Provides information on child abuse and how early childhood educators can help parents and their children in overcoming the trauma. Recommends two children's books on child abuse and provides a list of useful resources. (MOK)

Asserts that children have the ability to control their caloric intake when they are permitted to follow their internal hunger cues. Recognizes the great variability of opinions concerning food intake and the important role teachers play. Advises serving a variety of foods and encouraging outdoor physical activity to avoid childhood obesity. (SD)

Describes past and present federal programs to prevent hunger, poor nutrition, and poor health. Presents evidence suggesting a link between nutrition and cognitive functioning, later ability to earn a living, and mortality. Maintains that nutrition is a vital component of any welfare reform and economic development strategy. Presents evidence of…

Discusses changes in pediatric knowledge and practice necessary to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Considers the importance of the "new morbidity" training for pediatricians to include advocacy, public health, adolescence, health promotion, parenting and family dynamics, health and social inequalities, and social…

Used a national survey of school based health clinic directors to assess the success of clinics in terms of longevity and service delivery, testing factors, particularly political factors, thought to impinge upon their ability to function effectively. Results indicated that factors most consistently and significantly associated with success…

The validity of the 600-yard walk/run, the 20-meter shuttle run, and a modified 16-meter shuttle run was determined to measure aerobic capacity (VO2peak) in 34 children with mental retardation (ages 10-17). All field tests were found to be very reliable, and VO2peak was significantly related to them all. (Author/CR)

Child care professionals in Hawaii were surveyed to assess health training needs. Respondents reported a high degree of comfort in managing common health conditions. The most commonly requested health services involved speech/language testing and vision/hearing screening. The most requested health/safety workshop topic was behavioral problems. The…

A study compared Medicaid children with and without serious mental health problems (n=965) using parent reports of global health status, physical functioning, and general health perceptions. Children with more serious mental health problems were significantly more likely to have chronic health conditions. The number of conditions also predicted…

This paper explores the characteristics of the child sexual offender and the devastating impact of sexual abuse on children. It discusses the importance of a child's disclosure of victimization and its significance in the treatment process. Recommendations are presented on ways to improve school-based sexual abuse programs since they are in a…

Describes the efforts, outcomes, and recommendations from an urban California school district's pilot program for vaccinating preteens in two diverse urban middle schools. Barriers and strategies included staff inexperience, educating students, informing parents, tracking vaccinations, coping with language diversity, and creating individualized…

Explores major changes in pediatrics over the past decade: the push toward immunization; the rise in incidence of asthma; reduction of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); and an emphasis on preventive care. (HTH)

Explores the more common birth defects, noting their rates, causes, and potential for prevention. Highlights the trend toward leading more normal lives for children with such impairments. (HTH)

Examines the link between movement experiences--and their consequences during infancy--and cognitive development. Explains how movement stimulates cognitive development, the role of aerobic activity, and the importance of skill development. Offers suggestions for enhancing preschool motor learning experiences, practicing movement fundamentals,…

Challenges the message of "biopsychiatry," the belief that all mental illness is biologically based, genetic in origin, and incurable, and can only be treated chemically. Suggests that the epidemic drugging of school-age children is an act of despair. Highlights one family's experience in getting appropriate treatment without medication for their…

This 1959 paper describes the three components of modern school health programs: healthful school living (e.g., lunch programs and wholesome teacher-student relationships); health education (health and safety instruction); and health services (e.g., vision testing and visiting physicians who come daily to examine students for infectious diseases).…