AUGUST 11, 2022 • ARTS & LIFESTYLES • PAGE B13 PARENT CONNECTION PARENT CONNECTION IS A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWS MEDIA
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P arents introduce their children to all types of new hobbies and skills. There are plenty of opportunities to open kids’ eyes to the world around them. One of the more useful lessons parents can teach their children is how to cook. Knowing how to cook is a vital skill that can help children become more independent and ensure they know how to survive later in life on their own. So many young adults go off to college without the ability to do more than power up a microwave or boil noodles. Ordering takeout all the time is expensive, and frozen dinners often lack the nutrition of homemade dishes. Learning how to cook a variety of foods at an early age can lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating and fun in the kitchen. Parents can encourage children who show early inclinations in the kitchen, but also help reluctant learners to develop some basic cooking skills. Here are some ways to make cooking something kids can look forward to. Involve children in meal planning. Get input from your children about what they might like to see on the menu. While there may be some items that are expected, including comfort foods like mac-andcheese, parents may be surprised at how mature their children’s palates can be. Maybe they’ve heard about a dish on television or learned about a specific ethnic cuisine at school and want to give it a try. Ask for help in the kitchen. Tailor cooking activities to youngsters’ ages. Little ones can begin by adding and stirring ingredients. As they get older, children can segue into chopping or even mixing foods on the stove. Many kids like being taste testers and offering advice on whether a food needs more spices. By middle school, many kids have the wherewithal to plan meals themselves and cook them from start to finish. Begin with simple recipes. An initial foray into family cooking should involve a recipe that's easy to prepare and perhaps doesn't require too many ingredients. Build on each success after that, growing bolder with each subsequent recipe. Eliminate as many distractions as possible. The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but it can be dangerous to be around knives and other cooking utensils and instruments. Distractions like televisions or phones can draw attention away and potentially lead to injuries from pots boiling over or children getting too close to hot flames.
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. How-to cooking shows and competitions appear on both cable and network television. Kids may enjoy watching Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman challenge young bakers on Kids Baking Championship, Gordon Ramsay mentor young chefs on MasterChef Junior, the kid's-themed Cake Wars or three-course competitions on Top Chef Junior
. Cooking shows can introduce kids to food-related terminology and get them heated up about cooking their own meals. Be adventurous. Introduce kids to various flavors by not only cooking various dishes at home, but by dining out at different restaurants. This can encourage kids to appreciate different cultures and cuisines. Learning to cook is a vital skill. Lessons can begin early in childhood and become more extensive as children age.✴
Watch cooking shows together
Six tips to get your kids interested in cooking
Back to school checklist
T he end of summer can be a bittersweet time for students. While many students look forward to seeing their friends, few want to say goodbye to the relaxing days of summer. Parents know that getting their children back in the school day swing of things can be a challenge. The following are some ways to make that transition go smoothly. Introduce more structure as summer vacation winds down. In the weeks before the school year is slated to begin, start waking kids up a little earlier and reintroducing bedtimes for younger children who may have been staying up later over the last couple of months. This can be an effective way to begin slowly preparing youngsters for the structure of the school year. Encourage children to read throughout the summer. A report from the education publishing company Scholastic found that 47 percent of parents are unaware of the “summer slide,” which refers to the loss of academic skills that occurs when school is not in session. Scholastic notes that the slide is largely attributed to a lack of reading when school is not in session. By encouraging kids to read during their summer vacations, parents can make sure youngsters’ brains stay sharp and are ready to learn once the school year begins. Schedule a back-to-school physical. There are plenty of reasons to schedule a back-toschool physical. Whether your little one plans to play sports, or you’re simply looking to track your child’s growth and development, you’ll want to schedule an annual physical. Getting it out of the way before the school year will help you and your child focus on other aspects of their learning, and ensure that they’re physically ready to take on another year with new classmates. Trip to the optometrist. Did you know a nearsighted student performs up to twice as well in school if they wear glasses regularly? That means students who don’t wear glasses— or don’t even know they need glasses—are more likely to struggle in the classroom. From computer screens (which are more important than ever with virtual learning) to the chalkboard, the ways students learn require them to maintain healthy vision. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule your child’s annual eye exam before the start of the school year. Immunizations and screenings. Sometimes your children can’t go back to school before they receive required immunizations. This is particularly an issue if the school in question is a college or university. If your child’s school hasn’t communicated any requirements, or you’re simply unsure about recommended immunizations or vaccines for back to school, the CDC (www.cdc.gov) has helpful guidelines available to you. Let kids do some of their own back-toschool shopping. The items that constitute back to school supplies may have changed since parents were in school but there are some items that every student needs, regardless of age, including #2 pencils, pens, zippered pencil case, erasers, sharpeners, glue sticks, rulers, index cards, scissors, markers, crayons, notebooks, folders, hand sanitizer and a backpack. Take the kids on a shopping excursions and let them choose their own supplies and clothing to make them excited to go back to school. Focus on the positive. Even kids who love school may be apprehensive about returning to the classroom. After all, summer vacation is fun. Parents can confront that apprehension by focusing on the positives of returning to school. Emphasize the chance to see friends every day or participate in a beloved extracurricular activity, like sports, band or a favorite academic club. With just a little pre-planning in August, you can be ready to kick off a successful new school year.✴
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Give Kids A Smile Day Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine is hosting Give Kids a Smile Day at its Dental Care Center, South Drive, Stony Brook on Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Children ages 1–17 will receive a FREE dental screening, cleaning, fluoride treatment, and sealants (as needed) in support of their mission to ensure that all school-aged children have access to good oral health. Each child will be provided with an oral health goody bag, string backpack, and a “Summary of Exam” form that will document the treatment rendered and recommendations for further treatment, if necessary. Appointment registration is required, and a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child on the day of the event. To schedule an appointment, call 631-632-8967 between the hour of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Crafting is important for child development
A 2018 report from the AAP noted that children who use their hands are strengthening areas in the brain that are associated with spatial and mathematical learning. This is an important benefit of crafting and one that the AAP report notes is not gained by kids who forgo physical activities like crafting for play that relies on interactive media. The benefits of crafting associated with spatial and mathematical learning could help younger children once they begin their academic careers. Crafting is a fun activity for kids and it’s also one that benefits their development in some surprising ways.✴
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Creativity
K ids have boundless energy. Parents of young children can look to various activities to harness that energy, and crafting is one endeavor that makes use of kids’ enthusiasm and creativity. Craft projects are more than just a means to getting energetic youngsters to sit down and focus their attention. Crafting pays various dividends for youngsters, some of which may surprise parents. Hand-eye coordination Crafting helps children develop handeye coordination. The Illinois-based North Shore Pediatric Therapy notes that crafts that involve drawing shapes, cutting patterns and writing require youngsters to use their fine motor coordination. Coloring, drawing and cutting also require children to use their hands together, helping to develop and strengthen their hand-eye coordination. That development can help kids perform a host of additional tasks, including tying shoes, buttoning coats and eating independently.
Crafting presents a great opportunity for kids to explore their creativity. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urges parents to prioritize creative, unplugged playtime for infants and toddlers, and that can include time devoted to craft projects. Craft projects can include more complicated undertakings in which kids follow directions, or they can simply allow kids to create something from their own imaginations. Each type of project involves creating something new and encourages kids to develop their creative skills. Patience Parents know that patience is not necessarily a virtue of young children. Craft projects, particularly those that require cutting and gluing, do not provide instant gratification because they require multiple steps and time to dry before they’re completed. North Shore Pediatric Therapy notes that such projects teach kids selfregulation because they require youngsters to exhibit self-control and patience until the project can be considered finished. In the classroom
PAGE B18 • ARTS & LIFESTYLES • AUGUST 11, 2022 (3456)©94710 631–928–FILM 1068 Rte 112 (1/2 mile south of Rte 347) www.mypjcinemas.com It’s Back to Movies!the Book your child’s next Birthday Party with us! Ask about our Special Packages CHILDREN’S ADMISSION $6.50pp (12 & under) Top baby names so far for 2022 Olivia and Liam are once again the most common baby names in the United States while Theodore joins the top 10 baby names list for the first time. The rankings are based on recent data on birth from the Social Security Administration. Boy names: 1. Liam 2. Noah 3. Oliver 4. Elijah 5. James 6. William 7. Benjamin 8. Lucas 9. Henry 10. Theodore 11. Jack 12. Levi 13. Alexander 14. Jackson 15. Mateo 16. Daniel 17. Michael 18. Mason 19. Sebastian 20. Ethan 21. Logan 22. Owen 23. Samuel 24. Jacob 25. Asher 26. Aiden 27. John 28. Joseph 29. Wyatt 30. David Girl names: 1. Olivia 2. Emma 3. Charlotte 4. Amelia 5. Ava 6. Sophia 7. Isabella 8. Mia 9. Evelyn 10. Harper 11. Luna 12. Camila 13. Gianna 14. Elizabeth 15. Eleanor 16. Ella 17. Abigail 18. Sofia 19. Avery 20. Scarlett 21. Emily 22. Aria 23. Penelope 24. Chloe 25. Layla 26. Mila 27. Nora 28. Hazel 29. Madison 30. Ellie C hildhood obesity poses a serious threat to the long-term health of kids across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, 39 million children under the age of five were overweight or obese in 2020. That means that tens of millions of kids across the globe are facing a serious and potentially chronic health problem before they even beginThekindergarten.datapertaining to childhood obesity is undoubtedly alarming, but the good news is that obesity is preventable. Parents can provide nutritious foods for children and help them establish healthy eating habits at an early age, which could lay the foundation for a lifelong commitment to eating right. One of the issues parents may encounter when planning kids’ diets is foods that seem healthy but are actually hidden sources of sugar. That’s a big problem, as Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that excess sugar consumption is associated with an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Sugar consumption has long been linked to obesity, which is one reason why the WHO recommends that individuals get less than 10 percent of their daily calories from sugar. On the surface, it may seem simple for parents to heed that warning from the WHO. However, various foods and beverages, including ones kids typically love, are hidden sources of sugar. Identifying those foods and avoiding them or choosing versions that are not high in sugar can help kids maintain healthy weights.
Help your child establish healthy eating habits at an early age.
Hidden sugars in your child's diet
BEVERAGES: Sugar-laden beverages like sodas, canned or bottled tea, certain fruit juices and even some flavored waters increase kids’ risk of being overweight or obese. Acidity from sweetened drinks can erode tooth enamel and their high sugar content can cause dental cavities. Encourage youngsters to drink more water and only serve sugary beverages on special occasions.
Salad dressing: Many salad dressings can take fresh lettuce and vegetables and turn it into a sugary meal or side! Sweet dressings like honey mustard, French, Italian, and raspberry vinaigrette can have around 7 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoons of dressing. One potential swap is to make your own dressing of oil and vinegar; this helps you stay in control of the ingredients and ensures it is low in sugar!
PACKAGED FRUITS: Here’s another food that appears healthy on the surface but could be anything but. WebMD notes that a one-cup serving of mandarin oranges in light syrup contains right around 39 grams of sugar. The same goes for apple sauce and dried fruit like raisins. Offer fresh fruit in lieu of packaged fruits. SAUCES: Many kids look forward to nights when pasta is the main course at the dinner table. But even parents who serve whole grain pastas could be unknowingly serving up a sizable amount of sugar if they aren’t careful about which sauce they buy at the store. Some pasta sauces contain as much as 12 grams of sugar per half-cup serving. Tomato soup is even higher with 20 grams of sugar. Barbecue sauces and ketchup also tend to be high in sugar, which underscores the importance of reading labels before serving up saucy meals.
CEREALS: Parents may fondly recall overindulging in cereals with popular cartoon mascots on the box as kids. No matter how much nostalgia such memories may generate, parents must resist the temptation to recreate them for their own children. That’s because many popular cereals marketed to children are loaded with sugar. However, even seemingly healthy cereals could be loaded with sugar. Read nutrition labels before buying cereal for kids and choose cereals with 10 to 12 grams or less of sugar per serving. The same goes for fruit-filled breakfast bars and granola bars.
YOGURT: While many consider yogurt to be a healthier snack, it can actually contain the same amount of sugar as a Snickers bar does if you don’t check the nutrition label. Since milk already has naturally occurring sugar, when flavors get added to the yogurt the sugar content can sky-rocket. As an alternative, try purchasing plain yogurt and adding in green light fruits, like berries, to add extra sweetness and flavor. Other foods that contain a lot of sugar include instant oatmeal, bread, canned vegetables, flavored popcorn and peanut butter. Childhood obesity is preventable, especially when parents learn to identify hidden sources of sugar that could be putting kids’ healthy in jeopardy.✴
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AUGUST 11, 2022 • ARTS & LIFESTYLES • PAGE B19 BY DR. RICHARD CARMONA T he Covid-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for our country.
Exercise
The disease has taken more than a mil lion lives in the United States, and adversely affected tens of millions more. The U.S. is now facing a mental health crisis on top of and in part because of the health emergency these last twoBetweenyears. lockdowns, restrictions and virtual schooling and work, we have lacked the human interaction and physical activity that helped keep us mentally and emotionally healthy. These situations have also led to harmful routines and bad habits for many of us, most acutely among kids and adolescents. There is a real need for government institutions, non-profit organizations, and companies to step up and provide mental health services — especially for our nation’s young people. Nearly half of Gen Z (46%) said that their mental health was worse than before the pandemic, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. And this summer, kids will be left to their own devices to find ways to occupy themselves and their minds. Those struggling with emotional challenges already may find the summertime detachment more than they can handle. It’s important that parents and community leaders identify and support activities to keep young people engaged and active once school is out. Civic summer recreation programs, community pools, and camps can provide important and inclusive outlets for kids and teenagers. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline will launch its nationwide 3-digit hotline – 988 – so that anyone can quickly get in touch with a mental health professional whenever they need may it. In response, several fitness centers are opening its doors for teens to use their facilities free of cost this summer. Planet Fitness is letting high school teenagers ages 14-18 work out for free at any location now through Aug. 31 as part of the gym’s High School Summer Pass. Empowering physical activity and health is paramount in fighting the mental health challenges our youngest generations now face. Nearly all teens, 92%, agree that regular physical activity helps them feel better Lockdownsmentally.and restrictions during the pandemic effectively hamstrung parents and children for nearly two years. Classrooms and offices went virtual, and the majority of the day was spent behind screens. While adults had to manage the same circumstances as their children, their situations allowed for far more freedom. Adolescents, on the other hand, reported that their usual health and fitness routines were disrupted as a result of the last two years. Combine that with the findings from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in which only 15% of middle and high school aged children reported having met the recommended hour of physical activity a day, and it is quite clear that the pandemic has exacerbated an adolescent health crisis. The CDC found that the rate of body mass index (BMI) increase doubled during the pandemic, compared to pre-pandemic levels, in kids ages 2 to 19. Exercise and a strong immune system can significantly lower the risks of comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes that contribute to long term health consequences.Asthepandemic seems to near its end, the physical and mental health challenges of the last two years cannot be forgotten. We must commit to strengthening our youths’ physical and mental health — and only by working together can we move forward toward a healthier America.✴ Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., was the 17th surgeon general of the United States. can improve teens' mental health
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