How to Be More Mindful During the Holidays

Posted on December 20, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

As they enter the Advent Season and make preparations to celebrate the birth of our Savior, families often find themselves being pulled in a million directions. With all the trappings of the bustling holiday season, it’s easy to lose focus on what this time of the year is really about. If parents are feeling anxious and stressed at this time of the year, rest assured that kids are, too. So, how do we slow down and become more in-tune with our own thoughts and our children’s?

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is being present in a moment, aware of our surroundings, feeling our emotions and being at peace. Parents can find mindfulness in the midst of all the holiday madness. Their calm and centered mannerisms will help their family find mindfulness too. The end goal is to purposefully slow down and be grateful for the blessings we already have. There are many ways to find mindfulness, and you’ll need to explore different methods until you find what works best to give you the calm you seek to make it through the holidays. Prayer is always a great place to start when you’re looking for ways to be more mindful and present.

Journaling

Some people find that 15 minutes a day of writing their thoughts down, especially things they are grateful for, helps them to renew the soul, and centers them for the day. The physical release from writing provides calm and mindfulness, and taking time to think about the things that mean the most can help move the needle in a positive direction. Your child can spend this time thinking about everything God has blessed them with in their lives, thoughtfully reflecting on their lives and the lives of those around them.

Regulated Breathing

You may be skeptical when told that you can practice breathing. However, regulating your breathing can help you stay calm, even in stressful situations. Yoga is a great way to learn to control breathing. If you find that stillness keeps you calm, sit somewhere that you won’t be interrupted (there’s always somewhere in the house) and close your eyes. Concentrate on your breathing, and focus your thoughts on what you are most grateful for. Counting the seconds of your breath can help you breathe more deeply and release stress.

Get Outside

When you’re feeling stressed and have been inside all day, going outside can help. Perhaps take a walk and really listen to the bird songs, the rustle of the wind in the trees, or the crash of the ocean on the shore. Simply spending a few minutes per day being mindful can restore balance in your life. Think about what’s truly important, and learn to appreciate the little opportunities that occur daily.

Read

Whether you read the Bible or have a favorite inspirational author, take 15 minutes a day to read and seriously contemplate what you’ve read. Words are powerful and can help you establish mindfulness while planting a seed you can share throughout the day. As long as you’re reading something that makes you happy or calm, taking time out of your day to read will help you slow down and improve your mood.

Make it a Family Thing

As parents, we want nothing more than for our children to be healthy, happy and to know God’s love. Modeling mindfulness to them is an important part of this. Any of the above suggestions can be adapted for children, encouraging them to take the time to slow down and be more mindful of their family, friends and self.

Spending time as a family engaging in traditions and explaining the history is a great way to introduce mindfulness into this crazy time of year. Bake cookies together, set a table together, take turns saying a prayer of thanksgiving each night before bedtime. Remember if you are mindful, your children will sense it and react accordingly.

Our Orlando Catholic school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

Helping Your Child Become a Better Writer

Posted on November 27, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

The written word is one of the most important forms of communication in the world. Helping your child become a better writer is a key component of a successful education, regardless of the subject. At our Orlando Catholic School, we understand the importance of cultivating writing skills in our students and want to share some tips to help our parents supplement their child’s development of these skills.

Encourage reading

Children who love to read are prone to be good writers. When your child observes that you read often and enjoy it, they are more apt to model your behavior. Understanding the written word, experiencing different styles of writing, etc., are crucial components to developing great writing skills, and it starts young. Babies who explore books and are read to are more likely to enjoy reading and subsequently develop good writing habits.

Don’t write it for them

It’s hard to watch your child struggle with sentence formation and developing a storyline. Instead of dictating what they should be writing, ask questions to guide them through their thought process. Where did your story take place? Who was in your story? What did he or she do? Ask basic questions to help them learn independent thought and creativity. If they get stuck, ask more questions. They’ll get there on their own.

If your child loves to regale you with the events of the day, it’s OK to jot down notes as a guideline and ask them to write it all down in story form. You’ll be surprised at how much they enjoy storytelling on paper, and at the same time they’ll be learning how to develop an outline for a story.

Suggest story prompts

If your student can’t come up with an idea for what to write about, have some pictures from newspapers or magazines available to prompt them into thinking where the story occurred and what transpired in the story. For younger children, there are wordless books filled with pictures that you can share with your child while asking questions about what they think is happening to the character.

Develop vocabulary skills

Those weekly vocabulary sheets are an important foundation for writing skills to progress. Provide support during homework to help your child pronounce, spell, and use vocabulary words correctly. Homemade flash cards are a great tool for continuing vocabulary practice over the weekend and on vacation.

Resist the urge to interrupt

Let your child take the lead and read their story back to you. Reading aloud provides validity that what they are reading has value because it’s their story. Resist all temptation to interrupt them. When they’re done, ask relevant questions about the story they’ve told. This will help them acquire critical thinking skills in how to more clearly communicate through descriptive writing.

Discuss everyday writing

Parents can support the importance of writing by pointing out the instances where writing is used every day. Making a grocery list, filling out school forms, or sending a thank you card for a birthday present are examples of the necessity for writing in our daily routine. If your child seems to be struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers for their observations and thoughts on how you may be of help at home.

Our Orlando private school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

Helping Your Child Develop Number Sense

Posted on October 21, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

Have you, or someone you know, ever said “I just don’t get math?” It’s a common sentiment for many. The feeling of not understanding numbers, how they relate to one another, or how they are connected to one another can be overwhelming. Without number sense, learning math skills can be problematic. Developing number sense as a critical thinking skill should begin early in a child’s life. Parents play an integral role in helping their child develop number sense. From teaching basic counting sequences to identifying what a number means, parents can take the first step.

3 Steps of Number Sense

Learning to Count

Many children begin VPK or Kindergarten with the ability to count to 10 or 20. They understand the sequence of numbers and can identify the numbers when presented. Parents can practice with children repeating sequences orally and by utilizing math manipulatives, flash cards, and other visual tools to help kids learn to identify the numerals. Use a large calendar, and have your child tell you the date. Use a number line, and ask them to identify specific numbers. Parents can introduce writing numbers to help reinforce the word and numerical connection and increase awareness of number sense.

Understanding Quantities

Sometimes understanding quantity skills happens simultaneously with number identification. Children develop the concept of quantities by using math manipulatives and pairing them to the number. They count 1 manipulative and place it next to the number 1, and so on. Counting out loud together helps them understand for example, that the number 4 means that 4 manipulatives is the associated quantity. Patience is key to any new skill being mastered. Click here for additional ideas, examples and activities.

Simple Computation

When your child has developed a number sense for identifying numbers, counting and understanding quantities they will be better-equipped to learn simple computations. Introducing the concepts of addition, 0+1=1, is where it all begins. Our Orlando Catholic School suggests the use of similar items around the home such as: clothespins, marbles, pick-up-sticks, etc. as manipulatives that can be used for simple computation. Flash cards can be homemade on index cards and used to help children identify simple equations with quantities.

Developing a strong number sense builds a sturdy footing for understanding math concepts. Children who develop a strong number sense when young will be successful in computing increasingly difficult problems as they move through each grade level. If your child is struggling to grasp the fundamentals of number sense, be patient and remember that everyone learns at a different speed, and some struggle with math more than others. If it continues to be an area of concern, reach out to your child’s teacher, and together, you can work to help your child learn.

How to Celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary as a Family

Posted on October 7, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th this year. In keeping with the spirit of this special day, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School has some creative suggestions for helping you celebrate as a family. Historically embedded in our Catholic history, this feast was originally named “Our Lady of Victory” after a 16th century battle that ended the attempted Turkish invasion of Europe. It’s said that the nation-wide Rosary prayers offered to the Virgin Mary for intercession in the war resulted in Europe’s victory. It was later changed to “The Feast of the Holy Rosary” by Pope Gregory XIII. The date has varied only slightly over the centuries, but always occurs in October.

Praying the Rosary

As practicing Catholics, we know the importance of praying the Rosary daily. Between work, getting the kids to school, homework, after-school activities, cooking, cleaning, etc. finding the time to pray as a family can be challenging. Praying the Rosary as family may seem even more impossible to schedule. We all struggle to find the time to be prayerful, to thank God for all he has blessed us with, and to adore the Virgin Mother. It’s not as difficult as you may think.

Meals

To celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, create a menu tailored to honoring Mary. Kids love to be creative with decorating cakes or cupcakes. Bake a Bundt cake (crown-shaped), and let them decorate with blue and white icing, symbolic of Mary. Decorate cupcakes, and arrange them to form a decade of the Rosary. Incorporate the herb rosemary, often associated with the Blessed Mother, into a recipe for the main meal. When saying your meal blessing, add the Hail Mary after.

After Dinner

If your family eats dinner at the same time every night, consider scheduling family prayer-time immediately after dinner. The whole family is gathered together; you can pray the Rosary even while cleaning up. Or take an after dinner walk each day with the family. Pray the Rosary as you walk about the neighborhood. If family prayer time is always scheduled for bedtime, it’s easy to factor in additional time to pray the Holy Rosary. There are no rules for when to pray.

In the Car

Whether on the way to or from our Orlando Catholic school, being in the car provides a great opportunity to recite the Rosary. There are even podcasts and CDs available to help keep track. (Yes, there’s also an app for this.) Visit your app store to download The Catholic Rosary. Remember, you can pray just one decade or all five as time permits.

Charitable Acts

Every Saturday is set aside in the Church for devotion to the Virgin Mary. Volunteer for a favorite charity as a family or offer your services to a specific individual in need. Let each family member designate a special intention for the Holy Rosary on that day.

With a little creativity and planning you will find the time to honor Our Lady of the Rosary as a family throughout the month of October. Praying the Rosary daily was requested by Our Lady of Fatima. Start this October by celebrating Our Lady of the Rosary as a family.

How to Help Your Child Stop Procrastinating

Posted on September 27, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

As a parent, you probably know the procrastination struggle is real! Your child waits until the last minute to start a project or homework, and they might not seem to understand the importance of doing things promptly. Getting your child ready and out the door on time can be stressful. It’s instinctive for us all to avoid doing something that gives us no joy or a task that doesn’t interest us. For children, procrastination on homework assignments or long-term projects can undermine their ability to be academically successful. Here’s how you can help your child break the procrastination cycle.

Ask why

If you ask your child why she doesn’t want to start her homework and listen to her response, you may be surprised by her answer. Children don’t have the same perception of time as adults. Students often overestimate the length of time needed to finish a task and are overwhelmed by the assignments they face. They feel it is impossible to accomplish, choosing to avoid even starting it. Time them on how long it takes to finish their spelling list, math homework, etc. Breaking the workload down into manageable chunks will help them better understand time management.

Another reason your child may be procrastinating is fear. Some children feel that nothing they do will live up to their expectations, the teacher’s expectations, or yours. Some experience extreme anxiety, striving to be perfect. You need to talk with your child about realistic expectations and help them understand that procrastination is not the way to be successful. Don’t punish your child for this behavior; help them work through it.

Discuss consequences

Children who procrastinate regularly tend to be very short-sighted. They may not understand that their grades can be affected by turning in assignments late or that putting off homework or chores will ultimately take away time from doing things they enjoy. Put it in terms that are meaningful to your child.

Set a schedule

Routines are important and help to define expectations for children. Establishing a designated time for homework to be done each day will help your child stop procrastinating. Build in break times so the assignments don’t overwhelm them. As an example, you can say: “Let’s get your math homework done, and then you can have a snack.”

Remove distractions

Set the right tone for doing homework. Whether it’s at the kitchen table or a desk in their bedroom, students need to be able to concentrate on the assignment and feel that you are providing them with your support. It’s important that you not be distracted by your phone or the TV in case they need help.

Organization

The frustration of opening a backpack to find papers stuffed in, broken pencils, textbooks, etc. can make starting homework a problem for children. Help your child organize her backpack with folders designated for homework, messages from school, etc. Let her give input into what she thinks will help her stay organized. At home, ensure the homework space has the tools needed to complete assignments. This helps avoid delays in starting homework by reducing the temptation to wander toward other distractions in search of supplies.

Praise and reward

Your child needs to know that his efforts are paying off. If he finished a project before the due date, point out how exciting it is to have free time and not be stressed about getting it done. Each time homework is finished in the allotted time, express your pride in his excellent time management skills. Reinforcement of positive behavior teaches children to set attainable goals for themselves and builds time management skills. Procrastination, however, negatively impacts their desire to succeed.

Our Orlando private school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, encourages parents to provide children with guidelines that will help them succeed during the school year and beyond. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

5 Ways to Make Science Fun for Your Child

Posted on September 13, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

We are surrounded by the world that our Heavenly Father created for us. With the gift of man’s intelligence, we have learned to examine the smallest details of our universe. From subatomic particles to the mysteries of biology and chemistry, science is everywhere. Merriam-Webster defines science as “knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method.” How can parents help stimulate a child’s interest and make science fun when the definition is cold and clinical? Make it fun, messy, hands-on, and exciting! Here are some of our favorite ways to make science fun for children.

Keep in mind that age appropriateness is an important factor for any experiment you may choose to introduce to your child. The objective is for them to learn and have fun while doing so. Don’t select an experiment that you believe may be too detailed for them to follow, and of course, safety comes first.

Water Tables

Children of all ages love to play with water. Experiment with objects that sink and float! Ask your child for his observations and to make predictions about whether the next object will float or sink. Ask why.

Fill up 5 plastic cups with water and add different food colors to each one. Let them experiment by mixing colors. The experiments with water can become as sophisticated and simulate tidal pools, depending on the containers you use.

Bubbles

The properties of bubbles make for great fun and can be messy. Most children love playing with bubbles, and by introducing different wands to make different shapes and sizes, you demonstrate facts about surface tension, gravity, and chemistry.

Baking

Baking requires exact measurements and a perfect combination of ingredients to produce a delicious result. It’s a terrific learning opportunity. Kids as young as 3 can dump in cups of flour and sugar and even crack an egg. The recipes can increase in difficulty as your child grows. Introducing the chemical reactions that occur in the baking process is chemistry in its simplest form.

Family Adventures

Take time out with the family, and visit your local science center for some great opportunities for hands-on exploration. Exhibits appeal to all ages and every aspect of science is there to study while having fun. If you’re looking for a more relaxing trip, take the kids to the beach and look for shells and other sea life along the shore. Have them separate the shells and then identify the type of sea creature that used it for a home. Not feeling like taking a day trip? Dig in your garden, and let your child investigate what soil is made of, icky bugs and all.

Construction

Children love to build things. From stacking pots and pans to building ramps with boxes and watching toys slide, children are drawn to seeing how tall, wide, and strong they can make their structures. Making a ramp is a great place to start. Your child can observe how to increase the speed downhill. Change the angles of the ramps, and have them make observations and predictions about how the movement will change. Build a birdhouse together, or go kite flying together. It’s a nice way to bond while fostering a love of science.

Science is more fun for kids when they aren’t asked to memorize formulas and facts. The more we allow them to explore and observe, the more they will appreciate how science impacts the beautiful world around them.

Our Orlando private school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, encourages parents to provide children with guidelines that help them succeed during the school year and beyond. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

How to Help Your Child Choose the Best Extracurricular Activities for School

Posted on August 30, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

With school now in session, the time has come to choose extracurricular activities. Finding the balance between academic time, family time, downtime and extracurricular activities can be an overwhelming task. So how do you decide the best extracurricular activities for your child?

What does your child like to do?

Our suggestion is that you ask your child what interests him. Does he enjoy sports, games, reading, music, art, or other activities? Extracurricular activities help to develop and enhance skills outside the classroom. They are an important component of developing a well-rounded and happy student. Don’t be afraid to offer alternatives to your child when you feel they might be more successful in one activity over another. We also suggest that you encourage your child to attend introductory meetings to clubs and information nights for sports to help them understand the commitments required for the activities that interest them.

Will this activity fit into our lifestyle?

Consider the time and expense required by participation in a specific activity. Keep the following questions in mind when choosing an extracurricular activity for your child:

Will there be multiple practices during the week with games every weekend during the season?
Is the equipment needed expensive?
Does participation in this specific activity impact homework or family time?
Will my child still get enough sleep?
Can we provide necessary transportation to and from practices and games, club meetings, etc.?

If you become stressed and frustrated with the time or expenses an activity requires, you will not be as supportive as you would like to be.

Do extracurricular activities really benefit students?

Extracurricular activities provide students the opportunity to develop leadership and teamwork skills, as well as problem-solving skills. They allow your child to learn about the importance of committing to a cause. These activities also allow students to expand their circle of friends and meet people who are different from themselves. They provide students a way to explore their passions outside of the classroom. As they enter high school, participating in extracurricular activities will help build a strong resume for college applications. At the end of the day, the goal of these activities is to enhance their school experience, as well as their life outside of school.

At our Orlando private school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, we are proud to offer a variety of extracurricular activities to our student population. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

Back-to-School Prayers to Start the School Year Right

Posted on August 16, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

If you’re like most of our St. Charles Borromeo parents, you spent the last few weeks of summer vacation getting everything ready for another successful school year. From helping with homework to volunteering at school, we know the everyday demands of parenting. Another important component of preparing your children to return to campus is prayer.

Easing Your Child’s Fears

From a child’s point of view, starting a new school year can be a source of anxiety, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Students can struggle with bullying, discrimination, and not fitting in. In addition to these social issues, children overhear what’s happening in the world, regardless of how you may try to shield them. Children today are struggling to maintain balance between these issues and being academically successful. Prayer can play an important role in helping assuage a child’s concerns. They can place their fears in the hands of Our Lord and know that He will hear and answer those prayers.

Phillippians 4:6-7 teaches us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

As Catholics, we are reminded of the power of prayer daily. Instilling faith in prayer is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child. Learning how to pray isn’t difficult; neither is teaching your children to open their hearts to Jesus Christ.

Praying for a Good School Year

The prayers don’t have to be lengthy and you can encourage your children to speak to Him from their hearts. You can guide them by praying the Lord’s Prayer together first, or using one specifically written for the start of a new school year. Here’s an example:

“Heavenly Father, I pray that I will be safe going back to school. I ask you to watch over me and my family and friends. Help me to learn from my teachers. Help me to do my best in all my subjects. Please help me to be a good friend and to be kind to everyone I meet. Thank you for the blessings in my life. Amen”

For Parents and Caregivers

“Lord, I am worried about my children returning to school. The world is not in a good place right now. I ask that you wrap them in your arms and protect them from any dangers that may come their way. I also pray that they learn to be compassionate and kind and become good citizens of the world. Help them to learn their academic lessons and to utilize the gifts you bestowed upon them. In Jesus’ name. Amen”

Take time to pray and encourage your children to pray. Make praying together an important part of your family routine now and you will find the time to continue throughout the year. Our Orlando Catholic school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, encourages parents to provide children with activities to help stimulate them over the summer. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Child to Go Back to School

Posted on July 26, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

Preparation for the start of a new school year can be stressful and anxiety-inducing for children and parents alike. Parents who lay the groundwork for the return to school throughout the summer break are less likely to face the drama that returning to school can bring. Whether they’re a kindergartner going to school for the first time or an 8th grader with a few years under their belt, here are a few tried and true suggestions for helping your child transition easily to school life after summer break.

Ask questions of your child

Sit down with your child and ask them what their take is on school life. What are their expectations? What are they looking forward to? What are they concerned about? These topics can easily overlap into what they think their teacher will be asking of them, what they will be learning, establishing friendships, bullying, and how to handle whatever comes their way. There are some terrific books available for students of all ages that can help ease back to school concerns.

Set Back-to-School Schedules

Children like routines. Establishing routine is essential to successful transition back to school. Bedtime routines should be customized to your child’s personality. If they are typically sluggish in the morning, make sure they are laying out their uniforms before bedtime. Help them organize backpacks, socks and shoes, and lunches if appropriate. That will ease the stress of the morning and help to get everyone out the door on time.

Enforce limits on screen time, turning off screens at least an hour before the bedtime routine begins. When your child returns from school, give them a chance to wind down and re-enter family life. Let them share their day with you as best they can, when they are ready to. In a perfect world the routine wouldn’t change during the summer, but it’s really hard to stick to some routines during summer break.

Communicate

Communicate with your child’s teachers. If you notice atypical behavior at home, reach out to her teacher to see if something may be going on in the classroom. The reverse is also important. If something is going on at home that might affect behavior at school, let the teacher know so that she is equipped to provide assistance. Parental involvement and support is key to a child’s success from kindergarten through the high school years.

Summertime Fun

When possible, schedule a get together with friends from the previous school year, or with friends who will be starting school for the first time. This builds a sense of fellowship and helps maintain connections when the children are not seeing one another on a daily basis. For younger students, it helps them to have a friendly face that they can identify on the first day of school.

Be Positive About School

Children learn best when they are happy and secure. If you talk up how wonderful it will be to start, or return, to school your child will pick up on your enthusiasm. This is especially true with younger students who will need support throughout the transition. Visits to the campus, meet the teacher day, are all important to establish a sense of security for your child.

When your child is prepared, going back to school can be a fun and exciting time! Our Orlando private school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, encourages parents to provide children with activities to help stimulate them over the summer. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

Keeping Children Safe in the Summer Sun

Posted on July 12, 2022 by ontarget — No Comments ↓

The summer sun has been heating up Florida for months now, and the ever-rising temperatures confirm it. School is out, and families are taking to the pool, lakes, and ocean beaches to beat the heat for summertime fun. There are some precautions that parents and caregivers should take to prevent sunburn, long-term skin damage, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Spend time in the sun wisely.

Children want to be out all day long during the summer break. However, parents and caregivers should limit the amount of time spent in direct sunlight. If possible, schedule outdoor activities before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. to avoid the maximum strength of the sun’s rays. If being out in the sun can’t be avoided, have them wear UV protective clothing, which provides a great layer of protection.

From swimsuits to lightweight long sleeve shirts and pants, sun protective clothing can provide up to SPF 50 protection to delicate skin. Wide-brimmed hats are recommended as they not only shield the face, but protect the scalp and neck from direct sun exposure. This is especially important for newborns and infants too young to have sunscreen safely applied.

Sunscreen is still your friend.

Sunscreen is still the most valuable tool in the summer sun protection plan when used properly. It should be applied at least 15 minutes prior to the first exposure of the day and then reapplied every 2 hours. Reapply more often if swimming or sweating profusely. Effective sunscreens protect from both UVA and UVB light and have a minimum of SPF 30. Whether spray on or lotion, sunscreen is an absolute must have for keeping kids safe in the summer sun.

Protect those beautiful eyes.

Children’s eyes allow more UV light to pass through to the retina than adult eyes. The radiation that passes through causes cellular damage which can cause complications later in life, such as cataracts and cancer of the cornea. Children are more likely to reach for a pair of sunglasses before heading outside if they have been encouraged from infancy to wear them. For added incentive, children are also more likely to wear them if they have selected their own style and color. Set a good example by wearing your sunglasses every time you are out in the sun. Make sure everyone’s eyes are protected before heading out for summer fun in the sun.

Know the warning signs of sunburn and treat it as soon as possible.

People who suffer five or more sunburns over the course of a lifetime have doubled the chances of developing skin cancer (melanoma). Contrary to old-school thinking, there is no such thing as a “healthy” tan. If you see that your child is starting to exhibit red skin, get them out of the sun as soon as possible.

To prevent a burn from becoming painful, immerse your child in a cool bath, and after patting them dry, moisturize with aloe or cortisone cream. Stay away from heavy creams and lotions that will retain their body heat. Do not use lidocaine or benzocaine products, as they can further aggravate the sun burn. Make sure they drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Staying safe is an important part of summer fun in the sun, and we always encourage our students to keep safety in mind. Our Orlando private school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, encourages parents to provide children with activities to help stimulate them over the summer. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.