"Diet" is a four letter word - L I F E

1. "Who is making money on this diet?" 2. "How long have other's using this diet kept the weight off?" 3. "Has this diet/program been tested through research?"

True. A sensible, healthy diet should provide all the nutrition your body needs.

All calories count, no matter what the food is. There are 3,500 calories in a pound of body fat. If you want to lose weight, you have to cut down on the calories you eat!

Safety in the Sun

As the sun moves higher in the sky, the sun's rays become more intense and damaging to the skin and eyes. The peak sun intensity hours are between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. standard time.

The best shade is provided by large, dense objects, such as large buildings, full leafy trees, or picnic shelters. Small sparse trees, or roofed playground equipment provide very little shade.

Up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can pass through the clouds, so follow the same precautions on cloudy days!

Drink Water -- It's Cool!

1. Small children do not perspire (sweat) as much and perspiring helps cool the body. 2. Children have more surface area on their body compared to their weight, so they absorb heat more quickly. 3. Children's body adjust to hot conditions slowly.

This occurs when the child gets hot and loses too much fluid through sweating. The child may have moist (sweaty) skin, dizziness, weakness, nausea, or muscle cramps.

This occurs when the child gets too hot, and the body is not able to cool off enough through sweating. The body temperature goes up. This can be dangerous! Heat stroke causes hot, red, dry skin and a fast heart beat.

Chronic Conditions in the Classroom

1. Ask parents to share information about the child. 2. Check with your local health clinic or Children's Hospital for information about the specific condition.

Child caregivers should know about the child's medication or special medical treatments, equipment and how to use it properly, contact information and what to do in an emergency, etc.

All information about the child, family, and condition is confidential. All childcare staff should follow written confidentiality guidelines.

Children and Pets in Childcare

Pets and animals that children may encounter may range from fish in a bowl, rabbits in a cage, or a cat or dog. In home childcare settings, a neighbor may have a dog with only a fence separating the animal from the childcare playground. In more wooded areas, wild creatures such as chipmunks, squirrels, toads, and lizards or wild birds may make their home on or near play areas.

Pets are not appropriate in all child care settings. However, in some supervised settings, pets can help children learn about caring for others and the importance of responsibility. Observing and practicing respect for animals can reinforce children's respect for themselves and others.

Check with your child care licensing agency, the health department, and your local veterinarian for requirements and recommendations of appropriate pets. "Caring for Our Children" states that ferrets, turtles, psittacine birds (birds of the parrot family), or any wild or dangerous animals should not be kept in a childcare facility. These and other animals can transmit disesases. Also, ferrets can be dangerous to children because they are attracted to the smell of milk.