Think back to the carefree times when you were a kid. You would jump on your bike, cool summer breeze on your face, racing all the neighborhood kids, maybe even getting a little daring, and trying to make your front wheel pop off the ground. Now think about your little ones jumping on their bikes, does this make you nervous or excited? It is okay to feel a little bit of both because we know that with the joys of riding a bike also comes the inevitable crashes and accidents.
Riding a bike is an excellent way to work on building those larger muscle groups, coordination, improving cardiovascular and endurance skills and even working on some of those higher-level thinking and problem-solving tools. The staff here at Kids Place Therapy Services want our families to remember a few tips and strategies to stay safe while your little ones are out on their bicycles this summer.
Stay safe on bikes by following the tips below:
Measure your child’s height, weight and their head measurement prior to going to the store.
Look at the recommendations on the bike to see what bike will fit your child based on their height.
Look at the recommendations on the helmet to see if the circumference (measurement around the head) is listed. Helmets should sit comfortably 1 inch above the eyebrows and not wiggle on the rider’s head.
Bike seats and pedals should be secure.
Tires should be inflated to the indicated pressure.
Wear bright colors so that motorists can easily spot the riders.
Teach riders about looking both ways before crossing any place a car may cross.
Teach children at a young age how to identify different road signs and what they mean.
https://kidsplacetherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids_Place_Therapy_Services_logo.png00jessenprhttps://kidsplacetherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids_Place_Therapy_Services_logo.pngjessenpr2021-07-01 07:00:192021-06-25 08:08:11I Want to Ride my Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle
Kids Place Therapy Services wants to remind families that June is Summer Safety Month! The weather is warming up, the sun is shining bright, our kids are out of school for the summer, and our families will be enjoying many outdoor adventures. The sun fuels tons of outdoor activities but can also pose a major risk to people’s health, especially in our little ones.
Here are some tips to keep your family safe:
Stay Hydrated.
Did you know that we should be drinking between a half ounce to an ounce for every pound that we weigh? Example: If you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink between 75 to 150 ounces of fluids per day or at least 9 glasses of water. This amount increases when we are perspiring.
Protect Your Body from Sun Damage.
Sunscreen should be applied following the directions on the bottle but generally 30 minutes before outdoor activities and reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Wear sunglasses or a hat to protect your eyes from the damaging UV rays. (Remember sun damage can occur year-round.)
Limit sun exposure during the peak hours of 10am – 4pm.
Use shaded areas when possible.
Signs you have spent too much time in the sun:
Heat cramps: muscle aches or stomach cramping
Spend some time out of the heat relaxing for a few hours.
Heat Exhaustion: symptoms are similar to the flu including severe thirst, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, clammy/ pale skin, dizziness or rapid pulse.
Contact a doctor if symptoms worsen or don’t improve within an hour of removing oneself from the heat.
Heat Stroke: very hot skin and exhibiting confusion.
Seek emergency services immediately, heat stroke can be life threatening.
https://kidsplacetherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids_Place_Therapy_Services_logo.png00jessenprhttps://kidsplacetherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids_Place_Therapy_Services_logo.pngjessenpr2021-06-21 16:28:192021-06-25 08:05:52Keeping the Fun in the Summer Sun
Just be happy! A common phrase we hear frequently. We know we feel better when we are happy, but why is this so? The answer lies in brain chemistry. When we process positive emotions our brain releases the “feel good” neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals improve our ability to organize and recall information, and solve problems more creatively and efficiently. When we are happy our brains actually function better!
Luckily there are things we CAN DO to increase positive emotions. Meditation is a powerful practice that increases positive emotions and over time even increases immune function. There are many approaches to meditation. One is to focus the attention on the breath. While lying down or sitting, close your eyes, and just bring your attention to your breath. If your mind wanders just bring your attention back to your breath without judgement. You can observe how your chest, ribs and shoulders move. Perhaps set a timer for 2-3 minutes and increase the number of minutes over time or practice meditation for a couple of minutes a few times per day. There are no “right” or “wrong” ways, so just play around and see what works for you… Stay tune for more information and suggestions on increasing happiness!
Children often deal with emotional and social conflict, distractions and overstimulation in our world today.
Yoga is a tool that can help kids re-center themselves. Yoga uses breathing exercises which can energize kids or encourage relaxation. Different breathing techniques/games help kids connect to how their bodies feel as a result of deep breathing. Focus increases, stress is reduced and healthy hormones are released.
Here are some of the many benefits of teaching yoga to kids:
Yoga helps kids to:
Develop body awareness
Manage stress through breathing, awareness, meditation and healthy movement
Develops focus and concentration
Build strength and enhances flexibility
Refines balance and coordination
Boosts self-esteem and confidence
“Yoga is beneficial to children of all ages, but it has been found to be particularly so for kids with special needs. Studies have shown that yoga benefits children with autism and ADHD. NPR has reported that researchers surveyed teachers at a Bronx public school that had a daily yoga program and found that the program reduced kids’ aggressive behavior, social withdrawal, and hyperactivity, compared with a control group of kids with autism who did not practice yoga. Kristie Patten Koenig, Ph.D., an associate professor of occupational therapy at New York University who led the study, says that yoga was effective because it seemed to play to the strengths of kids with autism while also reducing stress. Autism Key, an autism support website, says that yoga helps address kids’ heightened anxiety, poor motor coordination, and weak self-regulation, something that otherwise is very difficult to do”. – an excerpt from “the benefits of yoga for kids” by Visi Tilak in Parents magazine found on https://www.parents.com/fun/sports/exercise/the-benefits-of-yoga-for-kids/
Kids Place Therapy Services offers yoga classes throughout the year. Enroll your child so that they may be able to experience the many benefits of yoga.
https://kidsplacetherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids_Place_Therapy_Services_logo.png00jessenprhttps://kidsplacetherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids_Place_Therapy_Services_logo.pngjessenpr2018-01-12 14:21:202021-03-30 16:23:01Yoga for Kids
Halloween is filled with so much rich sensory input. It’s a holiday where we break social norms and teach our children to go up to scary houses and take candy from strangers while dressed in strange costumes. It’s no wonder some of our children are mystified by the holiday. Most importantly, though, the point of Halloween is for children and families to have fun together. Some children love EVERYTHING about Halloween. Some children may need a little more…or a lot more support to enjoy the holiday. We here at Kids Place Therapy Services are happy to share some thoughts on supporting your superhero, butterfly, witch… during this holiday.
Halloween may be experienced in many ways. If your child is able to go out and Trick-or-Treat, follow your child’s cues. Perhaps tonight you may stay out for 2 hours. It’s okay, though, if you head home after 20 minutes. It’s also okay if your child prefers to stay home and help hand out candy. Social skills practice and sensory exploration can be gained from home on Halloween too. However, for safety reasons, you might want to have an adult open the door to maintain the continuity of teaching your child not to open the door to strangers.
Consider that your child has many opportunities to practice the same skill over and over again today. While Trick-or-Treating, the first few houses can be used for “warming up”. If a child wants to hang back while others go up this can be a good opportunity for a child to see what to expect and what is expected. The same concept may apply for children handing out candy at home.
Some houses may appear brighter, louder, darker or just scarier than others. After warming up it might be that your child can go up to some houses more easily than others. This is okay, continue to follow your child’s cues. You may also help your child “warm up” while handing out candy at home. Some costumes may provide just too much sensory input. Following your child’s cues and allowing your child to take breaks as needed may help increase and even extend the fun!
https://kidsplacetherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids_Place_Therapy_Services_logo.png00jessenprhttps://kidsplacetherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids_Place_Therapy_Services_logo.pngjessenpr2017-10-31 08:30:462021-03-30 16:23:06Tips for Supporting Your Child on Halloween
I Want to Ride my Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle
News UpdatesThink back to the carefree times when you were a kid. You would jump on your bike, cool summer breeze on your face, racing all the neighborhood kids, maybe even getting a little daring, and trying to make your front wheel pop off the ground. Now think about your little ones jumping on their bikes, does this make you nervous or excited? It is okay to feel a little bit of both because we know that with the joys of riding a bike also comes the inevitable crashes and accidents.
Riding a bike is an excellent way to work on building those larger muscle groups, coordination, improving cardiovascular and endurance skills and even working on some of those higher-level thinking and problem-solving tools. The staff here at Kids Place Therapy Services want our families to remember a few tips and strategies to stay safe while your little ones are out on their bicycles this summer.
Stay safe on bikes by following the tips below:
Sources:
Safewise. “Bike Safety for Kids.” Accessed June 5th, 2021. https://www.safewise.com/bicycle-safety-for-kids/#:~:text=Bike%20Safety%20for%20Kids,-By%20Katie%20McEntire&text=May%20is%20National%20Bike%20Month,you%20safe%20in%20the%20saddle.
Keeping the Fun in the Summer Sun
News UpdatesKids Place Therapy Services wants to remind families that June is Summer Safety Month! The weather is warming up, the sun is shining bright, our kids are out of school for the summer, and our families will be enjoying many outdoor adventures. The sun fuels tons of outdoor activities but can also pose a major risk to people’s health, especially in our little ones.
Here are some tips to keep your family safe:
Signs you have spent too much time in the sun:
Sources:
Community Health of Central Washington. “June is Summer Safety Month.” Accessed June 5th, 2021. https://chcw.org/june-is-summer-safety-month/.
WebMD. “Water and Your Diet: Staying Slim and Regular With H2O.” Accessed June 5th, 2021. https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/water-for-weight-loss-diet#1
Building Happiness
News UpdatesJust be happy! A common phrase we hear frequently. We know we feel better when we are happy, but why is this so? The answer lies in brain chemistry. When we process positive emotions our brain releases the “feel good” neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals improve our ability to organize and recall information, and solve problems more creatively and efficiently. When we are happy our brains actually function better!
Luckily there are things we CAN DO to increase positive emotions. Meditation is a powerful practice that increases positive emotions and over time even increases immune function. There are many approaches to meditation. One is to focus the attention on the breath. While lying down or sitting, close your eyes, and just bring your attention to your breath. If your mind wanders just bring your attention back to your breath without judgement. You can observe how your chest, ribs and shoulders move. Perhaps set a timer for 2-3 minutes and increase the number of minutes over time or practice meditation for a couple of minutes a few times per day. There are no “right” or “wrong” ways, so just play around and see what works for you… Stay tune for more information and suggestions on increasing happiness!
Yoga for Kids
News UpdatesChildren often deal with emotional and social conflict, distractions and overstimulation in our world today.
Yoga is a tool that can help kids re-center themselves. Yoga uses breathing exercises which can energize kids or encourage relaxation. Different breathing techniques/games help kids connect to how their bodies feel as a result of deep breathing. Focus increases, stress is reduced and healthy hormones are released.
Here are some of the many benefits of teaching yoga to kids:
Yoga helps kids to:
“Yoga is beneficial to children of all ages, but it has been found to be particularly so for kids with special needs. Studies have shown that yoga benefits children with autism and ADHD. NPR has reported that researchers surveyed teachers at a Bronx public school that had a daily yoga program and found that the program reduced kids’ aggressive behavior, social withdrawal, and hyperactivity, compared with a control group of kids with autism who did not practice yoga. Kristie Patten Koenig, Ph.D., an associate professor of occupational therapy at New York University who led the study, says that yoga was effective because it seemed to play to the strengths of kids with autism while also reducing stress. Autism Key, an autism support website, says that yoga helps address kids’ heightened anxiety, poor motor coordination, and weak self-regulation, something that otherwise is very difficult to do”. – an excerpt from “the benefits of yoga for kids” by Visi Tilak in Parents magazine found on https://www.parents.com/fun/sports/exercise/the-benefits-of-yoga-for-kids/
Kids Place Therapy Services offers yoga classes throughout the year. Enroll your child so that they may be able to experience the many benefits of yoga.
Tips for Supporting Your Child on Halloween
News UpdatesHalloween is filled with so much rich sensory input. It’s a holiday where we break social norms and teach our children to go up to scary houses and take candy from strangers while dressed in strange costumes. It’s no wonder some of our children are mystified by the holiday. Most importantly, though, the point of Halloween is for children and families to have fun together. Some children love EVERYTHING about Halloween. Some children may need a little more…or a lot more support to enjoy the holiday. We here at Kids Place Therapy Services are happy to share some thoughts on supporting your superhero, butterfly, witch… during this holiday.
Halloween may be experienced in many ways. If your child is able to go out and Trick-or-Treat, follow your child’s cues. Perhaps tonight you may stay out for 2 hours. It’s okay, though, if you head home after 20 minutes. It’s also okay if your child prefers to stay home and help hand out candy. Social skills practice and sensory exploration can be gained from home on Halloween too. However, for safety reasons, you might want to have an adult open the door to maintain the continuity of teaching your child not to open the door to strangers.
Consider that your child has many opportunities to practice the same skill over and over again today. While Trick-or-Treating, the first few houses can be used for “warming up”. If a child wants to hang back while others go up this can be a good opportunity for a child to see what to expect and what is expected. The same concept may apply for children handing out candy at home.
Some houses may appear brighter, louder, darker or just scarier than others. After warming up it might be that your child can go up to some houses more easily than others. This is okay, continue to follow your child’s cues. You may also help your child “warm up” while handing out candy at home. Some costumes may provide just too much sensory input. Following your child’s cues and allowing your child to take breaks as needed may help increase and even extend the fun!
Happy Halloween from our families to yours!!