articles

How To Harness Your Child's Spring Fever

Learning Rx offers some tips to keep your kids on track with the changing seasons.

April 18, 2016

 

 

                                  How to Harness Your Child’s Spring Fever

It’s hard to ignore the visual transformations of spring: The days are getting longer; flowers are blooming; and trees are beginning to grow and reproduce. But this life-cycle resurgence doesn’t start and end in nature. Toddlers, tweens, and teens can also recharge their bodies, minds, and spirits this season with a little guidance from parents and teachers—and these four tips:

 

Sleep Is Good
Extended daylight hours can lead to disrupted sleep schedules. Strive to maintain established sleep routines, typically aiming for six to eight hours of sleep every night.

Don’t Stifle Kids’ Energy — Redirect It! 
Finding things that allow kids to move and participate in group activities, especially out of doors, will help direct all that newfound spring energy. Take advantage of creative exercises to capitalize on their excitement!

Keep Kids Curious
Longer days can have a positive effect on a child’s mood, well-being and energy. According to TheGuardian.com, the effect of dopamine—the chemical that promotes pleasure, motivation, confidence, and memory—increases when we are exposed to more sunlight. Capitalize on seasonal energy by encouraging your child to stay curious and to take on fun new projects at home or school.

Don’t Abandon Familiar Routines
Longer days, daylight savings time, or the return to school after spring break can effect subtle changes in the body’s circadian rhythm or sleep cycle. These interruptions can interfere with a child’s attention, memory, and higher cognitive functions, the core skills needed to read, remember, and perform well every day. Encourage your child to stay organized and maintain familiar schedules. For example, if you can, keep homework hours the same time each day/evening. [Source]