COVID-19 | NEXTGEN Magazine

Less Screen, More Green: Outdoor Safety Tips for Kids

WORDS: safety.com

Outdoor time for kids is an essential part of their development. Unfortunately, most children’s average amount of unstructured outdoor playtime has been four to seven minutes per day, pre-pandemic. Coronavirus lockdowns have made matters worse, forcing even the most active kids to stay indoors.

As a parent, guardian, or childcare provider, you may have noticed that the abrupt change to children’s daily habits has made it challenging to …

NEXTGEN | Jun 25, 2021 | 0

A Rich Outdoor Classroom…

WORDS: Jenny Miller

Children are young humans, and like adults, they tend to love learning when the subjects are personally meaningful; even if we don’t grasp something right away, our interest makes us want to keep trying to learn more. Typical classroom environments, bound by approved curricula and standardized testing, can’t focus solely on subjects children enjoy.

But when certain fields don’t come easily, the outdoors provides a rich classroom …

NEXTGEN | Apr 27, 2021 | 0

I Can Feel Your Halo!

WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton

A hollow silence replaced screeching basketball shoes, whistles, and hollers from cheering parents and booming coaches that usually trumpet the commencement of basketball season at the Police Athletic League’s gymnasium in Bradenton. Lights dimmed, bleachers emptied, and the rhythmic dribble of the basketball hushed as COVID-19 – the pandemic that shocked the world and shuttered businesses, schools, and sports on a pivot – …

NEXTGEN | Feb 9, 2021 | 0

Creative Ways to Keep Kids Happy (And Learning!) When You’re Stuck Indoors

WORDS: Jenny Miller

Families are saying hello to a new year, but with the coronavirus pandemic still hanging around, things continue to look way different than we’re used to. Some students are back in the classroom every day, others are still doing modified or virtual schedules, and some are still being home-schooled.

Whatever your family is doing, we’re all left with time on our hands where the kids are stuck …

NEXTGEN | Jan 19, 2021 | 0

How to Safely Travel with Your Kids…

WORDS: healthychildren.org

While kids may be staying home more during the pandemic, keeping them safe when you need to travel is important. Using the right car seat, booster seat, or seat belt for every ride can save your child’s life. Preventing the spread of COVID-19 during travel is also an important part of safe transportation.

How to clean car seats and seat belts

It may be tempting to clean and …

NEXTGEN | Dec 7, 2020 | 0

Manatee CARES!

WORDS: Kara Chalmers

Every Tuesday, outside the JCPenney end of the DeSoto Square Mall, Feeding Tampa Bay’s Mobile Pantry gives nearly 2000 Manatee County residents food. The organization sets up from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. or until the food runs out.

“Some recipients aren’t people who needed food six months ago,” said Ava Ehde, Director of Manatee County’s Neighborhood Services Department (NSD). Ehde, who, with members of her team, volunteers …

NEXTGEN | Oct 15, 2020 | 0

Helping Kids Get Used to Masks

WORDS: KidsHealth from Nemours

In many places, people are wearing masks or cloth face coverings when they’re in public because of coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s an important way to help slow the spread of the virus.

At first, it was mostly doctors, nurses, and others in health care settings who wore masks. But now, as other people wear them, more and more kids are seeing something they’re not used to seeing. …

NEXTGEN | Oct 7, 2020 | 0

Safe Practices: Being Mindful of Cleaning Chemicals During COVID-19

WORDS: ChildCare Aware America

In this new world of COVID-19, everyone is trying to kill germs and avoid sickness. However, our fears should not distract us from the mindful use of cleaning chemicals, including hand sanitizer. Even chemicals that are meant to keep us healthy can cause poisoning or even death when used improperly, especially around children.

Why are children at high risk?

Children are curious. Their natural tendency to …

NEXTGEN | Oct 7, 2020 | 0

Tips for Parents Juggling Remote Work and Remote Learning

WORDS: Kristin Louis

When you work from home, it’s almost impossible to keep your career and family life from bleeding into one another. Separating work and life is important for everyone, but it’s a topic that deserves even more attention for parents who work remotely. If your kids are in school, you might also be dealing with the added stress of managing your children’s remote learning on top of …

NEXTGEN | Sep 14, 2020 | 0