www.hopehelps.org/resource-center
www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/central_florida_free_holiday_a.html
lowincomerelief.com/get-free-christmas-toys-food-florida
nathanielshope.org/our-programs/christmas
saangeltree.org
www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/location-search?location=32765
www.harvesttime.org/cboj.html
www.wealthysinglemommy.com/free-christmas-gifts
www.christianhelp.org/groceryservices
https://chsfl.org/
www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/central_florida_free_holiday_a.html
lowincomerelief.com/get-free-christmas-toys-food-florida
nathanielshope.org/our-programs/christmas
saangeltree.org
www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/location-search?location=32765
www.harvesttime.org/cboj.html
www.wealthysinglemommy.com/free-christmas-gifts
www.christianhelp.org/groceryservices
https://chsfl.org/
You are the #1 influence on your child’s life. School is #2.
What can you do at home?
Movement & Play
- Practice yoga techniques and poses to build strength and flexibility and help relax.
- Get “family fit” using activity points to encourage movement.
- Create a backyard (or basement) fitness circuit course.
- Use common household objects for some fitness fun and games.
- Have recess at home by playing old school throwback games, jumping rope, or doing any of these 50 ideas.
- Play! Try sensory play or play on the go to encourage kids’ imaginations whenever, wherever.
- Do a nature scavenger hunt to get kids exploring the outdoors.
- Have active screen time using these fun, kid-friendly physical activity videos compiled by Active Schools.
- Incorporate nutrition education into your home routine.
- Start the day with a healthy breakfast, and keep them going with healthy snacks.
- Introduce new foods with a taste test (and get creative with how items are prepared). Here are ideas for whole grains, dairy, and fruits and veggies.
- Try mindful eating.
- Cook a dish or meal with your kids trying one of these recipes.
- Grow fresh veggies out of kitchen scraps.
- Go the distance to make your food and meals last longer.
- Try journaling, breathing exercises, and more.
- Explore feelings through art and color.
- Talk about feelings with these family conversation starters.
- Use movement to express emotions.
- Set intentions with your children.
- Learn basic mindfulness techniques together.
- Create a letter-writing tradition in your family.
Explore more resources at Action For Healthy Kids below:
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Smart Snacking
"Don't eat that, you'll spoil your appetite." If only you had a dollar for every time you heard that growing up.
But if the right foods are offered at the right times, snacks can play an important role in managing kids' hunger and boosting nutrition. A well-timed snack can even out spikes in hunger and provide a much-needed energy boost between meals.
Snacks can keep younger children from getting so hungry that they become cranky, and they can keep older kids from overeating at larger meals. And for picky eaters of all ages, snacks can be added insurance that they're getting the necessary nutrients.
This doesn't mean that giving your child a cupcake half an hour before dinner is suddenly a good idea. The best snacks are nutritious — low in sugar, fat, and salt. Fresh fruit and vegetables and foods that contain whole grains and protein are also good choices.
But it's not just about what you offer as a snack — it's how much you serve and when. Pay attention to portion sizes and timing of snacks so they don't interfere with a child's appetite for the next scheduled meal. Kids who are allowed to graze all day long often have a hard time figuring out when they're truly hungry — one key to maintaining a healthy weight in childhood and later in life. A structured meal and snack schedule is one solution. You offer the meals and snacks at the same times each day, and your kids can decide what they want to eat and how much.
Snacks and Toddlers:
Toddlers may not eat much at a sitting and they often get hungry before the next meal. At this age, kids may need to eat five or six times a day — three meals and two to three snacks.
There are two common "snack pitfalls" to avoid with toddlers because once done, they can be hard to undo:
Control is still a key issue at this age, so preschoolers also might enjoy the chance to choose their snack from the options you present. The desire for sweets can be quite strong at this age, but you can avoid the struggles. Don't offer candy and cookies at snack time. You can decide not to stock them at all or, if you do, to keep them out of sight.
Preschoolers are just learning to label their feelings, and they'll often say "I'm hungry." But they could just be bored, tired, or in need of some attention. Figure out what your child really needs. It may be that some playtime with you or a change of scenery could end the cries of "I'm hungry." Also, when kids do need a snack, make sure it's eaten at the table and not in front of the TV.
Healthy snacks for preschoolers include:
With homework, activities, lessons, and sports, school-age kids are busier, and probably more independent, than ever. Some may still need three meals and two snacks per day — usually one mid-morning and one after school.
But the morning snack could become unnecessary depending on lunchtime at school and as kids get older. Talk with your kids to find out.
Unless you have an especially early dinner time, most kids still need an after-school snack to help them stay focused on homework and other after-school commitments. Try to pack healthy snacks for after-school activities of kids who aren't coming right home.
Kids who come straight home after school probably can start fixing their own snacks (with permission, of course). Leave things in the fridge that can be grabbed quickly — veggie sticks and dips, yogurt and berries. If you're serving fruit or a salad with dinner, consider letting kids eat that early to take the edge off.
School-age kids are capable of understanding why it's important to eat healthy, but more than ever they look to the people they love as role models. Make healthy snacking a family affair and your kids will take it to heart.
Here are some snacks that school-age kids might enjoy:
Teens might still need a snack or two during the day, but what they eat may seem out of your control. Your teen might have sports, a job, an ever-expanding social calendar, money to spend, and car keys. With this much independence, you can't police what your teen eats, but you can encourage healthy snacking by keeping nutritious foods at home that your teen can take along.
Healthy snacks for teens include:
Snacks (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth
"Don't eat that, you'll spoil your appetite." If only you had a dollar for every time you heard that growing up.
But if the right foods are offered at the right times, snacks can play an important role in managing kids' hunger and boosting nutrition. A well-timed snack can even out spikes in hunger and provide a much-needed energy boost between meals.
Snacks can keep younger children from getting so hungry that they become cranky, and they can keep older kids from overeating at larger meals. And for picky eaters of all ages, snacks can be added insurance that they're getting the necessary nutrients.
This doesn't mean that giving your child a cupcake half an hour before dinner is suddenly a good idea. The best snacks are nutritious — low in sugar, fat, and salt. Fresh fruit and vegetables and foods that contain whole grains and protein are also good choices.
But it's not just about what you offer as a snack — it's how much you serve and when. Pay attention to portion sizes and timing of snacks so they don't interfere with a child's appetite for the next scheduled meal. Kids who are allowed to graze all day long often have a hard time figuring out when they're truly hungry — one key to maintaining a healthy weight in childhood and later in life. A structured meal and snack schedule is one solution. You offer the meals and snacks at the same times each day, and your kids can decide what they want to eat and how much.
Snacks and Toddlers:
Toddlers may not eat much at a sitting and they often get hungry before the next meal. At this age, kids may need to eat five or six times a day — three meals and two to three snacks.
There are two common "snack pitfalls" to avoid with toddlers because once done, they can be hard to undo:
- using sweets to reward good behavior, which sends the message that desserts are somehow better or more valuable than other foods, and can start a pattern of unhealthy eating
- pacifying kids with a snack just before a meal, which can decrease their hunger and make them less willing to try new foods at the table
- low-sugar, whole-grain breakfast cereals
- cut-up fruit (if pieces are small and soft enough to avoid choking)
- graham crackers
- cheese slices cut into fun shapes
- applesauce
- yogurt
Control is still a key issue at this age, so preschoolers also might enjoy the chance to choose their snack from the options you present. The desire for sweets can be quite strong at this age, but you can avoid the struggles. Don't offer candy and cookies at snack time. You can decide not to stock them at all or, if you do, to keep them out of sight.
Preschoolers are just learning to label their feelings, and they'll often say "I'm hungry." But they could just be bored, tired, or in need of some attention. Figure out what your child really needs. It may be that some playtime with you or a change of scenery could end the cries of "I'm hungry." Also, when kids do need a snack, make sure it's eaten at the table and not in front of the TV.
Healthy snacks for preschoolers include:
- cut-up fruit or applesauce
- yogurt
- sliced or chopped veggies
- whole-grain crackers topped with cheese
With homework, activities, lessons, and sports, school-age kids are busier, and probably more independent, than ever. Some may still need three meals and two snacks per day — usually one mid-morning and one after school.
But the morning snack could become unnecessary depending on lunchtime at school and as kids get older. Talk with your kids to find out.
Unless you have an especially early dinner time, most kids still need an after-school snack to help them stay focused on homework and other after-school commitments. Try to pack healthy snacks for after-school activities of kids who aren't coming right home.
Kids who come straight home after school probably can start fixing their own snacks (with permission, of course). Leave things in the fridge that can be grabbed quickly — veggie sticks and dips, yogurt and berries. If you're serving fruit or a salad with dinner, consider letting kids eat that early to take the edge off.
School-age kids are capable of understanding why it's important to eat healthy, but more than ever they look to the people they love as role models. Make healthy snacking a family affair and your kids will take it to heart.
Here are some snacks that school-age kids might enjoy:
- low-sugar, whole-grain breakfast cereal with low-fat milk
- low-fat string cheese
- fruit smoothies made with low-fat milk or yogurt
- nuts and raisins
- whole-wheat pita slices, cut-up veggies, and hummus
- whole-grain pretzels
- fruit slices dipped in low-fat flavored yogurt
Teens might still need a snack or two during the day, but what they eat may seem out of your control. Your teen might have sports, a job, an ever-expanding social calendar, money to spend, and car keys. With this much independence, you can't police what your teen eats, but you can encourage healthy snacking by keeping nutritious foods at home that your teen can take along.
Healthy snacks for teens include:
- veggie sticks with low-fat ranch dip or hummus
- low-fat granola bars
- fresh or dried fruit
- trail mix
- air-popped popcorn
- hard-boiled eggs
Snacks (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth
Mental Health
Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the signs of a mental illness isn't always easy. There's no easy test that can let someone know if there is mental illness or if actions and thoughts might be typical behaviors of a person or the result of a physical illness.
Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following:
Where To Get Help
Don’t be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step.
Reach out to your health insurance, primary care doctor or state/county mental health authority for more resources.
Contact the NAMI HelpLine to find out what services and supports are available in your community.
If you or someone you know needs helps now, you should immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call 911.
Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the signs of a mental illness isn't always easy. There's no easy test that can let someone know if there is mental illness or if actions and thoughts might be typical behaviors of a person or the result of a physical illness.
Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling excessively sad or low
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
- Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
- Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)
- Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)
- Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
- Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
- Thinking about suicide
- Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
- An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
- Changes in school performance
- Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school
- Hyperactive behavior
- Frequent nightmares
- Frequent disobedience or aggression
- Frequent temper tantrums
Where To Get Help
Don’t be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step.
Reach out to your health insurance, primary care doctor or state/county mental health authority for more resources.
Contact the NAMI HelpLine to find out what services and supports are available in your community.
If you or someone you know needs helps now, you should immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call 911.
Seminole County Public Schools Resources
Seminole County Public Schools has a variety of services in place to provide our students with the best management, care, and support.
Audiological Services: The Audiological Services Department of Seminole County Public Schools offers free comprehensive audiological services for children ages 0-21 residing in Seminole County.
Crisis Management: Schools must be aware of the threats that exist which can create a school-wide crisis.It is important that school district staff are organized, knowledgeable, trained, and skilled to respond to and provide appropriate crisis, grief, and trauma intervention services and programs to students, families, and staff in need.
Families In Need: Authorized under Federal law through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, Families In Need (FIN) provides services to ensure identified homeless children and youth have access to a free and appropriate public education by removing educational barriers due to homelessness.
School Psychological Services: School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.
School Social Workers: School Social Workers coordinate with school personnel, parents, community agencies and students to promote optimal learning outcomes. They collaborate directly with administrators, faculty and staff to form and implement attendance policies and truancy interventions.
Transition Support Personnel: Project SEARCH, Seminole County Public Schools' High School Transition Program, is an internship program that provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills, long-term job coaching, and continuous feedback from teachers, coaches, and employers. The goal for the student participants is to obtain competitive employment in non-traditional, complex, and rewarding jobs.
Contact
Student Support Services
Educational Support Center
400 E. Lake Mary Blvd.
Sanford, FL 32773-7127
Phone: 407.320.0216
Seminole County Public Schools has a variety of services in place to provide our students with the best management, care, and support.
Audiological Services: The Audiological Services Department of Seminole County Public Schools offers free comprehensive audiological services for children ages 0-21 residing in Seminole County.
Crisis Management: Schools must be aware of the threats that exist which can create a school-wide crisis.It is important that school district staff are organized, knowledgeable, trained, and skilled to respond to and provide appropriate crisis, grief, and trauma intervention services and programs to students, families, and staff in need.
Families In Need: Authorized under Federal law through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, Families In Need (FIN) provides services to ensure identified homeless children and youth have access to a free and appropriate public education by removing educational barriers due to homelessness.
School Psychological Services: School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.
School Social Workers: School Social Workers coordinate with school personnel, parents, community agencies and students to promote optimal learning outcomes. They collaborate directly with administrators, faculty and staff to form and implement attendance policies and truancy interventions.
Transition Support Personnel: Project SEARCH, Seminole County Public Schools' High School Transition Program, is an internship program that provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills, long-term job coaching, and continuous feedback from teachers, coaches, and employers. The goal for the student participants is to obtain competitive employment in non-traditional, complex, and rewarding jobs.
Contact
Student Support Services
Educational Support Center
400 E. Lake Mary Blvd.
Sanford, FL 32773-7127
Phone: 407.320.0216
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Adult & Youth Sports and Fitness:
Booth- with materials, activities for kids Environmental Education and Programs: Natural Lands sites Students can visit these sites with natural lands staff and participate in activities such as wildlife inventory and vegetation mapping, and learn about topics like bio-diversity, conservation management, and prescribed burning. The Natural Lands staff can also bring a little of the outdoors in to your classroom and provide an interesting and exciting hands-on learning experience |
Contact Info:
Seminole County Leisure Services 845 Lake Markham Rd, Sanford, FL 32771 (o) 407-665-2180 (f) 407-665-2185 |