Fun games to play while walking to school

Walking our kids to school is a great way to stay in shape but how do you make the walk fun for all?  Playing games with your kids during the walk can make a long walk seem short and can even help our little one's keep warm on those colder mornings.  It is also a great way to start the lessons for the day.  Here are some fun games that you can play.

1)      Eye Spy – this is a fun one for kids of all ages.  It is also a great game for preschoolers learning their colours.  This is especially fun during holidays when people decorate their homes.

2)      Counting steps – This is a great way to teach your little ones how to count and it can be fun to see if you can beat how many steps you took the day before.

3)      Calling out the colours of the cars and trucks passing by.

4)      Monkey See, Monkey Do – Have your child perform an action and then you copy it.

5)      Simon Says

6)      Go through the alphabet and see if you can pick out items along the route that start with that letter.
 
7)      Red Light, Green Light

What games do you play with your kids walking to and from school?

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This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.

Is An Eye Exam On Your “Back to School” List?

Backpack… ✔  Lunch bag… ✔  New running shoes… ✔   Don’t forget the most important tool you can give your children this year – healthy vision!

1 in 6 children have a vision problem significant enough to impair their ability to learn.  80% of learning is visual, so if a child cannot see properly, they will not learn properly.  Vision problems affect literacy, and a child’s ability to copy, print, read, and track objects.  It also affects their ability to participate in play, the development of good hand-eye coordination and their self-esteem.   

Undiagnosed vision problems are one of the major causes of learning difficulties in school-age children. Unresolved eye issues can lead children to exhibit a lack of attention, make them seem fidgety during the school day and can often be misinterpreted as behavioural issues or learning disabilities. Monitoring your children's vision will help them succeed in the classroom!

Can you ALWAYS tell if a child is not seeing well?  NO!  Some children exhibit obvious signs like squinting, holding reading objects close to their face and rubbing their eyes but others show absolutely no signs at all.  You may believe that your child sees well, but in fact, they may not. 

Why take a chance? Your Optometrist can tell you for sure. 

For Junior Kindergarten (JK) students in the Halton Region, the Eye See…Eye Learn Program provides OHIP insured eye examinations and a FREE pair of prescription glasses (if necessary).  The program is funded by the Ontario Government to raise awareness among parents of the importance of having their children’s eyes checked before they start school. Milton Optometry is a proud supporter and participant in the Eye See, Eye Learn Program! 

Milton Optometry recommends that children have a comprehensive eye exam annually starting at 6 months of age.  Early identification of a problem is the key to successfully correcting a child’s vision.  Set your child up for success in the classroom and have a comprehensive eye exam done by an Optometrist today!

We welcome infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office!   Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family.