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- What to wear: <\/strong>Wear what makes you feel great. It does not matter if it is new or old, it only matters that you feel good in whatever it is that you wear. Feeling great is such an important part of establishing confidence and positive energy. Help promote independence by wearing easy pull up or down clothing without buttons or snaps. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What to expect:<\/strong> Expect some nerves. It is normal to feel nervous transitioning back to school. Your teachers are nervous as well, but there is also a ton of excitement. You may see old friends or meet some new ones. Most likely, your teacher and the staff at school have fun activities planned for the day for everyone to get to know one another. This will help ease those nerves too. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to win the day:<\/strong> Go into the new school year with an open mind, positive attitude, and excitement for new opportunities! There may be parts about the day that catch you off guard or intimidate you, but your peers are feeling the same way and your teachers and staff are there to help you have your best day! Lastly, always remember to put on a smile and be a good friend. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAnnalise Duffy, Educator and GiGi\u2019s Board Membe<\/em><\/strong>r<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Education<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nKristin Nelsen, GiGi\u2019s Fargo Board Member, National Education Committee and Education Coordinator\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- Start the school year off by having a homework routine established. What time works best for your family \u2013 before dinner or after dinner? Set the time and stick to it. Make sure your family has a designated homework spot. This routine will set the expectation from the beginning of the year. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prepare for success by making use of the small snippets of time. While cooking dinner or driving in the car, go over spelling words, sight words or math facts. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read out loud to your child! It is so important for their academic success. Find 10-15 minutes a day where you can enjoy a good book together. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Fuel Your Body<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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- Make time for breakfast every day. Focus on protein and healthy fats for satiety and brain-boosting benefits! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Remind your child to hydrate! Find a reusable water bottle they love to bring with them wherever they go to make it more fun. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pack lunches and snacks with protein, high quality fats, and fiber to keep blood sugar levels stable and your child feeling fueled and at their best throughout the day. Examples: Greek yogurt with berries and granola, apple slices with sun butter, or carrot\/cucumber sticks with hummus and crackers. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/fargo\/files\/2023\/08\/Aubol-Morgan-263x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMorgan Aubol, Joyfully Fed Owner, and GiGi\u2019s Playhouse Program Coordinator\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Health Tips for Parents<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nStefanie Gefroh Ellison, OBGYN- Essentia and GiGi\u2019s Fargo Board Member<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- Remember to take a deep breath when feeling stressed. We are our own harshest critic so practice self-recognition by keeping self-talk positive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- With the kids back in school it may be time to take care of yourself by scheduling your own annual exam. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ask for help if you need it. Be it from your spouse, a neighbor, a friend \u2013 chances are they will gladly pitch in. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Speech and Language<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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- Practice your teacher\u2019s name out loud and practice friends\u2019 name that are in the class. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Start their morning routines a couple of weeks prior to school starting. What goes in our backpacks, checking the weather (what do we wear when it\u2019s 90 degrees verses 50 degrees, where do we put our shoes). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Practice the \u2018wh\u2019 questions (what, who, when, why) that all children get asked by so many adults. Have a visual schedule to support the child\u2019s answers if the child has limited verbal speech. Examples of these questions: \u201cWhat grade are you in?\u201d \u201cWho is your teacher?\u201d \u201cWhen do you start school?\u201d etc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make a visual schedule to prepare children for their morning routine. Make a visual schedule to prepare them for the structure of their class (teachers should send out an itinerary of their child\u2019s day). <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/fargo\/files\/2023\/08\/Hofer-Laura-1-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLaura Hofer, SLP- Pediatric Partners and GiGi\u2019s Fargo Board Member<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Positive Behavior Supports\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nShelby Schweigert, GiGi\u2019s Playhouse Operations Manager<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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- Use visual timers paired with what is coming next to prepare your child for a transition- \u201cin two minutes we are going to brush our teeth\u201d. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If the task\/activity that is next is aversive, use \u201cfirst\u201d \u201cthen\u201d language. The \u201cthen\u201d should be a motivator- \u201cFirst brush your teeth, then we can pick a toy to play with while we wait for the bus\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid power struggles and use positive praise to encourage behaviors you want to continue to see \u201cI love that you put your shoes on all by yourself, way to go\u201d \u201cGreat job getting dressed the first time I asked, thank you\u201d Make sure the positive praise is specific and genuine- more than \u201cgood job\u201d \u00a0after each direction. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Additional great resources on \u201cHow I Learn\u201d can be found here: https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/howilearn\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Have an amazing school year. Promote independence, set expectations high, and celebrate! The team and Board of Managers cannot wait to see those first day of school photos and we will be your biggest cheerleader for an awesome year.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- What to expect:<\/strong> Expect some nerves. It is normal to feel nervous transitioning back to school. Your teachers are nervous as well, but there is also a ton of excitement. You may see old friends or meet some new ones. Most likely, your teacher and the staff at school have fun activities planned for the day for everyone to get to know one another. This will help ease those nerves too. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/fargo\/files\/2023\/08\/Duffy-Annalise-1.jpg\")
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