Despite numerous local and national campaigns, commercials, educational messaging through various outlets, the US still has a weight problem, especially among its young people. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Adults rated childhood obesity … Continue reading What You Should Know About Childhood Obesity
E-Cigarettes—An Update
Illinois PTA covered the hazards of e-cigarettes to young children and the potential transition into using real tobacco by teens in a previous article. E-cigarettes are not regulated by the FDA, and the health risks are still unknown. Vapors from some e-cigarettes contain chemicals known to cause cancer in addition to nicotine, and there is … Continue reading E-Cigarettes—An Update
Make Your Valentine’s Party Healthy with These Treat Ideas from Action for Healthy Kids
Valentine’s Day parties often focus on cookies, cupcakes, and lots and lots of candy. Action for Healthy Kids, an Illinois PTA cooperating agency, has some ideas to help room parents and other party planners bring in some healthy treats to their Valentine’s Day parties. The ideas include two snacks that kids can help make themselves, Love Bugs … Continue reading Make Your Valentine’s Party Healthy with These Treat Ideas from Action for Healthy Kids
5 Tricks to Keep Your Child Healthy This Winter
We’re right in the middle of cold and flu season, and that means your little (and not so little) bundles of joy are often bundles of germs as well. Great Schools recently published an article with five tricks to keep your child healthy during cold and flu season. Wash your hands. An estimated 80 percent … Continue reading 5 Tricks to Keep Your Child Healthy This Winter
New Illinois E-Cigarette Law to Protect Children
Illinois PTA has covered the dangers of e-cigarettes for children, and beginning January 1, 2015, there is a new law in Illinois to help protect children from accessing e-cigarettes. The new law requires e-cigarettes for sale to be behind the counter or in a sealed display case to keep them out of the hands of … Continue reading New Illinois E-Cigarette Law to Protect Children
E-Cigarettes and Children: Is “Vaping” Safer than Smoking?
Here’s a statistic that will surprise you—in the United States, the use of e-cigarettes has increased in adolescents in grades 6-12 over the past several years, doubling from 3.3% in 2011 to 6.8% in 2012. Those that used both e-cigs and conventional cigarettes doubled as well from 0.8% to 1.6%. Approximately 1.8 million US students … Continue reading E-Cigarettes and Children: Is “Vaping” Safer than Smoking?
Keep “What’s Going Around” Away with Healthy Habits
With winter comes cold and flu season, and your child and their developing immune system often catches a case of “what’s going around” and brings it home. National PTA teamed up with the National Education Association and Lysol to create the Healthy Habits Program to help teach children the importance of hand washing as well … Continue reading Keep “What’s Going Around” Away with Healthy Habits
NBC News Education Nation Parent Toolkit
Research has shown that those with high emotional intelligence have better attention skills and fewer learning problems, and are generally more successful in academic and workplace settings. NBC News Education Nation has created a Parent Toolkit contains parent resources for each stage of your child’s education from Pre-K to 12th Grade. It now contains resources … Continue reading NBC News Education Nation Parent Toolkit
Smart Snacks at Home
Your kids come out of school and ask the inevitable question, “Can I have a snack?” The fact is that kids need to refuel approximately every four hours to keep their energy up and snacking is not bad. It’s what you decide to give them that matters the most. Cookies, chips, and soda can sometimes … Continue reading Smart Snacks at Home
Smart Snacks in School
A webinar was presented on September 18, 2014 about eating healthier in the school environment, presented by Stephanie Simms from National PTA and Nancy Lyons of the US Department of Agriculture. Starting in school year 2014-15, all foods sold at school during the school day will need to meet nutrition standards. The Smart Snacks in … Continue reading Smart Snacks in School
Healthy Food Choices in Schools: Nutrition + Active Play + Parenting = SUCCESS
A webinar on September 17, 2014 debuted a new curriculum developed by the Collaboration for Health, Activity and Nutrition in Children’s Environments (CHANCE) at Cornell University entitled Healthy Children, Healthy Families: Parents Making a Difference (HCHF). This curriculum was developed to combat unhealthy weight gain, to promote healthy eating and activity, and to reduce chronic … Continue reading Healthy Food Choices in Schools: Nutrition + Active Play + Parenting = SUCCESS
New Concussion Law to Protect High School Athletes
Friday night high school football is as much a part of the fall as cider and raking leaves. A new law signed by Governor Pat Quinn adds new protections for high school athletes regarding concussions. The law requires the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to develop and implement an online training program on concussion awareness … Continue reading New Concussion Law to Protect High School Athletes
Enhanced PE Frequently Asked Questions
We recently covered how the new Illinois Enhanced Physical Education (PE) Standards are leading the nation in focusing on improved fitness in children as a way to increase academic achievement. While the standards don’t take effect until next school year, school districts are developing their programs, policies, and curricula now. Here are six frequently asked … Continue reading Enhanced PE Frequently Asked Questions
New Enhanced PE Standards Coming in 2015-2016
In August 2013, a task force led by State Superintendent Dr. Chris Koch and Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck proposed revisions to the Illinois Learning Standards for Physical Development and Health to improve and increase physical education (PE) classes. The six revised goals and two new standards that were adopted incorporate the latest … Continue reading New Enhanced PE Standards Coming in 2015-2016
To immunize or not….THAT is the question!
Submitted by Debbie Izzo, Health Director When it comes to vaccinations, parents fall into one of two categories: they believe wholeheartedly in the benefits of regular vaccinations and follow that practice with their children or they have made the decision to NOT vaccinate, possibly due to religious reasons and, more often than not, due to … Continue reading To immunize or not….THAT is the question!
Stress-Less at Back to School: Simple Tools & Tips for Busy Families
Our friends at VolunteerSpot save parents time and make it easy for anyone to organize school activities with FREE online signups and reminders. Learn why parents and teachers love VolunteerSpot and enter for a chance to WIN $500 for your PTA today! Enter Here VolunteerSpot makes your volunteer life easier; check out these simple tips … Continue reading Stress-Less at Back to School: Simple Tools & Tips for Busy Families
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