Keeping children healthy

PEA RIDGE — Keeping children healthy is an important part of parenting, and most parentsunderstand that regular visits to the doctor and dentist are necessary to maintain kids’ physical well-being. Healthy kids are important to schools, too, and at each school in the Pea Ridge School District, a nurse is employed to take care of the students’ health needs during the school day.

Another aspect of keeping children healthy which is gaining attention through news and social media is students’ mental health.

Drug abuse, depression, anger management issues and bullying are just a few of the things that can affect a student’s ability to perform to his or her potential. School personnel are always on the lookout for signs of these and other issues that can affect a student in a harmful way.

If a significant change occurs in a child’s academic performance, circle of friends, anxiety level, moods or willingness to attend school, parents should be aware of this and watch their child over a period of time while giving reassurance and positive advice to the child. The pre-adolescent and adolescent years are difficult for children to navigate. Sometimes it can also be hard for parents to know when behaviors are a natural part of growing up and when those behaviors become significant.

All children feel sad orangry at some point as they grow and develop. They may change their circle of friends as they develop specific interests in sports, music or other school organizations. Many willhave conflicts with their peers occasionally. As isolated incidences, none of these examples should beconsidered as indicators of a more serious problem. If, however, these feelings and behaviors become a consistent part of a child’s lifestyle, intervention may be necessary.

If parents conclude that their child needs guidance in dealing with potentially difficult situations, then they should begin to address these issues with conversations and questioning. If a parent needs assistance in how or whento question a child about difficult topics, help is available through school personnel or even through professional counseling services.

For more information about available services, please contact your child’s school counselor.

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Editor’s note: Sarah Stokes is the principal at Pea Ridge Intermediate School.

She can be contacted at [email protected].