busy while we are too busy ourselves. However, screens aren’t the only sources of entertainment. You can look for other great alternatives that do not expose kids to too much screen time. Encourage them to engage in other fun and exciting activities such as boardgames, books, arts and crafts, and their own toys!

Explore more outdoor activities

It isn’t healthy to allow children to live a sedentary lifestyle because they spend almost the entire day with technology. 

Encourage physical activity by giving them more opportunities to have outdoor fun. Take them to the park so they can run around and play with other kids. You can also spend a weekend at the beach or play family games in the yard.

It’s important that children learn to love and appreciate the outdoors without TV or any screens or phone. They’ll have a happier and more memorable childhood!

Limiting a child’s screen time is one of the greatest challenges for today’s parents. Of course, we want to make sure that the growth and development of our kids isn’t compromised. With the help of these screen time rules, you can set healthy boundaries so they enjoy their electronic devices without it taking a toll on their development.

For more tips on parenting or if you’re looking for the best preschool for your little one, please visit Imagine Nation Learning Center. 

 

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5 Basic Skills to Teach Kids to Become Independent

Ever noticed how your little one is starting to do things by themselves without help from you or any adults? This is the phase where they start to exercise independence.

It’s important that parents encourage this because developing independence in kids fosters self-reliance. It gives them a sense of confidence and boosts their self-esteem. It also helps them develop other vital qualities that set them on the path to success. Cultivating independence in young kids begins with learning important basic skills – how to cook, managing money, managing their time, and many others. 

Give your child the gift of independence by teaching them these fundamental skills.

Time management

Being responsible for their own time is one of the things that children should learn early on. This will help them become efficient in managing their projects and school-related tasks, which allows ample time for both play and work. 

As parents, we often find ourselves constantly telling our kids what to do and when they should do it. We’re often the one deciding how their day should look. Rather than dictating all these things, it’s a lot better to give your child the opportunity to practice time management. For example, instead of waking them up in the morning, let them set their alarm clock and get up on their own. Encourage them to keep track of their own activities by having them use a planner or creating a schedule chart.

Money management

Spending money seems easy enough especially for young kids who do not understand yet how difficult it is to earn money. This is exactly why parents should train their kids how to be money-savvy.

Instill in your little one a good attitude toward money by incorporating it into your conversations. Emphasize the importance of saving and the fact that money is something that we earn by working. And because they’re just kids who receive an allowance from parents, let them save up for something they want to buy instead of buying it for them. This will teach them how to budget the pocket money they’re given. 

Simple cooking

Teaching kids how to cook isn’t only instilling in them a sense of independence. It’s also a good way to teach them about the importance of a balanced diet. When you get the chance, invite your little one to join you in meal prep and cooking. Make them feel comfortable in the kitchen by assigning them simple tasks and providing them the tools they need.

It can be as simple as making their own peanut butter sandwich or tossing a salad. You can also get them involved in baking. Ask them to mix the dry ingredients or sprinkle chocolate shavings over the cookies you’re making!

Taking care of their health

As much as we always want to be around our kids to make sure they’re safe and protected, we know that that’s not the case. Make sure your child knows how to take care of themselves while they are young by instilling in them the importance of caring for their body and their health.

Teach them about personal hygiene and keeping themselves clean to stay away from viruses. Also, pay close attention to their diet. While you want to make sure they eat their fruits and vegetables, be sure not to force it. Instead, discuss the risks of not eating healthy and binging on sweets and junk food all the time. 

Decision-making

Whatever happens in our future largely relies on the decisions we make today. And if you want to make sure your child gets to enjoy a good life down the line, it’s a good idea to teach them the value of making appropriate decisions at an early age. 

Teaching them about decision-making doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start with letting them choose between two activities, two food items, two games, and so on. When practicing this, guide them toward making better choices by explaining the consequences each decision entails. 

We all want our kids to grow up becoming fairly independent. And developing essential basic life skills is a good way to start. 

For more helpful parenting tips or if you’re looking for the best preschool for your little one, please visit Imagine Nation Learning Center. 

 

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6 Tips for Building your Child’s Social Skills at Home

Social skills are important for young kids to develop. These are integral to function well in society, to effectively create and maintain relationships, and ensure healthy interactions in all aspects of life. A child who is socially intelligent is one who is more likely to succeed in the future because they are capable of making conversation, they are considerate of others, and they can communicate effectively with others. The good news is that building social skills is something that parents can help their children do.

Being in school offers young kids more opportunities to socialize, mingle, and make friends with peers. This gives them more chances to sharpen and boost their social skills. But what happens outside of school? How about when schools are closed?

If you’re worried about these things, know that you shouldn’t be. There are several things you can do to continue building your child’s social skills at home!

Practice asking questions

Is your little one the shy type? Do they find it difficult to make friends because they’re too shy to start a conversation? Maybe one of the first things they need to learn is how to ask questions. 

Start coaching your little one on asking questions and making conversations by doing a role-play. Pretend to be the reporter who is asking them about the toy car or doll they’re playing with. Ask them what they like about it and why it is their favorite toy. Get them to talk more about it. Then, switch places. Get hold of another toy and let them ask similar questions or any other questions they can think of. Who knows, they might actually end up liking their role as the interviewer/reporter!

Teach them the art of starting a conversation

Starting a conversation or getting someone’s attention or joining a group of kids playing together isn’t always easy for kids. But they can learn this art with practice. Teach your little one how to properly approach another kid or a group of kids. Teach them the right greetings, the right things to say, and how to say them. Then practice this at any random moment during the day, over the dinner table, or in the middle of playtime. Use real-life scenarios and see how they’ll respond.

Watch TV shows together

There are plenty of kid’s TV shows that present opportunities for conversations. Leverage these shows during their screen time to analyze and discuss the interactions between characters. Watch TV as a family and find segments within the show that can spark conversations. Let them also observe facial gestures and behaviors and take cues from those.

Use picture cards

Because not everything about social skills is verbal, it’s important that children learn about nonverbal skills, too. One of the things that can help are picture cards. Use picture cards that show various body languages and facial expressions. Let them practice interpreting what a person feels based on visual cues. This will help them tell whether a person is sad, angry, bored, happy or frustrated. 

Understand tone

Tone also plays an important role in communication. One statement may have any one of several different meanings, based on how it is delivered. This is why it’s important that kids learn how to understand and interpret tone when building social skills. 

To practice, use a tape recorder or voice record on your mobile phone to record different emotions. Use only one statement but deliver it in different ways with varying tone and feelings. Then, let your child identify the emotions that come along with each delivery. For example, you can say “I want pizza!” and use an excited tone, angry tone, bored tone and so on.

Enhance their attention span

Having better social skills means longer attention spans. And children aren’t really great at being attentive and focusing on one thing for a significant amount of time. But don’t worry, it’s a skill they can learn. Pick one topic you can talk about and say three sentences – 2 sentences pertaining to the topic and one that’s off-topic. Let them analyze and identify which one isn’t related to the topic.

Developing social skills should be part of a child’s holistic and healthy growth and development. If you want your little one to grow up to be a socially intelligent individual, follow these tricks to building your child’s social skills at home. For more parenting tips or if you’re looking for the best preschool for your little one, please visit Imagine Nation Learning Center.

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How to Beat Cabin Fever: 6 Kid-Friendly Activities You Should Try

Cabin fever is a popular term used to describe a person’s reaction to being confined or isolated over a prolonged period. It is usually associated with feelings of irritability and restlessness and manifests in both adults and children alike.

There are various kinds of circumstances by which cabin fever symptoms may occur. One good example is the situation we’re in now; the one that’s brought upon us by the pandemic. 

If your child is experiencing cabin fever as a result of quarantine, lockdown, and social distancing, know that you’re not alone in this. The good news is that there are several ways to combat the anxiety your little one may be feeling. Read on and learn how to help your child beat cabin fever.

Indoor games

There’s no better way to combat cabin fever than by increasing physical activity and moving your body! Your kids may be confined inside the house but it doesn’t mean that fun should be limited. There are several games the family can play inside the house that do not create a mess.

You can have scavenger hunts or indoor treasure hunts! You can also try playing object hide and seek and make it more exciting by adding a twist to it. Maybe you can add clues and describe the hidden object with one adjective. Set a time limit to add a little pressure and excitement to the game. 

Kitchen activities

Getting busy in the kitchen is always fun. Not only is it an excellent way to beat cabin fever but it’s also a perfect parent and child bonding activity. 

Why don’t you carve out time for cooking and baking? Look for kid-friendly recipes online which you can replicate with your child. Bake some cookies or cupcakes. Be sure to encourage their participation and get them involved in the process by doing simple steps such as mixing and decorating. Give them a free hand on decorating the cookies as if they were pieces of art or choosing what color of sprinkles to use atop the cupcakes!

Arts and crafts

Imaginative activities such as arts and crafts are another great idea for killing boredom when children are home. Provide your little one with materials to work on such as recycled paper, cans and plastic bottles. Give them coloring tools as well as space to do their works of art. Let their imagination run wild and give them the liberty to create anything they can think of from scratch, unless they seek help for ideas, of course.

Not only are these activities great for keeping them entertained but they are also great ways to help foster creativity in young kids.

A walk down memory lane

Kids love to look at old photos as much as adults do. So, while you’re all home and enjoying more family time, bring out photo albums and have your little one look at the photos of their younger selves. The nostalgia this activity brings offers the perfect opportunity for storytelling and reminiscing the most precious moments from when you first held them in your arms. 

Household chores

There’s no better time to teach kids about household chores than during a vacation from school. Doing a few simple things around the house can instill in kids some valuable lessons. These include a sense of responsibility, independence, and patience. Incorporate age-appropriate chores in your child’s day to day activities at home.

If they are too young to do a big kid’s chores, have them tackle the simplest tasks such as organizing their toys or fixing their bed. If they can handle bigger stuff, ask them to do more stuff around the kitchen or help out with the cleaning or gardening. 

Storytelling and book reading

Another fun learning activity you may want to encourage for your kids to beat cabin fever is reading storybooks. Reading offers an extensive range of benefits to children. It helps develop their cognitive skills and foster their creativity and imagination. Carve out time for reading and storytelling while school is out. Who knows, you might awaken a lifelong love for reading.

It might get you worried to see your little one showing signs of restlessness or anxiety or irritability but don’t worry. There are several cures to beat cabin fever and these are some of the activities you may want to try.

Need more parenting tips or are you looking for the best quality early childhood education for your child? Please visit Imagine Nation Learning Centers.

 

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How to Have Family Gatherings During Social Distancing

One of the many things people have to sacrifice when doing social distancing is family gatherings. In many places, mass gatherings and even family reunions are strongly discouraged. It’s not hard to understand why. Transmission of diseases can happen very quickly when people congregate socially. 

Missing family gatherings is difficult and sad. It only exacerbates the emotional burden we feel in the midst of a challenging time. But don’t worry. There are several creative ways to connect with family and loved ones despite the distance. Here are some of the helpful ideas you may want to try!

Have a virtual dinner together

While visiting the homes of your family and relatives when doing social distancing is impossible, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fun conversations over a hearty meal with them. Because you can. Thanks to the internet, you can still eat together even from afar!

Because family gatherings are made extra special when there’s food, why don’t you plan a virtual family dinner which everybody can enjoy over a video call? Prepare your favorite meals and dishes and schedule the dinner on a day when everybody is present. A weekend night perhaps? Or a midweek dinner will do, too. Whenever you want to have it won’t really matter. The important thing is that you are all gathered together (virtually) to share conversations and nice meals to bond and keep the connection alive. 

Hangout virtually whenever you can 

There’s no better time to make good use of the internet than now. So, don’t hesitate to ping a family member from afar and hangout virtually every chance you get. If you’ve got some free hours on any random day, invite family or relatives to jump in on a video call while you’re having coffee or watching your favorite shows. You can have fun conversations over coffee or tea or watch the same TV show or movie together! 

There are plenty of platforms to choose from. You can do it on Facebook Messenger, Facetime, Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp and more! Not only is video chatting helpful in bridging the distance to make family gatherings possible; having those face to face interactions and socialization is also good for your mental health. Even when they are virtual.

Play online games together

Games make family gatherings more fun and exciting. And even when you’re doing social distancing, you can still inject fun and excitement into your virtual parties by playing online games together. 

Look for online multiplayer games where several players can participate. From board games such as puzzles, scrabble and chess to more complex, role-playing games, there’s an extensive range of games out there to entertain your family for hours!

Create an online group for the family

Does everybody in the family have social media accounts? If they do, choose an online platform everyone is comfortable using. Create a group and invite the rest of the family to join in! Use this group to stay connected with everyone through chats, photos, audio and video calls – anything to keep everybody in the loop. This is also an excellent place to share old memories to remind you of the good old times and make you look forward to gathering together again in the near future. 

Go back to the traditional method of communication – write a letter

Writing letters may seem a little old-fashioned but who says they’re a bad idea? In fact, writing a letter may make a family feel extra special. 

There’s something about handwritten notes and letters that gives the recipient a warm, fuzzy feeling. Perhaps, it’s the fact that it’s more personal because they’re written on a piece of paper and not typed in an email or text message. So go ahead and write a family member a letter or a greeting card. Feel free to include photos or scribbles and hand-drawn pictures from the kids. This is an excellent way to maintain a sense of connection and provide a reminder of love even from afar. 

Family gatherings may not always be possible due to certain circumstances but who says you can’t keep the connection alive? With a little creativity, you can maintain the connection and continue strengthening the bond with family members despite the distance!

For more helpful tips on parenting or if you’re looking for the best preschool for your child, please feel free to visit Imagine Nation Learning Center. 

 

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