With the approach of spring comes many wonderful things including warmer air, beach days, birds chirping, and flowers making their vibrant appearance. For students, the spring also brings testing. Governor DeSantis is making sweeping reforms in the Florida education system, including the demise of Common Core. He heard the complaints of the parents and teachers who have stated that teachers are being forced to “teach to the test” meaning they are teaching the kids how to pass the test, but may not be getting to teach them other things they feel are important or teach the necessary information in a way that all the children actually grasp. If they can pass the test but can’t figure out how to apply what they have learned in the real world, aren’t we failing them? Regardless of where you stand on the issue, for this spring, the Florida State Assessment testing (known as the FSA) is taking place.
As parents or caregivers, it is important to feed your children’s brains by properly feeding their bodies. Whether you take issue with the FSA or not, the advice we will offer regarding feeding your children’s brains via their body is sound advice on a daily basis, not only during testing.
The first and probably the most important way to feed your children’s bodies is through sleep. It is essential for the health of a child to get the proper amount of sleep. It is also important that this sleep is mostly uninterrupted. For example, if one child sleeps eight hours without waking and another child sleeps eight hours but wakes up four times during the night, the first child will be more well rested. You cannot always control if your child wakes during the night, but you can help him or her stay asleep by avoiding certain things. Don’t let your child have too much caffeine or sugar close to bedtime since they may cause sleep issues. Additionally, don’t let your child have too much to drink close to bedtime and make sure they go to the bathroom before going to bed. This way, they won’t wake up to go to the bathroom and are more likely to sleep through the night.
Once awake, a healthy breakfast that gives lasting energy is better than a sugar-fueled breakfast that gives a short burst of energy that quickly fades resulting in a “sugar crash.” You don’t want your child getting tired in the middle of their test! Breakfasts that include protein like eggs and fiber like toast, along with fruit that provides natural sugar, gives your child a good start to the day. If you don’t have time for that, then buy some instant oatmeal that doesn’t contain too much sugar. A cup of milk and a banana to go along with it will fill their bellies and give them lasting, healthy energy. With a healthy breakfast and good sleep, a child’s brain is able to better focus and take in information. This is a great recipe for good test scores, but even more importantly, it is a great recipe for a positive learning experience on a daily basis.
At Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute, we know that many people struggle with their weight and don’t want to see their children face those same struggles. That is why we have given you the above advice. We want to see your children succeed both mentally and physically. This advice is good for you, the adult, as well. Good sleep and healthy eating are big parts of being healthy overall. If you have been struggling with your weight and are ready for some help, then please call us today. Dr. Diego Velarde specializes in rapid weight loss, performing a variety of bariatric surgeries. He will work with you to figure out the best weight loss plan for you. It may be the gastric bypass, gastric balloon, or lap band, among other alternatives. We are located in the Merritt Island area and serve members of all surrounding communities such as Melbourne, Viera, Cocoa Beach, and Satellite Beach. We look forward to working with you and watching you achieve your weight loss goals!