A recent government report reveals some promising news about America's kids, from how they're doing in school to how they're approaching sex.
Comparing the most current national statistics with previous years, the annual report from the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (a collaboration of private research organizations and 22 federal agencies) features some of these hopeful findings:
- More kids lived with at least one working parent.
- More preschoolers were read to by a family member every day.
- Slightly more teens graduated high school.
- The number of high-schoolers who'd completed advanced academic courses nearly doubled from 1982 to 2004.
- Fewer teens had sex (than nearly 15 years ago) and those who did used condoms more often.
- Far fewer teens had babies than ever before (2005 marked a record low).
Of course, the report wasn't all rosy:
- 2005 saw a slight increase, from 2004, in serious violent crimes committed by kids.
- No changes from the previous year occurred in the numbers of: 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders using drugs in the past month, children living in poverty, and kids who smoked regularly or drank five or more alcoholic beverages in a row.
- Triple the number of kids, ages 6 to 17, were overweight — from 6% in 1976–1980 to 18% in 2003–2004.
What This Means to You
Childhood is filled with plenty of tears as well as triumphs, but both you and your kids will learn how to decrease disappointments and maximize successes as you go.
Whether you're bringing up a teething baby or a blossoming teen, here are just some of the big-picture things you can do to help your kids be happy and to keep their brains and bodies healthy as they grow:
- Get regular health care for your whole family. That means prenatal appointments throughout your pregnancy, plus routine immunizations and well-child checkups for your kids.
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of regular exercise and a nutritious diet that's short on sugar and fat, and long on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and calcium-rich foods.
- Limit screen time (TV, computer, video games) to no more than 2 hours of quality programming a day for kids over age 2.
- Keep injuries at bay. Childproof your home. Always use age-appropriate car seats (or seatbelts, when they're old enough). Enforce safety rules like wearing helmets. Keep guns out of your home or locked up and out of reach.
- Practice positive discipline — don't hit or spank, and emphasize the good things your kids do more than the bad.
- Work quality family time into your schedule, whether it's eating dinner together every night or taking a bike ride around the neighborhood.
- Be a positive role model so that they'll do as you say and as you do. For example, show them the importance of being kind to others, loving yourself for who you are, and leading an active, healthy lifestyle.
- Talk about the tough stuff — from sex to smoking, drugs to alcohol — early on, keeping your kids' ages and maturity levels in mind.
- Tune in and really listen to your kids' needs and opinions so they'll realize that you recognize and value how they feel and what they think.
- Ask questions and follow your gut. If you think there's a problem or need help in any area, don't hesitate to call your doctor.
- Take care of yourself so that you can take the best possible care of your kids, from the time they're swaddled in a hospital blanket until they’re wearing that cap and gown.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: July 2007
Source: "America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2007.”
