Spring Street Academy

Springers Have Bark!

WE ARE ALLERGY SAFE

This is a reminder that Spring Street Academy strives to be an allergy safe school and we ask that you help us to keep our students and staff safe. We have several students and staff who have life threatening allergies. Currently, we ask that no products containing nuts (including Nutella and peanut butter) be sent to school. There are many allergy safe snacks available so please be diligent in not sending prohibited items. Please make us aware in the office of any students who have severe allergies of any kind.

WAYS TO HELP AT HOME

Read, Read, Read

Take every opportunity you can to read with your child. Make the kitchen, living room, and their bedrooms, into “reading zones” and devote some time every day to reading short stories, homework, or anything that is particularly challenging for them.
Make it Fun!

Games can be exceptional learning tools. Board games, card games, memory games and word games subtly engage a child in learning essential problem solving skills, while ensuring they have fun! Showing them how much fun learning can be will make them more eager to learn.

Embrace Technology

Computers, tablets, and mobile devices have access to all sorts of educational resources that can help your child learn in a collection of different ways. From games to writing to reading, technology offers a number of different ways to engage kids as they learn. Don’t be scared to let them get used to technology, the sooner they learn about the devices, the more comfortable they will be when using them in the future.

Encouragement is Golden

Remember to encourage your children through the learning process. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in helping a developing mind absorb information. Mistakes should not be cause for concern. Instead, view them as learning opportunities and help your child realize where, and how, they can improve.

Count, Write, Read

Practice, repetition, and routine help a young mind develop skills faster, and become more comfortable with the skills they already have. Set time aside to count with your children, let them write stories for you, and read them together. This little bit of effort can make a world of difference in the long run.

IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

After safety and nutrition, how much sleep a child gets is uppermost in a parent’s mind. The amount your child needs varies by age: Toddlers need 11 to 14 hours, while preteens and teens require 8 to 10 hours. Following a well-rehearsed bedtime routine and tucking in at a reasonable hour are two key components to helping your child get a solid night’s sleep.

If your child can’t fall asleep easily, the following are effective strategies to soothe your kid’s nighttime struggles.

Get Outside!

Consider having your child run for exercise first, as a way to use up energy and prepare for bedtime later on. Getting physical increases the body’s temperature—and after it lowers, the drop may help kids fall asleep more easily. Sixty minutes of exercise is considered ideal for kids, including activities such as biking, hiking, or sports.

Watch the Clock

Staying up too late is a big reason kids aren’t getting the sleep they need each night. In fact, a child who heads to bed too late can take longer to fall asleep and may wake more frequently during the night. Try to base your child’s bedtime on his age and activity level and then stick to the appointed time during the week and on weekends.

Set the Scene

A calming bedroom atmosphere can help ease sleep struggles. Be sure the room is dark enough (installing black-out shades can help) and the temperature is comfortably cool. A rumbling tummy can keep kids awake, so offer a light snack before bed. Ones to try: whole-grain crackers with peanut butter or a small banana.

Power Down Devices

Watch out for electronics before bed. The blue light emitted by iPads, computers, and the television can keep kids awake. Turn off devices at least an hour before your kid turns in.

If lifestyle and environmental adjustments aren’t helping your child get back on track with sleep, talk to a pediatrician.

Children aged 3-5 years are recommended to have 10-13 hours of sleep each night while school aged children (6-9 years) are recommended to have 9-11 hours.