SchoolHealthInfo

KID'S FOR HEALTH® GRANT OVERVIEW

CYBER BULLYING

Bullying can take many forms. As communicating electronically has become more prevalent, the occurrence of cyber bullying has increased. Cyber bullying can be defined as "willful and repeated harm inflicted through the medium of electronic text." The use of computers via the internet and of text messages via cell phones are the most common ways that harassing messages are sent. Instances of bullying both online and through text messages are increasing mostly because kids feel anonymous and may say things that they would not have the nerve to say in person. As soon as children begin cell phone and computer use, they should be informed of the risks and rewards that accompany their use. Be familiar with the controls available to monitor internet use through your Internet Service Provider or through software and use these controls when appropriate. The establishment of the rules for monitoring internet and cell phone usage is as important as keeping the lines of communication open between family members. Go to www.netsmartz.org for further information.

(This message addresses Healthy School Environment, one of the eight components of the Coordinated School Health Initiative, a collaborative effort of your school district, Kids for Health®, and the Departments of Health and Education.)

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

The "out of sight, out of mind" philosophy won't work with germs. Germs are microscopic organisms that can cause disease. One of the best ways to protect yourself against the illnesses that germs cause is the WASH YOUR HANDS! Soap and warm water are the ingredients for successful hand washing. It takes only 15-20 seconds of scrubbing your hands (away from the water) to wash the germs down the drain, but statistics show that 1 out of 3 people DO NOT wash their hands after using the restroom. Don't be a statistic!! Everyone should wash their hands after they use the restroom (every time), before they eat (even before snacks), and anytime their hands are dirty. With a little prevention, you can protect yourself against the germs that cause illnesses. Remember, washing your hands with soap and water is your first line of defense against the germs that cause the common cold, influenza, strep throat and many other illnesses.

MAKE FITNESS A FAMILY AFFAIR

Did you know that northwest Arkansas has a variety of bicycle and pedestrian trails available for you and your child to explore? Trail sites can be found online or by calling your local Chamber of Commerce or City Parks and Recreation Division. Try to schedule exploration of one new trail each month and involve your child in the selection process. Time on the trail not only helps you and your child become physically fit, but it also provides valuable talking time with your child. No time to hit the trails? You can make everyday chores like raking leaves a fun family event. Regular physical activity can help you and your child avoid excess weight, improve blood flow, strengthen your heart and lungs, strengthen parent/child relationships, and sleep better! Being physically active with your child is a win-win situation. So, what are you waiting for? Just get moving!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH YOUR TIME

As children transition into their teenage years, parents can play an important role in directing them toward a sense of community and volunteerism. This can become a family project or simply one you encourage your child to do on their own. Either way, volunteerism can develop positive values, empower children with a sense of purpose, and strengthen family bonds. Maybe your child would like to volunteer at a local animal shelter, read to elderly residents at a community center or home, or initiate a neighborhood cleanup day. If they choose an area which interests them, they will be more likely to enjoy the experience and find it fulfilling. Enrich your child with an awareness of community so they can see and experience the sense of accomplishment and self fulfillment that comes from helping others.

TAKE A STRESS RECESS!

Stress is a natural part of life for kids and parents. Research has shown that learning to manage stress effectively is a life-long experience. Successful stress management can encourage you to strive to challenge and improve yourself while mismanaged stress can stress you out even more! It is equally important for children and adults to discover their own ways to handle the stress that is a part of everyday life. Sit down with your family and make a list of things that could be done to help manage stress. Here are some suggestions: talk about the stressor, take a brisk half-hour walk through a part, neighborhood or hike a trail, relax, spend time with friends, do regular exercise, get plenty of sleep, take time out for yourself, practice a hobby you enjoy, lessen the amount of loud noises you hear, ride a bike, visit the library to read a book, etc. Don't let stress sap your energy. Take a Stress Recess! Seek positive ways to manage stress effectively by making a Top 10 list of Stress Busters.

NAVIGATE NUTRITION FACTS FOOD LABELS

There are many different kids of foods from which to choose. How do you learn to make healthy food choices? One way is to read the Nutrition Facts food label. There is valuable information to be found there. Look for number of servings, serving size, calories per serving, and number of calories from fat. There is also information about the kinds of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including protein and carbohydrates, found in the food. Measure the amount of food contained in a serving of several different kinds of foods. It helps to visualize the correct serving size. You might be surprised at the size of a serving! Learn to read food labels. Make healthy food choices by choosing foods with zero trans fats and foods low in sodium and overall fat content.