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Keep Kids Moving

Creative activities help boost fitnessKeeping kids at a healthy

weight involves a little creativ-ity. After all, parents can't sim-ply drop their sons anddaughters off at the localgym. Masking fitness as funactivities can help make chil-dren more enthusiastic aboutfitness.The Centers for Disease

Control and Preventionreports that childhood obesityhas more than tripled in thepast 30 years. Research indi-cates that the prevalence ofobesity among adolescents

aged 6 to 11 has risen from6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6percent in 2008.Many experts blame a

sedentary lifestyle, one that ishigh in television watchingand computer usage, com-bined with consumption of ahigh-caloric diet for thechanges in children's health.Eating more nutritious foodswhile exercising can keepchildren's weight in check.Promoting fun activities

where children won't knowthey are working out can be

the key to getting them activeandmaintaining healthy bodyweights. Here are some activ-ities to try.

Pool party: Swimming isnot only refreshing, but it isalso a great way to stay activeand promote cardiovascularactivity. Set up a game of"Marco-Polo" or have childrendive for hidden treasures tokeep themmoving.

Relay races:Turn the back-yard into a home obstaclecourse, complete with differ-ent activities children can play

to earn points or prizes. Invitethe neighborhood kids over tocompete.

Family hike: Head to thenearest state park or naturepreserve to take in the sightsand some activity. Pack a pic-nic lunch and hike through thewilderness. Vary thepace andthe terrain for a goodworkout.

Sports center: Keep a bagof sporting equipment handyso that kids can quicklyengage in a pick-up game ofsoftball or soccer.

Dance Club: Transform a

room in the house into anightclub. Kids can invitefriends to come over dressedin party clothes to dance tofavorite songs saved to aplaylist. Strobe lights or adisco ball can add ambiance.There are many activities

that children can enjoy thatwill promote physical activi-ty. Limiting the amount oftime spent in front of thetelevision or computer isanotherway to help allevi-ate the continuing prob-lem of childhood obesity.

Fila, Reebok, New Balance,Adidas all take a back seat tothe Converse All Star ChuckTaylor basketball shoe.According to information

obtained from the website,chucksconnection.com, 60percent of all Americans ownor have owned at least onepair of these sneakers.Converse Rubber

Corporation opened for busi-ness in 1908. With the grow-ing popularity of basketball,Converse saw the need todevelop a shoe that peoplecould wear while playing onthe court. The very first ver-sion of the All Star basketballshoe was produced in 1917.The shoe originally came

in natural brown colors withblack trim. In the 1920s,Converse All Stars weremade in all black canvas orleather versions. Sales grewthanks to Charles "Chuck" H.Taylor.Taylor was a basketball

player for the AkronFirestones. He joined theConverse sales force, andlater became theplayer/coach for theConverse

All-Stars, the company'sindustrial league basketballteam.Because he was so suc-

cessful in promoting thesneaker, as well as makingimportant changes in theoriginal All Star shoe, in 1932,his name "Chuck Taylor" wasadded to the ankle patch.Taylor designed the white

high top model for the 1936Olympics, and the shoe withits patriotic red and blue trimbecame very popular.Later, chucks became the

"official" sneaker of the UnitedStates Armed Forces.Later, when basketball

became a major professionalsport, Chuck Taylor All Starswere the shoe for professional,college and all serious play-ers, and these distinctiveblack or white high tops werepart of the look of each team.In 1957 the low cut All Star wasintroduced and became amore casual alternative to thehigh top. By this timeConverse had an 80 percentshare of the entire sneakerindustry.Taylor, or the "Ambassador

to Basketball," as he wascalled, was inducted into theBasketball Hall of Fame in 1968.One year later, he died.Startinig in the 1970s, many

new athletic companiesemerged and marketed awide variety of basketball andother sports and leisureshoes.The "Chuck Taylor" All Star,

once the premiere shoe ofelite basketball players nowbecame the shoe of thecounter-culture and of BabyBoomers who refused to stopwearing their favorite pairs ofchucks. The shoes becamevery popular with rock musi-cians, and younger genera-tions wore them for their dis-tinctive looks and as an alter-native to the high-pricedshoes made by other compa-nies.Converse responded by

manufacturing chucks in hun-dreds of different variationsthat included prints, patterns,unusual colors, and specialmodels for different agegroups.In the 1980s and 1990s, the

ConverseCompanybegan to

experience hard times. Theownership and managementof the Converse Companychanged several times. In2001 they filed for bankrupt-cy. But the brand was too wellestablished, and was eventu-ally purchased by Nike.Thousands of pairs of high

top and low cut chucks arestill sold each week world-

wide. As of today more than800,000,000 pairs ofchucks havebeen sold.Unlike othersneakersthat lose theirpopularity, theConverse All Star "ChuckTaylor" still remains fashion-able 75 years later.

Converse All Stars; the shoe too tough to die

Courtesy ofchucksconnection.com

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Kindergarten will be manychildren's first foray intoschool. Their experiences inkindergarten can set thescene for a lifetime of learning.To start laying the foundationfor your child's entrance intoformal education, considerthe following tips.* Identify the school your

child will attend. You can callyour county school board orsimply ask other parents inthe area. Some communitiesassign schools, while othersallow parents to choose theirchild's school. When deter-mining which case applies toyour community, inquireabout bus service as well.* Some schools have full-

day kindergarten programs,while others offer half-day.This may be district-speci-fied or the choice of the par-ent.* Visit the school to find out

about registration require-ments. You'll likely have to fillout forms and provide proofof residence. The school alsowill inform you of any rulesthey have, including copies ofhealth records, screenings or

placement testing.* A routine physical exam

and a copy of immunizationrecords will most likely berequired. Visit your child'spediatrician to ensure that heor she is up-to-date with shotsand receives a health check-up. Proof of dental visits maybe required.* If your child will be

attending a private school, theschool may have registrationfees, supply fees, uniformrequirements, and otherexpenses. It's important tofind out about these costsahead of time.* Visit the school with your

child ahead of time. Attend akindergarten open house orschool tour. This way kids canbecome familiar with thepremises and won't becaught off guard the first dayof school. A tour will providean example of the school'slayout and overall atmos-phere.* Make friends with par-

entswhose children attend theschool. Set up a play date soyour child will see somefamiliar faces on the first day

of school.* Talk about attending

school and make it seem likea positive experience. Letkids know school is some-thing to look forward to. Somechildren get excited aboutkindergarten just becausethey get to ride the bus.* Shop for a backpack and

a lunch box early on so thatyour child will be excited forschool. Enable him or her tochoose supplies in the themeof choice.* Find out which types of

lessons your child will belearning and begin to prac-tice some of them at home,including the alphabet, pre-liminary math and writing.* Always use positive rein-

forcement and talk aboutschool in an upbeat way. Thisincreases the likelihood thatkids will look at school in apositive light.* Discuss fears and con-

cerns about kindergartenwith your child. This way youcanwork out situations beforethe first day of school starts.

Getting Kids Ready for the Big Day

On the road to kindergarten, learning

Consider the pros and cons of school uniformsShould the day ever arrive

when school uniforms aremandatory, that day wouldmark the end of a long-run-ning debate. Parents on bothsides of the debate makevalid points as to the advan-tages and disadvantages ofschool uniforms. Parentsundecided about the issueshould consider the followingpros and cons beforemakinga decision of their own.Pro: School uniforms will

save parents money. Thepremise here points to par-

ents spending lots of moneyeach year on schoolclothes forchildren, money that wouldbe saved if every schoolre-quired uniforms.Con: Those opposed to

school uniforms note thatthose uniformsare expensiveand don't offer the versatilityof normal wardrobesbecause they cannot beworn outside of school.Pro: School uniforms help

kids establish themselves onmerit rather than money andwardrobe. Here, proponents

of schooluniforms argue thattoo often at schools withoutuniforms a student's socialstatus and popularity isbased on his or her clothing.Uniforms, the theory sug-gests, will encourage kids toestablish their reputationsmore on merit and personalcharacter instead of whatclothes they can or can'tafford.Con: Those against school

uniforms argue that schooluniformsactually deter anddiscourage students from

expressing their individuality.Choosing their own clothing,however, allows them toexpress themselves.Pro: School uniformsmight

help deter violence atschools. Over the yearsgangs have adopted certaincolors or styles of clothing bywhich to identify themselves.By making school uniforms-mandatory, this might helpreduce instances of gang-related violence as studentswill no longer be afforded theopportunity to tailor their

daily wardrobeto match theirgang affiliation.C o n :

Opponents ofschool uniformstypically feel thatthis argumentpunishes stu-dentswho are notin or associatedwith gangs andhave thereforeearned the rightto wear the cloth-ing of their choice.

Eight ways parents can save on school expensesEvery year parents spend

significant amounts of moneyon schoolexpenses. Whilethere's not much parents cando about tuition, there areways to save on additionalexpenses, including clothing.Restocking a student'swardrobe can be costly, butsavvy Moms and Dads canlessen the blow in a variety ofways.Although students may not

yet be ready to head back toclass, both parents and chil-dren may not be looking for-ward to schoolshopping for anumber of reasons.* Expenses: Statistics post-

ed on Chiff.com indicate that$7.2 billion were spent onschool clothing in 2009 forAmerican students. InCanada, statistics show thatnearly $450millionwere spenton boy's and girl's clothingand accessories in 2008.

Shopping for school items canbe a big expense, one that'sespecially tough to handleafter paying for a summervacation or financing kids'stays at camp.* Time: Crowded stores

can make shopping stressful,especially when kids (andadults) would rather bespending time elsewhere.* Intimidation: Facing a store

full of stocked racks andshelves can make even themost avid shopper feel a littleanxious. Parents face deci-sions about choosing clothingthat is both acceptable totheschool and trendy enoughfor their kids. This can putadded pressure on shoppers.* Cranky kids: While some

children may relish the idea ofpicking out a new wardrobe,others may become disgrun-tled by heading to the storehaving to try on different

things and spend time awayfrom friends.Whether school shopping

is fun or feared, it's a necessi-ty for parents and kids alike.Here are eight tips to makethe process a bit easier andhelp parents save money aswell.1. Assess what is already

on hand. Shopping doesn'thave to mean creating anentirely new wardrobe fromscratch. It oftenmeans supple-menting existing clothing withnew pieces that can makethings look fresh. Unless achild has entirely outgrownpants and shirts from lastyear, chances are there willbe a number of pieces thatare still usable and appropri-ate. Take a day or two to gothrough kids' wardrobes andset aside items that can beused forschool. Make a list ofnew items to purchase.

2. Establish a budget. Set alimit as to how much will bespent on each child and don'tstray over that limit. Around$150 to $200 may be ade-quate to pick up a few basics.Taking out cash from the bankand spending only what is inhand may make shoppersless likely to overspend orturn to credit cards for pur-chases.3. Stock up on the basics.

New undergarments andsocks will be needed. Aimfor about 10 to 12 pairs of each.This alsomaybe a good timeto purchase pre-adolescentgirls a training bra or sportsbra to provide some support.4. Buy new shoes. Shoes

are one element of awardrobe that may need tobe entirely new. Active chil-dren tend to wear out shoesquickly. One pair of sneakersand one pair of dressier

shoes, like oxfords, or balletf lats for girls, may be ade-quate.5. Shop sales. If the weather

is warm, it's possible to savemoney on clearance T-shirtsand shorts that stores are put-ting on sale to make room fornext season's items. Don't filla student's wardrobe withheavy sweatshirts or sweatersat this juncture. Layeringoptions are good becausestudents can adjust accord-ingly to feel comfortable.6. Intermingle designer

with discount. Not every itemin a child's wardrobe has tobe trendy. Layering items,such as T-shirts, can often bepicked up for a discount instores like Target or Walmartor Old Navy. Outer items, likejeans or some shirts, can bepicked up from the trendierstores. Shop their sales andsee if they offer coupons by

signing up to loyalty Websites.7. Go early in the day.

Although it may be a chal-lenge get the kids up anddressed to visit stores whenthey're in vacation mode,arriving early means thinnercrowds and refreshed chil-dren. Kids who are tired orhungry can be prone to melt-downs. Pack snacks anddrinks to be on the safe side.Some stores offer early birdspecial sales, which canmakeshopping once the doorsopen even more advanta-geous.8. Do some online shop-

ping, too. Once the childrenhave gone to bed for theevening, do some uninter-rupted online shopping.Comparison shop and figureout if buying online is a gooddeal after factoring in shippingcosts.

Bullies lurkon the webCyberbullying occurs

when a child is embar-rassed, harassed, humiliat-ed, threatened, or torment-ed by another child usingthe Internet, mobile phonesor another interactive anddigital technology. Just asgenuineaconcernasbully-ing, cyberbullying hasresulted in children killingothers or even committingsuicide. Cyberbullying

occurs when minors are onboth sides of bullying or ifthe bullying was at leastinstigated by a minoragainst another minor.Some of the more commonmeans in which a child isvictimized by cyberbully-ing include repeated e-mails or instant messages,posting real or doctoredimages online, sharing inti-mate information against a

child'swill and encouragingother children to share in thebullying. Breaking intoonline accounts, such as e-mail or social networkingaccounts, is also consid-ered cyberbullying.Though some instances ofcyberbullying rise to a levelwhere criminal charges arefiled, this is rare.

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Watch for telltale signsGoing back to school is one

of the exciting moment ofalmost every girl. Makinggood impression towards theteacher and her classmates isusually what comes to mind.Nothing can be changed withthe eye and skin color. Butwith hair there are a lot of vari-ations that can be done toproject one part of her per-sonality.The following are the differ-

ent hairstyles that will fit per-fectly for you.

1. Long and Loose hair-styles for girlsCelebrities like Miley

Cyrus, Carrie Underwoodand Vannesa Hudgens arenow setting the trend of hav-ing ultra-long hairstyles.These three girls usuallyhave their hair styled in aloose, long, and curly.However, for special eventsthe best hairstyle is to havethe uppermost sections of thehair pinned up in order tohave an unswept look. Toenhance the curls, it is advis-able to scrunch the hair whiledrying the hair.

2. Short hairstyles for girlsRihanna has started to pop-

ularize short hairstyles thisyear. Such hairstyles willmake your little girls stand outwithout even looking boyish.Short hairstyles such as cropsand layered bob will be ashort hit. A lof of girls lovedthe short bob especially thosewho have thin hair. This hair-style will give depth and vol-

ume to the hair making it lookthicker. For those who haveround shape faces, having ahairstyle in medium length isrecommended. For thosegirls who do not want tospend much time maintainingthe hair, choosing short hair-styles will suit them better.

3. Up Do hairstyles for girlsIt might give a perception

that up dos are just for formaloccasion. In reality, up dosare not. You can still look anaverage girl going to schoolwith an up do. It is more ofchoosing what variation orstyle that you like best andrepresent more of your per-

sonality. Wearing a messy updo like a braid or even as sim-ple as a ponytail is great foryour everyday lifestyle.Jennifer Garner is one of themany celebrities who still lookbeautfiul wearing a ponytail.It is more of how you styledup your ponytail that willmake you lookgoodor not. Togive you a dramatic appear-ance, you is through having aside-swept style ponytail.Whether your hair is short,

medium length or long, thechoice is definitely yours onwhat hairstyle to wear ingoing back to school. Thebottom line is looking at yourbest with less effort.

Teenage Girl Hairstyles

Making a goodfirst impression

Ballpoint pens

No. 2 pencils

Pencil sharpener

Crayons

Notebooks

Assignment pad

3-ring binder

Loose-leaf paper

Pocket folders

Art smock

Washable markers

Large eraser

White glue

Glue stick

Safety scissors

Highlighters

Ruler

Transparent tape

Mini stapler

Backpack

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When it comes to back-pack safety, most peopletend to think about injuriescaused by a heavy back-pack or one worn improp-erly. However, there areother dangers associatedwith backpacks and cau-tion should be used.Backpacks come in all

shapes and sizes and canbe a handy tool for stu-dents or adults. Whenworn correctly, withweight evenly distrubutedacross the back and shoul-ders, backpacks can besafer and more effectivethan using a purse orbriefcase. But many peo-ple wear overly loadedbackpacks slung over oneshoulder, which can poseproblems with postureand lead to back issues.In addition to the physi-

cal strain backpacks cancause, they can be a dan-ger in other ways. Manypeople fail to recognizehow much space a back-pack can take up. Enteringthe tight quarters ofaschool bus or commuting

on a train or bus means abulky backpack canknock into other people. Ifthat backpack is full ofheavy, cumbersomebooks or even a laptopcomputer, an inadvertentbump by the pack cancause injuries. Also, back-packs taken off and placedin bus aisles can be a trip-ping hazard.Students also can be

injured if a heavy packfalls on them. Childrentucking backpacks intolockers or classroom cub-bies may find that theyslide out and hit anotherclassmate.Backpacks change the

way individuals walk.Because the person is car-rying around extra weight,he or she may lose bal-ance or trip and fall, espe-cially when going downsteps.To avoid these second-

ary hazards from back-packs, consider these tips.• Don't overload a back-

pack. Carry only what isnecessary. If too many

books are the issue, par-ents should talk to theschooladministrators andteachers to reach a happymedium regarding text-book usage.• When on the bus, safe-

ly store the backpack on alap or under the seat. Besure straps or the packitself is not extending intothe aisle.• Avoid rolling back-

packs, which can be diffi-cult to roll. Someschoolsban these styles becauseof tripping hazards.• Recognize how much

space the backpack takesup when worn. Be con-scious of others when turn-ing around or entering aconfined space.• Hold on to stair rails

and do not run with aheavy backpack to helpavoid slips and falls.• Choose a lightweight

backpack. Canvas back-packs are generally lighterin weight than leatherbackpacks. Do not addextra weight unnecessari-ly.

Avoid the perils of backpacks

Backpacks are a popular and practical way for children and teenagers to carry school books andsupplies.When used correctly, backpacks can be a good way to carry the necessities of the schoolday. Be sure your child?s school allows students to stop at their lockers throughout the day. Do notignore any back pain in a child or teenager. Ask your pediatrician or health care professional foradvice.Backpacks are designed to distribute the weight of the load among some of the body?sstrongest muscles. However, backpacks that are too heavy or are worn incorrectly can cause prob-lems. Improperly used backpacks may injure muscles and joints. This can lead to severe back,neck, and shoulder pain, as well as long term posture problems. Share these guidelines to help yourkids select backpacks and use them safely.Doctors recommend that kid?s backpacks should not bemore than 15% of their total body weight. When choosing a backpack. Look for wide, padded fea-tures with two shoulder straps.Backpacks with one narrow strap can dig into the shoulders.This cancause pain and restrict circulation. A padded backpack protects against sharp edges on objectsinside the pack and increases comfort. A lightweight backpack with a waist strap can distribute theweight of a heavy load more evenly. If you?re going to carry a heavy backpack make sure you usethe hip strap, instead of letting it just hang there.The rolling backpack is an excellent choice for stu-dents who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried upstairs.Always use both straps. Do not sling the back pack over one shoulder. Pack light.Tighten thestraps. Organize the backpack. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. Bend using bothknees. Learn and perform back strengthening exercises to build up the muscles used to carry abackpack.

Encourage good hygene habits for teens

My two sons dreadcarrying backpacksduring school. Theycomplain of backpain. What are therules for selectingand wearingbackpacks?

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With school, sports,friends and hobbies,today's teens lead busyand active lives, andsometimes they don't takethe time -- or know -- topractice good hygiene.While discussing properhygiene with your teencan be difficult, it is possi-ble to address the topicwithout making him or herfeel uncomfortable or self-conscious. One approachparents can take is toappeal to your teens'growing maturity by mak-ing it clear that these self-care tasks are theirresponsibility. Giving yourteen the respect andencouragement to maketheir own choices in thesetransitional years can helpthem develop healthyhabits for life.To help empower your

teen to take better care oftheir hygiene, parents canfollow these tips:Make it Fun: The teen

years are all about findinga unique sense of style.This also applies to cos-metics and accessories.Allow your teen to choosetheir shampoos, soaps andoral care products. Thiswill encourage them totake interest in theirhygiene without you hav-ing to ask.

Brace Face: Tooth brush-ing can be a struggle atthis age. Your child may goin the bathroom for 30 sec-onds and declare that heor she has brushed. Kidsshould know that goodoral care is just as impor-tant as taking a shower,especially if your child hasbraces. Make the processa little easier and ensurethey are brushing for theproper amount of time bykeeping a two minutetimer in the bathroom. Bysupplying your teen withproducts in the f lavors(e.g. not-too-spicy, not-too-sweet) and cooldesigns they will like, suchas the Crest Pro-HealthFOR ME FluorideAnticavity Toothpaste, theymight even forget they aredoing something healthyand those two minutes willf ly!"Oral health is an impor-

tant issue particularly forkids in their adolescentyears. Tooth decay is stillrecognized as the mostcommon chronic diseaseaffecting children in theUnited States. According tothe American Academy ofPediatrics, 51 million hoursof school are lost each yeardue to dental-related ill-ness1," says Dr. JenniferSalzer, orthodontist, den-

tist and mother of a teen."Not only can poor oralhygiene affect the healthand well-being of a child, italso plays a role in self-esteem."Under Armor: Puberty

is the first time adolescentshave to deal with bodyodor. Help your teenunderstand how to controlodors by explaining thedifference betweendeodorant, which controlsbacteria while adding fra-grance, and antiperspi-rant, which stops or limitssweating. Remind yourteen that both deodorantand antiperspirant willhelp if they put it on beforethey start sweating, notafter.Skincare 101: Changing

hormones typically bringabout oilier skin, especial-ly on the nose and fore-head. Teach your teen towash their face once ortwice a day with acleanser and discouragethem from picking, as thiscauses inf lammation andscarring.Lead by Example:

Whether they admit it ornot, your teen notices yourhabits. Set an example byshowing that a healthyhygiene routine is impor-tant to you too

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