Radio Commentary
Children’s health can have a noticeable impact on their
ability to learn.
Vision and
hearing problems, in particular, can impair a child’s ability to keep up in
school.
That’s because
an inability to see the blackboard or hear the teacher can keep a student from
understanding what is being taught.
Distractions
can also be caused by dental problems or learning disabilities.
In Santa Barbara County, children
are screened for hearing, vision, and dental problems in kindergarten or first
grade, and again in second, fifth, eighth, and tenth grade.
In order to identify potential
health problems — including possible lead poisoning, the state requires
preventative physicals for all first-graders.
If a teacher or school nurse
notices a child is having a problem, a referral is made to the home.
In
addition, tips from teachers can help school psychologists identify behavioral
or learning problems, such as attention deficit disorder.
Nutrition
and rest can also have an impact on children’s learning.
Research has shown that children
who eat breakfast do better in school than those who do not.
Looking out for a child’s health,
and paying attention to nutrition and rest, are important ways that parents can
help children succeed in school.
