This blog post is dedicated to helping find a solution for the many children who have a great deal of difficulty paying attention and following directions at school. We have now been at school for more than 70 school days. This means that we are nearing the halfway point in the school year. Much time, energy and focus has been spent on learning the routines at school. Many of the children are still struggling with following these routines and are having difficulty concentrating.
We have to look outside the school and classroom environment, and to ask ourselves what is standing in the way of the children being successful with skills like paying attention, following routines and instructions. Ultimately, if children aren't paying attention to instructions and to the information around them, it can dramatically impact their ability to succeed academically.
Our class attended a school-wide assembly at the beginning of November where they learned about the 10-5-2-1-0 Rule for Health. Basically, this health initiative encourages healthy eating and sleep habits for our children. This rule of thumb teaches or reminds children that every day they need:
* 10 hours of sleep
* 5 servings of fruit and vegetables
* No more than 2 hours of screen time
* 1 hour of vigourous physical activity
* 0 sugary drinks
There is a short Youtube video that illustrates the 10-5-2-1-0 Rule that I recommend that you watch with your children:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTiELntRuMo&feature=youtu.beWithout proper amounts of sleep, nutrition and physical activity, the human body has difficulty functioning properly. Too much time spent watching television, playing on the computer and tablets, as well as too much sugar added to a person's diet, can impact a child's ability to pay attention and learn. Water is essential for optimal brain function and children need to drink at least 4 cups every day.
If you would like more information on recommended sleep times for 6-year-olds, please see:
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/sleep-children?page=2
If you are interested in learning more about what kinds and how much food is recommended for your child, please see:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics-base/quantit-eng.php
It can be difficult to shop for healthy foods on a budget. If you would appreciate a backpack filled with food once a week, you can sign up for the Blessings in a Backpack program. http://blessingsinabackpack.ca Please write a note in your child's agenda if you would like to participate. We already have many students in our class who participate and there are still some spaces available in you are interested.
Also, it is important to highlight that breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day. We do have a Breakfast Program every morning at 8:00 am in the primary gym at Oakridge. I would love to see more of my students there having a healthy meal to start the day. If you would like to enrol in this program, please write a note in your child's agenda and I will be sure to get you the information you need to get started.
This is a short video to watch with your child about the importance of eating breakfast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9KaZ7eViF0
If you would like some tips on how to build more physical activity into your day, please refer to:
http://www.participaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/activehealthykidscanada2010-participactiontipssheet.pdf
For a sweet video that you can watch with your child about drinking water can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gusOH0Nulok
Starting on Monday, we will be adding drinking water to our daily routine at school. Please be sure to send your child with a re-usable water bottle (preferably the one that was given to them at school) filled with fresh water to drink on Monday.
This blog contains a lot of information, which I hope you will find helpful. Please find some time this weekend to learn more about the 10-5-2-1-0 Rule and why it is important for your child.
Remember those water bottles!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Ms. Gladman
