Back-to-School List Should Include an Eye Exam

As parents cross backpacks and notebooks off of back-to-school lists, many neglect to consider the most important learning tool children have – their eyes.

Many classroom activities, including reading, writing and computer work, require vision, so children with vision problems may fall behind their peers. Worse, they can have trouble concentrating and develop behavioral problems, which are often mistaken for attention deficit or learning disorders. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), 60 percent of the children described as “problem learners” have vision problems.

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Help Your Kids Brush Up on Oral Care

You teach your kids to brush their teeth, yet every trip to the dentist reveals another cavity. But don’t fret. You’re not doing anything wrong — children can still develop dental cavities, or areas where harmful bacteria damage hard tooth structure, in spite of every precaution. In fact, tooth decay remains the most common chronic condition in children and adolescents.

Kids’ teeth are more likely than adults’ to get cavities. For one thing, children tend to like sugary foods, which make them more likely to develop cavities. But sugar does not cause cavities directly — sugar feeds the bad bacteria that cause tooth decay.

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Downsizing Our Kids: How Parents Can Decrease Childhood Obesity

div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/ChildhoodObesity1.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Children have become much less active, contributing to the growing childhood obesity epidemic that’s affecting neighborhoods across the …/div/div

Tips to Find Unique Gifts to Celebrate Your Love

Couples who stay together deserve to celebrate their enduring commitment, but anniversary gifts can be difficult to choose. Sure, there are traditional gifts. But what modern couple really wants wool or copper for their seventh anniversary? And what would you do with the silver plates traditionally given on a couple’s 23rd?

Today’s young couples prefer more personalized gifts. For some some unique gift ideas, consider the following list provided by PlaqueMakerPlus.com, maker of customized awards and recognition products:

•    Make a video showcasing your life together. Contact friends and family members for home videos, then edit them together to show your story as a couple, from childhood to wedding to current day.

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Guidelines for Making Kids’ “Screen Time” Meaningful

It’s a fact: Children today are surrounded by all types of digital media from a very young age. Educators, parents and caregivers are left with the task of navigating through a multitude of handheld games, toys and online resources while debating the value of these different options.

Fortunately, research shows that computers can play a positive role in the education of children. Benefits include language, literacy and social development as well as the improvement of important problem-solving skills.

Experts and researchers in early childhood development offer the following guidelines for  computer use by youngsters:

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A Back-to-School Checklist for Parents

<b>A Back-to-School Checklist for Parents</b>“></td> <td> <p>(<a href=NewsUSA) – As summer winds down, thoughts turn to the school year. But it’s easy to put off back-to-school preparations until the last minute, when you find yourself frantically throwing packs of No. 2 pencils in your cart.

This year, why not try for a more organized approach? Here are some tips:

* Go through your child’s wardrobe. The end of summer marks the perfect time to have a fashion show. Have your child put on a fashion show, and note what items you will need to replace. Get rid of ill-fitting, ratty and never-worn items. Consider donating “gently used” pieces.

When choosing back to school clothes, practicality is key. Company Kids Moby Goby line was created to be durable and be comfortable for a longer period of time with their adjustable waistband, double seaming, elastic gussets and fabric lining. Most of the clothing is machine washable, too, which is a must for kids who love the playground!

* Organize classroom supplies. When you receive your school’s supply list, don’t immediately run to the store. Look through what you bought last year — you may still have spare notebooks, pencils or binders that haven’t been used.

All children will need a backpack. If your child’s due for a replacement, look for plenty of pockets for organizing and a fun design. Company Kids backpacks offers backpacks for toddlers, children, tweens and teens. All have ample pockets, compartments, and heavy-duty zippers so your child can stay organized. And their fun prints, like the Blue Zoo backpack, lets each kid represent their personality.

* Take a look around your child’s room. Nothing says that your child’s growing up like entering a new grade, so the start of the school year is a good time to see if your child would prefer more “big kid” décor.” You don’t have to hire a decorator — a few posters and a new bedspread may do the trick.

And don’t forget the college kids! The Company Store offers a twin extra-long bedding package that includes a Company Cotton four-piece sheet set and a LaCrosse Primaloft comforter for $124.99. And unlike other pre-packaged bedding sets, your college bound kid can pick the color for each piece in the set, allowing them to mix and match according to their tastes.

For more information, visit www.thecompanystore.com.

Youth Development Programs Strengthen Classrooms

<b>Youth Development Programs Strengthen Classrooms</b>“></td> <td> <p>(<a href=NewsUSA) – Comprehensive approaches to positive youth development are becoming more common in schools across the country, resulting in stronger and healthier youth. Research shows that such programs increase academic achievement, decrease problem behavior and increase pro-social behavior. The positive impact of programs that develop life skills in the classroom has caught the attention of some of the nation’s largest school districts, including Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Lions Quest, a positive youth development program of Lions Clubs International Foundation, recently entered select CPS schools as part of a movement to develop students’ social and emotional skills. Now in more than 10 schools throughout CPS, Lions Quest is garnering recognition and support for additional expansion.

The program’s positive presence in CPS recently attracted the attention of Bank of America, resulting in a $10,000 grant awarded to Lions Quest by the Chicago division of the organization.

“Youth in Chicago are some of the most at-risk in the U.S.,” said Al Brandel, Chairperson of Lions Clubs International Foundation, “But the Lions Quest program aims to provide these youth with the life skills they need to develop into healthy adults and build stronger communities.”

Edward Tilden Career Community Academy High School was awarded the funding from the Bank of America grant, providing the Lions Quest “Skills for Action” program. Tilden, a high school located on Chicago’s south side with a student population of 1,350, has a high drop-out rate and low graduation rate, and the majority of students come from low-income families. The funds trained 36 teachers from Tilden and other Chicago Public Schools and provided curriculum materials to 500 students.

Teacher training is central to the success of the program. Through informative and engaging workshops, teachers become experts on the content and subsequently implement the program according to the needs of their classroom.

By implementing positive youth development programs in schools, students receive a comprehensive approach to education that strengthens not only the classroom, but also society as a whole.

For more information, visit www.lions-quest.org.

Three Caring Tips to Keep Your Aging Cat From Becoming a Sourpuss

<b>Three Caring Tips to Keep Your Aging Cat From Becoming a Sourpuss</b>“></td> <td> <p>(<a href=NewsUSA) – Cats’ health needs change as they get older, but unlike aging humans, they can’t vocalize complaints about aching bones and stiff joints. It is important for cat owners to exercise extra vigilance when it comes to caring for an aging cat.

Follow these tips to help your feline friend age gracefully:

* Stay current on vital vaccinations. As a cat grows older, it is essential to keep Cat Flu and Feline Infectious Enteritis in check. Though sometimes tempting to overlook, an older cat has a less efficient immune system and is thus more susceptible to disease. Most older cats will only require booster shots. However, if no vaccinations are on record for a cat, or if you are unsure, you can begin vaccinations at any age.

Vaccinations can be found for Cat Flu, Enteritis, FeLV, Chlamydia, FIP and Rabies in most areas. Consult your veterinarian for specific details.

* Don’t hold your breath on oral health care. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 70 percent of cats have some form of oral disease by age three — by age 10, it’s safe to presume that cats’ mouths can be rife with infection.

At-home oral care programs are ideal to help address the daily oral hygiene needs of cats. According to most veterinarians, brushing cats’ teeth on a regular basis is the best action to take to promote good oral health. For cats that are a little more temperamental about pet owners or vets touching their teeth, a simple and effective solution can be found using a new type of probiotics, called Teddy’s Pride Oral Care, that have been designed specifically for the oral care needs of cats and dogs (www.MyTeddysPride.com). These probiotics can be used in addition to brushing or as a stand-alone oral care routine.

* Eliminate pesky parasites. Fleas are the most common skin parasite of cats, leaving many cats with an itchy reaction. To prevent flea bites, use a flea spray or flea powder specifically formulated for cats. Internal parasites, like tapeworms and roundworms, distress older cats, particularly those which go outdoors. Most vets recommend that cats be treated for worms every three to six months — indoor-only cats may have a longer lapses between treatments. Always check with your vet for the best possible treatment program.

Brushing Up on Tooth Decay

<b>Brushing Up on Tooth Decay</b>“></td> <td> <p>(<a href=NewsUSA) – You teach your kids to brush their teeth, yet every trip to the dentist could reveal another cavity. But don’t fret. You’re not doing anything wrong — children can still develop dental cavities, or areas where harmful bacteria damage hard tooth structure, in spite of every precaution. In fact, tooth decay remains the most common chronic condition in children and adolescents.

“Kids have very special oral care needs, and are much more likely than adults to form cavities,” says Dr. Jeffrey Hillman, D.M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Oragenics, Inc. For one thing, children tend to like sugary foods, which make them more likely to develop cavities. But sugar does not cause cavities directly — sugar feeds the bad bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Brushing can help prevent tooth decay by removing plaque, or buildup of bad bacteria, but it’s not a perfect technique. For one thing, it only takes 20 minutes after eating to develop plaque, and few children brush and floss immediately after eating. Also, brushing can’t remove plaque from between teeth. To fight plaque between teeth, parents should floss their children’s teeth at least once a day until about age 10, when children can start flossing for themselves.

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, oral care probiotics, or “good” bacteria, may help. Dr. Hillman recommends giving children an oral care probiotic supplement, such as EvoraKids (www.myevorakids.com). He explains that oral care probiotics work by flooding the mouth with good bacteria, which adhere to tooth surfaces, including crevices, pits and fissures in the chewing surfaces, leaving less room for bad bacteria to grow. “The probiotics effectively compete with certain harmful bacteria for both nutrients and space on teeth surfaces, reaching where brushing and flossing can’t,” says Dr. Hillman.

Despite all of your best efforts at home, a trip to the dentist can still do wonders. Regularly scheduled dentist checkups are critical to any healthy mouth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents take their children to the dentist by age one.

Reward Children’s Accomplishments with Effective Incentives

Celebrating a child’s milestones does wonders for building character and self-esteem, but parents aren’t always sure how to acknowledge their child’s accomplishments. Will a quick hug suffice? Or do you need to throw a party for the entire school class?
Mostly, children just want to know that their parents take an active interest in their lives — you don’t have to rent a houseboat every time a child comes home with an “A” on a test. But you don’t want to ignore a big accomplishment, either, unless you want your child to think that nothing he or she does will ever please you. Besides, commemorating an extra-special moment could help preserve fond memories for years.
For example, if your child’s 4-H project or success on the basketball team ends up in a news article, you should consider getting the article matted and framed. One company, PlaqueMakerPlus, will duplicate the newspaper or magazine article with a full-color imprint on a metal sheet, then frame the article in an elegant black frame. The frame displays a metal plaque containing your choice of text.
Whether displayed on your mantle or on your child’s wall, the framed news article will become a keepsake commemorating your child’s accomplishment — someday, you may even want to show it to your grandchildren.
You can also frame certificates or ribbons, or give your child a memory frame in which to display Scout badges. You can even purchase your own trophies to give to your children.
If the way to the heart is through the stomach, cook your child’s favorite meal or visit a favorite restaurant to celebrate a big accomplishment. You can also reward your child with more of your time. For example, you could commit a day to an activity that your child enjoys, like visiting a theme park, shopping at the mall or going on a hike. Older children and teens tend to want to celebrate with their friends. For them, a sleepover or a party at a mini golf course might be the best way to celebrate their success.
For more information, visit www.plaquemakerplus.com.

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