Throughout their school life, children have a myriad of experiences, including those days when they just don’t want to go to school. This can have a range of reasons behind it, from exhaustion, and anxiety to worry about losing out on all the fun. Whatever the reason, it is a normal reaction that some days children avoid school. During such days, there are a number of things that parents can do to support their children.
Take Your Child’s Reason Seriously
Just like adults, children can also have bad days, which is normal. However, if they are refusing to go to school too frequently, there might be a reason for concern. This reason, be it learning differences, bullying, emotional and social issues, or any such thing, has to be interacted with in such a way that the child feels heard and understood.
Make Things Boring
Sometimes, children might want to stay home because it is much more fun than going to school. It can be because they have to follow a certain behavior or engage in certain activities that they rather not do. So, parents can take the initiative to make the home environment more boring so that they themselves would want to go to school.
Speak to Their Teacher
Sometimes, it becomes important to talk to your child’s teacher about any incidents that occurred at school. This is because sometimes, your child might not be able to effectively communicate about the issues they are facing either out of inability, fear, or any other such obstacle. In such cases, speaking to their teacher can help get to the actual cause behind their reluctance to attend school.
Note Their Fears
While we may now think that school is low-key and easy, for children going to school, it might be daunting. As they progress through classes, they practice new rules and follow different rules, which takes effort and energy. This might be one of the reasons why your child wants to stay home. So, it becomes important for parents to recognize any apprehensions that children might be feeling, leading to them not wanting to go to school.
Look for Deeper Problems
If your child is consistently trying to avoid school due to some form of deep anxiety, fear of being left alone, or any such issue, it might be time to consult a therapist. This might help in aiding your child so that they are able to manage and deal with their childhood anxiety.
Nutrition for Kids – A Short Age-By-Age Might Be Useful
Everyone wants to do their best to raise healthy and happy children. It’s important to pay frequent visits to your family physician to make sure you’re providing your little ones with the nutrition that they need to thrive. These are some of the top nutrients kids should be consuming regularly!
Good Nutrition Starts With Vitamin D
Vitamin D supports bone health, reduces inflammation, and improves immunity. Our bodies can produce vitamin D during exposure to the sun, but it’s also found in vitamin D-fortified milk, fortified cereals, salmon, and trout.
Mother’s milk doesn’t provide vitamin D, so kids from 0-6 months old and during infancy might require a supplement. Discuss this with the family pediatrician. Introducing vitamin D-rich foods into the nutrition of toddlers, young children, and teenagers becomes much easier.
Don’t Forget Omega 3
This is an essential fatty acid and one of the main nutrients required for fast brain development in the first two years of life. Past that point, Omega 3 remains very valuable for healthy eye function, the cardiovascular system, and the central nervous system. It’s found in chia seeds, flaxseeds, canola oil, sardines, salmon, walnuts, mackerel, and herring.
As mother’s milk and formula contain Omega 3 DHA, babies 0-6 months and infants usually receive a sufficient amount. Toddlers and young children need 0.7 to 0.9 grams of Omega 3 per day, and past the age of nine, the proper intake goes up to 1 or 1.6 grams a day.
Calcium for Growing Bones
Calcium is most famously known for building strong teeth and bones. It’s found in cow’s milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, almonds, spinach, kale, and fortified plant-based milk.
Mother’s milk and formula contain good amounts of calcium. After six months, think of introducing broccoli, tofu, or yogurt. Toddlers and young kids need 700-1000 milligrams of calcium per day. At the age of nine and older, the requirements increase to 1000-1300 milligrams.
Serve Zinc and Iron-Rich Foods
Zinc is important for proper wound healing and a good immune system. Iron helps the body produce energy and carries oxygen in red blood cells. It’s also needed for brain development and growth. Both these minerals are found in meat, fortified cereal, certain legumes, and other sources.
After six months, start introducing some iron and zinc-rich foods. Make sure that these minerals stay regular in your child’s nutrition up to and past the age of nine.
Provide Enough Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte mineral that regulates the level of fluids in cells, helps muscles contract, aids nerve function, and helps maintain a regular heartbeat. It’s bountiful in bananas, potatoes, oranges, grapefruit, spinach, and other sources.
A well-balanced diet should provide all the nutrition a growing child needs, but an occasional checkup and conversation with the family pediatrician is a good idea!