# data[].attributes.body
The article from NBC explores the importance of discussing mental health with children and suggests ways that parents can initiate these conversations. It highlights the need to create an open and supportive environment that encourages children to express their feelings and seek help when needed. The article also provides tips for parents on how to recognize signs of mental health issues in their children and how to connect them with appropriate resources. Additionally, the article stresses the importance of reducing the stigma associated with mental health and promoting self-care and healthy coping strategies for children.

This article provides valuable insights for health teachers in elementary schools on how to talk to children about their mental health, including creating a supportive environment, recognizing signs of mental health issues, and promoting self-care and healthy coping strategies. These topics could be incorporated into a mental health curriculum for elementary school students to help them develop important skills for maintaining their mental wellbeing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There's a mental health crisis in America, and it's not limited to the some 20 percent of U.S adults that experience anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses in a given year; it's also impacting our children.

According to the CDC, 7.1 percent of children aged three to 17 (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety, while 3.2 percent of children aged three to 17 (approximately 1.9 million) have diagnosed depression. The National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI) reports that one in five teenagers between 13 and 18 will experience at least one "severe mental disorder" during their life, as will roughly 13 percent of kids aged between five and 15 years.

For parents, paying attention to our children's mental health is paramount.

"The presence of a caring adult can make a big difference," says Dr. Donald Mordecai, MD, national leader for mental health and wellness at Kaiser Permanente. "Studies show that even one safe, stable and nurturing relationship can be a major protective factor in the face of traumatic events."

The first step, says Mordecai (and every other mental health clinician I consulted for this piece), is to talk about mental health with our kids. Easier said than done, as "how you approach the topic is critical," notes Mordecai.

So how do we have these conversations and when? What warning signs should we look for, and how can we get our kids the help they need if red flags are waving?

Model positive sharing about emotions and challenges

Children, especially when young, will model the behaviors parental figures demonstrate. By being consistently open about the existence and importance of mental health, you can lead by example.

"Show your child it's okay to acknowledge feelings by talking about your own," says Dr. Eli Lebowitz, Ph.D., director of the Program for Anxiety Disorders at the Yale Child Study Center.

Have mental health issues? Disclose it (appropriately)

Part of talking about mental health means being transparent (as appropriate) about how you maintain yours. If you take as prescribed medication for depression, or see a therapist, or even if you just do yoga to stay sane - share that you do this with your kids to stay mentally fit.

"Part of the stigma around mental health can be broken by us about being more matter of fact about it," says Dr. Alexandra Hamlet, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in the Mood Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. "We should talk about it like we talk about physical illnesses. I do think it depends on your kid ( if they're already anxious, they may catastrophize it, so think about the impact) but otherwise, I think information helps. Perhaps you can say, 'Mom has to take a pill so that she's not as sad and it helps her brain stay more positive.' If you don't have the answer, or feel put on the spot if they ask you a question about it, it's totally fine to say 'Great question. I am going to write that down and think about/research it.' But if you're doing something [like taking medication], don't assume your kid isn't noticing."

Ask questions even when nothing is wrong

While you'll certainly want to up the ante if your child is showing any of the mental health warning signs listed below, you should be asking your kids questions about their lives every day.

The more specific the better. Opt for open-ended inquiries.

"Open-ended questions help to avoid the response of 'I'm fine,'", says Melissa Koch, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Assistant Lead Therapist at Alsana. "[Instead], Ask questions like, "What was your favorite part of the day?," "What was difficult for you today?," "What would you like me to know about today?"

Neutralize your tone

"Each day I use my tone/inflection to portray that I have no assumptions," says Lynn R. Zakeri, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and mother of two teens. "'How was the test?' can sound 10 different ways depending on how it is asked."

Offer a bit about your day first

"Starting our talk with something interesting about my day that is short and entertaining (whether vulnerable, self-deprecating or full of pride) - can make them feel safer to be honest about their day," adds Zakeri. "We are trading stories rather than in a power struggle."

No screens of distractions

Zakeri stresses devoting your full attention during these check-ins.

"Have those talks with no distractions [so] you can remember names and experiences better for the next story," she says. "'Oh wasn't Danny the one who you said was good at basketball?' Our kids love to be heard by us."

Emojis can help really little kids communicate

For very little kids who may not be super verbal yet, Koch suggests having them identify "emotion words" using emojis.

"Using a chart that shows emoji faces for them to point to, can be helpful,"says Koch. "If an emotion fits ([as in] 'It looks like you might be angry.') If the emotion doesn't fit, continue to explore. Open conversation about emotions normalizes them. This can help prevent children from feeling as if something is wrong with them if they have a feeling."

If they don't want to talk with you, enlist someone else

"If your child has difficulty sharing things with you they may still be willing to speak with another adult they know," says Lebowitz. "Before asking a lot of questions, ask your child if they are comfortable talking to you or would prefer to talk with someone else."

Know the warning signs

"You know your child best: If you notice behaviors that are not typical for your child, be curious about it," say Koch.

More broadly though, Dr. Mordecai says to look out for the following behavioral changes, which could be warning signs of a mental health issue:

Restlessness and agitation

Acting out

Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation

Forgetfulness and lack of concentration

Withdrawing from friends and activities

Dropping grades or frequent school absences

Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

Frequent headaches and body aches

Substance abuse

Self-harm

NAMI has a more expansive and detailed list here.

Don't shrug off seemingly minor problems

We've all been kids, but it's tough to recall just how intense our feelings were back then. All the stuff we can often better handle as adults (like a dispute with a friend, or negative feedback from an authority) can feel impossible to cope with.

"It's easy to be dismissive of kids when they're struggling because we don't always know that say, a fight with a friend is so negatively impacting them," says Hamlet, adding that we may also not understand why such a seemingly minor event is really that important. "We might brush it off and say, 'It will work itself out." While we mean the best, it's important to take them seriously and validate the pain by acknowledging it - even if we don't agree with it."

Resist the urge to fix it

"One situation I experience regularly when doing joint sessions with parents and their children is that they jump to offering solutions," says Dr. Viola Drancoli, a clinical psychologist. "They want their kids to know that they are eager to help, but in my experience, kids are more committed to a solution if they come up with it themselves."

Kids also want to be heard in full, returning to Hamlet's point about validation.

"They want us to take what they say seriously and not be judgmental," Hamlet says. "Parents often want to rush into problem solving which can be invalidating."

Bob Cunningham, Ed.M., senior advisor on learning and attention issues for Understood.org, adds that if you jump right to advice, "you'll shut down the conversation. Using the phrase 'Yes, and...' can help parents acknowledge their child's issues and encourage them to be open about their challenges. Ask if [your child] has done anything to improve her situation and compliment her on her effort. Follow that with a few questions that put her in control, such as 'What else can you try?'. Remind her you're there to help her manage her mental health, and can always speak to her teacher or doctor about the situation."

How to get help - even if therapy isn't readily available

If something is wrong, talk to your child's pediatrician, who should be able to refer you to the appropriate mental health clinician, says Dr. Mordecai.

From there, their clinician will "seek a diagnosis and discuss an appropriate care plan," says Mordecai. "Treatment can vary based on severity of symptoms, but can include counseling, behavioral therapy, support groups and/or medication."

If resources are scarce, start by talking with your school counselor, or if they're not available, talk with a local youth group leader, pastor or other trusted community figure.

"Look at your family and other healthy adults in kids lives: teachers and coaches, too," says Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, child psychologist and mother of two, and founder of the Campaign to Change Direction and Give an Hour.

While professional therapy is ideal, Van Dahlen notes that presently, there are simply not enough mental health clinicians to treat every person in need.

Don't relent if you can't find the perfect help; for now, focus on the help that is available. "There is a lot parents can feel hopeful about just by knowing the information and using the networks around them," says Van Dahlen.

You might also consider joining a support group for parents going through similar struggles - just be mindful to not leap to a diagnosis before your child is properly evaluated.

MORE FROM BETTER

Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to talk to your kids about their mental health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There's a mental health crisis in America, and it's not limited to the some 20 percent of U.S adults that experience anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses in a given year; it's also impacting our children.

# data[].attributes.body
The article from Virtuallabschool.org explores the importance of creating healthy environments for school-age children and provides guidance for teachers on how to promote healthy habits and behaviors in the classroom. It suggests that teachers should create a physical environment that promotes movement and physical activity, provide healthy food options, and encourage good hygiene practices. The article also emphasizes the importance of fostering positive social and emotional relationships among children and promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion in the classroom. Additionally, it provides tips for teachers on how to involve families and the wider community in creating a healthy and supportive environment for children.

This article provides valuable guidance for health teachers in elementary schools on how to create healthy and supportive environments for children, including promoting physical activity, healthy eating habits, good hygiene practices, and positive social and emotional relationships. These topics could be incorporated into a health and wellness curriculum for elementary school students to help them develop important skills for maintaining their overall wellbeing and contributing to a healthy classroom environment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Know

Personal Health

School-agers range in age from anywhere from 5 to 12 years old. This large span includes a great deal of change as far as personal health is concerned.

Younger school-age children are still learning proper personal hygiene skills and will rely on you to model good hand-washing techniques (see Lesson Two) and hygiene habits. School-age children may have occasional bathroom accidents. If a child does have an accident, keep in mind that they will probably be very embarrassed. Do not make the incident any bigger than it needs to be. Make sure to provide the child with privacy, clean clothes, plastic bags, and any necessary items he or she will need for cleanup. Your program will have specific policies on this topic, check with your coach, trainer, or administrator if you have any questions or concerns. In the Learn Activities section, you will find a Changing Soiled Clothing guide to understand how to handle accidents to reduce contamination.

School can be very tiring for school-age children and they may want some quiet time to relax and build up energy while at your program. Resting is a necessary part of personal health as it gives our bodies and brains a chance to relax. Children may need a break when they arrive at your program before they are able to focus on homework or other tasks.

You can help model personal hygiene and resting behaviors by taking care of your own personal health. Be sure to get enough sleep so that you are refreshed and energized to working with school-age children.

Puberty

Older school-age children experience a great deal of change inside their growing bodies. Changes associated with puberty may be embarrassing or startling for children. It's important to be sensitive to these changes. According to KidsHealth.org, puberty can begin as early as age 8, especially in girls. The Physical Development course provides more information on body changes and developmental milestones you can anticipate in the school-age period. You can also find more information about body changes during early puberty by keeping age-appropriate books on-site and by visiting Healthy Kids.org, a website developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx.

It is important to have an understanding of the changes children and youth might be going through and the ways you can help support them through this stage of development.

Create a fun, safe environment. Do not tolerate teasing, name calling, or bullying.

Have books on puberty available in your professional library and safe websites identified that children can visit for more information. When older school-agers ask questions, it is important to have accurate and age-appropriate information available.

Have sanitary pads and tampons available in the girls' bathroom.

Have a stock of sample-size deodorants on hand.

Be sensitive to children going through puberty changes.

Be aware that hormone changes can cause mood swings.

Promote healthy habits.

Open communication with the children's families will also aid you in how best to approach conversations with school-agers.

Chances are, you remember the awkwardness of your preteen years when it felt like everything was changing, including yourself. When working with older school-age children, there's a chance you will be faced with students who are beginning to grow and change as they enter puberty. Puberty can be a difficult topic to discuss, but it is important to remember that it is your responsibility to help, support, teach, and protect these children. They may come to you with questions they aren't comfortable discussing with their families. Remember to always stick to the facts when answering questions, and use quality resources whenever possible, such as the suggested books in the Staying Fit (Body and Mind) booklist located in the Learn Activities section below. The following websites also contain great information, resources, and downloads:

Another great resource is the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. They have programs for children of this age group concerning puberty and growing into teenage youth. The programs are called SMART Girls and Passport to Manhood. Each program has activities and information appropriate for school-age children.

Oral Health

There are many reasons school-age children may want or need to brush their teeth. Older school-age children may be sensitive about or embarrassed by bad breath. Children with braces, retainers, or other orthodontia are required to brush regularly. When a child spends the entire day in your care, for example during summer programs, they may need the opportunity to brush their teeth throughout the day, most likely after eating a meal.

Toothbrushes should be labeled and stored in a way that they are not touching each other and are allowed to air dry. You should speak with the families of children with braces or retainers to make sure you know of any foods or beverages the children should avoid. You will also want to ask about any cleaning procedures needed before or after-school hours.

For storing toothbrushes, programs can make their own storage containers using egg cartons, or you can talk with your coach, trainer, or administrator about purchasing a toothbrush holder from a childcare supply company. You also want to be sure that each child has their own toothpaste tube, or if you are sharing toothpaste, that you prevent cross contamination of germs by dispensing smears or pea-sized amounts of toothpaste onto a large piece of wax paper, a paper plate, or bottom of a rinsing cup, and then onto each child's brush.

You may be caring for children who are in a variety of stages of dental development. Some may still have the majority of their primary teeth, while others may have a mouth full of permanent teeth. When working with younger school-age children who are in the process of losing their primary teeth, you should be prepared to store teeth. However, you should never assist a child in pulling out a loose tooth. Instead, let it come out naturally.

Emotional Health

School-age children can experience many stressors throughout their day. You can help alleviate stress by creating a safe, healthy, caring, and fun environment where school-age children can learn and grow. In the Self & Cultural Understanding course, you will learn more about how to help school-age children cope with stress, how to encourage a healthy self-image, and ways to incorporate these methods into your daily plans. For now, here is a list of potential stressors for school-age children:

Common childhood fears like moving to a new home, going to a new school, making new friends, etc.

Parents' divorce

Current events, war, media coverage, deployment of parent or loved one

Death of loved one

Being abused (physically, emotionally, sexually)

Peer pressure

Pressure to do well in school

Puberty

Sports loss

Fight with friend

Since eliminating all of the sources of stress in children's lives is not possible, it is vitally important that we teach children healthy methods to cope with stress. The Learn Activities resource, My Personal Stress Plan, contains concrete steps youth can take to reduce their stress.

Examples of healthy methods of handling stress:

Exercising

Meditation or yoga

Listening to music

Journaling

Talking with somebody you trust

Getting organized

Knowing when to ask for help

(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019)

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem refers to the way people feel about themselves, their self-worth, and their abilities. Children with a healthy self-esteem have the following characteristics, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2019):

Sense of security, belonging and trust

Sense of pride and purpose

Sense of responsibility and contribution

Sense of encouragement, support, and reward

Sense of making real choices and decisions

Sense of self-discipline and self-control

Ability to accept mistakes and failures

A sense of family self-esteem

All of the qualities listed above are ones staff members hope their school-agers will possess. It is the role of the staff member to help school-age children see that each person is valued. You can do this by demonstrating respect for:

Each child as an individual

The needs of the group

Yourself and your colleagues

You will learn specific methods to promote and encourage positive self-esteem in the Self & Cultural Understanding course. In addition, more information to support mental health, especially for children and youth of military service members, is provided in Lesson Six.

See

Supporting school-age children's emotional health isn't necessarily something that can be caught on video. You will do this in a variety of ways, including protecting them from teasing or bullying, encouraging them, or sometimes just by lending an ear.

Video not available
Watch a school-age staff members talking with children.

Do

General Hygiene Procedures for Toileting

There are many ways to maintain a healthy environment throughout your classroom. The restroom is an important place to start. Follow these steps to create healthy habits for yourself and children:

Check the restroom regularly to make sure toilets are flushed.

Check to make sure floors, doors, and walls are clean.

Make sure paper towels and other trash are thrown away properly.

Make sure running water, soap, paper towels, plastic bags for soiled clothing, and toilet paper are available.

Make sure you put disposable gloves on before handling soiled clothing. Remove gloves before handling clean clothing.

If possible, use a separate sink for general use and hand washing after toileting. If you must use the same sink, disinfect it before using it for general or food-related use.

Always wash your hands after helping children use the toilet, assisting with soiled clothing, or touching contaminated surfaces. Even if you wear disposable gloves, you must wash your hands.

Make sure all children and adults wash their hands properly.

Keep tampons and sanitary pads stocked in the restroom.

While toilet accidents are typically rarer in school-age settings, when compared to younger children, it is still helpful to prevent accidents by encouraging children to use the restroom at regular intervals (e.g. when they arrive at the program or before you go outside). Be sure to remind school-age children to use the restroom before going on a field trip or before a special event. Also watch for signs that a child needs to use the restroom. Holding the genital area, squirming, or moving uncomfortably could all mean a child needs to use the restroom. As you build relationships with the school-agers in your program, you may also be able to determine if those same circumstances that are showing signs that the child needs to use the restroom could also be signs that the child is having a medical issue and needs to be seen by a doctor.

Supporting School-age Children's and Youth's Personal and Emotional Health

Lead by example. Model healthy habits by being active and dealing with your own stress and emotions in healthy ways.

Show respect. Demonstrate respect for yourself, your co-workers and your school-age children.

Plan. Plan activities that teach children good oral health.

Teach. Educate school-age children on healthy methods of managing and coping with stress.

Talk. Promote an atmosphere where children can discuss their feelings without fear of being teased or bullied

Listen. Be a kind, trustworthy staff member who school-age children can come to when they need to discuss difficult topics.

Learn. Use the booklist located below in the Learn Activities section of this lesson. There are some read-aloud book suggestions on the topic of military deployment.

Provide resources. When children or their families are concerned about puberty, developmental changes, of life stresses share some of the resources in this lesson with them so that they can have accurate, age-appropriate information

Suicide Awareness

While it's normal and healthy for school-age children to experience manageable amounts of stress, children who are depressed or have suicidal thoughts need professional help. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, youth, and young adults age 5-to-24-years old in the United States (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2017). Some risk factors for suicide in children and youth include:

Previous suicide attempt

Family history of suicide

Identifying as LGBTQ

Depression and other mental health concerns

Drug and alcohol abuse

Impulsivity and behavior problems

Local epidemic of suicide in a community

Easy access to guns

Victim of bullying

Children and youth who are suicidal may make statements such as, "I wish I were dead," or "You'd be better off without me." Other warning signs of suicide include:

Extreme sadness and hopelessness

Loss of interest in friends, family, and hobbies

Changes in sleep and appetite

Skipping school and decline in school performance

Irritability and difficulty concentrating

If you are concerned that a child or youth in your program is suicidal, you should promptly communicate this concern with your trainer, coach or administrator, and together, communicate your concern to the child, their family, and a mental health professional. Tell the child that you are worried about them and ask open-ended questions in a calm, empathetic way. You can ask, "Are you feeling more sad than usual?" or "Have you become so sad that you've thought about hurting or killing yourself?" Use direct questions and developmentally appropriate language. Younger children may not know the meaning of the word, "suicide," but they may be able to describe symptoms related to depression such as stomach aches or feeling more angry than usual. Research shows that asking someone if they have suicidal thoughts does not trigger suicide. Children who are suicidal often don't talk to anyone about it because they fear others will react with anger or by ignoring their feelings. Let the child know you want to help them feel better. Like being a mandated reporter, you should not agree to swear to secrecy. Let them know suicide is preventable and treatment is effective. Regardless of the child's response to your questions, if your gut tells you something is wrong, get help immediately. For more information on how to respond to a child or youth's suicidal thoughts, review this information from The Center for Suicide Research and Prevention at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Have resources readily available to provide to the family and discuss with your trainer, coach, or administrator the best ways in which to provide these resources to the family.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Staying Healthy: Personal Health and Emotional Wellness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
School-agers range in age from anywhere from 5 to 12 years old. This large span includes a great deal of change as far as personal health is concerned. Younger school-age children are still learning proper personal hygiene skills and will rely on you to model good hand-washing techniques (see Lesson Two) and hygiene habits.

# data[].attributes.headline
Injury prevention and saftey activity book 

# data[].attributes.subject
Injury prevention and saftey activity book 

# data[].attributes.body
The Injury Prevention and Safety Activity Book is a resource developed by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that provides a collection of fun and interactive activities to teach children about injury prevention and safety. The activities are designed to engage children in learning important safety concepts related to topics such as pedestrian safety, bike safety, fire safety, and water safety. The book is free to download and can be used by parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals to promote safety education among children in a fun and engaging way.

An elementary school teacher could use this activity book as a supplement to their health and safety curriculum, incorporating the various activities to reinforce key concepts related to injury prevention and safety. The book could be used as a fun and interactive way to engage students in learning important safety skills and habits.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Injury Prevention and Safety Activity Book

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Download our free Injury Prevention and Safety activity book to help educate your children through fun, interactive coloring, puzzles and games.

# data[].attributes.body
The article from Kidshealth.org discusses the importance of physical activity for children's health and provides tips for parents on how to encourage their children to be more active. It suggests that parents should make physical activity a fun and regular part of their children's routine and set a positive example by being active themselves. The article also emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach that includes a variety of physical activities and opportunities for unstructured play. Additionally, it provides guidance for parents on how to address common challenges related to screen time and safety concerns when it comes to outdoor play.

Elementary school teachers could implement the information in this article by incorporating regular physical activity breaks into their classroom routine, promoting active play during recess, and encouraging parents to support their children's physical activity outside of school through fun and engaging activities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Keeping Kids Active

Anyone who's seen kids on a playground knows that most are naturally physically active and love to move around. But what might not be apparent is that climbing to the top of a slide or swinging from the monkey bars can help lead kids to a lifetime of being active.

As they get older, it can be a challenge for kids to get enough daily activity. This can be due to:

increasing demands at school

a feeling among some kids that they aren't good at sports

a lack of active role models

busy working families

And even if kids have the time and the desire to be active, parents may not feel comfortable letting them freely roam the neighborhood as kids did generations ago. So their opportunities to be active might be limited.

In spite of these barriers, parents can teach a love of physical activity and help kids fit it into their everyday lives. Doing so can set healthy patterns that will last into adulthood.

Benefits of Being Active

When kids are active, their bodies can do the things they want and need them to do. Why? Because regular exercise provides these benefits:

strong muscles and bones

healthy weight

decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes

better sleep

a better outlook on life

Physically active kids also are more likely to be motivated, focused, and successful in school. And mastering physical skills builds confidence at every age.

page

What Motivates Kids?

So there's a lot to gain from regular physical activity, but how do you encourage kids to do it? The three keys are:

1. Choosing the right activities for a child's age: If you don't, the child may be bored or frustrated.

2. Giving kids plenty of opportunity to be active: Kids need parents to make activity easy by providing equipment, signing them up for classes or sports teams, and taking them to playgrounds and other active spots.

3. Keeping the focus on fun: Kids won't do something they don't enjoy.

When kids enjoy an activity, they want to do more of it. Practicing a skill - whether it's swimming or riding a tricycle - improves their abilities and helps them feel accomplished, especially when the effort is noticed and praised. These good feelings often make kids want to continue the activity and even try others.

Age-Appropriate Activities

The best way for kids to get physical activity is by incorporating physical activity into their daily routine. Toddlers and preschoolers should play actively several times a day. Children 6 to 17 years should do 60 minutes or more physical activity daily. This can include free play at home, active time at school, and participation in classes or organized sports.

page

Age-Based Advice:

Preschoolers: Preschoolers need play and exercise that helps them continue to develop important motor skills - kicking or throwing a ball, playing tag or follow the leader, hopping on one foot, riding a trike or bike with training wheels, or running obstacle courses.

Although some sports leagues may be open to kids as young as 4, organized team sports are not recommended until they're a little older. Preschoolers can't understand complex rules and often lack the attention span, skills, and coordination needed to play sports. Instead of playing on a team, they can work on fundamental skills.

School-age: With school-age kids spending more time in front of screens, the challenge for parents is to help them find physical activities they enjoy and feel successful doing. These can range from traditional sports like baseball and basketball to martial arts, biking, hiking, and playing outside.

As kids learn basic skills and simple rules in the early school-age years, there might only be a few athletic standouts. As kids get older, differences in ability and personality become more apparent. Commitment and interest level often go along with ability, which is why it's important to find an activity that's right for your child. Schedules start getting busy during these years, but don't forget to set aside some time for free play.

Teens: Teens have many choices when it comes to being active - from school sports to after-school interests, such as yoga or skateboarding. It's a good idea to have an exercise plan since it often has to be sandwiched between school and other commitments.

Do what you can to make it easy for your teen to exercise by providing transportation and the necessary gear or equipment (including workout clothes). In some cases, the right clothes and shoes might help a shy teen feel comfortable biking or going to the gym.

page

Kids' Fitness Personalities

In addition to a child's age, it's important to consider his or her fitness personality. Personality traits, genetics, and athletic ability combine to influence kids' attitudes toward participation in sports and other physical activities, particularly as they get older.

Which of these three types best describes your child?

1. The nonathlete: This child may lack athletic ability, interest in physical activity, or both.

2. The casual athlete: This child is interested in being active but isn't a star player and is at risk of getting discouraged in a competitive athletic environment.

3. The athlete: This child has athletic ability, is committed to a sport or activity, and likely to ramp up practice time and intensity of competition.

If you understand the concepts of temperament and fitness types, you'll be better able to help your kids find the right activities and get enough exercise - and find enjoyment in physical activity. Some kids want to pursue excellence in a sport, while others may be perfectly happy and fit as casual participants.

The athlete, for instance, will want to be on the basketball team, while the casual athlete may just enjoy shooting hoops at the playground or in the driveway. The nonathlete is likely to need a parent's help and encouragement to get and stay physically active. That's why it's important to encourage kids to remain active even through they aren't top performers.

Whatever their fitness personality, all kids can be physically fit. A parent's positive attitude will help a child who's reluctant to exercise.

Be active yourself and support your kids' interests. If you start this early enough, they'll come to regard activity as a normal - and fun - part of your family's everyday routine.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Anyone who's seen kids on a playground knows that most are naturally physically active and love to move around. But what might not be apparent is that climbing to the top of a slide or swinging from the monkey bars can help lead kids to a lifetime of being active.

# data[].attributes.body
The article from Healthline discusses the importance of healthy eating habits for children and provides tips for parents on how to encourage their children to eat a balanced and nutritious diet. It suggests that parents should involve their children in meal planning and preparation, provide a variety of healthy food options, and model healthy eating habits themselves. The article also emphasizes the importance of avoiding highly processed and sugary foods and promoting regular physical activity to support children's overall health and wellbeing. Additionally, it provides guidance for parents on how to address common challenges related to picky eating and food allergies in children.

This article provides valuable guidance for  teachers in elementary schools on how to promote healthy eating habits for children, including involving them in meal planning and preparation, providing healthy food options, and promoting regular physical activity. These topics could be incorporated into a health and nutrition curriculum for elementary school students to help them develop important skills for making healthy choices and maintaining their overall wellbeing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Raising healthy eaters can feel overwhelming, especially as children begin to assert their own opinions about food.

Creating healthy eating patterns for children is important for optimal growth and development, building a healthy immune system, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases later in life ().

Children over the age of 1 will get most of their nutrition from solid food, and it's important they eat foods from a variety of food groups to meet their vitamin and mineral needs ().

That means eating protein-rich foods, carbs, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. The amount of each food group will vary by age, gender, and activity level ().

However, kids like what they already know, and getting them to try new foods or make sure they're eating from all food groups can be challenging.

This guide helps you understand what you need to know and how to raise healthy, competent eaters.

Building healthy meal patterns for kids starts at home. You can do many things as a parent to encourage healthy eating.

Offer a wide variety of foods at each sitting

At each meal, aim to serve:

a fruit or vegetable

proteins like meat, fish, poultry, tofu, or beans

starchy vegetables or grains like potatoes, sweet potatoes, bulgur, or rice

a fat source like oils, nuts, nut butter, or avocado

While the focus should be on offering mostly nutrient-dense foods, it's important to expose kids to a wide variety of foods to help them build a healthy relationship with food.

That said, the general advice is to limit added sugar until at least 2 years of age.

After that, it's okay for your child to occasionally enjoy foods that contain added sugar. However, aim to keep added sugar to less than 10 percent of their total calories ( 6).

Create a meal and snack schedule

Meal and snack schedules can play an important role in helping kids build healthy eating habits and promote overall health.

Research shows that regular meal schedules (instead of all-day grazing) are linked to lower body weight and good metabolism among adults, which may be relevant for children, too (, , ).

But perhaps even more important for children, creating a routine around eating times can help them know what to expect and may reduce picky eating and increase food pleasure ( 11).

While exact schedules will vary by age, child, and family, most kids will benefit from eating three meals and two snacks ( 11).

Here's an example schedule:

Limit, but don't restrict, less nutritious foods

Offering fun foods or those that offer less nutrition is also important to create a healthy relationship with food for kids over the age of 2. Restricting certain foods can have the opposite effect you might be aiming for ().

Research shows that restricting foods (especially those that are highly palatable, like sweets and traditional snack foods) can lead to children eating more of those foods when they have access ().

It may also lead to increased snacking among kids ().

Food restriction is also associated with an increased risk of disordered eating, weight gain, and a preoccupation with certain foods ().

Model healthy eating habits

It's well established that kids exhibit behaviors they learn from their role models.

While your child may eat meals with friends at school or other caregivers, they learn many eating habits from you - the parent or caregiver ( 14, 15, ).

Therefore, if you want your kids to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods, it's recommended that you do, too.

Other measures of healthy eating among kids, including self-regulation, diet variety, and healthfulness, are linked to parents' eating habits and parental modeling (, , ).

Implement the division of responsibility

The division of responsibility asserts that parents and children have separate roles in eating.

It is a parent's job to decide:

What is served

When meals and snacks are offered (create a meal schedule)

Where meals occur

It's the child's job to decide:

If and what they eat among the foods offered

How much they eat

This division encourages eating autonomy among children and may result in better feeding self-regulation, meaning kids can honor their hunger and fullness cues ().

Eat meals as a family

Eating meals as a family offers many benefits for children of all ages - from young toddlers to teenagers.

It also provides an opportunity to talk positively about food and connect social behaviors with eating, which may be especially helpful for older children ().

Family meals are also linked to better eating habits and a more nutritious diet for kids. Studies also show that kids who eat with their family experience more food enjoyment (, , ).

While studies looking at the connection between the frequency of family meals and healthy eating behaviors among kids suggest that the more you can eat as a family, the better, that may not always be practical ().

If your family's schedule makes it difficult for everyone to have dinner together, do the best you can.

Perhaps at least one parent can eat breakfast with the kids, or you can eat as a family on weekends or for some dinners during the week.

Shop and cook with your kids

Involving children of all ages - even young toddlers - in the cooking process can encourage them to eat a wider variety of foods, be more open to trying new foods, and get them excited about eating ().

In fact, it can take eight to 15 exposures before some children try new food ().

Research shows that repeated food exposures lead to the increased likeliness of a child trying and even liking a food. But think beyond exposures that happen at mealtime ().

"The more food exposure a child has, the better. This includes reading about foods, grocery shopping, helping with meal prep, playing with food, and gardening," says Amber Rodenas, RD, LDN, pediatric dietitian and owner of Seeds and Sprouts Nutrition for Kids, LLC.

Consider every opportunity to expose your kids to different foods. At the grocery store, talk about the colorful produce and have them pick out their favorite fruit or vegetable to bring home.

Consider starting a family garden or growing herbs in small pots and involving your child in the planting and harvesting.

When it comes to preparing food, the amount a child can be involved in depends on age and development. However, the earlier you start, the more the child will be able to do as they grow up.

Younger toddlers can help stir, add things to a bowl, or push buttons on a blender. As kids get older, they can begin pouring liquids into a bowl, cutting soft items (with kid-safe knives), and eventually even help with the actual cooking.

There's no wrong way to get your child involved, and every exposure counts, even if it didn't result in them eating the food at that moment.

Stock up on healthy essentials

Food availability plays a clear role in healthy eating - kids surely won't eat what isn't served!

Not surprisingly, research shows that having fruits and vegetables available at home encourages kids to eat more of them ().

By stocking your kitchen with essentials, it's easier to prepare meals that help your kids meet all of their nutrition needs.

Aim to keep the following foods stocked in your kitchen:

a variety of colorful produce (frozen is just as nutritious as fresh) (29)

whole grains like whole grain bread and pasta, quinoa, farro, brown rice, or wheat berries

healthy proteins like eggs, chicken, fish (fresh, frozen, or canned), beans, and tofu

healthy fats like nuts and nut butter, seeds, and olive oil

Keep healthy snacks on hand

Snacks are an opportunity to add nutrients your child needs to their diet. They are also helpful for kids' energy and satiety between meals ( 30).

Snacks can ward off "hanger" meltdowns most parents have probably experienced at one time or another.

Try to choose nutritious snacks that include some protein, fiber, and fat to promote satiety (and limit all-day snacking) ( 32).

Some ideas for healthy snacks include (please choose those that are age-appropriate):

cut vegetables with dip or hummus

sliced apple with nut butter and raisins

energy bites made with dried fruit, nuts or seeds, and oats

dried chickpeas or other dried beans

clementines with a cheese stick

cheese and whole grain crackers

yogurt with fruit

To encourage healthy snacking, make snack time fun by offering different utensils or varying how you serve the food (such as in muffin tins or on a snack board).

Summary
Creating healthy eating habits for kids is multifactorial. Do the best you can to offer a variety of foods and create an environment that encourages healthy eating. But remember that as a parent, you don't have to do it perfectly every time.

There's a lot we can do as parents to encourage healthy eating, but there are some things we should avoid as well.

Don't pressure or bribe your kids to eat certain foods

Nagging, bribing, or pressure such as "just take one more bite" or "you can have dessert if you eat your broccoli" can lead to the opposite effect you're aiming for.

Pressure techniques have been linked to poorer diet quality, less food variety, and food avoidance and may worsen picky eating ().

In addition, they can be hard to enforce, especially among older children, and often lead to mealtime battles ().

Labeling food as good or bad can also be coercion or pressure for your child and may lead to an unhealthy relationship with food later. Instead, keep talking about food neutrally ().

Don't allow screens at mealtimes

It can be tempting for a parent to turn on a show or allow your child to play on a tablet or iPad while eating to get some quiet. But this may do more harm than good.

Some of the problems with distracted eating may be related to food choices. Research suggests that screen time may increase consumption of unhealthy foods, increase snacking, and encourage unhealthy dietary behaviors (, , ).

Instead of eating with screens, use meals as a time to connect with your children by asking them about their day or taking turns sharing your favorite part of the day.

Don't focus only on health (or even the food)

While eating a nutritious diet is incredibly important to overall health, we also eat for pleasure.

Talking with your kids about how food tastes, feels, and smells can encourage them to try more foods.

These techniques may also help them form a healthier relationship with food ().

"Feeding kids is about nurturing more than good food intake. It's also about nurturing a trusting relationship," says Sarah Ladden, MS RDN, pediatric dietitian, mom of three, and family feeding expert.

"The quickest way to get your child to eat calmly and without incident is to take the focus off of food entirely," she adds.

Summary
It can be easy to default to methods like bribing or talking about health when trying to get children to eat healthily. But these things can actually be counterintuitive. Try to focus on creating a healthy food environment instead.

Picky eating can be stressful for parents. It makes preparing food difficult, and you may worry about whether or not your child is getting what they need to be healthy and support growth.

The above guidelines on what to do (and what not to do) to raise healthy eaters can help both prevent and address picky eating. But if you're feeling stuck, the following research-backed tips from child feeding specialists may help.

Try food chaining

In food chaining, you move gradually from foods your child likes to related foods you'd like them to try.

"Food chaining is a technique used by many dietitians and feeding therapists to help kids learn to like new foods using characteristics of foods they already like," says Amber Rodenas, RD, LDN, pediatric dietitian and owner of Seeds and Sprouts Nutrition for Kids, LLC.

Food chaining might look something like this:

Goldfish crackers → Cheez Itz → Saltine Crackers → Saltines with cheese slices

Strawberries → grapes → grape or cherry tomatoes → tomato slices

You could also implement it by using the flavors of liked foods when preparing foods your child avoids.

For example, if your child likes tacos but doesn't want to eat pasta, you could serve a "taco pasta" with some of the ingredients in tacos like ground beef and use taco seasoning while adding pasta.

Sometimes it may require moving from one brand of chicken nuggets or mac 'n cheese to another brand and then introducing another similar food like fish sticks or pasta with butter and grated parmesan.

Food chaining takes patience and time, but older research has shown that it can be a very effective technique ().

Implement food play

Food play like food bingo, cutting out shapes to make food puzzles, or even art projects with food (painting with dips and veggies) can be a no-pressure way to encourage your child to interact with the food and eventually try it.

Research shows it can be an effective way to get kids to try different fruits and vegetables that they previously avoided ( 40).

Even reading books about foods has increased younger children's willingness to try new food ( 41).

Change up the way you serve foods

Similar to food play, serving foods in fun ways can be a helpful way to encourage your child to try something new.

Some examples are:

cutting foods into different shapes

serving meals 'family style' so kids can serve themselves

turning ingredients into foods you know they like, such as dips

adding a well-liked dip or condiment alongside a new food

Overcoming picky eating takes time and patience. Stay consistent, and over time most kids will learn to like a wider variety of foods.

Summary
Feeding picky eaters is a challenge that many parents face. Encouraging a more varied, nutritious diet takes patience and time. If your child is a picky eater, you can try strategies like introducing food play or food chaining.

There are many reasons why your child may not eat dairy foods, including an allergy or intolerance, taste preferences, and family dietary choices.

Dairy foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese provide important nutrients, including protein, fat, vitamins A and D, calcium, and potassium. Because dairy foods are often well-liked by kids, it's an easy way for them to consume those nutrients.

Ensure your child eats other sources of calcium like fortified soy milk, fortified orange juice, some tofu, canned salmon with bones, sardines, or salmon ().

If your child doesn't drink cow's milk or other milk fortified with vitamin D, you may want to consider a vitamin D supplement.

Summary
If your child doesn't eat dairy, you need to make sure they're getting calcium and vitamin D from other food sources, like fortified soy milk, fortified orange juice, tofu, or fatty fish.

For adequate growth and development, kids must eat foods containing a mix of all macronutrients - protein, carbs, and fat - as each plays a different role in the body.

Protein

Protein is an incredibly important nutrient for both kids and adults.

It supports bone and muscle growth and is used to build skin, nails, and hair. It also helps with appetite regulation by filling you up and slowing down digestion ( 45, 46).

Further, it plays a role in the immune system by helping build antibodies to fight off illness, helps your body carry important nutrients like iron, and plays a role in hormone development, among many other functions ( 46).

Protein is important to support recovery from athletic activities, so very active children or those that play sports may need more protein than those that are more sedentary ( 46).

Protein is available in animal and plant foods, including meat, poultry, fish, and soy foods like tofu and tempeh, beans, lentils, and dairy.

Carbs

Carbs are the body's main energy source and the brain's preferred energy source ( 47).

Most of the carbs you eat are digested and broken down into glucose before your body can use them. Glucose can then be used by your cells or stored in the liver and muscles for later use.

Make sure to choose whole-food sources of carbs rather than refined carbs most of the time. You'll find refined carbs in baked goods like bread, cakes, cookies, and pastries.

Carbs are abundant in fruits, starchy vegetables, grains, beans, and dairy ( 47).

Starchy vegetables include white and sweet potatoes, winter squash like butternut, corn, and peas. Nearly all other vegetables are called non-starchy, or watery, vegetables.

Fat

Fat also helps increase satiety and provides taste and texture to meals, which may play a role in overall healthy eating ().

Aim to serve more unsaturated fats that are liquid at room temperature, primarily found in plant sources and fatty fish.

That includes olive, avocado, canola oils, nuts, nut butter, seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, flax, hemp, chia seeds, and avocado.

Summary
Macronutrients include protein, carbs, and fat. All three are important for growth and development as well as overall health and can be consumed by eating a varied diet.

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that support growth and development, help the body function, and fight off illnesses. Kids need to consume all vitamins and minerals, but below are some important ones to pay attention to.

Calcium

Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth and assists in muscle contractions, stimulation of nerves, and blood pressure regulation ().

Yogurt, milk, and cheese

Fortified soy milk and some other fortified plant-based milk

Fortified orange juice

Canned salmon with bones

Sardines

Tofu made with calcium sulfate

Soybeans

It's available in smaller amounts in:

Vitamin D

Your body makes much of its vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. However, it's impossible to obtain enough direct sunlight year-round in most parts of the world for optimal vitamin D levels ().

Depending on your child's diet and exposure to sunlight, it may be appropriate to consider a vitamin D supplement. Talk with your child's doctor for an individual recommendation ().

Iron

Iron supports neurological development, growth, and immune function. It also helps red blood cells carry and deliver oxygen to tissue throughout the body.

Long-term iron deficiency in children may contribute to cognitive problems and learning disabilities ().

While iron is important for all children, girls should pay extra attention to iron-rich foods once they start menstruating.

Zinc

It is involved in the activity of over 300 enzymes in your body that play a role in digestion, metabolism, nerve function, and more ( 56).

B vitamins

If your child follows a vegan diet or doesn't like meat, seafood, or eggs, you should consider whether they're getting enough vitamin B-12. Talk with your child's doctor if you're concerned they aren't getting enough ().

Summary
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that support overall health, growth, and development. Your child can usually meet their micronutrient needs by eating a varied diet.

Healthy eating is important for growth, development, and overall health. It also can help set kids up for healthy eating into adulthood.

It's important to set up a family and home environment that encourages healthy eating. That involves buying and serving nutritious foods, eating meals as a family, and modeling healthy behavior.

Aim for a positive eating environment. It's not helpful to bribe or pressure children to eat certain foods, leading to increased food avoidance and picky eating.

There's no one way to raise a healthy eater, but implementing these guidelines can help your child become a flexible, competent eater over time.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Healthy Eating for Kids: Nutrients, Eating Habits, and Picky Eaters

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Raising healthy eaters can feel overwhelming, especially as children begin to assert their own opinions about food. Creating healthy eating patterns for children is important for optimal growth and development, building a healthy immune system, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases later in life ().

# data[].attributes.body
The article from PBS discusses how parents can talk to their children about gun violence in a way that is age-appropriate and addresses their concerns. It suggests that parents should start by asking their children what they know about the issue and correcting any misunderstandings. Parents should also validate their children's feelings and reassure them that they are safe. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of limiting children's exposure to news coverage of violent events and encouraging them to take action to promote safety and prevent violence in their communities.

This article is for parents talking to their children about gun violence but considering the amount of gun violence in schools in America today this article could be a useful tool for teachers to reference when students have questions about their saftey in school.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Recent news of yet another school shooting has left many parents and caregivers asking how it is best to discuss gun violence with young children.

Last year alone, there were 51 school shootings that resulted in injury or death, according to Education Week, which began tracking such incidents in 2018. The massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that left 21 people dead - most of them children - highlighted the urgency of addressing gun violence and death with young children.

While there is no right age to start having these conversations preemptively, pediatric psychologist Jeff Shahidullah said children do absorb a lot of information from their surroundings and may know more about what is happening elsewhere than you think. To start a conversation, focus on finding out what they do know about school shootings or other violence in the news and how that makes them feel, he said. "Kids are always listening. They hear what caregivers and adult siblings and classmates are talking about," Shahidullah said.
Watch the full conversation in the player above.
By asking a child what they know or have heard, parents or caregivers can then determine the scope of the discussion and whether there are any inaccuracies in the child's understanding. It also provides caregivers an opportunity to validate the child's feelings and encourage them to share their thoughts in the future, Shahidullah said. Because younger kids may believe what happens to other people elsewhere can easily happen to them, it is important to provide perspective as well, he said. "It's important to not minimize or dismiss their concerns or feelings since that can make them feel like they're not valid and that they just need to suppress them and keep them to themselves in the future," but, Shahidullah said in providing comfort, it's best to avoid black-and-white answers. He says caregivers can opt for a more balanced approach with language like "it's extremely unlikely that anything like that will ever happen to you."

Conveying nuance to children can be incredibly helpful in the future as life inevitably becomes more complicated. For young learners, it can be challenging to face the possibility of something bad happening, even if it is unlikely. These concerns can compound into conversations about death, dying and suicide. Shahidullah recommends talking about what he calls the "worry brain" to help children process the sometimes-overwhelming emotions that can arise. He says caregivers can validate strong emotions by explaining, "It's normal for our worry brains to still be a bit worried about something bad happening, because that's what worry brains do. They want us to be safe and not caught off guard if something dangerous did happen."

He goes on to explain that acknowledging fear and worry as normal parts of life is key for teaching kids that they can help to accept a strong emotion by naming it. "Treating our difficult, scary thoughts - like suicide, like death and dying - just as we do any other thoughts teaches the kids that we can notice that we're having the thought, but we don't have to give any special power or control to the thought," Shahidullah said.

Caregivers of children with firsthand experience dealing with gun violence or deaths related to gun violence can apply these same concepts, but it is essential to tailor your language and delivery based on the context and circumstances of your child, Shahidullah said.

For the adults taking on the challenging job of having these conversations, Shahidullah says you can also apply these concepts in your own lives and "connecting to a trusted peer group ... is one of the best protective factors that can help parents buffer against stress."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to talk to children about gun violence

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Recent news of yet another school shooting has left many parents and caregivers asking how it is best to discuss gun violence with young children. Last year alone, there were 51 school shootings that resulted in injury or death, according to Education Week, which began tracking such incidents in 2018.

# data[].attributes.body
The article from Kidshealth.org explains what e-cigarettes are and how they work, highlighting the fact that they are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid (usually containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals) into an aerosol that is inhaled. It also discusses the risks and potential harm associated with e-cigarette use, particularly among young people. These risks include addiction, lung damage, and negative effects on brain development. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of parents talking to their children about the dangers of e-cigarettes and encouraging them to avoid using them.

This article could be used to have a conversation about the dangers of vapes and the harmful effect is has on a persons health. It could be included in a conversation about making healthy smart choices.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Vaping is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). It's common among teens.

By learning about vaping, parents can:

Talk to their kids about its health risks.

Recognize if their child might be vaping.

Get help for kids who are vaping.

How Does Vaping Work?

E-cigarettes (or "vape pens") heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor, which is inhaled. The liquid (called e-liquid or "vape juice") can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. E-cigarettes can be refillable or pre-filled with cartridges containing the e-liquid. The pre-filled e-cigarettes (called "Puff Bars") are designed for one-time use. After taking a certain number of "puffs," the user throws the device away.

What Are the Health Risks of Vaping?

The health risks of vaping include:

addiction: E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a drug that's highly addictive. You don't have to vape every day to get addicted.

anxiety and depression: Nicotine makes anxiety and depression worse. It also affects memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, especially in developing brains.

becoming a smoker: Young people who vape are more likely to start smoking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and may be more likely to develop other addictions in the future.

impotence: There is some evidence that vaping can cause sexual dysfunction in men.

sleep problems

exposure to cancer-causing chemicals

chronic bronchitis

lung damage that can be life-threatening

Other health effects are possible that we don't yet know about. Vaping hasn't been around that long, so its health risks aren't all known.

How Do I Know if My Child Is Vaping?

Start by asking your child in a nonjudgmental, concerned way if they have tried vaping. You want to encourage conversation, not shut it down. Even if you don't think your kids vape, talk about it with them anyway so they know it's unhealthy.

Signs of vaping include:

new health issues such as coughing or wheezing

e-cigarette supplies, like cartridges or other suspicious looking items

new smells (some flavorings are banned, but others are in nicotine and marijuana vapes - so parents might notice fruity or sweet scents)

What Should I Do if My Child Vapes?

Your child will need your help and support to quit. Help them find the motivation to stop vaping. You might want to talk about:

wanting to be the best, healthiest version of themselves

not wanting to be addicted

avoiding health effects including impotence and decreased sports performance

not wanting to increase anxiety or depression

saving money

going against advertising that targets young people

Some people use vaping to curb their appetite, but there's no proof that vaping helps with weight loss. If you think this is why your child vapes, talk to them about healthier ways to stay at a healthy weight or lose weight.

How Can Kids and Teens Quit Vaping?

For those who want to quit, it can help to:

Decide why they want to quit and write it down or put it in their phone. They can look at the reason(s) when they feel the urge to vape.

Pick a day to stop vaping. They can put it on the calendar and tell supportive friends and family that they're quitting on that day.

For some people, chewing sugar-free gum or lollipops can help distract them from cravings.

Get rid of all vaping supplies.

Download tools (such as apps and texting programs) to their phone that can help with cravings and give encouragement while they're trying to stop vaping. Truth Initiative's This Is Quitting texting program, for example, can help young people quit vaping. Smokefree.gov also offers free apps and other tools that can help someone trying to quit smoking or vaping.

Understand withdrawal. Nicotine addiction leads to very strong cravings for nicotine, especially in the first few days after stopping. It also can lead to headaches; feeling tired, cranky, angry, or depressed; trouble concentrating or sleeping; hunger; and restlessness. These problems get better over the following days and weeks.

What Else Should I Know?

Lend your support as your teen tries to quit. Set a good example by taking care of your own health. Make your house smoke-free and vape-free. If you smoke or vape, make the commitment to quit. Keep all vaping supplies and refill materials in child-resistant packaging out of the reach of children. Nicotine exposure can poison and even kill a child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
E-cigarettes (or "vape pens") heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor, which is inhaled. The liquid (called e-liquid or "vape juice") can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. Here are the facts on vaping.

# data[].attributes.body
In this article, The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has released a new study showing a link between high rates of stimulant therapy for ADHD in schools and an increased likelihood of prescription stimulant misuse among teenagers. The study found that schools with higher rates of stimulant therapy had a 30% higher prevalence of prescription stimulant misuse among students. This highlights the need for proper prescribing and monitoring of stimulant medication and increased education for parents and students about the risks of prescription drug misuse. The study also suggests that alternative approaches to managing ADHD, such as behavioral therapy, may be beneficial in reducing the need for medication and lowering the risk of misuse.

This article could be used as a starting point for discussing misusing prescription drugs and how dangerous that is. It could also begin a conversation about ADHD and what tools we can use in the classroom besides prescription medication to help focus.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School prevalence of stimulant therapy for ADHD associated with higher rates of prescription stimulant misuse among teens | National Institute on Drug Abuse

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NIH study signals importance of monitoring and screening for prescription stimulant misuse in schools