Summer Vacation - Safety and Parenting Tips

Summer vacation has started...or will be starting soon. Make sure your kids are safe...

SUMMER SAFETY

For the last couple of years I've linked to a site titled Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning. Go there and be prepared...

1. Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs.
2. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.
3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.
4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has two pages of safety information. Print them and save them...

Summer safety tips...(and en Español).

• Fireworks safety
• Bug safety
• Playground safety
• Bicycle safety
• Skateboard, scooter, in-line skating and heelys safety
• All-terrain vehicles
• Lawn mower safety

and Sun and Water Safety Tips (also en Español)

• Fun in the sun
• Heat stress in exercising chidlren
• Pool safety
• Boating Safety
• Open water swimming

SUMMER LEARNING

The most important summer learning task for parents and care-givers -  read aloud to your children...EVERY DAY.

“The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” -- Becoming a Nation of Readers

Need some help with read aloud? Try these...

• The Treasury of Read Alouds
• The Read Aloud Handbook
• Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever
• Best Books to Read Aloud with Children of All Ages
• Reading Aloud Tips for Parents and Teachers
• Reading Is FUNdamental: Reading Aloud
• Caldecott Medal Home Page
• Newbery Medal Home Page

PARENTING

Increase harmony during summer vacation with some tips from parenting experts. Don't just read the lists here...go to the sites and take a look.

10 Commandments of Good Parenting

• What you do matters.
• You cannot be too loving.
• Be involved in your child's life.
• Adapt your parenting to fit your child.
• Establish and set rules.
• Foster your child's independence.
• Be consistent.
• Avoid harsh discipline.
• Explain your rules and decisions.
• Treat your child with respect.

9 Steps to More Effective Parenting

• Nurture Your Child's Self-Esteem
• Catch Kids Being Good
• Set Limits and Be Consistent With Your Discipline
• Make Time for Your Kids
• Be a Good Role Model
• Make Communication a Priority
• Be Flexible and Willing to Adjust Your Parenting Style
• Show That Your Love Is Unconditional
• Know Your Own Needs and Limitations as a Parent

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Stop the Testing Insanity!

Sign the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing!

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