all about kids 2012

All about

KidsKidsMarch 2012

A Special Publication of the I-75 Newspaper GroupTroy Daily New • Piqua Daily Call • Sidney Daily News

ALL ABOUT KIDS I-75 Newspaper Group March 2012

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BY LOLA E. BILLIELOhio Community Media

Early exposure to readinghas been proven to give kids ahead start in life that often pro-pels them through to success asadults. And what better way tohelp children discover the joy ofreading than to read aloud tothem?

Area children’s librariansagree that reading to children,even to infants, has many bene-ficial effects. Bonnie Banks ofAmos Memorial Library inSidney, Nancy Spillane of thePiqua Public Library and NancyHargrove of the Miami CountyPublic Library in Troy say theearlier parents begin reading totheir children, the better.

They note that a child’s read-ing skills are important to suc-cess in school and work. Thekey is to make reading fun forchildren, as it opens doors to allkinds of new worlds.The librari-ans report that parents can notonly play a critical role in help-ing their children develop theability to read, but also foster anenjoyment of reading.

Ohio Community Media Photo/Luke Gronneberg

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The earlier the better: Read to your child

See READING/Page 3


Amos Memorial Libraryencourages new parents, upon thebirth of their children at WilsonMemorial Public Hospital, byproviding each with a “Born toRead” tote bag containing infor-mation on how to read to a child;keys rings; a cup with the inscrip-tion, “Daddies read to babiestoo;” a board book and a couponfor a free book.

Banks advised that reading toone’s offspring promotes bondingbetween parent and child with thebook being the vehicle. Sheadded that children need expo-sure to language and readingaloud provides the opportunity toenhance their language skills.

Amos Memorial Library has avariety of programs for children atall stages of development, includ-ing “Babies, Books and Blocks”for those 12 months to 3 years;“Mother Goose,” for little onesup to 24 months; “Tales for Two,”for 2 to 3 1/2 year olds, and“Preschool,” for those age 3 1/2 tokindergarten. An “easy reader”bookshelf is also available. Alsooffered are “Family Fun Night” for4-year-olds up to second gradersand a program Thursdays for chil-dren in grades 3-6.There is also apopular summer reading pro-gram.

Banks said parents and thelibrary “plant the seed for love ofreading” and that in turn provideschildren the opportunity toexpress feelings and gain newexperiences. She stresses thatparents can never start theprocess too early.

Spillane encourages parents toask questions in their quest forthe right books for their child.The Piqua library also encouragesearly readers, but Spillane notesthat a parent should read at thelevel of their child’s attentionspan. She also suggests usingboard books with bright colorsand one or two words for the veryyoung. She said it is important toread daily with children, but asthey get older let them helpchoose the book.

The Piqua library also has asummer reading program.Spillane also visits local nurseryschools once a month to read tochildren. She often uses puppetsto encourage nursery school chil-dren to read.

Hargrove also feels stronglyabout the benefits to reading tochildren, noting it opens up theworld to them and helps them dobetter in school. The Troy libraryoffers various programs including“Baby and Me Laptime,” “Toddlerand Me Storytime,” “PreschoolStory” and a Saturday family pro-gram. They utilize books, songs,puppets, fingerplays and crafts tomake the experience both fun andeducational. Hargrove says that allprograms strive to make childreninto lifelong readers and libraryusers.

Mary Vernau, co-owner of Jayand Mary’s Bookstore in Troy,notes the store has an extensivechildren’s section featuring bothbooks and educational toys. Storepersonnel are willing to help peo-ple make a selection. She alsolectures to parent groups onbooks for children and the impor-tance of reading to them.

Among families that takereading to children seriously areHeather and Joseph Chrisman ofSidney. Mrs. Chrisman says sheand her husband feel that readingto their youngsters enhancestheir vocabulary. She discoveredthat initially it may appear to be achore for the parent, but as timeprogresses you realize you are

creating a reader. She feels it isimportant to visit the local libraryand to always be a role model forone’s children by reading. One ofthe Chrisman parents reads totheir children each day withmaterial ranging from Cliffordand Arthur books to the scrip-tures.

Educators have discovered

that children who have been readto daily do substantially better inkindergarten than those whoseparents read occasionally or notat all. They urge parents to makea commitment to read aloud daily,to read slowly with expression andfollow the words with your fin-gers. They also suggest parentspoint to pictures and say thenames of objects and colors, havea child help turn the pages andtake time to answer questions. Itis recommended parents read avariety of books - old favorites aswell as new ones.

They also stress the value ofmodeling by parents - let a childsee you read, whether it’s books,newspapers or even signs. Thekey is that parents can play a crit-ical role in helping their childrendevelop not only the ability toread, but also an enjoyment of thepractice.

READING From Page 2

Quick tips for reading success� Take books everywhere (the car, bus, doctor’s office), and

make the most of every minute.� Read everyday items aloud: food labels, maps, menus,

cereal boxes, road signs, catalogs, and newspapers.� Ask your local librarian to help you find books that meet

your child’s interests and needs.� Set up a home library. A few books on a special shelf is

a great start. And it doesn’t have to be expensive� Used book stores, yard sales, and flea markets sell books

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DDooiinngg ssoommeetthhiinngg ‘‘eexxttrraa’’Busy students = better academic performance

BY DAVID FONGOhio Community Media

[email protected]

That there is a direct correla-tion between student participa-tion in extracurricular activitiesand students’ academic per-formance comes as no surpriseto Dr. Peter Titlebaum,Associate Professor of Healthand Sports Science at theUniversity of Dayton.

“Kids who get involved inextracurricular activities learnmore time management skills,”Titlebaum said. “It’s kind of likethat old saying, ‘If you wantsomething done, give it tosomeone who is busy.’ Throughtheir extracurricular activities,kids have learned how to budg-et their time and get thingsdone.”

A recent study by CaliforniaState University, Sacramento,backs up Titlebaum’s claim. In astudy of college freshmen from2002 to 2007, the study foundthose who chose to participatein extracurrcicular activitieshad, on averge, higher gradepoint averages than those whodid not.

Not only do students who par-ticipate in extracurricular activi-ties learn better time managementskills, Titlebaum said, they alsotend to work better in team situa-tions - which pays off both in the

classroom and when the studentsgraduate and look to becomemembers of the work force.

“Obviously in extracurricularactivities, you are put into situ-ations you wouldn’t normallyput yourself in,” he said. “Youare forced to work with peoplefrom different backgrounds totry to achieve a common goal.It’s the same thing once youenter the work force. Peoplewho work together may not nec-essarily like one another, butstill have deadlines and stillhave to get projects out ontime.”

To prove his point, everysemester Titlebaum asks hisstudents if they would rather be“the best player on the worstteam in the league or the worstplayer on the best team in the

league.” He said the class isalmost always evenly splitbetween the two choices.Ultimately, Titlebaum said, heinforms his students a prospec-tive employer is far more likelyto hire someone from the lattergroup.

“It’s important to employersto find someone who is willingto sacrifice for the team.”

Finally, Titlebaum said, thereis another reason - perhaps themost obvious of all - why chil-dren who participate inextracurricular activities tend tobecome successful adults.

“They have less time to getinto trouble,” he said. “If theyare involved in extracurricularactivities, they are less likely tobe out doing things theyshouldn’t.”

Ohio Community Media File Photo/anthony Weber

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WWhheenn tthhee ddiinnnneerr bbeellll rriinnggssTips for dealing with a picky eaterBY JENNIFER RUNYONOhio Community Media

Meal times with young chil-dren can be trying for parentsespecially if the children aroundyour table are picky eaters.Marisa VanSchuyver, pediatricdietitian at Dayton’s Children’sHospital, offers many tips tokeep children eating healthy.

QQUUEESSTTIIOONN:: It can be scarywhen your child doesn’t eat. Ingeneral, do parents need toworry when their child refusesto eat?

VVAANNSSCCHHUUYYVVEERR:: Yes, whenyour child refuses to eat, it canbe scary. Children often choosefood battles to show their inde-pendence. Allow your childindependence within a safeenvironment that you can toler-ate. For example, offer yourchild a choice of two or threeoptions from each food group,all of which you would beacceptable to you. Most chil-dren will not refuse to eat oftenwhen given a choice of healthyoptions and a relaxed, calmatmosphere. Our job as parentsis to set the schedule and offerhealthy foods at each meal andsnack. Our child’s job is tochoose whether or not to eat.We want our children to honortheir hunger and eat when theyare hungry, and we have tohonor their ability to determinetheir hunger. Generally, childrenwill not refuse to eat in thesecircumstances for more than ameal or two and we can stopworrying most of the time. Foodjags and picky eating can be anormal part of your child’sbehavior. Most of these behav-iors will end on their own if par-ents are patient and supportive.If these behaviors last morethan a month, or if your child

has specific behaviors that areconcerning, consult your doctoror dietitian for help. For pedi-atric nutrition concerns, talk tothe dietitians at DaytonChildren’s.

QQUUEESSTTIIOONN:: What is the mostcommon problem you see withchildren’s diets and how do yourecommend this is corrected?

VVAANNSSCCHHUUYYVVEERR:: The goal forour children is to provide a widevariety of foods including fruitsand vegetables, whole grains,dairy and lean meats. Mostcommonly, children are limitedin variety and food choices.Children commonly prefer cer-tain foods and parents mistak-enly assume they do not likeother foods. Then, we don’t givethat food or food group andassume they do not like it forev-er. It may take more than 10times of offering a new food fora child to accept it. This may bedue to the new textures or fla-vors or a new environment forintroduction. If we continue toprovide a variety of foods fromall food groups at each meal, wehave a better chance of our chil-dren accepting more foods andreceiving all the important nour-ishment needed. Start with pro-viding something different with-in their accepted foods everyday. If they ate cereal yesterday,serve eggs for breakfast today.Teach your child to expect vari-ety within the foods they nor-

mally eat. Then when you startintroducing new foods they willmore accepting. When intro-ducing new foods and flavors,involve your child in foodpreparations, present foods in afun, playful ways and offer on aregular basis. Encourage your

child to try the new foods, butdon’t push if he or she refuses.Do not punish your child, butencourage your child’s goodbehaviors and be consistent byproviding fruits and vegetablesoften.”

See PICKY/Page 6

QQUUEESSTTIIOONN:: Do you recom-mend any kind of supple-ments?

VVAANNSSCCHHUUYYVVEERR:: If your childis provided a wide variety offoods including fruits, vegeta-bles, whole grains, dairy andlean meats then there needsare being met and they do notrequire a supplement.Supplements can be useful ifthere is a specific need that isnot being met in the diet oryour child has specific nutrientneeds. Follow your doctor’srecommendation for supple-mentation of specific nutri-ents. In general, breastfedbabies should take 400IU ofvitamin D until they are transi-tioned to milk or milk substi-tute. Formula fed babies arereceiving all they need withtheir formula. After one year ofage, your pediatrician may rec-

ommend a multi-vitamin withno more than 100 percent RDAfor age of the individual.”

QQUUEESSTTIIOONN:: Is it true that achild’s stomach is only has big


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as his/her fist?VVAANNSSCCHHUUYYVVEERR:: Children’s

tummies are small and theyrequire frequent meals andsnacks to meet their needs. Tryto offer your child foods every2-3 hours when they are tod-dlers and transition to fewersnacks as they get older.Monitor intake of juice or milkbetween meals so they are hun-gry at meal/snack times. Anaverage of 24 ounce of milk perday is recommended and nomore than 4 ounces of 100 per-cent fruit juice if desired. Sincechildren have small tummies, besure that healthy foods are themajority of their diet to meettheir needs and that they are notfilling up on unnecessary items.

QQUUEESSTTIIOONN:: Do you recom-mend eating on a pretty regu-lar schedule, i.e. serving mealsand snacks at about the sametime everyday or just lettingkids eat when they’re hungry?How many meals/snacks doyou recommend?

VVAANNSSCCHHUUYYVVEERR:: For toddlers,you should provide an oppor-tunity to eat every two to threehours. This may be threesnacks and three meals eachday. Your job as a parent is toprovide the healthy food atconsistent times, and yourchild will decide if they want toeat at these opportunities. For

each meal provide healthyoptions from each food group,and provide at least two foodgroups at each snack. Then,when your child only takes afew bites, it is less concerningbecause they will take a fewbites of healthy foods at thenext meal or snack.

QQUUEESSTTIIOONN:: Should parentsoffer different foods if thechild doesn’t like what isoffered?

VVAANNSSCCHHUUYYVVEERR:: Parents thatprovided a variety of healthyfoods at each meal or snackshould not have to prepare adifferent food when the childrequests something else. Offeryour child a choice of two orthree things you would be sat-isfied with providing and stickwith the choice they make.Teach your child to beaccountable for their choicesand to accept a variety offoods. If your child is eating avariety at snack and meal timesthat makes each meal lessimportant because you knowthey have other meal or snacksto meet their needs. As par-ents, your goal is to providehealthy meals and snacksthroughout the day. Your childmay eat a great breakfast, andpick at dinner. It is normal forfood intake to vary from day today.

Ohio Community Media Photo/Jennifer Runyon

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Playing a sport is a greatway for children to findfriends who stick by themthrough the good and the badtimes. Unfortunately, formany young athletes, the badtimes come more often thanthey should.Nearly 2,000 children werebrought to the Soin PediatricTrauma and Emergency Cen-ter at The Children’s MedicalCenter of Dayton in 2010 withsports-related injuries. Morethan 90 percent of childrentreated for sports injuries areolder than age 9. These in-juries are typically preventa-ble if the proper precautionsare taken. Preventing injuryat an early age sets a child upfor a healthy, injury-free fu-ture – both on and off thefield.

Keys to avoidinginjuries

“In addition to traumaticsports injuries, I often seeyoung athletes in my officewith overuse injuries affect-ing the feet, knees, and spine,”says Craig Shank, MD, ortho-pedic surgeon at Dayton Chil-dren’s. “Many of these injuriescould be prevented by properstretching of the Achilles andhamstring tendons.”Young athletes must al-

ways prepare for playing asport. Preparation should in-clude:• Warm-ups such as a fiveminute jog• Stretching the major mus-cle groups of the body, payingclose attention to hamstringsand heel chords• Cooling down• Properly hydrating thebody by drinking water be-fore, during and after playingWearing the appropriate

gear for practices as well asgames is also a key in preven-tion. Make sure equipment isthe right size for your child.Equipment cannot protectyour child if it is too big or too

small.Common safety gearContact Sports (Soccer, foot-

ball, hockey, basketball, etc.)• Properly adjusted helmet(when applicable)• Mouth guards• Appropriate sized pads orshin guards• Remove all jewelry• Properly tied shoesIndividual Sports (Skate-

boarding, rollerblading, etc.)• Properly adjusted helmet• Mouth guard• Body pads• Knee pads• Wrist guards• Properly tied shoesNot all injuries occur in big

collisions or in highlight-reeltackles. Many of injuries arethe result of a lack of properequipment and protectivegear that doesn’t fit.

ConcussionsThe American Academy of Pe-diatrics found concussionrates appeared to have morethan doubled among studentsparticipating in commonsports including basketball,soccer and football from 1997to 2007 even as participationin those sports declined.Coaches, parents and ath-

letes should pay special at-tention to the signs andsymptoms of concussions toproperly address these seri-ous injuries.If you notice a player withsome of the symptoms below,be sure to remove them fromthe field and do NOT let themreturn until they have seen adoctor.Symptoms include:

• Bad headache• Dizziness• Confusion• Fatigue• Blurred vision• Nausea and vomiting• Shows mood or behaviorchanges“Concussions can be

avoided and the severity of

head trauma greatly reducedwhen protective headgear isworn correctly and rules arefollowed. But more impor-tantly, players should not beallowed back to playing untilthey have seen a doctor.” Lau-rence Kleiner, MD, is directorof the department of neuro-surgery at Dayton Children’s.

Rules:Why are there rules?

Regardless of the sport yourchild is playing, there arerules that govern every aspectof the game. Those rules arenot in place to stop the gamefrom being fun. They’re inplace to protect everyoneplaying the game.For example, a late hit in

football results in a hugepenalty. Why? Because theplayer getting hit didn’t ex-pect another player to hit himunprotected. In baseball andsoftball, a player sliding intosecond base with his or hercleats up is ejected. Why? Be-cause it is dangerous andcould lead to injury. With soc-cer, the referee blows his orher whistle when an opposingplayer tries to kick a ball nearanother player’s head. Why?

To protect both players in-volved. Rules are in place toprotect the players; encourageyour child to follow them!Being a positive role model

for your child early in theirlife will make them morelikely to follow safe habits asthey get older.

AboutDayton Children’s:

The Children’s MedicalCenter of Dayton is the re-gion’s only medical facilitydedicated to children. Consis-tently recognized as one of thecountry’s best pediatric hospi-tals, Dayton Children’s pro-vides medical treatment,advice and information forchildren and families from 20Ohio counties and eastern In-diana.Dayton Children’s accredi-

tation by the Joint Commis-sion on Accreditation ofHealthcare Organizations en-sures the regions’ infants,children and teens receive ex-cellent pediatric care. Formore children’s health andsafety information, visit ourweb site at www.childrens-dayton.org.

Nobody wins if somebody gets hurtDayton Children’s give tips for Sports Safety


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SShhooww uuss yyoouurr ppeeaarrllyy wwhhiittee tteeeetthhHow to keep your child’s smile healthy

BY LAURA WILLISOhio Community Media

Children should begin vis-iting the dentist regularly atage two — and just like every-one else, they should beenseen twice a year to startkeeping those smiles healthy.

“Going to the dentist willhelp your child get used to theenvironment,” said KellyStaudt, dental hygienist atMidwest Dental in Sidney. “Wehelp by giving the childrenrides in the chairs. We willhave the parent get their teethcleaned in front of the child toshow that this is something

everyone does and it’s notsomething to be afraid of.”

Bennett Cromes, 2, wasscared during his recent firstvisit to the dentist.

“He was asking to gohome,” said mom TashinaCromes. Cromes said that theirfamily dentist was prepared tohelp her toddler during his firstvisit, noting that the dentaloffice’s toys and cartoons werepart of what made Bennett’strip more comforting.

“He was able to hold a toytortoise that they gave him,”she said. “There were cartoonson, which really helped himout.”

Photo provided

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Staudt, who has been adental hygienist for 30 years,explained that often the dentalstaff will play games with thechildren to make them feelcomfortable.

“We will count their teeth,and make a game out of it,”she said. “We’ll ask them ifthey know how many teeththey have and see if they havemore or less.”

At the first visit, parentsshould expect X-rays, a gentleexam, a cleaning to removeplaque, tartar, build-up or stainsand some tips from the dentist.

Dr. Julie Jones, DDS, is aspecialist for children’s den-tistry. Jones, who has workedat Excellence in Dentistry,Bentley, Stevens and Jones inTroy since 2010, believes thatprevention is key when itcomes to oral health.

“Prevention is key,” shesaid. “Limit snacks and intakeof juices, pop and sugar.Brushing, flossing and regularcheckups all help preventproblems.”

Both Jones and Staudt rec-ommended that toddlers brush

See DENTIST/Page 11


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at least twice daily.“Use a pea-sized amount of

toothpaste,” Staudt said. “Thiswill be enough to clean theirteeth, and the pea-size amountwill limit the amount theymight swallow. Make sureit becomes a daily rou-tine.”

Staudt alsorecommendsthat “chil-d r e ns h o u l dbrush for2 minutesusing a peasize amountof tooth-paste. I encour-age the child toclean all areas thefronts, tops, andbacks of the teeth.Timers can be helpful.In-between the teeth isbest cleaned by flossingand is best started aroundage 2 or when the child hastheir back teeth.”

As a mother, Cromes helpsBennett in his daily routine bygiving him time to learn tobrush his teeth.

“We let him brush his ownteeth first. He rinses them out.We then go through the hardpart and help him with thebrushing to make sure every-thing is clean,” she said. “Then

we let him brush again to feellike he’s included.”

Cromes said that Bennettgets excited about brushinghis teeth and that his tooth-brush is kept at a level he canreach, and he will often

bring his toothbrush tohis parents and ask

for help brush-ing.

Ano t h e rkey for par-ents ofy o u n gc h i l -dren isto stay

p o s i t i v eabout oralhea l t hca re ,which will

help youngchildren want to

take care of theirteeth.

“Talking about thedentist in a positivelight will help your

child see it is a fun expe-rience. Avoid sharing any neg-ative stories or thoughts asthis can influence your childand make them nervous,” Jonessaid.

“Just be patient,” Cromessaid. “The whole experiencefor them is new, but it willhelp them to know what toexpect.”

DENTIST From Page 10 5 Tips to prepare for yourchild’s first visit to the dentist11.. SSttaarrtt eeaarrllyyThe earlier your child sees the dentist, the better. This visit

won’t be too long; think of it as a chance for your child to getto know the dentist and the dentist’s office. It’s also a greatchance for you to ask the dentist any questions you might haveabout dental care for your little one’s baby teeth, including tipsfor brushing and flossing and ways you can prevent cavities.

22.. RReeaadd aanndd rroollee--ppllaayyMany favorite children’s characters are featured in books

about going to the dentist. Reading with your child gives you achance to talk about why visiting the dentist is important. It alsohelps your child become familiar with the dentist and what toexpect during a dental checkup. Role-playing a visit to the den-tist can be fun for kids. You can begin by asking your child to“open wide,” then count his or her teeth. Then let your childpretend to be the dentist while you play patient.

33.. LLeett yyoouurr cchhiilldd ttaagg aalloonngg dduurriinngg yyoouurr vviissiittTaking your child along during your routine dental checkup

will give your little one a chance to become familiar with thedentist office environment. (Check with your dentist to makesure it’s okay first.) The goal is for your child to see that there’snothing scary about going to the dentist.

44.. CCoonnssiiddeerr aa ssppeecciiaalliissttA pediatric dentist undergoes additional training in the den-

tal needs of young patients. Pediatric dental offices tend to bevery kid-friendly, often with waiting rooms full of toys, booksand other things that will interest kids. A dentist who treatschildren should know how to cope with any initial fears and putyour child at ease. A “kid dentist” may be especially helpful ifyour child is shy, anxious or has special needs.

55.. KKeeeepp yyoouurr ffeeaarrss ttoo yyoouurrsseellffIf you’ve got dental anxiety, your child will pick up on that

and be fearful, too. Avoid negative words when you’re talkingabout the dentist and never suggest that anything will bepainful. And don’t share any negative experiences you mighthave had with the dentist with your child. The goal is for yourchild to look forward to seeing the dentist every six months, notdread it.


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Why we teach what we teach at The Nook Studio!Yes, we have drawing lessons. Drawing is an essential tool to becoming a better artist. However, youmay notice that many of our classes focus on creativity. We believe it is vital that children learn to de-velop their own ideas and put those ideas into action. More important than teaching art is encour-aging self-esteem, self discovery, problem solving, andcreative thinking. We also introduce famous artist tochildren so they will gain art appreciation and experi-ence a wide range of artistic techniques.

Group Art Classes:ages pre-k through 8th grade

ContactSarah Barr (937)726-6125

These classes can be tailored to theinterests of your group and scheduled

for your convenience!$15 per person, group limit 8

Individual Art Lessons:ages pre-K through adult

ContactMaureen O’Keefe (937)638-6423

Classes are tailored to your skill leveland interest, call to register

Pre-K through 5th grade - $15 per hour6th grade through adult - $20 per hour

The NookFine Art Studio

107 E. Court St., Sidney

WWeeiigghhtt ggaaiinn iinn cchhiillddrreennWhat’s normal and what’s not?

COURTESY OF UPPERVALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Ben was a chubby baby;some might even say “fat.” Bythe age of one, he had lostnearly all of his baby fat, andtoday he is a tall, lean adoles-cent — a power forward onhis high school basketballteam.Doctors in the past fre-

quently had to tell parents notto worry about the baby fat;children grow and change.Today, however, as childhoodobesity has become a nationalproblem, such advice is not sofreely given.The percentage of children

and adolescents classified asoverweight has become anational health concern in theUnited States. In recommend-ing action, the American HeartAssociation (AHA) points outthat “overweight children aremore likely to be overweightadults.Successfully preventing or

treating overweight in child-hood may reduce the risk ofadult overweight” which, inturn, should lower the risk of

heart disease, diabetes andother chronic illnesses.Growing children need

food, and a certain amount offat in the diet is necessary forproper development of the

brain and central nervous sys-tem. Children vary in terms ofbody types as well as appetite,so it’s not always so easy totell when a child is gaining toomuch weight.It is important to schedule

regular well child checkups soyour pediatrician or familypractitioner can keep youinformed about how your childis doing. Body mass index(BMI) is plotted on growthcharts using percentile lines.Overweight is officiallydefined as a BMI-for-agebetween the 85th and 94thpercentiles; obesity is a BMI-for-age in the 95th percentileor above.Abnormally rapid weight

gain — even as early as sixmonths of age — may be

cause for concern. Accordingto one study, children whogained more weight (relativeto their height) than otherchildren at six months of agehad more risk factors for dia-betes, insulin resistance andhigh cholesterol as early asage four. [American Journal ofClinical Nutrition, October,2009]TTVV,, ffrriieess aanndd vviiddeeoo ggaammeessAlthough genetics may

enter into the picture, mostchildren are at risk of becom-ing overweight (1) whenthey’re sedentary — spendinga good part of their time at thecomputer or in front of the tel-evision set — and (2) whenthey load up often on fastfoods, baked goods, vendingmachine snacks and softdrinks. Some youth, likeadults, overeat to cope withemotional problems, stress orboredom.Even during childhood,

abnormal weight gain can con-tribute to health concernssuch as diabetes and asthma.And overweight children havean elevated risk of developingthese and other health prob-lems in early adulthood. Inaddition, there can be socialand emotional complications— low self esteem, behaviorand learning problems, socialwithdrawal and depression.Restrictive diets for kids

are not generally advised.However, it is recommend thatparent pay attention to preventweight gain above what isappropriate for expectedincreases in height throughsmall but permanent changesin eating habits and physicalactivity.

Photo provided

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See WEIGHT/Page 13


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Arguing with kids aboutwhat they eat or making cer-tain food off-limits is nearlyalways counter productive. Itis much better to be positiveby setting up healthy eatingand exercise patters for theentire family, such as:

MMOORREE MMEEAALLSS AATT HHOOMMEE::With time at a premium, manyAmerican families are relyingmore and more on outsidesources for their meals —restaurants, fast food estab-lishments, carry out countersat the grocery store or deli.Resist the temptation.Restaurant meals and takeaway foods are generally high-er in fat, sodium and caloriesthan those prepared at home.The family meal at home is animportant way of stayingtogether as a family. Sit downat the table — not in front ofthe TV — and share informa-tion, ideas and stories.

BBUUYY HHEEAALLTTHHYY SSNNAACCKKSS::You can’t control what yourchild buys from vendingmachines at school, but youcan control what kinds ofsnacks are available in yourhome. Avoid the chips andother highly processed snackfoods. Stock up on fruits, veg-etables, yogurt and wholegrain snacks.

CCUUTT BBAACCKK OONN SSWWEEEETT--EENNEEDD BBEEVVEERRAAGGEESS:: Thenational epidemic of obesityhas coincided with increasedconsumption of soft drinks.Sodas are empty calories thatgo down so easily. Even sweet-ened fruit drinks are decep-tively high in calories. Limityour purchases of all sweet-ened beverages.

BBEE AA GGOOOODD RROOLLEEMMOODDEELL:: You can’t expect yourchildren to eat healthy snacksif you go around the housesipping on a cola or nibblingon chips.

EENNCCOOUURRAAGGEE PPHHYYSSIICCAALLAACCTTIIVVIITTYY:: Being a good rolemodel is also important. If you

spend most of your leisuretime in front of the TV, youcan’t expect much differentbehavior from your kids. Don’tthink just in terms of struc-tured exercise or organizedsports. Hide and seek, tag,jump rope and outdoor waterplay are all good ways of burn-ing calories and building fit-ness. Find out what your childlikes to do — whether it’sbowling, skating, hiking orplaying catch — and spendsome quality time together. Ifyour child likes to read, great;walk to the library to choosesome books.

Experts recommend main-taining a positive attitude asopposed to simply denyingcertain foods or engaging infood-related power struggles.

Don’t use foods or exercisefor either punishment orreward.

For most children, particu-larly those under age sevenwith no health problems, it isnot a matter of losing weightas much as preventing abnor-mal weight gain. And evenwhen weight loss is recom-mended, it should be gradual.

There is no question thatchildhood obesity is a majorhealth problem. But in mostcases, it can be managed withsmall but permanent stepstoward establishing healthiereating and physical activitypatterns.

This information is provid-ed by the health care profes-sionals of Upper ValleyMedical Center. It is intendedfor educational purposes andshould not be used as a sub-stitute for the care of a physi-cian. Please contact your doc-tor for specific advice and/ortreatment of health condi-tions. Or if you need a newdoctor, call CareFinders freephysician referral service at(866) 608-3463. For addition-al health-related information,log on to UVMC.com.

EXERCISE From Page 12 SSlleeeepp ttiippss ffoorr cchhiillddrreenn(StatePoint) — Sleep is vital for

children’s overall health and devel-opment. That’s why it’s importantthat children develop good sleephabits, right from the start.

“Parents of infants need to knowhow to help their baby safely fallasleep,” says Robert W. Block, MD,FAAP, of the American Academy ofPediatrics (AAP). “And older chil-dren will benefit from an environ-ment that helps them get enoughsleep.”

Here are some tips for safe andadequate sleep from the experts atthe AAP:

SSaaffeerr sslleeeeppBabies up to 1 year of age

should always be placed on theirbacks on a firm surface to sleep.This will reduce the risk of SuddenInfant Death Syndrome, or SIDS,which is the leading cause of deathin the United States for babiesbetween 1 month and 1 year old.

“While we don’t know whatcauses SIDS, we have learned howparents can dramatically lower therisks,” says Dr. Block.

Make sure the crib, bassinet orplay yard meets current safety stan-dards and hasn’t been recalled. Andmake sure to keep all objects --including soft toys, blankets andcrib bumpers -- out of the crib, asthey can increase the risk of suffo-cation or strangulation. Considerusing a sleeper instead blankets,and make sure the baby’s headremains uncovered.

The crib can be in the sameroom as you sleep, but do not placethe baby in the same bed as you.Also, keep the baby away fromsmoke and smokers.

WWaarrmm,, nnoott hhoottKeep the room where your baby

sleeps at a comfortable tempera-ture. In general, dress your baby inno more than one extra layer thanyou would wear. Your baby may betoo hot if she is sweating or if herchest feels hot.

You may offer a pacifier, whichcan help reduce the risk of SIDS.However, other products likewedges, positioners, special mat-tresses and specialized sleep sur-faces have not been shown toreduce the risk of SIDS. If you arebreastfeeding, wait until breastfeed-ing is going well before offering a

pacifier, usually around 3 to 4weeks.

Children should be taken out ofa crib by the time they are 35 inch-es tall.

EEssttaabblliisshh rroouuttiinneessIf your child or teen seems to be

having trouble sleeping, try alteringthe environment or establishing aroutine. For example, see if yourchild sleeps better in a dark roomor with a night light. Do not allow aTV in your child’s bedroom, andmake sure he or she doesn’t watchor read anything upsetting or scarywithin two hours of bedtime.Instead, a bath, warm drink or storytime will help a child unwind.

For more tips to help youryoung one get a good night’s sleep,visit the AAP’s website for parents,www.healthychildren.org .

If sleeping problems persist,consult your pediatrician. Evensleepers with the toughest prob-lems can learn good habits.


AArrttss eennhhaannccee lleeaarrnniinnggLullabies, finger painting, puppets stimulate children

BY LOLA E. BILLIELOhio Community Media

Child behavioral expertsreport that appropriate artsexperiences can greatly influ-ence a child’s development.The arts play a central role indeveloping motor language,social-emotional developmentand cognitive skills. From ababy’s first encounter withlullabies, to a toddler’s exper-imentation with finger paintsand puppets, to a school-agechild dramatizing a story —the arts serve to engage chil-dren in learning. They also motivate young-

sters, facilitate understandingand stimulate memory,enhance communication skills,promote relationships andprovide an avenue for buildingcompetence.The Gateway Arts Council

of Sidney and The HaynerCultural Center in Troy areorganizations that offer areachildren a multitude of oppor-tunities to grow through thearts.Ellen Keyes, executive

director of Gateway Arts,notes the council offers a vari-ety of cultural activities gearedto enriching children’s experi-ences in the arts. Totally freeto children is the council’s “arttable” at the Shelby CountyApplefest celebration eachyear, at which a child can par-ticipate in a project, such ascreating apple prints. Anotherfree favorite is the annual KidsAround the Square festival indowntown Sidney at whichchildren are encouraged to becreative, whether in making anwork of art or working with apuppet. June brings art proj-ects to area young people in

local parks, while “MusicMatters” is a program in whichneedy students are providedinstruments for lessons or toplay in bands. Middle schooland high schoolers present aconcert as part of MusicMatters.Keyes notes that the Arts

Council also brings a touringcompany to Shelby County togive a theater presentation,such as the recent staging of“The Ugly Duckling,” withyoung people invited to an artclass beforehand. Other artsactivities for children in theSidney area are provided bythe Sidney Dance Companyand the Sock and Buskin com-

munity theater group.“The arts are a cornerstone

in a child’s education; theyteach creativity and creativitycan be translated in any field,”said Keyes.“Art doesn’t discriminate

by color, gender or age butthat is for everyone,” said KimChifton, program coordinatorat the Hayner Cultural Center.Clifton said that Hayner

works with the Troy CitySchools with the arts and cur-riculum. She notes that stud-ies show the arts stimulateother areas of development forchildren. The center offersprograms such as a classicalguitarist with a science back-

ground presenting a folk musicprogram that combines thetwo elements. Visual artsoffered provide preschoolersand older children with gener-al art and music experiences.The center also offers a

summer art day camp, thisyear with a theme ofwa te r /oceans / seas / r i ve r s .Children will create projectsrelated to the theme and therewill be a theater presentationtitled, ”ARRRR! Pirates havefeelings too.” An art exhibitfeaturing the creative works ofkindergartners through grade12 students is also sponsoredby Hayner.

Photo provided

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See ARTS/Page 15


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Another organizationencouraging the arts for chil-dren is the Shelby CountyHistorical Society. TildaPhilipot, director, said chil-dren are encouraged to createornaments for the society’sChristmas activities.

This past year severalretired teachers visited areaschools and encouraged andhelped children create orna-ments for the trees. TheChristmas open house at theHistorical Society’s museumalso encourages children toparticipate in “Christmas ofYesteryear.”

They do so by makinghandmade gifts, ornaments orgingerbread houses.

Children are are brought tothe museum to experience var-ious displays, such as one onImmigration. Children areinvolved in living historythrough Indian beading,Indian storytelling and Indianflutes. Philipot notes theHistorical Society also worksin partnership with AmosMemorial Public Library in aprogram involving highschoolers in which they readbooks about their heritage andpeople from Shelby Countywho have changed the world.Presently they are reading“Laura’s Children” and in Aprilwill meet Becky Powers, theauthor.

Dan Knepper, Botkins artteacher, feels that art educa-tion teaches good workethics. “Evening With theArts” is a popular event in theBotkins Schools where stu-dents exhibit their art worksand there are demonstrationsin dance and music apprecia-tion.

Knepper notes that BotkinsHigh School students havecreated murals for theColumbus Zoo and have alsodesigned surf boards used bythe 60s singing group, theBeach Boys. Knepper feels

ARTS From Page 14

Photo provided

CHILDREN WORK on a mural at Art in the Park in Sidney.

that schools should definitelyhave arts in their curriculumsand that is a necessary part ofeducation.

For those willing to take ashort drive south, the DaytonArt Institute also offers pro-grams and experiences forchildren, such as itsInteractive Gallery forChildren and Adults and theArt Place for Young LearnersCenter.

Miami and Shelby countiesare home to private dance stu-dios and others that offer les-sons in the arts and music.

Educators encourage par-ents to involve their childrenin writing and drawing athome and to take them tomuseums and art performanc-es.

The arts can provide both alearning and growing experi-ence which broadens the realmof possibilities for childrenand help teach them toleranceand understanding of themuch larger world. Simplystated, the arts can open manydoors for children.

Upper Valley Medical Center (UVMC) makes it easy to find the right doctor for you and your family. As part of the Premier Health Partners network, UVMC participates in the CareFinders free physician referral service.

It’s easy.One phone call to CareFinders’ toll-free number can connect you to family physicians and specialistnear your home or work. Specially trained CareFinders counselors have important information, like which physicians are accepting new patients, office hours, location, special procedures and insurances accepted. CareFinders can also provide helpful information about hospital services, free screenings, support groups, health education and more.

Call today.Just dial CareFinders toll-free at 1-866-608-FIND (3463),

or visit UVMC.com/Find a Doctor.

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