Combat the Cold

The United States has had its fair share of cold weather since 2014 touched down. While the country is currently experiencing temporary relief, the winter has just begun and it’s time to brace for the next round of artic air that is bound to happen. When the temperatures fall into the single digits and below, everyone is urged to take precautions.

     The best advice during extreme cold, especially for small children and the elderly, is to stay indoors. Exposure to the elements has many risks, but if you must go out, dress in layers. Before leaving the house, be sure to cover your head, hands, and ears. If going outdoors for more than five to ten minutes, be sure your mouth is covered. Failure to cover your mouth leaves lungs vulnerable to cold air, which could be dangerous and painful. Eating a hearty meal can help stay warm.  Keep in mind drinking caffeinated beverages can cause the body to loose heat more rapidly.

     Failure to prep for the cold could lead to the following:

HYPOTHERMIA – Occurs when the body temperature drops low enough that it begins to affect the brain, making it difficult to think or move. People often don’t realize it’s happening because the symptoms of shivering and exhaustion can be mistaken for something else. The symptoms are most noticeable in children and the elderly.

FROSTBITE – Occurs when the skin is exposed to the frigid temperatures.  Symptoms of frostbite include numbness and skin that’s red, white, painful, firm or waxy.

HEART PROBLEMS - Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart, causing the body to work harder to stay warm.  As a result, any exertion can be dangerous for people with heart disease. When the body starts to shiver, that is an indication that the heart has already begun working harder to keep the body warm.

 

     The winter can be a time of building snowmen, drinking hot cocoa, and ice skating at the rink, but when the temperature takes a drastic dive, take all necessary safety precautions. Do not attempt to brave the cold for long periods of time, especially with children. Remember, spring is just around the corner, but until then, bundle up and stay warm!

Do Children Play Anymore?

Childhood is all about learning, growing, experiencing, and playing. The days should be made for kickball games, races, and making snowmen with neighborhood pals. With advancements in technology, days spent outside have begun to fade away and replaced by the days of game systems, iPads, and solo play. While parents and caregivers have probably noticed the change from imaginary to virtual friends, medical experts have now started to research the effects.

            New medical research shows that, in a one-mile footrace, a kid today would finish a minute and a half behind a typical child from 1975. This could correlate to the high obesity rate of current times as compared to that of four decades ago, but what else is to blame? Children need to be exposed to a more physical lifestyle. While everyone deserves to enjoy the positives of technology, limits need to be set.

            It’s now time for caregivers and parents to go beyond curtailing T.V. watching. One way to transition from technology play to outdoor play is to partake in physical activity, join in! Here are a few ideas to bring playtime back in a healthy way:

• Ready, get set, go! Challenge your charge to a race. The first one to the corner gets to choose dinner from a healthy menu of choices. 
•  Goal! Set up the soccer net in the backyard and invite the neighborhood kids over for a game. Create a tournament for ongoing play. 
•  Push the pedal! Go for a bike ride before the sun goes down.
• Tag, you’re it! Head out to the yard for a game of tag. The more the merrier.
• Shake it! Zumba is a dance craze that also serves as an intense cardio workout.

These are just a few suggestions that allow for kids to get up, get out, and have fun. They also allow for parents and caregivers to get involved. Let’s start playing again!

Summer Won’t Limit Learning

Summer vacation provides a much needed break from the structured routine of the classroom for kids. However, parents and caregivers should feel reassured that three months of non-academic stimulation won’t derail the learning process. Here are a few summer activities that will keep previous lessons fresh, while prompting kids to learn new material:

1. Find a good book. If kids are of reading age, take a trip to the local book store and let them choose a book. Kids will be more inspired to read if the material interests them. After they’re finished, allow them to explain the plot, their likes and dislikes, and whether or not they would recommend the book.

2. Have a math drill. While preparing dinner, shout out some addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problems. Make math a game. See how many questions the kids get right within 60 seconds.

3. Turn the backyard into a science lab. Planting a garden will help kids understand the process of floral growth and reproduction. As flowers and plants begin to bloom, the kids have the opportunity to learn the individual parts of the plant and their functions.

4. Communicate with teachers. Ask kid’s teachers if there are any worksheets or activities they recommend as a summer refresher or prep for the upcoming school year. Teachers may also suggest a summer enrichment program.

5. Visit a museum or aquarium. These outings allow kids to learn about history, science, and aquatic life while having fun. Museums and aquariums sometimes offer student discounts, group discounts, or free days. Check your local museum or aquarium for details.

If kids maintain some form of structure throughout the summer, the transition back into a daily routine may be less stressful when classes resume. Summer can be educational and fun at the same time!