As the holiday season slowly winds down and our day-to-day routines return to normalcy, it’s a good time to implement new goals for your children. As adults we are constantly setting goals for ourselves and achieving personal and professional milestones, so why not encourage our children to do the same? This is a healthy way to boost their confidence in creating successful and achievable tasks while creating beneficial habits for the future. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Exercise
There’s no question that exercising is usually the number one resolution. There are a number of fun activities and programs in JC that will keep your child active without mentioning “exercise.” My Gym Jersey City offers an array of classes while incorporating a fun environment that is sure to keep the little ones captivated and active. Joining a sports team, such as soccer or swimming, is also a good choice. Pershing Field Pool in The Heights has affordable lessons and The Soccer Learning Center is also a reputable and local organization with many available programs. The Little Gym also offers gymnastics for children up to 12 years old.
Learn a New Language
Living in the most diverse city in the country exposes our children to many languages and cultures. This advantage allows our children to meet people from all walks of life. Learning a new language will expand their knowledge and appreciation for others. Fast Track Language teaches adults and children new languages, such as: Spanish, Italian and French, as well as cultural understanding. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/FTLJC/
Get Unplugged
There is no question that our culture is inundated with technology. Taking a break from our smart phones and video games is a healthy habit to reinforce. Setting limitations on how much TV or computer time that is allowed per day is a good way to reinforce this. Setting playdates or just having the neighborhood kids over to play will remove the urge to stare at the screen.
Read
Referring back to ‘unplugging’ from our technology, reading is a beneficial alternative. It allows children to expand their imaginations while learning at the same time. Technology has shortened our attention span and reading is a great way to combat that flaw. There are a number of libraries in JC that offer so many free programs and books that will guide you in this avenue.
Volunteer
JCFamilies and the Liberty Humane Center are a couple options that welcome volunteers. This is a great way to give back to those less fortunate or just to engage with the community and connect. Check out opportunities at http://jcfamilies.com/ and https://www.libertyhumane.org/.
Try a cooking class
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Health and Nutrition is definitely becoming a forefront issue in our society. It’s important for children to have a general understanding of nutrition and the capabilities to cook for themselves and knowing what’s good for their bodies. Bambino Chef caters to children in teaching the practices and art of cooking in an immersive and cozy atmosphere. More information can be found here: https://www.bambinochef.com/
Go Green
Keeping our children woke and eco conscious is crucial. With the “green” movement gaining momentum, it’s important to talk to our children about these important topics. Riding bikes, hiking or planting and tending to a garden are great activities for children.
Play
Yes, I know this probably seems like common sense but you’d be surprised how many children are stressed with the influx of homework and extracurricular activities that are thrown at them. Playing is a lost art so encouraging children to just play and lose themselves in their games, dolls or anything that allows them to be free should definitely be encouraged.
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