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Teach Kids to Spend, Save, Give
It is never too early to start teaching kids the necessary skills for financial literacy. Kids who understand how to budget know the basics of setting financial goals and creating a spending plan to avoid falling into debt. By teaching these skills at a young age, you are providing kids with the financial literacy they will need to be independent, successful adults. Keep budgeting simple for young kids For preschool-age kids, keeping track of chores, weekly allowance, and expenses does not have to be complex. Create a chore chart that includes the daily tasks your child is responsible for that week. There are many free templates for chore charts online. Use three money jars to store allowance money: one for spending, another for saving and a third for sharing. When your child decides he wants to buy something with his spending money, make sure he is there to watch you use the cash to make the purchase. Also, even though your child is too young to use a debit card himself, when you are out shopping, share with him your debit card receipt to help him understand that the items are being paid for by money in your account. Find the […]
13. Jul 2021
Tips for Common Toddler Challenges
When your toddler reaches 24 months, it may seem like a multitude of challenging behaviors appear all at once. Here are some tips on how to manage frustrating toddler behaviors. My toddler likes to scream Toddlers are just learning how to use words to communicate and find it much easier to express both excitement and displeasure by shrieking and screaming. If your toddler is shrieking loudly in public, it can be rather distressing, since not everyone around you may be understanding. If you have a “happy shrieker,’”calmly pick her up and say quietly, “It’s OK to be loud outside but inside, we have to use our quiet voice even when we are happy.” If your toddler is screaming out of displeasure, remember that toddlers are still learning to self-regulate and how to follow rules. Your best bet is to distract your toddler by switching her attention to something else, along with gently reminding her that it is not OK to scream in public. My toddler says “Mine!” all the time When your toddler is interacting with others and keeps saying “Mine! My toy!,” it can be a bit frustrating. This is a sign that your toddler has reached the developmental stage […]
13. Jul 2021
Options for Kids Fitness in Columbus, GA
Kids need enough exercise to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Exercise helps support a healthy heart, builds and maintains bone mass and muscles and keeps weight under control. Fitness activities can also help improve self-esteem and reduce stress. According to the American Association of Pediatrics, kids 3- 5 years old need to be physically active at least three hours a day. For kids in this age group, physical activities also help support the development of motor skills. School-aged kids from 6 years to 17 years need about an hour of vigorous exercise a day. It can feel challenging to find enough fun fitness activities that will help your kids meet these goals, especially if your child does not enjoy organized sports or is in between sports seasons. Here are a few local activities that can add variety to your child’s weekly fitness routine. Impact Performance RX impactperformance.com 706-984-8150 They offer comprehensive performance training for kids 6 to adults, regardless of athletic ability. They provide training in speed, strength, balance, coordination, injury prevention and confidence. They offer three youth memberships: ‘Jumpstart’ for ages 6-8 for classes up to twice a week, ‘JV’ for ages 9-13 and ‘Varsity’ for ages 14-18, both with up […]
27. May 2021
How to Reduce Sibling Rivalry
Conflicts between siblings are a normal part of family life, especially during summer break when more time is spent together. However, the recent need to spend more than the usual amount of time together quarantining may cause the tensions between siblings to build to an unusual intensity this summer. Here are a few tips to help reduce conflicts and help ‘keep the peace’ during summer break. JEALOUSY FOR ATTENTION It is important to evaluate how much one-on-one time you are spending with each of your children. If one child feels he is not receiving the same amount of attention as his siblings, it may lead to negative behavior towards them. Your child may act aggressively towards a sibling to get your attention. De-escalate this competition for your attention by spending equal amounts of individual quality time with each of your children. Choose activities, such as reading a book together or doing a craft, that allow you to interact with your child. If he is watching TV or playing a video game, he may not even remember you spent time with him. Also, never compare siblings to one another. This will only create hurt feelings and fuel even more intense competition. […]
27. May 2021
No Drama For Ya Momma!
Learning how to navigate the social world starts early for kids. In elementary school, social groups start forming, and conflicts within the groups often lead to ‘friend drama.’ It is tempting to step in and take action to resolve the issue quickly. However, trying to resolve the issue for your child could actually make the situation worse and will not help your child learn how to address conflict on her own. Listen and Guide, but Do Not Solve Have an in-depth conversation with your child. Listening carefully will help you better understand the situation. Make sure you send the signal to your child that you are fully engaged in the conversation by eliminating any distractions, such as a phone or the TV. Ask her to describe what happened and let her finish before asking more questions. Next, ask open-ended questions to clarify missing details, which will help maximize the amount of information you can collect. For some issues, such as a ‘mean friend’ incident at school, it may be helpful to also contact your child’s teacher to get her perspective, especially if you suspect bullying is involved. Coach Your Child On a Course of Action Resolving conflict is a crucial skill when […]
27. May 2021
Warrior Outreach
Warrior Outreach provides therapy and assistance to military members through horsemanship, music and fellowship.
24. May 2021
Rewild Your Child
This past year, we have all experienced an increase in screen time, either in virtual classrooms, virtual meetings, and virtual family visits while also experiencing a decrease in time spent outdoors. Even before the year 2020, there had been a decline in the amount of time that children spent outdoors. However, you can “rewild” your child by having them explore the environment and through nature-play. Connecting to nature has many positive impacts on the lives of children and adults. Spending time outdoors can benefit not only children’s physical health, but their social, mental and environmental health. Playing in nature allows children to be creative, problem-solve and develop positive interactions with the environment. Nature-play in an outdoor setting is an amazing way for families to reconnect to nature and disconnect from technology. Nature-play is just that, letting children play in nature while using natural elements, such as rocks, mud, sticks and leaves to play with. Now that the weather is warming up, it’s a great time to get outside and “rewild,” or reconnect everyone with nature. Here are some easy nature-based activities for you to enjoy with your family: Leaf Puzzles! Have fun putting a leaf puzzle back together. Find a large leaf, break […]
6. May 2021
Silencing the Sass
It is dinner time and you ask your child to help set the table. She responds “No, I don’t want to right now!” and she walks away. If sassy responses such as these are becoming more common, it is time to employ a few techniques that reduce backtalk while also teaching your child how to assert herself in a respectful manner. Here’s a few tips to help you silence the sass. Evaluate your own communication style The first step in establishing a respectful communication style in your household is to evaluate your own way of interacting with others. Do you manage frustration well when you do not like where a conversation is going or does the anger sometimes lead to sarcasm? Identify anything about your own communication style that needs to change. Also, when your kids watch TV, do they sometimes watch shows full of examples of kids making sassy remarks to adults? If so, reconsider your child’s list of TV shows that you have approved for viewing. Define your boundaries for respectful communication One issue that may lead to an increasing amount of backtalk is poorly defined and enforced boundaries. Boundaries set expectations and clearly define how your child […]
6. May 2021
Is My Kid A Bully?
Getting a phone call from your child’s school notifying you that your child has been bullying other students is a distressing experience. Many kids act completely different at home than they do at school and their parents may have no idea that their child has been bullying others. Bullying can take many forms. Physical bullying is obvious but some of the other forms of bullying can be subtle and your child may not even realize that the behavior was hurtful. Cyberbullying involves using a technology platform such as texting, email and social media to harass someone online by posting hurtful comments or images. Sexual bullying may take the form of crude comments and gestures, or touching that is not invited. Sometimes girls may be sexually bullied by other girls who call them names or seek to destroy their body image. Verbal bullying involves using words to tear down the self-esteem of the target and assert control over her. Emotional bullying is often used by ‘mean girls’ and involves purposefully damaging the relationships of the target and harm her social standing. If you find out that your child engaged in any of these types of bullying behaviors, the first step is […]
1. Apr 2021
Outdoor Spring Activities at Oxbow Meadows
At the southern end of the Columbus RiverWalk, Oxbow Meadows offers a view of the ecoregion of West Central Georgia and the Chattahoochee Valley and provides access to samples of the area’s rich communities of plants and animals. Opened in 1995 as a collaboration among Columbus Water Works, Columbus State University, and the City of Columbus, the Center provides exhibits, displays and nature trails, and also offers formal and informal programs about the ecology and natural history of the region. Interpretive and hands-on programming is provided by Columbus State University professional staff. We are excited to resume our in-person programming and invite the community to a fun and educational experience for all ages! APRIL PROGRAMMING LITTLE NATURALISTS Ages 2-5 Wednesdays from 10am-12pm $5 per child, per session (pre-registration required) 4/28 Tail Tales “Some animals have tails and some just have tales. We will find out how different tails look and how they are used by a variety of animals.” Daily Schedule: 10:00am-10:30am Check-in 10:30am-11:30am Program 11:30am-12:00pm Tour of Center 12:00pm Departure Time* _______________ MAY PROGRAMMING May 1: None (we will be at offsite events) May 8 10am Radical Reptiles Show 11:30am Ninja Turtles Show May 15 10am Georgia Native Reptiles […]
1. Apr 2021
Junk Food Swaps for Healthy Snacks
Pre-packaged snack foods are a convenient solution when you are pressed for time and the kids are hungry. However, many of them are high in sugar, salt and fat and lack fiber and important nutrients. Here are a few tips on how to help your child replace junk food with healthy snacks that provide the nutrients he needs and keep him feeling full between meals. Introducing a new food into the snack time menu may take time. Kids may not be very enthusiastic about trying a new food that has a taste and texture they are unfamiliar with. You will likely need to introduce the food multiple times before your child decides to experience it. If your child sees you trying new food and enjoying it, he is more likely to try it. Also, you may want to provide a choice of two new healthy snacks to try. Sometimes, the refusal to eat anything new is just your child asserting himself. For example, if you are trying alternatives to ice cream, offer a choice between a smoothie made with bananas and Greek yogurt or a homemade frozen fruit pop. Making healthy food fun can help make it more appealing. Start a garden […]
1. Apr 2021
Columbus Attractions are Open to Learn and Play
Many local attractions in the Chattahoochee Valley have reopened to the public and are the perfect way to fill a staycation or a homeschool field trip with fun learning activities. The Columbus Museum offers families the opportunity to enjoy the artwork and the history of the Chattahoochee Valley for free. Activity books are available for families to enjoy as they explore the museum. The Bradley Olmsted Garden is also open to the public during museum hours. The museum is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from noon to 5 pm; Thursdays noon to 8 pm; Sundays 1-5 pm. Face coverings required. See our calendar for their two April events: Glassmaking Workshop and Spring Outdoor Market. The museum also offers free resources for educators that align with the state curriculum. https://columbusmuseum.com/ Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in Columbus is open to the public from 9am to 4pm, Wednesday–Saturday and offers wildlife exhibits, a bird garden, nature trails and learning programs. The wildlife exhibits feature a variety of reptiles, amphibians and fish. Kids of all ages will enjoy learning about local wildlife and ecosystems, and the center is designed to be disability and sensory-friendly. The outdoor areas are open any time during Wed-Sat […]
1. Apr 2021
Know Before You Go to a Chattahoochee Valley Library
By Jeannine Scott, Branch Manager, North Columbus Public Library Now reopen, the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries are excited to serve families in our community! Our services may look a bit different, so here’s a know-before-you-go guide to make the best out of your next visit. All branches, 24-hour kiosks, and book drops are open You can browse the shelves and use the computer Visits limited to 1 hour, but scheduling not required Masks are required for anyone over the age of 2 Temperature checks are taken at the door We host virtual family-friendly story times and craft programs every week! (Like us on Facebook @chatlibraries and subscribe to our YouTube Channel!) We’d love to hear from you! Call to request a customized book bundle. Share your child’s interests, and we’ll select great reads to match. We can also select based on reading level or for AR testing. Short on time? Grab a pre-made book bundle! Enjoy a story time at home with a variety of fun titles and a craft project. We have added over 1000 new children’s books this year, including WONDERBOOKS! You can still check out park passes, including the Zoo Atlanta. Visit cvlga.org/blog/park-passes/ for updated information. For […]
1. Apr 2021
Keeping Young YouTube Lovers Safe
The time kids spend online has increased and the YouTube platform has become a favorite form of entertainment for many kids. Unfortunately, there are numerous dangers involved in allowing kids to access YouTube, including adult content and rude comments left on videos. Without any type of parental controls in place, parents find themselves having to with young kids to access and play the videos for them. We want to keep our young youtube lovers safe! YouTube has a separate app called YouTube Kids to make it easier for parents to monitor the viewership of young YouTubers. When kids outgrow that platform, a system of tiered levels of parental controls can be applied to the main YouTube app to filter content. A separate YouTube for kids The new YouTube Kids platform is available at youtubekids.com or by app download and allows parents less oversight to control what their child is viewing. Parents set up the account by selecting one of three tiers for their child to access, and the content of the main YouTube app is not accessible. The categories of age-appropriate content are divided into Preschool (ages 4 and under), Younger (ages 5-7) or Older (ages 8-12). Parental controls for […]
1. Apr 2021
Getting Kids to Follow Directions
Getting your kids to follow directions – here are some steps to take! It can be frustrating to give directions to your kids only to find out later that your instructions were not followed. Kids sometimes ignore directions out of defiance, but, in some instances, the issue may stem from how the directions were delivered. Here are some steps to take when communicating directions to kids that make them easier to understand and enable compliance. Get their attention Kids might have a hard time focusing on directions if the environment around them is filled with distractions. Ensure you have your child’s full attention before you start providing directions. Ask your child to turn off the TV and put down his phone for a few minutes while you speak with him. Even adults have trouble remembering directions when they are multi-tasking. Make eye contact with your child, and do not begin speaking until he appears to be fully engaged in the conversation. Tell, do not ask, when giving directions Formatting your directions in the form of a question is just inviting a negative, defiant response. For example, instead of saying ‘Can you please fold the laundry?’, say ‘Please fold the laundry in […]
1. Apr 2021
Local Clinical Trial for Pediatric Eczema
Does your child suffer from pediatric eczema? At least one in 10 children have eczema (atopic dermatitis). Eczema can cause unbearable itching that can interfere with the quality of life and make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Local research company IACT Health is conducting a drug trial to help innovate new therapies for pediatric eczema. If your child is under the age of 12, they could play a vital role in this medical advancement by participating in this local study. Find out more at iacthealth.com/studies/eczema-clinical-trial. Did you know that no advancements can happen in healthcare without clinical trials? No new innovations, no new medications, and no new treatment options happen without the clinical trial process. This can be especially important when it comes to children. Children are not just small adults – their bodies work in very different ways and they often undergo many changes as they grow from infancy towards adolescence and adulthood. Because their bodies work differently, it’s important to create child-specific medicines and treatments instead of modifying adult doses and therapies. There is no cost, insurance, or referrals necessary for participants to receive care from IACT Health. Clinical trials not only allow participants to […]
1. Apr 2021
Tips for Virtual Learning
Adjusting to virtual learning can be a challenging experience for some students and their parents. Here are some common issues experienced by students with some tips on how to overcome them. Struggling with time management Many students enrolled in virtual schooling struggle with time management. They may find it hard to stay focused on the online lessons and homework, making it necessary for parents to constantly monitor their students to ensure work is being completed. To overcome this challenge, create a daily routine and structure for your child. Establish a schoolwork area that is separate from your child’s play area and minimize distractions. Include breaks for exercise and schedule time away from the computer screen to complete any assigned hands-on activities. Teach your child to mark assignments and due dates on a calendar. Feeling isolated Younger students need social interaction to develop social skills. Middle school and high school students may feel anxious about maintaining their close network of friends and miss the daily support of their peer network. Encourage your student to participate in any online small study groups his teacher has set up for students. Help younger kids attend any weekly video conferencing appointments with their teachers. Ensure […]
1. Mar 2021
Toddler Talk: What are they really trying to say?
The toddler stage of development is filled with exciting milestones. Your child is learning to speak and is starting to use words to try to tell you what she is thinking. However, toddlers do not yet have the verbal skills to express complex thoughts and still heavily rely upon body language to communicate. Many toddler behaviors that seem odd are an effort to communicate thoughts and emotions. My toddler likes to run around naked If your toddler starts undressing and running around without clothes on, she may be expressing that she is excited about mastering the skill of undressing herself. She also may be using undressing herself as a way to assert her independence. After all, she now has control over her clothing. Unfortunately, she probably does not yet understand that it is not appropriate to undress in public. It may help to give her a choice between two outfits in the morning. This gives her a sense of control over her clothing and may decrease the need for her to assert her independence by taking her clothes off. If your child is taking her clothes and diaper off immediately after filling her diaper, she may be trying to tell […]
1. Mar 2021
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Welcome to Family and Kids Magazine‘s online parenting resource, serving families of Columbus, Fort Benning, Phenix City and the rest of the Chattahoochee Valley. We strive to be your #1 local magazine for family news, parenting tips, local events and business referrals. Check out our online localized directory for things to do, places to eat, where to shop and almost every other resource a growing family in the Chattahoochee Valley could need. While you’re here, enter our monthly giveaway or submit your child’s photo to be featured in our Hoo’s Cute section of our magazine. We welcome all families coming into our area, whether for a temporary stay or a new place to call home, and hope our magazine guides you through our large community. Pick up a copy of our Family and Kids magazine at our many distribution locations, including all local Chick-fil-as or read the latest issue here.
