Families First: Healthy Tips & Education for Families!

WakeMed's newsletter for parents and kids, Families First is now available in a convenient e-edition.  You will receive notification when a new issue is released and invitations to Families First events.

Families First Spring 2010 - #2 And You - Meet the New Peds GI Doctor - Keeping Toys Clean

Families First Fall 2009  - The Flu Bug - Is it a concussion? - Snack attack

Families First Spring 2009 -Getting your Vitamin D -The Importance of Play -Epilepsy

Families First: Spring 2008 -Video Games, Computers Causing Injuries? -Moms and Ergonomics: Perfect Posture -Eat Your Veggies

Families First: Fall 2008 -Diabetes Basics -Eating Healthy -New Children's Hospital Coming to WakeMed

Families First: Fall 2007 -Maintaining a Healthy Balance -Sleepytime -Off to a New School

Families First: Summer 2007 -Summer Safety -Turning Ten: Children's Emergency Department -Off to Overnight Camp

Families First Spring 2009 Seminar Series Beyond Time-Out: Discipline Alternatives for Preschoolers, presented by Melissa Johnson, Ph.D. on behalf of WakeMed (Microsoft Powerpoint Presentation) Recipe for a Healthy Kid, presented by Emily Ford, RD, LDN on behalf of WakeMed

Keeping Your Kids Safe  Winter Safety:  Wintertime brings along fun, cold weather and the holidays. It also brings some potential dangers. Here are a few safety tips to help you weather the winter months safely. Zone Out! School Bus Safety Tips:  Make sure your child knows how to stay safe at the bus stop. Car Seat Safety Tips:  You can help car accident fatalities from happening by always using car safety seats and seat belts correctly. Backpack Safety:  Tips for safe backpack use and injury prevention Play It Safe: When it comes to playful children, it's easy to ignore common sense safety rules. Remind your kids to follow these simple safety rules so that their playtime is both fun and safe. Helmet Safety:  Choosing the right bicycle helmet is critical to your child's safety. Play our home safety game!  How many home hazards can you find? Safety on the Street:  Tips for Walkers Summer Sun Safety:  It's great to be outside in the sunshine - especially in the summer - but it's important to remember that the sun's heat and ultraviolet rays can be harmful. Helmet Fit Safety:   Tips on getting the right fit for a bike helmet

Health Articles for Active Families Game Day Nutrition: Food Is Fuel for High-Cardio Athletes Soccer Stretches: Avoid serious injury and to play at your peak right from the starting whistle. Preventing Sports Injuries in Children:  Important injury prevention tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics that can help parents promote a safe, optimal sports experience for their child. The Concussion Discussion: You are most likely familiar with the term "concussion," but you might not understand what a concussion is or how to determine if you or a teammate has one.

Nutrition & Fitness Tips  What's the Big Deal About Breakfast?  Trying to get your body and mind going on an empty stomach is like trying to start a car without any gas!  Managing Your Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a fat-like substance needed for good health. Circuit Workouts: Looking for ways to make your workout creative and fun? These indoor and outdoor circuit workouts will take you through some tough intervals that will make your heart rate soar yet make it easy to build exercise into your daily life. No gym or fitness center required! Fiber: Are You Getting Enough? Foods high in fiber are usually low in calories and fat while packed with vitamins and minerals that help you grow healthy and strong! Goal Setting: What would we like to change about our health habits? Healthy Grocery Shopping: One of the keys to being successful in changing your eating habits is to change your grocery shopping habits. Managing High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is when your blood presses too hard against the walls of your blood vessels. High blood pressure rarely produces symptoms, but over time, it can cause serious health problems. Mindful Eating: Use the hunger scale to rate your hunger and determine when you have reached your ideal fullness. Nutrition Facts: Knowing how to read a food label can help you make the healthiest choice. Portion Plate: What should your plate and a serving size look like?

Coloring Pages:  Download & print out these hospital-themed coloring pages/activities Twinkle's Word Search Can you find... your heart? What about your lungs? Twinkle is admitted to WakeMed: Write your name on the hospital bracelet! Can you add your own art to the WakeMed Children's Emergency Department? A child is getting his blood drawn... how many cotton balls can you count? Unscramble these words that describe things that might trigger asthma attacks. Find the following hidden medical equipment... Having an IV is nothing to fear.  You can even go for walks with it! Can you count the stars from Twinkle's tummy X-ray?  Help the doctor get ready for surgery! Twinkle visits a friend at WakeMed.