C R Y D E R
P O I N T
SEPTEMBER 16
4 tips for easing the transition
to in-person back to school
(BPT)–As most working American
parents and students prepare to return to
in-person work and school, after a year
plus of remote work and virtual learning,
it begs the question for parents: How prepared
are you to handle not only back to
school, but also back to after school?
The impact felt from COVID-19–
whether it was a change in family dynamics
of a parent or caretaker’s health,
employment status or housing situation–
were profound. This past year, youth
were faced with limited peer and leader
interactions due to virtual schooling, restricted
extracurricular opportunities and
minimal socialization.
According to a survey conducted by
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 75% of
parents report that after-school time actually
causes as much or more stress than
in-school time. On top of that, layer the
emotional impact of COVID-19 and it
makes for a nerve-wracking start to the
school year.
As we look to return to in-person learning,
it’s imperative that we understand the
social and emotional development associated
with the 2021-2022 school year.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an expert
in youth development, is determined to
send kids and teens back to school better
than ever and offers these tips to help take
the stress out of back-to-school season for
parents this year.
CREATE A SAFE SPACE
Each day 11 million children and teens
leave school with no place to go, increasing
their risk of being unsupervised,
unguided and unsafe in communities
across the country, according to a 2014
Afterschool Alliance study. And, since
juvenile crime escalates during the hours
of 3 pm–7 pm, according to the U.S. Department
of Justice, parents have cause for
concern about how their children spend
their time during these critical hours.
Parents can stay focused at work and
have peace of mind that their kids are safe
and on a path to success when they know
their child has arrangements for supervised,
after-school care with trustworthy
adult leaders.
GET ACTIVE, GET HEALTHY
Increased screen time, more snacking
and fewer outdoor activities among kids
and teens became prevalent during the
pandemic. In 2017-2018, obesity affected
14.4 million children and adolescents
between the ages of two to 19 years old,
according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Fast forward to 2021 and pediatricians
aren’t yet clear on how the pandemic
has influenced the prevalence of obesity
among kids. However, many note they’ve
seen an increase in body mass index
(BMI) among children. Physical activity
and nutrition education are paramount
now more than ever. After-school time
offers the chance for young people to
take part in sports and fitness activities
that not only burn off pent-up energy but
16 CRYDER POINT COURIER | SEPTEMBER 2021 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM
allow youth to build their self-esteem, reduce
anxiety and learn good sportsmanship.
Also, having kids help with snack
or dinner preparation not only offers an
extra hand in the kitchen but also teaches
healthy cooking and eating habits.
PLAN FOR CONSISTENT
HOMEWORK TIME
The pandemic-related learning loss is a
huge stress for many parents. As parents
and their children prepare to catch up
after a year of virtual learning, keeping up
with homework is a priority. According
to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s survey,
nearly 60% of parents find it difficult
to ensure their children are on a path to
a successful school year. By making and
sticking to a plan for how and when to
tackle homework each day, parents and
kids can make the most of after-school
time.
Whether it’s at home with support from
a parent or guardian, at a tutoring facility
or at a community organization with
academic programming, setting aside a
specific time and place for homework will
avoid headaches for parents and children
alike.
FOCUS ON SAFE
SOCIALIZING
After more than a year of virtual learning,
children and teens are itching to be
with their friends again. Alternatively,
some may also have some social anxiety
when it comes to larger group settings.
Either way, after-school time provides
an opportunity for youth to interact with
friends, build relationships, reengage with
peer relationships and work on their social
skills. Ensure your kids and teens have
a balanced after-school routine that consists
of time spent working on academics
and time with friends.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America developed
these tips based on the successful
programs offered at their 4,700+ Clubs
nationwide. However, any parent or caregiver
looking to help their kids during the
transition from virtual to in-person learning
is encouraged to use these insights as
a guide for a successful back-to-school
season.
Back-to-school eats:
5 brain-boosting foods for kids
(BPT)–As summer draws to an end,
many families are gearing up for an exciting
new school year. And while picking
out new pencils and notebooks is a fun
way to prepare, it’s even more important
to make sure your child is mentally ready
to return to the classroom.
“To help them stay focused and learn
more efficiently, fuel your kids with foods
that are scientifically proven to boost
focus and improve brain performance,”
says Marissa Meshulam, Registered Dietitian
Nutritionist and founder of MPM
Nutrition. Instead of stocking up on sugary
cereals and processed meals, Meshulam
shares her go-to foods for feeding
little minds:
BERRIES
Strong evidence suggests that blueberries,
blackberries, strawberries and other
berries have beneficial effects on the brain.
Their high levels of antioxidants help protect
and boost memory functioning. Try
sending the kids off to school with a berry
smoothie or pack a fruit cup with berries
for lunch to help keep their minds sharp
throughout the day.
EGGS
A versatile and easy option for any
healthy, filling meal, eggs contain a variety
of nutrients such as choline and lutein that
are essential for brain health. One egg has
only 75 calories but 7 grams of high-quality
protein, 5 grams of fat, and 1.6 grams
of saturated fat, along with iron, vitamins,
minerals, and carotenoids. The egg is a
powerhouse of disease-fighting nutrients
like lutein and zeaxanthin.
NUTS
Most nuts have brain-boosting benefits,
but walnuts are especially high in Omega
3s, Vitamin E, antioxidants and folate
content. Nuts make a great snack and also
pair well with fruit or as part of a granola.
AVOCADO
Avocados have nutrients that protect
the nerve cells in the brain that carry information.
Try spreading avocado on a
sandwich for lunch or mashing up with
some garlic, salt, chopped tomatoes and
lemon juice for a quick dip with chips or
veggies for an after-school snack.
LEAFY GREENS
Leafy-green vegetables are rich in
so many vitamins, including Vitamin
K, lutein and beta-carotene, which
all contribute to healthy brain functioning.
(If you have trouble getting
your kids to eat fruits and veggies,
try sneaking them into smoothies or
blended soups.)
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