July

Just a few sunburns can increase your child's risk

of skin cancer in the future.

Protection from the sun and UV rays involves a few simple steps.

Apply Sunscreen-use SPF 30 or higher. Apply before going outside and again after being in the water.

Wear Sunglasses- Children as young as 6 months should wear sunglasses.

Protective clothing accessories- Choose dark colored clothing, wear a hat, use a tree or umbrella for shade.

Be AWARE of skin changes- look at your children's skin for any new or changing moles.

If your child is under the age of 1 and gets sunburn contact your pediatrician. Older children with a sunburn should seek medical care if they experience blisters, fever 101 or above or lethargy.

BULLYING PREVENTION

Bullying is a relationship issue that surprisingly begins at birth. The greatest gifts we can give our children are unconditional love and the social-emotional skills to handle whatever comes their way.

Connection requires 4 elements (adapted from Conscious Discipline techniques by Dr. Becky Bailey)

Eye Contact - Get down on the child’s level to achieve eye contact for a brief moment. When eyes meet, a wireless connection is created between the orbital frontal areas of the prefrontal lobes. From this connection, we download inner states into one another. The eyes contain nerve projections that lead directly to key brain structures for empathy and matching emotions. As soon as you have eye contact, download calm, “There you are. You’re safe. Breathe with me. You can handle this.” “Mirror neurons ensure the moment someone sees an emotion on your face, they will at once sense the same feeling within themselves.” - Daniel Stern
Presence-Being present in the moment means your mind and body are in the same place. Your mind is free from chatter. You are still enough to see the beauty in the child. Presence is about acceptance as we join together to share the same moment. The present moment is where joy lies. Relax into it.
Touch-Touch is the only sense we cannot live without. The skin and brain are made up of the same embryonic tissue. The skin is the outside layer of the brain. Touch creates a hormone that is essential to neural functioning and learning. If we want smart, happy kids, then we need to provide more appropriate, caring touch.
Playfulness-Playfulness helps build bonds and creates a biochemistry in the brain for dopamine. Dopamine says, “Pay attention, stay focused.” Playful situations strengthen the dopamine system, increase attention spans and boost social development.

Growing Strong

July

BULLYING PREVENTION