HEALTHY KIDS

  Introduction | Health | Mental Health | Health Resource Links

Health

The focus of Head Start is to indeed give children a “head start” in life. The following topics reflect the expansive needs and challenges that the Head Start program, and particularly the Head Start health specialists and advisory committees, must consider to ensure that Head Start children are healthy and ready to learn.

• The Physical Activity section provides articles for parents as well as Head Start teachers and staff members on the importance of exercise and physical activity for maintaining a healthy life style. It includes links for tips on how to promote physical activity in the Head Start program and at home.
• The Nutrition section includes News & Tips on obesity, an article on the Health Risks of high sugar intake in children, and some General Links to nutrition focused organizations.
• The Oral Health section will provide links to current information including information produced especially for the Head Start community.
• The section on Immunization will focus on links that provide information to explain vaccines, give resources and materials for immunization campaigns, offer immunization schedules, and provide general information about vaccinations for parents, child care providers, and child advocates.
• The Environmental Quality section focuses on information to keep Head Start programs and families healthy and free of environmental hazards. It will define and give links for using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and offer links for information on pesticide poisoning prevention in children.
• The Asthma section include articles for providing a breath-friendly environment for children in Head Start programs and fact sheets for parents and Head Start staff members.
• The Lead Poisoning prevention section describes some of the resources and materials supplied by key organizations to prevent lead poisoning in young children.