Radio Commentary
More young people are killed by exposure to their parents’ cigarette smoking than by all accidents combined, according to a study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
This is potentially the biggest preventable cause of death in young children, the report concluded.
It linked secondhand smoking to premature deaths caused by low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory infection, and asthma.
Parental smoking also costs the nation $4.6 Billion dollars a year in medical expenses and another $8.2 Billion dollars in loss of life, said the two pediatricians who worked on the study.
“There are lots of things that affect children's health, that reduce their chances for happy, successful lives,” said one doctor. “But here we have something we know how to prevent.”
Exposure to secondhand smoke can decrease lung growth in children, stunt their growth, cause asthma, and increase their lifetime risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.
It is even dangerous before birth, as smoking during pregnancy has been linked to serious physical consequences.
Pediatricians across the country encourage parents to quit smoking, and they try to persuade their teenage patients not to start.
We should all support these efforts.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Public funding for schools
Radio Commentary
Early in our nation’s history, some taxpayers accepted the principle of public schooling but balked at government funding of schools.
The early proponents of public schools won the discussion by making some strong points:
They asserted that the education of all children is a vital public interest and, more to the point, a shared responsibility.
They believed that public funding was critical to give schools a consistent base of support and make them accountable to the American people.
These early advocates also felt that public funding would lessen inequities in education and that it would help ensure a basic level of quality among all schools.
They felt that public responsibility for education would improve opportunities for children whose schooling was neglected.
In 1903, the civil rights leader W. E. B. Dubois wrote:
“Education and work are the levers to uplift a people. Work alone will not do it, unless inspired by the right ideals and guided by intelligence. Education must not simply teach work – it must teach Life.”
These points formed the strong basis for public schooling that endures to this day. Consistent public funding and a shared responsibility for educating all of our children must always remain core values.
Early in our nation’s history, some taxpayers accepted the principle of public schooling but balked at government funding of schools.
The early proponents of public schools won the discussion by making some strong points:
They asserted that the education of all children is a vital public interest and, more to the point, a shared responsibility.
They believed that public funding was critical to give schools a consistent base of support and make them accountable to the American people.
These early advocates also felt that public funding would lessen inequities in education and that it would help ensure a basic level of quality among all schools.
They felt that public responsibility for education would improve opportunities for children whose schooling was neglected.
In 1903, the civil rights leader W. E. B. Dubois wrote:
“Education and work are the levers to uplift a people. Work alone will not do it, unless inspired by the right ideals and guided by intelligence. Education must not simply teach work – it must teach Life.”
These points formed the strong basis for public schooling that endures to this day. Consistent public funding and a shared responsibility for educating all of our children must always remain core values.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Prediction skills
Radio Commentary
Reading skills are often enhanced through the use of prediction skills.
Good readers use prediction throughout their reading. They constantly anticipate what will happen next.
When reading with your child, find time to have the child write down what he or she thinks is going to take place.
Do this at the end of a chapter or in between the illustrations of a picture book.
Beginning readers need stories that are highly predictable. This predictability may take the form of rhyme, repetition, or patterned language.
Help children write down their prediction of the next word in a sequence.
They can then compare their choice with the one in the book.
One good exercise is to make up short stories and have children write several endings.
You can then talk about which ending is “most predictable” or “most unbelievable” or “most inventive.”
Experts agree: When helping your child become a strong reader, writing down predictions can be a valuable tool for improved reading skills.
Reading skills are often enhanced through the use of prediction skills.
Good readers use prediction throughout their reading. They constantly anticipate what will happen next.
When reading with your child, find time to have the child write down what he or she thinks is going to take place.
Do this at the end of a chapter or in between the illustrations of a picture book.
Beginning readers need stories that are highly predictable. This predictability may take the form of rhyme, repetition, or patterned language.
Help children write down their prediction of the next word in a sequence.
They can then compare their choice with the one in the book.
One good exercise is to make up short stories and have children write several endings.
You can then talk about which ending is “most predictable” or “most unbelievable” or “most inventive.”
Experts agree: When helping your child become a strong reader, writing down predictions can be a valuable tool for improved reading skills.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Casals quote
Radio Commentary
Our nation just celebrated our day of independence, and it is good to remember that our free public school system is the very foundation of our democracy.
In other countries, schooling was only for the children of the elite. Here, we take all comers. We give everyone the opportunity to learn, regardless of family background, wealth or even aptitude.
And what do we teach our children in our classrooms?
Pablo Casals made a wonderful comment about educational ideals for our children.
He said, “Each moment we live never was before and will never be again. And yet what we teach children in school is 2 + 2 = 4, and Paris is the capital of France.
“What we should be teaching them is what they are.
“We should be saying: ‘Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the world there is no other child exactly like you.
“In the millions of years that have passed there has never been another child exactly like you. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.”
Good thoughts for all to hear — and a true indicator of our freedom and opportunities.
Our nation just celebrated our day of independence, and it is good to remember that our free public school system is the very foundation of our democracy.
In other countries, schooling was only for the children of the elite. Here, we take all comers. We give everyone the opportunity to learn, regardless of family background, wealth or even aptitude.
And what do we teach our children in our classrooms?
Pablo Casals made a wonderful comment about educational ideals for our children.
He said, “Each moment we live never was before and will never be again. And yet what we teach children in school is 2 + 2 = 4, and Paris is the capital of France.
“What we should be teaching them is what they are.
“We should be saying: ‘Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the world there is no other child exactly like you.
“In the millions of years that have passed there has never been another child exactly like you. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.”
Good thoughts for all to hear — and a true indicator of our freedom and opportunities.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Summertime reading
Radio Commentary
Experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not can lose some of them.
As children’s first and most important teachers, parents have a major role to play in motivating children to read during the summer.
Here are some tips to help keep your child learning and reading.
Combine activities with books. Summer leaves lots of time for children to enjoy fun activities such as going to the park, seeing a movie, or going to the beach.
Why not also encourage them to read a book about the activity?
If you’re going to a baseball game, suggest your children read a book about their favorite player beforehand. In the car or over a hot dog, you’ll have lots of time to talk about the book and the game.
Visit the library. If your child doesn’t have a library card, summer is a great time to sign up. In addition to a wide selection of books to borrow, many libraries have fun, child-friendly summer reading programs.
Lead by example. Read the newspaper at breakfast, pick up a magazine at the doctor’s office, and stuff a paperback in your beach bag.
If young people see the adults around them reading often, they will understand that literature can be a fun and important part of their summer days.
Experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not can lose some of them.
As children’s first and most important teachers, parents have a major role to play in motivating children to read during the summer.
Here are some tips to help keep your child learning and reading.
Combine activities with books. Summer leaves lots of time for children to enjoy fun activities such as going to the park, seeing a movie, or going to the beach.
Why not also encourage them to read a book about the activity?
If you’re going to a baseball game, suggest your children read a book about their favorite player beforehand. In the car or over a hot dog, you’ll have lots of time to talk about the book and the game.
Visit the library. If your child doesn’t have a library card, summer is a great time to sign up. In addition to a wide selection of books to borrow, many libraries have fun, child-friendly summer reading programs.
Lead by example. Read the newspaper at breakfast, pick up a magazine at the doctor’s office, and stuff a paperback in your beach bag.
If young people see the adults around them reading often, they will understand that literature can be a fun and important part of their summer days.
Friday, July 3, 2015
Good citizens
Radio Commentary
Tomorrow, when we celebrate our nation’s independence, it’s good to remember that home is every child’s first community. What children see there influences greatly how they interact in the broader communities of their neighborhood, school, and ultimately the world.
Parents can have an enormous impact in helping young people become good citizens of their communities. Here’s how:
First, stay informed. Keep up with community concerns, beginning in your own neighborhood and extending to global issues.
Let your child see you using a variety of sources for your information: friends and neighbors, newspapers and magazines, radio and television, and responsible online sites.
Explain why it is important to vote in local, state, and national elections, and that at age 18 he or she will have this right and responsibility.
Find at least one cause in the community where you can volunteer to help. Let your children know why you think it is important and how you are trying to help. Let them join you if they want.
Opportunities range from helping other children or seniors, to helping animals or an environmental project. Share success stories with your children.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by problems in the community or the world, but individuals do make a difference.
Talk about the importance of joining forces for the greater good. That’s what has always made this nation great.
Tomorrow, when we celebrate our nation’s independence, it’s good to remember that home is every child’s first community. What children see there influences greatly how they interact in the broader communities of their neighborhood, school, and ultimately the world.
Parents can have an enormous impact in helping young people become good citizens of their communities. Here’s how:
First, stay informed. Keep up with community concerns, beginning in your own neighborhood and extending to global issues.
Let your child see you using a variety of sources for your information: friends and neighbors, newspapers and magazines, radio and television, and responsible online sites.
Explain why it is important to vote in local, state, and national elections, and that at age 18 he or she will have this right and responsibility.
Find at least one cause in the community where you can volunteer to help. Let your children know why you think it is important and how you are trying to help. Let them join you if they want.
Opportunities range from helping other children or seniors, to helping animals or an environmental project. Share success stories with your children.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by problems in the community or the world, but individuals do make a difference.
Talk about the importance of joining forces for the greater good. That’s what has always made this nation great.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Inexpensive toys
Radio Commentary
Parents on a budget should not worry about buying expensive toys, especially during the summer.
Children learn just as well — and maybe even better — when they play with household items and simple toys. The trick is to see things “through a child’s eyes.”
Don’t throw away empty paper towel tubes. Four-year-olds love to look and talk through them.
A stack of discarded envelopes can be just the thing for playing “office.” And an old purse may be ideal for toting a child’s treasures.
Children love to use paint, crayons, pencils, and chalk to scribble or practice drawing. Cookie dough and clay are great for making sculptures, letters, and shapes.
Other free or inexpensive things that children love to play and learn with include:
Children can play with simple toys in many ways. The best part is that there’s no one right way.
Exploring different ways to play with a toy helps children be creative and solve problems. These are useful skills for school success.
Parents on a budget should not worry about buying expensive toys, especially during the summer.
Children learn just as well — and maybe even better — when they play with household items and simple toys. The trick is to see things “through a child’s eyes.”
Don’t throw away empty paper towel tubes. Four-year-olds love to look and talk through them.
A stack of discarded envelopes can be just the thing for playing “office.” And an old purse may be ideal for toting a child’s treasures.
Children love to use paint, crayons, pencils, and chalk to scribble or practice drawing. Cookie dough and clay are great for making sculptures, letters, and shapes.
Other free or inexpensive things that children love to play and learn with include:
- Aluminum pie tins
- Wooden spoons
- Balls of all sizes (except those small enough to swallow)
- Sponges
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Blocks that stack or fit together
- Plastic dishes
- Old clothes for dress-up
- And boxes galore.
Children can play with simple toys in many ways. The best part is that there’s no one right way.
Exploring different ways to play with a toy helps children be creative and solve problems. These are useful skills for school success.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Swimming safety
Radio Commentary
Children have great fun swimming in pools or at the beach. But it is important that children stay safe any time they are around water.
All children should know how to swim well enough to survive an emergency. They should always swim with a buddy who has the ability to help them if needed.
Children should stay out of the water if they are overheated or overtired. They should never dive unless they know the area well enough, and they are certain the water is deep enough.
Make sure children check with a lifeguard about beach and surf conditions before swimming in the ocean.
Tell them if they ever think they are being pulled out by a rip current, they should stay calm. Instead of fighting the current, they should swim parallel to the beach. Once they feel free of the current, they should then swim to shore.
Finally, children should not overestimate their swimming ability. Weak swimmers should stay in the shallow end of a pool, or within an area marked off for them with buoyed lines.
In the ocean, swimming short distances parallel to the shore is safest.
Swimming can provide great exercise and fun. But it is important that children understand the dangers and stay “water safe.”
Children have great fun swimming in pools or at the beach. But it is important that children stay safe any time they are around water.
All children should know how to swim well enough to survive an emergency. They should always swim with a buddy who has the ability to help them if needed.
Children should stay out of the water if they are overheated or overtired. They should never dive unless they know the area well enough, and they are certain the water is deep enough.
Make sure children check with a lifeguard about beach and surf conditions before swimming in the ocean.
Tell them if they ever think they are being pulled out by a rip current, they should stay calm. Instead of fighting the current, they should swim parallel to the beach. Once they feel free of the current, they should then swim to shore.
Finally, children should not overestimate their swimming ability. Weak swimmers should stay in the shallow end of a pool, or within an area marked off for them with buoyed lines.
In the ocean, swimming short distances parallel to the shore is safest.
Swimming can provide great exercise and fun. But it is important that children understand the dangers and stay “water safe.”
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