 Water-absorbing gel beads sold as sensory toys and used in vases and gardens are a growing problem among young children. What are water beads?Made of superabsorbent polymer chemicals, water beads are also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil and gel beads. They are also called sensory beads, used as play tools for children with autism and other developmental conditions. When the tiny, hard plastic balls are placed in water, they can grow up to 1,500 times their size. The clear, colorful beads can then be dried out and reused. Why water beads can be dangerous for young children The problem is that because water beads look like candy, young children may be tempted to swallow them. Kids also have put them in their ears, and even inhaled them. The beads can continue to grow once inside the body, causing blockages and life-threatening damage. And the beads may not be visible on X-rays. Although the beads are labeled as "non-toxic," concerns also have been raised about the safety of the chemical acrylamide used to make them. Water beads safety tipsIf you are interested in buying water beads, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
Deaths and injuries of children have prompted recalls of water-absorbing balls, beads and toys shaped like fruit and animals. Recently, a recall was issued after one baby died and another was seriously injured from swallowing water beads in an activity kit. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has many reports of children being injured after ingesting water beads. Many cases involve young children under 3 years old swallowing water beads given to their older siblings. In two CPSC reports, children were treated for ear infections when doctors couldn't spot clear beads in their ears during an exam. The delay in finding the beads allowed them to grow until the kids, who were 5 and 7 years old, needed surgery. Both have ear drum damage, and one hearing loss. Poison Control reported a 6-month-old who needed surgery after swallowing a water bead; the baby later died from an infection. If you suspect your child swallowed water beads or put them into their ears, seek treatment right away. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get online help.Signs your child may have swallowed water beads
Last Updated 9/14/2023 Source American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence ＆ Poison Prevention (Copyright © 2023)
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 It's time again for the DuQuoin State Fair- a true southern Illinois tradition. Once you are a parent, going to the Fair takes on a whole new meaning (and costs!) Here are quick tips to make it a day to remember.
Plan your trip in advance. It will only take a short time and will be well worth it. Check out the "lay of the land" Know where the restrooms are. Check out the map and keep your eye out for the Refreshment stations, places where families can sit and relax. Bring the essentials you will need and keep them accessible. Backpacks are always a good idea. If you have a young one, don't skip the stroller. You will be glad you have it by the time you reach the gates. Another staple is "wet wipes", even if your kids aren't diaper-age. They are great on stick fair food, you can use them to wipe spills on clothing, and are especially handy to wipe of chairs and benches when you are ready for a break. Decide on your budget before you go. Know the costs before you go. The cheapest parking is $10.00 and that is for the Main Parking lot. If your kids are older, you can talk with them and give them each their own budget. One might be more interested in fair food, while the other loves the rides. Be aware of any specials and although a $25 armband for rides sounds pretty expensive you might find it the best deal if your family really loves the rides. Take advantage of the discounted ride coupons ($20) beginning July at participating Casey’s Stores. Purchaser will redeem coupons “Good for 1 All-Day Ride Wristband” at the Midway Redemption Booth. Prices during the Fair will be $25 on weekdays and $30 on weekends. Single Tickets $1.50; 20 Tickets $25; 50 Tickets $60 Ride tickets are $1.50 and it can take 3 to 4 tickets per ride. Remember, the fair is supposed to be an agricultural event and although the rides are enticing, there is lots more to enjoy and alot of it is FREE! The Fair offers a wonderful opportunity for kids to see animals "up front and close" along with other FREE family entertainment. Click here to see a schedule. The 1/2 mil track hosts a rodeo, tractor pulls, demo derby and motocross. Dont; forget about the petting zoo. It is a great favorite, especially for the younger kids. Bring cash- many vendors do not accept debit cards, Bring some of your own water and emergency snacks, Fair food is great, but also expensive. Bring some of your own to help keep costs down and tummies full! Prepackaged items are best because of the heat. Granola bars and fruit snacks are always great choices. It looks like it is going to be hot, so make sure if you take something that needs to remain cool, you have it in a cooler. Get there early. Getting there early means parking spots closer to the entrance, making it easier if you have to go back to the car for something you forgot.You will avoid longer lines at rides and events and beat the evening rush of teens and adults coming to the fair for a night out. If possible, go on a weekday and avoid the big crowds altogether. Divide and conquer. While it is important for families to have together time, if your children are of mixed ages, consider splitting off at some point so one adult can go with the older children and another with the younger ones. If you are a single parent, consider "teaming up" with another family or ask a friend to go. This will reduce wait times when kids tend to get impatient and crabby. Safety. Safety, Safety. Even the best family trip can get spoiled when someone gets hurt or lost. Bring your cell phone and for your youngest children, write the number on a small piece of paper and put it in their pocket. Point out people who work at the fair and encourage them to go to one of them or a vendor if they get lost. Avoid letting children wear clothing with their names. If you are letting your older kids go off on their own, set up a time/ place to meet and check in on a regular basis. Pace yourself. You don't have to do everything. It is okay to save some things for next year. Know when to call it quits. A big mistake parents can make is staying too long at the fair. It is important to remember that kids, especially younger one, don't have the same stamina as adults. The ones you see running to the gates are often in their parent's arms, being carried back to the car. Before exhaustion sets in and crying, tantrums or meltdowns occur, consider calling it quits for the day. It will help end the day ( and the whole fair experience) on a good note and create memories your whole family will cherish.  It should come as no surprise that success — or failure — at school starts at home. Studies have linked poor academic performance to factors such as a lack of sleep, poor nutrition, obesity, and a lack of parental support.
The good news is that those same studies also show higher test scores for students who live in homes where healthy habits, regular routines, and good communication exist. How can you ensure your child heads off to school this fall with the best possible foundation? Follow these 10 tips and watch your child thrive. Enforce Healthy Habits You can’t perform well when you don’t feel good. To help your child have the best chance at doing well in school, make sure she follows healthy habits at home. Choose a bedtime that will give your child plenty of sleep, and provide a healthy breakfast each morning. Encourage exercise, and limit the amount of time she spends watching TV, playing video games, listening to music, or using the computer. Stick to a Routine Most kids thrive on structure and will respond well to routines that help them organize their days. In our house, for example, my son gets dressed, makes his bed, and eats breakfast while I make his lunch and pack his school bag with completed homework and forms. When he gets home in the afternoon, I serve him a snack and he does his homework while I prepare dinner. Your routines may differ, but the key is to make it the same every day so your child knows what to expect. Create a “Launch Pad” Veteran parents know it’s important to have a single place to put backpacks, jackets, shoes, lunchboxes, and school projects each day. Some call it a “launch pad,” while others call it a “staging area.” Our area is a hook by the back door. Whatever you call it, find a place where your child can keep the items he needs for school each day and keep him organized. Then you’ll know right where to find everything during the morning rush. Designate a Space At school your child has a desk or table where she works. There is plenty of light, lots of supplies, and enough room to work. Why not provide her with the same type of environment for homework? A designated homework space often makes it easier and more fun for children to complete assignments at home. A desk is great, but a basket of supplies and a stretch of kitchen counter work just as well. Read, Again and Again It is often said that children spend the first several years learning to read, and the rest of the lives reading to learn. The written word is a gateway to all kinds of learning, and the more you read to your child, the better chance he has of becoming a proficient and eager reader. Try to sit down with your child to read a little bit every day, give him plenty of opportunities to read out loud to you, as well, and above all have fun. While the importance of reading with your child cannot be stressed enough, it should not be the cause of stress. Learn Always Your child may be past the preschool years, but home education is still a critical part of his overall learning experience. “Some of the attitude recently is that it’s up to the schools and teachers to figure it all out, to make sure children are learning and healthy and safe,” says Barbara Frankowski, M.D., MPH, FAAP, and member of the AAP Council on School Health. “There’s only so much teachers can do. Parents have to fill in with good support at home.”Look for ways to teach your child throughout the day. For example, cooking combines elements of math and science. Use the time when you make dinner as an opportunity to read and follow directions, to discuss fractions, to make hypotheses (“What will happen when I beat the egg whites?”), and to examine results. Take the Lead Children learn by example. Let your kids “catch” you reading. Take time to learn a new skill and discuss the experience with them. Sit down and pay bills or do other “homework” while your kids do their schoolwork. If you display a strong work ethic and continually seek out learning opportunities for yourself, your kids will begin to model that same behavior in their own lives. Talk Often Do you know how your child feels about her classroom, her teacher, and her classmates? If not, ask her. Talk with her about what she likes and doesn’t like at school. Give her a chance to express her anxieties, excitements, or disappointments about each day, and continue to support and encourage her by praising her achievements and efforts. Show Interest Don’t limit your support to your child; extend it to her teachers as well. Meet the teachers and stay in regular contact by phone or e-mail so that you can discuss any concerns as they arise. Not only will it pave the way for you to ask questions, but it will also make the teachers more comfortable with calling you if they have concerns about your child. Expect Success Perhaps the most important way you can support your child’s efforts at school is to expect him to succeed. That doesn’t mean that you demand he be the best student or the best athlete or the best artist. Rather, let him know that you expect him to do “his best” so that he’ll be proud of what he can accomplish. If you make that expectation clear and provide a home environment that promotes learning, then your child will have a greater chance of becoming the best student he can be. This article was featured in a Healthy Children Magazine. Last Updated 10/14/2019 Source Healthy Children Magazine, Back to School 2007  During the long days of Summer, it isn't unusual for families to be a little more flexible with bedtimes. Evenings with daylight give families more hours to do things outdoors. Besides it is sometimes difficult to put your child down to sleep when it is still light outside.
Now that the start of school is approaching it is time to start thinking about setting up your child's sleep routine. According to the Sleep Foundation " a regular sleep schedule helps the body know when it’s time to sleep and wake up. A sleep schedule helps prevent fatigue, exhaustion, and daytime drowsiness." Sleep is extremely important to how your child learns, grows, and even behaves. Children who get enough sleep regularly do better in school and have fewer behavior issues. A regular routine at bedtime helps promote a better night's sleep and can also make bedtime easier for you and your child. Here are some simple tips:
Go to sleep! The process of adjusting a sleep schedule should be gradual. In the weeks leading up to going back to school, have your child wake up 15 minutes earlier and go to sleep 15 minutes earlier than they have been during their break. Continue to adjust their bed and wake times in 15-minute increments every few days until your child is sleeping and waking at the desired times for school. By the first day back to school, they should be adjusted to the new sleep schedule and ready to go.  The South District Elks Lodges in cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation will sponsor a Free children’s orthopedic assessment clinic on Friday, November 19, 2021. The clinic is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and is by appointment only. To make an appointment call the Illinois Elks Children’s Care office at 1-800 272-0074 between the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. There are no charges for any services at this clinic. No medical referral is necessary for the clinic. The Elks will hold the clinic at the Marshall Browning Hospital, 900 North Washington Street, Du Quoin. Dr. Alan Froehling from Mount Vernon will be the clinician.
ContactIllinois Elks Children's Care Bill Block helpkids@elkscare.org800-272-0074 Website  Author: Kate Cronan, MD , Source: Nemours.org
Halloween is such a fun time–for kids and grownups! Before you send your little monsters out trick-or-treating, here are some quick and easy Halloween safety tips to make sure your kiddos enjoy all Halloween treats this year. Dressing Your Little Ghouls & Goblins
Halloween Goodies-What You Give Out and What Kids Get
 ts time again for the DuQuoin State Fair- a true southern Illinois tradition. Once you are a parent, going to the Fair takes on a whole new meaning (and costs!) Here are quick tips to make it a day to remember.
Plan your trip in advance. It will only take a short time and will be well worth it. Check out the "lay of the land" Know where the restrooms are. Check out the map and keep your eye out for the Refreshment stations, places where families can sit and relax Bring the essential you will need and keep them accessible. Backpacks are always a good idea. If you have a young one, don't skip the stroller. You will be glad you have it by the time you reach the gates. Another staple is "wet wipes", even if your kids aren't diaper age. They are great on stick fair food, you can use them to wipe spills on clothing and are especially handy to wipe of chairs and benches when you are ready for a break. Decide on your budget before you go. Know the costs before you go. The cheapest parking is $10.00 and that is for Main Parking lot and Gate 4. If your kids are older, you can talk with them and give them each their own budget. One might be more interested in fair food, while the other loves the rides. Be aware of any specials and although a $25 armband for rides sounds pretty expensive you might find it the best deal if you family really loves the rides. Ride tickets are $1 and it can take 3to 4 tickets per ride. There is a kiddieland for younger children which is great. Remember it closes about 30 minutes before the other rides. But remember, the fair is supposed to be an agricultural event and although the rides are enticing, there is lots more to enjoy and alot of it is FREE! The Fair offers a wonderful opportunity for kids to see animals "up front and close" along with other FREE family entertainment. Click here to see a schedule . The 1/2 mil track hosts a rodeo, tractor pulls, demo derby and motocross. And don't forget the petting zoo. Bring cash- most vendors do not accept debit cards, Bring some of your own water and emergency snacks, Fair food is great, but also expensive. Bring some of your own to help keep costs down and tummies full! Prepackaged items are best because of the heat. Granola bars and fruit snacks are always great choices. It looks like it is going to be hot, so make sure if you take something that needs to remain cool, you have it in a cooler. Get there early. Getting there early means parking spots closer to the entrance, making it easier if you have to go back to the car for something you forgot.You will avoid longer lines at rides and events and beat the evening rush of teens and adults coming to the fair for a night out. If possible, go on a week day and avoid the big crowds altogether. Divide and conquer. While it is important for families to have together time, if your children are of mixed ages, consider splitting off at some point so one adult can go with the older children and another with the younger. If you are a single parent, consider "teaming up" with another family or ask a friend to go. This will reduce wait times when kids tend to get impatient and crabby. Safety. Safety, Safety. Even the best family trip can get spoiled when someone gets hurt or lost. Bring your cell phone and for your youngest children, write the number on a small piece of paper and put it in their pocket. Point out people who work at the fair and encourage them to go to one of them or a vendor if they get lost. Avoid letting children wear clothing with their name. If you are letting your older kids go off on their own, set up a time/ place to meet and check in on a regular basis. Pace yourself. You don't have to do everything. It is okay to save some things for next year. Know when to call it quits. A big mistake parents can make is staying too long at the fair. It is important to remember that kids, especially younger one, don't have the same stamina as adults. The ones you see running to the gates are often in their parents arms, being carried back to the car. Before exhaustion sets in and crying, tantrums or meltdowns occur, consider calling it quits for the day. It will help end the day ( and whole fair experience) on a good note and create memories your whole family will cherish.  It’s important to recognize the important role that you, as the adult, have to play in setting the emotional tone for your child and your family. You have the opportunity to help your child to hold on to hope during a really challenging time, and to feel good about returning to school. A key first step is to acknowledge and work through your own feelings of anxiety about your child’s return to school. Maybe you’re worried about the physical safety of your kindergartener or the mental wellbeing of your teenager. If you can pinpoint the source of your underlying worry, you may be able to find a way to deal with the issue or to seek some additional support for yourself. Your goal is to get to a place where you can feel calm, confident, and positive when you talk to your child about heading back to school. That doesn’t mean that you’re trying to erase the worry: you’re simply trying to make it a little more manageable. Know that you’re not alone in “feeling all the feelings” this back-to-school season. A lot of parents are feeling extra worried this year. One way to manage that worry is by reaching out to other people for support—perhaps chatting with a friend via a Zoom Look for opportunities to normalize the back-to-school experience as much as possible. Yes, it’s going to be an extra challenging back-to-school season, but that doesn’t have to rob the experience of all of its joy. Look for opportunities to help your child to recognize that there are still things to look forward to—perhaps reconnecting with friends or a favourite teacher. Help your child to ease back into school-year routines. Routines are important. They help us to feel grounded and secure—which means they’re needed more than ever, right now. Transitioning back to a school-year routine won’t be easy after six months of relatively unscheduled pandemic living, so you might want to tackle it in stages, gradually shifting bedtimes and wakeup times, dialing back the amount of screen time, and ensuring that mealtimes are happening at predictable times. It might also be a good idea to talk about the challenges of being apart from other family members, after six months of “bubbling” together. If this is the case for your child, you might want to help your child to identify ways of feeling supported and connected by you, even when the two of you are physically apart. It’s important to recognize the important role that you, as the adult, have to play in setting the emotional tone for your child and your family. You have the opportunity to help your child to hold on to hope during a really challenging time, and to feel good about returning to school. It’s important to acknowledge the fact that not every kid is going to be excited about heading back to school. Some might even experience a heightened level of school refusal and/or separation anxiety. Express confidence in your child’s ability to handle what is admittedly a very challenging situation. Remind your child that they’ve been through hard things before and they managed to make it through—and that they don’t have to handle this on their own. There are people who care about them, both at home and at school. We can we weather the challenges togather. Source: Family Care Center of Ontario https://www.family.cmho.org/ Excerpt from: Back to School Tips for Parents-Children's Mental Health, Ontario  Looking for ways to meet the needs of a child who is trying to cope with feelings of anxiety about heading back to school? Here are a few tips. Accept and validate your child’s emotions. Let your child know that their feelings make sense (“Everyone is feeling a bit anxious and uncertain right now. It makes sense that you would be feeling that way, too”) and make sure your child understands that there’s no such thing as a “bad” or “wrong” emotion. It’s okay to be feeling whatever it is they’re feeling. Look for opportunities to address your child’s specific worries and concerns in an age-appropriate way. This might mean helping them to find answer to their biggest questions or role-playing particular scenarios that are causing them undue stress. You might also want to encourage them to zero in on coping strategies that have worked well for them in the past. They might want to work those strategies again. Remind your child that they can turn to other people for support, both at home and at school. They don’t have to handle this on their own. If your child has some special needs (perhaps an underlying mental health issue or behavioral challenge), ask your child’s school what strategies they recommend for easing your child’s transition back to school. Maybe it might make sense for your child to start school before or after their peers—or to initially attend school for just a couple of hours at a time. Recognize the opportunity you are being given in this moment. The literature on resilience is clear: children are capable of weathering even the stormiest of storms if they can rely on the love and support of at least one caring adult. You have the opportunity to be that person—an emotional anchor in an otherwise stormy sea. TIP:Feel like you and your child would benefit from some added support right now? You’re certainly in good company. Four out of five parents who responded to our most recent parent survey told us that they were open to the idea of reaching out to a child and youth mental health centre for support. In terms of the specific supports they are seeking, they told us that they are interested in in-personal appointments and virtual appointments with a clinician or therapist; peer support from other families who are grappling with the same kinds of worries and concerns; and access to online articles, webinars, and other information highlighting strategies for coping with the challenges of back-to-school time. Author: Ann Douglas , Children's Mental Health Ontario, Back-to-School Tips for Parents | Children's Mental Health Ontario (cmho.org) The South District Elks Lodges, in cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation, will sponsor a free children's orthopedic assessment clinic Friday, Nov. 22.
The clinic will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and is by appointment only. To make an appointment, call the Illinois Elks Children's Care office at800-272-0074 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are no charges for any services at this clinic. The Elks will hold the clinic at the Marshall Browning Hospital, located at 900 N. Washington St. in Du Quoin. Dr. Alan Froehling from Mt. Vernon will be the clinician. The hours for the clinic are 2 to 4 p.m. No medical referral is necessary for the clinic, but physicians are welcome to refer patients to the clinic for a specific reason or second opinion. School nurses are welcome to refer children and families to the clinic. The Elks Organization has been working with physically challenged children since 1928, and this is one of the 16 clinic locations throughout Illinois. The clinic is an ideal time to have a child reviewed for bone and joint development. If your child has feet pointing out or in who complains of back, knee, leg, ankle pain or has a back curvature can be seen at this clinic. There is no charge for any diagnostic services at this clinic. The Elks will provide financial assistance to the best of their ability for children needing further treatment or specialty equipment when the family lacks sufficient resources to do so. In the past, the Elks have purchased therapy services, corrective shoes, braces, wheelchairs and augmentative communication devices to help children overcome a variety of physical challenges. |
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