By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Happy Independence Day! The 4th of July marks the day of independence for the U.S., but it also kicks off the season of summertime activities. With barbecues and pool parties in full swing, there is lots of fun to be had but also a whole new set of parental worries. Here are a few tips to help keep kids safe and healthy throughout the summer. Healthy Snacking Without school and usual activities, spontaneity rules during the summer. There are lots of fun activities to do so even when schools out you may find your family still eating on the go. How can you maintain the healthy habits youve instilled over the winter months? To start, try to maintain a regular eating schedule as best you can, keeping mealtimes within an hour of your little ones usual eating time. Also, providing 3 meals and 2 healthy snacks helps boredom snacking to a minimum. If your neighbor invites the family over for a barbecue and your child has food allergies, be sure to pack your own snacks and bring a hearty side dish to share so that you can be sure the food is safe and allergen free. Plenty of Produce Speaking of healthy snacks, one of the best parts of summer is all the glorious produce that is abundant and right off the vine. From berries to greens, eating produce that is local and in season is both better for you and the environment. Visiting your local farmers market is great way to get organic produce at a great price; it also makes for a fun family activity. Fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and nutrients, make great prep-free snacks, and can help keep kids immune systems healthy. The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) can tell you the peak season for produce in your area. Pool Panache Babies and toddlers seem to be endlessly fascinated with water, swimming pools being the pinnacle. Swimming is a great family activity on a hot summer day, yet safety is of utmost importance. It may sound redundant, but never leave a child near a pool unattended. During a pool party, lots of socializing can make it difficult to keep your eyes on your toddler. Designate an adult pool watcher to be on guard at all times, and if everyone takes a shift it is an easy way to protect kids. Visit Baby Swimming for more pool safety tips for babies and toddlers. Summer Skin Being outdoors more in the summer brings up a key question- what is the best way to protect babys delicate skin from pesky bugs and too much sun? Most bug sprays and sun blocks on the market are laden with harmful chemicals that are too toxic for adults, let alone toddlers and babies. Just in time for summer, California Baby announces an organic bug spray made of essential oils. The Bug Blend baby bug repellent is free of pesticides and it is gluten free so it is safe for celiacs. When it comes to choosing an organic baby sun block, visit ehow.com for consumer reviews. Avoiding direct sun is also important by using a hat, covering up arms and legs, and of course, sitting in the shade. Many doctors do not recommend the use of sun block before a baby is 6 months old, so check with your pediatrician first.
译文:
儿童发展:关于给幼儿安全﹑健康的夏天的建议
本文由克林赫尔利发表，他被授予儿童营养专家称号。独立日快乐！7月4日标志着美国独立的日子,但同时,在这一天,人们也开始讨论夏季的各种活动了.随着烧烤和游泳聚会的盛行,这两项活动的确让人感到很多乐趣,但同时也引起父母一系列的担忧.在此,我提供一些建议以帮助孩子度过一个安全而又健康的夏季.首先是健康的饮食.没有了学校的活动和惯例性的活动,整个夏季可以过得自然些﹑随意些.夏日里有许许多多的有趣的活动,所以即便你离开了学校,你依然可以发现你的家人正兴致勃勃地享受着活动中的各种美食,忙得不可开交.然而,此时,你如何将冬季教给孩子的良好习惯保持下来呢?现在开始要尽可能让你的小孩保持有规律地饮食,和平时一样,要一小时之内吃一餐.同时要准备3种菜肴和2种健康的点心,尽可能降低儿童对食物的厌倦.如果你的邻居邀请你们参加烧烤活动而你的孩子又容易对食物过敏,你就得打包好你的点心并带上一份丰盛的菜肴,这样就可以保证孩子吃到的是安全﹑不过敏的食物了.其次是大量的农产品.说到健康的饮食,最佳的组成部分是各种各样的农产品,它们又多又新鲜.从草莓到绿色蔬菜,吃这种当地旺季的产品,既对你的身体有好处也对环境有好处.逛一逛当地的农贸市场就是一种很好的以便宜的价格买到绿色的农产品的方式,同时也可以增添家庭活动的乐趣.新鲜的水果和蔬菜内含维他命和各种营养成份,是一种无需特别加工就可以吃的小餐,同时还可以保证幼儿的健康的免疫系统.自然资源防卫局会告诉你什么时候是当地农产品上市的旺季.泳池中神气十足的儿童和学步儿童似乎对水感到无穷的乐趣,在他们眼里,泳池让他们感到快乐至极.游泳是炎热的夏季中一项很重要的家庭活动,然而其中安全是最重要的.这听起来有点多余,但不要把小孩留在无人看管的游泳池附近.在游泳聚会上,很多的社交活动让你难以时时留意你的小孩.专门找个泳池管理员时时看着小孩,如果有人愿意轮流看小孩的话,这将是看小孩的一个好方法.参观儿童泳池,咨询更多保证儿童安全游泳的建议.最后,注意夏季的皮肤.在夏天会有更大面积的皮肤暴露,这引发了一个重要的问题--------怎样才能最好地保护儿童那细嫩的皮肤免受可恶的虫子和过多的阳光伤害呢?市场上,大多驱虫剂和防晒霜含有大量的化学成分.这种化学成分的毒素太强,成人都不能用,更不用说幼儿了.就在夏天,加利福尼亚儿童有关部门宣布了一种有机驱虫剂.这种驱虫剂由一种重要的防护油精制而成.驱虫液﹑儿童驱虫剂是没有杀虫毒素的也不含谷蛋白,所以使用后对儿童腹腔是没有伤害的.说到选购儿童防晒霜,请访问ehow.com,看看消费者对这方面的评论.避免阳光直射也是非常重要的,你可以带上帽子,还要盖住手脚,当然也可以坐到阴凉处.很多医生不赞成给6个月以下的儿童使用防晒霜,所以你要用的话,得先咨询儿科医生.