Everybody knows that life is simply not sustainable without the sun. What we tend to take for granted, though, is that too much sunlight can actually be harmful. There is the immediate risk of sunburn, of course, but being careless when it comes to sunlight can have long term effects as well. Too much exposure to ultra-violet (UV) radiation—a product of our beloved sun—can ultimately cause skin cancer and cataracts. It can make our skin age faster, and even weaken our immune system.
And the damage starts accumulating early in life. Our children are among the most susceptible to sun damage because they revel in sunlight. They live so freely, and play without any thought of consequence. As parents, we must teach them about safety in all things—even safety from sunlight. Check out some of these helpful tips...

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By now, everyone knows the importance of fruits and vegetables in nutrition—that is, everyone but children. When it comes to children, fruits sell themselves because they tend to be colorful and sweet. Vegetables, for some reason tend to be less persuasive at mealtime.

As individuals, they will develop an accurate sense of likes and dislikes as they mature. In the meantime, it is up to us to make sure they are getting the nutrients they need, and not just what they want. How do you get your child to eat the greens?

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Truth be told, children do not think learning is fun. Those who enjoy learning don’t call it that; to them it is exploring or discovering. Call it learning, and watch them lose interest at the drop of a hat. Then you will struggle to keep them focused while you teach and show and their minds start to explore someplace else, far away!

Nobody likes to feel lectured—neither child nor adult. Of course there are times when it is necessary to have serious conversations with children. But daily learning can be, and should be, fun. Studies continue to show that things learned through activities children consider fun actually stay put. Things memorized for the sake of acing the next pop quiz tend to be forgotten as soon as the quiz is over! Children remember what they learn from experiences they consider enjoyable.

So, to make learning fun, call it something else and do it together! Some of the answers are obvious—reading to your children, educational TV, lesson-themed video games—but let’s factor out some of the technology that is simultaneously ruining and bettering our young people, and look at some other ways to make learning fun.

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Regular exercise along with nutritious snacks are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Summer is right around the corner and having healthy snacks on hand will make it easier to keep the chips and candy away from your kids.

Here are just a few ideas on healthy summer snacks for kids this summer:

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