Dear Parents: School has started already for more than two weeks. Some parents area already having Conferences with teachers, and time is running so fast! I would like to remind parents of some important points to keep in mind during this time of the school year:

1. Think about how many activities you are planning to schedule for your children after school. Depending on their age, how much time do you think you need to allow for them to just "play" after school? 

2. How much "driving" can you do after your children's school, and how can you coordinate all activities, and still make sure you also plan for a good meal every night and an appropriate bed time?

3. Are you including a leisure time schedule for dinner, showers, and reading for your older children?

4. What do your children love to do? Are you providing an activity that will help them increase their self-esteem? Do they have time for non-competitive activities?

5. Which activities will help your child experience something they don't usually have an opportunity at school, and at home? 

6. Do you allow your children to experience activities that are not all competitive, and are creative (where there is no right and/or wrong?).

Good luck with your plans for the semester, and enjoy reading with your children. Make sure they do not watch much television either. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended in the past years that children of elementary school age should only watch 1 hour of "screen related" activity a day! This, of course, does not include educational use of a computer, or a "tab", but it does include any game activity in such devices. Let your children play with nonstructured toys if they are young, let them color, run in the backyard, ride bikes with you, and have fun! If you have any questions or comments, please, call or write Dr. Joffe.