Volume 1, Number 3 August 2005

Starting School-Healthy and Strong
A healthy student is a student ready to learn!

September is just around the corner and everyone is getting ready to go back to school. Staring the school year healthy and strong is important for both children and teachers. The correlation between a child's health and school success is well-documented and the basis of the Quality Infant Toddler Initiative at CCCC

For Parents

• It can't be said enough that children be up- to- date on their immunizations. In order to avoid the summer crush at pediatrician offices, schedule your child's appointment around his birthday. Most physical forms are valid for one year. Tetanus and prevnar, the vaccine to prevent pneumococcal infections, are no longer in short supply. Parents should check with their child's doctor to make sure that immunizations are current. Visit http://www.ccccunion.org/pages/immsch.htm for the list of required immunizations in NJ.

• Visual impairment can have a detrimental impact on a child's development. A growing number of eye doctors are now advocating that young children be screened for vision problems long before they enter school. The sooner a vision problem is detected, the more likely it can be corrected. If you notice your child rubbing his eyes constantly, having difficulty focusing his eyes or seems cross-eyed at times, an eye exam may be warranted.

• Twenty years ago, asthma was not even on the radar of early childhood centers. Today it is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism. In 2002, 14.7 million school days were missed due to asthma. Low-income populations, minorities, and children living in inner cities experience more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to asthma than the general population. Clearly, children with asthma require careful monitoring and need to be educated on triggers that spark an episode. Even four year olds can be taught to stay away from dogs or cats. Parents should speak to their child's health care provider about prevention measures and relay all information to the classroom teacher.

• Has your child has a dental exam yet? Oral health is part of a child's overall health. Tooth decay and the pain associated with cavities is not only distracting for a young child, but can lead to more serious oral health problems. Ensure that your child brushes his teeth regularly and correctly, limit the amount of sugar-filled snacks and make sure your child gets enough calcium. Babies can get tooth decay from having the sugar from milk or juice sit in their mouths for long periods of time. Never let your child walk around with a bottle all day or lie down with a bottle to go to sleep because it can damage the teeth.

You can also help your child by following these tips:

• Wipe your baby's teeth with a damp washcloth. Once the molars come through begin to use a toothbrush.
• Use a child-size toothbrush with soft bristles. Replace the toothbrush every 3 months.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste regularly once your child learns to spit out the toothpaste. Put a pea-sized amount on the toothbrush and brush your child's teeth after every meal and before bed. If your child swallows the toothpaste this small amount should not hurt him.
• Once all baby teeth are in, begin flossing. Floss before brushing. Introduce flossing gradually and make sure that it is fun for your child and not a burden.
• By the age of 7 your child should be able to brush his teeth alone. By the age of 8, children should be able to floss their teeth alone

• Is your child happy? Does he play well with other children? Does he show self-control when necessary? Is he is confident and secure? A child's social-emotional health plays a major role in his ability to learn. Observe his behavior and determine if there are any stressors in his life that are impacting his ability to feel good about himself. Share any concerns or observations with his teachers and pediatrician.

• Send your children off to school each day with a healthy breakfast….and keep good nutrition in mind as you shop for food and plan meals. Avoid high fat, high sugar content foods, offering more fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Run around with your child! Exercise is a vital part of healthy living and normal play for young children is the exercise they need. Ask your child's teacher how much free play and exercise time is allotted each day, especially if your child is in child care for a full day. And when you return home, take a walk with your child. It's a great way to share your day!

For Teachers

Teachers begin the school year with two health concerns: Is my classroom a healthy place for children to learn? Am I in good health?

• First and foremost, teachers should take care of their own health needs in order to be an asset to young children. Make sure you have a yearly physical, including blood work, and all appropriate routine medical tests (guidelines below are based on no risk factors):

  
  Pap smear from age 21,annually
  Baseline mammography at age 35; annual age 40
  Colonoscopy age 50
  Blood pressure check annually
  Dental exam every six months
  Vision screening every two-three years for ages 18 - 60; 60+ annually

Decrease stress by exercising regularly and eat healthy, nutritious foods, just like you teach the children in your class.

• As a teacher, do your best to ensure that your classroom is healthy. Schools and teachers must be aware of the triggers of asthma in order to create a healthy classroom. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified six strategies for schools and districts to consider when addressing asthma within a coordinated school health program. These strategies can be effective whether your program is for the entire school district or just one school.

  
  1. Establish management and support systems for asthma-friendly schools.
  2. Provide appropriate school health and mental health services for students with asthma.
  3. Provide asthma education and awareness programs for students and school staff.
  4. Provide a safe and healthy school environment to reduce asthma triggers.
  5. Provide safe, enjoyable physical education and activity opportunities for
  students with asthma.
  6. Coordinate school, family, and community efforts to better manage asthma symptoms and reduce school absences among students with asthma.

  • School personnel involved in detection of head lice infestation should be appropriately trained. The importance and difficulty of correctly diagnosing an active head lice infestation should be acknowledged. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, schools should examine any lice related policies they may have with this in mind. No healthy child should be excluded for or allowed to miss school time because of head lice. "No nit" policies for return to school should be discouraged, according to a report from the AAP. Barbara Frankowski, MD, author of the study, said school is defined as kindergarten and older and explained that no evidence exists that explains what happens in child care settings regarding head lice, so administrators must be prudent. However, if a child truly has nits only, the nits are not transmitted from head to head.

For back to school tips for elementary students and teens, visit http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/augschool.htm

Websites to visit

www.healthinschools.org
www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/asthma/strategies.htm
www.aap.org

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