Kids’ Health – Playground Safety Tips For Toddlers and School Age Kids

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Posted by admin | Posted in Kids' Health | Posted on 08-01-2011

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The playground is one of the fun places where kids can enjoy playing and also have fresh air compared to playing indoors. Not only it is fun but can largely contribute to good health. This is the reason why most parents would rather want their kids play at the playground rather than at home where there are potential damages to the appliances where kids may be left unattended. However, it is undeniable that though this may be true, the playground also posed hazards to the kids where accidents and injuries are likely to happen by use of playground equipment and also, the manner how the kids play carelessly. Nonetheless, there are playground safety tips for toddlers and school age kids that can guide parents and guardians how to ensure the safety of the kids while they enjoy their leisure.

Equipment safety and security. Swings, teeter-totters, monkey bars, slides, and sandboxes are some of the playground equipment utilized for leisure. It is important that these are checked against faulty and loose screw, cracks and other damages that can cause injuries.

Second to the playground safety tips for toddlers and school age kids is to check the availability of playground attendant. It is necessary that you know to whom you are going to report any discovered holes or cracks at the surface or the defects of the playground equipment that can cause probable injuries to the kids.

Supervision. It is recommended that kids and toddlers are supervised at all times.

Keep kids away from foreign material. Kids love to put anything in their mouths. You should be able to check the sandbox if there are any foreign materials those kids may likely eat.

Watch the surface of the playground. Not only should you check for presence of broken glasses and the like, but also if the surface is slippery for being watered.

Dress up the kids safely. Do not allow kids to wear clothes with drawstrings, same as with hoods. Drawstrings, hoods, purses, and necklaces could get caught on equipment and may cause injuries to the child.

Another playground safety tip for toddlers and school age kids is to ensure playing the equipment safely. When the kids play with the swings, make sure that no one is behind or in front of them. Conversely, kids should keep a safe distance from the swings if it is being used to avoid being hit. Meanwhile, it is suggested that children below the age of four should not be allowed to use any climbing equipment.

Bring water and first-aid kit to the playground as well as extra clothes and handy wipes. Kids can mess up and get dirty while playing not to mention how much they sweat. It would be better to have them cleaned and dressed up after playing. Also keep them hydrated with water. In addition, though we may expect that there are personnel to give first-aid, it would be best to bring your own for immediate response to any accidents.

While every playground has to comply with the National Safety Council and the National Recreation and Park Association for safety procedures, it is recommended that you are able to check the playground prior to use by the kids to ensure playground safety for kids and toddlers.

Understanding Kids With Autism

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Posted by admin | Posted in Kids' Health | Posted on 13-03-2010

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Whenever the subject of autism is brought up, very special care and attention needs to be given. This is due to the highly-sensitive nature of the disorder. For centuries, Autism has been viewed as a medical condition that is different from others. For one, it is a condition that affects children specifically and secondly, one that is fairly misunderstood by the common masses.

This article hopes to address some of the common issues associated with autism and autistic kids. These children are often regarded as a special and unique breed. Without proper understanding, these children will be trapped in a world of their own and have no chance at all to lead a proper life and one that is deemed to be “normal” and accepted by the general society as a whole.

Before we even proceed, let’s take a look at what “normal” is in the eyes of the society. When we talk about children being normal, we have a notion that they are lively, talkative, enjoys receiving attention, enjoys making friends, have a tendency to indulge in group activities, are able to communicate their thoughts and wishes to their parents, guardians or/and peers and so on. When one or more of these elements are absent, parents (or guardians who happen to spend the bulk of time with these children) should rightfully be able to notice the change.

Signs of autism include a drastic change in behavioral patterns. For instance, a once talkative child can turn to become one that is totally reserved and who will keep everything to himself. A once polite and well-mannered child can turn to be aggressive and have a tendency for violence for no apparent reason at all. Without proper understanding and guidance, these children can go on to face many further complications. They would forever be condemned in a world that is not theirs to be chosen with no apparent way out.

To top it off, there have been a lot of apparent overlapping of signs and symptoms of autism. For instance, signs such as being reserved or having a short attention span could be mistaken for being shy in nature. Without proper understanding and counseling, these problems can go unchecked and complicate other matters further.

Comparatively, the technology and science in the medical field have made it possible for an early diagnosis to be given. This is due to the many efforts of professionals in the field conducting detailed research where autism is concerned. With that, children suffering from autism can have the highest possible chance of living and leading a life that closely resembles that of a normal individual. There are many programs for autistic children to get involved in; many support groups to help in handling the issue and much more.

It is entirely up to the parents, guardians and the society as a whole to help these special breed of children. Parents and guardians can play their part by being as attentive and observant as they possibly are able to while the society can play a big part by learning to accept autism as a genuine medical condition that can be addressed with proper understanding and guidance.