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Health & Wellness for Kids

2023 Summer Reading Lists of Best Books For Kids

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2023 Summer Reading Lists of Best Books For Kids

written by Melissa Taylor, posted on imaginationsoup.net

It’s time for summer reading lists, reading programs, and reading challenges! Get your kids, ages 5 to 18, reading with book recommendations from these up-to-date summer reading lists. These summer reading book lists are for every grade level, preschool, early elementary school, upper elementary school, middle school, and high school!!

Over the summer months, choose summer books from the grade level list the child will be entering in the fall. (Unless you know that your child needs modifications. Meaning– if your child is below or above grade level, check different grade level lists — lower or higher. The grade level isn’t as important as helping children read daily, so they grow in their reading skills. Just as long as their reading, am I right?)

 

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Is Your Child or Teen Feeling Anxious This Summer?

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Is Your Child or Teen Feeling Anxious This Summer?

written by Dr. Liz Matheis, posted on Psychology Today

Even though summer holds the connotation of ice cream, bare feet, swimming pools,

and a happy-go-lucky vibe, many of our children have are heightened level of anxiety with the transition from the end of the school year into the summer season and often through the summer. Although it is a transition that comes with less work such as homework and studying, it’s a transition nonetheless, and for our children who don’t like change, it can be overwhelming.

During the summer, there can be more unstructured downtime with which our children don’t know what to do. This is especially true if our kids have a packed activity schedule after school and on weekends, during the school year, with little time for our children to manage their time and sit with quiet activities or alone. During that downtime (without screens) is when our children find their skills such as creativity, brainstorming, problem-solving, and figuring things out. Without this time, our kids rely on us, their parents, to schedule their time and can actually become anxious if they have nothing to do. The good news is that the statistics are strong: no child has yet to have been harmed via boredom.

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6 Tips To Try New Foods for Kids with Special Needs

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6 Tips to Try New Foods for Kids with Special Needs

posted on specialstrong.com

Trying new foods can be a challenging task, especially when working to try new foods for kids with special needs. When working to make healthy changes, sometimes kids need to try new foods in order to make better choices for their health! As summertime is here, it’s a great time to begin working to try new foods for special needs. We have compiled a list of tips and activities to help make this a fun experience for the whole family.

  1. Friday Try-Day

Trying new foods can take time to develop taste preferences and become used to new foods, especially if it is not a rhythm in place for the family. One practice can be a “Friday Try-day” where each week on Friday (or any other day!) your family knows that there will be new food to try to create new patterns to try new foods for kids with special needs. This could be a new vegetable, new protein food, or simply a new dinner recipe that has not yet been tried before. In fact, some kids may need to try foods up to 15 times in order to develop a taste for it! Although your kids do not have to like these foods they try, the key is to at least help them to be comfortable enough to try the food. One way to have the best success with this may be to offer this food first before the rest of the meal when your child is the most hungry and willing to try new food. This rhythm and expected pattern can help increase exposure to new foods and help parents remember to try new foods for kids with special needs.

  1. Kid Chef

Kids love to be a part of any activity! Think of how often toddlers imitate mom or dad when they are younger, talking on the phone or playing pretend with a lawnmower toy or baby doll. As kids continue to grow up, they enjoy to learn new things and take on new responsibility! One way to help kids try new foods is to have them be involved in the process of what foods they will try. This can look like kids going to the grocery store and picking out a new vegetable, helping to prepare a new healthy dish, stirring a salad or sauce to go with dinner, or helping to set the menu with mom or dad! Working to give opportunities to try new foods can help you to try new foods for kids with special needs and give kids a fun new activity for the summertime!

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6 Little Things You Can Do Every Day to Make Your Child More Independent

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6 Little Things You Can Do Every Day to Make Your Child More Independent

written by Alanna Gallo, posted on parents.com

As parents, one of our primary parenting goals is to teach our children to be independent. But it’s not always easy for them to become more self-sufficient and responsible—or for parents to let go. Some of this is because our instinct as parents is often to make things easier for them, rescue them from their mistakes, and limit their experiences with struggle or (gasp) failure.

However, kids need to be challenged in order to develop the skills, tenacity, grit, and self-reliance needed to (eventually) function in the world on their own. It takes time, effort, and trust to guide your child to become more independent, but the rewards are well worth it.

Here are some simple things you can do every day to help your little one be more independent.

Let Them Make Mistakes

It may seem counterintuitive at first, but letting kids make mistakes will teach them how to succeed in life. When they make a mistake, let them know it’s OK and help them brainstorm how they might do better next time. Come up with strategies for rectifying the issue, as needed, as well. Mistakes should be welcomed as learning opportunities.

This mindset shift can be used with anything from small mistakes, like choosing not to bring an umbrella when the forecast calls for rain, to larger ones, like failing a test because they decided to wait until the night before to study. Allowing them to feel any discomfort or disappointment that comes with their choice can be difficult. But doing so helps them thrive, and can actually improve their self-esteem and ability to cope with adversity.

It’s hard to see your child struggle. But if you focus on teaching them that failure is just feedback, it helps develop a growth mindset, and with that mindset, they will be able to overcome any struggle confidently and make more informed choices in the future.

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Self-Care

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Self-Care

posted on Active Minds

Self-Care is not selfish. You must pour into your own cup before you can pour into others.

Self-care and Mental Health

Ideally, we all engage in regular self-care in which we do the things that make us feel taken care of mentally, physically, and emotionally. But this doesn’t always happen, and we may need to stop and take the time to remind ourselves we are important, too.

Sometimes our feelings become too much and we need to distract ourselves until we are better able to cope. We can also strategically change how we are feeling when things become too overwhelming.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care is important to maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself. It means doing things to take care of our minds, bodies, and souls by engaging in activities that promote well-being and reduce stress. Doing so enhances our ability to live fully, vibrantly, and effectively. The practice of self-care also reminds both you and others that your needs are valid and a priority.

Examples of Self-Care

  • Clean
  • Cook or bake
  • Cross something off your to-do list
  • Exercise
  • Get a massage
  • Go for a walk
  • Listen to music or a podcast
  • Make art
  • Meditation
  • Mindfulness exercises
  • Play a game
  • Practice deep breathing
  • Read
  • Take a bath
  • Take a (timed) nap
  • Watch TV or a movie
  • Yoga

distraction as a strategy

Why Should I Distract Myself?

Activities are a great way for us to distract ourselves from our current emotions until we are better able to cope. When our level of distress is too high, we may not be able to effectively handle a situation and need ways to bring our emotional state down. Some suggestions may seem similar to self-care, but distraction activities serve a different purpose. One person’s self-care activity is another’s distraction technique.

Examples of Distraction Activities

  • Call a friend (and don’t talk about what’s causing you distress)
  • Create something
  • Describe your surroundings using your five senses
  • Do a puzzle
  • Do something kind for someone else
  • Focus on a single task
  • Go out to eat
  • Go to an event
  • Hold ice
  • Listen to music or a podcast
  • Make a list of things (cars, dog breeds, music artists, etc.)
  • Take a hot or cold shower
  • Try something new
  • Volunteer
  • Watch something funny
  • Watch TV or a movie
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Fostering A Healthy Home Environment for a child with ADHD

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Fostering a Healthy Home Environment for a child with ADHD

posted on the frugal room

A child’s surroundings impact their ability to focus and manage ADHD symptoms. Parents can take steps to strategically organize and decorate the home to alleviate stress and reduce distractions for children with ADHD. Mindful organization does not replace therapeutic and medical treatment, but introducing structure and managing distractions can help children maintain focus and composure.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that affects concentration and impulse control. Based on their symptoms, children may be diagnosed as predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or a combination of both. Various symptoms related to concentration, time management, forgetfulness, behavior, and mood can affect children with ADHD.

Why Is It Important to Adjust Your Space with Consideration for Children with ADHD?

Decreasing distractions and creating structure makes it easier for kids to manage ADHD symptoms and focus on tasks like chores or schoolwork. In addition to maintaining a consistent routine, creating calm, distraction-free spaces through home organization and decor may reduce your child’s anxiety while boosting their focus.

"The various psycho-educational testing Dr. Liz conducted on our son gave us critical clues about where his learning strengths and weaknesses lie so that his needs could be better addressed at home and school. Moreover, because of their warm, kindhearted personalities, both Dr. Liz and her associate, Stephanie, formed an immediate bond with my son. He eagerly looks forward to his weekly therapy sessions. We are so lucky Dr. Liz came into our family's lives when she did! For stressed-out families trying to help their children as best they can, she is a calming voice of reason!"
- Julie C.
"Dr. Matheis has a remarkable ability to understand the unique needs of her patients and address them constructively. She builds strong, meaningful relationships with patients and their families, encouraging trust and collaboration. When working with my son who struggles with autism-related anxiety, she created an environment in which he was able to calm down and open up to her in ways I had not seen before. She was able to reach him and helped him work through his crisis/problem. Most importantly, she empowered him to move forward."
- N.L.
"Dr. Matheis is amazing. She has tremendous resources and loads of energy. She is not willing to accept anything less than the most effective results for her clients. She made me feel as if my son was her top priority throughout the entire process. I would, without reservation, give her my highest recommendations.  Thank you, Dr. Matheis!"
- Anonymous
"Dr. Matheis has an amazing ability to read kids and connect with them. She has been an invaluable resource for our family over the past several years and has helped us with everything from educational consulting, to uncovering diagnoses as well as family therapy. Working with Dr. Matheis never feels clinical and most importantly, our children love and trust her. We can not thank you enough Dr. Liz!"
- Anonymous
"My teenage son had been seeing Dr. Matheis through his senior year of high school, as he was only diagnosed with ADHD at 16 years old.  Dr. Matheis came highly recommended from our pediatrician and she has done wonders for our son as well as our family, navigating new ways for him to deal with his diagnosis without the use of medication.  She taught him ways to organize himself and even when something did not work for him, she patiently continued teaching him new ways to keep himself on track.  She has also helped us as parents to understand how his mind works so that we did not continue to blame his lack of focus on him, rather on his unique way of thinking.  Thank you Dr. Matheis!!!!"
- LG
"Dr. Liz is the best! Our family was directed to her by our Pediatrician to assist with figuring out severe mood changes, severe anxiety, strange new fears and food aversion that had come onto one of our children literally overnight. After just a couple of visits, she suggested that the issues may actually be rooted in a physical issue and suggested we immediately take our child to be swabbed for strep, because Dr. Liz suspected PANDAS (a pediatric autoimmune disorder brought on by strep). The same Pediatrician that suggested Dr. Liz would not do the swab (they do not believe in PANDAS and we no longer go there) but I took my child to my doctor who did the swab and it was positive for strep. When our child went on antibiotics, within 24 hours all symptoms went away and our child was back :-) Dr. Liz then recommended a PANDAS specialist who helped us and our child is in complete remission and is happy and healthy. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Liz for her knowledge of all things, even the most remote and unusual and for helping us so much! Thank you!"
- Anonymous
"The various psycho-educational testing Dr. Liz conducted on our son gave us critical clues about where his learning strengths and weaknesses lie so that his needs could be better addressed at home and school. Moreover, because of their warm, kindhearted personalities, both Dr. Liz and her associate, Stephanie, formed an immediate bond with my son. He eagerly looks forward to his weekly therapy sessions. We are so lucky Dr. Liz came into our family's lives when she did! For stressed-out families trying to help their children as best they can, she is a calming voice of reason!"
- Anonymous
"Thank you, Dr. Liz. Although we have told you countless times, it will never feel enough. You have listened when J could barely speak and continued to listen when he was sad, angry and confused. You've challenged him and directed us in our roles as parents. You've helped J face his fears while the list evolved and changed, and yet you've stayed committed to 'the course.' We pray that your children realize that time away from them is spent helping children learn and that vulnerability is a sign of strength and bravery."
- June I
"My son was admitted to an Ivy League school when only 2 years ago, you assessed him and saw his struggles, his Dyslexia. We are grateful that he no longer has to carry that deep feeling of inadequacy or shame that must have kept him so self conscious and from reaching his potential. He has the PERFECT program for him. He has A's in high math and economics. He became a Merit Scholar, a Boys State legislature, the HEAD captain of the football team and help a job ALL while studying and managing his classes and disability. I am PROUD of you, a young doctor, who knows and sees the vulnerability of children and helps them recognize "it's NO big deal" God bless."
- Anonymous

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