Phone: 858.268.8077
Fax: 858.268.8017
Fax: 858.268.8017
Hours:
M-Th 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Fri 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Coalition on Children and Weight San Diego – Working to reduce the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in San Diego County. Everyone is welcome at the meetings, the 2nd Tuesday of each month at SDHHS, Coronado Room, 3851 Rosecrans St. 2:00 pm - 3pm Go to http://www.ccwsd.org/ for more information.
PTA, with the support of PTA Proud National Sponsor GlaxoSmithKline, has put together a PTA Healthy Lifestyles: a Parent's Guide of up-to-date, reliable information on healthy lifestyles. PTA members can download the document at www.pta.org/healthylifestyles. Below are samplings of the topics that are covered in this informative guide:
PTA Healthy Lifestyles for Parents: Physical Activity
PTA Healthy Lifestyles for Parents: Nutrition
PTA Healthy Lifestyles for Parents: Grocery Shopping
PTA Healthy Lifestyles for Parents: School Wellness Policies
Health and Wellness
Teens and Technology
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Also from Parents.theantidrug website – Learn the latest about teens and online exposure. Take a moment to challenge yourself and share with others.
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Talking to children about the recent events in Norway
The tragic events that have occurred in Norway have evoked many emotions including sadness, grief and helplessness in many around the world.
As children may be struggling with their thoughts and feelings about the stories and images, they may turn to trusted adults for help and guidance.
- Start the conversation. Talk about the event with your child. Not talking about it makes the event even more threatening in your child's mind. Silence suggests that what has occurred is too horrible to even speak of or that you may not know about what has happened. Chances are your child has already heard about it.
- What does your child already know? Start by asking what your child has already heard about the events from the media as well as from friends. Listen for what understanding he has reached. As your child explains, listen for misinformation, misconceptions and underlying fears or concerns.
- Gently correct inaccurate information. If you hear inaccurate information or misunderstandings, provide the correct information at a level that your child can understand.
- Encourage your child to ask questions, and answer those questions directly. Your child may have some difficult questions about the events in Norway. For example, she may ask if it is possible that an event could occur that would impact the family; she is probably really asking whether it is likely. When appropriate, reassure her the risk of an attack in your community is quite low. She is also asking if she is safe. This may be a time to review plans your family has of assuring safety in the event of any crisis situation. Whatever questions your child may have, answer. This lets her know that you are open to talking about anything and can be trusted to answer. Include in your answers any information you may have on efforts being made in Norway to help the people there. Like adults, children are better able to cope with a crisis if they feel they understand it. Question-and-answer exchanges help ensure ongoing support as your child begins to understand the crisis and the response to it.
- Limit media exposure. Limit your child's media exposure to images and sounds related to the crisis. Remember children often overhear or see what you are watching on television or listening to on the radio. For the very young, exposure should be rare. Remember to limit your own exposure. Adults may become more distressed with nonstop exposure to the event.
- Helping those in need. Work with your child to figure out a way that she can help the people who were affected by the event, such as making a card that can be sent (often agencies such as churches or Red Cross will accept such cards). If they work, this may include making a small donation from their earnings or allowance. Children may also find benefit in helping others in need in their own community. When children help others, they increase their resilience (their ability to bounce back from stressful events).
- Be a positive role model. Consider sharing your feelings about the events in Norway with your child. This is an opportunity for you to role model how to cope and how to plan for the future. Before you reach out, however, be sure you are able to express a positive or hopeful plan. Included in being a good role model is showing good self-care by getting enough rest, eating well, and exercising.
- Be patient. In times of stress, children may have more trouble with their behavior, concentration, and attention. They will need a little extra patience, care, and love.
If you have concerns about your child's behavior, contact your family's pediatrician, other primary care provider, or a qualified mental health care specialist. For more information on how to help your children cope with disasters, visit the following websites:
• National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at www.cincinnatichildrens.org/school-crisis (which includes a helpful booklet on how to talk with children who are grieving).
• American Academy of Pediatrics website at www.aap.org/disasters/adjustment.cfm.
• American Psychological Association at www.apahelpcenter.org.
The National Children’s Study: America’s Largest and Most Ambitious Study of Children’s Health and Development Comes to San Diego County
The National Children’s Study is the largest long-term study of children’s health and development ever done in the United States and will include 100,000 children across the United States from before birth to age 21. The Study will look at how children’s health is affected by a number of factors, including their family health history and the places where they live, learn and play.
San Diego County is one of 105 locations around the country that has been selected to participate in this groundbreaking study. Over the next several years, families in 14 San Diego County neighborhoods will be invited to participate in the Study with the goal of having approximately 1,000 enrolled children from San Diego County. These 14 communities include parts of Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Fallbrook, Imperial Beach, National City, North Park, Oceanside, Santee, Scripps Ranch, Southeastern San Diego, Vista, and West Point Loma.
The National Children’s Study depends on local community involvement and family participation to help us learn how the environment influences children’s health, development and quality of life. Schools and parents have a vital role to play. Residents of San Diego that participate in the Study will contribute to the health of future generations of children, in their own community and throughout the country.
You can help future generations of children by talking to a National Children’s Study representative when they come to your door. We'd like to speak with adults in each household and ask a few questions; households will receive a $5 gift card for participating. If you live in one of the fourteen communities listed above please look for staff wearing National Children’s Study shirts and badges!
For more information please visit our local website: Learn more or follow us on Facebook or call us toll free at (877) 706-2773.
