Parent Source
Serving DeKalb County
Proactive Parent Checklist Building Resiliency in Teens Kids and Screens:
Not all screen time is created equal 1 | Parent Source | Spring 2018
Fall Resource Guide for Parents
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INSIDE 4
The proactive parent’s checklist for back-to-school success
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EdUcate: offers one-on-one
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Dogs can catch the flu? What dog
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Family doctors remind people that
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Building Resiliency in Children
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Kids and Screens: Not all screen
tutoring to help students succeed
parents need to know
#MentalHealthMatters
and Teens
time is created equal
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The proactive parent’s checklist
for back-to-school success (BPT) - A new school year is quickly approaching, and while you probably have supply lists and bus schedules in hand, there are a few other things parents should tackle to get a head start on the back-to-school season. Prepare kids for the best school year yet by handling these important tasks that sometimes are overlooked during the hectic summer.
Before the school year starts, begin building a routine so children can adjust properly. This means structuring activities so kids know what to expect, including healthy meals at the same time each day and a regular bedtime. Getting enough sleep is critical to students’ well-being and ability to learn, says Dr. Suresh Kotagal, pediatric sleep expert at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center. He suggests establishing a bedtime routine before school starts to help children fall asleep and get a good night’s rest. He adds that children rest better if they skip caffeine after dinner, get regular exercise, turn off electronic devices an hour before bedtime, and silence phones so text messages or alerts don’t disrupt sleep.
VACCINATIONS
Dr. Robert Jacobson, Mayo Clinic Children’s Center pediatrician and vaccine specialist, advises parents to ensure their child has recommended vaccinations and to be aware of changes to those recommendations. He suggests parents contact their family physician or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s online registry to stay informed of the recommended school admission vaccine requirements for their child. For example, children can now be vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV), at age 11, rather than having to wait until they are 16 years of age. What’s more, some vaccines are now
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more easily administered. Jacobson says, “We’ve combined the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine with the chickenpox vaccine so a single dose will cover all four of those diseases.”
MEDICAL RECORDS
If your child is starting a new school or after-school program, you may be required to supply medical records or vaccination forms. Doctor’s offices should be able to supply this to you at no charge simply by calling or stopping by and filling out a request, just make sure to allow a week or more for processing. By reviewing this record you can also verify if your child is up-to-date on vaccinations and wellness visits. “It’s very easy to fall behind and a simple phone call to your primary care practitioner will assure you that your children are up-to-date or whether you need to make an appointment,” says Jacobson.
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ANXIETY
Heading back to school is exciting and a little nerve-wracking. For some children, it can fuel anxiety, which parents can help get ahead of by taking proactive measures. “Some kids are more anxious than others, and transitions like going back to school can be more difficult for them,” says Dr. Stephen Whiteside, psychiatrist with the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center. “Talking to them and preparing them ahead of time by doing things such as visiting the schools and meeting teachers can be beneficial.”
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One reason a child may have anxiety about heading back to school is he or she experienced bullying previously. Mayo Clinic Children’s Center psychologist Dr. Bridget Biggs says bullying comes in many forms: physical, verbal, emotional, social and online. Biggs says creating a culture of respect in and out of the classroom is key to bullying prevention. Before school starts, ask your child about their concerns. Learn about what happened and discuss how to respond if it happens again in the new school year (for example, walk away or get help from a trusted adult or peer). Build up your child’s selfesteem so they have confidence to handle difficult situations. Finally, reach out to teachers to build a team mentality. By taking a few proactive steps now, both parents and children can be well prepared for the start of a great new school year. For more tips on back-to-school and pediatric health, visit us at mayoclinic.org.
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EdUcate offers one-on-one tutoring to help students succeed By Aimee Barrows Panthea Spyratos knows that every child learns best at his or her own pace, so she brings individualized lessons to all of her clients when meeting with them at EdUcate, the educational center in Sycamore she opened in June 2017. EdUcate offers one hour after-school sessions for students in kindergarten through high school during the school year, and flexible scheduling during the summer. EdUcate also offers group sessions and a variety of specialized classes. Spyratos, a former fifth-grade teacher, and her staff of certified teachers bring tailored instruction that addresses the specific needs of each child, whether it be math, reading, study skills or test preparation. EdUcate doesn’t follow a set schedule or program, which allows each student to progress at his or her own pace. “The most important thing to me is being accommodating to my clients. I knew from my [teaching] experience that purchasing a curriculum or specific program was not the best option for my clients,” she explains. “It’s about the consistency and quality of tutoring. I’m big on only hiring certified teachers
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because you can be amazing at math, but if you don’t know how to explain it to a child, then you’re not a teacher.” While a majority of the skills honed at EdUcate are in math and reading, the center also helps children complete their homework or school project, organize class notes and study for exams. She stresses that tutoring isn’t just for students who are having trouble in school. She says that many of her clients are good students who want to improve their performance in school or on standardized tests. “I think there are a lot of misconceptions about what a tutor is,” she says. “It’s not just for struggling students. Every student can benefit. At any age they can benefit from learning how to study for a test, or having something explained in a different way.”
Parent Source Serving DeKalb County
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EdUcate is located at 141 E. Elm St., Sycamore. For more information or to schedule a session, visit www.educateinc. org or email info@educateinc.org.
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Spyratos, a Sycamore resident, graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2014 with a degree in education and taught fifth grade at Lake in the Hills District 158 for three years before opening EdUcate. She says that while she enjoyed teaching, she felt like she could better use her talents by working with students one-on-one. “I love working with kids and I love helping them work through struggles,” she explains. “At EdUcate, we help kids in any way they need help. It could be math or reading, but we also work with kids who just want to get better at something. I love that I get to work with a bunch of different kids every day.”
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Next Edition - April 2019 Parent Source | FALL 2018 | 7
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Dogs can catch the
FLU?
WHAT DOG PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
Dog flu is a year-round illness that can easily spread from dog to dog, but isn’t contagious to humans. Spring is a great time for pet parents to talk to their veterinarians about vaccinating their dogs against dog flu, either for the first time or for revaccination, because warmer weather means more time spent outside socializing with other dogs - and more social time can increase a dog’s chance of getting sick. “Dog flu is highly contagious and we’ve seen thousands of cases being reported over the last year,” says Kathryn Primm, DVM, co-author of the Pet Parent’s Guide to Infectious Disease of Dogs. “The good news is that it’s also vaccine preventable. Dogs can be protected against both strains of dog flu with a single vaccine.” To help pet parents across the country, here are answers to some common questions pet parents have about dog flu. What exactly is dog flu? There are two strains of the canine influenza virus - H3N2 and H3N8. H3N2 is relatively new and is responsible for most of the recent cases. Common symptoms of dog flu include high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, cough, runny nose and, in some cases, pneumonia - which can be life-threatening. How do dogs get dog flu? Dog flu is highly contagious and can pass between dogs through virus particles in the air, physical contact with other dogs, indirect contact with an infected dog or contact with a person who has interacted with an infected dog. Since dogs have no natural immunity against dog flu, almost all unvaccinated dogs that come in contact with the virus will become sick. Are certain groups of dogs more susceptible to dog flu? Pups that travel with their families or are frequently in contact with other dogs at places like dog parks, doggie daycare, grooming facilities and boarding kennels are at increased risk and should be vaccinated against both strains of dog flu. Why should I get my dog vaccinated now? Dog flu is not seasonal, it is year-round; but because dogs tend to be more social in the spring in many parts of the country, they are more likely to encounter a contagious dog. Plus, with summer approaching, dogs that will be boarded should finish the dog flu vaccination at least two weeks before the planned date of boarding. Dogs vaccinated for the first time need two vaccinations, two to four weeks apart. Annual revaccination just requires one vaccination. Can dogs transmit the flu to humans? No. To date, there is no evidence that humans can catch canine influenza virus from dogs.
Did you know that humans are not the only ones who can catch the flu? Unfortunately for man’s best friend, dogs are also susceptible to their own version of it.
Can I vaccinate my dog against both strains? According to the American Animal Hospital Association, dogs at risk, such as those that are boarded at kennels, attend doggie day care or visit dog parks, should be vaccinated against both strains of dog flu, available in a single vaccine. Dogs should be vaccinated on an annual basis to prevent illness or decrease the severity of symptoms if they do become sick. To find a vet that carries the dog flu vaccination, you can visit dogflu.com and search by your zip code. How long has this vaccine been available? Bivalent vaccines, which are vaccines that contain both strains of dog flu, were introduced to the market in 2016 and 2017. Millions of dogs have been vaccinated against dog flu. Spring weather is exciting for both pet parents and their dogs - it means it’s time to get outside and play. Avoid the risk of dog flu by talking to a veterinarian about vaccination and visiting dogflu.com to find a veterinarian and schedule an appointment for a dog flu vaccination for your pet. (BPT)
Parent Source | FALL 2018 | 9
FAMILY DOCTORS
remind people that #MentalHealthMatters (BPT) - Mental health and emotional wellness affect every aspect of a person’s life, from work to family to leisure. One in five adults lives with mental illness, which can range from mild to severe. Many times, before mental illness is diagnosed, it can trigger physical symptoms. Take, for example, 26-year-old Michael who suffered a construction work injury that started him on a vicious cycle of pain and feeling helpless. After being treated for the pain, he noticed red, flaky sores on his skin. His family doctor diagnosed him with depression-related psoriasis and together they worked out a treatment plan. Then there’s Jennifer, a 35-year-old hair stylist, who showed the textbook signs of a heart attack: She couldn’t catch her breath, was sweating, and had a rapid heartbeat and nausea. After multiple tests in the ER costing thousands of dollars, she was diagnosed with acute anxiety. Her prescription? See her family doctor and determine the right course of treatment for her situation - both physical and emotional. This mind/body connection is very real, complicated and many times, not well understood. That’s one reason why it’s important to have a family doctor who knows the patient and their family in the context of their community. Family doctors are on the front lines of diagnosing and treating mental health concerns. In fact, primary care physicians provide the majority of U.S. mental health services. Mental Health Awareness Month is the perfect time for people to consider the state of their mental health and that of their loved ones and friends. Family doctors from all over the U.S. and the American Academy of Family Physicians are calling on people to do just that.
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Join the movement. Go to familydoctor.org to learn: * When and how to talk to your family doctor about mental health * What your doctor can do for you * How to prepare for an appointment and questions to ask your doctor
Download a guide to help start the conversation, including taking note of * Physical, emotional or behavioral symptoms
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* Any recent life changes * Medications you are taking Help start the conversation on talking to your family doctor about mental health and wellbeing online. Tell others about the resources on your social media channels using the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Your family doctor is a good place to start.
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E I L I S E R G N I D L BUI LDREN AND IN CHI
PC Fran Tierney, MA, LC ractice Therapist in Private P
AS ADULTS, WE ALL KNOW THAT LIFE ISN’T EASY,
but as we go through life experiences, we become stronger and in essence, more resilient. As a child or a teen, in the midst of facing potential disappointments or challenges, however, that is a tough idea which often feels as though it’s just a theory. According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is defined as “...the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress - such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors.” It means bouncing back from a difficult experience. Why is resilience important? Resilience is important for a number of reasons, primarily it helps us to maintain balance in our lives during
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LIENCY
ND TEENS
difficult or stressful times, and ultimately helps protect us from the development of certain long-term mental health issues. Part of our job as parents or adults involved with kids, is that we assist them in developing their pattern to cope with stress and adversity. As a new school year is underway, we will find that there will be occasions and situations that resiliency will become helpful and necessary. For example, in elementary school, kids begin to be impacted by exposure to social cliques which may also include teasing; In middle school adolescents must learn to navigate the social disappointments while managing more challenging course work; In high school, teens are facing the demands or pressure socially, academically, and are becoming more aware of future decisions as well as the world at large. We know several things about the development of resiliency in children. First and foremost, we know that relationships play a crucial role, which starts very young, when kids are heavily influenced by their parents. Qualities of warmth and affection, balanced with structure and support are ideal in fostering the development of protective factors which promote resilience over time. The following are tips for assisting your child or teen in building resilience:
1. 2. 3.
4.
5.
Foster healthy connections by encouraging and teaching your child to make friends, display empathy, and socially connect with others outside of your family system. Encourage your children to step outside of themselves, and to help others. Encourage a daily routine and daily structure giving your kids tasks to accomplish. This promotes accountability which is necessary in the development of resilience. Teach ways to “unhook”- or take a break. Though structure is important, in the balance of life, it is also key to have opportunity for unstructured time, or down time. Getting comfortable with this balance often leads to increased self-motivation, which is needed in resiliency development. Encourage self-care. We all hear this buzz phrase, but the importance of this is highly validated. As parents, set an example of what healthy self-care looks like- including good nutrition, exercise, & relaxation. Healthy self-care allows our kids to learn to be in tune and balanced with themselves and their needs. Teach the importance of setting realistic yet challenging goals. Taking steps to reach goals and then provide support to them in this process fosters the development of resilience in times of challenge. Goals in essence are personal challenges.
6.
7. 8.
9. 10.
Encourage a positive view of self and abilities. Remind your children that they are capable of handling difficulties. Discuss that past challenges prepare them for future challenges. Not everything will work out the first time, so learning to accept this, while persevering is key in problem solving and trusting themselves to be able to accomplish future challenges. Don’t underestimate the power of humor. We don’t want our kids to take themselves overly seriously, but rather appropriately be able to make light and laugh about certain situations. Help your kids learn to take perspective and maintain hope in the face of difficult events. Learning to view the bigger picture is a skill that has to be practiced and allows our kids to know that in the future, things can be good, even if in the moment, its not so good. Life moves on after tough events. Remind your children that in the hardest times, they tend to learn the most about themselves. Defeat can be opportunity to grow. Work diligently to embrace change. Change is a part of life, and for kids and teens, change allows healthy development and appreciation for new opportunities.
11.
Openly talk to your child by trying to understand their experience, while providing them with encouragement and expressing your belief in them. Like any life skill that is worth developing, resilience takes practice. As you continue on your journey and assist your children with their journey, make it a point to increase your efforts to view a difficulty as a new challenge; commit to living your best life and work towards your goals; and focus on what you can change or do, rather than what you can’t. Your children/teens will learn greatly from watching you respond to life challenges and opportunity.
Fran Tierney is a licensed clinical professional counselor in private practice with over 20 years of professional experience. She is also the mother of 3 teenage boys. Ms. Tierney encourages resiliency in her clients and also in her own children. If you would like to set up an appointment, you can call her office at the Associates in Counseling at 815.899.0501. You can also view her website for more information: www.frantierneylcpc.net
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KIDS
AND
SCREENS: Not all screen time is created equal
(BPT) - Screen time. You’ve heard the phrase before, and if you’re a parent, you’ve probably agonized over creating a screen time policy for your family. You understandably want a policy that reflects your family values, and you also want to consider your child’s wants, needs and expectations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a go-to resource for parents on screen time guidelines, has determined that not all screen time is created equal. New research is changing the way parents look at screen time, and challenging parents to examine the quality of the time spent in front of devices. Quality is especially important when your children are seeking screen-based entertainment - games, shows, social media - and this is where family policies get tricky. How much online entertainment is too much? Can there be too little? The team at Star Stable Online - makers of the world’s most popular online, horse adventure game - recommends parents get involved with their children’s online activity, monitor their online behavior, explore their favorite games, shows and activities, and create a family screen policy that is more than just “hours or minutes.” The conversation around screen time is less about time and more about active digital engagement. If you do not recognize all the activities they’re enjoying online, this is a great opportunity to ask questions and create a dialogue about their digital habits. To help you determine whether your child is enjoying quality screen time, the team at Star Stable Online recommends these questions to get the conversation started: DO YOU INTERACT WITH OTHER KIDS ONLINE? This question helps you determine if the child is building social skills in a safe, online environment. Parents must determine if the game or online activity promotes positive social and collaborative play. Star Stable believes collaborative play, along with a safe environment, is more beneficial and inspires kids to become content creators, not just passive media consumers. DO YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS IN THE GAME? This question helps you determine how the child interacts with the game and what he/she learns from playing. Determine if your child faces challenges in an environment that is constantly changing and expanding, forcing them to adapt. Find out if they need to use
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their best reasoning skills to complete challenges independently or as a team. Star Stable believes that unique challenges that force kids to think outside the box are preferable to games that serve up constant repetition. WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE AND HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SUCCEED? This line of questioning helps you determine if the game is building your child’s personal character. Does the game include storylines and activities that promote responsibility and respect for others? If your child interacts with other players, ask how that makes him/her feel (happy, motivated, helpful or strong). HAVE YOU LEARNED NEW VOCABULARY WHILE PLAYING THE GAME? This question helps you determine if reading is a big part of the game or if it’s all visuals. Reading is a fundamental life skill and any screen time your child is involved in should provide an element of age-appropriate reading. This will push your child to expand their vocabulary and even help to grow a lifelong love of reading. HAVE YOU LEARNED ANYTHING ABOUT MONEY MANAGEMENT? While this seems like an odd question, screen time solutions should do more than simply provide children a way to spend money, they should teach kids how to manage money or currency. It’s not a “must” for all screen time choices, but games or activities that provide a weekly allowance certainly help reinforce money management skills (spend, save and budget).
FINDING THE RIGHT SCREEN TIME SOLUTION FOR YOUR CHILD The screen time debate is no longer a matter of hours or minutes, but how your kids are investing time interacting with a screen. Ultimately, it’s a balancing act of time and quality that will help your child build a positive digital footprint and smart screen time habits that can serve them their entire life.
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