Welcome to Healthy Saint Mary's, where we encourage each other to live healthy and well in Christ. Use the top menu to learn more about this community. Scroll down or use the side menu to learn more about child health and wellness. And thank you for helping our children live healthy & well in Christ!
03/10/2011
11/21/2010
A one-page Parents' Guide to 95210 for Health
Sounds like a zip code, which makes it easy to remember. But it means a whole lot more. 95210 for Health reminds our children of five healthy habits which can help them feel healthy and well. These five habits will also help them stay more engaged in school.
9 - for nine hours of sleep per night
5 - for five servings of fruits and vegetables every day
2 - for no more than two hours of non-academic screen time (TV, computer, video games) per day
1 - for one hour of physical activity every day
0 - for no sugar-added beverages
At first it might seem like a lot to adopt all five behaviors at once. But remember, small steps is the way to go. Start with one behavior, and then add others over time.
Click here to download (in pdf format) a one-page Parents' Guide to 95210 for Health.
More healthy recipes for healthy kids....
ParentFurther.com has compiled some recipes and snack suggestions to help kids and families get started on the right track to good health. For example:
Quick and Healthy Fixes For Breakfast
• Peanut butter and banana on whole grain toast or an English muffin
• Yogurt with fresh or frozen berries—add cereal or granola for extra fun!
• Granola bar and an apple
Click here to view and download recipe cards.
ParentFurther is a project of Search Institute, an independent, nonprofit organization committed to helping create healthy communities for every child. Search Institute provides leadership, knowledge, and resources to community members seeking to create a world where kids can thrive.
11/02/2010
Caution: Kids' Use of Electronic Media at Night Can Cause Learning Problems
MONDAY, Nov. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Staying up late to play video games, surf the Internet and send phone text messages may lead to learning problems, mood swings, anxiety and depression
in children, a pilot study suggests.
Read the study summary here...
10/27/2010
Pediatricians: Parents Should Promote Physical Activity as a Way of Life
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that as parents, we need to encourage healthy habits—including exercise—in our youngsters. Physical activity should become as routine a part of their lives as eating and sleeping. Here are some practical guidelines for helping our children develop balanced fitness as a life principle.
10/22/2010
Examining Links Between ADHD and Childhood Overweight
Children with symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for obesity in adulthood, says a new study from the Duke University Medical Center. The data for the study came from the U.S. National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Said a study author: "The findings support the idea that certain self-regulation capacities, like the ability to regulate one's impulses, could be a relevant trait to understanding why some people may be more vulnerable to obesity," The author added that this might help with the design of interventions.
Read the full article at Bloomberg Business Week.
10/07/2010
Dr. John Ratey on Exercise and Learning
Dr. John Ratey of Harvard Medical School has done pioneering work on how physical exercise helps children (and adults) learn. In this video he explains how exercise can boost learning, help mitigate behavioral problems, and aid in the management of ADHD. He also gives examples of how schools are integrating physical activity into the school day.
10/01/2010
Sleep Apnea in Children and Teens Linked to Lower Academic Performance
09/22/2010
Catholic Schools Are Rich in Developmental Assets
We all want our kids to grow into ethical, responsible, caring people. This is one reason why so many families work so hard to place their children in Catholic schools.
Research from the field of positive youth development justifies this investment. This research centers on the relationship between positive youth development and the environment surrounding youth.
According to Search Institute, a nonprofit organization which has the most extensive database in the world on developmental assets and youth development, there are 20 'external assets' which are proven to improve children's' chances of developing the 'internal assets' they need to avoid risks, develop positive personalities, and achieve to their potential. The table below lists the twenty external assets plus the estimated percentage of United States children in grades 6 through 12 who actually have these assets in their lives.
It is worth noting how many of these developmental assets are present in the environment of a typical Catholic school. From family support, to a caring school climate, to parental involvement in schooling, to a strong religious community, it is easy to see that Catholic schools provide a climate rich in developmental assets. These assets are an important reason why Catholic schools have been able to perform so well.
Estimated Percent of U.S. Youth Reporting 20 External Assets as Defined by Search Institute
The percentages of young people who report experiencing each asset were gathered from the administration of the Search Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors survey to almost 150,000 6th- to 12th-grade youth in 202 communities across the United States in calendar year 2003.
Support
| 1. Family Support | 68% |
| 2. Positive Family Communication | 28% |
| 3. Other Adult Relationships | 43% |
| 4. Caring Neighborhood | 37% |
| 5. Caring School Climate | 29% |
| 6. Parent Involvement in Schooling | 29% |
Empowerment
| 7. Community Values Youth | 22% |
| 8. Youth as Resources | 26% |
| 9. Service to Others | 48% |
| 10. Safety | 51% |
Boundaries and Expectations
| 11. Family Boundaries | 46% |
| 12. School Boundaries | 52% |
| 13. Neighborhood Boundaries | 47% |
| 14. Adult Role Models | 27% |
| 15. Positive Peer Influence | 63% |
| 16. High Expectations | 48% |
Constructive Use of Time
| 17. Creative Activities | 21% |
| 18. Youth Programs | 57% |
| 19. Religious Community | 58% |
| 20. Time at Home | 51% |
09/17/2010
Game On: Picking Sports for Children with ADHD
Recent Posts
- CBS News Feature on Exercise and Learning
- A one-page Parents' Guide to 95210 for Health
- More healthy recipes for healthy kids....
- Caution: Kids' Use of Electronic Media at Night Can Cause Learning Problems
- Pediatricians: Parents Should Promote Physical Activity as a Way of Life
- Examining Links Between ADHD and Childhood Overweight
- Dr. John Ratey on Exercise and Learning
- Sleep Apnea in Children and Teens Linked to Lower Academic Performance
- Catholic Schools Are Rich in Developmental Assets
- Game On: Picking Sports for Children with ADHD
