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Archive for the ‘Elementary’ Category

by Jocelyn Anne

As a young child, I remember the period of anticipating leaving behind summer and having to jump into school, just as much as I remember the actual first few days of the switch. Some years were tougher than others and some years smoother, but no matter what, there was definitely always a transition to work through. I’m a firm believer that the best approach is to approach it well in advance. Whether you’ve already began to think about the upcoming transition or the thought hasn’t even crossed your mind yet, here are some tips that can hopefully make one season flow seamlessly into the other and ease this phase for both your children and you.

Slowly Add Back Some Routine

One of the biggest changes, minus the 8 hours about to be dedicated to school instead of playing, is the re-institution of routine that most of us let go of to some extent during the summer months. Suddenly, bed times are non-negotiable, wake-ups arrive altogether too early, meals are set and evenings full of scheduled activities and homework. There’s no arguing that the change from free time all the time to a fullly-packed schedule can be overwhelming and even disheartening. You can easily ease this transition by making small changes, starting now. Your kids may argue that you’re “ruining” summer or that they’d rather get all the scheduling and routine “inflicted” all at one time, but in the long run, you’ll all be better off with a transition that starts earlier and smaller in measure. Gradually start implementing bed “times.” That doesn’t necessarily have to mean bed at 9 p.m. sharp, but it might mean in bed no later than 9:30. Also, start easing your children into waking up at a certain time. The time itself is not as important as the adjustment to being woken up and getting in the habit of starting their day.

Make Sure to Enjoy the Remaining Days

Reminding your children that school and fall is nearing doesn’t have to be negative. Use it as a way to encourage them to remember all the things they hoped to do this summer. Perhaps they can compile a list of what’s left. Were they dreaming to make it to the new water park? Finish a book series? Craft something? Spend an afternoon with you? If you’re able to find out what they really wanted/want to do, then you can make plans to accomplish all the realistic possibilities in the time that’s left. Children have a much easier time leaving summer behind when they feel like they got to do what they had been hoping to. You can easily eliminate unnecessary feelings of remorse or regret this way.

Implement a Celebratory Family Tradition

If your family doesn’t yet have an exciting way to celebrate the arrival of school, I highly advise that you start one! Maybe you plan a special backyard barbecue and pool party. Perhaps you go visit the local water park. Maybe you take one last weekend camping trip. Maybe you just camp out in the backyard! Whatever it is, make sure the entire family is a part of it and make it an unforgettable time. Give your children an opportunity to talk about what they’re excited for in school this year, even if it is completely unrelated to “school” and instead has to do with recess or friends or joining the basketball team.

Get Feedback

Ask your children what they will miss most about summer or what they will have the hardest time adjusting to. Once you know, you can work specifically on that area for each child individually. You might discover that they’re overwhelmed about the new grade they’re about to enter. Maybe they aren’t ready to give up so much time with you. You can focus on easing tensions and relieving worries well in advance to make the whole season more peaceful and calm.

Enjoy!

More than anything, use your last month to just enjoy the time you’re blessed to have with your children. Try to ease worries and try to implement some structure and routine into their life wherever you can. It might not seem fun now, but when you notice the stress eased on their little faces with the arrival of back-to-school morning, it will all be worth it. Start getting excited about making their school lunches and ask for their opinions and their help. Even planning after-school snacks can spark some smiles and excitement. Oh! And, get a jump start on back to school shopping. It’s much more enjoyable when you don’t have to fight through the crowds!

Freelancer Jocelyn Anne is passionate about families and particularly about healthy eating within the family. At the moment she’s been crafting up and writing about her newest favorite kid-approved homemade frozen yogurt recipes for ice cream makers.

by Tim Harwood

As parents, the health and welfare of our children are of the utmost importance, and this article will offer some advice as to the best ways to tell if your child has a lazy eye. The single most important thing you can do is to not be the one trying to detect if your child has a lazy eye in the first place!

This should be left to skills and experience of an Optometrist, and you should consider getting your child’s eyes tested from as young as 2 years old. The earlier a lazy eye is detected the better the prognosis for treating it. Children’s eyes continue to develop up to the age of about 8 years old but the most critical period of visual development is between birth and the age of 4. Once your child is over the age of 8 is it impossible to treat a lazy eye and you can therefore understand the importance of picking it up early.

There are, however, certain signs that you can look out for that may indicate your child has a lazy eye. If you suspect your child has any of these signs, you should make an appointment with an Optometrist as soon as possible. The following are things you should look out for:

• Poor Coordination: This will manifest in different ways depending on the age of your child but the classic example would be with difficulty with catching a ball. You can see how difficult it is for yourself by attempting to catch a ball with one of your eyes closed.

• Struggling with Reading/School Work: If your child has a lazy eye then they are effectively reading with just one eye, which could hold them back in the classroom. This may manifest as your child being slower at reading or they may complain of headaches after prolonged close work.

• A Turn in Your Child’s Eye: If you notice your child’s eye turn, then they are almost certain to have lazy eye. The likelihood is that your child’s eye will turn in towards their nose. This will need to be seen as soon as possible by your Optometrist and may require surgery although this is not always the case.
• Closing Their Lazy Eye: Some children will close their weaker / lazy eye when they are reading/watching TV as it helps them focus better.
• Inability to See 3D: In order to see in 3D both of our eyes have to be equally strong and working together, which is not the case if you have a lazy eye. If your child struggles to see in 3D whether this is watching a 3D movie or playing a 3D game then you should take your child to the Optometrist.

In summary, ensuring your child has regular eye tests is the best way to prevent a lazy eye from developing, but this article has given you the most likely signs to look out for. Providing a lazy eye is picked up early enough there is every chance that it can be treated giving your child equally strong eyes.

Tim Harwood is our guest writer from the UK who writes on a whole range of topics from eye conditions to cosmetic surgery. He also writes for his own website TreatmentSaver which specialises in comparing prices ranging from Botox prices to dermal fillers cost.