Families Matter Newsletter
Pottawatomie County
OSU Extension Service
August 2020
Volume 16, Issue 10
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An Unpredictable Back to School
It’s the moment we have all been waiting for… Back to School month. For a while everyone (including our kids) has wondered if it would happen, what it will look like, will there be masks, what about lunch …. And the list goes on. 
Don’t forget all of these worries/stresses are coupled with the normal Back to School nervousness with even more time since were there. This year parents need to be even more intentional
with their routines and conversations .  
 
READ INFORMATION FROM YOUR SCHOOL : 
Each school district and even school sites will do things differently based on location, number and ages of students. Do your, before school homework and find out information for yourself. This will help you know how to answer questions and prepare your child. Do not go on “hear say” or on information from other school systems.

Things to remember to help your child feel secure and prepared to start school.

  • Spend time talking with your child about school. Tell them things you know will be happening - they will have a locker or cubbie, they will have friends in their class, they will have recess...
  • Read stories about the first day of school to your child.
  • Plan a back-to-school shopping expedition. Let your child pick from a few options for their back pack or other items they will need.
  • Teach your child important safety information and make sure she commits it to memory.
  • Take a "dry run" of the morning routine and route to school with your child.
  • Some schools are offering building tours for 1st time students, or virtual tours. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities.   
  • Put your child to bed earlier each night until she's turning in at an appropriate school-night bedtime. 
  • Get your child used to waking up in the morning at a school-day appropriate time. 
  • Spend the last day or two before school starts at home with your child.

Night before school

  • Pick out school clothes for the morning.
  • Tuck in your child at an appropriate school-night hour. 
  • Before your child goes to sleep, listen carefully to her fears and respond. 
  • Read a bedtime, back-to-school storybook to your child. 
  • Gather in one place everything that's going to school with your child in the morning.
Bedtime Struggles
Here are tips to help children ease into a good night’s sleep:
 
  • Include a winding-down period in the evening routine, such as talking or reading.
  • Stick to a bedtime, telling your child both a half hour and 10 minutes in advance.
  • Let your child pick out her pajamas and pick which stuffed animal she would like to take to bed.
  • For a feeling of security, tuck your child into bed.
  • For an older child, or teenager, encourage them to establish a regular bedtime that allows them to get good sleep on a regular basis.
 
There may not be one sure way to raise a good sleeper, yet every parent should be encouraged to know that most children have the ability to sleep well. Trying early on to establish healthy habits is the key to good sleep habits for a lifetime.  
Bedtime Races : 
Kids love a
challenge, and you can use that to your advantage at bedtime.
Set a small timer for 15 minutes as a signal for your child to run for the bedroom, change clothes, brush her teeth, and hop into bed.
Your child wins if the timer has not gone off. Follow with a favorite storybook.
 

 
Listening takes patience and practice!
 
  • Listening to children talk is sometimes hard, because their thoughts are unclear and the process of getting things said is slow.
  • Words may be hard for them to find or fit into sentences. 
  • Be patient, what they are trying to tell you is very important.
  • As school begins, make sure to allow them time to talk about their day and the new things they are experiencing and feeling.
Starting a Family Wellness Routine
Get creative and work heart healthy habits into your family's life and daily schedules.

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After School Activities
Tag Team Drawing

  This simple game only requires a piece of white paper (per person), a box of crayons or markers and a timer. Each person will have 30 seconds to begin a drawing. When the timer rings, they must pass their paper to the person on their left and turn the paper clockwise. Reset the timer and each person begins to add to the other person’s art! Repeat until the paper is full.
REMEMBER!

Kids need
quiet time
An active game
Healthy snack
each day after school.

Rainbow Foam
 
This is a great item with open ended creativity! Plus, your kids can help you make it. 
2 tablespoons liquid dish washing soap added to 1/4 cup water, add a few drops of liquid water color paint or food coloring. Mix with a hand mixer until foam makes stiff peaks and holds it’s shape. *If using food coloring there may be some staining to hands and clothing!
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Self Expression is
Good for the Soul
Children’s ability to express themselves creatively is often associated with positive social, emotional, and behavioral health. It is important for adults to help children cope with their feelings by channeling self-expression into healthy avenues.
 
Activities such as participating in imaginative role-playing, engaging in creative writing, playing sports, and building objects with blocks or LEGOS™ allow children to express themselves freely and communicate their feelings.

These activities also provide them with an opportunity to learn more about themselves while increasing their self-confidence.

Promoting Self-Expression
Use the following tips to encourage your children to express their individuality and gain self-confidence:
 
  • Introduce activities based on your children’s interests rather than your own to provide them with an opportunity to make decisions.
  • Provide several kinds of materials (e.g., paper, crayons, markers, and paint) for their use, and make sure they have enough time to explore the materials and apply creative problem-solving skills.
  • Do not judge a child’s creative choices. How children choose to use materials or create little dramas is their own self-expression. They just need you to acknowledge their contribution through frequent positive reinforcement.
  • Emphasize the energy and effort put into a creative endeavor and not what the completed product looks like.
  • Join in with their made-up games, activities, or storytelling. Playing “restaurant” may not be high drama to you, but pretending is important to a preschooler. Your willingness to participate in activities with your children increases their feelings of self-worth.

  Source: Building Blocks Newsletter
Easy Snack Carrier for the Car
 
Use a travel toiletry bag or a hanging shoe organizer on the back of a seat to hold snacks.
 
Make sure to only pack items
that are shelf stable.
Flavor crackers, whole fruits and bottle water are good options.
 

Quick Snack Ideas to have on hand at home or in the car
 
Fruit Snacks
Veggie Straws
Dried Fruits
Apple Sauce
Trail Mix
Cheerios
Gold Fish or Flavor Crackers
Peanut Butter Crackers
Granola or Protein Bars
Jerky or Meat Sticks
Mix & Match Ideas For Breakfast
 
Hawaiian Breakfast Pizza
English muffin topped with pizza sauce, lean ham and pineapple
Breakfast Toast
Melt cheese on a slice of French toast topped with shaved ham
Wake from a Dream
Ricotta cheese and thin slices of fresh pear on a toasted bagel.
Pancake roll-up
Link turkey sausage and string cheese in a pancake.
Peanut Butter & Banana Dog
Peanut butter and banana in a toasted hot dog roll.
 
American School Food Service Association: School Food Service & Nutrition
Corn Dog Muffins
Easy Biscuit Pot Pies
Contact the Extension Office at 273-7683 or sonya.mcdaniel@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments cooperating. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a veteran, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.