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TOLERANCE: AN IMPORTANT WORD TO LEARN

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Some recent events in the country bring to the fore a necessary word in education: tolerance. What does it mean? Why is it so important? Tolerance is the willingness to accept behaviors and beliefs that are different from our own, although we might not agree with or approve them. We are surrounded by differences in ethnicity, religion, culture, gender, disabilities and other differences that simply we cannot deny (even politics). Some people see the multicultural society as a marvelous scenario to act in but others do not feel at ease. That’s why it is important to encourage tolerance in our kids from an early age.

Educating our children as human beings capable of learning from other cultures means make them feel relaxed and open to new ideas, experiences and knowledge. We need to teach our children the ability to learn to work with others, to understand and appreciate people for who they are and not for what they believe or look like.

Always keep in mind these tips:

  • You don’t have to sacrifice your heritage or beliefs. Being tolerant is respecting yourself and celebrate the differences of others.
  • Parents are role models. The tolerance they show naturally teaches their kids how to behave. Remember: children closely watch and imitate us, even before they can speak.
  • Look at the way you treat and speak to others, even those who you do not have a very close relationship. Think carefully about the words you use, avoid joking and any degrading name.
  • Be sure to talk to your children about programs, movies and games that can motivate intolerant behavior. The media has a a powerful ability to shape attitudes. Let them express themselves about they think or believe and discuss together.
  • Look at the differences within your own family, help your kids to appreciate and accept the qualities each member possesses.
  • Explore with your children how different cultures celebrate special occasions, learn together about other traditions. Make new and good friends from different groups. Travel as much as you can to meet other people.
  • Remember: it’s up to parents, teachers and other positive role models to guide children as they explore the technology world.
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GARDENING, A HEALTHY THERAPY FOR ACTIVE KIDS

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Taking care of plants in the garden can be an excellent project to develop with our children. It can also be an activity to eliminate stress and stimulate creativity, as some scientific research suggests. Being outside and gardening can help kids to control the temper, burn off extra energy, develop stronger immune system, stimulate the appetite, improve the ability to focus and capacity to manage information and react to situations.

No matter if you don’t have a large garden at home, you can probably achieve the same beneficial effect by having some plants inside the house. Outside or not, when children learn the life cycle process they develop an environmental awareness that is essential for their construction as a conscious human being that lives in a planet and a great ecosystem shared with animals, plants and other important resources in perfect balance. Also gardening is a great way to teach kids where food is coming from and the dedication, time and effort that it takes.

If you have the privilege of having a garden, the most important thing is that must be a sunny area, where children can have their own space to start and decide what will be grown. To ensure the safety of the smallest ones, there are special tools in the specialized stores. The space must be a place of exploring, independence and adventure more than a structured center of learning.

Some tips and ideas for your kids to start enjoying small projects in the garden:

  • Choose those plants your kids love to grow, those that have strong smells, are easily recognizable or grow quickly as lettuce or tomatoes
  • Transform your garden in a creative place full of color, forms and funny activities where children can learn by discovering.
  • Create a calendar with hours, activities and responsibilities for your children.
  • Teach your kids how are the plants from different countries and continents and how gardening could change depending on the zone of the planet and the seasons
  • Build a compost area and start composting the vegetable and fruit scraps from lunches and teach your kids how plants are fed
  • Select seeds of vegetables and fruits from the kitchen that children can plant in egg cartons and after take to the garden
  • Collect soils from different spots and teach your kids to compare texture, color, and how they absorb water
  • Emphasize in the importance of water for the life of all living beings, teach the youngest to appreciate this vital resource
  • Do not leave your children alone using gardening tools even if you have purchased those that seem harmless and appropriate to your children’s age

 

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YOGA FOR KIDS

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Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices originated in ancient India. There is a broad variety of yoga schools but the essence is unique: the combination of physical exercise, meditation, spiritual core and its ultimate goal: moksha (liberation). Based on asanas or postures, yoga is a form of exercise that has been considered as an alternative medicine and increasingly recommended to promote relaxation, reduce stress and some medical conditions. As yoga has became more popular in schools and gyms, also the controversy. Many people link this art to religion, particularly Hinduism and even some persons remain skeptical of its advantages. But despite the controversy yoga is simply beneficial, even for children who can encounter a healthy way of managing emotional, physical and social conflicts dedicating a few minutes to this art daily.

Some experts say that yoga helps to build self-esteem and self-respect, since a child practicing it has the opportunity to play and focus without worrying about being wrong, also kids learn important values such as non-harming, truthfulness, moderation, cleanliness, gratitude and self-discipline. At the physical level, kids can improve flexibility but also gain strength because they learn to use their muscles in new ways, it’s amazing to experience how a seemingly easy posture requires strength, concentration, focus, and flexibility, no matter if it is done standing, sitting or lying down.

Balance and coordination are also important elements of yoga. So, if a child has some problems to stay balanced, the meditation and breathing that require the movements can be used to improve the gross and fine motor coordination.  The child is encouraged to focus in the effort, in consequence he takes this skill to other areas in school and may get better performance and better grades. That boots self esteem and confidence which inevitably leads the child to feel good about his accomplishments. In a modern world that changes and moves very fast children are always under constant pressure, but yoga teach them how to act bravely but compassionate, to know love and happiness and to find inner pace. No matter what age your kid starts practicing yoga, it is always beneficial, the recommendation is to follow the instructions of expert teachers who know the proper techniques to make the postures. The final word belongs to your kids, let them try all the alternatives that can lead them to a higher quality of life and to a better knowledge of themselves.

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GRANDPARENTS, THE NECESSARY INFLUENCE

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Studies have shown that there is a special bond between children and their grandparents and a variety of important benefits from it. Development of kindness, generosity and less anxiety and depression are the results of this interaction. The explanation seems to be the special kind of love, support, and mentoring only grandparents can provide.

Many grandparents are already retired from their jobs so they have more free time, rest enough and have more opportunity for recreational activities, in consequence, they can provide attention and support to their grandchildren in a variety of ways: they can teach about the family´s history and train the kids on practical skills or small tasks at home. The experience grandparents have achieved can be passed on to the kids offering them comfort and encouragement. The wisest of the house can also help to build the values, promote strong relationships and appropriate interpersonal behaviors among family members. Activities like organize leisure time can also be a task for grandparents.

Parents play an essential role in stimulating coexistence with grandparents, they must make everyone understand the position of the older ones at home and the respect and consideration they deserve. And also, if they live in another house, children must be trained to understand that there are limits and rules that must be followed even when the grandparents’ house is a paradise of unconditional love.

Not only grandchildren benefit from their grandparents, it works in both ways. Kids also can be very positive for those who may think there is nothing in life for them. Some cognitive disorders and diseases as Alzheimer could be more bearable for the old ones who spend time taking care of their grandchildren, some studies show that social bonds are one of the biggest contributors to cognitive and psychological health.

To be a grandfather or a grandmother means having special license to be a happier parent, fewer responsibilities and a sense of independence and unconcern. Parents should not hesitate to allow their children to enjoy this special connection and should also keep in mind that grandparents will love and treat their grandchildren differently as they did with us. For some grandparents, it is another opportunity to do things correctly, to enjoy what they couldn’t with their own kids and maybe to correct the things they suppose they didn’t do as well as they would have liked.

 

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RULES FOR KIDS, ARE THEY NECESSARY?

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Children need independence and freedom to develop their creativity but also they need to learn certain rules to establish limits that protect and help them to live in the society. Parents must consider that rules are natural part of life that teaches kids how to manage different situations. They are the structure to interact with others and help people to make healthy choices. The challenge for parents is obviously to know where is the thin line that separates the absurd restriction to act from the total relaxation that leads to caos.

There are some recommendations to help parents to think about the best way to set rules at home, the firs of them, keep it simple. This means that having too many rules to follow may be confusing to your kids and maybe exhausting. Choose a few ones that you think are non-negotiable like time to go to bed or keeping the toys organized. As the child grows the rules change and he gains in commitment to doing what is expected. Parents must be also concise and positive. Toddlers and small children can´t follow directions with many details, confused frame or a negative language. Sweet directions encourage learning while negative language can feel punishing and does not stimulate change.

Routines help to establish expectations and act as ways to save time. If children learn about the consequences of their actions they will avoid dangerous and disgusting situations that rest them time to play or enjoy, a simple example, throwing a toy and loosing the opportunity to play with it. It is also necessary to parents to sound logical. A rule must be coherent and also the punishment for breaking it.

And don’t forget to reinforce the good behavior of your child. It is true that limits are necessary but also the positive comment when he acts properly. So don’t just point out mistakes, celebrate the good things your kids do. The best is learning how to be flexible when it is needed and adjust rules as circumstances demand as well.

 

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PROTECTING YOUR KIDS FROM THE SUN IN SUMMER

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Days are getting warmer and summer and vacation are approaching, it is time to think about taking extra measures of protecting your kids from the sun. Remember that an unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun´s rays in a few minutes getting undesirable effects that can cause problems in adulthood. But, on the other hand, everybody needs some sun exposure because it is a source of Vitamin D and helps our bodies to absorb calcium for our bones. So, it is a matter of balance, the right exposure with the right care. It’s important for parents to teach their kids how to enjoy fun in the sun safely. Some important tips are as follows:

Do not try to avoid thinking about skin cancer, it is a reality that this disease is directly related to the excess of rays ULV, UVA and UVC. So the best option is knowing all the facts that can teach you how to prevent it.

You should be especially careful about sun protection if your child has one or more of these high-risk factors: moles on their skin, light hair, blue or green eyes and a family history of skin cancer.

Don’t think that sunscreen is enough. Make your children use lightweight clothing, stay in the shade and also use a hat, especially in the peak heat of the day.

Keep your children hydrated. The body loses more water during the hot months and under physical activity so maintain drinks available to your children, especially water and make sure they keep up with their fluid intake throughout summer days.

Prefer SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30 or higher when buying a sunblock, because it blocks 97 or 98 percent of UVB rays. Above SPF 50, you are not going to see much more efficacy. And remember that everybody needs protection no matter the color of the skin. You must reapply the sunblock lotion every 2 or 3 hours, but if your children are swimming or sweating a lot consider reapply every 80 minutes.  It is important not buying the most expensive product but the less harmful that is which contains less chemicals, the mineral based one that is free of additives and parabens.

After the sun do some aftercare with some moisturizing cream, coconut oil or aloe vera, any of these products helps the skin recover. Teach your kids to use them, that’s how they learn to take care of themselves.

Avoid the strongest rays of the day, when the sun is at its highest overhead, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It doesn’t matter if the day seems cloudy, the “invisible sun” can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.

Apply the sunscreen or the sunblock (better) correctly, that is 15 to 30 minutes before kids go outside and don’t forget sensitive parts of the body as ears, hands, feet, shoulders, behind the neck and even the lips (with a SPF 30 lip balm) for the older ones. And don’t forget the eyes. Although not all kids enjoy wearing sunglasses, encourage them to wear them letting them select a style they like.

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