Getting the Kids Prepped for School

The new issue of Savvy.mn Kids is out and it features the face of Kendra Johnson of Inver Grove Heights.  Savvy.mn discovered Kendra at the casting call Savvy.mn hosted at our Como Town show in June.

This month’s issue of Savvy.mn Kids focuses on helping families mentally prepare for the new school year.  Editor, Melissa Gilman, talked to several experts about things parents can do to make the transition back to school go smooth.

First:  Start the social media conversation.  A professor at the University of Minnesota says you should “friend” your kids on Facebook.  There are some guidelines when it comes to commenting on their statuses, however, but it is a way to keep tabs on them.

Secondly:  Reset your kid’s internal clocks.  Kids and teens need 9 hours of sleep.  Lack of sleep can cause ADD, depression, and weight gain in kids.  The expert advices avoiding exercise two hours prior to bed, cut down on screen time, develop a bed time routine, and practice self calming techniques.

And, Thirdly:  Establish the right amount of extracurricular activities.  Make it a family choice, not just the kid’s choice, and teach your kids how to prioritize.

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