Healthy Hygiene
Good hygiene is often overlooked as an important element of good health. Healthy hygiene habits help the stage for a healthy self-image in young children and can help lower the risk of certain health problems. For example, research shows that more frequent tooth-brushing can decrease the risk of respiratory and heart disease later in life.
Further, gum disease has been linked to in cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, regular bathing, showering, and washing of hands can decrease the risk of infection. By helping your child practice good hygiene during their youngest years, you are making an investment toward a healthy future.
The following sites provide information and activities to help you encourage good hygiene habits from an early age:
- Women and Children’s Health Network
- Education.com
- Healthline
- Turtlediary.com (Type “hygiene” into the search engine for a range of videos, worksheets and other resources)
Exercise & Nutrition
In 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let’s Move campaign to address childhood obesity, which had reached epidemic proportions. As the name suggests, Let’s Move promotes opportunities for increasing exercise and other physical activity, with an end goal of raising “a healthier generation of kids.”
The initiative also advances healthy nutrition habits as a critical component to producing fit and healthy children. The following links include Let’s Move articles and resources that provide valuable information and tools to help parents, teachers, and anyone who works with children create opportunities for healthier living. For more information, visit the Let’s Move website.
Drug Prevention
Experts recommend looking for teachable moments to start the conversation about drugs while children are still young. The Federal Government has released “Tips for Parents on Keeping Children Drug Free”,which offers age-appropriate suggestion on how to talk to children from the preschool years through middle school.
Further, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) a wealth of resources to help parents and educators effectively address this topic.
In addition, Drugnet Enterprises has developed several resources to assist parents, teachers, and other caregivers as they begin the dialogue about drug prevention. Even the youngest children will enjoy these fun, kid-friendly activities as they are being introduced to positive messages about making good choices.
Online Resources