Growing children shouldn’t carry more than 20 percent of their weight.

(StatePoint) School may be a figurative pain in the neck for many children, but what about a literal pain in the neck — and back?

These days, the answer is yes, and backpacks are to blame. Or more specifically, the improper use of backpacks.

“The average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man, or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman,” says Dr. Rick McMichael, president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). “Growing children should only be carrying 10 to 20 percent of their body weight.”

Heavy backpacks can negatively affect your child’s health by pulling on ligaments and muscles that cause neck and back pain and can possibly cause deformity of the spine, according to the ACA.

Parents who want to protect their children from these painful injuries can follow these tips:

• Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. They should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.

• Encourage your child to use both straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause a disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and back spasms.

• Pack light or at least smart. A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively, keeping pointy objects away from the back.

• Check to see if your children’s textbooks are available on e-readers — it’ll save their backs, as well as paper. Or consider buying a second set of textbooks for your student to keep at home, perhaps used ones.

• Learn some back-strengthening exercises to build up muscles. Sit-ups are great since strong abdominal muscles can share the load and take the strain off back muscles.

• Encourage your child or teenager to tell you about any pain or discomfort he or she may experience. Do not ignore any back pain in children or teenagers simply because they seem too young.

If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, call your doctor of chiropractic, who is licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages. In addition, doctors of chiropractic can also prescribe exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.

You can find more backpack safety tips and learn about treatment for back pain at             www.acatoday.org/patients.

And lastly, examine your own backpacks, handbags and diaper bags. Parents are as likely to suffer back pain from excess weight or improper carrying as are their children.

(StatePoint)  Reading is the most important skill that children need to master to be successful in school and life. However, kids increasingly are struggling with this most basic of academic abilities.

The United States currently has one of the lowest literacy rates in the developed world. According to the National Report Card, the country is experiencing a literacy crisis, with 68 percent of fourth graders and 69 percent of eighth graders testing below grade level in reading.

When children have difficulty reading, they quickly can fall behind their peers. Luckily, there are ways to improve almost any child’s reading proficiency.

“Telling children to try harder is not the key to developing better readers. Rather, students need to be taught the building blocks of words: phonograms and spelling rules,” says Denise Eide, a teacher and author of the new book, “Uncovering the Logic of English.”

There are many things parents can do to help:

• Explain writing is code. Many students guess wildly while reading because they have never realized words are made of individual sounds blended together. Show them how letters and groups of letters represent sounds. Then practice blending the sounds to form words.

• Teach all the sounds. Many letters say more than one sound. For example, the letter “S” sounds different in the word “sad” than the word “is.” Many students misread simple words, because they don’t know all the sounds.

• Make it fun. Learning the basics doesn’t need to be boring. Engage young children through play. Practice the phonograms with games, large motor activities and art projects.

• Cover pictures. Many young students struggle with the left to right eye movement of reading. Allow students to look at the pictures then cover them with a blank sheet of paper while reading. Covering pictures makes it easier to focus on text.

• Teach all nine ‘Silent E’ rules. Many students know only one reason for a silent final “E” — the vowel says its name because of the “E.” This explains words like “game” and “ripe,” but leaves many kids struggling to read “have” and “give.” Learning the nine reasons, including that English words do not end in “V,” prevents students from needing to memorize thousands of exceptions.

• Find answers. Too often we answer questions about reading with “that is an exception.” This frustrates many bright students and discourages them from reading. Rather than dismissing words as exceptions, look for answers and explanations. English is more logical than most Americans think.

Answers to questions about English reading and spelling can be found in “Uncovering the Logic of English” and by visiting www.logicofenglish.com.

“Many students complain English spelling appears inconsistent, especially highly logical children who may grow up to be scientists or mathematicians,” says Eide. “By teaching students how English works you will improve their reading abilities and encourage them to read!”

Setting young scholars on the path to success may be simpler than many parents realize.

(NAPS)—Parents don’t have to do their children’s homework to help them prepare for class.

There are seven things you can do to help your youngsters have a successful school year, explains Dr. Mary Mokris, education specialist at Kumon Math and Reading Centers.

1.    Focus on the positives. Talk to your children about their accomplishments and recognize the skills they used to be successful, such as perseverance, time management, responsibility and independence, all things that can help them in school.

2.    Give your child genuine and frequent praise. Praise your children’s progress, not perfection. Let them know you be­lieve in them, you think they’re special and you have confidence in them. Let your kids know you recognize and value their efforts, not just their final accomplishments.

3.    Set up a study area for your child. It should be quiet (no TV or video games), well ventilated, free of distractions (no phones or pets), well lit and equipped with all necessary supplies: pens, paper, markers, dictionary, thesaurus, calculator, computer.

4.    Establish a consistent homework routine. Schedule daily homework time in your house so it becomes a part of your family’s routine. This also helps children to see that homework is a priority.

5.    Get acquainted with your child’s teachers and keep the lines of communication open. Discuss goal setting with both your child and his or her teacher. This sort of partnership can be very effective in developing healthy homework habits.

6.    Consider an after-school enrichment program. For generations, Kumon Math and Reading Centers have helped millions of children strengthen math and reading skills, increase self-confidence and develop study skills that last a lifetime.

7.    Learn more about ability- based learning. Children work at a level that is comfortable for them; not based on their age or grade, but their ability.

For further information, visit www.kumon.com or call (877) 586-6673.

A visit to the pediatrician will help keep your child healthy for school. Discussing health issues with your pediatrician before the start of the year helps children, parents and school staff ensure students’ health and safety all year long.

(StatePoint)  As the new school year gears up and to-do lists get longer, make sure to put your child’s health on the list.

Updating vaccinations, scheduling annual physicals and alerting your child’s school about allergies and illnesses are crucial steps to ensure their academic success, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

“Children need to feel their best in order to learn, and schools need to be able to provide for students’ daily health issues as well as special needs, accidents and emergencies,” says O. Marion Burton, MD, of the AAP.

You can ensure a safe and happy year for both parent and child with a little planning.

Vaccinations
Thanks to immunizations, most children in the United States today lead much healthier lives than generations past. And while vaccines have reduced many infectious diseases to low levels in the United States, vacationers can bring old and new diseases back into the country. Measles, for example, is still prevalent in other parts of the world and has been linked to recent outbreaks in the U.S. Unvaccinated children are at risk.

That’s why routine, up-to-date vaccinations are as important today as they have ever been. There may be tears, but the pain associated with most immunizations is minor. Consult your pediatrician about keeping your child’s vaccination schedule up to date.

Food Allergies & Illnesses
If your child suffers from food allergies or other health issues that require management during the school day, be sure to contact the school nurse and update your child’s health plan at school. This will ensure that proper steps are taken if the child develops symptoms while at school, and that his or her activities are not restricted unnecessarily.

A child’s health can change from year to year or even month to month, so make sure the school is well aware of how to handle new conditions or restrictions. Parents should also check that you have provided the school with any special medications your child needs.

Annual Physicals
Along with your child’s regular annual physical, aspiring athletes should get a sports physical before the start of the season. Children’s bodies are vulnerable to injury, and as youngsters move through middle childhood—becoming bigger, stronger, faster, and more aggressive—the incidence of injuries rises.

Make sure your athlete wears a well-fitted helmet, mouthpiece, face guard, padding, eye gear, protective cup, or other equipment appropriate for the sport. Of course, regardless of whether your child is on a competitive team or not, parents should promote physical activity for all kids.

For more tips for a healthy school year, visit: www.healthychildren.org.

A coalition of Michigan hospitals, urban school districts and Community Health Centers launched an intensified back-to-school campaign this week to enroll eligible children in the state’s low-cost and free health insurance programs known as MIChild and Healthy Kids.

The eight-week campaign is part of a year-long effort of the Enroll Michigan coalition to enroll as many of Michigan’s more than 127,000 uninsured and eligible children as is possible in MIChild or Healthy Kids. The back-to-school effort will include local enrollment teams in school buildings and hospitals in targeted geographic areas, a simplified enrollment process for children and their families, and TV, radio, transit and billboard ads.

The Enroll Michigan coalition includes the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA), the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and the Middle Cities Education Association (MCEA).

“A child who gets health care in the right place at the right time is better prepared to learn and less likely to develop serious, costly medical conditions,” said MPCA Executive Director Kim Sibilsky. “The goal of the Enroll Michigan back-to-school project is to help more Michigan children get affordable coverage, obtain the care they need, and become healthier and happier students.”

More than 127,000 children are uninsured in Michigan. While most are eligible for MIChild or Healthy Kids, they have not enrolled for reasons including language barriers, lack of transportation or means of communication (telephone access) and unawareness of eligibility and/or how to enroll. Enroll Michigan has been working since March to connect the families of eligible children to MPCA Community Navigators to complete the simplified online, telephone and in-person enrollment processes.

The coalition recently launched a gift card incentive program June 1 that gives $10 gift cards to people who refer a child to coverage through Enroll Michigan. The gift card program runs through Sept. 30 or until supplies last.

MHA President, Spencer Johnson urged families with children who have no health insurance to enroll them today by calling 2-1-1, emailing enroll@mpca.net or by visiting the Enroll Michigan website, www.enrollmichigan.com.

“The process to enroll eligible children has been simplified significantly, and the quality of care and services available through MIChild and Healthy Kids are high,” Johnson said. “We urge families whose children are without health insurance to call 2-1-1 or visit the website today. Chances are good that their child will be eligible, and can be enrolled.”

“Healthy kids can consistently attend school and aren’t distracted with avoidable medical conditions that can set them back,” said Ray Telman, executive director of the MCEA. “Let’s make sure kids return to school this fall with the best school supply there is—their health.”

For more information about Enroll Michigan, please, visit www.enrollmichigan.com and go to www.facebook.com/enrollmichigan.

Sausage and Mushroom Calzone

(Family Features) Don’t let the back-to-school frenzy put a damper on dinner plans. Soccer, dance, football and piano lessons don’t have to keep the family from sitting down for a meal together.

With a little planning – and everyone pitching in – you can create memorable family time around the table, even on the busiest of weeknights. Try some of these quick dinner tips and easy recipes for a delicious family dinner – fast.

Simple is better. During the week, stick to simple family favorites and save multi-step meals and new recipes for the weekends when you have a little more time.

Do double duty. When you brown ground beef or sausage for one meal, go ahead and brown extra to use in another dish later in the week. Rice, cheese and chopped onion can all be put in the freezer and saved for tacos, spaghetti or a skillet dish when you’re pressed for time.

Have a back-up plan. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, so make sure you’ve got something you can put together in a flash. It could be a meal you’ve prepped and frozen that just needs warming up, or some pasta, jarred sauce and whatever vegetables you have on hand that can be tossed together for a quick Italian feast.

Use convenience foods. Save some time and hassle with frozen cut vegetables or bagged salads. Look in the freezer and refrigerator sections of your grocery store to find farm-fresh Bob Evans proteins and sides that help you get a wholesome meal on the table with plenty of time to spare.

For more fast family recipes and money-saving coupons, visit www.bobevans.com.

Sausage and Mushroom Calzone

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes 4 servings
1     pound Bob Evans Italian Roll Sausage
1     pound loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1/2  cup pizza sauce
1     jar sliced mushrooms, drained (4 ounces)
1/2  cup grated mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In large skillet, crumble and cook sausage until browned. Set aside.

Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 12- to 14-inch rectangle. Cut into 4 pieces.

Top half of each rectangle with sauce, sausage, mushrooms and cheese. Fold dough over to enclose. Crimp around edges with a fork. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Mexican Sausage Pizza

Mexican Sausage Pizza

Prep time:  20 minutes
Cook time:  10 minutes
Makes 4 servings
1     pound Bob Evans Original Roll Sausage (can use Hot)
3     cups baking mix
2     cups grated cheddar cheese
1     can (15 ounces) refried beans
1/2     cup chopped onion
1     cup diced tomato
1/2     cup minced cilantro
2     cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Sour cream (optional)
Salsa (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In medium skillet over medium heat crumble and cook sausage until brown. Cool.

In large bowl, combine baking mix, cheddar cheese and cooked sausage. Stir in 5 or 6 tablespoons water to form a dough. Pat out into a thin layer on a large baking sheet or pizza pan.  Bake for 10 minutes or until light brown.

Spread crust with refried beans. Top with onions, tomato, cilantro and cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Sitting down to supper with your children on a regular basis is a simple strategy for building a strong family.

Family mealtime helps children develop into productive students and adults according to a senior clinical psychologist at American Family Children’s Hospital.

“It’s well documented that children in families that eat dinner together develop social skills, strengthen family bonds, do better in school, and engage in less risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse,” says Dr. Stephanie Farrell.  “Scheduling regular family dinners is one tactic to assure we take the time to slow down from the hustle and bustle of our lives and be present with our children.”

“Family mealtimes provide children with stability and a safe environment in a world that is far too often fraught with confusion and pain.”

But with kids trying to stay faithful to a schedule involving ballet lessons, soccer practice, and study time for tomorrow’s big test, how can regular family dinners be possible?

“Start out realistically, even if it means just scheduling one shared meal,” says Farrell. “Keep it simple.  The focus is on being together, not a gourmet meal.”

Farrell encourages parents to have children help prepare the meal to give them a sense of responsibility, pride and accomplishment, while at the same time, enhancing their self-esteem.

“Any help in the kitchen should be praised, so everyone’s efforts are acknowledged and will likely be repeated in the future,” she says.  “Additionally, when children are involved in the planning and preparation of healthy and nutritious food choices, they are more likely to eat the food, a bonus given the alarming rise in childhood obesity.”

Farrell says when the meal is served, conversation among family members should be the focus and technology should be banned.

“No television, no answering the phone, and no texting,” she says.  “This will allow you to actively listen to your children and connect with them.  Also, resist the temptation to jump up from the table when you are done eating to begin doing the dishes.  No outside boundaries should serve as a distraction.”

Farrell adds that family mealtimes should be enjoyable, fun and relaxing and unpleasant topics or criticisms should be avoided.

“It is imperative to take time to laugh,” she says.  “Share a joke or an amusing story from the day.  This might help children lower their guard that they may have had to keep up throughout the day.”

Overall, Farrell says parents who plan family mealtimes are showing just how much their children mean to them.

“I cannot think of a more vital message to give our children,” she says. “‘You are the most important part of my life, and I love you unconditionally. We are all busy, but I will always take time to be here for you.’”

Summer’s not yet over, and it’s time for the first high school football game of the season! You don’t want to miss the game on Friday, August 26, when the Cedar Springs Red Hawks travel to Tri County High School to take on the Vikings at 7 p.m. Get there early to see the Cedar Springs Cross Country team run the ball down the White Pine Trail! It’s a new tradition that was started last year, when the two teams met for the first time since the 1980s. Look for more info in next week’s Post!

(ARA) – The back-to-school season can become a very expensive time of year – especially if you have a child that grew several inches over the summer months.

Add to new clothes all the school supplies and sporting equipment she’ll need if she decides to try out for a school team and you’ve got yourself a full list.

But there are ways to meet your budget, and make sure you get everything on your kids’ back to school lists. Here are some tips to cut costs and keep money in your pocket:

* Only purchase what you need. Look over last year’s equipment and have your child reuse pencils, pens, rulers or glue for the classroom. Sure, folders and notebooks take a beating so you probably will have to purchase some new school supplies. The same holds true for clothing. Find just a couple of mix and match outfits that will stand up to frequent wear and multiple washings to help reduce what you spend on clothing.

* Shop the sales. Many states offer clothing tax-free holidays during the back to school season, providing a nice discount. And most department stores also hold promotions and discounts on school supplies and clothing, so keep an eye out for store brochures that will allow you to comparison shop for the lowest prices.

* Stay home and save big online. Instead of driving all around town trying to find the best deals, stay home and shop your favorite stores through website like Ebates.com. For example, if you shop at jcpenney.com for school supplies, you not only can take advantage of discount codes and coupons through the Ebates site, but also receive up to 6 percent cash back check in the mail.

* Buy in bulk. Items are cheaper if you buy in bulk, so make a list of all the supplies your children will need for the entire school year and purchase them now, during the back-to-school sales. If you don’t need such a large supply, ask a friend or relative to join you in the expense so all of your children can benefit from bulk shopping.

The back-to-school season is so exciting and you can easily get caught up in the flurry of activities while trying to get your children organized. But make sure you’re an economical mom and stick to your budget so you can save money for some other fun activity.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

(Family Features) School supply lists seem to get longer each year, and when you have more than one child to shop for, it can really add up. So it’s no surprise that just about everyone is looking for ways to shop smarter.
In the most recent Back-to-School Shopping Forecast survey from PriceGrabber, 95 percent of shoppers will be using money-saving techniques to get school supplies this year. The survey also found that:
•    69 percent will shop online or use comparison shopping websites.
•    52 percent plan to spend as much as they did last year, while 35 percent say they’ll spend less.
•    55 percent will spread the cost of purchases over a longer period of time.
When you’re ready to stock up on backpacks, notebooks and an endless supply of pens, use these tips to help you be a smart back-to-school shopper:
S – Streamline your shopping.
•    Instead of driving all over town to get what you need, get as much as you can at one-stop-shops. Picking up school supplies and classroom supplies, such as tissues, disinfectant wipes, etc., saves you time and hassle. And it keeps you out of frustrating traffic.
•    Check the store’s website before you go. Make sure it will have the supplies you need so you don’t waste time looking for something that’s not there. If what you need isn’t in-store, consider ordering online.
M – Make a list.
•    Work with your child to craft your shopping list before hitting the stores.
•    Many retailers work with local PTAs and school districts to secure back-to-school shopping lists, making it easy to find exactly what your child needs.
•    Take an extra pen with you and have your child check off supplies as you get them.
A – Ads and alerts.
•    To help you save money, pay attention to the weekly ad inserts in your local newspaper. Combining sale prices with coupons saves you even more. Keep an eye out for super savings, such as Office Depot’s Penny Savers, when you can find many core supplies on sale for just a penny.
•    You can also sign up for special deal alerts through retailers’ websites and Facebook pages, giving you the scoop on extra savings.
•    If you want to avoid overfilling your email inbox, set up a separate email account just for retail alerts.
R – Rewards and rebates.
•    Many retailers have rewards programs that let you in on extra savings.
•    Some retailers also have programs that help you earn school supplies for your school, where a percentage of purchases goes to a designated school to use towards supplies.
•    To take advantage of rebates, check manufacturer websites as well as retailer websites for the latest ways to get money back.
T – Technology tips.
•    Keep your computers up to date with the latest virus and malware protection.
•    If your child will be doing online research for homework, you can put some parental controls in place to protect your child. Check out Google SafeSearch, AOL Parent Controls or ATT Smart Controls, or with your current Internet provider.
•    You can see user and professional reviews of parental control software at www.consumersearch.com.
Taking a little time to do your homework now will help you save time and money on school supplies when you’re ready to start shopping. To get the latest in back-to-school savings, visit www.officedepot.com.