52 Ways to help your child

Health, Safety and Physical Education

43. Your child's health is reflected in most areas of schooling and should be cared for by you and your physicians and dentist. Any condition of a serious nature should be reported to the school. You should continue to emphasize personal hygiene and cleanliness. Diet is of prime importance. Begin each day with a good breakfast. Follow through on eye and ear screenings and routine immunizations. Consult your child 's physical education teacher concerning physical development and coordination and how you may assist.
44. See to it that your child has enough sleep each day and is properly dressed for weather conditions. The child should be kept home from school if definite signs of illness such as a rise in temperature, a suspicious rash or a severed cough are noted.
    
    Send a note to explain the absence when the child returns to school. Be alert for signs of poor vision, such as squinting, frowning or red, watery eyes. Faulty hearing can be indicated by ear aches, chronic inattention, or too frequent requests that statements be repeated.
45. Encourage the habit of vigorous daily activity. Active play builds strong muscles, which are basic to good health and posture. Join your child in active games and stress good sportsmanship. Encourage participation in creative activities and individual and team sports.
46. Children should be taught their full name, address and telephone number at an early age. Select the safest, most direct walking route to school and check to see that your child uses it. Explain any traffic hazards along the way. Teach your child to stop at the curb or at the side of the road; to look both directions to be sure there is no traffic or that traffic has stopped before crossing; to WALK across the road in the crosswalk; and to obey a student patrol or adult crossing guard if there is one. Warn your child never to get in a car or accept a ride with a stranger.
47. If your child has to travel to and from school on a bus, teach him or her the fundamentals of bus safety — to stand well back from the road while waiting for the bus; to remain seated while the bus is moving; and to keep his or her head and arms inside the bus at all times. When it is necessary to cross the street to board the bus, teach your child to STOP, LOOK, LISTEN, and then WALK across the street to the bus only after the bus driver has signaled that it is safe. Children learn very quickly from experience. Why not ride a bus with your child and demonstrate the fundamentals of bus safety? If your child is permitted to ride a bicycle to school, be sure the child knows and obeys bicycle laws. The bicycle should be checked frequently to be sure the brakes are working properly and that the handlebars and seat are not loose.
48. Does your child "hate" a certain subject? Find out why. Your child may need extra help. Maybe your own aversion to a certain subject has caused it. Seek the reason behind the dislike, then enlist the teacher's help so that you can work together to conquer it.
49. Learn as much as you can from the school principal and staff about classes, teaching methods, club activities. Then you can give your child help that fits into everyday learning programs.