This article on the mental health effects of technology usage from CNN News emphasizes the importance of not allowing children to have access to phones or social media until a certain age. Mental health has been rapidly decreasing for a long time now because of technology and social media. In the 2010s, emergency room visits for self harm for 10 to 14 year old girls nearly tripled. If left unchecked for much longer, mental illness, self-harm, and suicide contemplations/attemps will steadily increase among young boys and girls. The information in this article can be addressed in the classroom by highlighting some of the author’s suggestions. For example, teachers can decide if they want to establish a phone-free classroom and help reduce distractions. Teachers must understand this topic because of how much technology has taken over children’s lives. Children used to have play based childhoods, but as that has quickly faded, children have access to technology and social media more than ever. Mental health will continue to significantly decrease in young boys and girls, unless more cautions are put in place.

This article on grief from NPR illustrates how National Siblings Day was formed out of love and loss. Claudia Evart created the holiday that has taken over social media feeds. Both of Evart’s siblings died at young ages in separate accidents. She explains how they were her best friends and biggest supporters. In losing them she explains the immense grief, “it’s a very hard thing to lose your siblings. The void is just so intense” National Siblings Day falls on April 10th because this is the birthday of Evart’s late sister. The day is to honor the memories of her siblings and spread recognition of the special bond between siblings. The information in this article can be addressed in the classroom to help students who may have also experienced the loss of a family member. While the grief is heavy, the article encourages people to remember the wonderful memories they had with their siblings. Understanding grief and loss is essential for teachers to know because children could be working through these profound emotions. If teachers are aware of how much death can affect their students, they will ensure that their students are okay and receiving the help they need to process the emotions of losing a loved one.

This article on smoking from NIH highlights how smoking cannabis leads to increased heart attack and stroke risks. Scientists have known for a while that smoking tobacco is linked to heart disease but more recent evidence suggests that smoking cannabis is another likely risk. Endocannabinoid receptors, which are the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are widespread in the body’s cardiovascular tissues and might facilitate heart risks. This article topic can be addressed in the elementary school classroom because at a young age, children should be aware of what smoking tobacco or cannabis can do to their body. Teachers can help children learn about this topic by sharing videos and discussing current news articles that demonstrate the long term effects smoking has on the body.

This article on gender-affirming medical care from NBC News illustrates how Texas is a state that has enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the Seattle hospital to “produce records identifying medication given to children who live in Texas; the number of Texas children who received treatment; and documents that identified the “standard protocol or guidance” used for treatment.” Even though the following surgical procedures are rarely performed on children, the Texas law prevents transgender minors from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers, and transition surgeries. As a result of the law, there is a recent wave of legislation in Democratic-led states intended to give refuge to those seeking gender-affirming treatment. The information in this article pertains to teaching health to elementary students because even at a young age, children are still figuring out who they are and could be navigating their sexual identity. Teachers must understand this topic because if they have any students who are transgender or who are still figuring out their identity, these students will need a support system. Ultimately, transgender youth need to feel valued, seen, and respected in school.

This article on food safety from PBS News provides information on the bird flu outbreak but puts worries at ease after explaining the U.S. food supply remains safe and stable. Over the last few years the virus has been detected in a variety of mammals. However, this is the first time the virus has been found in cattle and as a result, “at least 17 states have restricted imports of dairy cattle from states where the virus has been detected.” U.S. egg producers are monitoring the situation closely but the FDA emphasizes that due to federal inspections and other safeguards, the risk of affected eggs ending up in the retail market or causing illness/infection in humans is low. This article pertains to teaching health to elementary students because illustrating the importance of healthy eating and understanding where food comes from is vital. If elementary students learn to take the time to check labels or inspect food before they eat something, this could help them avoid eating something bad or rotten. Teachers have to be aware of this topic in case they bring in a treat for their students or parents want to bring in food for their child’s birthday. In addition, food safety is essential for teachers to be aware of especially if they have students with allergies.

This article on preventing illness/disease from ABC News illustrates how poorer countries can now contain epidemics using an updated cholera vaccine and thus improve health and wellness in their communities. Cholera is a disease mostly seen in areas that have poor sanitation and lack access to clean water. An improved vaccine benefits personal health and wellness because the amount of doses available in the global vaccine stockpile will increase and people will be treated. The article information may be addressed in the classroom by having children recognize the privilege they have of easy access to new vaccines that help keep them healthy. Teachers can help children learn about this topic by sharing more current news events of how vaccinations and medicine help maintain wellness and prevent illness.

This article on physical activity from NPR News explains how the timing of workouts can affect both health and athletic performance. Exercise can help keep your body’s circadian rhythms in sync and consistent timing of exercise holds several health benefits. Physical activity can help keep a body synchronized and lined up with its sleep-wake cycle. Every cell in our body has a circadian clock so exercising at about the same time can help keep all of the biological clocks in tune. Circadian disruption or misalignment can wreak havoc on blood sugar, insulin, and is associated with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and psychiatric illness. Learning how to keep circadian rhythms in check will improve an individual’s health and exercise benefits. The information in this article may be addressed in the classroom by encouraging young students to get enough exercise at consistent times during the day. Teachers can help children learn about this topic by introducing studies that explain what exercising at certain times does to the circadian rhythms and allowing students time to exercise or run around at recess during those specific times.

This article on alcohol consumption from ScienceDaily illustrates findings on connections between genetic factors influencing alcohol consumption and their relationship with other disorders. Researchers looked at a prevalent allele that is a variant of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) DNA. The allele variations affect how the body metabolizes ethanol, which is the addictive chemical in alcoholic beverages. Individuals with alcohol protective alleles had worse health outcomes such as more emotional eating, increased lifetime tobacco use, more malaria, and several other types of cancers. People who have this allele variant are more susceptible to negative effects because the “SNP convert ethanol to acetaldehyde very rapidly.” This information pertains to teaching health to elementary students because it is essential for children to understand the negative effects of alcohol consumption. Teachers must understand this topic because alcohol consumption can lead to other disorders and affect a child’s home life. If a teacher has a student whose parents heavily consume alcohol, it is essential for teachers to recognize the harmful environment students could be living through.