'What Are We Doing Wrong?'

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Article Title:

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'What Are We Doing Wrong?'

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Diabetes, obesity, and ADD/ADHD are all on the rise for children.

What are we doing wrong?

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563 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line

Distribution Date and Time: 2007-02-06 10:12:00

Written By: Sally Goldberg, Ph.D.

Copyright: 2007

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'What Are We Doing Wrong?'

Copyright © 2007 Sally Goldberg, Ph.D.

Center for Successful Children

Q. Diabetes, obesity, and ADD/ADHD are all on the rise for

children. What are we doing wrong?

A. Besides the well-acknowledged dietary influences, experts are

now focusing on the problems of inactivity. We went straight from

an active lifestyle for children to one that causes them a

sedentary existence. In addition, we have lost many of the

hands-on interactive play activities along the way.

Exercise and movement were always a natural part of a child's

daily life. Children in school had an even balance of active and

quiet activities. They were encouraged to move around the room,

enjoy recess, and play outdoors. Most were exposed to a full

array of parks and play areas. Traditional playgrounds were set

up to allow children to move in every direction--up and down on a

slide, back and forth on a swing, around on a merry-go-round, and

in every direction while keeping balance on a jungle gym.

Baby life had its own set of parameters for an active life. The

baby blanket was the first place for a baby to have a safe and

comfortable environment for movement. Next a rug provided a

natural setting for an older baby to crawl about. Later, toddlers

did well in a child-proof house set up for safe exploration. At

two, an outside play area was a huge success. From three to five

preschoolers spent many happy hours at a park or playing with

others in different homes.

Today

Most schools pay little attention in the early years to anything

besides academics. There is no concern for balancing active and

quiet time. Recess has become almost a thing of the past. With

the constant use of infant seats and car seats, babies and young

children have lost much of their time to move around freely.

Stroller life has taken over. As you look around the mall and in

other public places, notice the strollers. You will see babies,

toddlers, twos, and preschoolers spending long hours being

wheeled around. Little ones are in these seats covered with all

kinds of hoods and hanging toys. Many have either pacifiers in

their mouths, bottles propped, sippie cups in their hands, or

food they are eating.

The plastic pacifiers, replacements for real thumbs, are often

unnecessary. Bottles, substitutes for nursing, are often given to

babies in their stroller and not in the arms of mom or another

caring adult. Sippie cups, substitutes for regular cups, are used

like toys. These are meant for use at the table, and then only if

it is thought a child is likely to cause a spill. Food is

prevalent in strollers and given much too often. Meals and snacks

should be given to children as much as possible at regular

intervals and at a table setting.

What to Do

Set up safe and accessible play areas for babies to move, crawl,

and get around. Minimize stroller time as much as possible.

Replace as much of it as possible with opportunities for walking.

Arrange for hands-on interactive play. Take a walk, play catch,

and work on a family project. Hobbies and crafts are also

popular. All these activities promote movement and enhance the

ability to focus and pay attention. Instead of entertaining from

the outside, they stimulate concentration and creativity. These

are all positive ways to help your child return to a more active,

interactive, and healthy way of life.

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Sally Goldberg, Ph.D., is program developer/director

of the Center for Successful Children in sdale,

AZ. She empowers parents to solve parenting issues.

With unique personalized workshops, she gives parents

insights to overcome problems related to self-esteem,

behavior, respect, ADD/ADHD, self-care, and more. If

you would like to contact Dr. Sally, you can reach

her at 480-296-0332 or sally.goldberg@....

Find out more at www.drsallyparenting.com