North Central Parent & Family Resource Center - NDSU Extension

We have some great summer learning opportunities coming up! There are two book studies available for continuing education credits through NDSU Continued Learning, Positive Discipline (one of our favorites), a book study for Good Inside (amazing if you haven't read it), and Parents Forever (wonderful for those who are parenting apart). Hope to see you at a program soon! Register at ndsu.ag/parenteducation

Ward County Public Library

For many of us, summer has begun. Why is it important to spend time outside?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes a day of unstructured outdoor play. They report this to be an essential part of a child’s physical and mental health as well as a contributor to their social development. With unstructured play, children are more likely to explore the world around them and play for a longer period of time.

Children who play outside more tend to have better distance vision than children who are always indoors. Also, outdoor play improves children’s sensory skills. When playing outside children are activating their sense of smell, touch, hearing, and sight more often than when playing inside with an electronic device.

Stress and depression are reportedly lower for all people who spend time in nature. Playing outside promotes curiosity, creativity and critical thinking, and focus.

How do we get children outside more?
*Spend time outside with them. Shoot hoops. Play badminton. Go swimming.
*Make outside fun. Bubbles, chalk and running through the sprinkler are all age fun activities.
*Visit a new park, or several. Make a chart and rank them against each other.
*Make dinner a picnic. Lay out a blanket and enjoy an evening in the grass or on the porch.
*Go on a nature walk. Play eye spy, collect pictures to look at later, and get curious of the world around you.

Questions? Reach out to Chelsea Hammond at [email protected] or 701-241-5700.

You may have received the message in the media that we should all be drinking whole-fat dairy. What do nutrition experts say? Let’s look at the differences and the current recommendations >>> https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Happy-June-.html?soid=1136598077807&aid=xjUcZ9Uzx3A

Get children involved in gardening! If you don’t have a personal garden area on your property, you may be able to enjoy a garden plot in a community garden.

Learn how to garden with children and what to plant >>> https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/gardening-children

We have a few in-person classes coming up in Minot and New Town as well as some online offerings. Hope to see you there! Save your spot at ndsu.ag/parenteducation

Whether you are going through a divorce or separating after an unmarried relationship, these changes can have a major impact on children. This class is designed to help parents reduce conflict and provide healthy support for their children during this transition.

Topics include self-care, supporting your children’s emotional well-being, and building successful co-parenting relationships — and how these areas work together to strengthen overall family well-being.

Register: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/events/parents-forevertm-36