Newsletter September 2011

September 14, 2011
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We strive to bring you the most helpful and up to date information every month, and this month's newsletter is no exception.
You can scroll down through the articles below, or you can click on a headline you like to go directly to that article.

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This Month's Headlines:

Getting Kids in Alignment
Sharing With Your Child’s Teacher
Finding Friendships: Helping Children Connect With Peers

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Getting Kids in Alignment

There’s a lot to keep in mind and prepare for in the first few months of school. Between school supplies, books and new clothes there’s plenty to do to help prepare your child for a great school year. One area that’s easy to overlook is the physical demands school places on your child’s growing body.

In our digital age, students are spending more and more time on the computer, not only for doing homework and research, but also social things like Facebook or email. Anyone who works in an office knows that sitting at a computer for extended periods of time can be uncomfortable and harsh on your body. Here’s how you can help your child have better posture and healthier habits at the computer this coming school year.

• The first rule has been a longtime standard for parents, computers or not: no slouching! Children should sit straight in their chairs, with an elongated spine. Make sure the chair and desk you have is a good fit for your child’s size.
• Eyes should align with the screen so that students are not glancing down or up, putting unnecessary strain on the neck. Monitors should be about arm’s length away..
• If your child is too short for your set-up, provide pillows to sit on, and a box under their feet so their legs rest at a 90-degree angle..
• Remind children to take breaks from the computer after long periods of time. They may fight you on this one, especially if they’re playing video games or chatting with friends, but it’s important to get them in the habit of periodically stretching their necks, backs and wrists, and giving their eyes a rest from the bright screen. Experts recommend a break every 30 minutes or so, but you may find your child needs them more frequently..
• Make sure the mouse is positioned in a way that doesn’t force your child to overextend. Also teach them the correct way to use the keyboard, with a light touch rather than pounding on the keys, and aligned so the arms bend at approximately 90 degrees..

Another factor that affects kids daily is their backpacks. Parents often forget that these can get heavy with books pretty quickly, especially for younger children. Add iPods, musical instruments, laptops and lunches into the mix and your child has a seriously heavy load on his or her back. Keep the following in mind when selecting a backpack and assessing what your child needs to carry around.

• The backpack should weigh no more than 10-15% of the child’s body weight. Any more and the child has to lean forward to support the weight.
• The pack should be no more than 4 inches below the child’s waist or it puts unnecessary strain on the shoulders, leading to bad posture.
• Bags with compartments are a great way to distribute weight and keep everything organized. Heaviest items should be closest to the child’s body to lessen the load.
• Bigger isn’t always better; it may only encourage your child to put even more things in his or her bag. Choose one that fits your child’s frame well.
• Make sure kids use both shoulder straps to even the load. Otherwise they can develop strains and pains on one side.
• The straps should be on the tight side, keeping the pack up close to your child’s body. The further away it gets, the harder it is to manage.
• If you feel your child’s load is still too heavy, talk to the teacher to see which books may be left at school, or if a second set of books can be given to you for use at home. Teachers may have some other creative solutions you haven’t thought of too.

SourceChung, Jeffrey. “Be Ergo-Wise This School Year: How To Keep Kids in Alignment.” education.com
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Sharing With Your Child’s Teacher

The beginning of the school year is a great time to build a relationship with your child’s new teacher. Teachers are well-trained experts in educating kids, but no one knows your child as well as you. Sharing some of your child’s important traits or characteristics with the teacher can help him or her better support and encourage your child. Think of yourself and the teacher as partners in your child’s education. So what are some of the things teachers should know about your child? Here are a few:

1. Health conditions are number one on the list. If your child has any allergies, or special medical needs like an inhaler or insulin injections, it’s very important for your child’s teacher to know. It’s also very helpful for your child and his or her teacher if you are upfront about any possible learning disabilities or conditions like ADHD.
2. Family problems are another important thing to share, where appropriate. If you had any sudden changes in the family—death of a loved one, recent divorce—giving your child’s teacher a heads up helps him or her watch for emotional outbursts or changes in behavior.
3. Your child’s personality traits also can help the teacher serve him or her better. Is your child unusually shy? Afraid to speak up in class? Has a history with bullies? These kinds of things help the teacher better understand what your child is going through and why he or she behaves in certain ways.
4. What are your child’s strengths and weaknesses? Does she struggle with spelling, but loves to read out loud? Does he have a hard time with math but loves problem solving in science? Letting the teacher know up front provides good guidance on the areas where your child may need extra attention or focus.
5. Learning styles differ widely in students. As a parent, you’ve been your child’s very first teacher, and probably know how your child learns best. Share this with the teacher—it can help him or her develop lesson plans, and find a balance that appeals to all the students. Chances are some other child in the class also works best with that particular method of learning.
6. What are your child’s study habits? Does your child have a hard time understanding directions? Does it take him or her longer than usual to get through the reading? Is he or she not challenged by the math assignments? Whatever it is that you notice about your child’s habits, tell the teacher. He or she may have some suggestions for you to help your child be even more successful this year.
7. Lastly, it can be nice to share some more personal interests of your child’s. Maybe your son has an affinity for animals and loves working on natural science projects. Or your daughter may be in love with the arts, and responds well to creative assignments. These kinds of bits of knowledge help your child’s teacher create a deeper connection with your child and leads to a very supportive and encouraging classroom environment.

sourceGraham, Emily“7 Things To Tell the Teacher.” schoolfamily.com
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Finding Friendships: Helping Children Connect With Peers

Nothing is as heartbreaking for parents as having a child come home complaining that no one at school likes him or her. It’s common knowledge that kids can be cruel to each other at school, and while parents may be quick to chalk it up to the fickleness of young friendships, remember that these connections feel crucial to your child in the moment.

Unfortunately, you can’t make friends for your child, and the older your child gets, the less his or her circle of friends is determined by your relationships with other parents. One thing you can do though, is to provide your child with the tools to be socially comfortable, and to learn how to be a good friend to others.

We all are born with an innate desire to be in relationship with others. The difference comes in how we respond to that inherent desire, and most children start developing friendships by the age of four or five. Denise

Salin, a licensed therapist, urges parents not to push if your child isn’t ready to make friends yet. “Some children, especially younger elementary school age ones, need help developing social skills such as empathy, problem-solving, negotiating, cooperation and communication skills. If an elementary aged child does not seem to want to make friends, it’s important to try and get an understanding of what may be going on.”

Still, there are things you can do to support your child’s friendship-making efforts. Here are some suggestions:

Up the Odds

It’s easier to make friends when you have a variety of opportunities, so try to have your child be involved in different events and activities. Play dates or group activities like sports, dancing or theater provide the chance to connect with similar-minded peers. Salin also stresses the importance of unstructured time play, as it allows children to learn valuable skills in socializing, sharing and relating to others.

Be Supportive

As simple as it sounds, this is extremely important. Really listen to your child when he or she tells stories about the playground, or what happened at the after school dance. The conversations may give you clues to how he or she is faring socially. When your child does bring new friends around, be open and welcoming, and make an effort to get to know both the child and his or her parents.

Find Balance

It’s okay, and completely natural, to empathize with your child. But don’t take it too far—friendships will have their ups and downs throughout life and it’s unreasonable to expect that there will never be tough times.

Just stay supportive of your child, listen to his or her feelings and encourage him or her to stay positive. If you need to talk with someone about it, turn to another adult, rather than letting your child see you upset too.

Golden Rule

There’s a reason the golden rule has been around as long as it has—it’s a timeless, valuable lesson. In order to make true, lasting friendships, we have to learn to be a good friend ourselves. The best way to do this is to be a model for your child. Demonstrate the kind of behaviors you’d like to see in your child when he or she is interacting with friends. There are many ways you can do this, from being open about your own strengths and shortcomings, being kind and giving to friends, showing empathy for others, and learning to not complain about things outside of your control. All of these are great examples to set for how to relate to and interact with others.

Friendships are a vital part of adolescence and the experience of growing up. Studies show even extremely successful people feel unfulfilled without close friendships with others. We are social creatures, and helping your kids learn how to relate to others at a young age opens the door for deep and lasting friendships throughout their lives.

SourceCope, Lisa M. “Nobody Likes Me: Helping Children Make Friends.”education.com.