Online Newsroom: Back-to-School Story Tips
A compilation of seasonal story ideas for the news media
- How to avoid the "freshman 15"
As high school graduates head off to college this fall, they will face combination of a heavy academic load, living away from parents in a dorm, a new social life and a dining hall with every food imaginable. Along with the stress brought on by these changes comes a tendency for new students to gain weight very quickly. By avoiding the factors that contribute to the weight gain, like a lack of exercise, poor eating habits and increased alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight is possible by following some simple guidelines.
Mary Flynn, PhD, a nutrition expert and researcher at The Miriam Hospital, can offer some strategies for college freshmen to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Protecting your kids from germs at school
Children go back to school and start getting sick...especially the younger ones. To help minimize colds and other contagious illnesses, it’s a good idea for parents to teach kids about the importance of hand washing, how to sneeze into the elbow to avoid spreading germs, the correct way to use antibacterial gels and sprays, and how to avoid picking up germs from other kids.
Gail Jackson, RN, infection control coordinator at Newport Hospital, can provide tips for parents on keeping their kids germ-free at school.
- Can children with asthma safely play sports?
Back to school doesn’t just mean hitting the books - it also means recess, gym class and school sports, and for children with asthma that can be frightening. The truth is, when asthma is well-managed and children are taught to understand their triggers, children with asthma can lead active lives and play sports, as exercising can actually improve a child’s breathing. It is important to consult your child’s physician before beginning any sports or exercise routine to ensure that the child’s asthma stays under control.
Robert Klein, MD, director of the Asthma & Allergy Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, is available to discuss how asthmatic children can safely play sports and lead an active life.
- Helping a shy child ease into the classroom
The first day of school can be a scary event for a shy child. Although shyness or quietness is characteristic of many children and rarely a cause for concern, it can make entering school (or any other new situation) a lonely and uncomfortable experience. Shy or reserved kids may also be less likely to participate in classroom discussions, raise their hand to answer questions, play with other children, or get involved in school activities. It is sometimes hard for teachers or other adults to recognize shyness at first, particularly when children respond to new situations with behaviors not usually thought of as shyness, such as over-activity or aggression.
Ronald Seifer, PhD, a specialist in early childhood development at Bradley Hospital, can discuss the ways parents can help their child gain more confidence in social settings and pave the way for a positive and successful school year."
- Pick on someone your own size!
Many children face each school day overwhelmed by the silent fear of harassment by other school children. Statistics show that nationally up to 17 percent of children and teens are harassed or bullied by other children in their school. Children may be too frightened to talk about the problem. Parents should be alert to the early warning signs of harassment, including changes in their child's appearance or behavior. They can talk with their children about strategies for dealing with bullies. Teachers also can be encouraged to involve students in creating classroom rules against bullying.
Bradley Hospital child psychologist Steven Barreto, PhD, can offer tips and strategies to parents about how to help their child deal with bullying at school.
- Avoiding injury on the school playground
Back to school means back to recess for many young students - and potential injuries for children on the playground. With many children playing at once and limited supervision, the possibilities are endless for injuries to students. Parents often wonder how to protect their children from accidental injury while playing at school, and how to handle injuries that their children come home with.
Michael J. Mello, M.D., MPH, director of the Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children’s Hospital can offer insight on the most common playground injuries, instructions for parents on teaching children how to play safely at school, and tips for what to do if a child comes home injured.
|
 |
|
