kids – Lubbocks Home and Family Magazine

Start the School Year off Right

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:01:00 +0000

Start the School Year off Right

Susan Grant

Starting a new school year on the right foot can set a positive tone for the months ahead. Here are 10 tips for a successful start to a new school year:

Organize Your Supplies: Make sure you have all the necessary school supplies, textbooks, and materials well before the first day. Being organized will help you feel prepared and ready to learn.
Set Goals: Set academic and personal goals for the year. Having clear objectives can provide motivation and a sense of purpose throughout the school year.
Create a Study Schedule: Establish a study schedule that balances your classes, homework, and other commitments. Consistent study habits are key to academic success.

4. Use a Planner: Use a physical planner or a digital tool to keep track of assignments, projects, tests, and extracurricular activities. This will help you manage your time effectively.

5. Get to Know Your Teachers: Build positive relationships with your teachers from the start. Introduce yourself, ask questions, and attend office hours if you need help or clarification.

6. Stay Organized: Keep your backpack, study area, and digital files organized. This will reduce stress and make it easier to find what you need when you need it.

7. Engage in Class: Actively participate in class discussions, take notes, and ask questions. Engaging in class will help you understand the material better and stay connected with the subject matter.

8. Connect with Peers: Build friendships with classmates. Having a support network can make school more enjoyable and provide study partners when needed.

9. Balance Work and Rest: Remember to balance your academic efforts with adequate rest and relaxation. Getting enough sleep and taking breaks are essential for maintaining focus and overall well-being.

10. Stay Positive: Embrace a positive mindset, even when faced with challenges. A positive attitude can help you overcome obstacles and approach the school year with enthusiasm.

Bonus Tip: Seek Help When Needed: If you’re struggling with a subject or facing difficulties, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to teachers, tutors, or counselors for support and guidance.

Remember that every school year is an opportunity for growth and learning. By staying organized, setting goals, and maintaining a positive attitude, you can set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling academic year.

Teaching the Value of Money

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:01:00 +0000

Teaching the Value of Money

Bella Mitchell

Teaching kids the value of money is an important life skill that can set them up for financial success in the future. Here are some effective ways to teach your kids about money:

Start Early: Introduce basic concepts about money from a young age. Even preschoolers can start learning about coins, denominations, and simple transactions.
Use Real-Life Situations: Involve your kids in real-life financial decisions. Take them grocery shopping and explain how you make choices based on prices, sales, and budgets.
Allowance and Chores: Consider giving your child an allowance for completing age-appropriate chores. This teaches them the connection between work and earning money.
Savings Jar: Use a clear jar or piggy bank for savings. When your child receives money, encourage them to divide it into different categories: saving, spending, and giving.

Set Savings Goals: Help your child set savings goals, whether it’s for a toy, a special outing, or a larger purchase. This teaches them patience and delayed gratification.
Use Cash: When possible, use cash for transactions. Physical money helps children better understand the concept of spending and the finite nature of money.
Comparison Shopping: When making purchases, involve your child in comparison shopping. Teach them to evaluate prices and quality before making a decision.
Budgeting Exercises: As your child gets older, involve them in creating a budget for their allowance or earnings. This helps them learn how to allocate money for different purposes.

Needs vs. Wants: Teach your child to differentiate between needs and wants. Discuss the importance of prioritizing necessities over frivolous spending.
Discuss Family Finances: As appropriate, involve your child in discussions about family finances. Explain how bills, expenses, and saving for the future work.
Open a Bank Account: When your child is ready, consider opening a bank account for them. This gives them firsthand experience in managing their money through deposits and withdrawals.
Involve Them in Bill Paying: Show them how you pay bills, whether it’s online or through checks. Explain the importance of paying bills on time.

Practice Generosity: Encourage your child to share a portion of their money with others. This can be through charitable donations or thoughtful gestures like buying a gift for someone.
Teach About Interest: When your child is ready, explain the concept of interest and how it can grow their savings over time. This can introduce them to the idea of investing.
Lead by Example: Children learn a lot from observing their parents. Model responsible financial behaviors, such as budgeting, saving, and making thoughtful spending decisions.

Remember that teaching about money is an ongoing process. Be patient, answer their questions, and tailor your approach to your child’s age and comprehension level. The goal is to empower them with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions as they grow older.

Way to make Winter more fun

Courtney Dietz — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Way to make Winter more fun

Coco Dietz

When most people think of winter activities, images of snowball fights, building a snowman sledding, or skiing will probably flash through your head. But if you are in a part of the country that does not see a great deal of snow, and instead, see more ice, that might be where the ideas come to a close. With these fun activities to try, you will be having a blast no matter the amount of snow on the ground this winter!

Host a indoor board game tournament

Invite all of your friends over to play games and get everyone together to play a tournament. Make a tournament board to see who will compete with who and get everyone excited to play and spend time together. You might consider having a prize for the winner of the tournament to add extra incentive and build that competition between your friends. Winter does not have to stop all games.

Playing with the West Texas Ice

Since ice is the main precipitation that we get this time of year, we might as well lean into the greatest winter strength this part of the state has to offer and have some fun with it! Get a medium size bowl and pour some water in it, add some food coloring of your choice and then, using a funnel, pour the water mixture into a balloon. After tying it off, set it outside and wait for it to freeze. Once completely frozen solid, cut off the balloon and you now have an ice orb for outside decoration while the air is still freezing!

Re-imagine those Snow Days

Courtney Dietz — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Re-imagine those Snow Days

Coco Dietz

Having your kids home for a snow day can seem like a migraine waiting to happen but with these fun indoor activities the snow will turn into a family-wide party that will get everyone excited and involved!

Indoor Snowball Fight

Now before you think about your great grandmother’s lamp getting knocked over into a thousand pieces, hear me out. Rolling up some plastic wrap into balls with a little tape to keep them together will keep them light enough that they will not cause as much damage as an actual snow ball fight might. This way you can have a safe snowball fight that will have your kids burning energy while having a blast in the process. Especially if you tell them to throw something while still in the house if that is not usually allowed–letting them “break” the rules can add another layer of fun that will exhilarate them to no end.

Science Experiments

Imagine this, your childhood self is donning a white button up shirt as a ‘lab coat’ and putting on goggles to go into their ‘laboratory’ to conduct a world changing experiment as a professional scientist. With the excitement bursting through your chest you open the door to what was formerly your kitchen–now turned laboratory–your mission? To mix two ingredients together to learn what might happen. It could be dangerous but you are brave, you are a scientist after all. With a vial of vinegar in your shaking hand, you pour it over the large bowl where a small pile of baking soda waits for the foul smelling liquid to make contact. What will happen next? You may know what is happening next as an adult, having seen this experiment before, but with a good dose of imagination and a dash of creativity it can seem like the coolest moment to your child.