A study revealed that in reality the level of fitness is actually not up to the mark. Three families were asked to bring in fitness into their lives. A pedometer was tied to the wait of the members of the family. Their results were impressive. They walked to school, did on the spot jogging and various other activities which resulted in an increase in the fitness level.

There are a large number of fun filled and exciting ways by which one can bring in fitness in one’s life. Given below are some of the programs undertaken by some communities in Canada to bring in fitness into their lives:

1.      In Ardrossan, Alberta, the parent council of Uncas Elementary School introduced a program whereby parents volunteered to take children to their swimming classes and other activity classes after school. A bus picked the children and reached them to their respective classes. Parents found this to be a big help. They paid for the bus fees.

2.      In Deep River, Ontario, the parents as well as children participated in a free walking program organized by Mackenzie High School. They were provided with a loaner pedometer to monitor their respective fitness levels. The participants had the liberty to choose their route.

3.      In Nova Scotia, the children of North Highlands and Cape Smokey elementary schools submitted their pedometer readings after their entire day. These reading are then plotted on a regular basis on a map of Canada in order to keep a check on theor progress. The method was a great success and according to physical education teacher Joe MacNeil, the pedometer is one of the “best motivational tools”.

4.      In Maple Ridge, British Columbia, the trained students of Harry Hooge Elementary School conducted aerobic session on a bi-weekly basis during assemblies as well as in classrooms. The classrooms were equipped with skipping rooms, hand grippers and other instruments used during these sessions. In fact, the teachers included these activity sessions in the timetable of the students, making things much easier.

These simple and motivational moves introduced fitness into the lives of the people.

Where the sunscreen on one hand claims to protect our skin, most of us are unaware of the damage that it can cause. This is particularly true in case of the one that are cheap.

The Environmental Working Group based in Washington tested around 1000 sunscreens and found out that only a meager 15% were found out to be effective and safe for human use. Every sunscreen is supposed to fulfill three criteria:

§  Protect the skin from UVB and UVA radiation

§  Have less number of harmful ingredients

§  Remain stable in sunlight

In the opinion of naturopathic Dr. Stephanie Jennings, the higher the quantity of SPF in a sunscreen, the greater is the chemical composition and, hence, greater the exposure to harmful substances. Experts say that one should sunscreen with an SPF quantity of 30.

Moreover, use of sunscreen lotion leads to Vitamin D. As it blocks the rays of the sun from being absorbed by the skin, it in turn deprives the skin from Vitamin D. This can be a risky situation. Langley says that children should be given food that is rich in Vitamin D. For instance, milk, margarine as well as cereals are a good source of Vitamin D for children. Furthermore, doctors say that a few minutes out in the sun is sufficient to get that Vitamin D.

Many also use sunblock lotion, particularly for children who cannot use sunscreen or whose skin is extremely sensitive. But these sunblock lotions leave a white mark on the skin once applied. Unlike lotions, they do not get absorbed.

If one has to use sunscreen, then according to Dr. Jennings, it is best to go for those which have antioxidants like extracts of green tea. This ingredient fights the free radicals produced the by the sun’s rays.

However, doctor’s also say that there is not much to worry about. Our body also produces Vitamin D. So, to fear that using these products will prevent the production of the vitamin is not necessary. The basic idea here is to use such products, but probably in lesser quantities and after checking the chemical composition.

Headaches can be caused due to a variety of reasons. The most common cause of headaches is any kind of viral infection, like flu. In these cases, headaches are accompanied with fever. The best method of dealing with this is to bring down the body temperature by giving your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Headaches can also result from tension. These headaches have an irregular pattern and can occur any time. Tension headaches can last from half-an-hour and, in some cases, even to a few days. In this case, the ache is of a dull nature and the person experiences a throb on both sides of her or his head. The best way to deal with this is to give Vitamin B2 or riboflavin. But before giving any medication, it is better that you seek a doctor’s advice.

If headache is caused by an injury, then giving a pain reliever is a good option. However, if you find that pain is lasting longer than four or six hours after injury, then make sure that you take your child to the doctor immediately. Seeing a doctor also becomes necessary if he feels groggy, the pupils of your child’s eyes become unequal or if he starts vomiting.

Migraine headaches are, probably, the worst form of headaches that your child can suffer from. It is characterized by intense and unbearable pain that lasts for a long time. Though migraine mostly occurs in late childhood, it can even start at the age of four. As per studies, migraine is more prevalent among girls than boys.

You can bring relief to your child by giving some analgesics or medicines that have been particularly prescribed for this kind of situation. The intensity of migraine increases in bright light. Hence, during a migraine attack, it is suggested that the child be kept inside a dark room and away from noise. Alternative therapy includes yoga, proper sleep and drinking plenty of water.

In the following cases, one should see a doctor as the headache can be a sign of something serious:

One-sided headache

Vomiting,

Difficulty in walking

Trouble in concentrating

Headaches that wakes them at night

• It has been found in human tissues in less quantities and one is not sure whether it leads to any disease or not.
• Moreover, unlike other chemicals, it is least scrutinized and regulated.
• It is present in our lives in large amounts and since it is causing harm to the environment and us, then it is necessary to weed it out.

Research conducted by the US-Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta conducted a test on 2517 people aged seven years and above and found that almost 93% of them had a detectable quantity of BPA.  Scientists further assert that younger you are the more chances you have of being exposed to Bisphenol A.

Polycarbonated bottles and canned food are considered as some of the most important sources of BPA. Almost ninety percent of the BPA is said to have come from canned food. According the Health Canada, if boiling water is put in a polycarbonated bottle and is cooled and the same water is used to make baby formula, then the baby gets exposed to a very high quantity of Bisphenol A.

According to Health Canada, the average daily intake of BPA for 1-4 years is found to be 0.27mcg/kg, while for adults it is 0.08mcg/kg. The average daily BPA intake of babies who eat formula and are one month old was found out to be 0.50mcg/kg.

Usually non-see through plastic containers like the ones used for yoghurts and soft drinks do not contain BPA. Other than this, all contain BPA as well as phtalates, a chemical considered more harmful than Bisphenol A.

In order to reduce the intake of BPA, use more of stainless steel and glass items. Also go for ceramic containers to store food. If using polycarbonated bottles, then it is better that you sterilize them before use. Make sure that you clean them thoroughly with soap. But do not use any harsh detergents.

If you are giving your baby formula, then go for the powdered variety, says the Environmental Working Group. Women who are pregnant as well as mothers who breast-feed their children should avoid eating canned food.

Influenza affects both the young as well as older children. The basic symptoms of influenza are cough, body aches, fatigue, lung congestion and fever. Fever, however, is more prevalent among children who are less than five years old.

Parents should watch out for certain signs that will help them to know whether their kid is suffering from influenza or not. Few of these symptoms include breathing difficulty, lethargy, high fever and others. Under such instances it is recommended that the parent consults a doctor. The temperature helps one to assess how sick one’s child is. If the fever is uncontrollable and the child is also seen to have breathing difficulties, then it is necessary that one pays a visit to the physician for proper medication.

If your child is suffering from influenza, then he or she should be given immediate attention. This is particularly important for children who are two years and below. Children belonging to this age group are more at risk. So, extra care needs to be taken. The parents of children suffering from ailments like asthma, kidney diseases, diabetes and ailments associated with red blood cells need to be extra cautious too.

Mothers who are breastfeeding their children and are affected by influenza, need to always wash their hands before attending her infant.

In order to avoid this disease, one can follow some simple rules. Prevention is better than cure. It is suggested that you teach your child to always wash his or her hand properly with soap. Washing hands is necessary when sneezing or blowing their nose as well as after playing. They must also wash their hands before and after eating their food, whether at home or at school.

Apart from these, the children should be kept at home till they are completely cured. It is important to give your child a good amount of fluids everyday so as to prevent him from getting dehydrated. Anti-viral medicines are also available. One can administer that to the child, only after consulting the local physician. This has to be given within a time span of 48 hours from the time the first symptoms of the ailments become visible.

Given below are different ways to deal with treat different kinds of warts.

a)      Flat Warts: For these kinds of warts, it is best to visit a skin doctor as the usual methods are not very effective. Since these warts recur, an antiproliferative agent can be used prevent them from growing. One can also use retinoic acid continuously for a period of 4 to 5 weeks. Another treatment is the application of imiquimod cream thrice every week.

b)      Filiform Warts: They are usually narrow and long. Due to their sensitive location, particularly on the eyelids, the best option would be to visit the doctor. Avoid going for the over-the-counter treatment as it can lead to burns.

c)      Common Warts: You can use a salicylic acid formula to get rid of it. This ointment makes the skin soft and destroys the virus affected cells. The skin turns white in color before peeling off. If the wart does not disappear within 4–6 weeks, then visit a skin specialist. Your doctor can prescribe a higher dose of salicylic acid or go for cryotherapy treatment. In the latter case, liquid nitrogen is applied over the wart. After 10–30 seconds, the entire area freezes. As a result of the cold, the tissues get damaged and the warts get destroyed.

d)     Periungual Warts: Wart removers can be applied to cure them. Make sure that you put a bandage over the area so as to prevent the virus from spreading. Start the medication as soon as they appear, because if they spread below your finger nails they can lead to fungal infection and nail breakage.

e)      Plantar Warts: You can apply salicylic acid over the infected area. If there is no change, then better see a dermatologist and go for laser therapy. In laser therapy, a carbon-di-oxide laser converts the walls of the warts into a gaseous state and then it is removed with the help of vacuum. The disadvantage of this method is that it creates a wound over the area, which needs to be dressed daily for two weeks. The wound takes almost 12 weeks to heal completely.

According to David Butler-Jones, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, the vaccination programs have managed to save the lives of many children over the last 50 years. For example, immunization has brought down the number of children suffering from measles by approximately 99.9%.

Many feel that vaccines are harmful, but it is not true. In fact, vaccines are perfectly safe and they prevent the occurrence of the diseases pretty effectively. Taking your child for the influenza shot is, thus, highly recommended.

Nowadays, the scientists and researches are finding new ways of administering the vaccines and, thus, relieving the children from painful jabs of the needles. Scientists have come up with drops and jet injectors that do not involve poking and pricking the sensitive skin of your child. So, parents you don’t have to deal with crying and cranky kids.

Moreover, the researchers have invented combination vaccines to reduce the number of vaccination shots. This also reduces the frequency of a visit to the doctor’s chamber.

Besides these, research is still ongoing to find out whether expectant mothers can be given the vaccine during their pregnancy. This can help in protecting the baby till their immunity system is well developed and are ready to take the shots. One should remember over here that the vaccines do not work on children till their immunity system is well and properly developed. All this is to ensure that your child has a perfectly safe and healthy childhood, free from all sorts of ailments and diseases.

Studies have shown that the number of children getting affected by he diseases have come down drastically after these immunization programs. For instance, the number of children getting affected by Poliomyelitis has come down from 1584 to 0. In case of Rubella, it has come down drastically from 37917 to 29. In case of Mumps, the number reduced from 43671 to 202.

So, it is good and necessary to get your child immunized and, thus, save him or her from the deadly diseases.

Does your tot have the habit of waking in between her sleep during night even after taking 4 hour sleep during the sunlight hours? If the situation is so you have to give hand for your kid to change her schedule so that she practices sleeping at correct time at night. The professionals say that it is correct to compel her to come out of the bed for playtimes; this helps her to readjust her clock. Furthermore, don’t allow your tot to get into her bed late in afternoons. See to that the room of the tot is not gloomy during night and bright during the daytime. Dr. William Sears put forward that if you get your tot to become tired by simply placing her in the fling and feed her more often so that she sleeps just for a while during the daylight hours and preserves her profound sleep for the night.

Normal sleeping in the wrong hours:

Various experts had given their opinion about the timing of the babe to get into her bed.

Mindell’s view:

Launch a particular bedtime routine. Kids love steadiness and schedule help the tots to get into sleep in the correct time. Between seven and eight p.m. is the appropriate time for you to tuck your child in her bed.

Ferber’s view:

Be positive in availing your child usual every day schedule, along with snooze and meals on the particular time. Supposing, if she naps at the close of the sunset and if she find difficult to fall asleep during night then progressively shift her meals as well as the naptimes earlier.

The AAP’s outlook:

Suppose, if she snooze more than 3 or 4 hours during the day time, particularly, if she snooze at the later half of afternoon, make her to get out from her bed and play with you. This could help her to preserve her long sleep for the nighttime. If she has the practice of getting up early in the morning, just, place some of her favorable toys in the crib. This helps her to spend some time at the sunrise.

Braselton’s outlook:

Test the schedule of your child regularly. Snooze after three at night, will make a break in her regular activity and reduce her need for want of sleep during the daytime. So see to that she is waked up before in the suitable time.

There are numerous ways how kids get lost. Small children get easily attracted to swings and may just wander away. It’s just that they are too small to know that they are lost. The best way to avoid this situation is to teach them to hold your hand when walking on the road. Also, you can make an identity card with your name and contact details written on it and put it in your child’s pocket. Also keep a recent photo of your child in your pocket.

Another way how children get lost is when they get lost in a crowd, like in shopping malls, theaters and other public places. To deal with this situation, make everybody around you alert by calling out your kid’s name. Approach the security and also call the police. Another things is to teach your child four easy steps. First, he/she should stop so that they are not far away from you. Second, they should look around to see whether he/she can see you. Third, listen carefully to hear you calling out his/her name. Finally, call out loudly so that everybody’s attention is directed towards him/her.

Children often get confused when outdoors. Teach them to remain fixed at one place in case they feel that they have got lost. Also assure them that someone will definitely come and look for them.

Children like to be independent. They feel they can take decisions on their own when faced with a situation. Make sure you tell them that they should inform you about their whereabouts. They should go to places only with your permission. On your part, make sure you inform the school authorities in case you are late to pick up your child from school. Also inform if somebody else is coming to pick them up.

It is necessary that you talk to your child and teach how to act when they feel that they are lost. Assure them that they cannot remain lost forever and they will surely be found. Also tell them to be calm and keep their “cool” as it would enable them to deal with the situation easily.

Your tot may get sleep loss, due to the following behavior:

A.   Moving your child from that of the crib towards bed

B.    Getting out of family bed

C.    Head banging

D.   Using bottle as an aid for sleep

E.    Bed-wetting

F.     Over stimulation

G.   Night waking

H.   Night terrors

I.       Nightmares

J.      Rocking

K.   Restless sleep

L.    Using pacifier as an aid for sleep

M.  Sleepwalking

N.   Won’t nap

O.   Stalling bedtime

P.     Strange sleeping positions

Q.   Teeth grinding

R.    Staying late

Health concerns: if your tot suffers the following disorders she will suffers sleep loss

A.   Choking or coughing

B.    Common cold

C.    Breathing pauses

D.   Asthma

E.    Gastric reflux

F.     Ear infection

G.   Croup

H.   Snoring/snorting

I.       Sleep apnea

J.      Breathing with open mouth

K.   Teething

L.    Sweating