About Parenting School Age Children: Discussing Scary News, Fluoride in Water, and More

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Parenting School Age Children Parenting School Age Children School Family Life Health & Development From Katherine Lee, your Guide to Parenting School Age Children For parents of school age children, upsetting news stories such as that of the senseless and tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona this past Saturday can pose challenges. How do we deal with kids' questions? How can we comfort them and allay their fears? Also in this week's Parenting School Age Children Newsletter, U.S. officials are planning to lower levels of fluoride in water due in part to rising rates of fluorosis, a discoloration of the teeth, in adolescents. Plus, why schools should encourage hand washing and new research that shows that kids as young as 5 are consuming too much caffeine. Why Schools Should Enforce Hand Washing Do your child's school and teachers encourage hand washing in students? If not, talk to them about doing so. Proper hand washing, especially during cold and flu season, is a simple and easy but vitally important step in guarding against illness. An estimated 80 percent of all infection may be transmitted through the hands... Read more How Do You Discuss Scary Headlines with Your Kids? Like many Americans, I've been gripped by the news accounts of the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Rep. Giffords (D-AZ) was among 14 people who were injured by a gunman at a Safeway in Tuscon, Arizona on Saturday. Six people were killed, including a 9-year-old girl -- a bright, lovely child who was reportedly there to meet the congresswoman because she was interested in government... Read more Fluoride Levels in Water May be Decreased U.S health officials are set to announce plans to lower the levels of fluoride in drinking water. According to an Associated Press report, the move to lower fluoride levels stems in part from a recent government study showing that more children today -- as many as 2 out of 5 kids between ages 12 to 15 -- have fluorosis than previous generations... Read more Too Many Kids are Consuming Caffeine Daily A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics found that as many as 75 percent of children as young as 5 years old are consuming caffeine every day. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center surveyed parents of over 200 children between the ages of 5 and 12. The parents were asked to detail the types and amounts of snacks and beverages consumed by their kids. The survey found that kids as young as 5 were eating as much as caffeine as that found in a can of soda a day... Read more K-6 Children Ads Children Parenting Kids School Labels School Forms Child Featured Articles Kids' Valentine Party Ideas Top 10 Tips on Teaching Kids About Money 10 Best Foods to Boost Your Immune System Natural Ways to Treat Your Child's Cough and Cold Guide to Your Growing Grade-Schooler Grade-by-Grade Guide to Elementary School   More from About.com Over the Counter Cold Medications How to choose the right medication for your cold and flu symptoms. More> Should Kids Get Flu Shots? Think your child is too healthy to need a flu shot? Think again. More> This newsletter is written by: Katherine Lee Parenting School Age Children Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Parenting School Age Children newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Must Reads 8 Fun Winter Activities for Families 7 Tips to Spice Up Your Marriage How to Discipline Children the Zen Way Test Taking Tips for Students Fun and Easy Valentine Crafts for Kids Advertisement