Back to School 2015

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As summer winds down, children’s thoughts across Southwest Orlando will inevitably turn to the first day of school. The school year, which begins Aug. 24, is only a month away, and students and their families can get a head start by preparing now. The beginning of school is an exciting time, but some might worry about what the coming year may hold.

Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s 18th annual Back to School guide provides a comprehensive look at a variety of school-related topics. In the following articles, area experts offer insights into different concerns often brought about by the start of a new school year. For students, there is an article about how to maintain a picture-perfect complexion. For parents, there is information about preparing for a child’s first day of kindergarten and how different skills can help prepare children for their futures.


Performing Arts as an Outlet for Kids

by Katie Corrie, Founder & Director
Shine In the Limelight
407-340-0920
www.shineinthelimelight.com

The performing arts offer an outlet for children and teens to experience, learn and hone a variety of life skills. With art programs being cut from schools around the country, performing-arts studios are rising to the challenge of providing the opportunities children and teens hunger for.

The following are the top-10 skills children learn from participating in the performing arts:

• Creativity — Being able to think on their feet, approaching tasks from different perspectives, and thinking “outside of the box.”

• Confidence — Convincingly delivering a message and taking command of the stage.

• Problem-solving — Developing skills in reasoning and understanding.

• Perseverance — Learning skills and techniques without giving up, which is essential to achieving success.

• Focus — Keeping a balance between listening and contributing.

• Nonverbal communication — Learning how to break down the mechanics of body language.

• Receiving constructive feedback — Using evaluation and critique to improve their skills.

• Collaboration — Working together, sharing responsibility and compromising with others to accomplish a common goal.

• Dedication — Following through with artistic endeavors that result in a finished product or performance, which results in a feeling of accomplishment.

• Accountability — Admitting when they have made a mistake and taking responsibility for it.


Tips to Inspire Critical Thinking

by Esther Grillo, Director
Cranium Academy
407-294-6950
www.craniumacademy.com

There recently has been a lot of talk about critical thinking. So, what is it, and how can it help your child? Critical thinking involves skills that help people learn to evaluate information and make decisions. To think critically about a problem means to be open-minded and consider different ways of looking at solutions. It may be one of the most important skills children need for school and their futures.

• Start early — Preschoolers may not be ready for formal logic, but they can learn to give reasons for their conclusions and evaluate reasons that they are given.

• Give explanations — Avoid telling children to do things a certain way without explaining why.

• Encourage questions — Kids love asking questions; foster their curiosity. If something doesn’t make sense to them, encourage them to ask questions about it.

• Don’t give answers — Rather than giving children answers to all their questions, ask them: “What do you think?” or “How would you solve this problem?”

• Ask children to consider different solutions — Many problems have multiple solutions, and considering these help children become flexible thinkers who are more likely to think outside the box.

Encouraging these things can inspire the next generation of leaders and critical thinkers.


Back-to-School Skin Care Tips

by Debbie Wisner, President & Debby Tapia, Vice
President
The Maile Image, Modeling & Acting School
407-628-5989
www.lisamaile.com

No matter what age you are, skin care is the most essential part of the total beauty regime. Skin provides the canvas for any makeup you apply. If your skin is healthy, glowing and finely textured, makeup applied over it will be picture-perfect, too. It is important to understand the purpose of each step in the skin care process.

Follow these steps twice a day for healthy skin:

• Cleanser — Removes dead surface skin cells and surface dirt like makeup, perspiration and environmental residue.

• Astringent/Toner — Removes traces of the primary cleanser, making sure the skin is truly clean and pH balanced.

• Moisturizer ­— Helps build water levels within the skin by preventing the skin’s natural moisture from evaporating. This is like a drink of water to the skin.

• Masque — Available in many forms, meets the wide range of skin care needs for various skin types.

Don’t be influenced by big, expensive brands. The less expensive ones are just as good, if not better. Remember, what works for you is the most important factor.


Ready or Not, Here Comes Kindergarten

by Shanna Wolfenden, Owner
Childrens Lighthouse Learning Centers
407-395-0077
www.childrenslighthouse.com/pof

The first day of school can be stressful, not only for children, but for parents as well. This is especially true for families with children who are beginning kindergarten. Parents with elementary-school-aged children have their own routines and ways to stay organized.

Here are a few helpful tips for those families that are just starting the school journey:

Although moms and dads may feel sad about their little ones going off to school, keep a positive attitude when talking about the big day around children. Use the night before school starts to check off all that children will need for the next day. Be sure to have those items ready in a spot where they can get it.
If time permits, visit the school beforehand to show children where their classrooms are, the route to get to their rooms, and where you will be to pick them up and drop them off. As silly as it may sound, be sure children know how to handle bathroom skills on their own, such as buttoning or zipping their pants, finding the restroom at school, etc.

As with any other milestone in children’s lives, they may have questions regarding their new environment. By staying organized and one step ahead, you and your child will always be on the right track.Back to School Header