children

Developing life skills through sports

Key facts Organised sport has many physical, developmental, psychological and social benefits for children. Playing sport helps children learn to control their emotions and channel negative feelings in a positive way. Playing sport helps children build resilience and feel better about themselves. Parents play a key role in developing a child’s life skills through participating in sport. To keep your child interested and enjoying sport, make it a positive experience for them. Keep the focus on having fun and being active, rather than on winning. Organised sport has many psychological and social benefits for children – even more than the

Speech development in children

Key facts Children learn to speak at their own pace, and there is a wide range of ‘normal’ speech development. There are certain milestones that can provide a rough guide to normal development. Babies need to learn how language sounds before being able to learn how to speak. There are many different ways you can encourage your child to start talking, and also some things you should try to avoid. If you are worried about your child’s speech development, ask your doctor if your child needs an assessment or hearing test. What is normal speech development in children? Language development

Sleep tips for children

Key facts Healthy sleep means getting enough good quality sleep, and having regular sleep routines. Sleep is essential for growth, immunity and learning, and is important for helping children heal and recover from illness and injury. Poor sleep is linked to mental health problems, poor growth and reduced school performance. Why is sleep important for my child? All children need sleep for growth, learning and development. Getting enough sleep is vital for your child’s physical health, brain function, emotional wellbeing, safety, and ability to function day to day. Having a good night’s sleep can help your child be happier, helps

School exclusion for health reasons

What are school exclusions for health reasons? Sometimes children must be kept away from school or childcare. This is called being ‘excluded’. It can happen if a child has a certain type of sickness. Some sicknesses are caused by germs that can spread to other people. A person who is sick from these germs is sometimes ‘infectious. This means the germs can be spread from that person to someone else. A child may need to stay away from school or childcare if they are ‘infectious. Staying away can stop the germs spreading to other children or people in the community.

A safe sports environment for children

Key facts Children need a safe environment to play sport. This includes an environment that is free from abuse, discrimination and harassment. All equipment used should be safe and meet Australian Standards. A child’s emotional environment is just as important as their physical environment. Listen to your child. Take their concerns seriously and respond to them. Creating a safe sports environment for children It is important to ensure a safe environment for children who play sport. By law, sporting organisations in Australia are responsible for protecting children from abuse, discrimination and harassment. Make sure the sporting environment is safe by

Safe exercise for children

Key facts Safe exercise for children means making sure the sporting environment is safe, checking that equipment is appropriate, and the conditions are right for the age and fitness level of the child. Check that your child plays sports that suit their size, age and ability, and that the emotional environment is right for your child. Parents and other adults can take steps to help prevent injuries at children’s sporting events. Warming up, cooling down and preventing sunburn and dehydration are important elements of safe exercise for children. What is safe exercise for children? To help your child stay safe

Immunisation and vaccinations for your child

Key facts ‘Vaccination’ is when your child gets a vaccine and ‘immunisation’ is the process of them becoming immune after getting a vaccination. Immunisation protects you, your child and your community from serious diseases, before you come into contact with them in the community. Many vaccines are free for babies and children under the National Immunisation Program. The Australian Immunisation Register records every vaccine your child has to help you know when your child’s next vaccination is due. The ‘No jab, no pay’ policy means you may not get some government benefits if your child does not have their routine

Vomiting in children

Key facts Vomiting is one of the most common reasons parents take their child to the doctor. Babies often bring up small amounts of food after feeding — it’s known as posseting or reflux, but this is different to vomiting. Vomiting in children can result from many different causes, but viral gastroenteritis is the most common cause. Babies and children are especially at risk of dehydration when they are vomiting. Children with diarrhoea and vomiting should be given small amounts of oral rehydration solution or plain water often (for example, every 15 minutes), especially if they are vomiting a lot.

Physical activity benefits for children

Key facts Children of all ages can benefit from being physically active. Physical activity is essential for good physical and mental health and wellbeing. Physical activity does not need to be a structured sport. Anything that gets them up and moving will benefit your child. Children spend time sitting at school, doing homework and reading and it’s important to strike a balance and to find more opportunities for them to move. Try to encourage a mix of activities to strengthen their muscles and bones and to increase their breathing and heart rate. Benefits of physical activity for children What is

Looking after a sick child

Key facts The most common signs of illness in children include a fever, sore throat, a blocked or runny nose, and a rash. A child who has a fever, is vomiting, or who has mucus in their eyes should not go to school or day care. It’s normal for children to get mild illnesses, but you can help your child stay well by arranging on-time vaccinations, and teaching them good hygiene practices. If your child’s symptoms don’t improve after 2 days, or they get worse, your child should see a doctor. How can I tell if my child is sick?

Symptoms of serious illness in babies and children

Key facts Most illnesses in babies and children are mild and will go away by themselves. You know your child best, so if you suspect something more serious, you should seek medical attention. If your child is under 3 months old and has a fever, they should see a doctor urgently. When should I see a doctor? Most illnesses in babies and children are mild and do not need medical treatment. But if you suspect something more serious, you should seek medical attention. You know your child best. If you are worried, take them to see a doctor. There are

Hygiene for children

What is personal hygiene for children? Your child needs to keep themselves clean to remain healthy and to feel good about themselves. Good personal hygiene will help boost their self-esteem and confidence. Teaching your child good hygiene habits We all need to keep clean to avoid harmful germs and avoid getting sick. Good personal hygiene also boosts confidence by dealing with problems like bad breath or body odour. For children, the basics of good personal hygiene are: washing their hands covering their mouth when they cough having regular baths or showers brushing and flossing their teeth You may have to help your child learn and practise

Hydration tips for children

Key facts Children need to drink water throughout the day, to help maintain their body temperature, make bodily fluids and for day-to-day functioning. Young children and babies are at highest risk of becoming dehydrated. If your child is very thirsty, they are probably already dehydrated. Mild dehydration can be treated at home by giving oral rehydration fluids or water. Do not give drinks that are high in sugar. Why do children need to stay hydrated? Most of your child’s body is made up of water. Water helps maintain body temperature, make bodily fluids and function day-to-day. Dehydration can cause poor sports performance,

Healthy eating for children

Key facts Healthy eating in childhood reduces your child’s chance of developing health problems as they get older. A healthy, balanced diet includes foods from all 5 food groups: fruit, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy. Foods high in sugar, saturated fat and salt aren’t necessary for a healthy diet and should be limited. Cooking and eating healthy foods together as a family can help your child develop healthy eating habits for life. If your child has specific dietary needs or restrictions, your doctor or dietician can help you make sure their diet is healthy and balanced. What is healthy eating?

Food allergies (in children)

Key facts A food allergy is an immune response to a food that the body incorrectly identifies as being dangerous. Food allergies can range from mild to severe and in some cases can be life-threatening. Children need to avoid eating foods that they are allergic to. As children get older, they often outgrow their food allergies. If your child has a food allergy, you should work with their doctor to create an ASCIA action plan. This plan will guide you in the event your child experiences an allergic reaction, including a severe reaction (anaphylaxis). What are food allergies? A food

Constipation in children

What is constipation? Your child is constipated if they are doing hard poo or have trouble pushing poo out. If your child is constipated, they probably aren’t pooing regularly either. Many healthy children have problems with constipation from time to time. It is fairly common in babies, and also tends to happen around the time of toilet training. What is normal for children? Constipation in kids is quite common, but usually doesn’t have a serious cause. There are plenty of things you can do to help if your child gets constipated. Normal bowel habits for children vary. Most children have a bowel

Children’s feet

Key facts Care for your baby’s feet by keeping them warm, clean, and freely moving. When your child is outside, make sure they have comfortable, breathable footwear. When your child learns to walk, keep an eye out for foot problems. You can speak to your doctor or a podiatrist about support for your child’s feet. Why is foot care important for my child? Children’s feet are always growing. The last bone in a child’s foot only begins to form at around 3 years old. It’s important to care for your child’s feet so that they stay healthy as your child

Exercise for children with asthma

Key facts Having asthma is not a reason for children to avoid exercise. Some people experience asthma symptoms after vigorous exercise. This is known as exercise induced asthma or exercise induced bronchoconstriction. Symptoms of exercise induced asthma usually start about 5 to 10 minutes after vigorous exercise. Make sure your child always has their reliever puffer with them. It’s important that your child and any supervising adults know how and when to use it. Your child’s asthma action plan should contain information about preventing and responding to exercise induced asthma. Keep the plan with your child when they exercise. Should

Arthritis in children (juvenile idiopathic arthritis)

Key facts Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, or juvenile arthritis) is chronic (ongoing) inflammatory arthritis that affects children. There are several different types of JIA, which have different symptoms and signs. Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling and stiffness in the morning. Treatments are available and depend on the type of arthritis. About half of all children with JIA no longer have symptoms by the time they are adults. What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis? Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is inflammatory arthritis that affects children under 16 years old. JIA can be mild or severe and may last for months or years.