Wellness Websites
February 06, 2007
The following are excerpts from articles and websites that will provide information on wellness:
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE CHECKUP PROGRAM
ON THE HEALTHY KANSAS WEBSITE? CheckUp is the
source for improving health and wellness in your family. There
is nothing more important than the health of your family. A
personal health record makes this health information accessible
at all times. Use CheckUp to securely store your family's
personal health records on your computer. For more
information about the Free CheckUp program, go to
www.healthykansas.org/healthy_stuff.html#checkup.
OBESITY PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN: Rollie Robin is an obesity awareness and
prevention program designed to encourage physical activities and healthy food choices
among children in preschool to 3rd grade. Children help Rollie, a bird who cannot fly,
by setting examples for him. They record their improved eating and enhanced physical
activities in a journal and are rewarded with stickers and visual charting of their
success. Visit www.rollierobin.com for more information.
KIDS WITH ADHD NEED TO BE ON THE MOVE: One of the most common
conditions in children is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Characteristics of ADHD include hyperactivity, fidgetiness, and/or squirming, which
can make it difficult to stay on task, remain still, and focus on schoolwork. That can be
a major challenge for some children with ADHD, who need to move more, and perhaps
even learn more, while moving.
There are inborn needs that require many children with ADHD to be constantly on the
move, and while it's not possible to accommodate every child who has to move often, it
would be good for teachers to understand how to build in more physical activity
throughout the day to accommodate the need to be kinetic rather than sedentary.
Read the entire column at http://www.ncpad.org/director/fact_sheet.php?sheet=494.
HURRIED LIFESTYLE AND HEAVY ACADEMIC,
EXTRACURRICULAR LOAD TAKING TOLL: A new report from
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says free and
unstructured play is healthy and essential for helping children reach
important social, emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones
as well as helping them manage stress and become resilient. The
report, "The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child
Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds," is written
in defense of play and in response to forces threatening free play and
unscheduled time. These forces include changes in family structure, the increasingly
competitive college admissions process, and federal education policies that have led to
reduced recess and physical education in many schools. Whereas play protects
children's emotional development, a loss of free time in combination with a hurried
lifestyle can be a source of stress, anxiety and may even contribute to depression for
many children. The report reaffirms that the most valuable and useful character traits
that will prepare children for success come not from extracurricular or academic
commitments, but from a firm grounding in parental love, role modeling and guidance.
Still, many parents are afraid to slow their pace for fear their children will fall behind.
The report suggests that reduced time for physical activity may be contributing to the
academic differences between boys and girls, as schools with sedentary learning styles
become more difficult settings for some boys to navigate successfully. To help parents
and teens develop resiliency and understand the role of stress in life, the AAP has
created a resiliency website that features additional information on stress reduction and
coping skills, as well as a stress management plan teens can personalize to fit their
personalities and lifestyles. http://www.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm
This following site has information for
parents on every aspect of family life.
Family Education invites you to browse their resources on child
health, child
development, nutrition and fitness for the whole family, and child
safety.
You'll also find information on social and emotional issues, like
child
discipline, communicating with your kids, teaching good behavior,
and
building your child's self-esteem.
http://www.familyeducation.com/home/
