NacogdochesSpring2008

Nacogdoches County Spring 2008

BeSafe Child

TM

Since 1994

Kids Drawing Contest Daily Winners Shown on

Inside BeSafe Child Preventing Obesity in Kids............................. 3 Controlling Childhood Asthma....................... 4 Help Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem............. 5 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder....... 6 Internet Safety.................................................. 7 Kids Who Skip Breakfast................................ 8 KTRE Color Your Move Contest............... 9-10 Protect Your Kids From the Sun...................11 Child Care Guide........................................... 12 Energy Drinks & Alcohol.............................. 13 Children & Alcoholic Parents....................... 14

Interested in Sponsoring BeSafe Child?

Contact our Area Coordinator: Rodney Allen Office: (936) 238-2032 Cell: (936) 240-0966 Email: rodney@besafechild. com 2

On The Cover:

Conley Isam KTRE Chief Meteorologist with Huntington Elementary Students BeSafe Publications 566 CR 4103, Jacksonville, TX 75766

903-586-3767 1-800-233-8568 Fax 903-586-0333

www.besafechild.com email: info@besafechild.com Publisher/Editor: Royce Ewing Office: Patricia Goar Area Coordinator: Rodney Allen Spokesperson: Dr. Sharon Young Graphic Design/Layout: Claudette Wooddell ŠCopyright 2008 BeSafe Publications

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information within these pages. We cannot, however, assume any liability for its validity or completeness or for additional or changed information subsequent to the date the information contained herein was submitted for publication.

BeSafe Publications welcomes your suggestions and inquiries. Articles from professionals in child safety are also encouraged.

While we retain our copyright position, we do grant permission to responsible parties to duplicate our articles in the interest of child safety, health and good character.

Preventing Obesity in Kids

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Source: Nacogdoches Medical Center

s a parent you never like to see your child experience illness or hurt from harsh words spoken by their peers. But if you aren’t providing an environment where healthy eating habits, physical activity and positive reinforcement are a part of daily routines, then you just might be contributing to the very things you don’t want for your child - disease and low self-esteem.

Since the 1960s, the number of overweight kids and adolescents in the United States has nearly doubled. It’s estimated that 10 percent of twoto-five year olds and more than 15 percent of children between the ages of six and 19 are overweight.

Whether a child is overweight or obese is determined by a physician who measures your child’s weight against his or her height and age. If a child is found to be overweight, the assistance of a physician-directed weight-loss program may be recommended. In children, dieting should never be done without the guidance of a doctor because their nutritional and developmental health could be compromised.

There are three main reasons why children become obese: family history of obesity, poor diet and not enough physical activity. Much of what we eat is full of fat and now more than ever children are spending their time playing video games, on the computer or watching television. This sedentary time means they’re spending less time in physical activities. Specific lifestyle changes may help prevent obesity. Those children with a family history of obesity can also control their weight, but they may have to work a little harder at their diet and exercise to do so.

The following tips may help in creating a healthy family lifestyle: • Set a good example by preparing and eating healthy meals and don’t maintain a cleanplate policy. Follow your children’s hunger cues. If kids are satisfied, don’t make them continue eating, which helps reinforce the idea that they should only eat when they are hungry.

• Don’t buy junk food. It’s better to not have temptations in the house than to tell your child they can’t have any of it. Also, don’t

use sweets or treats as a reward for good behavior or as a way to stop bad behavior.

• Place nutritious snacks in a place where your child can reach for them first.

• Use exercise as an opportunity to spend time with your child. Spend time everyday doing aerobic activity (bicycling, ice skating, jogging, hiking, karate, roller blading, soccer, swimming, tennis, etc.).

• Limit TV and the computer and don’t allow eating while doing them. Time spent doing these activities is time spent away from physical activity.

• Discourage talk about weight unless your child brings it up. And don’t talk about your own weight or dieting in front of your child.

• Avoid fast food.

The result of not eating healthy and not getting regular exercise may be detrimental to your child.

Overweight and obese children are at higher risk for sleeping disorders, asthma and diabetes.

And since overweight children have up to an 80 percent chance of becoming overweight adults, their risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis and certain cancers may also increase.

In addition, being obese places your child in a position to be isolated by certain peers at school or to be the brunt of many “fat jokes.” This can lead to low self-esteem. (See Help Build Up Your Child’s Self-Esteem page 5) And low self-esteem may lead to poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle, which is exactly what you don’t want.

Controlling and preventing obesity is possible.

Yet it requires action and positive role modeling. Talk to your doctor for more information on obesity or for suggestions on preparing nutritious meals, exercise choices or ways to build your child’s self-esteem.

To learn more about Nacogdoches Medical Center, visit www.nacmedicalcenter.com.

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Controlling Childhood Asthma

healthy dose of knowledge may go a long way toward treating childhood asthma.

In fact, fully understanding the meaning of asthma control can empower parents to better manage their child’s disease. That includes knowing what key information to track so that parents can come prepared to the pediatrician’s office and help the pediatrician better assess all the dimensions of their child’s disease.

However, survey results released by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) showed that mothers of children with asthma and their pediatricians may not speak the same language when it comes to discussing asthma control. This communication gap could potentially lead to less than complete understanding of asthma control.

“Helping parents to provide the right information to their child’s pediatrician can truly make a difference in their child’s health. If parents know what to watch for and share with us, it can help their doctor in determining the best treatment options for their child’s asthma,” said Dr. Allan Luskin, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the Univer-

sity of Wisconsin, and Director of the Center for Respiratory Health, at the Dean Medical Center, Madison, Wisconsin.

Not Speaking the Same Language: The survey found that 63 percent of pediatricians felt that their definition of asthma control differed from that of their patients, while only 25 percent of mothers said that it differed.

“Doctors tend to review quantitative, clinical factors during a typical visit, which may not be perceived by mothers as dimensions of asthma control,” said Mike Tringale, director of external affairs for AAFA. “Mothers, instead, tend to place a heavier emphasis on the ‘qualitative’ dimension of the disease and how it impacts their quality of life. “Is my child breathing freely? Can my child go to school today or play with friends?” Perhaps that explains the disconnect revealed in our survey between mothers and pediatricians when discussing disease control.”

Helping Bridge the Communication Gap: In response to this communication gap, an educational campaign called “Get A.H.E.A.D. of Asthma” was launched by AAFA to provide asthma patients and caregivers with the tools to better communicate with their physicontinued on page 5

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Help Build Up Your Child’s Self-Esteem

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•

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Asthma - Continued from page 4

cians about asthma control. As part of the initiative, a Web site, www.getahead ofasthma.

Source: Nacogdoches Medical Center com, was created to provide a downloadable Watching what you say. Praise children brochure, including a “road map” for an effecnot only for their successes but for their tive conversation between patients and physiefforts in trying. Reward completion incians. stead of outcome.

A Childhood Problem: Nearly 5 million Being a positive asthma patients are under the age of 18, makrole model. What ing asthma the most common chronic childyou do and believe hood disease. It affects more than one child about yourself, in 20, and asthma is the most common cause your child will ofof school absenteeism due to chronic disease. ten times mirror.

It accounted for an estimated 14 million lost Identifying and redirecting your child’s school days one year alone. inaccurate beliefs.

Getting Ahead of Asthma: Asthma is a Giving positive accurate feedback. Acdisease that can be very different for each paknowledge their feelings, reward their tient, and it may require both lifestyle adjusteffort and encourage them to make the ments and medication to be controlled. Trinright choices again next time.

Being spontaneous and affectionate. Give gale says that parents should discuss both the qualitative and quantitative impact that their praise, encouragement and hugs often.

And be sincere. A child can tell if you’re child’s asthma has on their everyday lives. faking it.

Symptoms, fast-acting inhaler use, quality of Creating a safe, nurturing home. life and response to treatment are all dimenHelping your child become involved in sions of asthma control that he says should activities that encourage cooperation inbe addressed during a conversation between stead of competition. Mentoring programs parents and pediatricians.

For more information, visit www.getaheadofasthare good tools for building self-esteem. ma.com or call 1-800-7-ASTHMA.

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Two convenient locations to serve you.

We are open Saturdays and late on Monday for school eye exams.

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Toll Free 1-800-657-CARE 5

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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hile it is widely known that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often struggle during the school day, the condition also often impacts other areas of a child’s life including homework, friendships, after-school activities and family time.

How Do I Know if My Child Has ADHD? Approximately 7.8 percent of all school-age children have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point in their lives according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

ADHD is a psychiatric behavioral disorder that manifests as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development. The core symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children with ADHD may have difficulty focusing, organizing, following instructions, and may struggle with impulsive behavior. If you believe your child exhibits these symptoms, a trained professional, such as a pediatrician or child and adolescent psychiatrist, can perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether your child’s behaviors are symptoms of ADHD. Treatment Options for Children With ADHD Although there is no “cure” for ADHD, there are accepted treatments available that have been shown in clinical studies to improve symptoms. Most doctors recommend a combination of medication and behavioral modifications to achieve optimal results.

If your child has ADHD, talk to the doctor about options for treatment to control your child’s symptoms throughout the day.

For more information about ADHD, visit www.ADHDSupport.com 6

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10 Ways To Protect Children From Internet Dangers

he Internet can be a wonderful research tool and an educational resource for school-age children. However, there are many Web sites that kids should be prohibited from visiting and certain activities they should avoid. Following are 10 tips, developed by experts, to help keep children safe online.

1. Remove computers from your children’s bedrooms or any other place where the Internet can be accessed in private. Instead, put the computers in an open area like the family room or kitchen where you can supervise your kids’ Internet activities.

2. Keep an eye on the Web sites your kids visit and don’t be afraid to read their e-mail.

3. Use parental control software to filter Web and chat-room content.

4. Learn what safety methods are used to protect your children at the other places they might use computers, such as their school, local library, friends’ homes, relatives’ homes, etc.

5. Make sure your children know how important it is to be anonymous on the Internet. They should never give out personal or private information of any kind.

6. Remind your kids how dangerous it is to have a real-life face-to-face meeting with someone they met on the Internet.

7. If you or your relatives have a personal Web site, do not put photos of your children on it.

8. Consider creating household rules governing when your children can use the Internet and what they are allowed to do online.

9. Remind your kids that not everything they read online is true. Many Web sites created by “average Joes” contain gossip, rumors, misleading information or outright lies.

10. Let your children know that Internet advertisements that seem too good to be true, such as those offering free iPod music players or other free products-are usually a trick of some kind.

These tips come from the free publication “A Parents’ Guide to Internet Safety” developed by Geeks On Call-a national company providing on-site computer services.

The Parents’ Guide is part of an educational program called “Kids Club” created by Geeks On Call to teach children and parents about Internet safety and to donate money to local schools. The other segments of Kids Club include a student workshop, a technology night for parents, and a school donation program. To learn more about Kids Club or to download the free Parents’ Guide, visit www.geeksoncall. com/kidsclub.

Computers that children use should be kept in open areas so parents can monitor what youngsters are doing online.

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Kids Who Skip Breakfast Miss Important Benefits

hree out of four children (76 percent) ages six to 11 begin every morning with breakfast, according to a recent survey. While that’s a great start, it also means that one in four kids heads off to school with an empty fuel tank.

“Modeling healthy behavior is a great way to show kids the importance of breakfast,” notes author and registered dietitian, Kathleen Zelman. “Research shows that kids who skip breakfast rarely make up for missed nutrients later in the day.”

Why Kids Skip Breakfast Kids surveyed said that the number one reason they skip breakfast was that they don’t have time to eat (53 percent). Kids also said they aren’t hungry in the morning (51 percent) or didn’t like the food choices (30 percent). Zelman offers a solution: “Keep it simple. A bowl of whole grain cereal, topped

with low-fat milk or yogurt, and fruit or juice, is a quick, easy and nutritious start to the day.”

What Kids are Eating When asked what breakfast food children eat most often, the survey revealed that the majority -55 percent-choose cold cereal over hot breakfast (28 percent), oatmeal (9 percent) and handheld breakfast items (6 percent).

Why Breakfast Matters Studies show that only four in 10 kids consume the recommended amount of calcium each day, and only one in 10 meets the recommended amount of whole grain. Additionally, young breakfast eaters enjoy healthier body weights and increased academic success compared to non-breakfast eaters.

For more information about the benefits of breakfast and other smart food choices, go to www.eatright.org.

9605 Medford Drive Lufkin, Tx. 8

Try ou Chick r n For Br -Minis eakfas t

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Have your color drawing shown on KTRE channel 9 Television

As part of KTRE’s Move It campaign, we want you to Color Your Moves. Draw and color a picture of you and your family doing some fun activity on the next page, tear it out, and mail it to the address below... then watch KTRE Channel 9 News at 5 each weekday, Apr. 28th through May 23rd for Conley Isom to show the picture of the day on television during the weather report. Also, each Friday during the contest, a bicycle from Academy Sports & Outdoors will be given to a lucky winner. Plus on Friday, May 23rd, two bonus bicycles will be given away for a total of SIX BIKES.

Send your drawing in early so you will not miss out.

Pictures received after May 22nd can not be considered.

Bicycles will be awarded by random drawing from all pictures received. Each winner will receive a gift certificate for a bicycle that must be redeemed at Academy Sports & Outdoors in Lufkin, Texas.

Do not forget to put your name, phone number, school , and class below your drawing.

Drop off your entry at the KTRE Studios in Lufkin or Nacogdoches, or mail your entry to: KTRE Color Your Moves

P.O. Box 729 Lufkin, Tx. 75902

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Color Your Moves

Name:_______________________________

BeSafe Child

Phone:____________________________

School & Class:_______________________________________________________________ 10

Protect Your Kids From The Sun

nyone who has ever taken kids to the A beach knows that it’s fun for the kids, but can sometimes be a hassle for whoever is in

charge. For parents it can mean the constant chore of sunscreen application and reapplication. To curb the sun care battle and make sun protection a routine part of outdoor play, parents can take a few simple steps now to help ensure sun safety all summer long.

Sun protection is an essential part of any outdoor activity because the sun produces invisible rays known as ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB), which cause sunburn and sun damage.

Harmful UV rays are more intense in the summer, which makes right now the perfect time for parents to develop their summer sun care strategy.

“The more sun exposure children get, the greater their chances of long-term skin damage,” said Dr. David Leffell, Professor of Dermatology & Surgery at Yale School of Medicine. “When children are playing in the sun and surf, they have specific sun care needs.”

Here are some sun care tips to help create your family’s sun care strategy: • Cover all the bases-It’s easy to overlook spots like your ears, neck, shoulders and the back of your neck, but they need sunscreen, too. So does your scalp, if your child has thin or short hair.

• Reapply, reapply, reapply -Slap on another coat of sunscreen as needed-and be sure to reapply after swimming, perspiring, vigorous activity or toweling off.

• Select sunscreens that can keep up with kids-When children are playing in the sun and surf, they have specific sun care needs. Use waterproof sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher, and look for products that are quick and easy to apply to squirmy kids. (Keep babies under 6 months of age out of the sun and consult a doctor before applying sunscreen.)

Families can enjoy the outdoors while staying safe by having a solid action plan in place that includes cover-up clothing, timely activities and the right sunscreen.

Additional sun care tips and information for better summers can be found at coppertone.com/sum mers.aspx.

409-584-2020 505 N. Temple Pineland, TX. 75968

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Guide to Child Care Centers

This Directory was produced by the BeSafe Publications as a public service to assist parents in their search for a licensed child care facility. BeSafe Publications does not endorse or recommend any product, service or company; therefore, parents should not consider this Directory a recommendation of any child care center. Any portion of the listing is subject to change at any time.

BeSafe Publications suggest you visit and tour the facility before making a decision. Check the current status of the facility’s license with the Department of Protective & Regulatory Services. This license should be posted in a conspicuous place and reflect the correct address of the facility.

Here are some things to look for when choosing a child care service: Is the facility clean? Are the children clean? Is there a safe place to play both indoors and outdoors?

Does caregiver share your views on discipline and religion? Can they provide special care such as diet and medication? Is this facility open to you and welcome to visits anytime?

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Name, Address (Listed by Zip Code)

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Phone

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Capacity

Hours & Days Open

Drop After School Ins Care

Zip Code 75961 & 75962 Early Childhood Lab 1620 Raguet St., Nacogdoches, 75962 First Baptist Day School 411 North St., Nacogdoches, 75961 First United Methodist Church Preschool 201 E. Hospital, Nacogdoches, 75961 Fredonia Hill Baptist Academy Exten.

1711 South St., Nacodoches, 75961 Happy Land Preschool 1613 South St., Nacogdoches, 75961 Just For Kids 1410 East Main St., Nacogdoches, 75961 Nacodoches Christian Academy 211 SE Stallings Dr., Nacogdoches, 75961 Raquet Child Care 211 King St., Nacogdoches, 75961 Right Step Learning Center 818 Park Str., Nacogdoches, 75961 Tanglewood Learning Center 1118 Tanglewood Dr., Nacogdoches, 75961

468-4006 564-7379 560-4631 559-7575 715-9800 569-0190 462-1021 569-1438 560-2338 564-1484

246 Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30 68 Mon.-Fri. 7:30-1:00 85 Mon.-Fri. 7:15-5:15 20 Mon.-Fri. 11:30-5:30 102 Mon.-Fri. 6:00-6:00 58 Mon.-Fri. 5:30-11:30 136 Mon.-Fri. 8:00-2:30 103 Mon.-Fri. 6:00-6:00 118 Mon.-Fri. 5:30-6:00 245 Mon.-Fri. 6:00-6:00

Ages Accepted

No

Yes Infant-School Age

No

No

Toddlers-School Age

No

No

Infants-School Age

No

Yes Toddlers-School Age

No

Yes Pre-K-School Age

Yes Yes Infants-School Age No

No

Toddlers-School Age

No

Yes Infants-School Age

No

Yes Infants-School Age

No

Yes Infants-School Age

HAPPYLAND PRESCHOOL

CARING FOR CHILDREN IN A SAFE AND HAPPY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT!!!

Director: Mendy Gaddis Asst. Director: Alma Castillo 1613 South St., Nacogdoches, TX 75961

936-715-9800 12

Energy Drinks: Know the Facts Source : The Coalition, Lufkin

arents: Do you know what your kids are P really drinking? Some of the ever popular energy drinks that kids are purchasing at re-

cord levels are now being laced with alcohol.

Which ones? Well, it’s difficult to tell because they look identical to the energy drinks with flashy can designs. Alcoholic energy drink producers have built on the popularity of nonalcoholic energy drinks. The beer industry is banking on brand confusion by marketing to youth who already are drinking energy drinks that contain record levels of caffeine.

Chris Lilly, Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control said, “This new line of alcoholic beverage product is extremely similar in look and feel to the popular energy drinks that contain no alcohol. Our youth are at risk when clerks and retailers cannot differentiate between nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages being sold.”

Some energy drink brands are even owned by beer companies like the energy drink MONSTER and 180 are owned by AnheuserBusch.

What’s even scarier is that parents are not aware that you can buy alcohol in the energy drinks and don’t question their kids when

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Fine Dining

they see them drinking them. They look so much like typical energy drinks that it would make it very difficult for parents to know that what their kids are actually drinking has alcohol in it. Plus, the type of marketing for these drinks includes the internet, text messaging, MySpace and Facebook. How many parents have a MySpace page or use text messaging as much as teens? This is how the beer industry is reaching out to youth to inform them of their products. And guess what? It’s even cheaper to buy than their nonalcoholic counterparts – 25% cheaper in most cases.

So what’s exactly inside one of those alcoholic energy drinks? How about enough alcohol to equal two beers and enough caffeine to equal six Cokes. They are also concocted with a sugary sweet taste to mask the taste of beer.

What can parents do? Be aware of what your kids are drinking – always check the labels.

Energy drinks have nutritional values on them. Alcoholic ones don’t. Be aware of the health risks. Caffeine and alcohol are not a good mix. The two combined together results in being drunk wide awake. Never assume it’s just an energy drink – looks can be extremely deceiving.

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CHILDREN & ALCOHOLIC PARENTS Source: Ron L. Roberts, M.S., Clinical Director, Tyler Counseling & Assessment Center, L.L.P.

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he “average alcoholic” is not a skid row “bum” - he or she is a man or a woman with a family, job and the responsibilities of a parent. The alcoholic home is often disruptive, and lacking in consistency.

Children in alcoholic homes may feel the lack of a consistent base of support. Children from an alcoholic family may also learn not to trust, since promises are often broken in alcoholic homes.

They also learn a welldeveloped denial system about what is happening in the home. They try to bring stability to the home, but may deny their own anxieties and fears, while attempting to act in a “normal” manner. Not only do they often come to feel guilty and assume parental roles in the family, they are also 50-60% more likely to develop alcoholism by adulthood. Children need to learn and remember that they didn’t cause their parents drinking, nor can they control or cure their parents alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a disease. People who have the disease have lost control over their drinking and are not able to stop without help, but the alcoholic must want to stop.

We don’t know all the reasons why people become alcoholics. A person might drink to forget problems or to calm nerves, but then they end up needing

alcohol to feel normal.

There is no cure for alcoholism except stopping the disease process by stopping the drinking. Recovering alcoholics can lead healthy, happy, productive lives. They will, however, probably need professional help or a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Children of alcoholics can learn to care about themselves and to communicate their feelings, thoughts and concerns. They should know that they are not alone. There are lots of children just like them with alcoholic parents. There are likely to be several in their classes that have parents who are alcoholics.

The child should know that they can talk about the problem to someone they trust who will talk to them. It could be a teacher, a friend’s parent, a big brother or sister, or someone else who will listen. There are resources for children. In addition to school counselors, pastors, and family members, there are organizations that can help. Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Alateen, and Crisis Centers are listed in the telephone directory.

The best thing children can do for themselves is talk about it, make healthy choices for themselves, and celebrate who they are as individuals.

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