Active Moms = Active Kids

By now we’ve all seen the studies linking exercise with improved cognitive, academic and emotional functioning for adults and children.  There may be nothing more important you could for your children than to ensure they are physically active every day.  A British study of 554 four year olds and their mothers found that the more active the mother was the more active the child would be.  For every minute the mother was active the child spent 10% additional time engaging in the same level of activity.  Over weeks, months and years this number is especially significant.  

http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/study-active-moms-influence-children-to-be-active?page=single

I hope the same hold true for active Dads!  This past Monday I ran the Boston Marathon and brought my children along to share in the experience with me.  I hope that in addition to making some great memories my children learn about the benefits of fitness and internalize the intangibles it takes to accomplish challenging goals.

School counseling on the decline

If there were ever a time to shift monies so schools could hire more counselors it would be now. With increased academic, college, social and emotional stressors that teenagers face we do not need to see a decrease in the counselor/student ratio at our high schools.  The most current data shows the ratio is 471 students per single counselor in this USA Today article.  The American School Counselors Association recommends 250-1!

Encourage kids to play

“Do you know how hard it is to get kids to exercise for 60 minutes a day?  Do you know how easy it is to get kids to play for 60 minutes a day?”  Jill Vialet has started a movement of sorts to encourage more play in 2014.  Rather than viewing play as an indulgence she challenges us to view it as something that will improve a kids’ life.  Have them turn off the TV and iGadgets and play.  Researchers know that play is therapeutic.  It enhances relationships, social skills, school performance and even brain development.

HBO Documentary

If you haven’t seen the start of a new series on HBO called State of Play: Trophy Kids I highly recommend it.  It explores the world of youth sports and over-involved, demanding and narcissistic parents who are trying to create the next super star athletes.  The first show ends with a roundtable discussion featuring a notable child psychologist and ex-football star Todd Marinovich.  He experienced this type of upbringing and discusses candidly the repercussions it had on his life.

ADHD on the rise but not over-diagnosed

I get asked routinely whether ADHD is over-diagnosed and over-treated. The short answer is “No.” While I certainly believe there are places and cases where this happens I’ve always said that statistically this is just not the case irregardless of public controversy.  I can understand the perception given the CDC’s recent research indicating a 43% increase in ADHD diagnoses over the past 10 years.  Rather than believing it’s over-diagnosed I agree that we are getting closer to the true prevalence rate of 9-11% since 8% are currently diagnosed.  Research suggests that only 70% of children diagnosed are currently receiving treatment.  While I agree it’s a staggering increase over the past ten years it does not mean clinicians are labeling kids irresponsibly or parents are over-medicating.

Kids are less fit

Research analyzing 50 studies on running fitness involving 25 million children indicate that kids fitness levels have declined 5% per decade since 1975.  Children 30 years ago could run a mile 90 seconds faster than today’s kids.  Rising levels of obesity, media, video games are partly to blame.  Parents and kids have to be more intentional about exercise and nutrition.  Study after study points to exercise and fitness as important factors in improving psychological and cognitive functioning not to mention the obvious physical and health benefits.  Let’s get kids moving!

Strong awareness about Bullying

More stories about bullying of late which can only be good news as more and more awareness is raised. Standing up for Shea is a local story that’s gone nationally. CNN has an excellent story on countering online bullying. This weekend the NFL and the Miami Dolphins are having to deal with the fallout from serious allegations of bullying within their football locker room. The Dolphins have suspended one of their best players for conduct detrimental to the team. I applaud the hulking, 300 lb. Jonathan Martin for taking a stand in a profession and culture like professional football. The positive impact of his courage will empower both children and adults who deal with this abuse at school or in the workplace. Ben Leichtling, founder of BulliesBeGone, says “bulling is not only about kids. It happens all the time, in every culture, with people at every age, in every situation, and always has.”