Website Archive - March
Spotlight on Health
Good heath. We all want it for ourselves and especially for our children. This month’s spotlight is on maintaining good health and curtailing “preventable” illnesses.
Children
Sesame Street© Health Activities
Fun activities which teach children about hygiene, doctor visits, and exercise. Elmo and his mommy visit the doctor. Zoe comes down with a case of “monster” spots. Grover leads an exercise group. Big Bird and Elmo show how to wash up and Telly helps children build a checkup list for a doctor’s visit. Big Bird offers a printable “We Are Healthy” poster.
Learning the importance of eating fruits and vegetables can be fun and Dole has created a site with a lot of fun activities for kids to do. The Salad Factory lets them select their own salad ingedients, watch the salad getting tossed, and hear how many servings of fruits and vegetables it includes.Take the Challenge is a Pac-Man-like game in which they have to eat up fruits and vegetables while avoiding junk food. In addition to other games, this site includes a printable "Fit Kid Activity Chart" and a "Family Fitness Contract," a number of songs; the Yes I Can music video (video quality is poor but song and and content are good); interactive pictures of and nutritional information on a wide range of vegetables and fruits; and kid-friendly recipes.
Parents
Motivators for Preschools to Eat Healthy Foods
Parents: If you want your children to eat healthy foods, this site offers the five greatest motivators for preschool children to eat healthy foods. Preschoolers may be picky eaters but there are ways to help them become healthy eaters and to “sneak” nutritional foods into their diet.
This medical center site offers free information on health issues from allergies to exercise, including a section on preschoolers. You will need to sign up to access the articles but it is free and will allow you to receive its monthly newsletter if you choose. Child Health Information sheets will help you deal with a number of common childhood problems. Seasonal Health Alerts let you know when the risk is high for certain illnesses or injuries.
Building Blocks for a Healthy Future: Grownups
Quality time spent together is one sign of a healthy family. Building Blocks is organized around six topics which will assist parents in building healthy families as they help their children learn how to make positive, healthy choices.
Sesame Workshop© - Sesame Solutions
Sesame Street offers information, communication, and collaboration for parents on topics of health, safety, immunizations, and celebrations. What to do and how to talk to your children about doctor visits, medications, and other health-related issues. Child-sensitive with the Sesame Street characters offering actvities and stories to pave the way for anxious children.
Teachers
Early Connections: Technology in Early Childhood Education
Simple principles which address the health issues of children using computers. Some simple steps can prevent eye strain, aching back and neck muscles, and headaches.
A to Z Teacher Stuff: Preschool Lesson Plans on Health
Lesson plans on dental, nutrition, and mental health. You’ll find activities to introduce preschoolers to the concepts of nutitional foods and junk foods; the body’s need for healthy diet, exercise, and rest; the basics of good dental care; identifying and converying feelings; and giving and receiving compliments.
Civitas’ Building Blocks
Building Blocks is a tool designed to help childcare professionals keep up with the latest guidelines in professional care. Print this document out and see how correctly you answer the questions on staff ratios, methods of classroom superevision, exclusion, hand washing, diapering, menus and the introduction of new foods, bottle feeding, and safety of equipment, materials, and furnishings.
[Updated on April 26, 2005]
