Parenting
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Children
Signs Your Children are Addicted to Their Screens
And ways to break the habit
With schooling, gaming and social interactions largely depending on the digital world during the pandemic, it’s easy for children and parents to overdo it. But how much is too much?

According to market and consumer website Statista, as early as June 2020, the number of children from birth to 17 years old who used electronic devices more than 4 hours a day more than doubled (from 21 percent to 44 percent). The biggest jump came in children from 5-10 years old, who increased from 17 percent to 44 percent. For children 5 and under, the World Health Organization released a guide for screen time (spoiler alert, it’s less than an hour!).
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Building Spirituality in our Children
Spiritual children are shown to have self-worth, resilience
Your child has likely asked, “Why is it important to share, be good, or kind.” For parents who are religious, the answer might be easy: that is how their religion or how God tells them to behave. But for those who are not religious, the answer might be less obvious. One answer can come from spirituality. 
Book of the Month: The Whole Wide World and Me
Written and illustrated by Toni Yuly
With all the bad that COVID-19 brought to the past 12 months, Mother Nature used the time to reenergize herself. Cities that suffered through smog and smoke for decades enjoyed clear skies, car and airplane emissions went way down for months, and even the dirty waters of Venice cleared up enough to see jellyfish swimming through them. Hopefully, mankind can build upon that break and start to care for the planet as it deserves. In The While Wide World and Me, a young girl likens herself to the world around her and connects to nature with unbounded joy. “I am a small part of it all,” she muses.
The Children's Trust
Summer Youth Internship Program Back in Full Force This Year
Students can get real-world job experience through paid internships
Parents often have a hard time keeping their kids busy, and out of trouble, during the summer months. Just keeping their kids engaged can be hard enough, but finding something productive for them to do can feel like hoping for a miracle. Having them get real-world experience for future jobs is not possible, is it? How about getting paid to do just that!
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READy, SET, GO Miami Set to Launch for Early Learning Push
Early literacy, math skills focus of the initiative
So much of a parent and child’s everyday routines help develop and ready them for a successful life, but a lot of that comes without either of them thinking about it. When a parent or caregiver prepares a meal, goes to the park or for a walk, and even listens to music with their children there are important skills being taught. Although learning happens naturally, when parents are aware of how a child develops language, communication and early math skills they can better prepare their children for entering school and provide a strong foundation for learning throughout life.
Parent Resources
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Parents with children with disabilities can quality for special funds for respite, in-home supports, and out-of-school programs.
The Children’s Trust Parent Club offers FREE, countywide workshops on relevant topics about raising children that are successful, healthy, and happy. 
Helpful Links for Coronavirus Related Information
Miami-Dade County’s Coronavirus page on where and how to sign up to get COVID-19 Vaccine:
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a special web page with Coronavirus information,
updates and tips.

Florida Department of Health’s Coronavirus page.
The Miami-Dade School Board also has a Coronavirus page, as well as a Parent Guide to the Novel Coronavirus.
Elderly Assistance

To learn more visit www.TheChildrensTrust.org or call 211.
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