Teach Kids How https://www.teachkidshow.com/ Preparing Your Child For Life Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:33:52 +0000 Teach Your Child to Save Money Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:33:52 +0000 Preschool Young children should be taught about saving money through a clear piggy bank. That way every time money is placed in their bank they can visually see the money grow. Whether you are paying them an allowance or placing your loose change in the jar, the child should be a part of placing the money in the jar. Once you have at least half of the jar filled, take the money out and show them the empty bank, “This is what your bank will look like without money. EThe empty bank will encourage them to continue to save their money. Before you place the money back in the bank, count how much money there is. Write the total money saved on a piece of paper. The next time the two of you go to a store bring the paper with you and ask your child to find the toy they would truly like to have one day (usually this toy will cost more than the change in the jar). Help your child to understand the difference, “You have $5.50 in your bank, the item you have picked out costs $19.95, so to buy this item you will need to save another $15.00(include the tax). Once your child has saved enough money to purchase the item, allow them to buy it (this will teach them the awards they receive when they save their money). Main points to address:
  • Have them keep a clear piggy bank so they can watch it grow.
  • Allow them to pick a toy from the store they have always wanted and write down the amount of the toy, this will give them a goal to reach for.
  • Allow them to purchase the toy, budget allowing, so they can see the benefits of saving money.
Grades K-3rd When it becomes a hassle attempting to teach your child to save, give him or her the option of you matching the amount of money they save over a course of time. This will help to motivate your child to save. You can either match 100% or 50% of the money they save. For 100% you would give them dollar for dollar (they save $10, you match that and give them $10). If you offer them a 50% match, you would give them 50 cents per dollar they save (if they save $10, you would then give them $5.00). Remind them of the items they have wanted to purchase and give them the option to buy the item once they have the amount needed. You can also have them save their money in a clear piggy bank so they can watch their money grow. Main points to address:
  • Match 50-100% of your child’s savings.
  • Allow them to purchase an item they are saving for so they can enjoy the benefits of saving.
  • Browse the isles at toy stores so they can get an idea of the costs of various toys, (This toy costs $15.99, this one is $35.00, etc.)
  • Allow them to set a goal of money they would like to save (Goal is to save $100.00 to buy a game console, etc.)
Grades 4th-6th With older school-aged children it is a good idea to have them start a bank account. Find a bank that has children’s savings accounts and have them put so much of their birthday money or allowance they make into the account. You can have them put a percentage away, such as 40% of their weekly allowance and 40% of all gifts into the bank and have them save for a certain amount of time, like two months, before they can begin to withdraw money. Put a limit on how much they can withdraw and how much they have to keep in the bank at all times (like they can withdraw so much out to purchase something, but they have to leave in at least $50.00) You can even have these settings mandatory at the bank, that way if your child attempts to withdraw more then they are supposed to the bank will deny the withdrawal. Just like the examples for grades K-3rd, you can also match the amount your child has saved (see above). Keep the checkbook or other balancing books up to date to show how much money your child has saved throughout those first few months. You should also explain how to balance their savings account with deposits and withdraws (see Teach Your Child to Balance a Checkbook). Main points to address:
  • Match the amount your child saves.
  • Set a limit on the percentage of money they have to save from gifts, allowance, or a job they conduct.
  • Teach them how to balance a checkbook.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-to-save-money/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-to-save-money/ Teach Your Child to Balance a Checkbook Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:58:59 +0000 Grades 4th through High School One of the best ways to teach your children is to give them an opportunity to interact with your checkbook duties. When your child travels with you to the grocery store or other shopping venture you can simply ask them to write down the total purchase amount in the balance book. Start them out with simple little tasks once you get home from the grocery store, ask them to take the total purchase amount and subtract it by the last amount that is listed on the checkbook. Provide them with a scratch sheet of paper to do this, and ask them for the total they came up with. Many times children love to help their parents and when they feel they can do something as super as their parents can they are eager to continue. The next few times you go shopping do the same thing, ask them to write down the total purchase amount in the balance book then, when you get home, ask them to subtract that amount from the last amount shown. This will ease your child into the process of balancing the book. Once you have done this a few times, over a short period of time, it’s time to sit down with your child and show them what they have done without knowing, balancing a checkbook. You can then begin to provide the remainder of the details; today we placed a check in the bank for $500.00, we went to the store Monday and spent $75.00, which took our total amount left in the bank at $425.00. We then spent another $45.00 at the store on Wednesday, bringing our total amount to $380.00, and just today we spent another $80.00 so we currently have? While you are explaining the dollar amounts show them the lines in which you have written your deposits and withdrawals. Be sure to take it slow so your children can fully understand the concept. Once they do, they’ll probably ask you if they can do it every week. Main points to address:
  • Take it slow.
  • Ease them into writing the amounts down without them knowing what they are doing.
  • Offer a step-by-step direction for keeping track of every dollar spent.
  • Explain the importance of balancing as opposed to forgetting and bouncing checks and what that type of behavior will lead to (with the charges today for a bounced check that can really add up for just a few.)
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-to-balance-a-checkbook/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-to-balance-a-checkbook/ Teach Your Child How to Use a Planner Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:49:02 +0000 Preschool Although preschoolers don’t need to keep a planner, you can introduce them to your child. You can practice with them the days of the week song:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday the days of the week (Clap twice) The days of the week (Clap Twice) We start each day with a smile And make each day full of fun starting with… (Go back through the beginning of the song)
Point to each day of the week as you sing this song. You can also point out, in the planner, the days that you or your spouse works. “Mommy works on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. EMark those down for your child. Make a mark on a special date or event that is coming up in your child’s life. “The 12th of March is your birthday, June 5th is daddy’s birthday, etc.” Main points to address:
  • Sing-a-long with your child the days of the week song.
  • Point out each day on the planner as you sing the days of the week song.
  • Show important dates on the calendar and mark them on the calendar with your child.
Grades K-3rd Sit down with your child to go through the entire calendar. Provide all dates for family birthdays and other special events, have your child write them all down accurately. Make sure to keep everything organized into one calendar, all out of school and in school events. Have your child provide weekly updates of their calendar and add new test dates or sporting activity dates to keep the planner as up to date as possible. Main points to address:
  • Sit down with your child to make out the planner.
  • Make sure to mark down birthdays of family members and other special events in your child’s schedule.
  • Keep out of school and in school events connected and on one calendar.
  • Make sure to keep all school test dates and other school activities on the calendar.
Grades 4th-6th By the time your child gets into the fourth grade they should have had enough experience with a planner to know how to use one. If not, the instructions provided above for K-3rd graders can be used for your 4th  E6th graders. Be sure to allow your children to provide the details of the planner, this will give them the sense of having accomplished something in their weekly to-do list. Main points to address:
  • Allow your children to place school and family activities in the same schedule.
  • Have them keep the planner current weekly.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-use-a-planner/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-use-a-planner/ Teach Your Child How to Earn Money Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:41:48 +0000 Preschool With preschoolers you can start by teaching them about making money around your house or family and friends homes. This can be done by picking up sticks for a price per stick, by the minute or per stack of sticks. For instance you can offer them .02 per stick. Once your preschooler has picked up enough sticks to have made a few dollars you can discus with your preschooler the point of saving or give them the option of using the money for a new toy they had been wanting for some time (although it is good to teach your children the value of saving money, learning the value of earning money and having the ability to spend it on something they want is the lesson when making money for the first time). Main points to address:
  • Allow them to make so much on dusting (.50 per object of dusting) or other chores.
  • Get your family involved in offering your children small projects to do around their house.
  • Allow them to spend so much money, give them the enjoyment of spending as well as saving; this gives them the incentive to work again.
  • Show them the cost of things at the stores, explain to them how much they made and how much various items at the store cost; for example “This Barbie costs $10.00, you have made $3.00 so you don’t have enough to buy it this time, but if you put aside $2.00 this time and another dollar a day, then you can buy it in just eight days. E/li>
Grades K-3rd Take a moment to sit down with your child after a payday, if you own a business you can use a check from a client or your bank statements, and discuss your pay scale and job performance, hours of work and the benefits of your job, if you are comfortable with this tactic. You can also administer duties for your child and offer an allowance per job or per week. Main points to address:
  • Offer regular presentations of your pay stubs and explain hours, hourly rates and amount made for the week.
  • Be consistent with allowance and payment, encouraging job performance evaluations and bonuses.
  • Allow them the ability to spend some of their hard earned cash; it is also encouraged to have them save some of that money in a bank account.
Grades 4th-6th With older children you can allow them to run a small business from your home, with your help and supervision. They might open a lemonade stand in the summer, have a small paper route for the local newspaper, have a bake sale at flea markets or other local events or provide lawn care or snow removal services in your neighborhood or to families and friends. Main points to address:
  • Enjoy the benefits of having a small business with your child.
  • Explain and show the costs of buying materials and their net and gross earnings, after factoring in the material costs.
  • Search for other creative, fun and money making opportunities in your area that your child could benefit from.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-earn-money/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-earn-money/ Teach Your Child How to Dial 911 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:22:50 +0000 Preschool You may have to go over the keypad a few times for children to memorize the 9-1-1 numbers. If they don’t already know their numbers by sight make sure they know what a 9 and a 1 look like. Be sure to emphasize the importance of using those numbers on an emergency basis, as preschoolers sometimes think having the police or fire fighters show up at their home would be really cool. Explain to them that if an emergency happens where mommy, daddy or other caregivers are not responsive, they must stay on the phone with the operator until the ambulance or help arrives. The operators will usually attempt to keep the child on the phone anyway, but confirm that it is important to do so. You can emphasize this with a song:
 There’s a fire, there’s a fire call 9-1-1, 9-1-1  Someone’s hurt, someone’s hurt call 9-1-1, 9-1-1  You’ll save a life, save a life through 9-1-1, 9-1-1  Then everything will be better, thanks to 9-1-1, 9-1-1
Main points to address:
  • Sing a song to help young children remember what numbers to call and why.
  • Go over the keypad with them until they are completely familiar with the 911 numbers.
  • Make sure they know their name and ask them to try to speak loud and clear when on the phone with emergency workers.
Grades K-3rd By the time children are in kindergarten they will probably be familiar with the concept of calling 911 in case of an emergency, but emphasizing the key factors of talking to emergency personnel on the phone is important. Main points to address:
  • Have them speak clearly and loudly, even if they are really scared about the situation.
  • Tell the emergency operator what is happening (the reason they are calling).
  • Explain to your child that it is okay if they do not know the answer to a question the emergency personnel ask, or it is okay for them to ask the 911 operator to repeat a question if they did not hear first time.
  • Children should know that the operator will be asking a lot of questions, tell them to take a deep breath and relax if they start to feel stressed from all the questions. Tell them to just take their time and answer the ones they know and tell the operator they are unsure of the others.
  • If there are health conditions of a family member your child is alone with, this should be written down on a piece of paper (e.g. Grandpa has Sugar Diabetes Type 1).
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-dial-911/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-dial-911/ Teach Your Child How to Form Positive Friendships Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:16:15 +0000 Preschoolers Most preschoolers learn how to act and react in relationships by watching their family and siblings Einteractions. The preschool years are among the most important years for development, children could benefit from their parents and siblings showing a great interest in one another. Listening, smiling and acknowledging another’s conversation or concerns are a great start. This shows youngsters how important another’s feelings are and the importance of showing concern for them. These are also great years to show how important it is to share, you can provide a sharing time for you and your family where everyone gets together as a group and shares something (a story or favorite toy) with another family member. It is also important for parents to provide venues for their children to meet and make friends at this level, such as the park or other supervised play areas where children can meet others their age. Or schedule a “Play Date Ewith children who are close to your child’s age, you can do this with other parents you know, family members, or neighbors. This will offer experience and an opportunity for your child to learn the social and interaction skills needed throughout their school years.   Main points to address:
  • Teach by example by being a good listener to your child and other family members.
  • Organize a “Play Date Ewith other children who are close to your child’s age.
  • Schedule a family sharing time, which will teach youngsters the importance of sharing.
Grades K-3rd Once your child is in school finding children for them to form a positive friendship will be much easier with so many classmates. But there are still ways for your child to create more secure friendships with those who share the same personalities or similar interests. Allow your child to join a club, do sports or other extra curricular activities that would interest him/her the most. In their local school district there might be a girl club, that provides crafts and other fun events tailored just for girls. These kind of clubs and organizations will narrow down the friends that would meet your child’s needs. You can also get them involved in area events, outside of school, that provide activities your child might be interested in. Main points to address:
  • Encourage them to join clubs of interest in school.
  • Provide them with a list of characteristics of a good friend (see list below).
  • Allow them to get involved in community events that interest them.
Grades 4th-6th Throughout the school years most children have made a number of friends and two or three very close friends. Perhaps your child who is this age may need some pointers on how to keep a positive relationship. Good friends have many qualities, but the most important are those listed below. Main points to address:
  • Offer support when needed.
  • Are kind to their friends.
  • Are the first one to show up at a gathering and the last one to go home.
  • Laugh at each other's jokes and are fun to be around.
  • Have a smile on their face when their friend comes around.
  • Are always willing to share.
  • Offer to help their friend.
  • Invite their friend to do something together.
  • Show an interest in what their friends do.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-form-positive-friendships/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-form-positive-friendships/ Teach Your Children How to Brush Their Teeth Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:41:51 +0000 Pictures say a thousand words, when you see children who don’t show their teeth in pictures, you can bet that child is self-conscious about their smile. Whether from tooth decay or the changed color of the enamel on their teeth. Nonetheless, many young children couldn't care less about brushing their teeth or having a bright white smile until they’re in their teens and it’s too late. So, how can we teach them to brush their teeth on their own? Or, want to brush their teeth three times daily? We have provided a few tips to help make your brush-teaching task as effortless as a smile. Provided below are innovative and creative ways to show your children how to brush their teeth, categorized in age groups for your convenience. Preschool Preschoolers learn most things through rhythm and rhyme. Make the brushing experience fun and exciting. Let them know there are little bugs that we can’t see that live on their teeth, and you have to brush them away. Make a song out of your teeth brushing time:
 There’s a bug on my teeth brush him off  Brush up, brush down, brush you teeth round and round  When you spit the paste in the sink, the bug goes down the drain  There are no more bugs in our teeth  ELook smile now so bright
Once you have shown your tots the up and down and round and round flow of brushing their teeth, give them the brush, “now you try. EOnce they get that flow themselves and they move their tiny brushes up and down make this a very exciting and joyous moment. Celebrate this with laughter, clapping, and exciting hoorays. Let other family members in on the celebration as well, have your child show their grandparents or other family members how awesome they too can brush their teeth. Main points to address:
  • Get excited about brushing and even more excited when they brush.
  • Make it a fun experience.
  • Ask them to show you how well they can brush their teeth.
  • Make it a big deal to other family members when they learn how, “Dad look how great (child’s name) can brush his/her teeth.
Grades K-3rd Grades K-3rd learn through presentation and repetition. The best way for young elementary children to learn is through repetition and presentation. Offer your young children the ability to watch as you brush your teeth explaining what you are doing every step of the way. Use creative analogies, “plaque are small bugs that are in your mouth eating away at your teeth and the only way to get them out is to brush.”  You’ll be amazed at how quickly your kids will ask to brush their teeth and insist on doing so regularly. Main points to address:
  • Offer regular presentations of yourself brushing.
  • Be consistent with times of the day to brush.
  • Use creative analogies or stories of others who never brushed their teeth.
Grades 4th-6th While grades 4th -6th learn through show and tell. There is nothing more effective than honesty and showing these youngsters what happens when someone doesn’t brush their teeth. Find pictures of individual’s teeth that have serious decay or rotten teeth. Use every dental visit as a way to teach them by asking the dentist for pictures of people who never brush their teeth. Explain to them, “this is what happens when people don’t brush their teeth.” You can also explain the health hazards of not brushing your teeth. There are plenty of health risks for individuals who don’t brush their teeth. Main points to address:
  • Search online for teeth that are badly decayed and show them to your youngsters.
  • Be honest about how not brushing decays their teeth and hurts their health.
  • Use pictures offered through your dentist at every visit.
  • Ask your dentist to share with your children stories, pictures or knowledge of the hazards of not brushing their teeth.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-children-how-to-brush-their-teeth/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-children-how-to-brush-their-teeth/ Teach Your Child How to Be Creative Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:57:17 +0000 Preschool Create an atmosphere for preschoolers that encourage creative activities and thoughts. Prepare their bedroom or play area in a way that encourages creativity, keep coloring devices and paper handy and easily accessible. Keep a variety of artistic materials; clay, play dough, music, books, blocks, legos, and other creative toys within the reach of the child. Incorporate role playing and storytelling in everyday activities. For example while you are eating animal crackers, have your child pick an animal cracker, name the animal, eat the cracker then imitate that animal. Or while you are traveling, make up a short story about an item you see on the road or side of the road. For example: You see a tire sitting on the side of the road, you can make something up about that tire. “I imagine that tire came from a car that was going too fast down the road and when the man pulled over to the side to fix his tire he realized that going so fast will make him lose his tires. So he never went too fast on the road again.”   Main points to address:
  • Create an atmosphere that encourages creativity
  • Have a variety of artistic and creative materials accessible to your child
  • Incorporate role playing and storytelling in everyday activities
Grades K-3rd With young school-aged children, creativity will be developing rapidly. This is the time they will begin problem solving on their own; this is a great time to encourage creativity. Encourage them to review alternative ways of problem solving by evaluating the problem, think of a variety of solutions and figure out which is the best way to execute the solution. For example; If Michelle at school does not want to be your child’s friend anymore (and this happens more times then you can count on both hands at feet at this age) then give three or four alternative methods to solve this problem and have your child execute the one that is the best choice. This is also a good time in your child’s life to begin to relax your parental controls, don’t let go of the reins or allow your child to make all the decisions, but begin to give them more options and allow them to help you with establishing rules and regulations for their age. As adults we sometimes tighten our parental control, which can diminish the self-confidence that is an important attribute of the creative spirit. Main points to address:
  • Offer them the ability to help provide the rules and regulations of the household
  • Give them an opportunity for free self-expression, without negative or demeaning judgment
  • Encourage them to evaluate their problems, review a variety of options to solve the problem, and figure out which option is the best to execute.
Grades 4th-6th Encouraging your school-aged children to discover diverse activities in and out of school will help develop critical-thinking skills, which is important to the creative pursuit. School-aged children become bombarded with homework, school sports or other activities. In particular, theatre activities, whether in-school or out of school, should be encouraged. Many local organizations for the arts can help you find a place for your child in their programs, even if your child is shy and does not feel comfortable acting in a play they can always provide other services for the stage play such as lighting, decorating, sound, costume, narrating or a variety of other duties. It is important to offer creative avenues, but it is also important not to push or pressure your child into these activities. Give them time to develop the motivation to pursue them themselves. It is also important to allow your child the freedom of expression, allow them to be the individuals they are by giving them the ability to wear the clothes and items of their liking. Although I wouldn’t allow them to get tattoos at the age of 12, there have to be set regulations as to what, but do allow them to express themselves in the unique being that they are. Main points to address:
  • Encourage your child to be a part of extra curricular activities in and out of school, join the choir in school, and sign up for a local play out of school.
  • Allow your child the freedom of expression, allow them to wear the clothes they want without the fear of rejection or judgment from his parents.
  • Don’t push them into anything they don’t want to do, but encourage them to join diverse groups to learn other skills.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-be-creative/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-be-creative/ Teach Your Child How to Clean His Room Fri, 17 Jul 2026 07:14:55 +0000 Preschool Even chores can turn into a fun game, without those little tots even knowing they are actually picking up their rooms (I won’t tell if you don’t), and no youngster in his or her right mind would turn down the opportunity to play a game with one of their parents. You can play basketball with the dirty clothes and laundry hamper, play a game of race the clock to see how fast we are at picking up our toys, or see who can pick up the most toys in a limited amount of time. Main points to address:
  • Place shelves and other toy compartments close enough for the child to reach.
  • Keep various, small, compartments for each type of toy (bookshelf for the books, small crate for the cars, a different small crate for the Lego’s, etc.). That way you can teach the child after playing with this type of toy to place the items back in the crate.
  • Talk your preschooler through everything, “We’re done reading this book let’s put it back on the shelf Emaking sure to be consistent with each chore.
  • Make cleaning fun and exciting.
Grades K-3rd There’s nothing like a little challenge for young elementary school students. Give them the option of seeing which of you can clean faster, them while cleaning their room, or you while cleaning the kitchen. The race is one between mom and the child. Although you want to be sure to point out that going way to fast can be harmful in a room and they need to be extra careful while they are rushing about. Kids also enjoy getting a little something for their effort. Experts say there is nothing wrong with offering your child a simple reward after such a chore. Therefore you can give them the opportunity to clean their room in thirty minutes and then you can offer to take them out to the park or to the ice cream store for a treat. The choice is up to you, but a small reward once in a while will not hinder the cleaning process. (If you give your child a treat after every time they clean their room they will begin to expect the treat, so keep this routine fairly uncommon.) Main points to address:
  • Offer a treat every once in a while if they have the task completed in a certain time limit.
  • Be consistent with their room cleaning chores.
  • Make a game out of cleaning (who can clean the fastest, mom in the kitchen or child in the bedroom.)
Grades 4th-6th Children who are among the older generation of children in elementary school understand the concept of responsibility and the hard work it takes to keep chores up, at least most of them do. Cleaning their room can be completed as part of their chores they do to receive an allowance. Be sure to keep bins and other storage devices for your youngster in a specific space, this will make it easier for their room-cleaning venture. Main points to address:
  • Provide them with a weekly allowance for their chores, including their room.
  • Have assessable enough storage bins for individual toy sets, a small box for hot wheels, a different bin for crayons, etc.
  • Label the boxes, unless you use clear crates, for easy access.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-clean-his-room/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-clean-his-room/ Teach Your Child About the Skeletal System Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:10:14 +0000 Preschool - Grade 3 Your baby’s bones will not be “set” when they are born- and for good reason. In order to accommodate the squeeze through the birth canal, bones must be pliable. Even the skull is somewhat soft and must be protected when your baby is young. Eventually the bones harden as the softer material we call cartilage slowly turns to bone. Cartilage does remain in the parts of our bodies that will always require flexibility, such as our nose and ears and our joints. Young children’s bones need to be softer for another reason. Learning to crawl, walk, climb, jump and run involves many falls. Bones hardening slowly is a safeguard against early bone breaks. Your child will compare their hands and feet to yours. Seeing the difference in the size of these bones, and how they change through the years is a way of gauging growth. When your child needs larger shoes, bigger clothes- when their favorite things no longer fit, your child will become acutely aware of their own growth. In order to assure your youngster is developing good, strong bones, take care that they are consuming enough calcium rich foods. Cheese, milk, cottage cheese and yogurt are good dairy sources and indeed the best sources of calcium. Dark leafy greens like chard, kale and spinach can supplement dairy sources. Recent research indicates fruits and vegetables also contribute to strong, healthy bones. If your child’s diet does not include dairy, get the advice of a nutritionist or medical doctor. Other minerals are helpful to bone growth and strength, such as phosphorus, vitamins A and D, and magnesium. Your bones also need high quality protein to grow. At this age, your child needs you to choose foods rich in calcium and these additional nutrients for him or her, as they will not have the will or understanding to consistently choose these vital foods. Making sure your child’s diet provides for bone health will help them develop bones that will stay strong and healthy. Fresh air, sunshine and exercise are needed to grow strong bones and keep them doing their job. Make sure your child gets outside everyday to run and play. Weight-bearing activity is essential for building and maintaining bone mass. Working and playing outside is good for your child! Should you suspect your child has broken a bone, get to the doctor quickly as young bones heal speedily, and you need to make sure they mend correctly, in the right alignment. Main points to address:
  • Bones at birth are not yet set.
  • Your child needs a calcium-rich diet- everyday.
  • Talk to your doctor or nutritionist if your child does not eat dairy.
  • Your child needs to get plenty of sunshine and exercise.
  • If you suspect a broken bone, get medical attention quickly.
Grades 3-6th Older school age children will have learned about their skeletal system in school, but they will still need some monitoring of their diet to make sure they are taking in sufficient calcium. The blood will take calcium from the bones if calcium intake does not support the calcium balance needed in the blood. Teach your child to pack a lunch that includes at least one calcium rich food. Cheese sticks, yogurt, and of course milk are favorites. At this age they will need 3-4 servings of dairy each day. Calcium supplementation is an option, but should be monitored by a doctor. The benefits of supplements stop when supplementation is discontinued. Some sports can be pretty rough on the bones. If your child skateboards, bicycles, skates or plays field sports such as soccer or American football, make sure they are using shin and arm guards and in the case of skateboarding, biking and football, helmets. If your child should suffer a broken bone, they will heal relatively quickly, but they must get medical attention quickly and follow doctor’s orders during the healing period. Your child’s frame may grow in spurts, giving a somewhat awkward appearance at times. Reassure him or her that their body is growing and that things will even out eventually. As your child grows, they may indeed experience “growing pains”. A warm bath and a cup of chamomile tea may help, but if the pains are severe, recurring, or interfere with sleep, see your doctor. Main points to address:
  • Teach your child to pack at least one calcium-rich food in their lunch.
  • Kids need protective gear for many sports. Make sure they use them!
  • Outside play and work remains important at this age.
  • Bones heal quickly at this age.
  • If your child has severe “growing pains”, see your doctor.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: KidsHealth: For kids - http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/bones.html KidsHealth: For parents: Broken bones- how to know, what to do - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/broken_bones.html National Institute of Health: Guide for parents on bone health (excellent) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Juvenile/default.asp ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-about-the-skeletal-system/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/?p=203