--David Lawrence, Jr., President
of the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation and former publisher of the Miami
Herald
This week friends have been posting adorable pictures on social media of their little ones all dressed up in new school
outfits with big smiles and lots of excitement about the new school year. One picture just cracked me up: a friend’s son insisted she take a picture
of him with his back to the camera showing off his new Spiderman backpack. Love it!
The success of our kids in school depends on teachers, principals, and most importantly, parents.
Here are 5 Back to School Tips
for Parents that can make a difference in your child’s school year:
1.
Help your kids get a great start to each day by
ensuring they get enough sleep at night with non-negotiable bedtimes.
2.
Make sure your kids have a good breakfast each
day. Kids need protein, some good carbs,
and a little fat for breakfast. Steel
cut oats (cook it the night before) with a little almond milk and fresh
seasonal fruit like blueberries, ½ cup Greek yogurt and fresh fruit on a whole
grain waffle or scrambled eggs with a little cheddar cheese wrapped in a whole
grain tortilla are 3 suggestions for healthy breakfasts for growing healthy kids.
3.
Plan to have lunch with your child at least once in the first
2 weeks of school. This is an especially
important tip if your son or daughter has a school-prepared lunch. Watch to see if your child is throwing away
most of the lunch or eating most of it.
See how much added sugar is in the flavored milks, if that is what they
are choosing.
4.
Fill a large bowl with fresh fruit to keep on your dining table within the kids’
reach. Fresh fruit makes a great after school snack.
5.
Set aside a special area at home for your kids to do
their homework. Make sure they have a glass of
cold water to drink to ensure that they are properly hydrated. Most kids (and adults) do NOT drink enough
water.
Dare to care enough to give your kids bedtime boundaries, access to fresh
whole foods, and lots of love. Be empowered. None of us received an instruction manual when we had kids. Being a parent, however, is the most
important - and best - job we will ever have!
In gratitude,
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.
