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How to Test Prep to Stress Less
When the days get longer, it’s a sure sign that spring has arrived. This change of seasons also ushers in the time of year when teachers, parents, and students prepare for testing. Whether it’s a final exam, a standardized test, or even a pop quiz, tackling tests can be nerve-wracking. But fear not, because I want to share some strategies to help you prepare for a test while keeping your mental health in check. Starting Early and Staying Organized First things first, let’s talk about starting early and staying organized. Procrastination is the ultimate enemy when it comes to test prep, at least it was for me growing up. It…
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5 Things to Prepare Your Kids for Back to School Now
School’s In? In between late May to mid-August, it is your kids’ job to relax and have fun. As a parent, you must know what to do to prepare for after summer is over. For kids in Rapides parish, August 14th is right around the corner. Here are a few helpful tips to prepare your kids for back to school. Reinforcing Bedtime While during the summer, it is okay for your little ones to stay up late. On school mornings, the last thing you want is a tired kid. In order to prepare for this now, you can dial back their bedtime 15 minutes every two weeks. By the time…
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5 Tips to Reduce Summer Stress
Summer can be a fun time for children and families, but it can also be stressful when kids are out of school. Summers are supposed to be about vacation, water sports, ice cream, and other fun outdoor activities with your children and family. However, when routines are disrupted, and kids become bored it can lead to a more stressful experience. Parents must find their children activities to engage in or find somewhere for their children to go. Summer activities can be hard to find and very expensive. This can all lead to an increase in stress for the entire family. Here are some ways to deal with summer stress when…
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How to Support a Child’s Mental Health
A child’s mental health is often not considered, especially with very young children. In reality, though, children of all ages can struggle with mental health issues. According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children aged 2-8 years has a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder (17.4%). ADHD, depression, and anxiety are common areas of concern seen in children aged 3-17 years. With proper knowledge, we can learn how to support a child’s mental health. What Does Positive Mental Health Look Like? Learning and implementing effective coping skills for challenging behaviors influences positive mental health. Having a toolbox of coping skills can help your child function better at home and at school.…
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5 Ways to Support Children with ADHD
Does your child have ADHD? Do you ever feel stuck or overwhelmed trying to connect and communicate with your ADHD child? You are not alone. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is very common in children. Children with ADHD can have difficulty paying attention and concentrating. They can also be hyperactive or impulsive. While some children cope well with their symptoms, other children have more difficulty. Here are five ways you can support children with ADHD. Create a Schedule Making a schedule and sticking to it may seem impossible for busy parents. Creating a schedule, though, can make your child’s day organized and predictable. Parents can begin by slowly integrating…
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4 Strategies to Help Reduce Test Anxiety
From LEAP testing to taking the ACT or final exams, testing will be in full swing as we draw closer to the end of the school year. During times of testing, anxiety levels for students and teachers can increase. It’s stressful for students who want to do well and teachers who want their students to be able to show mastery of concepts they’ve been working on all year with their students. If your child begins to have test anxiety, here are a few strategies that might help them feel a little less anxious. 1. Put the Test in Perspective The first thing to do is to help your child put…
