Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Back to School Sept 2009 with H1N1 Precautions
We can expect quite reasonably that when the kids come back to school, they'll bring the virus back with them and we'll see a sort of seasonal flu outbreak. We'll see it probably in the fall rather than in the winter and spring. So we'll see it early.
Common-sense precautions: "Parents should monitor their children for flu-like illness: fever, cough, sore throat, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting," said Maldonado. Anyone with flu symptoms should stay home from school and work, she said, adding schools will be extra-vigilant in the coming months about sending home children who appear to be ill. Kids also should practice hand-washing and other health basics to avoid spreading germs. "Parents need to make sure that children know how to protect others by not coughing or sneezing around others, or by covering their coughing or sneezing,"
Be alert if you child have early flu like symptoms and consult with doctors first sign the parents see so we can prevent the virus from spreading to others. We can make a better learning environment for our kids if we work on it.
Common-sense precautions: "Parents should monitor their children for flu-like illness: fever, cough, sore throat, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting," said Maldonado. Anyone with flu symptoms should stay home from school and work, she said, adding schools will be extra-vigilant in the coming months about sending home children who appear to be ill. Kids also should practice hand-washing and other health basics to avoid spreading germs. "Parents need to make sure that children know how to protect others by not coughing or sneezing around others, or by covering their coughing or sneezing,"
Be alert if you child have early flu like symptoms and consult with doctors first sign the parents see so we can prevent the virus from spreading to others. We can make a better learning environment for our kids if we work on it.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Toddler with Fever
Influenzia is still at it's peak in Hong Kong so we have to take extra precaution when our toddlers catches it and burns up with a fever. Fever is very common in childhood. It is often the first sight that your child is unwell.
Most often, fever is caused by infection, but it may also result from some other illness. A high fever does not tell you how serious the illness is. Your child's behaviour is generally more important. A child with a mild infection could have a very high fever. A child with a very severe infection could have no fever at all.
Most fevers are caused by viral infections. Fevers are a sign of the body's normal protective response to these viruses.
The types of fever that occur in children are usually not harmful. They do not cause brain damage or death. Some children (less than 1 in 20) develop seizures with fever. These seizures are not harmful and have no long-term effects.
The most important reason to treat fever in children is to make them comfortable so that they can drink and sleep well. The fever itself is not harmful to children. It is a normal part of fighting an infection.
Most often, fever is caused by infection, but it may also result from some other illness. A high fever does not tell you how serious the illness is. Your child's behaviour is generally more important. A child with a mild infection could have a very high fever. A child with a very severe infection could have no fever at all.
Most fevers are caused by viral infections. Fevers are a sign of the body's normal protective response to these viruses.
The types of fever that occur in children are usually not harmful. They do not cause brain damage or death. Some children (less than 1 in 20) develop seizures with fever. These seizures are not harmful and have no long-term effects.
The most important reason to treat fever in children is to make them comfortable so that they can drink and sleep well. The fever itself is not harmful to children. It is a normal part of fighting an infection.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
My Kids having Early Summer Boredom Syndrome
1. Go swimming. Most municipal pools offer swimming lessons. Take your younger children to the pool, and have them learn how to swim. For older kids, who may already know how to swim, buy a swim pass to the pool. That way they can go and enjoy themselves. Family outings to the pool can be a fun (and cool) summer activity. For another water related activity, consider buying cheap squirt guns. These are a lot of fun, and they last long (and make less mess) than water balloons.
2. Parks and Recreation neighborhood activities. In my town, Parks and Recreation offers an afternoon program in neighborhood parks. Children can meet, with city-provided adult supervision, at the park to learn to play games, do crafts and participate in social play. In my town, this service is offered free for four hours every afternoon. Even in areas where these programs cost money, the fee is usually small.
3. Sports programs. There are a number of sports programs offered over the summer. My son is doing T-ball. Baseball, soccer, tennis, flag football, golf and basketball are all offered in many localities. While you don’t have to go through your city to participate in these programs, it is often less expensive if you do. Find out what’s available, and then sign your child up for something he or she will enjoy.
4. Amusement parks and fun centers. Not everyone lives near an amusement park. But there might be a smaller fun center nearby. While we don’t have an amusement park, we have a center with a kids’ go cart track, mini-golf and small rides. Find out if you can get a discount season pass to nearby fun centers and amusement parks. You’ll save a little money, and have someplace for your kids to go.
5. Nature walks and outdoor experiences. One of my favorite things to do with my son is go for nature walks. You can even do this in a local park — you don’t have to get out of town. Talk about trees and rocks, bushes and flowers, and see if you can spot wildlife. Many towns also have nature centers. You can check for planned nature walks, as well as day camps aimed at children. As a family, you can go camping, take day trips to picnic areas, go hiking or biking, or even visit the lake (or the ocean). Spending time outdoors is a great way to connect with your child — it’s one of the best family summer time activities.
6. The public library. Many libraries have summer time activities. Story time is a perennial childhood favorite. Many libraries also include craft days and book fairs. But, even if your library doesn’t have any of these things, it’s nice to go and pick out books. My son gets his books, and then I let him play on computers or read children’s magazines in the kid’s section while I get my books. It’s a great way to enjoy a little quiet “me” time while he is amused. Plus, you can check out movies as well, to spice up the summer rotation for little to no cost (depending on the cost of a library card in your city).
7. Zoos, aquariums and museums. Educational, fun and physically engaging! Many zoos, aquariums and museums have special children’s days and activities during the summer. You can get a season pass, and visit more than once. Check around town for national or regional historical sites and heritage centers. These types of outings also make great family memories.
8. Youth programs. I was a happily involved in 4-H growing up. There are a number of programs available for children ages 5 and up (younger children, ages 5-8, are actually Cloverbuds). Children meet in clubs and complete projects. My favorite projects included rocketry, geology, forestry and money management. And for older kids, there are conferences, retreats and activities. Other youth programs, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts also offer low-cost, fun opportunities for kids of various ages and interests. And they’ll learn something, too!
9. Summer camp. Youth programs can take care of the summer camp thing, but if you just want a a good summer camp, you can check with the American Camp Association. This is something for kids who are a little older, though. Perhaps wait until your child is 8 or 9 before sending him or her off to summer camp. Shorter camps — one or two weeks — are a good choice, since it gives the kids the chance to do something fun for a reasonably length of time, but it doesn’t feel like you are trying to get rid of them.
10. Day camp. If overnight summer camp isn’t your thing, consider a day camp. These are normally fairly inexpensive, and provide a range of educational and fun activities for children of all ages. I’m sending my son to a day camp for four hours, three days a week for a month this summer. He can’t wait. It is something that keeps him busy and lets him interact with other children.
2. Parks and Recreation neighborhood activities. In my town, Parks and Recreation offers an afternoon program in neighborhood parks. Children can meet, with city-provided adult supervision, at the park to learn to play games, do crafts and participate in social play. In my town, this service is offered free for four hours every afternoon. Even in areas where these programs cost money, the fee is usually small.
3. Sports programs. There are a number of sports programs offered over the summer. My son is doing T-ball. Baseball, soccer, tennis, flag football, golf and basketball are all offered in many localities. While you don’t have to go through your city to participate in these programs, it is often less expensive if you do. Find out what’s available, and then sign your child up for something he or she will enjoy.
4. Amusement parks and fun centers. Not everyone lives near an amusement park. But there might be a smaller fun center nearby. While we don’t have an amusement park, we have a center with a kids’ go cart track, mini-golf and small rides. Find out if you can get a discount season pass to nearby fun centers and amusement parks. You’ll save a little money, and have someplace for your kids to go.
5. Nature walks and outdoor experiences. One of my favorite things to do with my son is go for nature walks. You can even do this in a local park — you don’t have to get out of town. Talk about trees and rocks, bushes and flowers, and see if you can spot wildlife. Many towns also have nature centers. You can check for planned nature walks, as well as day camps aimed at children. As a family, you can go camping, take day trips to picnic areas, go hiking or biking, or even visit the lake (or the ocean). Spending time outdoors is a great way to connect with your child — it’s one of the best family summer time activities.
6. The public library. Many libraries have summer time activities. Story time is a perennial childhood favorite. Many libraries also include craft days and book fairs. But, even if your library doesn’t have any of these things, it’s nice to go and pick out books. My son gets his books, and then I let him play on computers or read children’s magazines in the kid’s section while I get my books. It’s a great way to enjoy a little quiet “me” time while he is amused. Plus, you can check out movies as well, to spice up the summer rotation for little to no cost (depending on the cost of a library card in your city).
7. Zoos, aquariums and museums. Educational, fun and physically engaging! Many zoos, aquariums and museums have special children’s days and activities during the summer. You can get a season pass, and visit more than once. Check around town for national or regional historical sites and heritage centers. These types of outings also make great family memories.
8. Youth programs. I was a happily involved in 4-H growing up. There are a number of programs available for children ages 5 and up (younger children, ages 5-8, are actually Cloverbuds). Children meet in clubs and complete projects. My favorite projects included rocketry, geology, forestry and money management. And for older kids, there are conferences, retreats and activities. Other youth programs, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts also offer low-cost, fun opportunities for kids of various ages and interests. And they’ll learn something, too!
9. Summer camp. Youth programs can take care of the summer camp thing, but if you just want a a good summer camp, you can check with the American Camp Association. This is something for kids who are a little older, though. Perhaps wait until your child is 8 or 9 before sending him or her off to summer camp. Shorter camps — one or two weeks — are a good choice, since it gives the kids the chance to do something fun for a reasonably length of time, but it doesn’t feel like you are trying to get rid of them.
10. Day camp. If overnight summer camp isn’t your thing, consider a day camp. These are normally fairly inexpensive, and provide a range of educational and fun activities for children of all ages. I’m sending my son to a day camp for four hours, three days a week for a month this summer. He can’t wait. It is something that keeps him busy and lets him interact with other children.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
All Hong Kong primary schools, kindergartens closed for two weeks
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has announced that all primary and lower-level schools will close for a fortnight.The decision for the two-week closure, effective from tomorrow, was made after a cluster of influenza-like cases at St Paul's Convent School was found to be swine flu infections.The number of cases in the St Paul cluster was also raised to 12 from nine previously.
Authorities were unable to identify the source of the infection, making it the first cluster of human swine flu cases in the city without a known link to those travelling overseas, prompting the closures.Primary schools, kindergartens and nurseries will be closed until the start of the next school year if they are unable to resume school before the end of the current school year on July 10.
The Education Bureau has reached an understanding with principals that special arrangements will be made for Primary Five examinations, a key factor in getting into a good secondary school, if schools have to stay closed until the start of the new school year.
The schools will be closed until June 25 and the bureau will confirm their reopening or announce changes in plans on June 23.Territory-wide System Assessment exams, the Primary Six version of which is used by the Education Department to determine how many places in Band One schools to allocate to primary schools, scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday have been cancelled.
''Given the global situation, [for] Hong Kong to have its own local cases is simply inevitable,'' Tsang said.''I believe the fellow citizens and the government have done all we can in postponing the arrival of the first indigenous case.'
'The move to shut primary schools rather than secondary schools was made because young pupils are more vulnerable to catching the virus, Tsang said.The closure affects nearly 510,640 students at 1,626 schools, according to enrollment figures from the 2008-2009 school year. There have been around 50 confirmed cases of swine flu infection in Hong Kong, but all the previous cases caught the virus while travelling abroad.
Source is provided by Hong Kong Standard Newspaper.
Authorities were unable to identify the source of the infection, making it the first cluster of human swine flu cases in the city without a known link to those travelling overseas, prompting the closures.Primary schools, kindergartens and nurseries will be closed until the start of the next school year if they are unable to resume school before the end of the current school year on July 10.
The Education Bureau has reached an understanding with principals that special arrangements will be made for Primary Five examinations, a key factor in getting into a good secondary school, if schools have to stay closed until the start of the new school year.
The schools will be closed until June 25 and the bureau will confirm their reopening or announce changes in plans on June 23.Territory-wide System Assessment exams, the Primary Six version of which is used by the Education Department to determine how many places in Band One schools to allocate to primary schools, scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday have been cancelled.
''Given the global situation, [for] Hong Kong to have its own local cases is simply inevitable,'' Tsang said.''I believe the fellow citizens and the government have done all we can in postponing the arrival of the first indigenous case.'
'The move to shut primary schools rather than secondary schools was made because young pupils are more vulnerable to catching the virus, Tsang said.The closure affects nearly 510,640 students at 1,626 schools, according to enrollment figures from the 2008-2009 school year. There have been around 50 confirmed cases of swine flu infection in Hong Kong, but all the previous cases caught the virus while travelling abroad.
Source is provided by Hong Kong Standard Newspaper.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Helping Children Adapt To A New Sibling
Over the weekend my friends and I had a small gathering along with their kids. We had a lot of fun and hearing them wanting another baby this topic popped in my head and thought I should talk about it. Fearing that our child will feel neglected and getting less attention from their parents do occur often when the new born arrives home. The best way is for the parents to prepare their child for the new comer of the family.
Prepare children for the way they should behave with the new baby. Parents often worry that their older child may be too rough with the baby. As a result, they may emphasize many things children should not do with their younger siblings. Parents should give more attention to showing children ways they can have a safe and enjoyable time together. An older child needs to know how to play with a baby, how they can communicate, and how to handle conflict. Most sibling preparation programs do not work on the social skills a new brother or sister will need.
Parents help children with these skills as they give them suggestions and feedback on a daily basis. Children may also learn skills that set the stage for good sibling relationships by playing with other children. Children who play well with their friends are more likely to develop good relationships with their siblings (Kramer and Gottman, 1992). When your child is playing with other children, note her ability to manage conflict. See if she helps to keep the emotional climate pleasant. Child care providers also help children develop these skills. As they promote good peer relationships, they help children learn the skills they'll need for good sibling relationships.
Prepare children for the way they should behave with the new baby. Parents often worry that their older child may be too rough with the baby. As a result, they may emphasize many things children should not do with their younger siblings. Parents should give more attention to showing children ways they can have a safe and enjoyable time together. An older child needs to know how to play with a baby, how they can communicate, and how to handle conflict. Most sibling preparation programs do not work on the social skills a new brother or sister will need.
Parents help children with these skills as they give them suggestions and feedback on a daily basis. Children may also learn skills that set the stage for good sibling relationships by playing with other children. Children who play well with their friends are more likely to develop good relationships with their siblings (Kramer and Gottman, 1992). When your child is playing with other children, note her ability to manage conflict. See if she helps to keep the emotional climate pleasant. Child care providers also help children develop these skills. As they promote good peer relationships, they help children learn the skills they'll need for good sibling relationships.
IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY!
Some children regress in their behavior when a new child arrives. Children may be more demanding, have more toilet accidents, or they may have trouble sleeping. Although these problems can be annoying, parents shouldn't worry about them too much. They usually disappear in three to five months. Many children show signs of greater maturity when a new sibling arrives. They may take pride in showing that they are different from their little brother or sister because they can dress themselves. This is a great chance to praise children for helping in a stressful situation. Remember, though, that the same children who are showing off their new skills can also be showing immature behaviors.
IT'S NOT JUST LUCK WHEN KIDS GET ALONG
A good sibling relationship is more likely if parents value it. Parents should think about the way they would like their children to behave with each other. Then they should help their children learn to behave that way. If parents think it's important that siblings share, they should look for chances to praise this behavior. For example, "I like the way you and Joey are playing together with that truck." If parents value closeness and affection between siblings, they should look for examples of this behavior to praise. Parents should model the behavior they want to see in their children. They should avoid behavior that they don't want their children to imitate.
HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN HOW TO BE A SIBLING
Help your children find a role to play with their new sibling. Possible roles include assistant caregiver, teacher, helper, or playmate. As assistant caregiver, a child could fetch diapers, help entertain the infant, or help decide what the baby needs or is trying to express. Don't push children into a caregiving role, though, if they don't want it. If you do, they may feel that being a sibling is only a burden. Help the child find a different role to play, or wait until the baby is older and the children can interact together more successfully.
ONE LAST PIECE OF ADVICE
Babies seem to come into the world ready to adore their older siblings. Make sure your older children know how important they are to their brother or sister. It will give them a sense of pride and foster mutual enjoyment.
REFERENCES
Kramer, L., and J. M. Gottman, 1992. Becoming a sibling: "With a little help from my friends." *Developmental Psychology* 28:685-699.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Hot Summer Tips
Summer is finally upon us and this mean the heat is on the rise. The important thing to remember is to avoid over exposure to the sun and heat. Children are prone to be sensitive to the heat and be effect by it. Here are some tips for keeping cool this summer.
Fans and air conditioning indoors will certainly take off the heat.
By taking precaution will prevent any mishaps such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and most of all dehydration. So take these steps into consideration and have a safe healthy summer with your family members.
Fans and air conditioning indoors will certainly take off the heat.
- Outdoor activities should take place before 10:00 a.m. and after 2:00 p.m. to avoid the worst sun of the day.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Encourage children to wear lightweight hats when they are in the sun.
- Sunscreen is a must when going out into the sun. Remember to check the label to be sure the sunscreen provides adequate protection and will not wear off quickly in water.
- Bring water when you know you will be out in the sun for a long period of time. It is easy to lose fluids in the heat.
- Provide shaded areas for outdoor play during hot sunny days. When temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, children should not be involved in strenuous outdoor play for long periods of time.
By taking precaution will prevent any mishaps such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and most of all dehydration. So take these steps into consideration and have a safe healthy summer with your family members.
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