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“One night, my 3-year-old asked me if she could sleep in my bed. I told her no. She said, “That’s not fair! Why does Daddy get to sleep in your bed?” READ MORE
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FAST FACT According to the State Department, a passport for U.S. citizens traveling by air to all foreign countries, including Canada and Mexico, is required. Beginning Jan. 23, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, created to secure American borders, was put into effect. ACADEMIC DECATHLON Inland Empire schools continue excellence Riverside and San Bernardino counties recently crowned their Academic Decathlon champions, Hemet High School and Redlands High School. At press time, they were competing in Los Angeles against champions from more than 40 other counties and school districts in the California Academic Decathlon for the right to represent the state at the U.S. Academic Decathlon this month in Hawaii. Hemet High School won its ninth consecutive Riverside County Academic Decathlon this past February. Twenty-two teams from high schools across the county participated in the competition. West Valley High School of Hemet took second place and third went to Beaumont High School Blue. Redlands High School’s team achieved a school first by winning its third consecutive San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon. It won its fifth title in the past six years against teams from 10 school districts and one private school. Chaffey High School of Ontario finished second and Ontario High School took third place in the competition held at Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino. The theme of the 2007 U.S. Academic Decathlon is “China and Its Influence on the World.” –Michael J. Medley Tips for athletes Cal Ripken Jr. answers the big questions The drive for success on the athletic field – which oftentimes is non-ending – may have a negative effect on a young athlete lost in the netherworld between competition and fun. Cal Ripken Jr., the baseball Hall of Famer, has some answers, as given to KidsHealth.org, the website devoted to children’s health. Q: My child gets so upset after losing a game. What can I do? A: “Sports teach us a lot about adversity. They teach us a lot about failure and how we deal with failure. We shouldn’t try to protect them and bypass it - we should let them feel it. Don’t try to confront the issue as it happens. Try to look for a more appropriate time, maybe a day later, maybe two days later, to discuss what had happened.” Q: How can parents foster good sportsmanship? A: “The old adage ‘actions speak louder than words’ is especially true when it comes to teaching kids the basics of good sportsmanship.” Also from Ripken: • Show support • Be positive • Don’t dwell on who won or lost • Be a good role model • It’s about them • Keep your perspective • Have fun: Even if your child isn’t the star, enjoy the game and think of all the benefits your child is gaining - new skills, new friends, and attitudes that can help all through life. Memo to coaches: To watch KidsHealth’s exclusive interviews with Cal Ripken Jr., visit: kidshealth.org/parent/fitness/general/sportsmanship.html Or, kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/fit/kids_cal.html Sunscreen Lather up the children, now In order to highlight the importance of skin protection, a study by Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire emphasized the difficulty of getting teens to use sunscreen. Researchers stipulated that adolescents are influenced by trends and role model figures. In order to spread the awareness, they recommend that adults wear sunscreen and make teens understand the dire need to protect against skin cancer. According to Dr. Ardis Olson, professor of pediatrics who led the project, the survey was meant to emphasize the problem through adult role models. “This was not just a classroom intervention. We permeated their culture with mini messages from people they listen to: coaches, science teachers, health educators, parents and friends.” Researchers suggested skin cancer prevention programs for middle schoolers, which is the time when adolescents should learn about the risks. The American Cancer Society found that one-third of teens, ages 11-18, use sun protection regularly. About 65% of adolescents in a survey of 1,192, during the months of July through October, used a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 while outside. The survey also showed that family trends are the strongest ways to influence a child. Building teen awareness: If parents and those around them show a concern for protection, then they will. • Explain the importance and have them understand that avoiding sun exposure now will reduce the risk of skin cancer and wrinkles. • Teach them early about the risks and the steps of reducing sun exposure. • Always remember, ultraviolet rays are a hidden danger. • Always cover up. Think, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, baseball cap, sunglasses, etc. • Avoid the sun and hit the shade. If shade is unavailable, bring an umbrell. For more information, go to cancer.org. |
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