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How to Avoid Heat Stress in Young Children
- The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
- At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
- Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be
enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz. of cold tap water
or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90lbs., and 9 oz.
for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs., even if the child does
not feel thirsty.
- Taken from American Academy of Pediatrics web site
at www.aap.org / advocacy /
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Increasing Physical Activity
Physical activity is an important part of a child’s day and was a focus of our RRAEYC Spring Conference. Whether it’s running, dancing or tumbling, regular physical activity is an important part of health. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests:
- Develop a plan that includes different physical activities throughout the day.
- Set up a small obstacle course inside or outside; include riding and push toys.
- Physical activities should be tailored to the developmental and physical needs and limitations of children.
- Children with chronic health conditions and disabilities should be included in appropriate activities, with modifications if necessary.
- www.healthychildcare.org
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Reducing Spread of Influenza
Children less than 5 years of age are at increased risk of
complications from influenza. Early childhood settings are provide particular challenges for infection control due to the highly vulnerable population. The Center for Disease Control suggests:
- Get vaccinated against the flu.
- Stay home when sick, both children and caregivers with flu-like symptoms should remain at home.
- Early childhood providers should conduct daily health checks through observing all children and staff and
talking with children’s parents.
- Encourage frequent hand washing with soap and water when possible.
- www.healthychildcare.org
- www.flu.gov/professional/school/childguidance
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Developmental Screenings: Why?
Parents are encouraged to take their children to their well-child check-ups so they can monitor their child's health and keep their immunizations up-to-date. What do parents know about learning check-ups? A learning check-up, also known as a developmental screening, focuses on a child's overall developmental milestones. The purpose of learning checkups or screening is to find out how a child birth to 5 is developing and how a parent can help him/her learn even more. In Freeport, IL, the All Our Kids Network and the Local Interagency Council (LIC) combine forces to spread the word to families about the value of a learning check-up (screening). The AOK Network publicizes the screening dates and contact information for the school districts. School district screenings are then reported to the LIC by the Pre-K Coordinator of ISBE programs. The LIC Coordinator reports the data monthly to Child Find at Illinois Department of Human Services in Springfield. To schedule developmental screenings for children birth-3, call (815) 235-8390. Developmental screenings for 3-5-year-olds can be scheduled by calling (815) 297-1041. The AOK Network will provide trainings to early childhood educators and family child care providers so they can provide developmental screenings to young children in their care. AOK is also available to provide training to other interested agencies and child care providers.
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