School Newsletter/Website Content

Did you know that just like reading and writing, children need to learn to move? Basic movement skills include; skipping, jumping, kicking, throwing, running and catching. When children learn basic movement skills they feel confident trying a variety of physical activities because they have the skills to succeed and have fun.

Finding opportunities to help children develop basic movement skills will give them the tools they need to make healthy choices and grow into happy, healthy, and active adults. Regular physical activity can improve your child’s physical health, brain function and mood.

Here are some tips to help children develop movement skills:

• Be active as a family – Parents are their child’s first and best teacher!
• Help children see physical activity as a normal part of their daily routine – try walking, cycling and wheeling to school.
• Be a good role model – Children watch and learn more from what you do than from what you say.
• Encourage children to participate in organized sports, drop in activities or school teams that are appropriate for their age and skill level.
• Set daily screen time limits to help your child create a healthy balance between technology and being active.
• Set time aside for “unstructured play”- get outside and explore nature.
• Challenge them to try new activities.

Visit Active for Life for a list of fun activities to help kids stay active (external link).

Being involved is one of the most important things you can do as a parent/guardian to help your child transition into adolescence. Involvement may look different with teens as they gain confidence and experience.

Tips on how to be an involved parent/guardian:

• Provide support. Find moments to connect during the day. Talk to your child, listen actively, and help them problem solve.
• Encourage independence. This will help them learn new skills, be responsible, improve self-esteem and give them a sense of accomplishment.
• Monitor. It’s important to know where your child is, who they are with and what they are doing (external link). This shows your child that you care and helps identify concerns early.
• Help children manage their time with a calendar. This will help them learn to juggle family life with school, friends and outside activities.
• Encourage extracurricular activities. This creates friendships, promotes active living and reduces screen time.
• Support a homework routine. Structure and routines help build lifelong habits.
• Role-model stress management skills. Take a walk, breathe deeply, read, take a hot bath, listen to music, or talk to a friend.
• Promote a healthy lifestyle. Reinforce the importance of healthy eating (external link), physical activity, and getting enough sleep (external link). Eat healthy meals together and be active as a family.
• Stay involved. Look for ways to stay connected as your child starts high school (e.g., join a committee, volunteer, attend school events, etc.).

For more information, visit Halton Region’s Parenting Teens web pages.

Oral health is a key part of your child’s overall health and well-being.

When your child enters junior kindergarten, they will have about 20 primary (baby) teeth. Soon after, your child will experience mobile (wiggly) teeth. Around age 6, permanent adult front teeth will begin to come in and replace the fallen baby teeth, but some may experience it sooner or later.

Around the same age, their permanent adult first molars will begin to come in. These do not replace any primary (baby) teeth. This is a good opportunity for you to show and observe your child brushing all the way to the back of their mouth so that food or plaque are not missed on the new molars. This is a common area for cavities.

Here are some oral health tips:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes
• Floss once a day
• Help your child brush and floss until approximately the age of seven
• Visit the dentist/dental hygienist regularly
• Eat healthy foods

If you have concerns about your child’s oral health, schedule an appointment for your child to see a dentist.

Need help paying for dental care?

Halton Region Public Health can provide information and assist families with applying to government dental financial assistance programs including the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program (external link) and the Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) (external link). For further information, visit Financial Assistance for Dental Treatment or call 311.

Getting proper sleep is important for children and youth as it impacts their physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. The Canadian 24- Hour Movement Guidelines (external link) outline the recommended amount of sleep for your child/youth based on their age:

• Preschoolers (3-5 years) require 10-13 hours (which may include naps).
• School-aged children (5-13 years) require 9-11 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.
• Adolescents (14-17 years) require 8–10 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.

Follow these tips to help your child/youth have better sleep:

• Have a regular bedtime – try to have your child go to bed at the same time every night, including on the weekends.
• Create a calming bedtime routine – establish bedtime rituals that help your child slow down and get ready to sleep such as listening to quiet music, reading a book or practicing deep breathing. Keep the room cool, dark and quiet.
• Limit screen time – turn off electronics an hour before bed and keep devices out of the bedroom, the light and sound from screens prevents children from sleeping.
• Be active every day – encourage your child to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
• Avoid food and drinks that have caffeine – such as colas, chocolate, tea and coffee.
• Get help if you need it – speak to your health care provider if you have concerns about your child’s sleep.

For more information check out the following resources:

• HaltonParents blog
  • Why you’re STILL talking about sleep when you have teens... (external link)
• Caring For Kids – Canadian Pediatric Society
  • Teens and sleep: Why you need it and how to get enough (external link)

We all want our children to reach their full potential. Search Institute has identified 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. These are called Developmental Assets.

The more assets a child has, the less likely they are to engage in high risk behaviour and the more likely they are to thrive. Assets are divided into two categories: Internal assets and external assets.

Internal assets

Internal assets are the values and social-emotional strengths that children need to make good choices, be independent, and be fulfilled.

• Commitment to Learning
• Positive Values
• Social Competencies
• Positive Identity

External assets

External assets are developed through connections with others in their school, at home and in the community.

• Support
• Empowerment
• Boundaries and Expectations
• Constructive use of Time

We all play an important role in building assets in children. For more information on how you as a parent can build assets in your children, please visit: Keep Connected website (external link) and check out our HaltonParents Blog: You're amazing just the way you are! (external link)

Mealtime is a great opportunity to bring family together, build connections and foster positive relationships. Regular family meals will also provide children with the opportunity to:

• explore new healthy foods
• enjoy cultural and traditional foods
• establish healthy eating routines

Check out these great tips:

• Make a plan. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time, this helps to make healthier choices, saves time and reduces stress when grocery shopping or preparing your meals on busy nights.
• Involve children in meal preparation. Children who help make meals are more likely to enjoy and eat it too!
• Be flexible with meal timing. When children are involved in sports or programs during mealtimes, plan to eat your meals when most of the family can be there. You can also take a breakfast, lunch or dinner as a “meal-to-go” and eat together at the park, arena, pool or gym.
• Enjoy “family-style” meals. In family-style meals, offer food in larger bowls or serving dishes. This style of meal allows everyone to serve themselves and eat food based on their hunger cues and food preferences. Everyone can see what is prepared and select what and how much they want to eat.
• Include cultures and food traditions. This creates a sense of community, fosters connection and keeps your cultural roots and traditions alive. Try to explore community events that celebrate with cultural foods, cook foods from diverse cultural backgrounds and share family recipes and traditions with others.
• Put away distractions. Distractions such as TV, electronics and toys can take away from mealtime. Without these distractions, your family can enjoy eating, talking with each other and help everyone be mindful of their food choices.

Including healthy snacks in your child’s lunch can provide a nutritious boost of energy!

When preparing school snacks, consider Canada’s Food Guide (external link) recommendations and include:

• Vegetables and fruits
• High protein foods
• Whole grain foods
• Less highly processed foods
• Foods with little to no added sodium, sugars or saturated fat.
• Water as the drink of choice

Consider your family’s culture, budget and preferences. Try these yummy child-friendly ideas:

• Low fat cheese and whole grain crackers with cherry tomatoes
• Sliced cucumber and red pepper with hummus or lower fat yogurt dip
• Whole grain crackers topped with lower fat cottage cheese and peach slices
• Water with mint and strawberries

A healthy diet is very important for good oral health. Eating healthy foods, following Canada's Food Guide , and limiting sugar consumption will help reduce the chance of tooth decay, cavities and gum disease.

Examples of snacks that increase the risk of tooth decay or cavities:

• Drinks high in sugar i.e., juice or soft drinks
• Soft, sticky or hard foods i.e., raisins, toffee or gummies
• Starchy snack foods i.e., cookies or crackers if eaten regularly

Examples of snacks for good oral health:

• Water is the drink of choice
• Vegetables, hummus, cheese and plain yogurt

By following these tips, you can help your child develop healthy eating habits and promote good oral health at the same time.

Need help paying for dental care?

Halton Region Public Health can provide information and assist families with applying to government dental financial assistance programs including the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program (external link) and the Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) (external link). For further information, visit Financial Assistance for Dental Treatment or call 311.

Children with healthy self-esteem are more likely to:

• Be happy
• Get along with others
• Make new friends easily
• Be willing to try new things
• Cope with stress

As a parent, you play the biggest role in influencing your child’s confidence and self-esteem. How can you build positive self-esteem in your child?

• Show your child love and affection.
• Praise your child’s strengths, efforts and achievements.
• Encourage your child to express their opinions and make decisions.
• Encourage your child to set goals, do things for themselves and evaluate their own achievements.
• Help your child to name and manage their feelings.
• Teach your child how to solve problems (external link) for themselves.

Check out our HaltonParents Blog Helping your child feel good: building self-esteem not just confidence (external link).

Have you heard the term “social-emotional learning (external link)” used lately? Research shows it is an important area of learning that forms the building blocks for positive mental health.

Parents play a major role in their child’s social-emotional learning. Emotionally healthy children can:

• Identify and manage their feelings
• Make and keep friends
• Care for others
• Set goals
• Deal with daily stressors in a healthy way

For tips on raising emotionally-healthy children, check out Halton’s Emotional Well-being/Mental Health web page, or explore suggested children’s books that can support your child’s social and emotional skills (external link).

Have you ever stopped to look at your child’s life from their perspective? A lot of demands are placed on your child such as homework, extra-curricular activities, chores and relationships.

1 in 5 children will struggle with poor mental health. Stress is often a contributing factor. For children, stress can have a negative impact on their school work, self-esteem, ability to communicate with others and relationships with family and friends. Research shows that prolonged stress in children can also affect brain development.

Parents play an important role in teaching children how to manage their stress.

Here are some ways you can help them cope:

• Spend time with your children. Laughing and having fun together as a family is a great stress buster.
• Be a good role model. Show your children healthy ways you manage stress.
• Maintain routines as much as possible. Morning routines get the day off to a good start while bedtime routines help children relax. This is often the time when children will want to chat about their day.
• Promote a healthy lifestyle. Healthy food (external link), physical activity and adequate sleep (external link) helps the body cope more easily with stress.
• Check in with your child frequently. Ask about things that they may be worrying about.
• Limit extra-curricular activities. Running from activity to activity creates stress on the whole family.
• Reserve free time. A calendar can help your family stay organized. If you are having trouble finding down time, schedule it in.
• Teach children words to describe their emotions. Use words such as "I feel angry" or "I am sad when this happens," or "I'm afraid." Problems have feelings attached and children who can talk about their feelings can solve their problems better.
• Teach your child stress management techniques. For example, deep breathing, positive self-talk, doing a fun activity such as drawing or listening to music, and using problem solving (external link) or organizational strategies are all ways that people manage stress. Help your child find a technique that will work for them.

For more information see the HaltonParents blog: 10 tips for supporting kids in stressful times (external link).

Take a moment from your day and just breathe...

Mindfulness is a life skill that can help reduce stress and anxiety, manage symptoms of mental illness, and improve overall health and well-being. It is training the muscle of attention; learning to be present in the moment and directing our attention with an open mind.

Some ways to practice mindfulness include:

• Eat a meal without distractions like TV or any other devices.
• Go for a walk and pay attention to the environment around you using all your senses.
• Take a moment to notice what you are thinking and how it makes you feel.
• Sit quietly and focus on your breath.

As a parent, try to role model and practice mindfulness with your child. With practice, you and your child can learn to be present, making way for a calmer approach to all aspects of life.

For more information, check out Halton Parents blog, What is mindfulness? (external link) or visit Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mindfulness webpage (external link).

Resilience is commonly thought of as the ability to ‘bounce back’ when faced with a challenge. It helps us to cope with our feelings so we can learn from an experience and move forward. For a child this could mean; having a disagreement with a friend, failing a test or not making a team.

Tips for raising resilient children:

• Build and maintain relationships. Children need to feel that they belong and have people who support them.
• Be a positive role model. Children learn by watching.
• Teach optimistic thinking. Children with a positive outlook have more confidence and self-esteem.
• Use positive discipline practices (external link). Set clear rules and boundaries and follow through with fair consequences.
• Give children choices. Help build decision-making skills.
• Encourage creative problem solving (external link). Help children think about alternate solutions.
• Teach children how to be assertive. Show children how to confidently and respectfully communicate their thoughts, feelings and needs to others.
• Help your child identify and develop strengths. Encourage them to try new things. Praise their efforts.
• Help your child identify and name their feelings. Learning to recognize and label their emotions is the first step to effectively express emotions.
• Build parenting resilience. Ask for help. Read parenting books or attend parenting workshops.

To learn more, check out HaltonParents blog, Are parents helping or hindering resiliency in their kids? (external link)

All of us experience negative events in our lives. Pets die, best friends move away or we don’t make the team we tried out for. We can’t always prevent these things from happening, but resilience will help us to cope positively.

While there are many definitions of resilience, it is commonly thought of as the ability to ‘bounce back’ when faced with adversity. Rather than being overcome by sadness, anger or other negative thoughts, resilience helps us to cope with our feelings so we can learn from the experience and move forward.

How do children develop resilience?

• The single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other adult.
• Children need to feel that they belong; having strong relationships at home and in your community is a good place to start.
• Children need to be able to rely on you; this lays the foundation for building trust in future relationships. For example: if you see your child struggling with their homework, help them break the problem down into something more manageable. Not only does this give you a chance to connect with your child, it builds resilience so that they are able to cope with bigger issues later in life.
• Children need to have assets. Help them build on the 40 Developmental Assets.

Check out our HaltonParents Blog: Are parents helping or hindering resiliency in their kids? (external link)

Research shows that self-regulation is important for school and life success.

Self-regulation means responding to life’s stressors, and returning to a calm and alert state, ready to deal with new circumstances. These skills develop gradually throughout the lifespan and parents play a huge role in helping their children build them.

Here are some examples of how you can help your child develop the skills of self-regulation:

• Ensure your child has enough physical activity (external link), sleep and healthy food (external link).
• Help your child learn to express emotions with words.
• Play games and activities that help strengthen thinking skills like painting and card games.
• Teach your child about communication skills such as tone of voice, facial expressions and the importance of listening.
• Give your child opportunities to develop the skill of empathy by pointing out examples in stories or in real life situations.

To learn more, visit HaltonParents Blog: Snivy lives upstairs – Making self-regulation your own (external link).

During times of change or starting new routines, children may show more intense reactions to separation. Common signs of separation anxiety are crying and clinging when you leave. This is normal. Being sensitive to your child’s feelings and working to provide reassurances for them will help the transition.

Helpful tips to deal with separation anxiety:

• Develop a regular morning routine - wake your child up early so the morning does not feel rushed. Make time for a healthy breakfast and drop your child off at a consistent time each day.
• Always say goodbye - let your child know you are leaving and you will always return. Tell your child when you will return in concrete ways he or she can understand. “Mommy is going now; I will pick you up after school.”
• Develop a regular goodbye ritual - choose something that is comforting for your child. Blowing kisses, a hug, or waving good-bye can be reassuring for your child during separation.
• Show confidence -Tell your child they will be will be okay and they can handle this. Link to the next time you will be together “When we get home tonight, we will play at the park before dinner”
• Exit quickly and without hesitation - goodbyes are easier if the parent is decisive and calm.

As your child gets more comfortable with their new school environment, they will find it easier to settle into the day and adjust to a new routine. The Kissing Hand (YouTube video) is a heartwarming story you and your child might find helpful.

For more information see the HaltonParents blog: Separation anxiety: Is it possible to stop the tears? (external link)

As parents, we want to give our children opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities. However finding a balance between scheduled and free time is also important.

The constant rushing to activities can increase stress levels for both parents and children. Overscheduled children can be tired and miss opportunities for creative play and making friends. Children and parents deserve to have empty spaces on their calendars. This balance will allow everyone to slow down, feel less hurried, and enjoy life at their own speed.

How do we slow down?

• Limit your activities. Make guidelines on how many activities you will do a week.
• Leave empty spaces in your calendar. This will provide you with the chance to spend quality time with each of your children. Free play helps children learn, manage stress and build healthy coping skills.
• Make family a priority. Family time should be as important as school, sports, and social activities. Have fun together and embrace this time.
• Be active (external link) and eat healthy (external link). Exercise is a known stress-buster. Going for walks or bike rides as a family will help build positive relationships and make you all feel good. Also, families who eat together tend to have better nutrition and talk more to each other.
• Get enough sleep (external link). Being well-rested gives both you and your child the energy to deal with whatever your busy day brings.

To learn more, visit HaltonParents Blog, Are you overscheduled? How I learned to make family time a priority (external link).

Mental health affects how we think, feel and act. Mental health is about having a balance in your life between your social, physical, spiritual, emotional and economic needs. Every day we face challenges to our mental health. However, we can take steps to lessen stress and find our balance again.

Tips for positive mental health:

• Build a healthy self-esteem.
• Eat well and be physically active.
• Create positive family relationships.
• Make friends who count.
• Create a meaningful budget.
• Get involved or volunteer.
• Manage stress effectively (external link).
• Learn to cope with changes.
• Identify and deal with your mood.
• Find a spirituality to call your own.

To learn more, visit HaltonParents Blog, Parent self-care: The benefits of taking some “me time” (external link).

Parent engagement in schools has many benefits including:

• Positive attitudes about school
• Increased motivation and success with homework
• Improved academic achievement
• Fewer behavioural issues
• Consistent school attendance

When parents are engaged, students improve, classrooms improve, schools improve and the entire community benefits.

Here are some ways you can become engaged in your child’s school:

• Be involved – Volunteer at your child’s school, participate in parent information nights, arts and sporting events, multicultural programs/events, school council or the school board’s parent involvement committee.
• Stay informed – Find out what is happening in the classroom, the school and the school community. Participate in parent teacher interviews, read about updates and activities in the school newsletter, on the school’s website or social media.
• Share your voice – Give your feedback about important school issues, participate in school surveys and/or school parent focus groups.

Get involved in a way that is right for you. At home, at school and in the community, parent engagement matters!

As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. When you are involved in your child’s learning, you influence their attitudes toward school, learning and future success.

Parenting styles and family circumstances vary but all parents can help. Here are some ways you can be involved in your child’s education:

• Demonstrate interest – Have routine discussions with your child about what they are learning and doing at school. Foster a positive learning environment at home.
• Provide time and support for daily homework – Support your child’s learning both at home and at school. For older children help set priorities for school work and out of school activities (this may include extra-curricular activities, leisure time and chores).
• Get involved – Identify ways to communicate between you, your child and your child’s teacher to support effective communication. Participate in parent information nights, volunteer activities, arts and sporting events, school council or the school board’s parent involvement committee.
• Stay informed – Read about school updates and activities in the school newsletter, website or social media. Provide updated contact information to the school to ensure you receive notice for activities, events, attendance and reporting updates.

Visit the Welcome, parents! web page from the Ministry of Education for resources to support your child’s learning (external link).

Parents have an important role in helping their child develop good study habits, time management and problem solving skills. Homework time should not be a time of stress and pressure, but rather a time for parents to offer encouragement and provide assistance as needed.

Helpful tips for parents:

• Let your child relax after school. Allow time to unwind and have a snack.
• Set a regular time and arrange a place to do homework. Establishing a routine and giving clear expectations will help reduce conflicts around homework completion.
• Maintain a healthy balance between homework and other activities.
• Show interest in your child’s homework and learning (e.g. are supplies needed and when is it due).
• Check in on your child’s progress and provide encouragement, praise and support. For example, “Great! That’s five questions you have done already.”
• Talk regularly with your child’s teacher(s), especially if you notice they are struggling with homework.

If your child has asthma, meet with the school principal and your child’s teacher as early as possible in the school year to review important information and complete school asthma forms.

Helpful tips for parents:

• Provide a copy of your child’s Asthma Management Plan. The school will create a plan of care with you.
• Identify your child’s asthma triggers (e.g. dust, mould, strong scents, etc.).
• Show the teacher your child’s asthma medications and how to use them.
• School Board protocol is for students to carry their own inhalers or have them easily accessible. A number of variables may need to be taken into consideration (age of the student, maturity, etc.). Agree on a plan with your child’s teacher.
• Review field trip forms and ensure asthma medication is with your child on the trip.
• Talk to your child’s class about asthma and the importance of hand washing.

Let’s work together to successfully manage your child’s asthma at school.