Family Archives - Healthy Smart Living

How To Get Kids To Try New Foods

July 8, 2022

At some point, most kids will start to get picky with their food choices. Although expected, it can be stressful and frustrating for a parent. Read on to learn how to recognize when picky eating has gone too far, and how you can break out of the rut! Exceptional tips on how to get kids to try new foods: My Kid Only Wants To Eat One Thing When your child only wants to eat one thing at every meal it is very likely they have entered a food jag. This is very common when a child is about to start or is currently experiencing a growth spurt. Studies have shown that children will crave simple carbs, like white bread and white pasta, right before they grow! The best...

food for kids

High Energy Hijinks: Activities For Active Kids

Bradley Matthews

August 18, 2021

Family

Do you have a little one at home who likes to touch everything and get into everything? Does your little one never seem tired? Do they get more and more energy the more wound up they get? It sounds like you have a high-energy child at home! I’ve been working in early childhood education for over a decade and time after time my favorite students are always the ones that may seem a little exhausting to other adults. High energy kids have the absolute most fun but it can be hard to help direct all that energy sometimes. It’s important to remember that behavior is how little ones communicate. If a child expends a ton of high energy all of the time they may need help to...

kid activities

9 Online Resources for Parents and Care-Providers

Julia Zakrzewski

July 21, 2021

Family

The worldwide web is an exciting place that allows us to stay connected more than ever before. Resources that once felt far away, can now be accessed by the click of a button. We’ve compiled a list of online resources that can be helpful for: parents, expecting parents, and families with children who require additional care. 1. Cerebral Palsy Guide A comprehensive digital resource providing valuable information on the background of the disease and viable treatment options. They offer practical information on how parents and providers can offer the best care for their children as they grow and mature into adulthood. They also offer a robust community section on their website to provide families with additional support. Link: cerebralpalsyguide.com 2. Early Intervention Services (available per State) Early Intervention services vary per...

resources

Summer Fun: Outdoor Activities For Little Ones

Bradley Matthews

July 14, 2021

Family

Summertime has never felt more vibrant and new! After a year of social distancing, mask-wearing, and being forced away from friends and family, getting back out in the sun with loved ones is just what the doctor ordered. If you’re like me, you may have forgotten all of the fun things you can do with your young family out around town. Here are some ways to spend your summer days this year: Trip to the Zoo A trip to the zoo can be overwhelming with toddlers and young kids. To help make the zoo more manageable, read a few picture books about specific animals before you go. Then, when you get to the zoo - try and find those animals! By focusing on just a few animals...

outdoor activities

5 Fun & Creative Indoor Activities For Children

Bradley Matthews

December 23, 2020

Family

You made it! It’s the end of 2020 and now all you have to do is keep your young children entertained - alone and inside - all winter! Okay, so you almost made it! How can you keep the winter days special, interesting and fun? We know how quickly young children will tire of their new toys and eventually (hopefully) get bored of watching Trolls: World Tour - so then what? It’s time for my favorite old standby - imagination! My favorite part of being an early childhood educator is using children’s imaginations to help illustrate a point, cement a concept, inspire new questions, and get those little wheels turning in their little heads. Imagination can be used and encouraged at home as well. In the following...

indoor activities

Cozy Reads for Cold Days

Bradley Matthews

December 4, 2020

Family

We’ve spent more time inside this year than any of us have ever imagined and it looks like we’re not quite out of the woods yet. I know we’re all scratching at the walls and anxious for a return to normalcy but this year also provides us with some much-needed quality time with our loved ones. Our schedules and days are normally packed and filled with multi-tasking. We forget that it’s good to slow down and enjoy peace and quiet from time to time. So instead of rushing back to our lives - let’s take this opportunity to cherish the ones we love. There are lots of ways to spend quality time with your toddler. One of the best ways to stimulate your little one and...

books

Parenting Tip We Love: Affirmations for Children

Bradley Matthews

October 29, 2020

Family

You have the wrong Zoom password for online school, the dog needs to go out and your toddler just spilled applesauce all over the kitchen. Lucky for you – self-care is in! It’s all over Instagram, whole shows are dedicated to the topic, and Gwyneth Paltrow has a new reaffirming term for any sticky situation. We have trained ourselves for this moment and we can pause and breathe before heading back into our hectic day. While we employ these tools for ourselves, we forget that these same concepts and ideas can be shared with our kids! The way we talk to ourselves influences every aspect of our lives and the best time to start talking kindly to yourself is now! Saying affirmations assigns words to our feelings. Naming...

affirmations

Face Masks For Kids and Adults

Joyce Huang

October 8, 2020

Family, Style

Face masks aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. What’s fantastic is that getting masks today is a lot more accessible than when mask laws started going into effect in certain states. Between disposable surgical masks and stylish reusable ones, there are a ton of options that you can stock up on for kids and adults. For The Kiddies Ty Face Masks, $2.99 Each How cute are these face masks?!? From colorful owls to sweet sloths, we are obsessing over how fun these designs are. Plus, shipping is free! MasQd Unicorn Mask, $15 MasQd offers a ton of options for kids and adults. We love that in addition to having two layers, you can also add in a filter (also available on their site). This mask does have an adjustable metal molding...

face masks

Ultimate Summer Checklist for Kids

Joyce Huang

July 15, 2020

Family

School is out for summer! Whether you want something to protect your kids from the heat or something to keep them busy at home, check out this amazing summer checklist to stay on top of things! Vanicream Sunscreen SPF 50+, $14.99 Vanicream products are highly recommended by dermatologists and are considered to be kid-friendly. Coolibar Surf's Up UPF 50+ Hat, $22 We love sun hats with a flap in the back because it protects the head, face, and back of the neck. Splash Ready Unicorn Inflatable Pool, $36.99 Not only will letting them splash around in water keep them cool, but it will keep them active and laughing. Bakhuk Ice Pop Mold Maker, $22.99 Get your kids active in the kitchen and even teach them about nutrition by making popsicles with ingredients...

kid activities

Get Your Home In Order: Products To Help You Get Organized

Joyce Huang

July 8, 2020

Family, Top Picks, Wellness

Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in clutter or disorganization at home? We totally get where you are coming from. It’s strange because everything probably started off neat, but then one day you woke up and realized that disarray has slowly snuck up on you. Because you might be spending more time at home due to Covid-19, this is the perfect time to get your living space in shape. Don’t be surprised if having a cleaner and more organized home leads to a better mental state and a spike in productivity! Check out some of our favorite finds available for purchase at Bed Bath & Beyond right now. Kate and Laurel Stackable Letter Trays (set of 2), $49.99 Who said storage ideas have to be blah? These...

bed bath beyond