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Stand Up & Get Moving!
Magazine
Managing Your Kids’ Breaks During Virtual School Day
Homework Help
15 Ways to Support Your Child
Magazine
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table of
CONTENTS
September 2020
4 8 10 16 19 22 23
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volume 36 • number 9
HOMEWORK HELP
15 WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD
STAND UP & GET MOVING!
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR KIDS’ BREAKS DURING VIRTUAL SCHOOL DAY
EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS MUST GO ON
22
KNOW WHEN TO GO:
EXPERT ADVICE ON WHEN TO TAKE YOUR SICK BABY TO THE DOCTOR
19
WHEN PARENTING STYLES CLASH SOCIALIZING KIDS DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING OUR KIDS PHOTO PAGE
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On the Cover
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OUR KIDS MAGAZINE LLC is a locally owned magazine published monthly. Advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer. Limit of one free copy per reader. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the publisher. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis. OUR KIDS MAGAZINE LLC copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
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Feature
Homework Help
15 Ways to Support Your Child By Janeen Lewis
Let’s be honest – sometimes parents dread homework as much as their kids do. But homework connects parents to what their children are learning in school, and research shows that children are more likely to be successful in school when their families support them. By following these tips, even the most homework-challenged parents can help their children have a successful homework year.
1. Understand the reason for homework. Homework reinforces what is being taught in the classroom and teaches students important life skills – responsibility, time management and task completion. Children should be able to complete the work with little help from parents, and they shouldn’t come home with an entirely new concept to learn. Homework should be practice or an extension of what they’ve already learned.
2. Know the teacher’s philosophy. Teachers have different philosophies about how much homework to assign. Some think piling on a ton of homework helps build character. Others think children have done enough work during the day and don’t assign any. Understand where your child’s teacher falls on the homework spectrum so you are not surprised as the homework does (or doesn’t) come home. If you are unsure what a reasonable amount of homework is, The National Education Association and The National Parent 4
Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
Teacher Association recommend 10-20 minutes of homework per night in the first grade, and an additional 10 minutes per grade after that.
3. Learn what the homework rules are. At Open House learn the homework policy of the school and your child’s teacher. What are the consequences for lost or forgotten homework? Don’t be quick to bail your child out every time you get a frantic text message about forgotten homework. One of the purposes of homework is to teach responsibility.
4. Get organized. Your child should have a backpack and homework folder to carry assignments between home and school. Teachers of primary students usually send homework correspondence each night. If your older child’s teacher doesn’t require students to record school work in an assignment book, provide one yourself and teach your child how to fill it out.
5. Schedule a consistent time. With sports, service projects, religious and community activities, it can be hard to schedule one set time every day to do homework. Aim for as much consistency as possible when scheduling homework around after-school activities.
6. Designate a study space. Pick a homework space free from distractions. However, consider your child’s personality and ability to focus when selecting a homework station. Some children concentrate best in complete quiet at the kitchen table or a desk. Others study well on their bed with background music. And reading areas can be creative like a reading tent or comfy bean bag. Make study areas free from video games, television and the games of other siblings who finish homework early
7. Create a supply caddy. Fill a plastic caddy or bin organizer with items your child might need for homework. Some good supplies are pencils, markers, crayons, glue, tape, stapler, three-hole punch, paper clips, notebook paper, small wipe-off board with dry erase markers, art paper, graph paper, calculator, protractor, compass, ruler and a dictionary/thesaurus combo. Also provide a wipe-off calendar for important due dates.
8. Be available, but don’t do the work. Helping your child with homework is a great way to connect with them, but don’t spoon feed answers. The whole point of homework is for children to practice skills independently.
9. Use a timer if necessary. Sometimes children like to procrastinate. Some children
like the challenge of beating the clock. Either way, a timer keeps a child focused on the finish line.
10. Keep a resource bookshelf. Can’t remember what a gerund is? Are you a little rusty on what the terms perpendicular and parallel mean? Keep an assortment of reference books or save online references to your Favorites list on your computer. A good math dictionary for parents of elementary students is Math Dictionary: Homework Help for Families by Judith de Klerk. Another great resource is the Everything You Need to Know About Homework Series Set by Anne Zeman and Kate Kelly.
11. Create a phone chain. How many times has your child left their spelling words at school or forgotten a lesson? Help your child make a list of friends they can call or get to know other parents in your child’s class so you can have a phone chain to get answers about assignments.
12. Model learning as a priority. Let your child see you reading the newspaper or books. Discuss current events, politics or the new art or history museum you want to visit. Find exciting tidbits in their homework lessons and research them. Show by example that learning is fun.
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13. Encourage. No matter how tired you are, have a positive attitude about the work your child is doing. Encourage their efforts and let them know you are proud of them.
14. Reward. Homework rewards don’t have to be elaborate, although you may want to up the ante for a struggling child or one who is hard to motivate. A reward can be something as simple as a fun activity when they finish. But you can also keep a homework incentive chart and let your child earn a
special activity with mom or dad, some extra screen time or a dinner out.
15. Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you think too much homework is coming home, that your child isn’t familiar with the material or that they are struggling, don’t be too intimidated to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher. Most teachers welcome feedback and want to help your child succeed. Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist and teacher with a Master’s Degree in education. Because she loves to see her students get lost in books, reading is her favorite homework to assign.
Troubleshooting Tips: Support for Common School Work Struggles What if my child breezes through homework or is under challenged in school? Talk to your child’s teacher about giving your child more challenging work. If your child still seems to be on Easy Street, you might consider having him or her tested for gifted services. Finally, if the problem persists over time, ask to have your child promoted or see if he or she can take classes in areas of strength in a higher grade.
Getting too much homework? Too much homework can be a drain on family time. And if your child is spending hours completing homework every night, they may get burnt out. Talk to other parents in your child’s class to see if they are encountering the same problem. Then approach your child’s teacher diplomatically with the problem. If the problem doesn’t get any better you might consider discussing it with the administration or the school’s Parent Teacher Association to see if a more reasonable and uniform policy can be decided for the school.
What if my child is taking too long to complete homework? If you have a good homework routine in place, and your child is working hard but struggling, don’t panic. Sometimes kids take longer to learn some skills than others. But if the problem becomes pervasive, this could be a sign your child needs some extra help. Consider hiring a tutor or see if your school offers homework help at its after school program. If your child begins to fall behind, testing him or her might be a good course of action to rule out any learning challenges. Remember, keep an upbeat attitude. Don’t lose heart, and chances are your child won’t either. 6
Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
Apps that help with homework ■ Dictionary.com - This app works just like a print
dictionary without taking up desk space.
■ myHomework - This student planner syncs across
devices and allows students to access classes and assignments and sends due date reminders.
■ My GradeBook - Students or parents can keep track of
grades with this app.
■ StudyBlue - Provides tools including flashcards, notes
and study guides.
■ Tinycards - This flashcard app helps with memorization. ■ Meta Calculator - A graphing, scientific, matrix and
statistics calculator app, this will help in those challenging upper level math classes.
Websites that help with homework ■ Dictonary.com and Thesaurus.Com - This website is a dual
tool to help students define words and find synonyms.
■ Quizlet.com - Provides study tools like flashcards, games
and study sets. Make your own or choose from their library of topics.
■ Kids.gov - Intended for kids, links to thousands of
web pages from government agencies, schools, and educational organizations grouped by grade level and subject. ■ Factmonster.com - Find facts on a variety of school subjects and play educational games. Also has a dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, atlas, almanac, and timelines.
Feature
Stand Up and Get Moving! How To Manage Your Kids’ Breaks During Virtual School Days By Sandi Schwartz
This school year will definitely look different whether your children are staying home to be homeschooled, participating in online learning through their current school, or attending school in person on a hybrid schedule with many COVID safety protocols that may keep them tied to their desks more than they are used to. No matter what, kids will be more stagnant unless we make sure they get the physical breaks they need to stay balanced and healthy throughout the school day. The average American student used to sit at school for about 4.5 hours a day, but if your child is doing virtual school then that could be 7 or 8 hours of sitting. Then add the time they sit staring at screens for homework and fun, and we find that our kids are sitting 85 percent of the time they are awake. That sure is a lot of sitting! Up until recently, it was believed that children needed to sit still in order to concentrate and succeed in school. But experts today find that kids are not wired to sit all day long. Instead, they benefit from breaks in which they are physically moving to help energize their brain and be more productive in the classroom.
Reasons Movement Is Better Many studies in recent years helped educators realize that forcing children to sit still is not the best approach; instead, moving around enhances their educational experience. A 2013 report from the Institute of Medicine found that children who are more active show greater attention, have faster cognitive processing speed, and perform better 8
Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
on standardized tests than children who are less active. According to John Ratey, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” movement activates the brain cells that children need to learn. Moving around stimulates more blood vessels in the brain to support the creation of new brain cells. Finally, low-level movement like standing improves students’ attention and alertness because their blood circulation and oxygenation levels increase. Movement breaks also help address childhood obesity and the many other health concerns about children not getting enough physical activity since play time has been dramatically reduced for reasons like increased technology use. As we know, extensive medical evidence shows that regular physical activity is related to lower body fat, greater muscular strength, stronger bones, and improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic health. It also helps reduce anxiety and depression.
How To Encourage More Movement We can help our children break up all that time sitting by providing fun movement breaks, standing desks, yoga ball seats, and plenty of outdoor time. I don’t know about you, but my kids won’t stop talking about GoNoodle. Now appearing in more than 60,000 elementary schools in the United States, it is one of several creative online programs that teachers are using to give their students active breaks throughout the school day. You can
also encourage your kids to use it from home. The idea is that kids need time between lessons to move around and give their mind a rest. Plus, if these breaks are done a few times a day, that can add up to an extra hour of movement per week. The unique aspect about these types of programs is that they are not intended to be focused solely on exercise. Instead, they are aimed to entertain the students, while at the same time getting them up and moving. For example, GoNoodle videos have kids running alongside their desks through a virtual obstacle course or following along with dance moves. The kids are laughing and having a blast without even realizing they are getting exercise. According to the chief executive and a co-founder of GoNoodle, by investing three to five minutes for our kids to move in the classroom, students can learn more effectively for the next 45 minutes. Other movement break programs include Just Dance Kids and BrainErgizers from the National Association of Physical Literacy. Another way to encourage movement is to use a standing desk. These are raised desks that can be adjusted to each child’s height and comfort needs. They have been proven to be beneficial to children from both health and learning perspectives. A report in Pediatrics reviewed eight studies showing how standing desks in classrooms decreased sitting time by about an hour each day. Some of the studies also found that this increased physical activity and improved the students’ behavior. Next, a study in the International Journal of Health Promotion and Education found that students who used standing desks were more engaged in the classroom than those who sat during class. In fact there was a 12 percent rise in engagement by students using standing desks, which adds up to an extra seven minutes per hour of effective instruction time. Finally, a study by Loughborough University in Great Britain found that overall classroom sitting time dropped by about 52 minutes per day from using standing desks, and teachers noticed how their students’ concentration, attention to task, and general behavior significantly improved. Standing desks are becoming so popular now that organizations focusing on their benefits and use are sprouting up. Stand Up Kids and JustStand.org are both great resources to learn more about this effective option. Yoga balls have also become popular. They stabilize the core, promote better posture, and allow students to move and bounce around a bit at their work station when they feel antsy. Kids can essentially get a miniworkout just by sitting on the yoga ball while they do their work. According to an article in California Educator, teachers have noticed that the yoga balls decrease unwanted movement, while students’ attention spans have risen. The children are thrilled with their yoga chairs because they have more freedom to move around.
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FIELD TRIP DIRECTORY
FIELD TRIPS:
IN PERSON FIELD TRIPS
Seasonal Graff 7A Ranch Farm Field Trips 911 US Hwy 90, Hondo, TX Graff7ARanch.com Home of the South Texas Maize. Open weekends September 19 - November 28. Enjoy a great family adventure with food and fun for all. See our website for details on events and activities. Field Trips are October 8 - November 20, Thursday and Friday only. Reservations required. Regardless of the age of your students, the South Texas Maize makes a great field trip opportunity at the Graff 7A Ranch. We want to educate and ‘recreate’ your students! We can accomplish that goal in a fun and unique setting. We invite you to bring your kiddos to get lost in our classroom in the maze. Every field trip includes our 7-acre maze with age appropriate “passports:, hayride, a ride on the barrel train, goat petting, Hay Bale Jump, Kiddie Korral, Corn Popper jumps, and sliding on Matter-Corn Slide Mountain. See our website for special Thanksgiving week schedule and for more details. Just a short country drive from San Antonio. Buy or reserve tickets online. Traders Village Corny Maze 9333 SW Loop 410 (at Old Pearsall Road) San Antonio, TX 78242 (210) 623-8383 http://www.TradersVillage.com Introducing the FIRST & ONLY Corn Maze in San Antonio! Come to Traders Village weekends in October & November for the Traders Village “CORNY MAZE. 10 acres of pure fun! Inside the maze has 3 trails. The Easy trail is for little kids; the Medium trail takes 30 minutes to 1 hour; and the Hard trail takes 1 ½ hours – 2 hours. Try out our new Corn Cannon! Other activities at the Corny Maze include Theme Park Rides, Pumpkin Patch, Petting Zoo, Photo Ops, Concessions, Scheduled Entertainment, Hay Ride, Roasted Corn, Corn in a Cup, Popcorn and great shopping.
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Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
Sweet Berry Farm 1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls, Texas, 78654 (830)-798-1462 www.sweetberryfarm.com A pick your own Strawberry farm in the Spring and a Pumpkin patch in the Fall. Loads of family fun. School groups can experience the outdoors like never before! Explore farming, entomology, animals and more with Sweet Berry Farm’s field trip programs. (General public does not need to make a reservation to visit the farm.)Field Trips are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays ONLY and must have a minimum of 20 participants.
Animals Animal Defense League of Texas 11300 Nacogdoches Rd San Antonio, TX 78217 210-655-1481 info@adltexas.org • www.adltexas.org Educational Tours can be scheduled for groups of up to 15 adults that would like to visit our facility. For school groups with children between ages 10 and 15, we can host 10 students with at least one chaperone. Topics discussed during the tour include the intake of animals, animal care, the adoption process, hospital programs, and ADL in the community. The tour includes a walk-through of our Cattery and Kennels, as well as a question and answer period. There is minimal animal interaction on our educational tours. Exotic Resort Zoo 235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City, Texas 78636 (830) 868-4357 www.zooexotics.com We are currently operating as a drive-through only. Please call or us or check our website for updates on Field Trip status Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch 26515 Natural Bridge Cavern Rd. San Antonio, TX 78266 830-438-7400 groupsales@WildlifeRanchTexas.com www.WildlifeRanchTexas.com We are open! Field Program is suspended until
ONSITE & VIRTUAL
further notice. Safety measures are in place for visitors due to COVID 19. See our website for details. Wild adventures await you on this Safari Trek through 450 acres of the Texas Hill Country. From the comfort of your own vehicle or bus, photograph, feed, and get up-close-and-personal with over 45 different animal species from around the world. Check our website for field trip updates.
San Antonio Zoo 3903 N. St. Mary’s St San Antonio, TX 78212 210-734-7184 Information@sazoo.org The San Antonio Zoo is one of the finest outdoor learning environments in South Texas! A Zoo visit could be just what your class needs to spark interest in science and observational learning. From characteristics of species, to adaptations for survival, to the wonders of nature, the San Antonio Zoo is the perfect classroom to introduce or reinforce your TEKS curriculum! West Creek Trail Rides/Owl Creek Farm 12355 Military Drive West San Antonio TX 78253 210-616-6585 We have a large petting zoo/play area, two covered pavilions for lunches. We provide educational stations (5-15 minutes long) introducing students to farm animals including: Ponies donkeys, Goats, Sheep, Alpacas, Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Pigs, and rabbits. Hay Rides, Pony Rides (optional) and a Playground for extra entertainment. Admission: $5 per child without pony rides, $6 per child with pony rides, Teachers/school staff are free, Chaperones $5. Field trip times are from 9-1:30 (flexible). Please call or text Lana for Reservations 210-740-3069.
Education / Enrichment San Antonio Public Library Central Library 600 Soledad St., 78205 210-207-2500 www.mysapl.org Visit the “big enchilada” to explore the many fun and free resources available at the San Antonio Public Library. Designed by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legoretta, the Central Library is home to a number of special spaces including the Latino Collection and Resource Center, the Marie Swartz Art Resource Center, designated Children and Teen spaces equipped with the latest technology, the Low Vision Reading Room, the Jobs and Small Business Center, and the Texana/Genealogy Department. San Antonio Water System 210-233-3626 Two field trip options are available: Down the Drain: Exploring Water After the Flush - Students learn about the process of wastewater treatment and how it can be recycled for future use as they tour SaNAntonio’s largest wastewater treatment facility. H2Oaks Center: Home To San Antonio’s Water Future - Students learn about San Antonio’s diverse water sources as they tour SAWS new state of the art brackish groundwater desalination facility. Tour
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FIELD TRIP DIRECTORY Length: 1.5 hours Grades: 6th - 12th Grade Requirements: Transportation to the field trip site must be provided by the school; group sizes are limited to one bus. Tours are conducted on Thursdays and subject to availability. Tejas Rodeo Company 401 Obst Rd, Bulverde, Texas, 78163 (830)-980-2226 www.tejasrodeo.com If you’re looking for an exhilarating, and even educational off-site experience complete with a professional rodeo, music, dance lessons, food, refreshments, and hands-on team building activities, Tejas Rodeo is the place for you. We take pride in our deep Texas and Western Heritage roots, our support of agriculture, and our strong family values. We have created the ultimate opportunity for field trips, getaways, and youth ventures. In order to follow the Texas reopening guidelines, we have had to make a few updates. Here are a list of things you should know before you come: •️ We are open at a limited capacity. •️ Face Masks Required. We will have bandanas for sale if you forget yours.➡️ Maintain Social Distancing: Keep 6ft apart •️ Currently, we’re not allowed to have exhibits •️ Seating in the arena: We are alternating rows between spectators. Separate parties will need
6ft separation between them •️ We will have a live band following the rodeo, however, dancing is discouraged •️ Maximum 10 people per table The DoSeum 2800 Broadway St, SATX, 78209 210-212-4453 https://www.thedoseum.org/ fieldtrips Every visit to The DoSeum is an educational one, and we welcome school groups, homeschool cohorts, and other organizations to visit us as groups for self-guided exploration of our museum galleries this fall. Our exhibits are thoughtfully designed to accommodate a wide range of ages, interests, and developmental stages from birth to age 11. Group Visits can be scheduled Monday thru Friday during our normal operating hours. Group Visits are discounted from our regular admission price of $14 per person aged 1 and up to $10 per person. All children visiting with groups must be accompanied by an adult while visiting The DoSeum. To ensure a positive experience for everyone, we ask that Group Visits use this 1 adult for every 5 children ratio to divide into smaller groups to explore separately.
Open September 19 thru November 28, 2020 What’s included in Fall Admission:
7-acre maze, hayride, MatterCorn Slide Mountain, Twin Cow Train, Cowboy Ken’s Kiddie Korral, Hay Bale Jump, Colin’s Cluckers, and unlimited jumping on two Corn Pop-Poppers!
Cracklin’ Campfires
Spend a fall evening gathered around a campfire with your friends and family … and S’Mores!
PARTIES & FIELD TRIPS Open on the Weekends All Year • Petting Zoo • Pony Rides • Hay Rides • Play/Climbing Areas • Birthday Parties
Hands-On Science Fun In Person or Virtual!
210-651-1143
12355 Military Dr. SATX 78253
210-616-6585
From hayrides to hay bales, and jumping pillows — it’s aMAZEing fun in the Fall.
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Owl Creek Farm
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Lots to Do!
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Turkey legs and funnel cakes. Pizza! Barbeque at the SmokeHaus and lots more!
It’s aMAZEing Fun!
7 acres of corny fun planted in a new design every year. Getting lost means having fun!
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$1 OFF Child Admission (4-11yr) $2 OFF Adult Admission (12yr+) $5 OFF 1 Night Campsite
Field Trips are a great learning opportunity. We want to educate and ‘recreate’ visitors with a fun and unique setting. Reservations are required.
911 US Hwy 90 East • Hondo, TX 78861 830.741.3968 • www.graff7aranch.com September 2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com
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FIELD TRIP DIRECTORY Texas State Capitol Tours Austin, TX 512-305-8402 www.tspb.texas.gov The Capitol Complex makes a perfect complement to a visit to the city. Our various facilities are designed to serve visitors to the Capitol, whether observing the legislative process, strolling the grounds, buying a unique gift, learning about Texas history, exploring the Capital Visitors Center (old General Land office) or simply enjoying the magnificent architecture of the complex buildings. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more for the Capitol and the Visitors Center.
Historical Sites The Alamo 300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 210- 225-1391 On February 23, 1836, Mexican General Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio with thousands of soldiers determined to take back the Alamo from less than 200 defenders. What happened over the next 13 days would change the course of history in San Antonio, Texas, and the United States. The Alamo offers students a virtual tour of the grounds and engaging website content for Texas History students. Please contact education@thealamo.org for more information. Casa Navarro State Historic Site 228 S. Laredo San Antonio, TX 78207 210-226-4801 www.visitcasanavarro.com casa-navarro@thc.texas.gov Cost: Adults, $4; Children/Students w/ID, and Seniors $3 per person; Family Rates - $8 (covers 2 adults +1 child or 1 adult +2 children); Group rates are available. Hours: Tues. – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12 – 5pm. Casa Navarro State Historic Site, is a National Historic Landmark in downtown San Antonio. It is the restored home of Tejano patriot José Antonio Navarro. Navarro was an influential figure in Texas during the momentous fifty-five year period (1810-1865) when the state’s destiny was forged. A leading advocate of Tejano rights, he is best known as “The Strongest Defender of the Rights of His People.” Today, selfguided and interactive exhibits help visitors get a feel for the time and place inhabited by Navarro and his fellow San Antonians. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Exit IH-10 at Probrandt, follow signs 210-534-8875 Ext. 280 www.nps.gov/saan Cost: Free. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Reservations are not required for entry or activities. Education groups and youth groups are required to make a reservation for guided tours. Ranger guided tours available Wednesday – Friday at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Self guided and teacher guided tours do not require reservations. In 1718 Franciscans Friars and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years San Jose, Espada, and San Juan Capistrano were located along the San Antonio River. Today visitors can retrace the footsteps of the mission Indians and friars. Run by the National Park Service. Handicap accessible.
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Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
Southwest School of Art 300 Augusta St. San Antonio, TX 78205 210.200.8200 www.swschool.org We invite you to visit our campus to learn the story of Southwest School of Art, the only independent college of art in Texas, and its historic site. Learn about our Young Artist Programs, our community classes and our growing Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Stroll through our exhibitions that are free and open to the public. Docent tours of the historic main building and grounds are available Monday through Friday, please call for hours. Free parking is available on site. Arrangements can be made for other times or groups larger than 10, by calling ahead. Tours of our gallery space and studio areas are also available. Steves Homestead 509 King William St. San Antonio, TX 78204 210-225-5924 www.saconservation.org Hours: 10 a.m. – 3:30p.m daily. Journey back to the Victorian Era at this elegant three-story mansion built in 1876 for German lumber magnate Edward Steves, located in the historic King William District. In 1952 the homestead was donated to the San Antonio Conservation Society, which opened the homestead to tours in 1954. Also on the grounds are the River House, one of San Antonio’s first indoor pools, now a meeting facility; The Carriage House; and the Servant’s Quarters, now housing the visitors’ center. Group rates and behind-the-scenes tours available upon request.
Museums UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures 801E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd San Antonio, TX 78205 210-458-2291 MuseumTours@UTSA.edu wwww.texancultures.com Currently closed due to COVID 19 Pandemic. Check website for reopening.Detailing the many cultures that came to Texas and contributed to its cultural heritage. More than 20 Texas cultures represented on the main exhibit floor. Traveling exhibits detail particular aspects of culture and history. 26-screen Dome Theater multimedia presentation, “Back 40” 1800s-period outdoor education area. Hands-on and TEKS-compliant field trips. San Antonio Fire Museum 801 E. Houston San Antonio, TX 78205 210-390-7236 www.sanantoniofiremuseum.org San Antonio Fire Museum is currently closed but hopes to reopen in mid September. Please call or check website for updated information. The Buckhorn Museum 318 E. Houston Street San Antonio, TX 78205 210-247-4004 www.buckhornmuseum.com EstabliEstablished in 1881, The Buckhorn features one-of-a-kind animal exhibits from around the world. There are animals from Africa, Asia, Antarctica, North America and fish from the Seven Seas! Step back in time in our Texas Ranger Museum and see what San Antonio looked like in the late 1800s. Learn about the Texas Rangers and enjoy individual displays of historic
and treasured artifacts. Located just two blocks from The Alamo and one block from the Riverwalk, The Buckhorn Museum and Texas Ranger Museum are a Texas Sized Adventure! Texas Transportation Museum 11731 Wetmore Rd. San Antonio, TX 78217 210-490-3554 www.txtransportationmuseum.org “The Museum is currently closed to the public but hopes to reopen soon. However, the museum is available to work with schools. Please check our website or call for more information. Normal hours: Thurs. & Fri., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday is group day, reservations must be made in advance. Train rides start at noon and end at 4:30, every 45 minutes. For many youngsters, this will be their very first train ride. Reading about railroads in books or on the internet cannot compare with the real live experience of riding the rails or seeing a genuine traditional depot and walking through old fashioned passenger cars that became sleepers at night as even what we consider to be relatively short journeys today sometimes took days in days gone by. Bookings can be made through the museum’s website. The Holocaust Museum of San Antonio 12500 NW Military Highway San Antonio, TX 78231 210-302-6807 Even though our doors are closed, the museum is virtually OPEN to serve you! The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio offers a wide array of multimedia resources for individuals and schools wanting to connect to the museum. Our website allows visitors to watch a virtual tour of the museum, hear local survivors share their experience during the Holocaust, browse our exhibits and explore the Holocaust through our online interactive resources. Teachers and parents can also find a teacher’s guide with worksheets to use along with our virtual tour, book reviews of Holocaust related books, and can schedule a virtual meeting with one of our docents for a Q & A session to discuss the virtual tour or schedule an online activity session led by the museum specialists.
Nature Cascade Caverns 226 Cascade Caverms Rd Boerne, TX 78015 830-755-8080 www.cascadecaverns.com COVID 19 update: As of May 22, 2020 Cascade Caverns reoped for cave tours. Capacities will be limited, social distancing will be required, masks required on cave tour. Exit 543 on i-10, 14 miles NW of San Antonio and Fiesta Texas. Call for more information. Cave Without a Name 325 Kreutzberg Rd. Boerne, TX 78006 830-537-4212 www.cavewithoutaname.com Many precautions are in place to protect the health of both our employees and guests. Stations with sanitizing gel are provided; restrooms are available for handwashing. We follow a cleaning and sanitizing schedule to ensure all areas are as safe as possible. The staff is assessed daily for elevated temperature and told if they are not feeling well to stay home. To protect all around, all staff and guests wear masks.
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FIELD TRIP DIRECTORY • All guests over five are expected to bring and wear face coverings of the nose and mouth while in the customer center/gift shop area, restrooms, and the cave. • Please follow suggested hand washing methods, use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face, and maintain safe physical distancing from other parties, not in your household; children must stay with adults at all times. • Walk-ins are allowed, space available. Since tour sizes are limited, guests without reservations may find extended wait times, so please call for reservations
San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston @ N. New Braunfels San Antonio, TX 78 210-536-1400 www.sabot.org Operational changes are still in effect due to the pandemic and include limiting of in-persoon tours, programs, classes, events and private rental use of facilities. Please call for information on Field Trips. Groups of 15 students (pre-K-High school; public/ private/home school) are eligible for a school group rate. Call for more information and reservations.
The Meadows Center for Water
San Antonio Natural Areas 21395 Milsa Rd. San Antonio, TX 78256 210-207-3782 Connect with the natural world and learn about local fauna, flora, hydrology, geology, and cultural history by visiting the San Antonio Natural Areas. Guided hikes are led by trained Master Naturalists and include key concepts such as habitats, endangered species, plant and animal adaptations, and more. All hikes align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and lasts 1 to 2 hours. Visit FOSANA.org to request a guided hike or email nicole.mcleod@sanantonio.gov. Limited bus reimbursement funds available for Title 1 designated schools.
and the Environment 201 San Marcos Springs Drive San Marcos, Texas 78666 512-245-7540 www.meadowscenter.txstate.edu COVID 19 UPDATE: Texas State University has temporarily closed all educational and dive operations at the Meadows Center until further notice. The trails at Spring Lake and the Wetlands Boardwalk are also closed to the public until further notice. The Meadows Center’s educational mission is to provide people of all ages with the ability to recognize Spring Lake as an unique freshwater ecosystem through interpretative interactive experiences that engages the audience in an exploration of interconnections between all living things and water. Glass bottom boats view the amazing San Marcos Springs. Wetlands walk, public aquariums and native trails provide the perfect outdoor adventure for all ages.
MOBILE FIELD TRIPS Mad Science of San Antonio 210-651-1143 sanantonio.madscience.org Mad Science brings the field trip to you! Mad Science’s in-class interactive workshops are aligned to STEM objective, curriculum correlated and meet
Texas STAAR requirements. Workshops are ideal for classroom groups. Special Event shows are filled with fascinating science demonstrations for larger groups. Call us to customize an on-site field trip for your group! VIA eXplore Learning Lab 210-362-2389 VIAinfo.net/eXplore VIA eXplore Learning Lab brings the ride to you with a reverse field trip experience at your campus or youth event. Students aboard the eXplore bus learn how to use public transportation safely. The experience includes a video presentation and smart tablet exercises for age-appropriate internet-based activities. The curriculum is currently designed for K-5 students. Requests outside of this intended audience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Visit VIAinfo.net/ eXplore, or call (210) 362-2389 to schedule your free visit from VIA eXplore today.
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS Mad Science of San Antonio 210-651-1143 SanAntonio.madscience.org Mad Science brings the field trip to you by zoom! Mad Science’s virtual interactive workshops are aligned to STEM objective, curriculum correlated and meet Texas STAAR requirements. Workshops are ideal for classroom groups. Special Event shows are filled with fascinating science demonstrations for larger groups of up to 500 children. Call us to customize a virtual field trip for your group!
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FIELD TRIP DIRECTORY McNay Art Musuem 6000 N New Braunfels Ave San Antonio, TX 78209 210-824-5368 www.mcnayart.org Looking for a way to enrich your homeschool, distance learning, or work-from-home life? Try out a virtual art museum field trip with the McNay. Each Wednesday at noon, we chat virtually about three works of art that have a common theme. Virtual Field Trips are free and registration is required to receive the link to join. See what’s coming next at mcnayart.org/events. San Antonio Humane Society 4804 Fredericksburg Road, 78229 210-226-7461 x 136 or 140 SAhumane.org/education At the San Antonio Humane Society, our goal is to create a more Humane future for our city. We do this by teaching responsible and loving pet care and promoting respect and compassion for all living creatures in the hearts and minds of children, teens, and young adults within our community. Visit our website for information on virtual tours. San Antonio Museum of Art 200 West Jones Ave. San Antonio, TX 78215 210-978-8100 www.Samuseum.org The San Antonio Museum of Art is now accepting reservations for guided K-12 virtual tours of its collections, beginning on September 15, 2020. These virtual tours will provide students an opportunity to observe and have conversations about selected works of art within a chosen theme. The “tour” will be facilitated on Zoom by a docent and/or education department staff member. Virtual field trips will be offered Tuesdays through Fridays and will last approximately 45 minutes. San Antonio River Authority 866-345-7272 www.sariverauthority.org Field Trip 1: Ever wonder what it would be like to paddle in a kayak down the 240 mile San Antonio River? Take a virtual “field trip” down the river, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, learning about the wildlife and history along the way. Visit the San Antonio River Authority landing page to find the Virtual Tour of the magnificent San Antonio River at: https://www. sariverauthority.org/ Field Trip 2: Want to learn how your neighborhood is connected to the San Antonio River? A virtual set of “field trips” around your neighborhood is critical to understanding the health of the San Antonio River. Join San Antonio River Authority educators on the 15 episode video series, RIVER CAMP!
Each episode is accompanied by activities that you can do in the home or classroom, such as a DIY kitchen demonstration or a neighborhood scavenger hunt. RIVER CAMP! can be found on the San Antonio River Authority’s website at: https://www.sariverauthority. org/education/river-camp-virtual-education-series San Antonio Water System 210-233-3626 SAWS has implemented a school-age strategy that uses water as a catalyst to promote science and civic responsibility through presentations, field investigations, service opportunities and other resources. All are free of charge and customized to be age appropriate. Virtual presentations are available for Pre K – 5th graders and a virtual tour of “Investigating Water After the Flush” is also being offered. Additionally, SAWS offers virtual speakers, activities and PBL’s. For more information, go to https://www. saws.org/education/student-programs/. San Antonio Zoo 3903 N. St. Mary’s St San Antonio, TX 78212 210-734-7184 Information@sazoo.org With 4 different topics to choose from, these TEKs aligned programs are perfect for supporting state standards while enjoying the zoo safely from your classroom – wherever that may be! Each theme is 45 minutes long and includes a live presentation by a zoo educator, lots of photos, a close look at biofacts (such as feathers), and a live animal presentation. Group sizes are limited to allow for an engaging program with plenty of student interaction. Themes: Amazing Animal Care, Adaptations, Biomes, Zoo Careers. Texas State Capitol Tours Austin, TX 512-305-8402 www.tspb.texas.gov In keeping with the growing opportunities for online viewings and virtual tours, the Texas SenateKids website offers extensive tour and virtual viewing options of the Texas State Capitol building in Austin. Completed in 1888, this beautiful piece of Lone Star State history houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Governor. During this time of social distancing and the closure of tours due to COVID-19 and the Coronavirus pandemic, virtually touring this amazing piece of Texas history is a true blessing. If your family is looking for points of interest here in Texas that they wish to see online, the Texas SenateKids website also provides details regarding the history of the Texas State Capitol. Although it’s not the same as experiencing first-hand all of the statues and paintings on-site, as well as the wellmanicured grounds, this truly breathtaking marvel of
Texas architecture is almost as impressive online. For a unique bit of family time in which the younger ones can learn something new, the Texas SenateKids online portal is a great place to start! The Alamo 300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 210- 225-1391 On February 23, 1836, Mexican General Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio with thousands of soldiers determined to take back the Alamo from less than 200 defenders.What happened over the next 13 days would change the course of history in San Antonio, Texas, and the United States. The Alamo offers students a virtual tour of the grounds and engaging website content for Texas History students. Please contact education@ thealamo.org for more information. The DoSeum 2800 Broadway St, SATX, 78209 210-212-4453 https://www.thedoseum.org/fieldtrips Bring The DoSeum’s exhibits into your learning environment this fall through engaging virtual experiences! Our virtual experiences are thoughtfully designed to accommodate a wide range of ages, interests, and elementary grades, with a focus on STEM, arts, and literacy content areas! Each Virtual Field Experience is customizable to the needs of your classroom and facilitated with DoSeum educators. Preand Post- visit lesson plans are also included to bring the full DoSeum experience to your students! To book either an on-site group visit or a virtual field experience please contact Jessica Thompson at jthomspon @the doseum.org. The Holocaust Museum of San Antonio 12500 NW Military Highway San Antonio, TX 78231 210-302-6807 Even though our doors are closed, the museum is virtually OPEN to serve you! The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio offers a wide array of multimedia resources for individuals and schools wanting to connect to the museum. Our website allows visitors to watch a virtual tour of the museum, hear local survivors share their experience during the Holocaust, browse our exhibits and explore the Holocaust through our online interactive resources. Teachers and parents can also find a teacher’s guide with worksheets to use along with our virtual tour, book reviews of Holocaust related books, and can schedule a virtual meeting with one of our docents for a Q & A session to discuss the virtual tour or schedule an online activity session led by the museum specialists
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Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
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Baby
Know when to go:
Expert advice on when to take your sick baby to the doctor By Malia Jacobson
Does your little one have the sniffles, or something more serious? Now more than ever, you may be wondering when to take your fussy, under-the-weather baby to the doctor. Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies catch up to 10 colds per year, more if they have older siblings or attend daycare. Since each illness may result in two to three weeks of symptoms, a baby may be sick up to 140 days out of their first year of life. Because babies are still building critical immunesupporting antibodies, they lack protection against viruses and bacterial illnesses that circulate during cold and flu season. But not every sniffle or sneeze warrants a doctor visit—and going in for unneeded office visits may expose your baby to more harmful germs or spread them to others. When you’re considering a doctor visit for your baby, here’s how to know when to go.
Viral illnesses Viral illnesses like influenza (a.k.a. the flu) are more common during the winter and spring months but can happen at any time. “For viral infections, we treat symptoms, but because the illness is viral and not bacterial, antibiotics are not needed,” says Frida Pena, MD, a family medicine physician at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington.
RSV and Bronchiolitis: Respiratory syncytial virus (or RSV) is a common 16
Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
respiratory illness that can progress into a lung infection called bronchiolitis. RSV usually begins like a regular cold, with a stuffy or runny nose, mild cough, fever (temperature higher than 100.4), and decreased appetite. As the illness progresses, children may breathe rapidly or have trouble breathing, wheeze or make a whistling sound when breathing, or have a severe cough. When to go: Many children with RSV or bronchiolitis do not need to see a doctor. But parents should watch for some important symptoms, says Pena. Call your healthcare provider if: ■ You can see indentations between or below your baby’s
ribs when they breathe.
■ Your baby’s nostrils flare (get bigger) when they breathe. ■ Your baby younger than 3 months has a fever
(temperature greater than 100.4ºF or 38ºC). ■ Your baby older than 3 months has a fever (temperature greater than 100.4ºF or 38ºC) for more than 3 days ■ Your baby has fewer wet diapers than normal.
Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum): Erythema infectiosum, or fifth disease, is a common, contagious illness with mild symptoms that include fever, headache, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle aches that last for 2-5 days. After these symptoms fade, children may develop a lacy,
bright pink “slapped cheek” across the face, arms, and upper back along with joint pain.
The condition isn’t improving after several days or symptoms seem to be getting worse.
When to go: Most children feel better within a week and don’t require a doctor visit. See your pediatrician or healthcare provider in the following situations: If your baby has an immune or blood disorder and has symptoms of fifth disease. If your baby has symptoms for more than a month. If you develop fifth disease during pregnancy. Rarely, fifth disease can be dangerous for an unborn baby.
Croup:
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFM) is a common babyhood illness that causes painful sores to form in the mouth and on the hands, feet, buttocks and sometimes genitals. The condition is uncomfortable but usually short-lived—symptoms fade within a week or so. When to go: It’s best to keep kids with HFM at home to avoid spreading this highly contagious illness, says Pena. Call your pediatrician if: Your baby is drinking less that usual and hasn’t had a wet diaper for 4-6 hours.
Croup is a term for a group of infections that affect the trachea (main airway through which we breathe), causing a distinctive cough that sounds like a seal barking. Croup infections are most common between 6 months and 3 years of age and less common after age 6. When to go: In most children, croup goes away on its own. In some cases, croup warrants a doctor visit or even immediate medical attention in an emergency department. Call 911 if:
■ Your baby starts to turn blue or pale.
■ Your baby is breathing with extreme difficulty.
■ Your baby can’t speak or cry because he can’t get
enough air.
■ Your baby is very upset, very sleepy or doesn’t seem to
respond to you.
■ Call your baby’s pediatrician if:
■ Your baby’s cough won’t go away.
■ Your baby starts to drool or can’t swallow.
Your baby makes a noisy, high-pitched sound when breathing, even while just sitting or resting.
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You see indentations between or under your baby’s ribs when breathing. Your baby younger than 3 months has a fever (temperature greater than 100.4 F or 38 C). “All these diseases can be prevented by washing your hands and your baby’s hands often with soap and water, or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers for older children, staying away from adults and children who are sick, and making sure your baby gets all the recommended vaccines, including the flu shot,” says Pena. While you’re at it, get a flu shot yourself, too.
Bacterial infections
Many common babyhood illnesses, from strep throat to whooping cough, are caused by bacteria. “For bacterial infections, recommendations in terms of how to prevent them are the same as for viral infections,” says Pena. The main difference between these illnesses and viral infections: Bacterial illnesses require either oral or topical treatment, and an office visit is usually required.
Strep throat:
About 3 in 10 sore throats are strep throat, caused by streptococcal bacteria. Strep throat causes severe throat pain, fever, and swollen glands in the neck. Strep throat is less common in babies than in older children; babies with strep throat may be extra fussy or disinterested in eating. When to go: If you suspect strep throat, contact your baby’s healthcare provider, since this bacterial infection requires treatment. Additionally, contact your baby’s doctor if: ■ If your baby has a fever of at least 101 F or 38.5 C. ■ If your baby doesn’t want to eat or drink anything. ■ Call 911 if your baby has trouble breathing or swallowing, is drooling much more than usual or has a stiff of swollen neck.
Scarlet Fever:
The same bacteria that cause strep throat can also cause scarlet fever, a condition that causes a red rash. Children with scarlet fever usually have a sore throat along with a spotty, red, sandpaper-like rash on the head and neck that spreads to the body, arms and legs. Your baby’s tongue may appear bright red with white spots. When to go: Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics, so it’s important to call your baby’s healthcare provider if your baby has a sore throat accompanied by a rash. As with strep throat, seek medical attention if: ■ If your baby has a fever of at least 101 F or 38.5 C. ■ If your baby doesn’t want to eat or drink anything. ■ Call 911 if your baby has trouble breathing or 18
Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
swallowing, is drooling much more than usual or has a still or swollen neck.
Impetigo: When bacteria get into cuts and scrapes, a skin infection called impetigo can cause red, painful bumps on the skin, usually on the face, arms, or legs. These bumps go on to form blisters before scabbing over; scabs are often yellow, gold, or brown. When to go: Call your baby’s doctor if you suspect impetigo; the condition requires treatment with antibiotics to avoid spreading the illness to others. More reasons to call your baby’s doctor: ■ If sores continue to spread after beginning antibiotic treatment. ■ If sores don’t begin to improve 24 hours after beginning treatment.
Whooping Cough: Also called pertussis, whooping cough is an infection that causes a severe cough that can last for weeks and months. The distinctive “whoop” sound occurs when someone tries to breathe after a coughing attack, but not everyone with whooping cough will make the sound, says Pena. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and a cough that lingers and gets worse after other symptoms resolve. This illness is preventable through vaccination; children should get 5 doses of the whooping cough vaccine by age 6. When to go: Whooping cough requires treatment with antibiotics for the person with the illness as well as family members, even if they’re not sick. After your baby begins antibiotic treatment, watch for the following signs that may require another doctor visit: ■ Your baby develops a fever.
■ Your baby vomits repeatedly from coughing.
■ Your baby loses interest in eating or drinking.
■ Your baby appears dehydrated with fewer than 4-6 wet
diapers in 24 hours.
If you still have questions about when to go, pick up the phone. Caregivers should always call their baby’s healthcare provider any time they have questions or concerns about their baby’s health, says Pena. Here’s to a healthier first year with fewer sick days—for the entire family. Malia Jacobson is a health and family journalist, author of Ready, Set, Sleep: 50 Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep So You Can Sleep Too and host of the Sleep Well Stay Well podcast.
Feature
What to Do When Parenting Styles Clash By Christa Melnyk Hines
We all come to parenthood with a certain set of expectations and assumptions about raising kids. Naturally, we assume our partner will share our healthy outlook. That is, until we find ourselves butting heads in the midst of a heated child-rearing dilemma. How do we navigate a parenting style conflict without confusing our kids and harming our relationship with our partner? Discuss your upbringing with your partner. “In a perfect world, we would have these conversations when we are dating,” says adolescent and family therapist Melissa Perry, LPC. How we raise our kids is often dictated by how our parents raised us—or how we wish we’d been raised. As a couple, discuss each other’s childhoods. For example, what was your parents’ disciplinary style? How did they interact with you? Listen to understand and empathize with each other’s experiences. “Most people know that it doesn’t feel good to scream at their kids. Most people know it doesn’t feel good to hit them, but they do it because they say ‘I turned out okay,’” says Cati Winkel, a wellness coach, who works with individuals and families. “Once we start figuring out what that’s created in their lives, how they interact and how they have relationships with people, they start to recognize ‘oh, maybe things could have been a little bit different,’” Winkel says.
“It’s fine for parents to each have their own way of interacting with their children. As a matter of fact, it’s healthy because it teaches children to be more flexible and to adapt better in different environments,” says Colleen Huff, a certified parent educator. Discuss the ideal home environment you want to create, the types of family rules that are important to each of you, and zero in on common goals.
Parent as a team
Vastly different approaches to parenting can send mixed messages to your child. “Your child might start to identify one parent as the parent September 2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com 19
Even if you are divorced or separated, focus on presenting a united front when it comes to parenting.
Come up with a plan
Agree on age-appropriate rules and consequences in your home. For a toddler or preschooler, you might have two or three rules like no hitting or throwing toys, while a five-year-old might have up to five rules. “If kids know the expected behavior, then they’re free to do something else, which is going to be exploring and learning, playing and engaging and feeling self-confident versus feeling timid, inward and insecure,” Huff says. Establish reasonable consequences for unacceptable behavior, but be flexible. For example, you might use the corner for a timeout for your child, while your partner may prefer that your child sits in a time-out chair. By agreeing on a plan of action for common scenarios and remaining consistent with consequences, you can avoid reactive parenting.
Manage conflict
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Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
to avoid and the other parent as the parent to get what they want to out of them—or use parents against each other,” Perry says. “If your goal is to both love your child and both parent them, then you can probably come to some sort of compromise.” Suppose you want your child to do homework right away after school to free up the evening for other interests. Then, your partner comes home, dismisses this rule and lets your child play before homework.
A good way to address the situation might be for you to say: “I’ve noticed that Johnny struggles to complete his homework if he puts it off until later in the day. This structure in our afternoons seems to help. I could really use your support on this.” Then, give your partner an opportunity to respond without interrupting them. “Focus on the problem, not the person and focus on the actual issue at hand in the moment, not what the parent or child did or didn’t do in the last week or week before, ” Perry advises. Also, use reflective listening to validate what your partner says, which shows that you care about their perception or opinion. In reflective listening, you restate in a noncondescending way what you think you heard: “I think I’m hearing you say______. Is this what you mean?” “Oftentimes we misunderstand, and we base our next answer on an assumption of understanding,” Perry says. Is it okay to fight in front of your child? If you can remain calm, it’s healthy for kids to see their parents work out a conflict and come to a resolution. “If we teach children from a young age how to properly deal with conflict, that’s only going to set them up for success,” Winkel says. But, if you are too angry to discuss the situation immediately, give yourselves permission to cool off before working through the issue. “Agree to walk away, but have a set, specific time that you are going to come back and talk about it again,” Perry says. “A lot of times people fight, then they cool down, but they don’t ever come back and resolve what was said in the heat of the moment.” Without coming to resolutions for problems that come up in our relationships, resentment and disengagement from each other can set in, potentially harming your partnership. Need help strengthening your communication skills with your partner or ex to resolve parenting differences? Consult with a licensed family therapist for helpful support and strategies. Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published freelance writer. Her latest book is Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.
Types of Parenting Styles Authoritative ■ Provides structure to a child’s daily routine,
including regular bedtime ■ Establishes clear household rules and reasonable
consequences ■ Healthy, open line of communication between
parent and child Considered most effective and beneficial parenting style for the average child.
Neglectful ■ Doesn’t support child’s emotional and/or
physical needs ■ Unaware of what is happening in child’s life ■ Leaves child alone for long periods of time ■ Uninvolved with child’s life outside of home One of the most harmful parenting styles. Kids have trouble forming relationships with others.
Permissive ■ Loving and nurturing, but not demanding ■ Lenient to avoid confrontation with child ■ Lack structure, unclear rules, consequences ■ May bribe kids to do things with large rewards
Kids more likely to exhibit insecurity, poor social skills, self-centeredness, lack of motivation and disregard for authority.
Authoritarian ■ Demanding, strict and inflexible ■ Lack of healthy dialogue between parent and
child ■ Limits child’s ability to make decisions or
choices ■ Uses punishment instead of positive
reinforcement Kids may exhibit low self-esteem, associate obedience with love, struggle in social situations, and may rebel when outside of parental control. Source: Developmental Psychology, Vanderbilt University
September 2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com
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Feature
Socializing Kids During Social Distancing By Sarah Lyons
My kids love having playdates, seeing friends at their sports and activities, and going to school but during quarantine and while following social distancing guidelines, it’s been hard to maintain relationships with friends. Humans need social interaction but keeping our kids safe and healthy has to be our priority. How can parents help kids maintain friendships during social distancing while still keeping them safe from the spread of Coronavirus?
Take advantage of technology If we were quarantined ten, or even five years ago, we would not have the advantages we do now with technology. Kids are able to participate in school, dance and music lessons, library programs, clubs and socialize online. We have video calls such as FaceTime and Skype to have face-to-face conversations with friends and loved ones from afar. We are able to livestream an unlimited number of resources, classes, and programs with the click of a button. Depending on your child’s age, they may need assistance, and all kids will need supervision while using these platforms, but they are a great tool for kids to stay entertained and socialized without leaving the house.
Host a social distanced play date While not every age group can have a playdate without the risk of being closer than six feet apart, typically upper elementary school kids and older can follow the recommended guidelines. Consider allowing your child to have a hangout with one or two other children where they can play or chat while keeping a safe distance. If weather allows, host the gathering outdoors where there is fresh air. 22
Our Kids Magazine | September 2020
If this isn’t possible, consider asking everyone to wear a mask to limit exposure.
Exercise with a friend Find friends that have similar interests and set up a time to get together and exercise. Ride bikes, go for a walk or jog, play catch, meet at the park, or go hiking. Generally these activities would be safe because they are outdoors and can be done at a safe distance while still giving kids time to socialize.
Celebrate milestones Birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other special occasions still come and go whether we are in quarantine or not. Show a friend you care by planning a birthday parade, putting a sign in their yard, delivering balloons, or dropping off a gift. Traditional celebrations may not be possible right now but that doesn’t mean you can’t show you care.
Create a club Is your child into gaming? Reading? Chess? Encourage them to start a club and host it in a video conference call such as Zoom or Facebook Messenger. This is a great way to get together without exposing yourself or your kids to germs. We are in an unique situation and parents can’t rely on past experience to help them determine how to handle our current circumstances. Parents are having to get creative, use technology, and come up with unique ways to help their kids stay healthy and connected. Sarah Lyons and her six kids live in the Midwest. Social distancing has been a big change to their norm, but they are enjoying the extra family bonding time.
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Joaquin 9 months | Ryleigh 9 | Haley 9, Alyssa 11, Brianna 7, Noah 4, Addison 1 | Zeus Garza 3 Zachary 7 | Dylynn 6, Zoey 11, D’lila 5, Danni 8 | Aleena 6 Zabella 4 | Azlin 8 | Mythhra 8 | Aeris 9
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