Editor’s note: What are the things that contribute to raising a healthy child? If you have a story idea for Our Town’s Healthy Kids series, send it to [email protected]
By Brenna WiegandRecess can get pretty intense for some kids. Rather than stick it out on the playground ‘til the bell rings, students at Eugene Field Elementary School have an alternative, said Janie Burich, school counselor.
This year, Burich was furnished a full-size classroom in lieu of an office – a place where kids can spend recess interacting with each other on a smaller scale, playing games, constructing Legos or making crafts.
“What I love about it is seeing kids that really struggle with the typical recess stuff in here smiling and having a good time,” she said.
“And then they feel good and they can go back and learn, and that’s the whole point – that they feel good about who they are.”
Celebrating a child’s individuality by paying attention and providing healthy choices goes a long way at home.
“Kids all have to have ways of expressing themselves and feeling good about themselves – don’t fight it,” Burich said.
“Let them be who they were intended to be even if it’s odd and different and you don’t quite gel with it. If you have a kid that’s a little bit alternative, celebrate the fact that he or she is interested in something. It doesn’t mean they’re going to be bad kids. Of course, you need to set guidelines or they’re going to go nuts.
“The most important thing is that parents spend time with their kids,” Burich said.
“I know people are busy, and it can be easy leaving kids to computers and video games, but making time for your kids – sitting down with them and talking to them; doing things and going places and reading with them – you just can’t go wrong with that.”
