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Thinking of getting a pet? Our shelters have lots of dogs, cats, rodents and rabbits available for adoption!

Read our care guides to make sure you understand how to take care of your new pet before you bring them home.

Dogs are the best! Find out how to keep your dog healthy, and what to expect as your dog grows up. Plus, learn about dog training.

Cats rule! Discover how to make your home more fun for a cat. Learn about letting your cat outdoors, and how to make sure your cat uses the litter box.

Small pet care

Lots of people think of small pets, like rabbits and rodents, as "starter" pets. But just because they're small doesn't mean they need less care! Find out how to set up your cage, what kind of foods to feed, and how to handle and play with small pets safely. Download our care sheets (PDFs):

For more care tips and cage ideas, check out the BC SPCA on Pinterest and YouTube!

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Thinking of getting a pet? Our shelters have lots of dogs, cats, rodents and rabbits available for adoption! Read our care guides to make sure you understand how to take care of your new pet before you bring them home. Dogs are the best!

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Understanding peer pressure and how to say no can help you make decisions that are right for you. It’s important to surround yourself with friends who respect your choices and who won’t pressure you into doing something you’re uncomfortable with.

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As kids get older, peer pressure can get in the way of how well they do in school. Why? By the time they turn 7, children start caring more and more about what other kids think of them - and less about what their parents or other adults think.

Kids who want to get approval from their peers and become more popular will often take part in risky behavior like cheating in class, shoplifting, tagging, drugs, alcohol, and sex - all which can send them on a downward spiral and take them away from focusing on their education.

Here are six other ways to help your child resist peer pressure and stay on the right path.

1. Don't overreact

When your child talks with you about what friends are doing, you may hear things that upset you. But if you overreact or lecture, your child won't want to bring these issues up again. Stay as calm as you can, without yelling, blaming, of lecturing. Instead, use these moments to get your child thinking about the consequences of risky behavior: "I wonder if your friend realizes she could be arrested for shoplifting?"

2. Talk about what makes a true friend

Help your child understand that a friend who is pressuring him to do something dangerous, hurtful, or illegal is not much of a friend.

3. Get to know your child's friends

Encourage your child to invite friends home. Having his peers around will help you decide whether they are good or bad influences.

4. Talk about what independence really means

At this age, your child wants more independence. Point out that if this is a goal of his, he shouldn't let other kids decide what she should be doing - that's not independence!

5. Role play peer pressure

Ask your child what he wishes he could say to his friends if he didn't have to worry about what they'd say if he said "No." Then suggest ways he can say it. Keep your advice short and to the point. Remind him it's easiest to stick with simple things that he can say comfortably. (Check out " Five steps to resisting peer pressure " for ideas on what your child can say to a friend who is pressuring him.)

6. Model saying "No"

When your child hears you setting limits clearly, firmly, and without a lot of explanation, this helps him see that it's OK to do the same. When you say, "No, that's not okay with me," you're giving your child the same language he can say when someone tries to talk him into doing something he shouldn't.

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6 ways to help your child deal with peer pressure

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Saying No to friends can be hard. Here's how to make it easier for your child to resist peer pressure and say on the right path.

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Starting 6th grade means meeting lots of new people. Learn tips on how to make new friends, what qualities to look for in a friend, and how to be a good friend yourself.

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Playdates at the park. Backyard games of hide-and-seek. Tea parties and tree forts. Having friends is not only fun, it is also important for a child. "Friendships are critical to helping children improve their communication, sharing, empathy, problem-solving, and creativity," says Rachelle Theise, Psy.D., a clinical assistant professor and child psychologist at the NYU Child Study Center in New York City. "Friends help children learn to get along with others and interact with the world."

Although some children are naturally social, shyness can be a barrier for other kids in developing friendships, but it's "one of the things we can really help children overcome," says Gail Gross, Ph.D., a psychologist and child development expert in Houston, Texas. There's no need to turn your child into a social butterfly, but helping him feel more socially confident? Absolutely possible, Dr. Gross says. Teach your child the skills that will help him become more confident and comfortable making friends.

How to Nurture Social Skills

Practice saying hello. Encourage your child to address someone new and ask for his name. Or suggest an activity your child can play with a peer. "Practicing and rehearsing social skills in a safe and warm environment will support your child by teaching him social cues and age-appropriatesocial skills practices," Dr. Gross suggests. Your child can also practice greeting techniques with family members and family friends until he becomes more comfortable with the norms of meeting someone new.

Start with small steps. "Begin by exposing your child, little by little, in small increments each day, to social situations. Through the safety of your parental involvement, your child will learn how to feel confident and safe," Dr. Gross says. So skip that drop-off birthday party with two dozen kids and instead opt for a short walk to the frozen yogurt store with the next-door neighbor and her daughter.

Plan a playdate at home. " Shy children feel more comfortable in their own home, so host a playdate at your house and provide an activity that requires less conversation and more participation," Dr. Thiese suggests. This way your child won't be overwhelmed with a new environment while working on her shyness.

Maintain a presence. "In the beginning it is important to be there for your child consistently when she interacts with other children," Dr. Gross explains. "If you structure a playdate, hang around so that your child is supported by her home team."

Build trust. When you set up playtimes, make sure they have a beginning and an end that can be clearly adhered to. "If you tell your child that he is going to visit his friend for 30 minutes, make sure you say goodbye and leave after 30 minutes," Dr. Gross says. If you're going to go to the other room to use the restroom or take a phone call, tell your child so he doesn't look up and find you gone. "Build social confidence and competence. Trust is based on experience. If your child can trust you, he will learn to trust himself and therefore others."

Advice for Keeping Friends

Kids can usually forge their own relationships, but they may need help navigating these social situations.

If her bestie says she doesn't want to be friends anymore: Miscommunication causes a lot of drama, so help your child practice the words to tell a pal when she is upset, suggests Bonnie Toth, a preschool teacher in Las Vegas. She could say, "I don't understand why you don't want to be friends."

If he needs to apologize: Teach your kids to be specific about what they're sorry for, suggests second-grade teacher Janet Nasir, mom of two in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Then have them follow up with, "How can I make you feel better?"

If she thinks she's done nothing wrong: First-grade teacher Lauren Tingley, in Red Bluff, California, refers to the book How Full Is Your Bucket? by Mary Reckmeyer and Tom Rath. "I'll say, 'Are you being a bucket filler or a bucket dipper?' Sometimes that helps my daughter see that she is being catty."

If he says he has no one to play with at recess: Suggest he ask someone to play instead of waiting to be asked to join in. Nasir says that's often all it takes!

Activities to Encourage Friendship

Even if your child isn't shy, helping her make friends doesn't just mean signing her up for social group activities like ballet or basketball. There are a variety of ways to help shape her view of friendship, develop her social skills, and provide opportunities for her to connect with other children with similar interests and values.

Read (and talk) about friendship. "Children learn so much through the narrative of a great story. Look for books that feature friendships, compassion, and sharing," says Lee Scott, a member of the Educational Advisory Board for The Goddard School and an education consultant in Okatie, South Carolina. "Talking about the characters, their feelings, and the story's outcomes will help your children learn how to be a friend. A few of my favorites are How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends by Jane Yolen, Little Lonely Leigh by Sally Huss, and Making Friends Is an Art by Julia Cook."

Play games. "Games are a great way to help your child learn how to take turns, which is essential for being a great friend," Scott says. Start with an easyboard game like Candy Land or the Ladybug Game, and then add more difficult ones as she becomes more comfortable with turn-taking. "Once your child learns how to play a game, invite a friend over to play it with your child," Scott adds.

Help someone else. Children learn to empathize, care, and consider other perspectives by participating in activities that help others. Have young ones start by helping you with simple tasks, such as creating a get-well card for a sick friend, collecting unused toys for children's hospitals, or making cookies for a neighbor.

Provide play opportunities. Instead of creating highly structured playdates, Scott suggests, choose an activity that allows for creative, open-ended play, such as making up games at a park or playground.

Show off your social skills. Parents can help children develop social-emotional skills through encouragement and modeling. "When you see your children exhibiting friendly behaviors, such as sharing and taking turns, praise them. This encourages children to repeat the positive behaviors," Scott says. "And by modeling positive, friendly behaviors, you can guide your children to do the same."

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Playdates at the park. Backyard games of hide-and-seek. Tea parties and tree forts. Having friends is not only fun, it is also important for a child. "Friendships are critical to helping children improve their communication, sharing, empathy, problem-solving, and creativity," says Rachelle Theise, Psy.D., a clinical assistant professor and child psychologist at the NYU Child Study Center in New York City.

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Bullying is a serious issue that can affect everyone. Learn what bullying looks like, how to stop it if you’re witnessing it, and what steps to take if you’re being bullied.

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Preventing and stopping bullying involves a commitment to creating a safe environment where children can thrive, socially and academically, without being afraid.

Cite this

American Psychological Association. (2011, January 1). How parents, teachers, and kids can take action to prevent bullying. https://www.apa.org/topics/bullying/prevent

Introduction

Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power or strength. It is a repeated behavior and can be physical, verbal, or relational. While boys may bully others using more physical means, girls often bully others by social exclusion. Bullying has been part of school, and even workplaces, for years. More recently, though, technology and social media have created a new venue for bullying that has expanded its reach. Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online and via cell phones. Websites like YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat allow kids to send hurtful, ongoing messages to other children 24 hours a day. Some sites, such as Instagram, allow messages to be left anonymously.

Preventing and stopping bullying involves a commitment to creating a safe environment where children can thrive, socially and academically, without being afraid. APA recommends that teachers, parents, and students take the following actions to address bullying.

Teachers and school administrators

Be knowledgeable and observant

Teachers and administrators need to be aware that although bullying generally happens in areas such as the bathroom, playground, crowded hallways, and school buses as well as via cell phones and computers (where supervision is limited or absent), it must be taken seriously. Teachers and administrators should emphasize that telling is not tattling. If a teacher observes bullying in a classroom, he/she needs to immediately intervene to stop it, record the incident, and inform the appropriate school administrators so the incident can be investigated. Having a joint meeting with the bullied student and the student who is bullying is not recommended-it is embarrassing and very intimidating for the student that is being bullied.

Involve students and parents

Students and parents need to be a part of the solution and involved in safety teams and antibullying task forces. Students can inform adults about what is really going on and also teach adults about new technologies that kids are using to bully. Parents, teachers, and school administrators can help students engage in positive behavior and teach them skills so that they know how to intervene when bullying occurs. Older students can serve as mentors and inform younger students about safe practices on the internet.

Set positive expectations about behavior for students and adults

Schools and classrooms must offer students a safe learning environment. Teachers and coaches need to explicitly remind students that bullying is not accepted in school and such behaviors will have consequences. Creating an antibullying document and having both the student and the parents/guardians sign and return it to the school office helps students understand the seriousness of bullying. Also, for students who have a hard time adjusting or finding friends, teachers and administrators can facilitate friendships or provide "jobs" for the student to do during lunch and recess so that children do not feel isolated or in danger of becoming targets for bullying.

Parents

Parents of kids being bullied

Observe your child for signs they might be being bullied

Children may not always be vocal about being bullied. Signs include: ripped clothing, hesitation about going to school, decreased appetite, nightmares, crying, or general depression and anxiety. If you discover your child is being bullied, don't tell them to "let it go" or "suck it up." Instead, have open-ended conversations where you can learn what is really going on at school so that you can take the appropriate steps to rectify the situation. Most importantly, let your child know you will help them and that they should try not to fight back

Teach your child how to handle being bullied

Until something can be done on an administrative level, work with your child to handle bullying without being crushed or defeated. Practice scenarios at home where your child learns how to ignore a bully and/or develop assertive strategies for coping with bullying. Help your child identify teachers and friends that can help them if they're worried about being bullied.

Set boundaries with technology

Educate your children and yourself about cyberbullying and teach your children not to respond or forward threatening emails. "Friend" your child on Facebook and other social media platforms and set up proper filters on your child's computer. Make the family computer the only computer for children, and have it in a public place in the home where it is visible and can be monitored. If you decide to give your child a cell phone think carefully before allowing them to have a camera option. Let them know you will be monitoring their text messages. As a parent, you can insist that phones are stored in a public area, such as the kitchen, by a certain time at night to eliminate nighttime bullying and inappropriate messaging. Parents should report bullying to the school, and follow up with a letter that is copied to the school superintendent if their initial inquiry receives no response.

Parents should report all threatening messages to the police and should document any text messages, emails, or posts on websites.

Parents of kids engaged in bullying

Stop bullying before it starts

Educate your children about bullying. It is possible that your child is having trouble reading social signs and does not know what they are doing is hurtful. Remind your child that bullying others can have legal consequences.

Make your home "bully free"

Children learn behavior through their parents. Being exposed to aggressive behavior or an overly strict environment at home makes kids more prone to bully at school. Parents/caregivers should model positive examples for your child in your relationships with other people and with them.

Look for self esteem issues

Children with low self-esteem often bully to feel better about themselves. Even children who seem popular and well-liked can have mean tendencies. Mean behavior should be addressed by parents and disciplined.

Students

Report bullying and cyberbullying

It is important for students to report any bullying to a parent or an adult they trust. Often kids don't report cyberbullying because they fear their parents will take away their phone or computer. Parents will support their child's reports of bullying and not take away their phones as a consequence. It is important for kids to remember that bullying is wrong and should be handled by an adult.

Don't bully back

It may be difficult to not bully back, but as the saying goes, two wrongs don't make a right. Try not to show anger or tears. Either calmly tell the bully to stop bullying or simply walk away.

Avoid being alone

Whenever possible, avoid situations where there are no other students or teachers. Try to go to the bathroom with a friend or eat lunch in a group. When riding the bus, sit near the front. If you know a student who likes to bully others is in an area where you normally walk to lunch or class, try to use alternative hallway routes.

Remember, report bullying of yourself or other students to your teacher, coach, principal, and/or parent.

Conclusion

Students who experience bullying may feel overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious. If your child or student is having trouble at school or with friends as a result of bullying, a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, can help your child develop resilience and confidence. This will enable your child to be more successful both socially and academically.

Special thanks to
Rosalind Dorlen, PsyD, independent practice, New Jersey
Elaine Ducharme, PhD, independent practice, Connecticut
Susan M. Swearer, PhD, associate professor of school psychology and licensed psychologist; codirector, Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology; and secretary, APA Division 16 (School Psychology)

Recommended Reading

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How parents, teachers, and kids can take action to prevent bullying

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Preventing and stopping bullying involves a commitment to creating a safe environment where children can thrive, socially and academically, without being afraid.

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Developing strong study skills early can set you up for academic success. Discover strategies for effective note-taking, time management, and test preparation.

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Fairhope Middle School's

Study Skills and Strategies Course

LESSON 1- Setting Goals

LESSON 2- Time Management and Organization

LESSON 3- Note Taking and Studying for Tests

LESSON 4- Standardized Test Taking Strategies

LESSON 5- Tracking Your Progress

LESSON 6- Developing a Growth Mindset

Sources:

SOAR Study Skills, Susan Kruger

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Sean Covey

"Top Ten Study Tips, " Kellie Hayden

"Tips for Using a Planner, " Grace Fleming

Growth Mindset Lesson Plan-Khan Academy

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Study Skills / STUDY SKILLS AND STRATEGIES COURSE

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Fairhope Middle School's Study Skills and Strategies Course LESSON 1- Setting Goals LESSON 2- Time Management and Organization LESSON 3- Note Taking and Studying for Tests LESSON 4- Standardized Test Taking Strategies LESSON 5- Tracking Your Progress LESSON 6- Developing a Growth Mindset Sources: SOAR Study Skills, Susan Kruger The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Sean Covey "Top Ten Study Tips, " Kellie Hayden "Tips for Using a Planner, " Grace Fleming Growth Mindset Lesson Plan-Khan Academy

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Reading regularly not only improves comprehension and vocabulary but also stimulates creativity and empathy. Explore reasons why reading is crucial and how to make it a habit.

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If you are on this blog right now, reading this article...

If you have a high school diploma...

Furthermore, if you have a college degree...

You can thank your ability to read for that.

That's obvious, right?

Well, yes, while reading is obviously important to be able to understand the words on the page, it is also the foundation of your ability to learn and ultimately, your ability to function properly in an ever-changing society. Do you remember as a child when you learned to read? Most of us probably don't, but now you can't imagine life without being able to. You couldn't understand anything on Facebook, you wouldn't be able to text or even bake a few of your favorite chocolate chip cookies. Something as simple as reading the clothing label on your favourite shirt for washing instructions would be impossible without the ability to read...

So, it is easy to see why it is important. But, furthermore, it is incredibly important for our children. As they grow, they will need to possess strong reading skills to make it through school and into their career. As you go through the struggles of getting your kids to actually do their summer reading to stay on track, remember these reasons why reading is important for kids:

10 Reasons Why Reading is Important for Kids:

1. It expands their vocabulary.

While reading, they might come across words they have never heard - prompting them to find out what they mean. As a result, they add it to their vocabulary.

2. It makes them better at it.

Practice makes perfect, right? The best way to get better at reading is just to do it!

3. It helps build independence and self-confidence.

As they learn that they no longer have to rely on their parents to read things to them, they develop a sense of independence. Through reading, they can begin to understand the world on their own.

4. It keeps them safe.

Traffic signs have words and so do warning labels. Reading allows kids to understand when something says it could harm them.

5. It helps them make sense of the world around them.

As they learn to read they are able to determine what things around them say - from signs to stickers to labels. Being able to read helps them understand what is what and the purpose it serves.

6. It leads to their future academic success.

A child must be able to read in order to even progress through school. Reading is essential to following the instructions on the test and being able to even understand or answer the questions.

7. It enhances their imagination.

As a child reads, they can begin to imagine where the characters are. They might even create their own little world, as well. Reading enhances their imagination by forcing them to picture what the character actually looks like and who they are.

8. It entertains them.

It gives them something good to do - especially once they can start reading chapter books with no pictures, forcing them to really get into their imagination and therefore, really get into the book as well.

9. It improves their grammar.

Through reading, they can see how the author composed their sentence structure and grammar. This can also help improve their communication skills as they determine how it should be read using clues such as punctuation.

10. It improves their writing skills.

Because reading helps improve their vocabulary, communication, and grammar skills, it ultimately improves their writing skills as well.

Reading is essential to just about everything in life - from cooking to driving to just getting through school. It is important to start at a young age and teach your child the value of reading so they will grow to practice it often and value their ability to do so.
Now, go grab a good book and your child and get to reading together! And if your child really loves reading, why not get them to write their own story? You can even use our free online story creator to write a story online.

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10 Reasons Why Reading is Important for Kids | Imagine Forest

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If you are on this blog right now, reading this article... If you have a high school diploma... Furthermore, if you have a college degree... You can thank your ability to read for that. That's obvious, right?

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In today’s digital age, knowing how to research information online safely and effectively is a valuable skill. Learn how to discern credible sources and avoid misinformation.

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Online research takes skill. In high school, you need to transition from searching for information to researching a topic. When you have to do research, a simple Google search is no longer enough. This is when Google Scholar and library databases can help. We know this transition is challenging and we're here to help.

This video from McMaster University Libraries explains the differences between search and research. Watch to find out more about developing a search strategy, exploring a variety of sources and thinking critically about the information you have found. We like to show this video when we visit high school classes in the city.

In this blog post we expand upon these three strategies that every good researcher knows: how to develop search terms, find multiple resources and evaluate sources.

Developing Search Terms

The secret to good search results is to use the right keywords. By following three easy steps, you can figure out the keywords relevant to your research topic.
1. Think of your question
A good research question guides your thesis. It addresses exactly you want to find out, and gives your work purpose and clarity. This step can be timely, so be patient.

Use Google and Wikipedia to understand your topic.

Focus your question on a single problem.

Make sure it can be researched using primary and secondary resources.

Example
Broad topic: Impact of social media
Thesis: social media has increased loneliness in teens.
Research Question: Does social media increase loneliness in teens?
2. Eliminate some words
Eliminate common and general words, or in other words identify the main concepts in the question.

Important words are generally the verbs and nouns of your question

Avoid relational words like impact, effect, and cause.

Stick to two to four keywords for best results.

Example
Three keywords: social media, loneliness, teens
3. Specify and professionalize
Think of more professional and academic synonyms for your keywords.

Talk to your friends, teachers, parents and librarians to brainstorm.

Make a list to keep track of what you find.

Take advantage of BOOLEAN operators and modifiers to customize your research results.

Example
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
Loneliness: aloneness, social isolation
Teens: adolescent, young adults, youth

One possible search string: "social media" AND teen* AND (loneliness OR ​"social isolation")
Copy and paste this string into Google to see the difference in results.

Exploring multiple resources

Most assignments from teachers will ask you to use a certain number of sources. Additionally, researchers use different TYPES of resources. This is a a great trick to cross-reference the information to ensure it is accurate.

Explore ​information from different sources such as: government sites, news articles/broadcasts/podcasts, independent organizations.

Look at the website address (the URL) and URLs endings (such as .com, .org, .ca) to identify the type of site.

The variety of information is plentiful; everything from a documentary on YouTube to company websites.

Example
Research Question: Does social media increase loneliness in teens?

Resource Type 1: Youth Health section of Canadian Government Website

Resource Type 2: an article from news source such as The National Post or The Toronto Star

Resource Type 3: reports/data from a reputable Youth support organization such as Youth Mental Health Canada or Here to Help

Evaluating sources

Once you have a bunch of sources, it is necessary to make sure they are good sources to use in your assignment. A gold standard approach, often used in high schools, colleges and universities is the CRAP (a.k.a CRAAP) test. Each letter in the word CRAAP stands for a concept you should be looking for in your source. By applying the CRAAP test to your source, you can check that the information is up-to-date, related to your topic, written by someone knowledgeable on the topic and as free of bias as possible.

Currency: When was this information shared?

Relevance: How does the information fit your topic?

Authority: Who has written this information and are they credible?

Accuracy: How correct is this information?

Purpose: Why was this information shared by the publisher? What's the goal?

More academic resources

To help your understanding of the concepts mentioned above, check out these sources:

How to access TPLs Databases (Blog by Toronto Public Library)

What is Google Scholar? (Tutorial by Western University Libraries)

Developing a Research Question (Video by Western University Libraries)

How Library Stuff Works: How to Choose Keywords (Video by McMaster University Libraries)

How Library Stuff Works: Boolean Operators (AND OR NOT) (Video by McMaster University Libraries)

How Library Stuff Works: Boolean Modifiers "", *, ( ) (Video by McMaster University Libraries)

Using Top Level Domains in Your Research (such as .com, .org, .ca) (Video by Imagine Easy Solutions)

Evaluating Sources CRAAP test (Video by Western University Libraries)

Online Verification Skills More tips on verifying online resources (Video by NewsWise)

We hope this blog post gives you some helpful tips and videos to guide you along your researching journey!

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Online Research Skills for High School Students: Tips and Strategies

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Online research takes skill. In high school, you need to transition from searching for information to researching a topic. When you have to do research, a simple Google search is no longer enough. This is when Google Scholar and library databases can help. We know this transition is challenging and...

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Good nutrition is essential for growth and learning. Understand the basics of a balanced diet and how to make healthy eating choices.

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What nutrients does your child need now?

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See the current children's nutrition recommendations for protein, carbohydrates, more.

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Regular physical activity is important for physical and mental health. Discover fun ways to stay active and why it’s important to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

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The Benefits of Physical Activity for Kids During Early Childhood Development

Any parent or caregiver will probably agree that letting a child run around and play throughout the day benefits everyone - and there is plenty of science that backs this up! Studies demonstrate time and time again that children who are more active on a daily basis tend to act out less and have an easier time focusing on important tasks including school work.

Regular physical activity also helps young children:

Build endurance and develop strong muscles and bones

Maintain good sleeping patterns

Improve fine motor skills including balance, dexterity, and flexibility

Develop better social skills

Maintain healthy habits into adulthood

Form a positive outlook on health, including weight and diet

Have more confidence in their abilities

And more!

Encouraging little ones to partake in physical activities outdoors also has a number of advantages during early childhood development. You can read our previous blog post, " The Benefits of Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Development " to learn more!

How Much Physical Activity Should Children Have Every Day?

The best way to determine a daily physical activity routine that will benefit your child is to consult with their pediatrician or primary care provider. The following suggestions come from The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans guide, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This outline is designed to provide evidence-based guidance to encourage people of all ages to maintain their health through physical activity.

Toddlers: Ages 2-3

Toddlers should be encouraged to participate in about 60 minutes of physical activity (active play) throughout the day, every day. By this age range, they will be walking, running, kicking, throwing, and reaching for just about everything they can get their hands on. Presenting them with constructive opportunities to practice these motor skills is essential to healthy development.

Preschoolers: Ages 3-5

Preschoolers, three to five years of age should spend at least 3 hours a day being physically active. Active play for children this age should include fun aerobic exercises like running around, catching and throwing, swimming, riding a bike, etc. Aside from sleeping, preschool-age children should not be inactive for prolonged periods of time. So the more opportunities they have to be active, the better it is for physical development.

Adolescents: Ages 6 - 12

By the time children are adolescents, they should be engaging in 1 hour or more of aerobic exercise and strengthening activities daily. They should be encouraged to participate in more moderately challenging activities like playing sports competitively, as well as strengthening bones and muscles by doing things like jumping rope or climbing.

Teens: Ages 13 - 17

By thirteen and on, most teenagers should participate in at least an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. By this time, young adults should create an exercise routine that incorporates aerobic activity like running, swimming, or cycling, and strength training exercises like weight lifting.

4 Fun Ways to Encourage More Physical Activity in Kids

Parents and caregivers are responsible for the wellbeing of the children they look after, so encouraging little ones to be more physically active is important. Here are four ways you can encourage children of any age to participate in more physical activity every day:

1. Make Exercise Fun

Every child will have their own preference for what physical activities they think are fun, so it's important to talk with them to learn what activities they enjoy doing most. This will allow you to incorporate their interests into their active playtime so they can start building a positive relationship to being active and healthy.

2. Get the Whole Family Involved

No matter your age, finding time to be more physically active can have many positive effects on your well-being. Plus, with the whole family focusing on maintaining or improving their health, you are also able to spend more quality time together. Plan family hiking trips, bike rides around the neighborhood, or a day at the pool swimming! The more everyone enjoys the activity, the more fun it will be for everyone.

3. Set a Positive Example

If your little ones see how much enjoyment you get from playing sports, cycling, or any other physical activity, they will be more apt to join in or try it for themselves. It's also important to remember to not put yourself down for not meeting a physical goal or losing a sports game. Set the example of being a good team player, as well as an encouraging coach to yourself and your kids.

4. Provide Age Appropriate Opportunities

Joining a sports team, or taking a dance class or karate class are all fun ways to get little ones engaged in active play and develop important life skills at the same time. You can also provide constructive opportunities for your children to be more active throughout the day, without even leaving the house! By providing them with active toys like jump ropes, sports balls, bikes, scooters, or Hoola hoops they will keep themselves up and active to their heart's desire!

The Children's Museum of Sonoma County Has Resources to Help Kids Stay Active!

At The Children's Museum of Sonoma County, we work hard to provide families with valuable opportunities and resources that are fun, engaging, and educational. Our PLAYology Playbook blog is full of at-home activities you can do with kids of all ages including many ideas to get your little one up and moving!

We also invite you to visit the museum and enjoy valuable active playtime with the CMOSC team!

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The Importance of Physical Activity for Kids

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Learn how encouraging kids to partake in physical activity can have a number of advantages during early childhood development.

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It’s normal to feel stress and anxiety, especially with the transition to middle school. Learn coping mechanisms and how to seek help when needed.

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The pandemic pushed stress to historic highs. Here are healthy ways for children and teens to cope.

Cite this

American Psychological Association. (2022, October 19). How to help children and teens manage their stress. https://www.apa.org/topics/children/stress

In the short term, stress can push a child to practice for her piano recital or inspire a teen to study when he'd rather be out with friends. But chronic stress-for example, from unrelenting pandemic-related pressures, social unrest, or violence-is different. Left unchecked, long-term stress can contribute to a long list of physical and mental health problems. Prolonged stress can cause high blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and contribute to diseases such as obesity and heart disease. It can also lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression-disorders that are becoming more common in youth.

More than two full years into the covid-19 pandemic, mental illness is at an all-time high-especially among children. In fact, between 2016 and 2020, the number of children aged 3 to 17 diagnosed with anxiety grew by 29% and those with depression by 27%, according to a study published in 2022 in JAMA Pediatrics. The findings also suggest concerning changes in child and family well-being after the onset of the covid-19 pandemic.

At the extreme end of the stress scale, nearly 270,000 children suffered tragic loss, with covid-19 claiming one or more of their caregivers.

Stress in young people doesn't always look like stress in adults. But like adults, children and teens-even those with life-altering losses-can find healthy ways to cope. Together, young people and their parents or caregivers can learn to spot the signs of excess stress and, with the right tools, manage it.

Sources of stress in young children

For young children, tension at home is a common source of stress. Children may be troubled by family discord, divorce, or loss, for example. Even happy changes, such as a new home, the arrival of a new sibling, or a beloved new stepparent can be hard on a child.

School is another frequent source of concern for kids. Young children might be stressed about making friends, dealing with bullies, or getting along with their teachers. They might also be anxious about tests and grades.

More significant stress is also rising in this cohort. While pediatric emergency department visits declined during the pandemic, the number and proportion of mental health-related emergency department visits increased for children ages 0 to 11, compared to 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( Radhakrishnan, L., et al., Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. 71, No. 8, 2022).

Sources of stress in adolescents and teens

As children get older, their sources of stress expand. Teens are more likely than young children to be stressed by events or situations outside the home.

Mental health crises are on the rise for this age group as well, with mental health-related emergency department visits increasing for kids ages 12 to 17 compared with 2019 emergency department visits. In particular, emergency departments saw increases in visits related to self-harm, drug poisonings, and eating disorders among this age group since the pandemic's onset ( Radhakrishnan, L., et al., Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. 71, No. 8, 2022).

In addition, during the 2020-2021 school year, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study, which collects data from 373 campuses nationwide ( Lipson, S. K., et al., Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 306, 2022).

Peers can help buffer stress, but can also be a source of it. Social relationships are especially important in adolescence. Many teens worry about fitting in, their first romantic relationships, and peer pressure around substance use and sex.

Recognize the signs of stress

Signs of stress in youth can show up in a number of ways:

Irritability and anger: Children don't always have the words to describe how they are feeling and sometimes tension bubbles over into a bad mood. Stressed-out kids and teens might be more short-tempered or argumentative than normal.

Changes in behavior: A young child who used to be a great listener is suddenly acting out. A once-active teen now doesn't want to leave the house. Sudden changes can be a sign that stress levels are high.

Trouble sleeping: A child or teen might complain of feeling tired all the time, sleep more than usual, or have trouble falling asleep at night.

Neglecting responsibilities: If an adolescent suddenly drops the ball on homework, forgets obligations, or starts procrastinating more than usual, stress might be a factor.

Eating changes: Eating too much or too little can both be reactions to stress.

Getting sick more often: Stress often shows up as physical symptoms. Children who feel stress often report headaches or stomachaches, and might make frequent trips to the school nurse's office.

Stress management for kids and teens

Facing stressors is a fact of life, for children and adults. These strategies can help keep stress in check:

Sleep well. Sleep is essential for physical and emotional well-being. Experts recommend nine to 12 hours of sleep a night for 6- to 12-year olds. Teens need eight to 10 hours a night. Sleep needs to be a priority to keep stress in check. To protect shut-eye, limit screen use at night and avoid keeping digital devices in the bedroom.

Exercise. Physical activity is an essential stress reliever for people of all ages. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 60 minutes a day of activity for children ages 6 to 17.

Talk it out. Talking about stressful situations with a trusted adult can help kids and teens put things in perspective and find solutions.

Make time for fun-and quiet. Just like adults, kids and teens need time to do what brings them joy, whether that's unstructured time to play with building bricks or uninterrupted hours to practice music or art. Also, while some children thrive bouncing from one activity to the next, others need more down time. Find a healthy balance between favorite activities and free time.

Get outside. Spending time in nature is an effective way to relieve stress and improve overall well-being. Researchers have found that people who live in areas with more green space have less depression, anxiety, and stress.

Write about it. Research has found that expressing oneself in writing can help reduce mental distress and improve well-being. Some research has found, for example, that writing about positive feelings-such as the things you're grateful for or proud of-can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Learn mindfulness. In a study of a 5-week mindfulness training program for 13- to 18-year-olds, researchers found that teens who learned mindfulness experienced significantly less mental distress than teens who did not.

How parents can help

Parents and other caregivers have an important part to play, by adopting their own healthy habits and helping children and teens find stress-managing strategies. Some ways parents can take action:

Model healthy coping. Caregivers can talk with children about how they've thought about and dealt with their own stressful situations.

Let kids be problem-solvers. It's natural to want to fix your child's problems. But when parents swoop in to solve every little glitch, their children don't have a chance to learn healthy coping skills. Let your children try to solve their low-stakes problems on their own, and they'll gain confidence that they can deal with stressors and setbacks.

Promote media literacy. Today's kids spend a lot of time online, where they can run into questionable content, cyberbullying, or the peer pressures of social media. Parents can help by teaching their children to be savvy digital consumers, and by limiting screen time.

Combat negative thinking. "I'm terrible at math." "I hate my hair." "I'll never make the team. Why try out?" Children and teens can easily fall into the trap of negative thinking. When children use negative self-talk, though, don't just disagree. Ask them to really think about whether what they say is true, or remind them of times they worked hard and improved. Learning to frame things positively will help them develop resilience to stress.

How psychologists can help

Thanks to psychologists Mary Alvord, PhD, and Raquel Halfond, PhD, who assisted with this article.

Recommended Reading

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How to help children and teens manage their stress

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The pandemic pushed stress to historic highs. Here are healthy ways for children and teens to cope.

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Online gaming is fun and interactive. You can play with friends or with people across the globe. Make sure you know how to protect yourself and your personal information while playing online. Following these simple guidelines can prevent problems later. The first step is STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
It's your game. Take control.

If another player is making you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult. Remember that you can always kick a player out of the game if they are making you uncomfortable.

Learn how to block and/or report another player if they are making you uncomfortable. Keep a record of what the other player said, but do not engage them.

Playing with people you don't know or who aren't your good friends? Time to use a disguise.

Use a safe Game Name: something cool like SecretNinja99 or LeTigreVerde

Use an avatar instead of the webcam. Sure, the webcam is cool, but strangers don't need to know what you look like. Embrace an air of mystery.

Use the voice altering features if you have them. Otherwise, avoid voice chat to protect your anonymity.

Keep a Clean Machine.
Talk to your parents or guardians about how they can make sure your computer is protected against computer viruses, spyware and other bugs.

Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.

Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Computers, smart phones, gaming systems, and other webenabled devices all need protection from viruses and malware.

Protect Your Personal Information.
Personal information is any information that can be used to identify you or your accounts. Examples include your name, address, phone number, user names and passwords, pictures, birthday and social security number.

Secure your accounts: Ask for protection beyond passwords. Many account providers now offer additional ways for you verify who you are before you conduct business on that site.

Make passwords long and strong: Combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create a more secure password. (Remember, passwords are the keys to your accounts. The only people who need to know them are YOU and your parents. Not your brother, sister, best friend, or teacher - just you.)

Own your online presence: When available, set the privacy and security settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing. It's ok to limit how and with whom you share information.

Be Web Wise.
Stay informed of the latest Internet developments, know what to do if something goes wrong and be open with your parents about what you are doing online.

Stay current. Keep pace with new ways to stay safe online. Check trusted websites for the latest information, share with friends and family, and encourage them to be web wise.

Think before you act: Be wary of communications that implores you to act immediately, offers something that sounds too good to be true, or asks for personal information. Do not accept downloads from strangers. This includes cheat programs that may claim to help you perform better in the game, but really could be carrying malware.

Be a Good Online Citizen.
It is easy to say things from behind a computer screen that you would never say face to face. Maintain the same level of courtesy online that you would in the real world.

Safer for me more secure for all: What you do online has the potential to affect everyone - at home and around the world. Practicing good online habits benefits the global digital community.

STOP. Before you use the Internet, take time to understand the risks and learn how to spot potential problems.
THINK. Take a moment to be certain the path is clear ahead. Watch for warning signs and consider how your actions online could impact your safety, or your family's.
CONNECT. Enjoy the Internet with greater confidence, knowing you've taken the right steps to safeguard yourself and your computer.

The Attorney General's Office has partnered with the Stop. Think. Connect. campaign to provide this internet safety information. Please visit http://www.stopthinkconnect.org for more information.

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Online gaming is fun and interactive. You can play with friends or with people across the globe. Make sure you know how to protect yourself and your personal information while playing online. Following these simple guidelines can prevent problems later. The first step is STOP. THINK. CONNECT.

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Do you consider yourself - or do others consider you - like, a kid? A pretty smart and unique kid, maybe around elementary-school age, maybe middle school or even older? At a time in your life when maybe you're deciding what you're interested in, what things you love doing and what you care about?

Are you deciding that you're interested in animals and plants, like being outside or exploring wild places, and are generally intrigued by the wonder of living on this green-and-blue planet surrounded by billions of stars?

And finally, do you feel the urgency of saving all these animals and plants, and the planet they (and we) live on?

Then you can be - or already are - a kid conservationist. Cool.
So ... what exactly is conservation?
The word "conservation" of course comes from "to conserve" - to preserve, protect, save, defend, support, maintain, sustain: the opposite of "destroy" (or letting something be destroyed).

We often say we want to "preserve wildlands" or "conserve water." When it comes to the environment - well, we want to preserve/conserve the whole thing.

That means, as conservationists, we're taking action to save the ecosystems around us (like oceans, forests and deserts), the species that live in them (from birds to bears to bugs), and our planet's climate (which shapes the weather patterns, and the life-support systems, that keep us all going).

We don't always have instant success when we try to protect a wild place or endangered species. But often, we actually do - and that feel amazing. The Center for Biological Diversity actually wins its legal cases for endangered species about 93 percent of the time ... which, trust us, is a lot!

The point is that even if we don't succeed in one step toward saving a species or its habitat, the goal of conservation is to keep trying, to save as much as we possibly can for as long as we can. Meanwhile, we learn from our losses and celebrate our big and small victories - and we feel good about what we're doing throughout it all.

What are we saving our environment from? Why is it so important to save? How do we do it? And what makes doing it so ... exciting? Click here to learn all that - and more.

Pronghorn photo courtesy Flickr/mnchilemom

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Do you consider yourself - or do others consider you - like, a kid? A pretty smart and unique kid, maybe around elementary-school age, maybe middle school or even older? At a time in your life when maybe you're deciding what you're interested in, what things you love doing and what you care about?

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