Get Involved. Here’s How!

There are an endless number of fun and constructive things that you can do with children. Here are a few activities to get you started.

Words of Encouragement

Don’t forget…kids thrive on encouragement! Here are a few phrases to get you started.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things…

What are a few of your favorite things? Time spent with your kids? A good meal? A good book? Tell your child what you enjoy and ask him* to make a list of his favorite things. (For example, you could ask him to list such things as watching a favorite movie, spending time with friends, participating in a sport or hobby, or enjoying school vacations.) Encourage him to think of free activities, and not just those with a cost. Ask what makes the items on his list special, or what it is about those items that he enjoys the most. Which of those activities can they do alone? Which activities are best with one friend; do some need a group of kids to be more fun?

The next time your child is unhappy or bored, help him refocus on the fun things on his list.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall…

“When I look in the mirror, I like what I see because I know that I….” How would your daughter finish this sentence? You can write down seven of your daughter’s best qualities. Then, encourage your daughter to write down seven of her best qualities, and compare your lists. You are sure to think of things she hasn’t, and point out beautiful aspects of her personality, that until then, she had taken for granted! You can include skills like problem solving, dancing, or sports, and qualities such as compassion, confidence, and friendliness.

School Daze—Check It Out

If your child is starting a new school, the transition can be tough. At her old school, she knew how things worked and what to expect. She had a favorite teacher and could probably find her best friend’s locker while blindfolded! Discuss what she likes most and what she’ll miss.

Moving to a new school means facing a whole new situation—new place, new rules, new people. Ask what she’s heard about the new school and if anything worries her. Help ease her transition by getting information ahead of time. Go have a look at her new school—at least, drive by slowly and talk about her expectations. If you can go inside, find out where the lockers are located for her grade/class. This will help her on her first day of school. If you know someone who goes to that school, ask that person to tell her a bit about what it is like. And, of course, encourage her to get involved in clubs, teams, and other activities!

Sleep Tight; Sleep Right

Did you know that teens need 8½ to 9 hours of sleep each night?

Not getting enough sleep can make a child stressed, impatient, or both. Lack of sleep can cause problems at school or with friends and family.

What are some things that make it hard for your child to sleep at night?

Your teen may have trouble getting to sleep because his clock is off—his body clock, that is. As a teenager, melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleeping and waking patterns, is produced later at night. This makes it harder to fall asleep.

What type of bedtime routine would help him go to sleep?

Here are some tips to help get a good night’s sleep:

Lend a Helping Hand

What does your child do after school? If he seems bored or spends too much time watching TV or on the computer, get him involved in community activities. Here is how to get started:

• Ask your child what interests her, and about her goals and dreams.
• Help him list things he is good at, and how he could use his skills to help others.
• Go over her school schedule, work schedule, and other activities to determine how much free time she really has.
• Encourage her to talk to a teacher, counselor, coach or another trusted adult in your family or in your community about activities that are available for her to join.
• Discuss commitment—does he want something to do two to three times or regularly every week?

The possibilities are endless! It just takes a little planning and preparation.

Encourage them to go after something they really enjoy!

Friends Forever

What is a Friend?

A good friend is someone who likes you, treats you with respect, makes you feel good about yourself, and is ready to help you. A person who tries to pressure you or bully you into doing things you don’t want to do is not a friend.

Ask your child what qualities she looks for in a friend. Which qualities are most essential? Help her think about her best friends. Ask what she likes about them and why they get along so well.

Ask your child what traits she has that would make her a good friend? She can write them down in a journal or diary and pull out her list whenever she needs a lift!

Making New Friends

The best thing about old friends is that they know who you are, and you can really be yourself around them. But sometimes your child will need to make new friends, and that can be a little scary!

Talk with your child about how he can get to know the types of kids he would like to spend time with. What are some places, clubs, and activities where he could find people who would make good friends? Remind him of the traits he likes in a friend and the wonderful qualities he has that add to a friendship. Tell him that anyone would be lucky to have him as a friend!

* We refer to a child as "him" in some places and "her" in others. We do this for easier reading. All information applies to both boys and girls unless otherwise specified.