WB WELLNESS

FUN VALENTINE'S DAY GAME!

2012-02-09T09:38:00.001-05:00

Click here for a great heart healthy exercise game!

HEALTHY HOLIDAYS

2011-12-01T10:04:00.000-05:00

Check out the American Cancer Society's Newsletter:

HEALTHY LIVING

For information on navigating holiday parties, heathy gift ideas, and eating together as a family.

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

2011-09-08T10:05:00.001-04:00

September is the 2nd annual National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

Preventing Childhood Obesity: Tips for Parents

Childhood Obesity is on the Rise
The number of overweight children in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Approximately 10 percent of 4 and 5 year old children are overweight, double that of 20 years ago. Overweight is more prevalent in girls than boys and in older preschoolers (ages 4-5) than younger (ages 2-3).

Obesity increases even more as children get older. For ages 6 to 11, at least one child in five is overweight. Over the last two decades, this number has increased by more than 50 percent and the number of obese children has nearly doubled.

For most children, overweight is the result of unhealthy eating patterns (too many calories) and too little physical activity. Since these habits are established in early childhood, efforts to prevent obesity should begin early.

Determining if a Child is Overweight
Parents should not make changes to a child's diet based solely on perceptions of overweight. All preschoolers exhibit their own individual body structure and growth pattern. Assessing obesity in children is difficult because children grow in unpredictable spurts. It should only be done by a health care professional, using the child's height and weight relative to his previous growth history.

Helping Overweight Children
Weight loss is not a good approach for most young children, since their bodies are growing and developing. Overweight children should not be put on a diet unless a physician supervises one for medical reasons. A restrictive diet may not supply the energy and nutrients needed for normal growth and development.

For most very young children, the focus should be to maintain current weight, while the child grows normally in height.

The most important strategies for preventing obesity are healthy eating behaviors, regular physical activity, and reduced sedentary activity (such as watching television and videotapes, and playing computer games). These preventative strategies are part of a healthy lifestyle that should be developed during early childhood. They can be accomplished by following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Dietary Guidelines provide general diet and lifestyle recommendations for healthy Americans ages 2 years and over (not for younger children and infants).

Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
Parents and caregivers can help prevent childhood obesity by providing healthy meals and snacks, daily physical activity, and nutrition education. Healthy meals and snacks provide nutrition for growing bodies while modeling healthy eating behavior and attitudes. Increased physical activity reduces health risks and helps weight management. Nutrition education helps young children develop an awareness of good nutrition and healthy eating habits for a lifetime.

reprinted from New York State Department of Health

National Eat Your Veggies Day!

2011-06-16T19:49:00.001-04:00

Goodbye MyPyramid! Hello MyPlate!

2011-06-10T13:35:00.007-04:00

In accordance with First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Initiative and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, MyPlate replaces the MyPyramid image as the government's primary food group symbol. It is designed to remind Americans to eat healthfully using a familiar mealtime visual, a place setting.

"When mom or dad comes home from a long day of work, we're already asked to be a chef, a referee, a cleaning crew. So it's tough to be a nutritionist, too. But we do have time to take a look at our kid's plates. As long as they're half full of fruits and vegetables, and paired with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, we're golden. That's how easy it is." - Michelle Obama

GET UP!!

2011-05-10T21:38:00.004-04:00

Via: Medical Billing And Coding

Food Allergy Awareness

2011-05-08T19:51:00.000-04:00

Contest!

2011-05-06T12:09:00.000-04:00

CLIF KiD is inviting kids ages 6-12 to make up a backyard game and submit it for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship, a new bike and a trip to New York where their game will be presented, played and judged at the CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year Play-Off in August. For official contest rules and more information,
go to:
CLIF KiD Backyard Games Contest

Navigating the Supermarket

2011-05-05T15:04:00.002-04:00

American Heart Month

2011-02-01T11:05:00.001-05:00

February is Amerian Heart Month sponsored by the American Heart Association. Throughout the month I will be posting heart healthy tips, ideas and information for your family.

Tips for Raising Heart-Healthy, Active Children

Help your children develop good physical activity habits at an early age by setting a good example yourself.

Practice these heart-healthy habits with your kids:

Limit screen time (television, movies, videos and computer games) to less than 2 hours a day. Substitute the rest of leisure time with physical activity.
Plan family outings and vacations that involve vigorous activities such as hiking, bicycling, skiing, swimming, etc.
Give your children some household chores that require physical exertion, keeping in mind their levels of strength, coordination and maturity. Mowing lawns, raking leaves, scrubbing floors and taking out the garbage not only teach responsibility but can be good exercise.
Observe sports and activities your children like, then find out about lessons and clubs. Some children thrive on team sports; others prefer individual activities. Some activities, like tennis and swimming, can be enjoyed for a lifetime and are much easier to learn during childhood.
If it's safe to walk or bike rather than drive, do so. Use stairs instead of elevators and escalators. Increase the distances you and your children walk.
Stay involved in your child's physical education classes at school. At daycare, make sure the kids exercise at least 20 minutes a day. Ask about frequency of classes and activity, class size, curriculum (instruction in lifetime fitness activities as well as team sports should be emphasized), physical fitness assessments, qualifications of the teacher (should hold appropriate certification in physical education and be an appropriate role model for students). Physical fitness should be measured at the beginning and end of each year, and goals should be established for each child. Encourage your school board to emphasize skills students can use for the rest of their lives.
Discourage homework immediately after school to let children find some diversion from the structure of the school day. Kids should be active after school and before dinner.
Choose fitness-oriented gifts -- a jump rope, mini-trampoline, tennis racket, baseball bat, a youth membership at the local YMCA or YWCA. Select the gift with your child's skills and interests in mind.
Take advantage of your local recreation opportunities -- from soccer leagues to fun runs. Check out the various camps or organizations like the Sierra Club that sponsor outdoor activities such as camping, hiking trips and bird watching.
Free your infant from mechanical restraints as much as possible. Strollers and playpens are high on convenience but low on activity potential. Try to unleash your diapered dynamo whenever and wherever he or she can safely move around.
When your children are bored, suggest something that gets them moving, like playing catch or building a snowman in the yard.

(reprinted from the American Heart Association)

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

2010-12-22T14:41:00.000-05:00

CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION

HEALTHY, HUNGER-FREE KIDS ACT OF 2010

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 represents a major step forward in our nation's effort to provide all children with healthy food in schools. Increasingly schools are playing a central role in children's health. Over 31 million children receive meals through the school lunch program and many children receive most, if not all, of their meals at school. With over seventeen million children living in food insecure households and one out of every three children in America now considered overweight or obese, schools often are on the front lines of our national challenge to combat childhood obesity and improve children's overall health. This legislation includes significant improvements that will help provide children with healthier and more nutritious food options, educate children about making healthy food choices, and teach children healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

WHAT IS THE CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION BILL?

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 authorizes funding for federal school meal and child nutrition programs and increases access to healthy food for low-income children. The bill that reauthorizes these programs is often referred to by shorthand as the child nutrition reauthorization bill. This particular bill reauthorizes child nutrition programs for five years and includes $4.5 billion in new funding for these programs over 10 years.

Many of the programs featured in the Act do not have a specific expiration date, but Congress is periodically required to review and reauthorize funding. This reauthorization presents an important opportunity to strengthen programs to address more effectively the needs of our nation's children and young adults.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Improves Nutrition and Focuses on Reducing Childhood Obesity

Gives the USDA the authority to set nutritional standards for all foods regularly sold in schools during the day, including vending machines, the "a la carte" lunch lines, and school stores.
Provides additional funding to schools that meet updated nutritional standards for federally-subsidized lunches. This is a historic investment, the first real reimbursement rate increase in over 30 years.
Helps communities establish local farm to school networks, create school gardens, and ensures that more local foods are used in the school setting.
Builds on USDA work to improve nutritional quality of commodity foods that schools receive from USDA and use in their breakfast and lunch programs.
Expands access to drinking water in schools, particularly during meal times.
Sets basic standards for school wellness policies including goals for nutrition promotion and education and physical activity, while still permitting local flexibility to tailor the policies to their particular needs.
Promotes nutrition and wellness in child care settings through the federally-subsidized Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Expands support for breastfeeding through the WIC program.

Increases Access

Increases the number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs by approximately 115,000 students by using Medicaid data to directly certify children who meet income requirements.
Helps certify an average additional 4,500 students per year to receive school meals by setting benchmarks for states to improve the certification process.
Allows more universal meal access for eligible students in high poverty communities by eliminating paper applications and using census data to determine school-wide income eligibility.
Expands USDA authority to support meals served to at-risk children in afterschool programs.

Increases Program Monitoring and Integrity

Requires school districts to be audited every three years to improve compliance with nutritional standards.
Requires schools to make information more readily available to parents about the nutritional quality of meals.
Includes provisions to ensure the safety of school foods like improving recall procedures and extending hazard analysis and food safety requirements for school meals throughout the campus.
Provides training and technical assistance for school food service providers.

WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME?

USDA will work with states, school districts and neighborhoods to implement the provisions of the bill and Americans with start to see changes in their communities over time.

reprinted from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/13/president-obama-signs-healthy-hunger-free-kids-act-2010-law

Stay Healthy Through the Holidays

2010-12-14T13:10:00.000-05:00

The holidays are a time to celebrate, give thanks, and reflect. They are also a time to pay special attention to the health of yourself and your loved ones. Give the gift of health and safety to yourself and others by following these holiday tips:

1. Watch what you eat.
We all over do it at least a little during the holidays but that doesn't mean that all our healthy habits go out the window! Remember that you are modeling behavior for your children so you need to make smart choices. Try to be aware of portion control at parties. Eat the tempting high fat foods in smaller portions and fill up on fruits and vegetables. Be careful of buffet-style foods where people may "double dip". Put your serving on a plate rather than eating directly from the buffet to cut down on exposure to germs. Give your kids (and yourself) a healthy snack before you head out to a party (cheese, fruit, etc.) so you don't arrive with an empty stomach. Avoid leaving plates of cookies and sweets in the house to help prevent boredom grazing.

2. Stay active.
Don't let the cold stop you and the kids from getting enough exercise throughout the winter! Physical activity helps to prevent weight gain and relieves holiday stress. Here are some fun family ideas during the cold winter months:

Outside:

Build a snowman
Have a snowball fight
Go sledding, snowshoeing or ice skating
Walk around the neighborhood with your family looking at holiday lights
Build an igloo with snowballs
Organize a scavenger hunt with friends/family
Organize a game with friends/family (basketball, football, baseball)

Inside:

Have a family dance contest
Try out a new class at a local recreation center
Go swimming at an indoor pool
Go for a walk at the mall (be sure to wear your pedometer)
Play games like Twister™, Simon Says or Red Light/Green Light
Set up an indoor obstacle course for you, your family and friends
Buy or make some fitness dice. Roll the dice and then perform the exercise however many times the numbered die tells you to!

3. Dress appropriately.
Make sure everyone is dressed warmly even if you are just going for a short car ride. If you happened to break down, have an accident, or get stuck in snow you need to be prepared because children can become hypothermic quickly. Keep warm blankets in the trunk for such emergencies. When outside, stay dry and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing.

4. Stay safe.
'Tis the season for get-togethers and holiday parties but make sure that your children are monitored and are safe. The incidence of accidents and poisonings tends to increase when visiting other homes, especially during the holidays. Scan the house for hazards, especially for young children. Make sure someone is assigned to watch small children at all times. Never leave lit candles unattended and keep them out of reach of children. Check toys to make sure they are age-appropriate and safe.

5. Follow the basics.
Wash your hands often. Stay home when sick. Drink a lot of water. Get enough sleep.

6. Don't overdo it!
Be realistic about how much is too much. Don't spend too much money, eat too much food, or go to too many parties. Recognize the signs of stress in yourself and your children (irritability, headaches, stomachaches, changes in appetite or sleep). Pace yourself. Don't expect perfection. And above all else, have a HAPPY holiday season!

Lights for Rights

2010-11-29T09:58:00.000-05:00

Great American Smokeout

2010-11-17T07:00:00.001-05:00

The American Cancer Society is marking the 35th Great American Smokeout on November 18 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done. To have the best chance of quitting successfully, you need to know what you're up against, what your options are, and where to go for help.

CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES

Reprinted from http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GreatAmericanSmokeout/index

Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (Nov 15 - 21)

2010-11-15T10:38:00.001-05:00

Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work

Dangers of Antibiotic Resistance

If antibiotics are used too often for things they can't treat—like colds, flu, or other viral infections—they can stop working effectively against bacteria when you or your child really needs them. Antibiotic resistance—when antibiotics can no longer cure bacterial infections—has been a concern for years and is considered one of the world's most pressing public health problems. Widespread overuse of antibiotics is fueling an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. So the next time you or your child really needs an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, it may not work.

If You Have a Cold or Flu, Antibiotics Won't Work for You!

Colds and flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Taking antibiotics when you or your child has a virus may do more harm than good. Get smart about when antibiotics are appropriate—to fight bacterial infections. Taking them for viral infections, such as a cold, most sore throats, the flu, or acute bronchitis:

Will not cure the infection;
Will not keep other people from getting sick;
Will not help you or your child feel better; and
May cause unnecessary and harmful side effects.

What Not to Do

Do not demand antibiotics when a healthcare provider says they are not needed.
Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or most sore throats.
Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may not be appropriate for your or your child’s illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.

If your healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic for you or your child:

Do not skip doses.
Do not save any of the antibiotics for the next time you or your child gets sick.

What to Do

Talk with your healthcare provider about the best treatment for your or your child’s illness. To feel better when you or your child has an upper respiratory infection:

Increase fluid intake;
Get plenty of rest;
Use a cool-mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion; and
Soothe a throat with ice chips, sore throat spray, or lozenges (do not give lozenges to young children).

Video: Snort. Sniffle. Sneeze. No Antibiotics Please!

CDC created a video to help you learn more about appropriate antibiotic use and how to feel better when you or your child has a sore throat, ear or sinus pain, fever, cough, or runny nose. This video features a doctor, who is also a concerned mom.

CDC Video Player. Flash Player 9 is required.

Reprinted from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/GetSmart/

National Drug Facts Week (November 8-14)

2010-11-12T10:51:00.009-05:00

National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) is a health observance week for teens that aims to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has a great website where teens can get the facts and test their knowledge about drugs and drug abuse by taking the interactive National Drug IQ Challenge quiz!

GO TO QUIZ

The following booklet separates fact from fiction about drug abuse and addiction. It can either be viewed right here or printed and is a great resource.
Q&A Booklet

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (Nov 8-14)

2010-11-12T09:51:00.011-05:00

The Facts about Safe Driving

For most young drivers, learning to drive and getting a license is a life-changing experience. Suddenly, they do not have to find rides, take buses or ride their bike. But being able to drive also comes with a great deal of responsibility. All of this takes place at a time when young people are experiencing biological changes and greater time demands, leaving little time for proper sleep and other healthy habits. Before getting behind the wheel, there are several critical facts that young drivers should know.

1. Alcohol and driving do not mix. Many teens are involved in crashes caused by alcohol even though it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to drink. Also, teens who have car crashes are often repeat offenders when it comes to obeying traffic laws. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

28% of the teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking or had a prior

moving violation such as speeding

2. Fatigue can be as deadly as alcohol. Drowsiness impairs judgment, vision, hand-eye coordination, and reaction times just like alcohol and drugs. One study found that after 17 hours of being awake, a person has the same impairment on performance tests as someone with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05. Waking at 6:00 a.m. to catch a school bus creates the “17 hour danger” by 11:00 p.m. With accumulated sleep debt, similar fatigue can occur in less time.

Combining sleepiness with driver inexperience can be dangerous - more than

half of all fall-asleep crashes involve drivers aged 25 years or younger

Biology, academic pressures, extracurricular activities and early school start times conspire to keep teens from their sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2006 Sleep in America poll, more than half of teens report feeling sleepy during the day.

3. Distracted driving is unsafe at any speed. Common factors that increase the risk of car crashes include:

Distractions – eating, putting on make-up, talking on the phone or interacting with passengers can cause a crash
Recklessness – teens who run stop signs and speed are more likely to crash
Safety – not wearing a seatbelt increases the risk of dying in a car crash

4. Drowsy driving among teens is common. Teens are among the most sleep deprived Americans. According to NSF’s 2006 poll:

More than half of teens (51%) admit to having driven drowsy in the past year

Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens – 7,460 teen drivers were involved in

fatal crashes in 2005

The privilege of driving comes with certain responsibilities, and safety-conscious parents must do all they can to ensure their young drivers stay safe as they hit the road. That is why NSF created this safe driver agreement specifically for young drivers and their parents.

Safe Driving Agreement

Reprinted from drowsydriving.org

School Lunch Ideas: Pinwheel Sandwiches

2010-11-10T11:05:00.006-05:00

Sick of the same old sandwiches? Shake things up with a twist on the traditional lunch with pinwheel sandwiches! Using a wrap of any kind, just spread on your filling of choice, roll it up, then slice into sections for easy eating. Simple, delicious AND healthy! Here are some suggestions for fillings:

hummus (alone or with veggies, cheeses, lettuce, etc)
nut butter, sun butter or soy butter with banana and/or jelly
chicken caesar salad
cream cheese with tomatoes, cucumbers and feta
tuna
bean dip and cheese
deli meat with cheese and avocado
cream cheese and avocado
cream cheese and smoked salmon
chicken salad
cream cheese with salsa and shredded cheese

There are endless options... be creative! By coming up with a collection of different combinations that your child likes, you can offer up a fresh variety each day of the week. Remember to include some fresh fruit and a healthy drink to complete the meal. Eat A Rainbow!

Tween & Teen Health

2010-11-05T13:05:00.003-04:00

Raising tweens and teens can be confusing, frustrating & exhausting! Often we are looking for information and support to help us guide our children through these years. The Mayo Clinic has great information on it's website addressing many relevant issues such as puberty, bullying, and risky behaviors:

GO TO SITE

American Diabetes Month

2010-11-03T09:35:00.005-04:00

Join Bret Michaels and become involved in American Diabetes Month®. This November, the American Diabetes Association is asking: How will you Stop Diabetes®? The future is in your hands.

Last November, the American Diabetes Association launched the Stop Diabetes movement, with the audacious goal of having 1 million people join in the first year. So far, more than 814,000 people around the country have raised their hand and pledged to join the fight.

There are plenty of ways you can become involved in American Diabetes Month and the Stop Diabetes movement this month. There is no time to waste. Diabetes is a disease with deadly consequences. Drastic action is needed. From everyone.

Tools are available to help spread the word for companies, community organizers and health care professionals. You can discover more ways to become engaged in American Diabetes Month by visiting stopdiabetes.com, calling 1-800-DIABETES or texting JOIN to 69866 (standard data and message rates apply).

Healthy School Lunches

2010-11-02T15:21:00.006-04:00

Students who eat nutritious foods are able to perform better academically, but coming up with healthy school lunches that your child will actually eat and that are convenient for you to make can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help:

Prepare ahead of time. The mad rush out of the house in the morning is hectic enough. Try to set aside some time on Sunday to put healthy foods like fruits/veggies and cheeses in handy baggies or containers. Put waters or 100% juice boxes in the freezer to use as functional ice packs!
Pack a rainbow. A healthy lunch box is full of colorful wholesome foods.
Think outside the sandwich. Cubed meat and cheeses, veggies or fruit with dips (hummus, yogurt, guacamole, etc), wraps, salads, & soups are great ideas and keep your child from lunchtime boredom.
Skip the sugar. Avoid refined sugars and processed foods. Soda is an absolute no-no. "Lunchables" may be convenient but they are loaded with fat, sodium, sugars and preservatives. Serving whole foods in their natural form ensures that your child's lunch contains optimal nutrition.
Get help. Getting your kids involved with preparing their school lunches is a great way to instill healthy eating habits early.
Go Green. Pack lunches in reusable containers instead of brown bags to reduce the amount of waste.

Stay tuned for healthy school lunch and snack recipes!

Happy (Healthy) Halloween

2010-10-29T14:38:00.005-04:00

Of course I have to post some healthy tips to get you through Halloween weekend!:

After you carve out the Jack-O-Lantern, remember that Pumpkin is a very healthy natural food that can be used for baking muffins, cakes and of course, pumpkin pie. You can also dry and toast the seeds for a delicious and nutritious snack. Make sure to offer some to dad, since they have been shown to be beneficial for prostate health.

Small bags of pretzels, popcorn, pumpkin seeds and trail mix are great substitutes for candy. Dried fruit, juice boxes, sugarless gum and pre-packed cheese and crackers are also good choices. (If you decide to give juice boxes, be sure to purchase all natural juices that don't have added sugar.)

With food allergies and the childhood obesity epidemic on the forefront, you can always opt to offer non-food items such as spooky stickers, colorful pencils and erasers, novelty toothbrushes, crayons, coloring books or small inexpensive story books as your treat.

If you are having a party at your home, prepare foods that are festive, colorful and nutritious. (Be sure the party also includes active games that will help children get the 60 minutes of exercise that they need to get each day.)

Serve the ‘trick or treating' gang a healthy meal before leaving your house and take along some pretzels and fruit in case they get hungry before returning home.

Don't forget these important safety tips:

Children should wear brightly colored costumes and carry flashlights so that they are easily seen by motorists.

Make sure costumes aren't a tripping hazard. (Statistics show that falls are among the most common Halloween-related injuries.)

Avoid costumes that are too long or that limit visibility, as many masks do.

Develop a costume theme that incorporates face painting instead of risky masks.

Avoid oversized, floppy shoes and make sure that sidewalks and stairs are well lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.

Make sure your child understands that candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can be hazardous if swallowed.

Consider keeping your pet in a separate room away from the festivities. (Do the kids know chocolate can sicken or even be poisonous for some types of pets? Keep the sweets away from the pets!)

Once home, go through your child's "loot" to look for any suspicious items and report them promptly to the authorities if found.

Then work out a "deal" (on your terms) with your child to ration the candy. Discuss what constitutes a reasonable amount of treats to consume over a given period of time, with a mandatory (trust, but verify) tooth brushing required after consumption.

Finally, have fun! Happy Halloween!

Nutrition Fun For Kids!

2010-10-26T13:59:00.007-04:00

Check out this great site! It won First Lady Michelle Obama's competition as the Best App for Healthy Kids. I guarantee parents will find it as entertaining (and challenging?) as their children!!!

GO TO SITE

Healthy Students, Healthy Classroom

2010-10-25T12:47:00.004-04:00

As we settle into the school year we have already seen how quickly common illness can be spread in the classroom. There are simple ways to help keep your child healthy as we approach flu season and throughout the entire school year:

1. HAND WASHING, HAND WASHING, HAND WASHING!
Frequent and thorough (fronts and backs of hands up to the wrist, and finger nails) hand washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the number one most effective way to prevent illnesses from spreading. Kids can sing along to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", "ABC's" or "Happy Birthday" (slowly!) to make sure they are washing long enough. Germs spread when sick kids sneeze or cough without covering their mouths and/or noses, or wipe their noses and touch common surfaces such as door knobs, desks, pencils, or another person. Hand washing should be done after visiting the bathroom or playing outside, before they eat, and after they come in contact with someone who is under the weather. Consider sending in hand sanitizer for individual or classroom use for times when it is not possible to use the sink.

2. COUGH ETIQUETTE
Covering your cough or sneeze with your hands as we were taught when we were kids was really bad advice! By coughing or sneezing into your elbow, your hands remain clean and germ-free. Please emphasize this with your children at home. The following video is a funny and informative description of the technique:

3. STAY HOME WHEN SICK
Illnesses spread in school when sick children come to school! Please keep your child home if he/she has any of the following symptoms of illness:

Significant contagious illness such as influenza, chicken pox or strep throat
A fever over 100°F
Vomiting/diarrhea - may return to school if 12 hours after last episode
Red or pink itchy eyes with crusty and/or green/yellow drainage. May return when there is no drainage and/or on medication for 24 hours.
Rash of unknown cause

Mild colds and sore throats can be tolerated at school. Of course you should make sure your child uses hand washing and cough etiquette to prevent the spread to others!

4. HEALTHY HABITS
Healthy kids are better able to ward off common illnesses. It is important to emphasize good nutrition, physical activity and lots of sleep to help strengthen your child's immune system. Keep in mind that mild childhood illness are just a part of growing up and, by practicing a healthy lifestyle, your family will be better equipped to deal with them!