Parentown KidShape Archives - Page 7 of 8

Kidshape – April 2015

How to enjoy this year’s staycation Recovery from the recession that began in 2008 has sparked renewed interest in vacation travel. Resort bookings are up, and millions will enjoy exotic vacations in the months to come. While discretionary spending is increasing, some individuals and families continue to take a conservative approach to their finances, and that approach extends to how they spend their time off. Many are still embracing “staycations,” in which families forgo travel in favor of staying home. Staycations may not be as exotic as trips abroad, but there are several ways that families can make their staycations enjoyable and memorable. Invest in your home or lifestyle. Instead of bankrolling a trip overseas, channel those funds into improvements for your home or yard to create a relaxing atmosphere you can enjoy year-round. Install that pool or landscape the backyard to make it feel like a tropical paradise. Coasting across the water of a lake or ocean is an enjoyable pastime, so repurpose your vacation funds to buy a boat or some jet skis that you can enjoy throughout the warmer months. Become a tourist in your hometown. Chances are you have never experienced the sights of your hometown the way a tourist might. Plan a few days when you can act like someone visiting your town or city for the first time. Go to the top of that tallest mountain or get a tour of that local factory. Seek out and visit monuments and points of history in your community. Hop on one of those sight-seeing buses and learn something new about where you live. You may just be surprised at what you can discover. Look for hidden gems. Some local businesses may be willing to open up for “behind the scenes” tours if you ask. This can be a fun excursion for young children. Ask employees of a movie theater if you can see the projection room. Newspaper offices may host tours of their facilities. Even a bowling alley can be fascinating to kids if they can see ball-return mechanisms or how equipment is stored. Watching the zamboni machine clean the ice at a rink also may be an entertaining sneak peak into rink operations. Splurge on a show or sporting event. Attend an event you normally wouldn’t unless you were on vacation. Take a trip to see a Broadway or Broadway-inspired musical at a nearby theater or take the family to see your local sports team play a home game against its biggest rival. Treat yourself to concession stand snacks and a few souvenirs. Dine out a few nights. Vacations often entail eating out, especially if meals are not included in a traditional vacation package. Use your staycation as the opportunity to dine at local restaurants you have yet to visit. Indulge the kids one night and put them in charge of choosing the meals. Forget those diet plans for a day or two and savor that triple-scoop ice cream cone. If the cost of dining out has you concerned, select restaurants that offer coupons in community mailers or value packs. Read the newspaper or community bulletin. Chances are you can find a number of entertaining and low-cost activities sponsored by your town or other organizations close to home. Fireworks displays, movies under the stars, boat tours and fairs are just a handful of the fun events that may be coming soon. Turn off electronics. Take a break from some of your devices during your staycation. By doing so, you will be less likely to fall into your daily habits and more likely to make the most of your time to rest and relax.

Parentown KidShape

Kidshape – March 2015

Arts Just as Crucial as Math and Science, Say Education Experts Science, Technology, Engineering and Math — known collectively as STEM — has been the buzz phrase for educators for some time. But, with many school districts eliminating art, music and other humanities classes, there has been a recent push by educators to change the focus from STEM to STEAM, and add arts back into the mix for a more well-rounded education. “Many experts agree that STEAM education is a great way to engage children of all ages in creative play, discovery and learning,” says Dr. Eric Klopfer, Platform Learning Expert and member of the Expert Panel at VTech, a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. Whatever the present academic focus of your local school district is, you can help support a more comprehensive education for your children at home, while making it fun. Here’s how to incorporate STEAM learning into your children’s playtime: While there’s no doubt that math and science comprehension are critical, education experts advise parents to support an interdisciplinary approach to learning that incorporates the arts as well. Art Time The school day may not offer daily opportunities for creativity to flourish, but you can turn the playroom at home into an artist’s studio. Keep on hand arts and crafts supplies such as glue, construction paper, glitter, scissors, string and paint. Take a trip to a museum or gallery and learn about different artists and styles to get kids inspired. New Technologies Handing over your expensive, breakable mobile technology to your young children may not sound ideal for on-the-go learning, but there are durable tablets built for children that support learning apps combining STEM subjects with the arts. For example, InnoTab MAX, VTech’s most powerful and versatile 7-inch tablet, features access to more than 650 educator-supported apps, including hand-picked Android learning games and age-appropriate learning software and content through VTech’s Learning Lodge, as well as creative onboard apps such as Movie Maker and Art Studio. The apps feature a wide curriculum of language arts and reading, math, science, social studies, problem solving and creativity that have been reviewed by a panel of education and child development experts. Music Participation in music education has been proven to improve grades in STEM subjects. Not only that, it’s a ton of fun. If your school offers opportunities such as band or chorus, encourage your kids to get involved. If arts programs are scarce, invest in a keyboard or guitar for the home. Even if private music lessons are out of the budget, there are plenty of online tutorials that can help with the basics.

Parentown KidShape

Kidshape – February 2015

Tips to start the day right to help your kids get the right start to the school day, follow these nutrition and wellness tips: School can seem like a whirlwind for kids, and it’s important for parents to get them organized and put them in a position to succeed. Thankfully, new developments in education are making it easier for students to keep organized, study smarter and achieve better results. These days, technology has the power to improve how kids digest, retain and apply information dramatically — if you know how to use it. Check out these great study tips that can help your students achieve the grades they strive for. Quit Cramming “All-nighters” are a relic of the Saved by the Bell era. Research now shows that students who cram the evening before a test or quiz are less likely to perform well the following day. Rest is critical for academic success. Instead of packing learning into marathon sessions, students should maintain a regular study schedule leading up to their tests and should make sure to get plenty of shuteye. Create a Digital Tool-Kit “Be prepared” is the simple motto of the Boy Scouts, and it applies to almost every facet of life. You wouldn’t try to build a tree house without a hammer, saw and nails — you shouldn’t study with an empty tool kit either. These days, there are unique tech tools available that make the studying process more efficient, engaging and effective. For example, McGraw-Hill Education’s LearnSmart provides an adaptive “digital tutor” that continuously assesses students’ knowledge and skills and provides personalized recommendations that help them master content over time. By helping students focus their study time more on learning what they don’t know and less on what they already know, LearnSmart can help turn C students into B students and B students into A students. The company also offers SmartBook, a personalized digital textbook that adjusts on the fly and highlights important information based on each student’s current strengths and weaknesses. You can find more information on McGraw-Hill Education’s entire family of adaptive learning tools at www.mheducation.com/back-to-school. Jump Around Not physically, but figuratively. When prepping for a test, most students review course materials in chronological order. While this approach may seem logical, research suggests that studying out-of-order helps students retain standalone knowledge more effectively. This allows them to recall information in a randomized fashion (the way it appears on tests). If your children apply themselves and use these tips to guide their studies, they should have a leg up on the curriculum this school year. Whether it’s McGraw-Hill Education’s digital learning products, an outside-the-box approach to test-prep or just a good night’s sleep, a dynamic, modern approach to education can help your child thrive. “This is the era of digital education,” said Jeff Livingston, senior vice president of McGraw-Hill Education. “We must continue to develop adaptive technologies that streamline the learning process and increase the potential of students everywhere.” If your student has struggled in the past, or if you think he or she isn’t reaching his or her true potential, try some new techniques to help make this school year the best of your son or daughter’s academic career.

Parentown KidShape

Kidshape – January 2015

How your kids win with breakfast • Be a Healthy Role Model Kids emulate everything their parents do, including eating habits when mealtime rolls around. Show your kids that making smart, healthy choices is something that is important and vital to you. When they see you choosing vegetables and fruits over junk food, they will want to follow in your footsteps. When they adopt these types of eating habits, they’ll have the proper fuel to help get them through their school days. • Stock Up on Simple Options Do you ever have those hectic mornings when you’re trying to get everyone out the door? Easy-to-make breakfast options are great to have on hand, such as Carnation Breakfast Essentials® nutritional drinks and bars. These convenient products offer an easy and nutritious way for your kids to start their day right, with a rich source of protein and 21 vitamins and minerals, including calcium to help build strong bones. • Mix Up Lunches A lunch consisting of a sandwich, cheese stick and apple can be boring after just a few days. Turn last night’s leftovers into a delicious lunchtime meal. For example, grilled chicken can be turned into a wrap, or taco meat can be a perfect topping for salad or rice. This type of repurposing can save busy parents time and money throughout the school year. • Get a Good Night’s Sleep A great day in the classroom starts with a restful night of quality, restorative sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, kids between ages 3-5 should get between 11-13 hours, while kids between ages 5-12 should get 10-11 hours of sleep. Create a good environment for sleep, which consists of a quiet, dark and cool room that is free of distractions, such as televisions, computers and smartphones. • Make Breakfast Fun Keep the options for this important morning meal exciting for your kids by mixing in their favorite flavors. Smoothies are a kid favorite that can be quickly created with lowfat milk, frozen fruit and a packet of Carnation Breakfast Essentials® powder drink mix. There are various habits that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. But one healthy habit in particular, the routine of having a nutritious breakfast every morning, is one that can positively impact your family. A nutritious breakfast is important to fuel your body and brain after an overnight fast and provide the nutrition you need to start the day. For parents who want their children to be their best, good nutrition at breakfast can make all the difference. In fact, a good breakfast is just as important as having sharp pencils and the right gym shoes. So help your children be their very best by incorporating these tips into your family routine. For helpful recipes and additional tips, visit www.carnationbreakfastessentials.com.

Parents

Kidshape – December 2014

Gifts That Inspire the Imagination Though it may seem that all of the high-demand gift items this season require batteries and a level of tech savvy only the younger generation can boast, there are actually many great options that let you encourage the kids on your list to get back to basics and get unplugged. According to research by Common Sense Media, kids under eight spend nearly two hours of every day on screen time — that is, using a tablet, computer or mobile device, watching TV, etc. While some of that usage is dedicated to educational games and content, the prevalence of media use among kids is distracting them from one of childhood’s greatest gifts: the freedom to let their imaginations soar. Kids whose imaginative play is fostered and supported show numerous health and developmental advantages, ranging from increased levels of fitness and coordination to higher self-esteem and an improved ability to apply the information they learn. This holiday season, look for gifts that inspire kids to embrace pretend play: Blocks It doesn’t get much more basic than building blocks when it comes to setting the imagination free. Skip the sets that come with specific instructions and opt instead for blocks that encourage free-form play and construction. Small and mid-sized plastic pieces let kids create miniature versions of nearly anything their minds can conjure. On the flip side, jumbo cardboard blocks let children create environments they can physically engage with, such as life-size playhouses. Figurines There are many figurines and customizable accessories and environments available to tickle kids’ imagination. From auto service stations and race tracks to dollhouses and pet boutiques, little ones can explore and create for hours. For example, the Calico Critters toy line provides hours of wholesome and imaginative play. These adorable, high-quality miniature families of animals are paired with a selection of environments ranging from homes to shops to restaurants, along with complementary furnishings and accessories. These settings are similar to those in a child’s life, making them more relatable and fun. For more information, visit www.calicocritters.com. Dress up Whether you assemble a collection of whimsical treasures from thrift shops or rely on the costumes and sets available at retail stores, clothing that allows a child to adopt a new persona is an instant way to encourage the imagination. Costumes depicting familiar characters let kids act out their favorite screen-time scenes in real life, while a unique mish-mash of items lets them create unique scenarios to explore. Books Good old-fashioned books help expose kids to new worlds. Choose-your-own-adventure books, in which the reader helps direct the flow of the story line, are a great choice for engaging kids directly as they imagine their way through the story line. More traditional books introduce concepts, characters and scenarios that provide hours of play as kids act out the new ideas they discover. Crafting sets From create-your-own jewelry to color-to-complete playhouses and spaceships, crafty gifts let kids explore their artistic side and experiment with creating tangible representations of their imagination. You can choose from prepackaged sets at many retailers, or crafting stores provide a diverse selection of unfinished items to pair with the appropriate tools. Toys and games that encourage pretend play let kids create, explore and imagine in a stress-free environment where they set the rules and boundaries. These gifts, which encourage kids to unplug and embrace a whole new world of wholesome play, are the kind you can feel truly great about giving. A Gift That Keeps Giving Encouraging kids to explore the world and learn through imaginative play has numerous benefits for their overall well-being. Giving gifts that encourage kids to use their imagination helps boost numerous long-term development skills. Social development Creating characters and scripting scenes, whether alone or through play with others, teaches a child to consider other perspectives and fosters the growth of empathy and understanding. Language Being allowed to create their own play environment, versus those delivered on a screen, forces children to rely on their vocabulary and practice using the words they’ve learned both informally and formally. Solitary play offers the benefit of allowing a child to practice these skills, while pretend play with peers encourages clear and effective communication with others. Problem solving It’s never too early for a child to begin developing cognitive thinking skills that allow them to effectively trouble-shoot and resolve problems. Even a simple play activity, such as contemplating what items from the dress-up drawer should be packed for an imaginary vacation, lets a little one begin to understand how to identify a challenge and create meaningful solutions. Relationships Playing with others is a natural way for kids to forge meaningful bonds with other children, and with the adults in their lives. Imaginary play nurtures and lets children practice critical relationship-building skills such as communication. What’s more, interacting through pretend play gives kids a shared experience that shapes a bond with their partner in play. Helping Out During the Holidays This holiday season, Calico Critters is giving away $250 in merchandise to 40 lucky winners. Plus, for every dollar of merchandise the company gives away, toys of equivalent value will be donated to Toys for Tots and My Stuff Bags to help children in need. To learn more, visit www.calicocrittersclub.com.

Parentown KidShape

Kidshape – November 2014

Regular exercise can help kids do better in school Physical activity may not be the first thing parents or teachers think about when they want to boost a child’s academic performance, but evidence supports the notion that a bit of exercise for the body is beneficial to the brain as well. In fact, kindergarteners who participated in Build Our Kids’ Success, a free before-school program involving physical activity and nutrition education, had significantly improved memory skills as rated by teachers, compared to their peers who did not participate. A study of the children’s performance also concluded that those who participated in the program exhibited good behavior in the classroom. “A sedentary life and poor eating habits can lower kids’ performance in the classroom and start a cycle of health problems later in life,” says Kathleen Tullie, founder and executive director of BOKS and the director of Social Responsibility for Reebok. “Simply stated, a healthy body and a healthy brain go hand in hand.” So how can you incorporate more healthy habits into your family’s routine? • Active weekends: Instead of a lazy Saturday or Sunday, get outside and get moving. Take a soccer ball to the park for a pick-up game or hike a local trail. Make exercise on the weekends a regular habit for your family, and those habits will extend to the rest of the week as well. • Fuel throughout the day: A hearty breakfast sets kids up for a great day. Follow that up with a healthful, satisfying lunch and snacks such as nuts and fruit to help kids avoid the pitfalls of the junk food machines. • Cook together: Take-out is great when you’re crunched for time, but be sure to cook at home at least a few times a week. Homemade meals are not only one of the few ways you can be exactly sure of what you’re feeding your family, but also the act of cooking together is a great opportunity to impart some lessons about nutrition and eating right. • Bedtime: Adequate sleep is crucial for a healthy, functional mind and body. Setting a regular bedtime and sticking to it is best to ensure kids get a full night’s rest. • Volunteer to get your school involved: Children should have one hour or more of physical activity daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, physical education class may not be sufficient. Investigate what other opportunities your child’s school has for physical activity, such as before-school programs like BOKS or after-school sports. If your school doesn’t have such a program in place, look into starting BOKS at your school. BOKS, for example, can be run by anyone — parents, teachers, the school nurse or a community activist. To learn more, visit www.BOKSKids.org. Healthy habits will not only reduce your child’s risk for such problems as obesity, diabetes and heart disease; they can help prime children for more success inside the classroom and beyond. So give your children a leg up and encourage them to get moving.

Parentown KidShape

Kidshape – Oct 2014

Beat the Morning Meltdown Ways to prepare family for the day ahead Mornings can be mayhem for moms. In fact, according to the Johnsonville Sausage Report, nearly half of moms say that mornings can be so hectic that most days everyone in the family needs to fend for themselves for breakfast. One mom who is all too familiar with handling hectic mornings is Elisa All, founder of 30 Second Mobile, a mobile website and app that keeps busy moms “in the know while on the go.” All says it’s about planning ahead and powering up for the busy day ahead. “The kitchen in the morning can be chaotic if you don’t have everything lined up the night before,” All said. “I love serving my family a hot, balanced breakfast, and it’s a lot easier than many people think.” Johnsonville just introduced fully cooked breakfast sausage, which is easy to warm up in the microwave for 30 seconds and powers kids up with protein to get them through the morning. With these ideas in mind, you’ll be ready for whatever the day brings. And one more idea: a mobile breakfast in a coffee mug that’s microwave-ready and will have you out the door in minutes. Check out the delicious recipe for Sausage, Egg and Potato Scramble here and visit www.johnsonville.com for more easy meal ideas. Microwave Sausage, Egg & Potato Scramble Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 2 minutes Servings: 1 1/2 cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes 1 egg 1 tablespoon milk 2 links Johnsonville® Fully Cooked Original Recipe or Turkey Breakfast Sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese Salsa, optional Coat 12-ounce microwave-safe coffee cup with cooking spray. Add hash browns. Microwave on high for 1 minute. In a small bowl, combine egg, milk, sausage and cheese; pour over hash browns. Stir until blended. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until eggs are set. Serve with salsa if desired. Top 10 Morning “Hacks” from Elisa All 1) Stage a “path” to the door the night before so everyone knows where he/she is going. 2) Select kids’ outfits at night. Be sure to check weather in advance and plan accordingly. 3) Pack lunches ahead of time. After dinner, pack the non-chilled items in the lunchbox and leave it on the counter for quick packing of the chilled things in the morning. 4) Brush teeth and wash face in the morning shower, or take baths the night before. 5) Sunshine helps you wake up. Open the shades and let the light in. 6) Make breakfast easy by keeping tasty foods on hand. Johnsonville’s new, fully cooked breakfast links — in Original Recipe, Turkey and Vermont Maple Syrup — help you give your family a wholesome and high-quality warm meal in 30 seconds. 7) Place jackets and backpacks in a central location to grab on the way out. Use a hanging shoe organizer with pockets to keep essentials and accessories by the door. 8) Reward with what works for your child, for example, electronics and other activities they get to do in the car. 9) Motivate and track time with a music playlist. Everything is more fun and moves more quickly with tunes, and you can track how much time has passed. 10) Care for yourself. Have a workout bag in the car and consider getting up earlier to have some personal time before the day gets going.

Parentown KidShape

Fun Ways to be a FIT Family

Obesity is a global epidemic affecting people of all ages. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of Americans are considered obese, while Statistics Canada notes about 25 percent of Canadians are obese. Being overweight or obese has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Children who are overweight are likely to be overweight or obese adults. While eating a diet that is low in fat and high in whole-grain fiber, vegetables and lean proteins are important. Exercise remains one of the key factors in maintaining a healthy weight. However, many adults and children simply do not get enough exercise during the day. An active lifestyle is often hampered by the prevalence of digital devices or sedentary jobs that encourage more screen time than fitness time. But there are ways for the entire family to get fit. Exercising together is not just a great way for families to get healthy, but also a great opportunity to spend time together. The following are a handful of ways families can work together to incorporate more exercise into their daily lives. • Tackle chores. Yes, tasks around the house can count as exercise. Working together not only gets you moving but also cuts down on the time it takes to tackle tasks around the house. Mowing the lawn, vacuuming the rugs, sweeping the floor — all of these activities can get the heart pumping. Make it fun by setting chores to music or competing against one another to see who gets their task done first or the best. • Compete in the pool. Swimming is a low-impact activity that works many muscles in the body. Taking a dip in the pool can be both relaxing and beneficial to your health. Compete with family members to make the most of the time spent in the water. Host relay swimming races, see how long each member of the family can tread water or create any other competitions that keep everyone in the pool moving. • Create an outdoor obstacle course. Set up a series of obstacles in your yard and host your own triathlon. You can jump through tires, climb through tubes and scale trees. Make it fun by having adults try to ride tricycles or pair up an adult with a child for sack races. The opportunities for fun are only hampered by your imagination. • Go for family bicycle rides. Traverse your neighborhood or blaze new trails by riding bikes together. Young children can be strapped into trailers that are pulled behind the bike or ride in seats attached to the bike itself. This gives everyone a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and hone their cycling skills. • Go hiking. Hiking is another fun family activity that also happens to make for great exercise. Choose a trail that may not be level and push everyone’s endurance to the test. • Stroll the beach. Walking or running on sand offers more resistance than walking on pavement. Take a stroll at the seaside. Break up the walk by collecting shells or stopping by the water to observe marine wildlife. • Hit the dance floor. If you’ve been invited to a wedding or a Sweet 16 party, cut a rug and take advantage of the DJ and dance floor. When enjoying yourselves, you probably won’t even realize how much you’re exercising.

Parentown KidShape

Kidshape – July 2014

Summer is a time of playground fun, camping, swimming and other outdoor activities. When kids are outdoors, their sense of adventure and curiosity soars, which can, unfortunately, lead to a higher risk of injuries. In fact, according to the Safe Kids Worldwide organization, each year one in four children 14 years of age and younger will sustain an injury that requires medical attention. The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable by following a few simple tips and learning how to avoid accidents and injuries. Mowing Matters While it may seem like just a common household tool, thousands of children are injured in lawn mower accidents each year, some with severe effects. • Teach children to never play on or around a lawn mower, even when it is not in use. They should never be permitted to walk along side, in front of or behind a moving mower. • Children under six years of age should be kept inside the home while mowing. Fire Safety Simplified Every hour, approximately 16 children are injured from fires or burns, according to the Safe Kids Worldwide organization. Use these tips to keep your little ones safe around fireworks, grills and other heat sources: • Teach kids never to play with matches, gasoline, lighter fluid or lighters. Make a habit of placing these items up and away from young children. • Do not leave children unattended near grills, campfires, fire pits or bonfires. Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby when burning fires. • To ensure a safe celebration, leave fireworks to the professionals. • If your child is injured by fire or fireworks, immediately take them to a doctor or hospital. Playground 101 The Centers for Disease Control revealed that emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries every year. Before you let them play at the park or school playground, be sure they keep these precautions in mind: • Use appropriate and properly fitting safety equipment when participating in any sport, such as helmets and goggles, which can greatly reduce the risk of head and eye injuries. • Take your children to playgrounds with shock absorbing surfaces. Choose parks and playgrounds that are appropriate for their age. Check for hazards or broken equipment and continuously supervise your children while they are at play. • Teach children to use playground and sports equipment properly. • Remind children that pushing, shoving and crowding on the playground can result in accidents and injuries. Make a Safe Splash While playing poolside may be a blast, the Safe Kids Worldwide organization also revealed that drowning is the leading injury-related cause of death for children between 1–4 years of age. Fill your family’s summer days with these safe practices around the water: • Teach children to never go near or in the water without an adult present. Children and adults should never swim alone. • Give children your undivided attention when they are swimming or near any body of water. • Always have your children wear a Coast Guard approved, properly fitting life jacket while on a boat, around an open body of water or when participating in water sports. To learn more, visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/safesummer.

Parents

Kidshape – June 2014

Kids today often lead, like most people, very sedentary lifestyles. Thanks to cars and computers, most of what we do is while sitting. This is true for kids as well. They sit in school, they come home and sit to do homework, sit in the car and then for fun, they sit and watch TV or play video games. Summer camps provide not only a mental break from the monotony, but a physical change of pace. Most summer camps are outdoors oriented and keep kids moving and busy all day long. The food at most summer camps is also often different than what kids might receive at home. For one, there are usually fewer choices, and after a day of swimming and hiking, that broccoli might start to look a bit more appetizing. True, there will probably be s’mores and the occasional candy bar, but the truth is the junk food is not as easily accessible or in the same quantities as it is at home. There is no fast food in the woods. A more well-balanced diet and a day full of adventure are great for anyone, kid or not. Mental wellbeing also has a huge impact on physical health. Multiple studies have shown that the mind and the body are not separate entities; they are interwoven, and the state of one will most certainly affect the other. Though they don’t have taxes or mortgages, kids have stress, too. Friends, school and pressure from parents take their toll. Summer camps provide a much-needed mental break. Relaxing, gaining confidence with new experiences and making new friends for a few weeks out of the summer can mentally recharge and refresh kids for the rest of the year ahead. It can be difficult to send kids off on a great big adventure away from home, but it can be a great benefit for the kids and make for a better year. It is worth it. Apart from being just a fun experience, summer camps are physically beneficial for everyone who participates. Fun and engaging exercise, a mental refresh and healthy food for a few weeks make a new school year and a new grade a little bit easier. For more information on the benefits of summer camps, visit the following sites: http://tvoparents.tvo.org/article/what-are-benefits-summer-camp http://newsroom.cigna.com/HealthandWellness/SummerHealth/SummerCamp/ www.psychologytoday.com/blog/nurturing-resilience/201202/summer-camps-make-kids-resilient

Category - Parentown KidShape

Kidshape – April 2015

Kidshape – March 2015

Kidshape – February 2015

Kidshape – January 2015

Kidshape – December 2014

Kidshape – November 2014

Kidshape – Oct 2014

Fun Ways to be a FIT Family

Kidshape – July 2014

Kidshape – June 2014

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