Be a Green Kid

What does it mean to be green? "Green" is more than just a color. It also means taking special steps to protect the environment.Every day, people make choices that affect the amount of trash and pollution that gets produced in our world. What can you do? A whole lot, actually. Here's a three-step guide to being green:

1 Reduce 2 Reuse3 Recycle

Reduce It!When you use less of something, you do a good thing for the Earth. For exam-ple, a shorter shower means you used less water and less fuel since your house uses fuel to run the water heater. Here’s a list of other stuff you can reduce:

• Turn off lights you're not using.• Turn off the water when you're brushing your teeth.• When you can, walk or ride your bike instead of driving in the car.

Reuse It!Sometimes people call ours a "throwaway society." That means that we're a lit-tle too willing to throw away old stuff and buy new stuff. Many times, even if you no longer need something, someone else just might. Here are some addi-tional ways to reuse the stuff you have:

• Use rechargeable batteries for your MP3 players, cell phones, and digital cameras.• Choose reusable travel cups instead of plastic cups.• Take your own bags when you go to the grocery store.• Drink tap water instead of buying bottled water.

Recycle It!Recycling has never been easier. Many communities will pick it up right in front of your house. By separating plastic bottles, cans, bottles, and more, you're re-ducing the amount of trash that goes to the landfill.

THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATERBesides getting a kid to drink plenty of milk each day, be sure don't forget the water! Although it has no nutrients, water is essential to a child’s health. It makes up more than half of kids' body weight and is needed to keep all parts of the body functioning properly.Some of the benefits of drinking water include:

• Digestion support• Constipation prevention• Proper blood circulation

Water also helps transport nutrients and oxygen to cells, regulate body temperature, and maintain electrolyte (sodium) balance. Here are a few other facts about water to keep in mind:

There’s no specific amount of water recommended for children, but it’s a good idea to give them water throughout the day — not just when they’re thirsty.

If your child doesn’t like the taste of water, add some lemon or lime for flavor.

Fruits and veggies are also good sources of water.

Kids should drink more water when they’re ill, when it’s hot out, and when they’re physically ac-tive.

Advantages of Internet1Unlimited CommunicationThe Internet has made it easy for people to communicate with oth-ers because it is cheap and convenient. The only costs incurred are those paid to the Internet service provider. If you want to talk to someone who is in another part of the globe, you can just fire up Skype or any other communication app and hold a video chat.

Abundant Information The Internet is swamped with information about anything and ev-erything. There are multiple search engines that have made it eas-ier for Internet users to find information. For example, it is now common for people to look for free advice from the Internet on all sorts of issues.

Easy SharingThanks to the Internet, sharing information is fast and seamless. You can use social media sites such as Facebook or an IM app. They will all get the news at the same time. You can also share music, videos and any other file.

EntertainmentThis is one of the major reasons why many people enjoy surfing the Internet – entertainment. You can watch movies, listen to mu-sic, and play games over the Internet.

Air pollution

Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes (or smoke) or odour are introduced into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plant. This is because the air becomes dirty.Any additional gas, particles or odours that are introduced into the air to distort this natural balance and cause harm to living things can be called air pollution.

Air pollution can result from both human and natural actions. Hu-man activities that result in air pollution include:

1. Emissions from industries and manufacturing activities2. Burning Fossil Fuels3. Household and Farming Chemicals

Air pollutants can be in the form of particulate matter which can be very harmful to our health. The level of effect usually depends on the length of time of exposure, as well the kind and concentration of chemicals and particles exposed to. Long-term health effects can includelung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys.

Solution efforts on pollution is always a big problem. This is why prevention interventions are always a better way of controlling air pollution. These prevention methods can either come from govern-ment (laws) or by individual actions.

Government (or community) level preventionGovernments throughout the world have already taken action against air pollution by introducing green energy.

Individual Level PreventionEncourage your family to use the bus, train or bike when com-

muting. If we all do this, there will be less cars on road and less fumes.

Bullying

Have you ever been called funny names that you did not like at school? Have you ever been repeatedly laughed at by someone or a group of kids, or a gang in your class in a way that makes you sad?

What about repeated threats and even physical abuse by someone for some reason?So what is that about?Bullying is when someone keeps doing or saying things to have power over you. This includes calling you stupid names, saying or writing nasty things about you, leaving you out of activities, not talking to you, threatening, making you feel uncomfortable or scared, taking or damaging your things, hitting or kicking you, or making you do things you don't want to do.

No doubt, this can make you feel very unhappy, afraid, uncomfort-able, depressed, hurt and alone.Coping with bullying can be very difficult. Below are a few more tips that can help.

Try to avoid the bully. If you have to go to a place (bathroom, canteen, games room, locker room) where you may meet the bully, try going with a friend.

Tell an adult.Adults like your teacher, parent, school nurse, or even older friend can help. They usually have good advice and ways of ending that bully’s activities.

Make friends. Bullies tend to pick on people who do things alone. Try and make friends with more than one person and try to move with them.

Remember that you should never do to others what you would not like others to do to you. This means you should stay well away from gangs and groups that gossip, laugh and kick others.

Obesity

Probably. Obesity (o-bee-see-tee) is the state of being seriously overweight (overweight is when you have too much body fat) - to a degree that affects your health. If more than 25% of a person's total body weight is fat, then he is classified as being obese.

Obesity is caused by 2 simple factors:

Unhealthy diet (high fat diet)

The first main cause of child obesity is unhealthy diet. These are usually the kinds that people buy from fast food shops. Sometimes eating too much can also make you fat even if it's healthy food.

Lack of physical activity and exerciseChild obesity can also result from lack of exercise. This include sit-ting at one place all the time, and not moving around or excercise. e.g. sitting around a lot, or watching TV for long hours of the day.

There are many things that can keep you from becoming over-weight, and being healthy, fit and happy.

Start eating healthy foods.Growing bodies need a variety of foods to develop well. Instead, ask your mum to make changes to healthy eating. When hungry, grab some fresh fruit and vegetables first, rather than fatty food and snacks.

Do more exercise.Get involved in sport or exercise everyday. Join in activities at school or after school

Get enough sleep.Get a good night's sleep. Don't eat too late.

How to take care of your teeth

Our teeth is one of the most important things that we need in many ways. We need them to eat, smile, talk, hold as well as tear. When we lose them, we are never the same again, as it affects our whole being.Here is a guide to cleaning your teeth properly.Brush at least twice a day — after breakfast and before bedtime. If you can, brush after lunch or after sweet snacks. Brushing properly breaks down plaque. It is even more important before bed, because as you sleep there is a lot of time for bacterial activity.

Brush all of your teeth, not just the front ones. Be sure to brush along the sides and in the back. 

Spend at least 2 or 3 minutes each time you brush. You will get used the time once you get into the flow of proper brushing.

Always use toothbrushes with soft bristles (usually written on the label) and change then every 3 months.

Learn how to floss your teeth.

Flossing is the best way to get rid of tiny food particles between the teeth, especially where the brush cannot get into.

Remember to also brush your tongue to help keep your breath fresh!

Exercise

for kids, exercise means playing and being physically active. Kids exercise when they have gym class at school, during recess, at dance class or while rid-ing bikes. Here are some of the benefits that physical activity offers you.

Why Exercise Is Good for Your Body• Lungs and heart: Exercise makes your lungs and heart stronger for increased energy. That means you can play, walk, or jog longer without feeling tired.• Muscles: Exercise strengthens and stretches muscles. Become the family arm-wrestling champ. • Bones: Exercise builds strong bones. That will help with everything from how tall you stand to your overall strength.• Weight: Exercise helps you manage your weight. With exercise, you burn the calories you eat in food. Exercise also makes your body stronger and healthier.

Because exercise gets your blood flowing, that means more oxygen to your brain. And that means you can think better. • •

So, go -- get moving! Your body will thank you.