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Looking for something to do this summer? Wanting to
further your education, go to a workshop, just learn more about
your field? Well you're in luck! This month we take a look at the
summer time conferences and workshops going on around the country
as well as opportunities that exist to get a masters degree on-line.
If that's not enough, we touch on the sensitive topic
of heat stroke. Talking as someone who has had heat stroke, I can
honestly say that it's no fun, and I would recommend to anyone to
take all precautions in making sure that they didn't get it. Please,
in this heat, make sure that you are taking care of yourself, it
can sneak up on you before you know what hit you, and by then it's
too late....you're miserable or even much worse. So be safe, hope
your school year went great and enjoy your summer months. Until
next time...
Lloyd Gage - PELinks Graduate
Assistant
Secondary Section Editor
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| State Specific Physical Activity Levels: Are we where we want
to be? |
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Participation in physical activity on a regular basis provides
important health benefits, including reduced risk for heart disease,
colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Regular physical
activity also helps control weight; contributes to development and
maintenance of healthy bones, muscles, and joints; and reduces symptoms
of anxiety and depression (1). Recent recommendations have emphasized
moderate intensity activities nearly every day for those who are
unable to maintain the previously recommended program of strenuous
activity three times a week (2). To determine the proportion of
adults who are participating in regular physical activity, regardless
of the level of intensity, CDC analyzed data from the 1994 Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report summarizes
the results of that analysis, which indicates that, in every state
surveyed, most adults are not participating in regular physical
activity.
The BRFSS is a population-based, random-digit-dialed telephone
survey of the noninstitutionalized US population aged greater than
or equal to 18 years. Data were available for 105,390 respondents
in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Respondents were asked
about the frequency, duration, and intensity of leisure-time physical
activities during the preceding month and were categorized as having
reported no leisure-time physical activity, irregular activity that
did not meet the recommended criteria for either regular sustained
or regular vigorous physical activity, or regular activity meeting
either the previous recommendation for regular vigorous physical
activity (greater than or equal to 20 minutes per day of vigorous
physical activity on greater than or equal to 3 days per week) or
for regular sustained physical activity of any intensity (an average
of greater than or equal to 30 minutes per day of activity on greater
than or equal to 5 days per week).......
Overall, reported participation in regular physical activity by
state ranged from 16.0% (District of Columbia) to 35.7% (Oregon)
(median: 26.9%) (Table_1). The ranges among states were similar
for men (15.8% to 39.0%) and women (15.6% to 38.3%). Participation
in no leisure-time physical activity ranged from 18.3% (Washington)
to 49.3% (District of Columbia) (median: 28.9%). For men, the range
among states was from 16.0% to 49.1% for no leisure-time physical
activity and for women, from 19.5% to 50.1%. For insufficient physical
activity (no leisure-time activity and irregular activity combined),
estimates ranged from 64.3% to 84.0% (median: 73.1%).
For more on this chart and other state results click
here
Source: CDC website
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| Enjoying Stress-free Summer Activities |
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It's summertime, school is out, and many families are at their
wit's end about how to fill three months of their children's free
time. Images of summertime are usually cast in a light of hot, lazy,
relaxing days by a lake, but the reality for most working families
is the struggle to balance the demands of adult work schedules with
providing safe activities for children. This dilemma often results
in hectic, stress-filled days comparable to those during the school
year. While summer camp is an option for some, the cost of day and
overnight camps can be too expensive for many families’ budgets.
Structured activities are beneficial, but parents and caregivers
should also keep in mind the advantages of unstructured time for
children.
So what do we do to keep young children busy, yet also allow them
to enjoy the summer months? Whether your child is a preschooler
or school-age, a wealth of opportunities for fun, educational, and
even relaxing activities are possible. Here are some tips that may
be useful for families and caregivers:
Visit the library
Until recently, libraries offered little or nothing for children
below the age of three, but in the past few years, many have introduced
programs for toddlers. Children and adults can participate in activities
that may include reading aloud, storytelling, fingerplays, rhymes,
and songs. Preschoolers usually enjoy the group activities offered
by libraries, where they can participate in puppet shows and arts
and crafts activities. For elementary school children, there are
variations of the read-alouds and storytelling hours that often
include discussions and presentations by the children themselves,
as well as summer reading programs. Many public libraries also offer
training courses for children in using different software or educational
programs.
Discover geography
What makes a place special? What are the physical characteristics
of your hometown? Take children for a walk around your neighborhood
and look at what makes it unique. Point out how it is similar to
other places you have been and how it is different. If you live
near a park, a lake, a river, a stream or a creek, take your children
there and spend time talking about its uses. Read stories about
distant places with children or sing songs to teach geography, for
example "Home on the Range" or "California, Here
I Come." Make a wish list of places you would like to visit
with your child. Look them up on a map and plan a trip there--real
or pretend.
View and create collections
Go to a children’s museum to view hands-on exhibits or suggest
that your children start a "collection" and build their
own museum. They can collect natural materials, such as acorns and
leaves from a local park or sea shells from the beach.
Nature's best
Older children can learn about weather by using a map to look up
the temperature of cities around the world and discovering how hot
each gets in the summer. Watch cloud formations and imagine. Do
the shapes look like horses, ducks or other animals?
At night, children can collect fireflies in jars, or depending
on their age, camp out in a tent in the back yard. Create a treasure
map for children to find hidden treats in the yard. Read about your
state bird and state flower, and if possible, bicycle ride to a
nearby park to find them.
Use community resources
Watch for special events, such as free outdoor music festivals or
concerts. Many communities host evening concerts in local parks--pack
a picnic dinner and enjoy time with your family. People are resources
too--collectors, painters, and backyard naturalists may live in
your neighborhood, eager to share their knowledge with children.
Rainy day activities
Summertime often brings thunder clouds. On days when outdoor activities
are not possible, you can share family history and photos with your
children. Pull out the old videotapes of past family gatherings
and events. Prepare an indoor picnic with your child or cook dinner
together.
Whatever the activity, children can enjoy and appreciate the summer
months in ways that are both educational and stress-reducing for
all involved.
Source: National
Association for the Education of Young Children
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| If you have ideas, comments, letters
to share, or questions about particular topics, please email
one of the following Secondary Section Editors: |
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| Not too busy this summer? Check out these
conferences and workshops |
| Have you received your Masters Degree yet? |
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Thinking about going back to school to receive your masters
degree? Why leave your home, why take time out from your job you
already have? Wouldn't it be great if you could get your masters
degree from the comforts of your own home, on your computer. With
technology today, anything is possible, even receiving a masters
degree from an accredited university, while taking classes over
the Internet. Personally, I'm currently taking the online masters
classes through Central Washington University. The classes are
very informative and the professors work very hard to make sure
everyone in the cohort stays together in our learning. So if you've
thought about getting that M.S. degree, I highly recommend this
idea of an Online masters program. For more information, you can
check out Central
Washington's Online program, or there are other schools that
offer this unique way of schooling. Click
here to find out more!!!
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| Heat stroke prevention-Keep an eye on
those kids |
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A beautiful, sunny day can bring with it loads of
fun and excitement or life threatening illness. Heat sickness
is a fast acting, dangerous killer. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion
and heat stroke can bring about an irreversible coma and even,
death.
Know the difference-It’s important to
note the differences between the three main heat related illnesses.
While heat cramps can be uncomfortable, they are not life threatening.
Heat stroke, on the other hand, needs immediate medical attention.
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are caused by muscle contractions in both the gastronomies
or hamstring area (back of calves). Feeling most like a severe
muscle pull, heat cramps are forceful and painful. Heat cramps
are associated with lack of fluids, high temperatures and lack
of physical conditioning. Heat cramps, while painful, are not
life threatening. Ignoring heat cramps however, can bring about
the progression of other, more serious heat related illnesses.
Heat cramps can be treated with water, cool air and rest.
Heat Exhaustion
This condition is exactly what it sounds like: severe exhaustion
caused by extreme body heat. Excessive heat and dehydration can
cause the body to overreact, thus raising your body temperature
to over 102-degrees. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion include paleness,
nausea, extreme fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, vomiting,
fainting and cool, clammy skin. Heat Exhaustion is a serious illness
and should be carefully monitored. Cool, shady environments, liquids,
cool rags placed on various areas of the body and replacement
of electrolytes (such as those found in sports drinks) are used
to treat this condition. If body temperature remains elevated
even after treatment, it's best to consult your doctor for further
information and instruction.
Heat Stroke
Heat Stroke is a medical emergency, and the most severe form
of heat related illness. Anyone exhibiting the signs and symptoms
of Heat Stroke should be rushed to the nearest hospital or clinic.
Unlike other forms of heat illness, Heat Stroke does not have
to be caused by exercise or exertion. High temperatures, lack
of body fluids and overexposure to the elements can all bring
about Heat Stroke. The very young and old are especially susceptible
to the hazards of this heat related illness.
Symptoms
The first sign to look for in a victim of Heat Stroke is red,
flushed skin. People who are suffering Heat Stroke, do not sweat,
so it is critical that they receive emergency care immediately
to relieve their body of heat. Other signs of Heat Stroke include:
- A body temperature of 106-degrees or higher
- Seizures
- Headache
- Rapid pulse
- Unconsciousness
- Prevention of Heat Stroke
It is possible to avoid suffering the ill effects of heat related
disorders by taking a few simple precautions.
Hydration
The easiest way to avoid Heat Stroke and other heat disorders
is to keep your body well hydrated. This means drinking plenty
of water before, during and after exposure to the elements. Sports
drinks are a good choice if you’re exercising or working
in hot conditions, but water works fine, too.
Ventilation
Staying in a place where there is plenty of airspace which will
help allow your body to naturally cool itself. Sitting in a shaded,
wide open area will help your body rid itself of heat through
sweating. If you're indoors, always open windows, use a fan, central
air or air conditioning during excessively hot days.
Clothing
What you wear can play a big factor in how your body will handle
the heat. Light colored, loose fitting clothing will aid your
body in breathing and cooling itself down naturally. Tight clothing
restricts such a process and dark colors absorb the sun’s
light and heat. It’s okay to wear a hat to shield yourself
from the sun, but once you feel yourself getting warm, it’s
best to remove any items that are covering your head. Continuing
to wear head garments will only keep more heat trapped inside
of your body.
Limit Yourself
Watching how much activity you’re participating in during
hot days is also important. Don’t overdue it. Heat Stroke
can set in in less than an hour. If you feel yourself getting
warm or lightheaded, it’s best to take a time out and rest
in the shade.
Heat related illnesses are preventable. Like many sicknesses,
it's easier to take steps against Heat Stroke than it is to treat
it. Most doctors recommend consuming eight or more glasses of
water a day during normal weather conditions and twice that during
high heat periods.
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