Aches, Pains & Injuries Belly Pain Blisters, Calluses, and Corns Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cellulitis Checking

Out Cuts, Scratches, and Abrasions Concussions Coping With Cold Sores Eek! It's Eczema! Getting the Wind Knocked Out of You Going With the Flow of Nosebleeds Going to a Physical Therapist How Stitches Help Kids Heal Indigestion Migraines: What a Pain! Osgood-Schlatter Disease Poison Ivy Rashes: The Itchy Truth Splinters Strains and Sprains Are a Pain Swimmer's Ear The Facts About Broken Bones The Story on Scars What a Pain! Kids and Growing Pains What to Do When You're Bugged by Bugs What's Up With Warts? What's West Nile Virus?

Bug Bites and Stings Hey! A Bedbug Bit Me! Hey! A Bee Stung Me! Hey! A Black Widow Spider Bit Me! Hey! A Brown Recluse Spider Bit Me! Hey! A Chigger Bit Me! Hey! A Fire Ant Stung Me! Hey! A Flea Bit Me! Hey! A Gnat Bit Me! Hey! A Louse Bit Me! Hey! A Mosquito Bit Me! Hey! A Scorpion Stung Me! Hey! A Tarantula Bit Me! Hey! A Tick Bit Me! Flu Flu What to Do if You Get the Flu Who Needs a Flu Shot?

What Is the Flu?

Influenza (say: in-floo-en-zah) is also called the flu. It's an infection that causes fever, chills, cough, body aches, headaches, and sometimes earaches or sinus problems. The flu is caused by the influenza virus (say: vy-rus). A virus is a microorganism (say: my-croh-or-gah-nih-zum), which means it's so small that you can't see it without a strong microscope.

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heart or lung disorders, including asthma chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, certain kinds of anemia, or immune system problems, including H

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Flu vaccines are usually given in the fall, before flu season starts. Flu season means the months of the year when a lot of people have the flu and it's easy to catch it. It starts in November and usually ends in April.

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If you get the flu vaccine, or shot, it will protect you from getting a bad case of the flu. You either won't get the flu at all or, if you do get it, you will have only mild symptoms and you should get better pretty quickly. Like other shots, a flu shot is given using a needle. There's also a nasal mist flu vaccine, which is a spray that's squirted up your nose.

Whichever one you get, you need to get a new vaccine every year. Why? Because the flu virus changes every year and the vaccine is specially created to fight the viruses that are going to be a problem that year.

How Does the Flu Spread?

This virus gets around in little drops that spray out of an infected person's mouth and nose when he or she sneezes, coughs, or even laughs. You can catch the flu from someone who has it if you breathe in some of those tiny flu-infected drops. You can also catch the flu if those drops get on your hands and you touch your mouth or nose. No wonder people are always saying to cover your mouth when you sneeze!

What If You Get the Flu?

But even if you get a flu shot, steer clear of sneezers, and you wash your hands regularly, you still might get the flu.

At the doctor's office, the doctor will ask you how you've been feeling and examine you. He or she might use a long cotton swab to get a sample of the gunk in your nose or throat. Testing this sample in a lab can determine, for sure, that you have the flu. But usually this isn't necessary. Based on your symptoms, your doctor can usually tell if you have the flu, especi lly during times a when a lot of flu is going around your town.

Once your doctor says you have the flu, you can start taking these steps to feel better:

Rest in bed or on the couch.

Drink lots of liquids, like water, chicken broth, and other fluids.

Take the medicine your mom or dad gives you to ease your fever, aches, and pains.

Tell your mom or dad if you have trouble breathing, your muscles really hurt, or if you feel confused. These are signs you may need to see the doctor again.

Most of the time, you'll feel better in a week or two. Until then, you'll have to stay home from school and take it easy. We hope you're flu-free this year, but if you do get the flu, now you know what to do!

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD Date reviewed: September 2008

Emily remembers her first bad headache. "It was really scary. The pain was unbelievable and I felt like I was going to throw up," she said. "I had no idea what was happening." The headaches struck once a month, then once a week. They were getting worse and worse. Emily told her mom, who took her to the doctor.

It turned out that Emily had migraines (say: my-graynz). Luckily, the doctor gave Emily some medicine to treat her headaches. The doctor also taught her how to know when a migraine is coming and how to avoid them.

What's a Migraine?
Almost everyone gets headaches. You might have one after bumping your head or during a cold or bout with the flu. Some types of headaches may happen only once in a while, whereas others can happen as often as every day. Most headaches produce a dull pain around the front, top, and sides of your head, almost like someone stretched a rubber band around your noggin.

But a migraine is worse than a regular headache. Migraines usually occur about one to four times a month. The pain is often throbbing and on one or both sides of the head. Kids with migraines often feel dizzy or sick to their stomachs. During the headache, some kids are sensitive to light, noise, or smells, and want to sleep. When they wake up, they usually feel better. Most migraines last from 30 minutes to 6 hours but some can last a day or 2.

If you have migraines, you're not alone. About one out of every 20 kids, or about 8 million children in the United States, gets migraines. Before age 10, an equal number of boys and girls get migraines. But after age 12, during and after puberty, migraines affect girls three times more often than boys.

Migraines aren't contagious, which means you can't catch them from someone who has them.

What Causes a Migraine?

A migraine begins when, for some reason, blood vessels in the brain narrow (constrict) temporarily. When that happens, the amount of blood and oxygen flowing to the brain drops. So the brain sends a message: "Hey guys, we need some more blood and oxygen here!"

That causes other blood vessels to dilate (expand). When those blood vessels expand, they become inflamed, throb, and cause a pounding pain. Because it involves changes in blood vessels, a migraine is a vascular (say: vas-kyuh-lur) headache.

Some scientists believe that people who get migraines have inherited a tendency for their nervous systems to react differently to changes in their bodies or their environment. Certain things may trigger a reaction in the person's nervous system and start a migraine attack.

Some common triggers are:

stress menstruation (having a period) skipping meals too much caffeine (like cola drinks) certain foods (cheese, pizza, chocolate, ice cream, fatty or fried food, lunch meats, hot dogs, yogurt, or anything with MSG, a seasoning often used in Asian foods) too much or too little sleep weather changes travel No one is really sure why people get migraines. But chances are, if you get migraines, another member of your family gets them as well. That's because scientists think migraines are genetic, which means that certain genes passed on from parents make a kid more likely to get them.

Do You Know a Migraine Is Coming?

Migraines begin differently. Some kids just don't feel right. Light or sound may bother them or make them feel worse, and they may even get sick to their stomachs and throw up. Before or during a migraine headache, some children may have m uscle weakness, lose their sense of coordination, stumble, or even have trouble talking.

About one in five kids gets an aura (say: or-uh), a kind of warning that a migraine is on the way. The most common auras include blurred vision and/or seeing spots, co lored balls, jagged lines, or bright lights, or smelling a certain odor. An aura usually starts about 10 to 30 minutes before the start of a migraine headache, although auras can happen the night before the headache starts. An aura usually lasts about 20 minutes.

Treatments for Migraines

Getting a bad migraine once in a while may be annoying, but usually doesn't cause any big problems for a kid. But be sure to tell your mom or dad if you have headaches that:

last a long time seem to be getting worse happen more often cause problems with balance interfere with school or after-school activities Your doctor will want to know about those problems and can try to help. Your doctor also may want you to keep a headache diary. By keeping track of your headaches, you may be able to figure out what triggers them. Answer all the questions in the diary each time you have a headache. The information will help your doctor figure out the best treatment.

Your doctor may suggest one or more medicines you can take. They could include:

pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen medicines that reduce nausea and vomiting sedatives, which can help you to go to sleep and get rid of the headache medicines to prevent migraines or make them less severe Some doctors may also try to teach you biofeedback. This technique helps you learn to relax and use your brain to gain control over certain body functions. If a migraine begins slowly, many people can use biofeedback to remain calm and stop the attack.

What's in this article? (click to view)

How to Prevent a Migraine

The good news is that many kids outgrow migraines. In the meantime, follow your doctor's instructions and take your medicine as instructed. Make sure you have the medicine on hand in case a migraine starts at school or when you're away from home.

Also try to stay away from your migraine triggers. If certain foods like chocolate or cheese or caffeinated drinks trigger your migraines, it's a good idea to avoid them. Also, take breaks from activities that seem to trigger your migraines, such as using the computer for a long time or listening to loud music.

Fight stress by making a plan so you don't feel freaked out by all the stuff you need to get done. Regular exercise can also reduce stress and make you feel better. The more you understand migraines, the better prepared you can be to fight them before they become a big pain!

Reviewed by: Margaret C. McBride, MD Date reviewed: December 2007

What exactly is the West Nile virus? And why is everyone buzzing about mosquitoes?

Even though it was discovered all the way back in 1937 in Africa, the West Nile virus probably didn't make its way to the United States until 1999. But since then, it has been a cause of concern all over the country during the summer months.

West Nile virus is caused by a bite from an infected mosquito that's already carrying the virus, but it's important to remember that not all mosquitoes are infected. In many parts of the United States, the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito is greatest from July to early September. But in some parts of the country, mosquito bites can be a risk all year long.

Not everyone who gets bitten by an infected mosquito will get the virus. And although kids can get West Nile virus, it's rare for them to become very sick from it.

Symptoms of West Nile virus really depend on the person who becomes infected. Kids with normal immune systems (say: ih-myoon), the system of the body that fights off disease and infection, usually get just a mild "flu-like" illness and may not feel bad at all with the infection.

People over 50 years old and those with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplants are most at risk for the infection.

West Nile Symptoms

Most of the time, symptoms of West Nile virus are similar to the flu and include:

fever headache

neck and back stiffness muscle ache tiredness joint pain swollen glands rash In the most rare and extreme cases, West Nile virus can cause a condition called encephalitis (say: en-sef-uh-ly-tis), which is irritation and swelling of the brain.

West Nile virus is not spread from person to person. That means if your friend next door just got it, and you played together the day before, you won't get the virus. And though pets can get the virus, they can't spread it to people. The only way to get it is from the bite of an infected mosquito.

So, what's being done to stop the spread of West Nile virus? Health officials in each state do their best to find out where mosquitoes live and kill the eggs of mosquitoes that might carry the virus.

You can do your best to prevent coming in contact with West Nile virus. Here's what to do:

Wear insect repellent. Repellents that include one of these ingredients are best: DEET, lemon eucalyptus, or picaridin. Ask a parent to help you apply them.

Playing outside at midday will help you avoid getting bitten because mosquitoes are most likely to be out during early morning or early evening.

When possible, wear socks, long sleeves, and long pants when you're playing outside.

Never play near standing water like creeks or wading pools (mosquitoes love to hang out there!).

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD Date reviewed: August 2009

Find out how to take care of your body, eat healthy, and stay fit! Click on any category below to view the articles: Keeping Fit and Having Fun 5 Reasons Girls Should Play Sports

Be a Fit Kid Body Mass Index (BMI) Five Ways to Avoid Sports Injuries Getting Muscles How We Play It's Time to Play Kids Ask Cal Kids' Nutrition & Fitness Center Kurt Warner: What Middle School Was Like for Me Playgrounds Should I Gain Weight? Sports Physicals Steroids Taking the Pressure Off Sports Competition What Being Overweight Means What If I Don't Like Sports? What Kids Say About: Weight What's the Big Sweat About Dehydration? What's the Right Weight for Me? Why Exercise Is Cool Why play sports? You might say "to get exercise" and you'd be right. To have fun? That's true, too. But there's more. In fact, there are at least 5 more reasons. According to the Women's Sports Foundation, girls who play sports get a lot more than just fit.

1.

Girls who play sports do better in school. You might think that athletics will take up all your study time. But research shows that girls who play sports do better in school than those who don't. Exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage in the classroom.

2.

Girls who play sports learn teamwork and goal -setting skills. Sports teaches valuable life skills. When you working with coaches, trainers, and teammates to win

games and achieve goals, you're learning how to be successful. Th ose skills will serve you well at work and in family life.

3.

Sports are good for a girl's health. In addition to being fit and maintaining a healthy weight, girls who play sports are also less likely to smoke. And later in life, girls who exercise are less likely to get breast cancer or osteoporosis.

4.

Playing sports boosts self-confidence. Girls who play sports feel better about themselves. Why? It builds confidence when you know you can practice, improve, and achieve your goals. Sports are also a feel-good activity because they help girls get in shape, maintain a healthy weight, and make new friends.

5.

Exercise cuts the pressure. Playing sports can lessen stress and help you feel a little happier. How? The brain chemicals released during exercise improve a person's mood. Friends are another mood-lifter. And being on a team creates tight bonds between friends. It's good to know your teammates will support you both on and off the field!

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: May 2009

There's a lot of discussion these days about fit kids. People who care (parents, doctors, teachers, and others) want to know how to help kids be more fit.

Being fit is a way of saying a person eats well, gets a lot of physical activity (exercise), and has a healthy weight. If you're fit, your body works well, feels good, and can do all the things you want to do, like run around with your friends.

Some steps only parents can take such as serving healthy meals or deciding to take the family on a nature hike. But kids can take charge, too, when it comes to health.

Here are five rules to live by, if you're a kid who wants to be fit. The trick is to follow these rules most of the time, knowing that some days (like your birthday) might call for cake and ice cream.

Eat a Variety of Foods, Especially Fruits and Vegetables

You may have a favorite food, but the best choice is to eat a variety. If you eat different foods, you're more likely to get the nutrients your body needs. Taste new foods and old ones you haven't

tried for a while. Some foods, such as green veggies, are more pleasing the older you get. Shoot for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day two fruits and three vegetables.

Here's one combination that might work for you:

at breakfast: cup (about 4 large) strawberries on your cereal with lunch: 6 baby carrots for a snack: an apple with dinner: cup broccoli (about 2 big spears) and 1 cup of salad

Limit Screen Time

What's screen time? It's the amount of time you spend watching TV or DVDs, playing video games (console systems or handheld games), and using the computer. The more time you spend on these sitting-down activities, the less time available for active stuff, like basketball, bike riding, and swimming. Try to spend no more than 2 hours a day on screen time, not counting computer use related to school.

Be Active
One job you have as a kid and it's a fun one is that you get to figure out which activities you like best. Not everyone loves baseball or soccer. Maybe your passion is karate, or kickball, or dancing. Ask your parents to help you do your favorite activities regularly. Find ways to be active every day. You might even write down a list of fun stuff to do, so you can refer to it when your mom or dad says it's time to stop watching TV or playing computer games! Speaking of parents, they can be a big help if you want to be a fit kid. For instance, they can stock the house with healthy foods and plan physical activities for the family. Tell your parents about these five steps you want to take and maybe you can teach them a thing or two. If you're a fit kid, why shouldn't you have a fit mom and a fit dad? Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: February 2009

Everyone has been on a diet. Does that sound strange? Well, it's true. A diet is simply the collection of the foods you regularly eat. But the word "diet" also can mean an attempt to lose weight by limiting calories or types of food.

You may know some adults and kids who worry about their weight and say they're going on a diet. You might wonder if you should be on a diet, too. But the majority of kids do not need to and should not diet this way. Why? Let's find out.

Dieting to Lose Weight

All foods and many drinks contains calories, a kind of energy. When someone diets to lose weight, the person is trying to eat fewer calories than the body uses. By doing this, the person may lose

body fat and decrease his or her weight. Likewise, if a person eats more calories than the body uses, the person may gain weight.

Kids usually do not need to diet in this way. Unlike adults, kids are still growing and developing. During this time, kids need a variety of healthy foods to keep their bodies growing properly. Some kids are overweight, but even overweight kids often can improve their health simply by eating nutritious foods and being more active. Being overweight can cause health problems, but kids may hurt their health even more by doing something drastic, like skipping meals or deciding to eat only lettuce.

Who Needs to Diet?

Though some people may feel they weigh too much or too little, there is no perfect body shape. Some people have larger frames (bigger bones) and will always look bigger and heavier than people with smaller frames.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your weight. Your doctor can examine you and check your body mass index (BMI). That's a way of estimating how much body fat you have. If the doctor is concerned about your weight, he or she can recommend a couple of goals:

for you to gain weight at a slower pace for you to maintain your current weight For some kids, the doctor may recommend losing some weight, but this should be done with the doctor's help. Kids who need to lose weight may visit with a dietitian who can explain how to reduce calories safely while still getting all the necessary nutrients.

Dangerous Diets
Diets that don't include a variety of nutritious foods, or have too few calories, can be dangerous for kids. Some type of dangerous diets are called "fad diets," because a fad means something that's popular for a short while. Fad diets usually promise quick weight loss and require the person to follow a strict set of guidelines.

Some dangerous diets cut out entire categories of foods or require the person to eat just one thing, such as cabbage soup yuck! The truth is there is no quick fix when it comes to weight loss. So pills, special drinks, all-liquid diets, and other gimmicks are poor choices, especially for kids. If someone offers you a diet pill or suggests you start having a magic milkshake that can make you thinner, tell them no! These diets can make people sick. They also usually end with the person regaining any weight that was lost.

Someone who is willing to take extreme steps to be thinner could have an eating disorder. These include anorexia nervosa (starving oneself) or bulimia nervosa (eating and then deliberately throwing up). They are serious conditions that need a doctor's attention.

Help for a Dangerous Dieter

If you know a friend or sibling who's following a dangerous diet, you need to tell an adult. You could turn to a parent, a teacher, or another adult you trust. You could also tell the person yourself that their eating habits are unhealthy, but you probably will need to get an adult involved, too.

It's not unusual for kids or adults to wish they were taller, or thinner, or that they could change something about their appearance. If you feel this way, talk to a parent or an adult you trust. You may need someone to help you understand these feelings and get a handle on whether your weight is a health concern.

The body changes that happen to kids during puberty in clude weight gain. This is normal, but it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about it if you or your parents have questions.

What Kids Can Do

So if kids don't need to diet, how can they stay a healthy weight? All kids can benefit from eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of physical activity.

Kids have a lot of choices when it comes to activity and exercise. Some like to play on sports teams or dance in troupes. Others may prefer to be more casual, riding their bikes or shooting hoops at the park. Just helping your parents rake leaves or clean the house is a kind of physical activity, though not as much fun as something like swimming! And it's a good idea to cut down on pastimes that aren't very active such as watching TV or playing computer games.

Kids can also try to eat a variety of healthy foods. A balanced diet means that you don't eat the same thing every day and that you eat a mix of foods from different food groups. These include:

fruits and vegetables milk and dairy products meat, nuts, and other protein-rich foods grains, especially whole-grain foods, such as whole-grain breads and cereals This kind of diet helps your body by giving it the right nutrients. For instance, protein helps build your muscles and other body structures. Calcium helps your growing bones. And you need vitamins and other nutrients to keep your body working as it should. F iber prevents constipation and carbohydrates give you energy, just to name a few.

Now that you understand more about diets, you can tell people you're on a very special one a balanced, healthy diet just right for a kid!

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD Date reviewed: November 2008

TV shows, movies, and magazines show pictures of people who are thin. Does that mean being thin is best? Not necessarily.

People come in all different shapes and sizes, and the best weight for you is one that is right for your individual body type and size. It can be unhealthy to be too thin if you are eating less food than your body needs. Eating enough food is like putting gas in your car if you run out of gas, it stops working!

Being overweight is not good either. Kids who are overweight may not be getting the right nutrition if the food they eat has a lot of fat and calories without the other nutrients needed to stay healthy and strong. Eating a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, is the best way to go. It puts high-quality fuel in your tank so you are ready to go.

Everyone needs to eat a healthy, balanced diet to grow, to fight off infections, to do well in school and at play, and to just feel good. So read on to find out how you'll know what the right weight is for you.

What Makes Me the Weight I Am?

There's no easy answer to this question. Your genetic makeup (the physical traits that get passed down to you from your parents) plays a big part in determining your size and weight.

The same goes for your body type. Have you ever heard someone say a person is "big boned"? It's a way of saying the person has a large frame, or skeleton. Big bones usually weigh more than small bones. That's why it's possible for two kids with the same height, but different weights, to both be the right weight.

KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Fabulous Food>The Food Guide Pyramid

Print AAA Text Size

What's in this article? (click to view) The Food Guide Pyramid is one way for people to understand how to eat healthy. A rainbow of colored, vertical stripes represents the five food groups plus fats and oils. Here's what the colors stand for:

orange grains green vegetables red fruits yellow fats and oils blue milk and dairy products purple meat, beans, fish, and nuts The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) changed the pyramid in 2005 because they wanted to do a better job of telling Americans how to be healthy. The agency later released a special version for kids. Notice the girl climbing the staircase up the side of the pyramid? That's a way of showing kids how important it is to exercise and be active every day. In other words, play a lot! The steps are also a way of saying that you can make changes little by little to be healthier. One step at a time, get it?

The Pyramid Speaks

Let's look at some of the other messages this new symbol is trying to send:

Eat a variety of foods. A balanced diet is one that includes all the food groups. In other words, have foods from every color, every day.

Eat less of some foods, and more of others. You can see that the bands for meat and protein (purple) and oils (yellow) are skinnier than the others. That's because you need less of those kinds of foods than you do of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy foods.

You also can see the bands start out wider and get thinner as they approach the top. That's designed to show you that not all foods are created equal, even within a healthy food group like fruit. For instance, apple pie would be in that thin part of the fruit band because it has a lot of added sugar and fat. A whole apple crunch! would be down in the wide part because you can eat more of those within a healthy diet.

Make it personal. Through the USDA's MyPyramid website, people can get personalized recommendations about the mix of foods they need to eat and how much they should be eating. There is a kids' version of the website available too.

How Much Do I Need to Eat?

Everyone wants to know how much they should eat to stay healthy. It's a tricky question, though. It depends on your age, whether you're a girl or a boy, and how active you are. Kids who are more active burn more calories, so they need more calories. But we can give you some estimates for how much you need of each food group. Grains Grains are measured out in ounce equivalents. What the heck are they? Ounce equivalents are just another way of showing a serving size.

Here are ounce equivalents for common grain foods. An ounce equivalent equals:

1 slice of bread cup of cooked cereal, like oatmeal cup of rice or pasta 1 cup of cold cereal * 4- to 8-year-olds need 45 ounce equivalents each day. * 9- to 13-year-old girls need 5 ounce equivalents each day. * 9- to 13-year-old boys need 6 ounce equivalents each day.

And one last thing about grains: Try make at least half of your grain servings whole grains, such as 100% whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal. Vegetables Of course, you need your vegetables, especially those dark green and orange ones. But how much is enough? Vegetable servings are measured in cups.

* 4- to 8-year-olds need 1 cups of veggies each day. * 9- to 13-year-old girls need 2 cups of veggies each day. * 9- to 13-year-old boys need 2 cups of veggies each day. Fruits Sweet, juicy fruit is definitely part of a healthy diet. Here's how much you need:

* 4- to 8-year-olds need 11 cups of fruit each day. * 9- to 13-year-olds need 1 cups of fruit each day. Milk and Other Calcium-Rich Foods Calcium builds strong bones to last a lifetime, so you need these foods in your diet.

* 4- to 8-year-olds need 2 cups of milk (or another calcium-rich food) each day. * 9- to 13-year-olds need 3 cups of milk (or another calcium-rich food) each day.

If you want something other than milk, you can substitute yogurt, cheese, or calcium -fortified orange juice just to name a few. Meats, Beans, Fish, and Nuts These foods contain iron and lots of other important nutrients. Like grains, these foods are measured in ounce equivalents.

An ounce equivalent of this group would be:

1 ounce of meat, poultry, or fish cup cooked dry beans 1 egg 1 tablespoon of peanut butter ounce (about a small handful) of nuts or seeds * 4- to 8-year-olds need 34 ounce equivalents each day. * 9- to 13-year-olds need 5 ounce equivalents each day.

Whoa! That's a lot to swallow. The good news is that your mom, dad, and the other grown-ups in your life will help you eat what you need to stay healthy. There's more good news you don't have to become a perfect eater overnight. Just remember those stairs climbing up the side of the new pyramid and take it one step at a time.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: February 2008

KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Fabulous Food>Learning About Calories

Print AAA Text Size

What's in this article? (click to view)

"That's loaded with calories!"

"Are you counting your calories?"

When people talk about the calories in food, what do they mean? A calorie is a unit of measurement but it doesn't measure weight or length. A calorie is a unit of energy. When you hear something contains 100 calories, it's a way of describing how much energy your body could get from eating or drinking it.

Are Calories Bad for You?

Calories aren't bad for you. Your body needs calories for energy. But eating too many calories and not burning enough of them off through activity can lead to weight gain.

Most foods and drinks contain calories. Some foods, such as lettuce, contain few calories. (A cup of shredded lettuce has less than 10 calories.) Other foods, like peanuts, contain a lot of calories. (A half of a cup of peanuts has 427 calories.)

You can find out how many calories are in a food by looking at the nutrition facts label. The label also will describe the components of the food how many grams of carbohydrate, protein, and fat it contains. Here's how many calories are in 1 gram of each:

carbohydrate 4 calories protein 4 calories fat 9 calories

That means if you know how many grams of each one are in a food, you can calculate the total calories. You would multiply the number of grams by the number of calories in a gram of that food component. For example, if a serving of potato chips (about 20 chips) has 10 grams of fat, 90 calories are from fat. That's 10 grams X 9 calories per gram.

Some people watch their calories if they are trying to lose weight. Most kids don't need to do this, but all kids can benefit from eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes the right number of calories not too many, not too few. But how do you know how many calories you need?

How Many Calories Do Kids Need?

Kids come in all sizes and each person's body burns energy (calories) at different rates, so there isn't one perfect number of calories that a kid should eat. But there is a recommended range for most school-age kids: 1,600 to 2,500 per day.

When they reach puberty, girls need more calories, but they tend to need fewer calories than boys. As boys enter puberty, they will need as many as 2,500 to 3,000 calories per day. But whether they are girls or boys, kids who are active and move around a lot will need more calories than kids who don't.

Most kids don't have to worry about not getting enough calories because the body and feelings of hunger help regulate how many calories a person eats. But kids with certain medical problems may need to make sure they eat enough calories. Kids with cystic fibrosis, for instance, have to eat high-calorie foods because their bodies have trouble absorbing the nutrients and energy from food.

Kids who are overweight might have to make sure they don't eat too many calories. (Only your doctor can say if you are overweight, so check with him or her if you're concerned. And never go on a diet without talking to your doctor!)

If you eat more calories than your body needs, the leftover calories are converted to fat. Too much fat can lead to health problems. Often, kids who are overweight can start by avoiding high -calorie foods, such as sugary sodas, candy, and fast food, and by eating a healthy, ba lanced diet. Exercising and playing are really important, too, because activity burns calories.

How the Body Uses Calories

Some people mistakenly believe they have to burn off all the calories they eat or they will gain weight. This isn't true. Your body needs some calories just to operate to keep your heart beating and your lungs breathing. As a kid, your body also needs calories from a variety of foods to grow and develop. And you burn off some calories without even thinking about it by walking your dog or making your bed.

But it is a great idea to play and be active for at least 1 hour and up to several hours a day. That means time spent playing sports, just running around outside, or riding your bike. It all adds up. Being active every day keeps your body strong and can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Watching TV and playing video games doesn't burn many calories at all, which is why you should try to limit those activities to 1 to 2 hours per day. A person burns only about 1 calorie per minute while watching TV, about the same as sleeping!

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: March 2007

KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Fabulous Food>Learning About Carbohydrates

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You've probably seen ads for low-carb foods and diets, but kids and adults need carbohydrates (say: kar-bo-hi-draytz). Most foods contain carbohydrates, which the body breaks down into simple sugars the major source of energy for the body.

Two Types of Carbohydrates

There are two major types of carbohydrates in foods: simple and complex.

Simple carbohydrates: These are also called simple sugars. Simple sugars are found in refined sugars, like the white sugar you'd find in a sugar bowl. If you have a lollipop, you're eating simple carbohydrates. But you'll also find simple sugars in more nutritious foods, such as fruit and milk. It's better to get your simple sugars from food like fruit and milk. Why? Because they contain vitamins, fiber, and important nutrients like calcium. A lollipop does not.

Complex carbohydrates: These are also called starches. Starches include grain products, such as bread, crackers, pasta, and rice. As with simple sugars, some complex carbohydrate foods are better choices than others. Refined (say: ree-find) grains, such as white flour and white rice, have been processed, which removes nutrients and fiber. But unrefined grains still contain these vitamins and minerals. Unrefined grains also are rich in fiber, which helps your digestive system work well. Fiber helps you feel full, so you are less likely to overeat these foods. That explains why a bowl of oatmeal fills you up better than sugary candy that has the same amount of calories as the oatmeal.

So which type of carbs should you eat? Both can be part of a healthy diet.

How the Body Uses Carbohydrates

When you eat carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into simple sugars. These sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream. As the sugar level rises in your body, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. Insulin is needed to move sugar from the blood into the cells, where the sugar can be used as a source of energy.

When this process goes fast as with simple sugars you're more likely to feel hungry again soon. When it occurs more slowly, as with a whole-grain food, you'll be satisfied longer. These types of complex carbohydrates give you energy over a longer period of time.

The carbohydrates in some foods (mostly those that contain a lot of simple sugars) cause the blood sugar level to rise more quickly than others. Scientists have been studying whether eating foods that cause big jumps in blood sugar may be related to health problems like diabetes and heart disease. You're probably already on the right track if you are limiting simple sugars (such as candy) and eating more complex carbohydrates (like vegetables, oatmeal, and whole -grain wheat bread).

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: February 2008

KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Fabulous Food>Learning About Fats

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What's in this article? (click to view) Fat is a component in food. Some foods, including most fruits and vegetables, have almost no fat. Other foods have plenty of fat. They include nuts, oils, butter, and meats like beef.

The name fat may make it sound like something you shouldn't eat. But fat is an important part of a healthy diet. And little kids, especially, need a certain amount of fat in their diets so the brain and nervous system develop correctly. That's why toddlers need to drink whole milk, which has more fat, and older kids can drink low-fat or skim milk.

Doing the Math

How much fat should you eat? Experts say kids older than 2 should get about 30% of their daily calories from fat. Here's how that works. Every day, you eat a certain amount of calories. For instance, some kids will eat 2,000 calories in a day. If 30% of 2,000 calories comes from fat, that means that 600 calories will come from fat. You can look at a food label to learn how many grams of fat are in a serving of a food. Labels also list the total calories from fat.

One way to reach this goal is to eat foods that are about 30% fat. But few foods contain exactly 30% fat. Instead, you can eat a mix of foods some with higher percentages of fat and some with lower percentages so that you still meet that goal of 30% of calories from fat.

Here's a sample menu to help you reach that goal. It includes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, milk, and an apple. The peanut butter is high in fat, but it's a nutritious food and the overall total from the whole meal is about 30% from fat.

Two slices of bread = 13% fat (30 of 230 calories from fat) Two tablespoons of peanut butter = 75% fat (140 of 190 calories from fat) One tablespoon of jelly = 0% fat (0 of 50 calories from fat) One cup of 1% milk = 18 % (20 of 110 calories from fat) Apple = 0% (0 of 80 calories from fat)

Total = 29% fat (190 of 660 calories from fat) But you don't have to carry a calculator with you all time. With help from parents and other adults, you can learn to eat in this balanced way without stressing over each gram of fat.

Types of Fat

You might see ads for foods that say they're "low-fat" or "fat-free." Lower-fat diets have been recommended for health and to help people lose weight. But nutrition experts are finding that fats are more complicated and that some kinds of fat are actually good for your health. As a bonus, fat in food helps people feel satisfied, so they don't eat as much.

But that doesn't mean a high-fat diet will be good for you. And some fats are better than others. Here are the three major types:

Unsaturated fats: These are found in plant foods and fish. These may be good for heart health. The best of the unsaturated fats are found in olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, albacore tuna, and salmon.

Saturated fats: These fats are found in meat and other animal products, such as butter, cheese, and all milk except skim. Saturated fats are also in palm and coconut oils, which are often used in commercial baked goods (the kind you buy at the store). Eating too much saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.

Trans fats: These fats are found in margarine, especially the sticks. Trans fats are also found in certain foods that you buy at the store or in a restaurant, such as snack f oods, baked goods, and fried foods. When you see "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" oils on an ingredient list, the food contains trans fats. Trans fats are also listed on the food label. Like saturated fats, trans fats can raise cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease.

Why Do We Need Fat?

Dietary fat helps a kid's body grow and develop like it should. Fats fuel the body and help absorb some vitamins. They also are the building blocks of hormones and they insulate nervous system tissue in the body.

So fat is not the enemy, but you'll want to choose the right amount and the right kind of fat. If you're getting most of your fat from lean meats, fish, and heart-healthy oils, you've already made fat your friend!

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: February 2008

KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Being Good to My Body>Learning About Proteins

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You probably know you need to eat protein, but what is it? Many foods contain protein (say: proteen), but the best sources are beef, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and legumes like black beans and lentils. Protein builds up, maintains, and replaces the tissues in your body. (Not the tissues you blow your nose in! We mean the stuff your body's made up of.) Your muscles, your organs, and your immune system are made up mostly of protein.

Your body uses the protein you eat to make lots of specialized protein molecules that have specific jobs. For instance, your body uses protein to make hemoglobin (say: hee-muh-glow-bin), the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to every part of your body. Other proteins are used to build cardiac muscle. What's that? Your heart! In fact, whether you're running or just hanging out, protein is doing important work like moving your legs, moving your lungs, and protecting you from disease.

All About Amino Acids

When you eat foods that contain protein, the digestive juices in your stomach and intestine go to work. They break down the protein in food into basic units, called amino acids (say uh-mee-no asids). The amino acids then can be reused to make the proteins your body needs to m aintain muscles, bones, blood, and body organs.

Proteins are sometimes described as long necklaces with differently shaped beads. Each bead is a small amino acid. These amino acids can join together to make thousands of different proteins. Scientists have found many different amino acids in protein, but 22 of them are very important to human health.

Of those 22 amino acids, your body can make 13 of them without you ever thinking about it. Your body can't make the other nine amino acids, but you can get them by eating protein-rich foods. They are called essential amino acids because it's essential that you get them from the foods you eat.

Different Kinds of Protein

Protein from animal sources, such as meat and milk, is called complete, because it contains all nine of the essential amino acids. Most vegetable protein is considered incomplete because it lacks one or more of the essential amino acids. This can be a concern for someone who doesn't eat meat or milk products. But people who eat a vegetarian diet can still get all their essential amino acids by eating a wide variety of protein-rich vegetable foods.

For instance, you can't get all the amino acids you need from peanuts alone, but if you have peanut butter on whole-grain bread you're set. Likewise, red beans won't give you everything you need, but red beans and rice will do the trick. The good news is that you don't have to eat all the essential amino acids in every meal. As long as you have a variety of protein sources throughout the day, your body will grab what it needs from each meal.

How Much Is Enough?

You can figure out how much protein you need if you know how much you weigh. Each day, kids need to eat about 0.5 grams of protein for every pound (0.5 kilograms) they weigh. That's a gram for every 2 pounds (1 kilogram) you weigh. Your protein needs will grow as you get bigger, but then they will level off when you reach adult size. Adults, for instance, need about 60 grams per day.

To figure out your protein needs, multiply your weight in pounds times 0.5 or you can just take your weight and divide by 2. For instance, a 70-pound (or 32-kilogram) kid should have about 35 grams of protein every day. If you only know your weight in kilograms, you need about 1 gram of protein each day for every kilogram you weigh.

You can look at a food label to find out how many protein grams are in a serving. But if you're eating a balanced diet, you don't need to keep track of it. It's pretty easy to get enough protein. Here's an example of how a kid might get about 35 grams of protein in a day:

2 tablespoons (15 milliliters) peanut butter (7 grams protein) 1 cup (240 milliliters) low-fat milk (8 grams protein) 1 ounce (30 grams) or two domino-size pieces of cheddar cheese (7 grams protein) 1.5 ounces (90 grams) chicken breast (10.5 grams protein) cup (80 grams) broccoli (2 grams protein)

Of course, you can choose your own favorite combination of protein -rich foods now that you're a pro at protein!

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: February 2008 Originally reviewed by: Jessica Donze Black, RD, CDE, MPH

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KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Fabulous Food>What's a Vegetarian?

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What's in this article? (click to view) "I can't eat that, I'm a vegetarian!"

You may have heard kids in the cafeteria or at a birthday party say this as they passed on a burger and grabbed a slice of cheese pizza instead. Did you wonder wha a vegetarian is exactly? t

A vegetarian is someone who doesn't eat meat, and mostly eats foods that come from plants, like grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Some stricter vegetarians avoid more than just meat. They also avoid animal products, which are nonmeat foods that come from animals. Some examples would be milk (from cows) and eggs (from chickens).

Many Types of Vegetarians

There are many kinds of vegetarians. Here are some of them:

semi-vegetarian: eats meat, but only fish and chicken pesci-vegetarian: eats only fish lacto-ovo vegetarian: eats no meat, but will eat dairy products (milk, butter, cheese) and eggs ovo-vegetarian: eats eggs, but no meat or dairy products vegan (say: vee-gun): eats no meat or animal products

Why Are People Vegetarians?

People have different reasons for becoming vegetarians. Some follow vegetarian or semi vegetarian diets for health reasons. For instance, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains tends to be low in fat and cholesterol, which is good for your heart. It's also likely to be high in fiber and can be lower in calories.

Concern for animals and environmental reasons are also cited by vegetarians when they explain why they don't eat meat. In addition, some cultures and religions have vegetarian diets.

Can Kids Be Vegetarians?

Kids can be vegetarians, but they can't do it alone. They need grown-ups to help them make sure they get the vitamins and minerals they need. Eating a nutritious diet helps kids develop and grow as they should. Meat is a good source of protein, iron, and other important nutrients. So someone who's a vegetarian needs to take care to replace those nutrients with non-meat foods. It wouldn't be healthy for a kid to just stop eating meat without telling anyone or having an adult help with some dietary changes.

Nutritional Needs
Kids who are vegetarians can get the nutrients they need, especially if they follow a less restrictive diet one that allows animal products, like eggs and milk. The more foods that are off-limits, the harder it will be for a kid (or anyone) to get the proper nutrition. For instance, a vegetarian who still drink milks and eats eggs can get calcium, vitamin B12, and protein from these sources. A vegan, on the other hand, will have to look elsewhere. Let's take a closer look at the vitamins and minerals often found in meat and animal products, and some veggie foods that can provide them. Iron Your body needs oxygen to stay alive. The body can't use oxygen, though, without iron. Iron is an important part of hemoglobin (say: hee-muh-glow-bin), the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron is a little harder to get from plant sources because it is not absorbed into the body as well as the iron that comes from animal sources. Vegetarians can get the iron they need from cooked dried beans, like kidney beans or chickpeas, baked potatoes with skins, dried fruits (like raisins), whole and enriched grains (like wheat or oats), and leafy green vegetables (like broccoli and kale). Vitamin C (found in many fruits and veggies) enhances the absorption of iron, while calcium (found in milk and other dairy products) can block iron absorption. Calcium and Vitamin D Calcium helps your body build strong teeth and bones. Dairy products (like milk, cheese, and yogurt) contain calcium. Vegetarians who don't eat dairy products can get calcium from leafy green vegetables, but this may not be enough for a kid who is growing. If dairy is not a part of your diet, look for calcium-fortified products, like orange juice, soy milk, and some breads and cereals, or talk to your doctor about taking a calcium supplement. Vitamin D helps calcium get into your bones. Some foods, including calcium-fortified foods, contain vitamin D. But your body can actually make vitamin D when it's exposed to sunlight. So whether you eat meat or not, be sure and go outside to play! Zinc You probably know your body is made up of cells that are so small you can't see them. Zinc helps those cells grow. It also helps the body heal cuts and scrapes and is important to your body's immune system. You can find zinc in legumes (a fancy word for beans,

peas, lentils, and peanuts) and nuts. However, it's easier for your body to absorb zinc from meat, eggs, and seafood. Protein Protein is part of every cell in the body. It is needed to maintain bones, muscles, and organs. Like iron, it's an important part of hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carry oxygen to the body. And protein is essential for growth. Vegetarians can meet protein requirements by eating a variety of plant sources each day, such as nuts, peanut butter, tofu, beans, seeds, soy milk, grains, cereals, and vegetables. Eggs and milk are excellent sources of protein for lacto-ovo vegetarians. Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is found only in animal products. The body needs it to help build DNA and red blood cells. It also helps your nerve cells work. Vegetarians can get B12 from milk and eggs, but vegans will need a supplement.

Do Vegetarians Need Multivitamin Supplements?

With a well-planned vegetarian diet, the food a person eats can supply enough vitamins and minerals, but a multivitamin is often recommended. Why? Because a vitamin helps ensure that you'll get all the nutrients a growing kid needs. Ask your doctor or a registered dietician for advice about vitamins.

Thinking of Going Veggie?

Lots of kids think about becoming vegetarian and some decide to take the plunge. The best first step is to talk with a parent. Different parents will have different reactions. A parent who's already a vegetarian will probably say it's great (as long as you get the proper nutrition). A parent who's not a vegetarian may be concerned about your nutrition and the extra work involved in buying and preparing meat -free meals for you. Expect some questions and be ready with answers. What will you eat for dinner if everyone else is having steak? Your parents also might want you to explain why you want to change your eating habits. Your mom or dad might want to get some expert advice by scheduling an appointment to talk about the idea with your doctor or a registered dietitian. Do your best to answer their questions and think about the changes you'd need to make as a vegetarian. If your parents don't want you to switch to a vegetarian diet, consider a compromise. Ask if they will eat vegetarian one or two days a week. Offer to help plan the meals for those veggie days. Why not dig into some vegetarian cookbooks and start coming up with ideas? Show your family how delicious a vegetarian meal can be. Here's one recipe for you to chew on: Mmmmm ... Vegetable Lasagna! Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: June 2007

KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Fabulous Food>Vitamins

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If you're like most kids, you've probably heard at least one parent say, "Don't forget to take your vitamin!" "Eat your salad it's packed with vitamins!" But what exactly are vitamins?

Vitamins and minerals are substances that are found in foods we eat. Your body needs them to work properly, so you grow and develop just like you should. When it comes to vitamins, each one has a special role to play. For example:

Vitamin D in milk helps your bones. Vitamin A in carrots helps you see at night. Vitamin C in oranges helps your body heal if you get a cut. B vitamins in leafy green vegetables help your body make protein and energy.

Vitamins Hang Out in Water and Fat

There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble.

When you eat foods that contain fat-soluble vitamins, the vitamins are stored in the fat tissues in your body and in your liver. They wait around in your body fat until your body needs them.

Fat-soluble vitamins are happy to stay stored in your body for awhile some stay for a few days, some for up to 6 months! Then, when it's time for them to be used, special carriers in your body take them to where they're needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat-soluble vitamins.

Water-soluble vitamins are different. When you eat foods that have water-soluble vitamins, the vitamins don't get stored as much in your body. Instead, they travel through your bloodstream. Whatever your body doesn't use comes out when you urinate (pee).

So these kinds of vitamins need to be replaced often because they don't stick around! This crowd of vitamins includes vitamin C and the big group of B vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), niacin, B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, B12 (cobalamine), biotin, and pantothenic acid.

Vitamins Feed Your Needs

Your body is one powerful machine, capable of doing all sorts of things by itself. But one thing it can't do is make vitamins. That's where food comes in. Your body is able to get the vitamins it needs from the foods you eat because different foods contain different vitamins. The key is to eat different foods to get an assortment of vitamins. Though some kids take a daily vitamin, most kids don't need one if they're eating a variety of healthy foods.

Now, let's look more closely at vitamins from A to K:

Vitamin A
This vitamin plays a really big part in eyesight. It's great for night vision, like when you're trick-ortreating on Halloween. Vitamin A helps you see in color, too, from the brightest yellow to the darkest purple. In addition, it helps you grow properly and aids in healthy skin.

Which foods are rich in vitamin A?

milk fortified with vitamin A liver orange fruits and vegetables (like cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes) dark green leafy vegetables (like kale, collards, spinach)

The B Vitamins
There's more than one B vitamin. Here's the list: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid. Whew that's quite a group!

The B vitamins are important in metabolic (say: meh-tuh-bah-lik) activity this means that they help make energy and set it free when your body needs it. So the next time you're running to third

base, thank those B vitamins. This group of vitamins is also involved in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Every part of your body needs oxygen to work properly, so these B vitamins have a really important job.

Which foods are rich in vitamin B?

whole grains, such as wheat and oats fish and seafood poultry and meats eggs dairy products, like milk and yogurt leafy green vegetables beans and peas

Vitamin C
This vitamin is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums and muscles in good shape. C is also key if you get a cut or wound because it helps you heal. This vitamin also helps your body resist infection. This means that even though you can't always avoid getting sick, vitamin C makes it a little harder for your body to become infected with an illness.

Which foods are rich in vitamin C?

citrus fruits, like oranges cantaloupe strawberries tomatoes broccoli cabbage kiwi fruit sweet red peppers

Vitamin D
No bones about it . . . vitamin D is the vitamin you need for strong bones! It's also great for forming strong teeth. Vitamin D even lends a hand to an important mineral it helps your body absorb the amount of calcium it needs.

Which foods are rich in vitamin D?

milk fortified with vitamin D fish

egg yolks liver fortified cereal

Vitamin E
Everybody needs E. This hard-working vitamin maintains a lot of your body's tissues, like the ones in your eyes, skin, and liver. It protects your lungs from becoming damaged by polluted air. Andit is important for the formation of red blood cells.

Which foods are rich in vitamin E?

whole grains, such as wheat and oats wheat germ leafy green vegetables sardines egg yolks nuts and seeds

Vitamin K
Vitamin K is the clotmaster! Remember the last time you got a cut? Your blood did something special called clotting. This is when certain cells in your blood act like glue and stick together at the surface of the cut to help stop the bleeding.

Which foods are rich in vitamin K?

leafy green vegetables dairy products, like milk and yogurt broccoli soybean oil When your body gets this vitamin and the other ones it needs, you'll be feeling A K! -

Reviewed by: Heidi Kecskemethy, RD, CSP Date reviewed: September 2007 Originally reviewed by: Mary Frances Picciano, PhD

KidsHealth>Kids>WORD! A Glossary of Medical Words>I>Word! Immune System

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Immune System
(En espaol: Sistema inmunolgico)

Say: ih-myoon sis-tum

This body system, which includes white blood cells and lymph nodes, helps protect your body from disease. The immune system has different parts, all of which work together to fight off outside invaders like germs. Every day your immune system does battle to keep you healthy and feeling your best.

KidsHealth> Kids> Growing Up> Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking> What You Need to Know About Drugs

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Drugs are chemicals that change the way a person's body works. You've probably heard that drugs are bad for you, but what does that mean and why are they bad?

Medicines Are Legal Drugs

If you've ever been sick and had to take medicine, you already know about one kind of drugs. Medicines are legal drugs, meaning doctors are allowed to prescribe them for patients, stores can sell them, and people are allowed to buy them. But it's not legal, or safe, for people to use these medicines any way they want or to buy them from people who are selling them illegally.

Cigarettes and Alcohol

Cigarettes and alcohol are two other kinds of legal drugs. (In the United States, adults 18 and over can buy cigarettes and those 21 and over can buy alcohol.) But smoking and excessive drinking are not healthy for adults and off limits for kids.

Illegal Drugs
When people talk about the "drug problem," they usually mean abusing legal drugs or using illegal drugs, such as marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, crystal meth and heroin. (Marijuana is generally an illegal drug, but some states allow doctors to prescribe it to adults for certain illnesses.)

Why Are Illegal Drugs Dangerous?

Illegal drugs aren't good for anyone, but they are particularly bad for a kid or teen whose body is still growing. Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. Cocaine, for instance, can cause a heart attack even in a kid or teen.

While using drugs, a person is also less able to do well in school, sports, and other activities. It's often harder to think clearly and make good decisions. People can do dumb or dangerous things that could hurt themselves or other people when they use drugs.

Why Do People Use Illegal Drugs?

Sometimes kids and teens try drugs to fit in with a group of friends. Or they might be curious or just bored. A person may use illegal drugs for many reasons, but often because they help the person escape from reality for a while. If a person is sad or upset, a drug can temporarily make the person feel better or forget about problems. But this escape lasts only until the d rug wears off.

Drugs don't solve problems, of course. And using drugs often causes other problems on top of the problems the person had in the first place. A person who uses drugs can become dependent on them, or addicted. This means that the person's body becomes so accustomed to having this drug that he or she can't function well without it.

Once a person is addicted, it's very hard to stop taking drugs. Stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting (throwing up), sweating, and tremors (shaking). These sick feelings continue until the person's body gets adjusted to being drug free again.

Can I Tell If Someone Is Using Drugs?

If someone is using drugs, you might notice changes in how th person looks or acts. Here are e some of those signs, but it's important to remember that depression or another problem could be causing these changes. A person using drugs may:

lose interest in school change friends (to hang out with kids who use drugs) become moody, negative, cranky, or worried all the time ask to be left alone a lot have trouble concentrating sleep a lot (maybe even in class) get in fights have red or puffy eyes lose or gain weight cough a lot have a runny nose all of the time

What Can I Do to Help?

If you think someone is using drugs, the best thing to do is to tell an adult that you trust. This could be a parent, other relative, teacher, coach, or school counselor. The person might need professional help to stop using drugs. A grown-up can help the person find the treatment he or she needs to stop using drugs. Another way kids can help kids is by choosing not to try or use drugs. It's a good way for friends to stick together.

Understanding drugs and why they are dangerous is another good step for a kid to take. Below, we've listed some words that may be new to you.

KidsHealth> Kids> Growing Up> Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking> What You Need to Know About Drugs

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Words to Know
Addiction (say: uh-dik-shun) A person has an addiction when he or she becomes dependent on or craves a drug all of the time.

Depressant (say: dih-preh-sunt) A depressant is a drug that slows a person down. Doctors prescribe depressants to help people be less angry, anxious, or tense. Depressants relax muscles and make people feel sleepy, less stressed out, or like their head is stuffed. Some people may use these drugs illegally to slow themselves down and help bring on sleep especially after using various kinds of stimulants. (See below.)

Hallucinogen (say: huh-loo-sun-uh-jun) A hallucinogen is a drug, such as LSD, that changes a person's mood and makes him or her see, hear, or think things that aren't really there.

High A high is the feeling that drug users want to get when they take drugs. There are many types of highs, including a very happy or spacey feeling or a feeling that a person has special powers, such as the ability to fly or to see into the future.

Inhalant (say: in-hay-lunt) An inhalant, such as glue or gasoline, is sniffed or "huffed" to give the user an immediate rush. Inhalants produce a quick feeling of being drunk followed by sleepiness, staggering, dizziness, and confusion.

Narcotic (say: nar-kah-tik) A narcotic dulls the body's senses (leaving a person less aware and alert and feeling carefree) and relieves pain. Narcotics can cause a person to sleep, fall into a stupor, have convulsions, and even slip into a coma. Certain narcotics such as codeine are legal if given by doctors to treat pain. Heroin is an illegal narcotic because it is has dangerous side effects and is very addictive.

Stimulant (say: stim-yuh-lunt) A stimulant speeds up a person's body and brain. Stimulants, such as methamphetamines and cocaine, have the opposite effect of depressants. Usually, stimulants make a person feel high and energized. When the effects of a stimulant wear off, the person will feel tired or sick.

Updated and reviewed by: Ryan L. Redman, MD Date reviewed: August 2007 Originally reviewed by: Robert B. Lembersky, MD

KidsHealth>Kids>Growing Up>Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking>What You Need to Know About Drugs: Cocaine and Crack

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What It Is:

Cocaine is a white powder that comes from the dried leaves of the coca plant that is found in South America. Crack cocaine is a form of the drug that gives a very quick, intense high. Crack is made by cooking cocaine powder with baking soda, then breaking it into small pieces called rocks. It got its name because it crackles when it is heated and smoked.

Crack cocaine looks like white or tan pellets (sort of like gerbil or dry cat food). Both cocaine and crack are very addictive - and very, very dangerous.

Sometimes Called:

coke, rock, snow, blow, white, toot, nose candy, base, flake, powder, basa, smack

How It's Used:

Cocaine is inhaled or snorted through the nose or injected into a vein. Crack is smoked in a pipe.

What It Does to Cocaine is a stimulant, which means

You:

that it produces a fast, intense feeling of power and energy. Then it wears off (crack wears off very quickly) and the user feels depressed and nervous and craves more of the drug to feel good again.

Cocaine is so addictive that someone can get hooked after trying it just once.

Snorting cocaine can damage the septum between the nostrils, causing a hole in the middle of the nose.

Cocaine makes your heart beat faster and your blood pressure and body temperature go up. It can make a person's heart beat abnormally. Cocaine is so dangerous that using it just once can make you have a heart attack or stroke and can kill you.

Updated and reviewed by: Ryan L. Redman, MD Date reviewed: August 2007 Originally reviewed by: Robert B. Lembersky, MD

KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Being Good to My Body>Alcohol

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Gettin

"Hey, who wants a drink?" "Oh come on, just one drink won't hurt you. It's fun." "It's cool. Everybody drinks, right?"

Wrong.

adults, too. Alcohol is a drug, and it is the drug most abused by teens. Many kids have their first drink at an early age, as young as 10 or 11 or even younger.

It's easy for kids to get the wrong message abou alcohol. They might see their parents drink, or t watch TV commercials that make drinking look like a lot of fun. You might see people drinking and watching sports together or having a big party.

But alcohol is actually a depressant. That means it's a drug that slows down or depresses the brain. Like many drugs, alcohol changes a person's ability to think, speak and see things as they , really are. A person might lose his or her balance and have trouble walking properly. The person might feel relaxed and happy and later start crying or get in an argument.

What Happens When People Drin ?

When people drink too much, they might do or say things they don't mean. They might hurt themselves or other people, especially if they drive a car. Someone who drinks too much also might throw up and could wake up the next day feeling awful that's called a hangover. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill a person. Over time, someone who abuses alcohol can do serious damage to his or her body. The liver, which removes poisons from the blood, is especially at risk.

Because alcohol can cause such prob lems, the citizens and government leaders in this country have decided that kids shouldn't be allowed to buy or use alcohol. By setting the drinking age at 21, they hope older people will be able to make good decisions about alcohol. For instance, they don't want people to drink alcohol and drive cars because that's how many accidents occur.

the Right Message

Drinking alcohol is dangerous for kids and teens and sometimes for

What Is Alcoholism?
What can be confusing about alcohol is that some grown -ups seem to be able to enjoy it occasionally with no problems. Other people, though, can develop a problem with it. Sometimes, that's called alcoholism (say: al-kuh-hol-ism) or being an alcoholic (say: al-kuh-hol-ik). Someone who has alcoholism craves alcohol. The person has little control over his or her drinking and can't stop without help. A person who starts drinking alcohol at a young age is more likely to develop alcoholism.

Alcoholism is chronic, which means it continues over time. It often gets worse, too, because the person may start experiencing health problems related to drinking. In add ition to causing liver problems, long-term drinking can damage the pancreas, heart, and brain.

Say No
It can be tempting to try alcohol. It's normal to be curious about new things, especially if it seems like everyone is doing it. But everyone is not drinking alcohol. Don't believe it if someone says you're immature for not drinking. You're actually more mature (which means grown up) because you're being strong and smart.

Still, it can be hard if you feel unpopular because of your decision. Good friends won't stop being your friend just because you don't want to drink alcohol. If you feel this kind of pressure, talk to someone you trust.

And if you're concerned about a friend who's drinking, you should tell one of your parents, a school counselor, or another trusted adult. That way, someone can talk with your friend before the alcohol causes a big problem. Unfortunately, some kids who drink may also drop out of school, get in car accidents, start fights, or join in crimes.

But with help, anyone who has a problem with alcohol can be successful at stopping. And if you're still a kid, help yourself by not starting in the first place!

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD Date reviewed: November 2007 Originally reviewed by: Eugene Shatz, MD

KidsHealth> Kids> Dealing With Feelings> My Friends> Dealing With Peer Pressure

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"Come on! ALL of us are cutting math. Who wants to go take that quiz? We're going to take a walk and get lunch instead. Let's go!" says the coolest kid in your class. Do you do what you know is right and go to math class, quiz and all? Or do you give in and go with them?

As you grow older, you'll be faced with some challenging decisions. Some don't have a clear right or wrong answer - like should you play soccer or field hockey? Other decisions involve serious moral questions, like whether to cut class, try cigarettes, or lie to your parents.

Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who are your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it's called peer pressure. It's something everyone has to deal with - even adults. Let's talk about how to handle it.

Defining Peer Pressure

Peers influence your life, even if you don't realize it, just by spending time with you. You learn from them, and they learn from you. It's only human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your age group.

Peers can have a positive influence on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system, or someone on the soccer team taught you a cool trick with the ball. You might admire a friend who is always a good sport and try to be more like him or her. Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book,

and now everyone's reading it. These are examples of how peers positively influence each other every day.

Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them, your soccer friend might try to convince you to be mean to another player and never pass her the ball, or a kid in the neighborhood might want you toshoplift with him.

Why Do People Give in to Peer Pressure?

Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that "everyone's doing it" may influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense, behind.

How to Walk Away From Peer Pressure

It is tough to be the only one who says "no" to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do. Inner strength and self-confidence can help you stand firm, walk away, and resist doing something when you know better.

It can really help to have at least one other peer, or friend, who is willing to say "no," too. This takes a lot of the power out of peer pressure and makes it much easier to resist. It's great to have friends with values similar to yours who will back you up when you don't want to do something.

You've probably had a parent or teacher advise you to "choose your friends wisely." Peer pressure is a big reason why they say this. If you choose friends who don't use drugs, cut class, smoke cigarettes, or lie to their parents, then you probably won't do these things either, even if other kids do. Try to help a friend who's having trouble resisting peer pressure. It can be powerful for one kid to join another by simply saying, "I'm with you - let's go."

Even if you're faced with peer pressure while you're alone, there are still things you can do. You can simply stay away from peers who pressure you to do stuff you know is wrong. You can tell them "no" and walk away. Better yet, find other friends and classmates to pal around with.

If you continue to face peer pressure and you're finding it difficult to handle, talk to someone you trust. Don't feel guilty if you've made a mistake or two. Talking to a parent, teacher, or school counselor can help you feel much better and prepare you for the next time you face peer pressure.

Powerful, Positive Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is not always a bad thing. For example, positive peer pressure can be used to pressure bullies into acting better toward other kids. If enough kids get together, peers can pressure each other into doing what's right!

Updated and reviewed by: Kevin J. Took, MD Date reviewed: November 2007

KidsHealth> Kids> Dealing With Feelings> My Emotions & Behaviors> The Story on Self-Esteem

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You can't touch it, but it affects how you feel. You can't see it, but it's there when you look at yourself in the mirror. You can't hear it, but it's there every time you talk about yourself. What is this important but mysterious thing? It's your self-esteem!

What Is Self-Esteem?
To understand self-esteem, it helps to break the term into two words. Let's take a look at the word esteem (say: ess-teem) first. Esteem is a fancy word for thinking that someone or something is important or valuing that person or thing. For example, if you really admire your friend's dad because he volunteers at the fire department, it means you hold him in high esteem. And the special trophy for the most valuable player on a team is often called an esteemed trophy. This means the trophy stands for an important accomplishment.

And self means, well, yourself! So put the two words together and it's easier to see what selfesteem is. It's how much you value yourself and how important you think you are. It's how you see yourself and how you feel about your achievements.

Self-esteem isn't bragging about how great you are. It's more like quietly knowing that you're worth a lot (priceless, in fact!). It's not about thinking you're perfect because nobody is but knowing that you're worthy of being loved and accepted.

Why Self-Esteem Is Important

Self-esteem isn't like a cool pair of sneakers that you'd love to have but don't have to have. A kid needs to have self-esteem. Good self-esteem is important because it helps you to hold your head high and feel proud of yourself and what you can do. It gives you the courage to try new things and the power to believe in yourself. It lets you respect yourself, even when you make mistake s. And when you respect yourself, adults and other kids usually respect you, too.

Having good self-esteem is also the ticket to making good choices about your mind and body. If you think you're important, you'll be less likely to follow the crowd if your friends are doing something dumb or dangerous. If you have good self -esteem, you know that you're smart enough to make your own decisions. You value your safety, your feelings, your health your whole self! Good self-esteem helps you know that every part of you is worth caring for and protecting.

How Kids Get Self-Esteem

Babies don't see themselves in a good or bad way. They don't think "I'm great!" when they let out a big burp or worry "Oh, no, this diaper makes my legs look weird!" Instead, people around a baby help him or her develop self-esteem. How? By encouraging the baby when he or she learns to crawl, walk, or talk. They often say, "Good job. Good for you!" When people take good care of a baby, that also helps him or her feel lovable and valuable.

As kids get older, they can have a bigger role in developing their self-esteem. Achievements like getting a good grade on a test or making the All-Star soccer team are things kids can be proud of. So are having a good sense of humor or being a good friend.

A kid's family and other people in his or her life like coaches, teammates, and classmates also can boost his or her self-esteem. They can help a kid figure out how to do things or notice his or her good qualities. They can believe in the kid and encourage him or her to try again when something doesn't go right the first time. It's all part of kids learning to see themselves in a positive way, to feel proud of what they've done, and to be confident that there's a lot more they can do.

A Little on Low Self-Esteem

Maybe you know kids with low self-esteem who don't think very highly of themselves or seem to criticize themselves too much. Or maybe you have low self-esteem and don't always feel very good about yourself or think you're important.

Sometimes a kid will have low self-esteem if his mother or father doesn't encourage him enough or if there is a lot of yelling at home. Other times, a kid's self-esteem can be hurt in the classroom. A teacher may make a kid feel dumb or perhaps there is a bully who says hurtful things.

For some kids, classes at school can seem so hard that they can't keep up or get the grades they'd hoped for. This can make them feel bad about themselves and hurt their self esteem. Their selfesteem will improve when a teacher, tutor, or counselor encourages them, is patient, and helps them get back on track with learning. When they start to do well, their self-esteem will skyrocket!

And some kids have good self-esteem but then something happens to change that. For example:

If a kid moves and doesn't make friends right away at the new school, he or she might start to feel bad.

Kids whose parents divorce also may find that this can affect self-esteem. They may feel unlovable or to blame for the divorce.

A kid who feels too fat or too thin may start thinking that means he or she isn't good enough.

A kid who's dealing with an illness, such as cancer, diabetes, or asthma, might feel different and less confident than before.

Even going through the body changes of puberty something that everybody does can affect a kid's self-esteem.

Boosting Your Self-Esteem

Of course it's OK to have ups and downs in your feelings, but having low self-esteem isn't OK. Feeling like you're not important can make you sad and can keep you from trying new things. It can keep you from making friends or hurt how you do at school.

Having strong self-esteem is also a very big part of growing up. As you get older and face tough decisions especially under peer pressure the more self-esteem you have, the better. It's important to know you're worth a lot.

If you think you might have low self-esteem, try talking to an adult you trust about it. He or she may be able to help you come up with some good ideas for building your self -esteem.

In the meantime, here are a few things that you can try to increase your self -esteem:

Make a list of the stuff you're good at. It can be anything from drawing or singing to playing a sport or telling a good joke. If you're having trouble with your list, ask your mom or dad to help you with it. Then add a few things to the list that you'd like to be good at. Your mom or dad can help you plan a way to work on those skills or talents.

Give yourself three compliments every day. Don't just say, "I'm so great." Be specific about something good about yourself, like, "I was a good friend to Jill today" or "I did better on that test than I thought I would." While you're at it, before you go to bed every night, list three things in your day that really made you happy.

Remember that your body is your own, no matter what shape, size, or color it is. If you are worried about your weight or size, you can check with your doctor to make sure that things are OK. Remind yourself of things about your body that are cool, like, "My legs are strong and I can skate really well."

Remember that there are things about yourself you can't change. You should accept and love these things such as skin color and shoe size because they are part of you.

When you hear negative comments in your head, tell yourself to stop. When you do this, you take the power away from the voice inside that discourages you.

By focusing on the good things you do and all your great qualities, you learn to love and accept yourself the main ingredients for strong self-esteem! Even if you've got room for improvement (and who doesn't?), realizing that you're valuable and important helps your self -esteem to shine.

Reviewed by: David V. Sheslow, PhD Date reviewed: November 2008

KidsHealth>Kids>Dealing With Feelings>My Thoughts & Feelings>Shyness

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Have you ever watched The Rugrats? Maybe you've noticed something about Chuckie Finster, the redheaded kid. There are times when Chuckie does not like to play in the sandbox with other kids. Chuckie is shy. Lots of kids and adults are shy. Maybe you are one of them.

What Is Shyness?
Shyness means to feel a little scared when you're around other people. Just about everybody feels shy sometimes. If you're the new kid in class or your great-aunt Betty wants to give you a big hug, it can make you feel shy.

Nobody sits around and says, "Well, I think I'll be shy today." It is just something that happens. It can just sneak up on you. You might feel fine practicing your soccer kicks, but you feel nervous when the coach comes over to give you a few pointers.

But being shy isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's OK if it takes you a while to feel comfortable with new people and new situations. In fact, it can even be helpful to be a little shy. When you're shy, you may spend a little extra time observing the scene before jumping right into it. And you're unlikely to talk to strangers, which you shouldn't do anyway!

What Causes Shyness?

Some kids are born shy and more sensitive. Sometimes even babies act shy. Have you ever seen a baby hide his or her face from a stranger? On the other hand, another baby might kick, smile, and wave at everyone, even strangers.

But if you weren't shy as a little kid, it's still possible to be a shy person. You might have learned to be shy because of experiences you've had at school or home. And sometimes you only feel shy for a short while, like the first time you get on a new school bus. This type of shyness often goes away after you get adjusted. For instance, after a few days, you'll probably have a se you like to at sit in and you'll get to know friends on the bus.

Can Shyness Be Serious?

Sometimes, people become so shy they are afraid to do simple things in life. For example, they won't go to a restaurant because they are too nervous to order and pay f r their food. Some o people are so shy about meeting new people that they rarely go outside. Doctors and psychologists often can help the person work through this kind of shyness.

If your shyness is keeping you from doing stuff you want to do, talk to someone about it. Parents, teachers, counselors, and doctors are all good people to turn to. Talking about your shyness ma y help you get over it. Or your friends or parents may tell you that they, too, have the same shy feelings and what they do to feel less shy. If you still feel really shy, your mom or dad might take you to see a psychologist. He or she can help you figure out how to feel more at ease around people.

If you know someone who's shy, try to help the person feel less nervous. Name -calling or teasing will make your friend feel even more shy, so try not to do it. The more time you spend with the person, the less shy he or she will feel around you. You might even tell him or her about a time that you felt shy. It will help your friend to understand that everyone feels shy sometimes, even you!

Updated and reviewed by: Colleen Sherman, PhD Date reviewed: September 2007

KidsHealth> Kids> Dealing With Feelings> My Emotions & Behaviors> Being Afraid

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Have you ever been afraid? Everyone gets scared sometimes. Do thunder and lightning make your heart beat faster? Maybe your mouth goes dry when your teacher announ ces a pop quiz, or your palms sweat when it's your turn to give your report in front of the class. Perhaps you get butterflies in your stomach when you see the bully who picks on you.

Every ay Worries
We all have fears from time to time. That's true no matter how big we are or brave we can be. Fear can even be good for you sometimes and even help you stay healthy. Fear of getting too

close to a campfire may save you from a bad burn. And fear of getting a bad grade on a test may make you study more.

Being a bit on edge can also sharpen your senses and help you perform better in a recital or during a track meet. Some people even enjoy being a little scared. That's why they like to watch scary movies or go on roller-coaster rides.

What Happens When You're Scared?

Have you ever wondered why being scared makes your heart beat faster and makes you breathe quicker? The body's reaction to fear is called the "fight or flight" response. And people have had it since the beginning of time.

Here's how it works. Imagine you're a caveman or cavewoman alive 100,000 years ago and you come face to face with a hungry saber-toothed tiger. You have two choices: 1) Run for it (that's flight), or 2) pick up your club and battle with the tiger (that's fight). A final choice (be eaten) doesn't seem like such a good one!

Today, you can apply fight or flight to that bully who confronts you and won't listen to reason. You have two choices: 1) Turn and walk away (flight), or 2) fight, even though you know fighting won't solve the problem.

To prepare for fight or flight, you body does a number of things automatically so it's ready for quick action or a quick escape. Your heart rate increases to pump more blood to your muscles and brain. Your lungs take in air faster to supply your body with oxygen. The pupils in your eyes get larger to see better. And your digestive and urinary systems slow down for the moment so you can concentrate on more important things.

What Is Anxiety?
Usually, our bodies go into fight or flight only when there is something to fear. However, sometimes this occurs when there doesn't seem to be anything to be frightened about. When you feel scared but there doesn't seem to be a clear reason, that's called anxiety (say: ang-zye-uhtee).

There might be other feelings that come along with anxiety like a feeling of tightness in your chest, a bellyache, dizziness, or a sense that something horrible is going to happen. These feelings can be very frightening. Sometimes anxiety can interfere with things you need to do, like learning and sleeping.

For some kids, feelings of anxiety or worry can happen anytime. For others, they might occur only at certain times, like when they are leaving their home or family to go somewhere. In some people, this feeling of anxiety occurs almost all the time and gets in the way of doing what they want to do.

Some kids may have a phobia (say: foe-bee-uh), which is an intense fear of something specific, such as being up high, getting dirty, the number 13, or spiders.

Why Do People Have Anxiety?

Anxiety can run in families. Or a person might develop anxiety after something terrible happens, like a car crash. Sometimes certain medical illnesses can cause feelings of anxiety. So can abusing alcohol or other drugs, like cocaine.

Another part of the explanation has to do with the different chemicals in the nerve cells of the brain. How the chemicals in our brain's nerve cells are balanced can affect how a person feels and acts. One of these chemicals is serotonin (say: sir-uh-toe-nun). Serotonin is one of the brain chemicals that helps send information from one brain nerve cell to another. But for some people with anxiety, this brain chemical system doesn't always seem to work the way it should.

Also, some scientists think that a special area in the brain controls the fight or flight response. With anxiety, it's like having the fight or flight response stuck in the ON position even when there is no real danger. That makes it hard to focus on everyday things.

Dealing With Anxiety

Anxiety can be treated successfully. Tell your mom or dad if find yourself more scared than you feel you should be or if your anxiety becomes strong and is getting in the way of what you want or need to do. Your parents might take you to a doctor, who can help find out if a medical problem is making you feel anxious, or to a therapist, who can help find a way to lessen the anxiety through talking, activities, relaxation exercises, or medication (or a combination of these things).

Of course, if you do come face to face with a hungry saber-toothed tiger, there's just one thing you should do . . . RUN!

Reviewed by: David V. Sheslow, PhD Date reviewed: November 2007

KidsHealth> Kids> Dealing With Feelings> My School> When Tests Make You Nervous

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Today's the day of a big test at school, and you feel awful. Your stomach hurts and you have a headache. Maybe your muscles feel tense and you feel shaky or swea You know you haven't ty. been bitten by the flu bug - but you may have a case of the jitters, also known as test anxiety.

Here's how test anxiety works. Let's say you're worried about your math test because you didn't do so well on the last one. Or maybe you're kind of tense because you did great on the last one and you're the kind of kid who likes to get all As. When you're feeling worried and tense, your whole body can be affected.

Performance Anxiety
Test anxiety is actually a type of performance anxiety. Performance anxiety is when a person feels worried about how they will perform (do on something), especially when it's really important. For instance, you might feel performance anxiety when you're trying out for the school band or for the basketball team.

When you're taking a test, you might feel "butterflies," a stomachache, or a tension headache. Some people might feel shaky, sweaty, or feel their heart beating quickly as they wait for the test to be given out. A student with really strong test anxiety may even feel like he or she might pass out or throw up.

Sound familiar? You're not alone. Ask other people and you'll find that just about all people adults and other - feel some anxiety before a test. In fact, a small dose of anxiety can be helpful, keeping you sharp and focused. But when your symptoms take over so that you can't function or when you're so anxious that you feel sick, you might not be able to do your best.

Of course, if you didn't study for the test, you might be worried - and for good reason. That kind of anxiety isn't as easy to tackle because even if you find a way to calm down, you still might not know what the right answers are. When you are prepared for a test and you get a handle on your anxiety, you'll be able to let your knowledge shine and score a good grade.

No More Tests?
If teachers know that students get stressed out about tests, why do they still give them? Believe it or not, both teachers and students benefit from tests. Tests measure how well students are learning the skills and information their teachers have been teaching them. And tests of all different sorts are a part of life - from the driving test you'll take one day to the test you'll take if you decide you want to be a doctor.

What Makes Anxiety Happen?

Well, because we can't outlaw tests, we might as well figure out how to ease test anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling a person gets when he or she expects something stressful to happen. When you're under stress, your body releases the hormone adrenaline, which prepares it for danger, like when you're running away from your older brother! Adrenaline causes the physical symptoms, such as sweating, a pounding heart, and rapid breathing. These symptoms can be mild or intense.

Focusing on the bad things that could happen can make a kid feel more worried. A kid might think, "What if I forget everything I know?" or "What if the test is too hard?" Too many thoughts like these don't leave much room in your mind to concentrate on remembering the answers to the test questions. People with test anxiety can also feel stressed out by the physical reaction and think things like "What if I throw up?" or "Oh no, my hands are shaking."

These thoughts can get the person even more upset, making the anxiety even stronger. Now, the person feels worse and is even more distracted and unable to concentrate.

Who Gets Test Anxiety?

Anyone can get test anxiety, but someone who really wants to get every answer right might be more prone to feeling this way. This is called being a perfectionist (say: per-fek-shuh-nist). Kids who worry a lot also might feel anxious at test time. Perfectionists and worriers find it hard to accept mistakes they make or to get less than a perfect score. This creates more pressure for them.

As we mentioned before, not being prepared for a test (duh!) can cause test anxiety. Kids who don't get enough sleep also can be more prone to test anxiety.

What Can You Do?

You might be reading this article and saying, "Hey, that sounds just like me!" If so, we're glad you recognize that this happens to you. Now you can start taking steps to lessen your test anxiety. Here are some ways to do that:

Ask for help. Talk to your mom or dad, your teacher, or your school guidance counselor. Just talking to someone about test anxiety can make you feel better. Describe what happens to you when you're taking a test and these people can help you figure out some solutions. For instance, learning study skills can boost your test-day confidence.

Be prepared. Pay attention in class. Do your homework. Study for the test. On test day, you're more likely to feel like you know the material.

Expect the best. Once you have prepared, think positively. Say to yourself, "I studied and I'm ready to do my best."

Block bad thoughts. Watch out for any negative messages you might be sending yourself about the test ("I'm no good at taking tests" or "I'm going to freak out if I get a bad grade"). These thoughts can make anxiety worse and make it harder for you to do well on the test.

Accept mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Be more forgiving of your own mistakes, especially if you prepared for the test and are set to do your best.

Take care of yourself. You'll feel your best if you get enough playtime, sleep, and nutritious food. This is important all the time, but be extra-sure you get all three the day before a test.

Breathe better. OK, so you already know how to breathe. But did you know that breathing exercises can help calm you down? (Just try not to take in too much air because it might make you feel dizzy.) Here's how to do it: Inhale (breathe in) slowly and deeply through your nose, and then exhale (breathe out) slowly through your mouth. Do this two to four times and you just might breathe easier the next time you're taking a test!

Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD Date reviewed: February 2007

KidsHealth>Kids>Staying Healthy>Being Good to My Body>What to Do if You Can't Sleep

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What's in this article? (click to view) Sometimes going to sleep can seem boring. There's so much more you want to do. But if you've ever had too little sleep, you know that you don't feel very well when you're not rested. Some kids have trouble falling to sleep, sometimes called insomnia. Let's talk about what to do if that happens to you.

Bedtime Fears
For kids, feeling scared or worried at bedtime is one of the main reasons for having trouble falling asleep. A kid might be afraid of the dark or might not like being alone. If a kid has a good imagination, he or she might hear noises at night and fear the worst when it's just the family cat walking down the hall.

As you get older, these fears usually fade. Until they do, make sure your room makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Look around your room from your bed. Are there things you can see from bed that make you feel good? If not, add some. Display some family photos or other pictures that make you happy. You might even create a mobile to hang over your bed.

Nightmares
Have you been having any nightmares lately? Sometimes it's hard to fall asleep when you're afraid of having a scary dream that feels way too real. If the fear of nightmares is keeping you awake, try talking to your mom or dad. Sometimes talking about the nightmares (and even drawing a picture of them) can help you stop having them.

By the way, kids have many more bad dreams when they watch scary or violent TV shows or movies or read scary books or stories before bedtime. Instead of doing those kinds of things, try thinking good thoughts before bed. Imagine a favorite place or activity or think of all the people who care about you. Reading a peaceful book before bed (your parent can read to you or you can read to yourself) or playing soothing music can help you have sweet dreams.

Worry an

Insomnia also can happen when you're worried about things. It's easy to feel stressed when you have tests at school, after-school activities, team sports, and chores around the house.

If you're starting to feel overwhelmed like it's all just too much speak up. Your mom or dad can help you put some balance in your schedule. It may mean cutting out some activities so you have more free time.

Big Changes
A major change in your life or daily routine can easily cause sleep problems. Changes likedivorce, death, illness, or moving to a new town can affect your ability to sleep through the night. During a difficult time, it helps if you feel safe. Try bringing a comforting object to bed with you, like a blanket a relative made for you or a favorite stuffed animal.

It might take a while to feel better, so talk with your mom or dad about what's bothering you. Even if the problem can't be solved, just talking it out can help you sleep easier.

Stress

Feeling Uncomfortable
If you feel too hot, too cold, hungry, or crowded, you won't get to sleep like you sho uld. Prevent this by creating sleep-friendly bedtime space:

Make sure your bed is ready for sleep and relaxing not so jammed with toys and stuffed animals that there's no room for you.

Turn on a fan if you're warm or pull on some socks if you're cold.

Have a regular bedtime routine that includes a light snack if you often feel hungry when it's time to turn in.

Getting Help for Sleep Woes

Most of the time, talking with your parent is all you need to do to handle a sleep problem. Your mom or dad can help you improve your bedtime routine and help you be patient while you develop new sleep habits.

But if a kid has really tough sleep problems, he or she might need extra help. That could mean talking to a counselor or psychologist about stress or sadness the kid is feeling.

If the kid's not really worried about anything, he or she could have a sleep problem. In this case, the answer might be to see a doctor who's a specialist in sleep. Some hospitals even have sleep labs, where patients come in and go to sleep so doctors can monitor their sleep and see what might be wrong.

Sleep Tips
Because so many people get insomnia, a lot of research has been done on how to beat it. Lucky for you, right? Not all of these tips work for everyone, but one or two might help you:

Write in a journal before you go to bed. This practice clears your mind so you won't have all those thoughts crowding your brain when you're trying to sleep.

Sleep in a dark, comfortable room. Light signals your body that it's time to be awake, so you want to avoid it at night. But if you are really afraid of the dark, it's OK to try a dim night-light. And being hot and sweaty or shivering from the cold can easily keep you up.

Don't sleep with a pet. This can be a tough habit to break, but your lovable dog or cat could be keeping you awake. As your pet cozies up to you or makes noise, it could

wake you from a peaceful sleep. Try sleeping without your pet for a couple nigh to ts see if you sleep better that way.

Don't drink any caffeinated beverages (like soda or iced tea) after about 3:00 in the afternoon. Caffeine is a stimulant and might keep you awake.

Don't exercise at night. Keep your exercise to earlier in the day never within a couple hours of when you go to sleep.

Once you're lying in bed, try a peaceful mind exercise. For instance, count backward from 100 with your eyes closed. By the time you get to 10 (yawn) we hope you'll feel very sleepy. And by 5, we hope you'll feel yourself drifting off ... 3, 2, 1, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: November 2008

KidsHealth>Kids>Kids' Talk>Q & A>Why Do I Need to Sleep?

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Every creature needs to rest. Giraffes, little babies, elephants, dogs, cats, kids, koala bears, grandparents, moms, dads, and hippos in the jungle - they all sleep! Just like eating, sleep is necessary for survival.

Sleep gives your body a rest and allows it to prepare for the next day. It's like giving your body a mini-vacation. Sleep also gives your brain a chance to sort things out. Scientists aren't exactly sure what kinds of organizing your brain does while you sleep, but they think that sleep may be the time when the brain sorts and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems.

The amount of sleep a person needs depends a lot on his or her age. Babies sleep a lot - about 14 to 15 hours a day! But many older people only need about 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night. Most kids between the ages of 5 and 12 years old are somewhere in between, n eeding 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Some kids might need more and some need less. It depends on the kid.

Skipping one night's sleep makes a person cranky and clumsy. After missing two nights of sleep, a person will have problems thinking and doing things; his or her brain and body can't do their normal tasks nearly as well. After five nights without sleep, a person will hallucinate (this means seeing things that aren't actually there). Eventually, it becomes impossible for the brain to give its directions to the rest of the body without sleep - the brain needs to spend time in bed and catch its ZZZs!

Updated and reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: March 2007

KidsHealth>Kids>Kids' Talk>Q & A>Why Do I Yawn?

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Everybody yawns from unborn babies to the oldest great-grandparent. Animals do it, too. But why, exactly, do people and animals yawn? No one knows for sure. But there are many theories (ideas) about why people yawn.

One is that when we are bored or tired, we just don't breathe as deeply as we usually do. As this theory goes, our bodies take in less oxygen because our breathi g has slowed. Therefore, yawning n helps us bring more oxygen into the blood and move more carbon dioxide out of the blood.

Yawning, then, would be an involuntary reflex (something we can't really control) to help us control our oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Sounds good, but other studies have shown that breathing more oxygen does not decrease yawning. Likewise, breathing more carbon dioxide does not increase yawning. Hmmm. Now what?

Another theory is that yawning stretches the lungs and lung tissue. Stretching and yawning may be a way to flex muscles and joints, increase heart rate, and feel more awake.

Other people believe that yawning is a protective reflex to redistribute the oil-like substance called surfactant (say: sur-fak-tint) that helps keep lungs lubricated inside and keeps them from collapsing. So, if we didn't yawn, according to this theory, taking a deep breath would become harder and harder and that would not be good!

But there is one idea about yawning that everyone knows to be true. It seems contagious. If you yawn in class, you'll probably notice a few other people will start yawning, too. Even thinking about yawning can get you yawning. How many times have you yawned while rea ding this article? We hope not many!

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD Date reviewed: May 2008

KidsHealth>Kids>Dealing With Feelings>My Thoughts & Feelings>Why Am I So Sad?

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Feeling down? Got the blues? You're not alone. Everyone gets sad. Yes, everyone you've ever met. Some people have sad feelings just once in a while, and others may have sad feelings pretty often. More than half of teenagers go through a sad period at least once a month and plenty of younger kids do, too.

When you're in a sad mood, it may feel like it will last forever, but usually feelings of sadness don't last very long a few hours or maybe a day or two. A deeper, more intense kind of sadness that lasts a lot longer is called depression (say: dih-preh-shun).

What Is Sadness?
Sadness is a feeling it's one of the many normal human emotions, or moods, we all have. Sadness is the emotion people feel when they've lost something important, or when they have been disappointed about something, or when something sad has happened to them or to someone else. When they're lonely, people often feel sad.

When you're sad, the world may seem dark and unfriendly. You might feel like you have nothing to look forward to. The hurt deep inside may crush your usually good mood.

Sadness makes you feel like crying, and sometimes the tears are hard to stop. Crying often makes you feel better.

Sometimes when your mood is sad, you just feel like being alone for a little while. Or you might want someone to comfort you or just keep you company while you go through the sad feeling. Talking about what has made you sad usually helps the sad feeling melt away.

When sadness starts to go away, it can feel like a heavy blanket is being lifted from your shoulders.

When Is It Natural to Feel Sad?

Feeling sad every once in a while is natural. Maybe you didn't get something you really wanted. Maybe you miss somebody. Maybe somebody you really like doesn't want to be friends, and you don't feel so great about yourself. Maybe an illness or condition gets in the way of doing some things you want to do or makes you different from your friends. There are lots of reasons that people feel sadness.

Most of the time, sadness is because of a loss or separation, a difficult change or disappointment about something, or relationship problems.

Loss and Separation

This is the most common cause of sadness. It's a very sad thing to lose someone or something that you care about. There are many kinds of loss. The death of a relative, friend, or pet can bring weeks or months of sad feelings. The kind of sadness you feel from the death of a loved one has a special name grief.

Other kinds of loss or separation from important people can also bring sadness, like people close to you getting a divorce. Sometimes it is hard to think straight because you cannot get your mind off your loss. Usually, the load of sadness you carry after a loss will lighten over time, although for a really big loss, there may always be a little bit of sadness left.

Changes
Changes that involve leaving something (or someone) behind, like moving to a new town or changing schools and leaving old friends can make you feel sad, too. The arrival of a new brother or sister may make you feel sad even though everyone thinks you sho uld be happy to have a new sibling.

Disappointments
Disappointments like losing a game you hoped to win, getting a poor grade, or not being invited to a party can cause sadness. Sadness is a natural reaction to those things. How sad a person feels is usually related to how big or small the loss or disappointment is.

Relationships
Relationships bring happiness and fun much of the time. But tension or conflict in important relationships, or relationships that break up, can cause sadness, too. Many kids fight with family members, especially their parents, in the struggle to grow up and gain independence.

People often feel sad when all is not right between them and their loved ones, or when they get criticized or yelled at a lot. They fight about things like money, clothing, haircuts, school, and friends. In school, problems with teachers and grades may cause some sadness as well.

More Stuff That Makes Kids Sad

Other kids, both friends and enemies, can cause hurt feelings and sadness through fighting, teasing, peer pressure, not giving you support, or leaving you out of group activities. Feeling misunderstood by people close to you can lead to feelings of sadness.

Sometimes with sadness, there are other feelings mixed in, too. When you're sad, you might also feel angry or guilty. You might feel like blaming others or blaming yourself. Some kids mistakenly think that sad events like death, illness, or divorce are all their fault but this isn't true. Kids don't cause these things to happen.

When Is Sadness a Problem?

If a sad feeling goes on for too long, hurts too deeply, and makes it hard for you to enjoy the good things about your life, it's called depression.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of depression:

feeling empty or numb feeling hopeless (like there's nothing to look forward to) feeling guilty or worthless feeling lonely or unloved feeling irritable and annoyed a lot (every little thing gets on your nerves) feeling like things are not fun anymore having trouble keeping your mind on schoolwork or homework or getting bad grades having trouble keeping your mind on things like reading or watching TV or not remembering what a book or a TV show was about having less energy and feeling tired all the time sleeping too much or not enough not eating enough and weight loss or eating too much and weight gain thinking about death or thinking about suicide spending less time with friends and more time alone crying a lot, often for no reason feeling restless (being unable to sit still or relax) having certain body feelings, like lots of stomachaches, headaches, or chest pain People who have depression may not even know it. Often it's a parent or teacher who notices behavior changes like the ones in the list above. Depression can run in families. Having a parent who gets depressed makes it more likely for a kid to become depressed.

Some kids have depression after the loss of someone really close, such as a parent; long -lasting problems at home, including violence, illness, divorce, or alcohol or drug use; child abuse or neglect; rape; and long-term illness, burns, or accidents. But sometimes kids may be depressed for no apparent reason.

Getting Help
Kids, teens, and adults can get depression. It's very important for people of any age who have depression to get help. When they do, they can get better quickly. Sometimes treatment involves

talking to someone who knows all about depression. Sometimes medications can help depression heal. Sometimes both of these things are used.

If you think you have depression or you just have sadness that simply will not go away, it is important to talk to an adult about it: a parent, relative, doctor, teacher, guidance counselor, coach, or close adult friend. This person can help you find the right type of treatment. Many cities also have mental health hotlines or suicide hotlines that are listed in the phone book. There is always somebody to talk to when you are sad or if you are depressed somebody who can help.

Reviewed by: David V. Sheslow, PhD Date reviewed: November 2007

KidsHealth>Kids>People, Places & Things That Help Me>People>Going to a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Therapist

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What's in this article? (click to view) If you have a broken arm or a bad cold, you go to the doctor for help and to feel better, right? Well, sometimes kids and adults have problems that can't be seen as easily as a broken bone or a runny nose.

When people have troubles with their emotions, their feelings, or the way they act, sometimes they see a psychologist (say: suh-kah-loh-jist), psychiatrist (say: suh-kye-uh-trist), or therapist. These are people who have gone to school for special training in the way people think and feel and know how to help people feel better.

The ones that see kids know a lot about kid stuff, like how kids think, how they grow up, and how they see the world. They are all experts who specialize in helping kids solve problems and deal with tough situations. They do their work mainly by talking with kids and helping them figure out what is causing the problems at school or at home. A therapist can help kids figure stuff out so they can feel better.

Why Would a Kid Get This Kind of Help?

There are many reasons to see a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, but the biggest reason is so that you can start feeling better. Maybe you're having trouble getting along with your classmates, your brothers or sisters, or your mom or dad. Or maybe you're having pr oblems learning or paying attention in class, or your homework and your grades aren't as good as your mom or dad think they could be.

Other reasons to go see a therapist could be that you're very shy and have trouble making friends or that you feel sad, afraid, or anxious a lot. If your parents get divorced, or if someone who is close to you dies, seeing a therapist is a great way to talk about your feelings.

Sometimes kids can be the victims of abuse, and some kids your age can even have problems eating. These are all types of problems that can often get better if you get care from a psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist.

What Happens There?

During an appointment, you won't be examined on a table like you are at a typical doctor visit. You'll sit in a comfortable chair and just talk, play games, or sometimes draw pictures. There are no needles or shots. If you're having problems with schoolwork, the therapist may ask you to answer some questions or solve some puzzles. This can provide clues to how you think and learn.

You should always feel comfortable during these visits. That means you don't have to do anything you don't want to do or talk about anything you don't want to talk about. On your first visit, your mom or dad might come in with you. The three of you could talk together about your feelings, the problem or situation, and anything else that is bothering you. After you feel comfortable, your mom or dad can wait for you outside.

The first visit is about understanding the problem that you need help with and is a chance for the psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist to get to know you a little bit. At future visits, the two of you can work on solving the problems. You may have regular appointments every week, every month, or less often.

You might be asked to set goals for yourself or to keep a notebook describi g your feelings n between visits. Bringing this notebook to your appointments can help you track your progress.

You can choose to tell people that you are going to these appointments, or you can decide not to share this information. Who you tell, or if you tell, is your decision.

Getting Help Is No Big Deal

Some kids feel that getting this kind of help makes them weak or means they are "crazy." But that is not true. If you need help, seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist is the right thing to do. Everyone has problems sometimes, and it's smart to take charge and work them out.

Reviewed by: W. Douglas Tynan, PhD Date reviewed: December 2007

KidsHealth>Kids>Kids' Health Problems>Learning & Emotional Problems>What Is Hyperactivity?

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What's in this article? (click to view) "You're not paying attention." "Don't you know where you put your lunch money?" "Stop fidgeting!" "Don't interrupt."

Can you imagine what it would be like to hear people talk to you this way every single day? If you can imagine it, or if it sounds just like what you're used to hearing, then you know what it's like to have ADHD. Those letters stand for a condition called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Kids who have ADHD are not bad, lazy, or stupid. They have a disorder that means they might have problems paying attention or sitting still in their seats. They can also act on impulse this means doing things without thinking about them first. Kids with ADHD may spend a lot of time in the principal's office. Sometimes they do things that cause them to get hurt They might change . their friends a lot.

Who Gets ADHD?

About 9% of kids have ADHD. That means out of 100 kids, about 9 may have ADHD. So if your school has 300 kids, 24 to 30 of them might have ADHD. Kids who have ADHD usually start having problems in preschool. Boys have ADHD more often than girls. In fact, three times as many boys have ADHD, but no one knows why.

A kid might have a greater chance of developing ADHD if one of his or her relatives already has ADHD or another type of behavior problem. But no one is sure why anyone has ADHD, although scientists and doctors think that it probably has to do with differences in the way people's brains work.

No one gets ADHD on purpose, so it isn't ever anyone's fault. And ADHD isn't contagious you can't catch it from someone like the flu.

What Are the Signs of ADHD?

ADHD can cause kids to act in different ways, depending on who has it. Most kids with ADHD have problems concentrating and paying attention. Some kids with ADHD also might have trouble sitting still in class and waiting for their turn. They might yell out the answers before other kids have a chance to raise their hands.

Sometimes they can be disorganized, distracted, or forgetful. They might lose things and have trouble finishing assignments. They may wiggle around in their seats, move around a lot, talk too much, or interrupt other people's conversations.

It's important to remember that everybody does these things once in a while. It doesn't mean you have ADHD.

If the Doctor Says It's ADHD

When parents and teachers suspect that a kid has ADHD, the first step is to visit the doctor, who might then refer the kid to a specialist like a psychologist, psychiatrist, or neurologist who knows about kids who have ADHD and other kinds of behavior problems. Part of the doctor's job is to check for other illnesses that look like ADHD but need different kinds of treatment.

Once the doctor determines that a kid has ADHD, then the doctor, parents, and teachers begin to work together to find out the best way to help. Often this means starting one of the medicines used to treat ADHD, deciding how much medicine is needed, and when to give it. Kids with ADHD usually only have to take their medicine once before school, but some might have to go to the nurse in the middle of the schoolday for medicine.

But kids who have ADHD need more than just medicine. They also need help learning how to change the way they act. Some can learn to do this by using relaxation therapy or behavioral therapy.

In relaxation therapy, counselors teach kids how to relax and stay calm by doing deep -breathing exercises and relaxing different muscle groups. Behavioral therapy teaches kids to set goals for themselves and uses rewards to help them reach those goals. Teachers can give a kid with ADHD a reward for sitting still in class, for example. And parents can do the same thing at h ome (like rewarding a kid for paying attention, completing chores, or keeping track of things).

Kids with ADHD might need extra help learning how to do things other kids find easy, and some can become depressed or anxious.

For many kids with ADHD, the key to success is not only following the treatment plan from the doctor, but working to build good friendships with other kids. And many find that their symptoms get better as they get older. Adults with ADHD can have happy lives, and can be very successful in whatever they decide to do.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD Date reviewed: July 2009

KidsHealth>Kids>WORD! A Glossary of Medical Words>A>Word! ADHD

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ADHD
(En espaol: TDAH)

Say: a d h d

ADHD is short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Kids who have ADHD find it difficult to pay attention and are hyperactive, which means they might have troublesitting still. About 9% of kids have ADHD, which means about 9 in 100 kids has it.

KidsHealth>Kids>People, Places & Things That Help Me>Things>ADHD Medicines

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What's in this article? (click to view) Have you ever been so bored that you didn't know what to do with yourself? Maybe your parents wanted you to sit and watch an old movie where everyone is always breaking into song. Sitting there, you might have felt fidgety and squirmy and wanted to bounce off the walls. Imagine having that feeling a lot. That's what it can feel like to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Feeling this way a lot of the time can make it difficult for someone to get work done at school or follow instructions given by a parent. A kid who has ADHD might yell out the answers to questions before other kids in class have a chance to raise their hands. They also can be disorganized, distracted, and forgetful. They might lose things and have trouble finishing assignments. They may move around a lot, talk nonstop, or interrupt other people's conversations.

Most kids do some of these things some of the time, but when the kid is acting this way a lot of the time, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. One of these people can figure out if the kid has ADHD. With help, a kid with ADHD can learn to act differently. Sometimes medicine can help a kid take control of his or her behavior, but only a doctor can decide if ADHD medicine is needed.

Medicine and the Mind

Some of the medicines for ADHD are stimulants, but instead of stimulating the person and making him or her more jittery, they help control ADHD symptoms. Other ADHD drugs are not stimulants, but like stimulants, they seem to affect chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters (say: nur-o-tranz-mit-urz). Neurotransmitters help send messages between ne rve cells in the brain.

Doctors don't know exactly why, but the right dose of an ADHD medicine can make it easier for the person to concentrate and focus.

The medicine usually comes in pills or capsules. The doctor will explain how often the kid needs to take the medicine. Parents and kids will have to work out a schedule for taking it so it becomes part of the normal routine, like teeth brushing.

It might take a while to find the right medicine and the right amount (dose) that works best for a kid. While this is getting worked out, it can be frustrating for the kid and parents who want things to get better. Once the right medication is found, things often start to improve for someone with ADHD.

And just like with any medicine, the kid's parents and doctors will want to watch for side effects, which are other problems or symptoms that may be caused by the medicine. Common side effects from stimulant drugs include irritability (feeling grouchy), headaches, and stomach trouble.

How Therapy Can Help

Along with medicine, behavior therapy can help kids with ADHD. This means learning a different way of doing things and learning ways of staying calm and keeping focused. To do this, a kid and his or her parents might see a mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, social worker, or counselor). As part of behavior therapy, teachers and parents might create charts or other systems for rewarding the kid for meeting goals that have been set.

At school, the kid might need to work on staying seated or finishing classwork. At home, the goals might be remembering to put dirty clothes in the hamper and keeping track of important things, like shoes and backpacks. Once a kid can meet these goals, he or she will probably feel happier, which is the best medicine of all!

Reviewed by: Richard S. Kingsley, MD Date reviewed: September 2008

KidsHealth> Kids> Kids' Health Problems> Learning & Emotional Problems> Learning Problems

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What's in this article? (click to view) Having a learning disability doesn't mean you can't learn. But you'll need some help and you'll need to work extra hard. If you have a learning disability, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia (serious trouble with math), remember that you are not slow or dumb.

Learning disabilities happen because of the way a person's brain takes in and processes information. As a result, people learn differently. The trick will be figuring out how you learn best.

There are people who know how to do just that. Your parents and teachers can help you and they can find you a learning specialist or a school psychologist. These professionals can help figure out what a kid's learning problem is and come up with ideas for how to make it better.

What Are Learning Disabilities?

Learning disabilities aren't contagious, but they can be genetic. That means they can be passed down in families through the genes, like many other traits we get from our parents and grandparents. Someone with a learning disability probably has other family members who have had some learning troubles, too.

Kids with learning problems are sometimes surprised to find out that one of their parents had similar troubles when he or she was in school. But kids today have an advantage over their parents. Learning experts now know a lot more about the brain and how learning works and it's easier for kids to get the help they need.

Dyslexia (say: dis-lek-see-uh) is a learning disability that means a kid has a lot of trouble reading and writing. Kids who have trouble with math may have dyscalculia (say: dis-kal-kyoolee-uh). And people who have trouble forming letters when they write may have dysgraphia (say: dis-graf-ee-uh). Other kids may have language disorders, meaning they have trouble understanding language and understanding what they read.

It can be confusing, though. What qualifies as "trouble" enough to be diagnosed as a learning disability? Reading, doing math, and writing letters may be tough for lots of kids at first. But when those early troubles don't fade away, and it's really difficult to make any progress, it's possible the kid has a learning disability.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is sometimes thought of as a learning disability but it's not usually considered one. Why? Because most kids with ADHD can learn in school without

special assistance, even though they may be easily distracted or have trouble sitting still in class. Although ADHD itself isn't a learning disability, researchers believe kids with ADHD may be more likely to have learning disabilities.

How Do I Know if I Have a Learning Disability?

It's very hard for a kid to know if he or she has a learning disability. But kids don't have to figure all this out on their own. What a kid needs to do is tell someone. Start with your teacher and your mom or dad.

Even if you feel a little shy about it, tell them what kinds of problems you're having in school. Maybe you read a chapter for homework and then can't remember anything you read. Or in class, maybe everyone else seems to follow along easily, but you get stuck and don't know what page everyone is on. You might open your book to do an assignment and have no idea where to start.

Kids with a learning disability might also answer "yes" to many of these questions:

Do you struggle in school? Do you think you should be doing better than you are in s chool? Is reading harder for you than it should be? Does your head think one thing but your hand writes something else? Is writing slow and really hard for you? Do you make spelling and other errors when you write? Are you having difficulty with math? Is it hard for you to keep your notebooks and papers organized? Do you end up losing or forgetting them? But even if you say "yes" to some of these questions, you won't know for sure until you visit a school psychologist or a learning specialist. They can give you some tests to spot any learning problems you might have. They'll also be able to identify what your strengths are in other words, what you're good at! Once a psychologist or learning specialist figures out what your learning problem is, you both can start working on solutions.

A kid might work with a tutor or specialist or even go to a special class. But often, kids with learning disabilities can continue in their regular classrooms and there's no reason they can't do normal stuff, like participate in school activities and sports.

Though some kids might feel shy about having a learning disability, it can be a relief to finally know what the problem is. Then, the kid doesn't have to feel as worried and upset about school because he or she is learning how to learn in new ways. The psychologist or learning specialist might even give you a learning plan then you can see what the strategy is for helping you learn.

They can even offer help with organizational skills. If you're not organized, it's hard to get any schoolwork done.

What You Can Do About Learning Disabilities

Finding out you have a learning disability can be upsetting. You might feel different from everyone else. But the truth is that learning disabilities are pretty common. And if your learning specialist or psychologist has figured out which one you're facing, you're on the right track. Now, you can start getting the help you need to do better in school.

But for this special help to really work, you'll need to practice the new skills you're learning. It may take a lot of effort every day. That can be a challenge, but you can do it. Soon, you'll enjoy the results of all your hard work: more fun and success at school!

It worked for Paige. Read what she had to say:

Reviewed by: David V. Sheslow, PhD Date reviewed: November 2008

KidsHealth>Kids>Kids' Health Problems>Learning & Emotional Problems>Dyslexia

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Peter works so hard at reading, but it just never gets easier. He knows he's smart so why can't he read like the other kids? Peter has a problem called dyslexia.

Dyslexia (say: dis-lek-see-uh) is a learning problem some kids have. Dyslexia makes it tough to read and spell. The problem is inside the brain, but it doesn't mean the person is dumb. Plenty of smart and talented people struggle with dyslexia.

But dyslexia doesn't have to keep a kid down. With some help and a lot of hard work, a kid who has dyslexia can learn to read and spell.

How Does Reading Happen?

To understand dyslexia, it helps to understand reading. Reading is a real workout for your brain. You need to do the following steps and all at once:

1.

Understand the way speech sounds make up words.

2.

Focus on printed marks (letters and words).

3.

Connect speech sounds to letters.

4.

Blend letter sounds smoothly into words.

5.

Control eye movements across the page.

6.

Build images and ideas.

7.

Compare new ideas with what is already known.

8.

Store the ideas in memory.

Phew! Kids who have dyslexia struggle with the beginning steps, so that makes doing the rest of the steps even harder. It's no surprise, then, that trying to read and dealing with dyslexia makes a kid's brain really tired really fast.

How Kids Become Readers

Most kids start learning to read by learning how speech sounds make up words. Then they connect those sounds to alphabet letters. For example, they learn that the letter "b" makes a "buh" sound.

Then kids learn to blend those sounds into words. They lea that "b" and "at" makes "bat." rn Eventually, most kids don't have to sound words out and can instantly recognize words they've seen many times before.

But it's tougher for kids who have dyslexia. They may struggle to remember simple words they have seen many times and to sound out longer words. Why is it so hard?

Dyslexia means that a person's brain has trouble processing letters and sounds. That makes it tough to break words into separate speech sounds, like b-a-t for bat. When it's hard to do that, it's really hard to connect speech sounds to different letters, like "buh" for b, and blend them into words.

So a kid who has dyslexia will read slowly and might make a lot of mistakes. Sometimes he or she will mix up letters in a word, such as reading the word "was" as "saw." Words may blend together wrong and look like this:

What's It Like to Have Dyslexia?

Even before kindergarten, a kid who has dyslexia usually has trouble with letters and sounds. Later, a teacher might say that the kid is smart, but doesn't seem to be getting the hang of reading. Other times, it's a parent who notices the kid is struggling. The best thing to do is to go to a specialist who can help figure out what's wrong.

A specialist in learning disabilities knows a lot about learning problems that kids have and what to do about them. During a visit with a specialist, a kid might take some tests. But the idea isn't to get a good grade; it's to spot problems. Discovering a learning disability is the first step toward getting help that will make it easier for the kid to learn.

Making Reading Easier

Most kids with dyslexia can learn to read with the right kind of teaching. They might learn new ways for remembering sounds. For example, "p" and "b" are called brother sounds because they're both "lip poppers." You have to press your lips together to make the sound.

Thinking about the way the mouth needs to move to make sounds can help kids read more easily. Learning specialists know lots of special activities like this to teach reading to kids who have dyslexia.

Kids with dyslexia also might use flash cards or tape classroom lessons and homework assignments instead of taking notes about them. They may need parents and tutors to help them stay caught up.

Extra time for tests is really important, so kids with dyslexia have enough time to finish and show their teacher how much they have learned. Computers help a lot, too. You can get programs that "read" books out loud from the computer or even download recorded books to an iPod!

How Do Kids With Dyslexia Feel?

Kids who have dyslexia might get frustrated, angry, or sad because reading and spelling are so hard. They may not like being in a different reading group than their friends or having to see a special reading tutor.

But getting this help is so important and will help them go on to do great things in life. Some of the most creative and successful people have dyslexia, but it didn't stop them from chasing their dreams!

Reviewed by: Laura L. Bailet, PhD Date reviewed: May 2009

KidsHealth>Kids>Dealing With Feelings>My School>What to Do if You Don't Like School

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"I hate school, and I'm not going back!"

Have you ever had that thought? Lots of kids do. Usually this feeling doesn't last long. But what happens if you feel this way too much? School is a fact of life and getting an education can help you build the kind of future life you want. So let's talk about school and what to do when you don't like it.

Signs of School Stress

When you worry about school, it can affect your body. A kid who feels stressed about school might have headaches or stomachaches. You might feel "butterflies" or like you have to throw up.

Having trouble sleeping is also a sign of stress. And if you're not getting enough sleep, you probably feel grouchy and tired during the day. Feeling tired can make your school day seem even worse.

If you're stressed out, you might have a hard time making decisions. In the morning, you can't decide what to eat, what to wear, or what to pack for lunch. You don't want to go to school, so you put off getting your stuff together. And now you're not prepared to go to school, and you've just missed the bus - again! Staying home may seem like a good choice, but it just makes it harder to go to school the next day.

Why Do Some Kids Dislike School?

If you don't like school, the first step is finding out why. You might not like school because a bully is bothering you, or because a kid you don't like wants to hang around with you. Or maybe you don't get along with your teacher. You might feel different or worry that you don't have enough friends.

Sometimes it's a problem with your classes and schoolwork. Maybe the work is too easy and you get bored. Or maybe the work is too hard, or you don't feel as smart as the other kids. Reading may be difficult for you, but you're expected to do a lot of it. You may be getting farther and farther behind, and it may seem like you'll never catch up.

When you know why you don't like school, you can start taking steps to make things better.

Finding Help
It's a good idea to talk to someone about your problems with school. Your mom, dad relative, , teacher, or school counselor will be able to help you. It's especially important to tell an adult if the problem is that you're being bullied or someone hurts you physically.

Another good idea is to write down your feelings about school in a journal. You can use a journal or diary or just write in an ordinary notebook. It's a great way to let out emotions that may be stuck inside you. And you don't have to share what you've written with others.

If you feel disorganized or like you can't keep up with your schoolwork, your teachers and school counselors want to help. Teachers want and expect you to ask for help learning stuff. If all of your subjects seem really hard, a school counselor can help you sort things out. Special help is available if you need it. Try not to let the problems go on too long. It's easier to catch up on one chapter than the whole book!

Feeling Better About School

The next time you find yourself disliking school, try this:

First, write down everything you don't like about school.

Then make a list of the good things you enjoy (even if it's only recess and lunch, that's a start!).

Now, what can you change on the "don't like" list? Would remembering to do your homework help you feel more confident if you're called on in class? Could you find a way to show off your special interests and talents? If you made just one new friend, would you feel less alone? If you helped someone else feel less alone, would you feel even better? Which activities could you try that would help you meet new friends?

Of course, you may not be able to change everything on your "don't like" list. A bully may not simply disappear. Reading may always be a challenge. But that's OK. Focus on what you can change and you might be able to put the cool back in school!

Updated and reviewed by: Chris Cortellessa, M.Ed, NCC Date reviewed: November 2007 Originally reviewed by: Heather Waldman, BA, MA

KidsHealth>Kids>Dealing With Feelings>My School>Homework Help

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"After you finish your homework."

You have probably heard your mom or dad say these words. It might seem like all the good stuff has to wait until your homework is done. There's a good reason why adults make a big deal out of homework. Homework helps you learn. And getting a good education can help you build the kind of future life that you want. So homework is important, but how can you get it done?

First, you need a quiet place without clutter and confusion. Writing on top of potato chip crumbs while talking on the phone is not going to help you finish your history lesson. Turn off the TV and other distractions. You'll be better able to concentrate, which usually means you'll finish your work more quickly and it's more likely to be correct.

Set aside enough time to finish your work without rushing. You can't just squeeze your science assignment into the commercials during your favorite TV show. Really learning something takes time. But if you find that you're struggling even after putting in the time, you'll want to ask for help.

Why Do Some Kids Need Homework Help?

Aside from just not understanding the lesson or assignment, there are other reasons why you may need homework help. Some kids are out sick for a long time and miss a lot of work. Others get so busy that they don't spend enough time on homework.

Personal problems can cause trouble with your work, too. Some kids may be dealing with stuff outside of school that can make homework harder, like problems with friends or things going on at home. Kids whose parents are going through a divorce or some other family problem often struggle with getting homework done on time.

Even students who never had a problem with homework before ca start having trouble because of n problems they face at home. But whatever the reason for your homework struggles, there are many ways to get help.

Who Can Help?

Talk to someone (parents, teachers, school counselor, or another trusted adult) if you're having problems with school work. Speak up as soon as you can, so you can get help right away before you fall behind.

Your parents are often a great place to start if you need help. They might be able to show you how to do a tough math problem or help you think of a subject to write about for English class. But they also can be helpful by finding that perfect spot in the house for you to do your homework and keeping supplies, like pencils, on hand. Parents also can cut down on distractions, like noisy younger brothers and sisters!

Teachers are also important resources for you because they can give you ad vice specific to the assignment you're having trouble with. They also can help you set up a good system for writing down your assignments and remembering to put all the necessary books and papers in your backpack. Teachers can give you study tips and offer ideas about how to tackle homework. Helping kids learn is their job, so be sure to ask for advice!

Many schools, towns, and cities offer after-school care for kids. Often, homework help is part of the program. There, you'll be able to get some help from adults, as well as from other kids.

You also might try a local homework help line, which you would reach by phone. These services are typically staffed by teachers, older students, and other experts in school subjects.

You can also use the Internet to visit online homework help sites. These sites can direct you to good sources for research and offer tips and guidance about many academic subjects. But be cautious about just copying information from an Internet website. This is a form of cheating, so talk with your teacher about how to use these sources properly.

Another option is a private tutor. This is a person who is paid to spend time going over school work with you. If cost is a concern, this can be less expensive if a small group of kids share a tutoring session.

Do It Together
Some kids will hardly ever need homework help. If you're one of them, good for you! Why not use your talent to help a friend who's struggling? You might offer to study together. Going over lessons together can actually help both of you.

Information is easy to remember when you're teaching it to someone, according to one fifth grader, who says she helps her friend, Jenny, with multiplication tables.

"It helps me to learn them, too," she says. "I practice while she's practicing."

You might want to create a regular study group. You could set goals together and reward yourselves for completing your work. For example, when you finish writing your book reports, go ride your bikes together. Looking forward to something fun can help everyone get through the work.

Still Having Trouble?

Sometimes even after trying all these strategies, a kid still is having trouble with homework. It can be tough if this happens to you. But remember that everyone learns at a different pace. You might have to study for 2 hours instead of 1, or you might have to practice multiplication tables 10 times instead of 5 to really remember them.

It's important to put in as much time as you need to understand the lessons. Ask your mom or dad to help you create a schedule that allows as much time as you need.

And keep talking about the problems you're having with parents, teachers, counselors, and others. That way, they'll see that you are trying to get your homework done. And when it is done, make sure you find time to do something fun!

Updated and reviewed by: Chris Cortellessa, M.Ed, NCC Date reviewed: November 2007 Originally reviewed by: Heather Waldman, BA, MA

KidsHealth> Kids> Dealing With Feelings> My School> The Real Deal on Repeating a Grade

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What's in this article? (click to view) Some kids need to repeat a grade in school. This means if you're in third grade, you have to do third grade again next year, instead of moving on to fourth grade. No one wants to repeat a grade, but if this happens to you, you're not the only one. Repeating a grade can be the ri ht g

thing, though, because you get another chance to complete the work and learn what you need to know to do well when you do move up to the next grade.

Why Some Kids Have to Repeat

Most kids need to repeat a grade because they are having trouble with the work or other stuff they need to do in that grade. Some kids may have learning disabilities. For instance, a kid might have trouble reading. Other kids might have been ill or absent for a long time, so they didn't get a chance to learn everything they needed to learn.

Who decides if you should repeat a grade? It's often a team, including your parents, your teacher, counselor, and principal. Your teachers and parents aren't trying to be mean when they decide a kid should repeat a grade. Everyone is trying to do the right thing so that a kid will learn what he or she needs to know before moving on.

You probably know that the stuff you learn is like building blocks. First, you learn your numbers. Then you learn how to add, then subtract. Later, you'll learn how to multiply and divide. If you didn't learn your numbers, how could you do other math?

But sometimes a kid might understand the schoolwork, but he or she is having trouble with other stuff, like behaving in class and sitting still while the teacher is teaching. Sometimes, an extra year gives the kid and his or her family a chance to work through problems like that. If a kid is just refusing to do his or her work, that problem needs to be solved.

If You Have to Repeat

If it's you that must repeat a grade, you might be thinking: "Is everyone really moving on without me?" Repeating a grade might make you sad, angry, or both. It can be stressful. You might be upset because you won't be in class with all of your friends. Try talking with your mom or dad, a teacher, or a school counselor if you're having these feelings. If you are worried about missing your friends, try to set up playdates or other times when you can play together. Ask for a paren t's help with this.

You might feel embarrassed or ashamed about repeating a grade. You may think that people are talking about you or making fun of you. These feelings are normal. It can really hurt if someone teases you about repeating a grade. You might want to think about what you could say to someone who teases you. Maybe you could say, "I needed to get better at some stuff. It's not a big deal." If you are teased, be sure to tell a parent, teacher, or counselor. Find a grown -up who can help you figure out what to do.

If Your Friend Has to Repeat

Try to be kind if a friend needs to repeat a grade. Let him or her know you will still be friends. Try to get together after school, on the weekends, and during vacations. Support your friend and never tease him or her. Sticking by him or her in this tough time might make you even better friends.

Can You Avoid Repeating?

Sometimes, there's no way to avoid having to repeat a grade. If you have learning trouble or you missed a lot of school, there may be no way around it. But you might be able to make up work during summer school or with a tutor who comes to your house.

If you're struggling with school, be sure to tell a parent right away. Work with your teacher and the school counselor to figure out what the problems are and how to solve them. Try to handle problems right away, instead of just hoping things will get better. It's easier to catch up if you get help quickly.

School can be hard work - there's no denying it. But there are strategies you can learn to help it go a little better for you. For instance, if you study a little bit each night, that can make it easier and less scary - than having to learn everything the night before a test. With school, set a goal for yourself and keep working toward it bit by bit. Ask for help if you need it, and you'll get there!

Updated and reviewed by: Chris Cortellessa, M.Ed, NCC Date reviewed: November 2007

KidsHealth>Kids>Dealing With Feelings>My School>Getting Along With Teachers

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Sure, it's good to get along with your teacher because it makes that time you spend in the classroom more pleasant.

And yes, it's good to get along with your teacher because, in general, it's smart to learn how to relate to the different types of people you'll meet throughout your life.

But really, there's one super-important reason why you should get along with your teacher. When you do, "learning bursts right open," says Evelyn Vuko, a longtime teacher who writes an education column called "Teacher Says" for the Washington Post newspaper.

In fact, kids who get along with their teachers not only learn more, but they're more comfortable asking questions and getting extra help. This makes it easier to understand new material and do your best on tests. When you have this kind of relationship with a teacher, he or she can be someone to turn to with problems, such as problems with learning or school issues, such as bullying.

As a kid in elementary or middle school, you're at a wonderful stage in your life. You're like a sponge, able to soak up lots of new and exciting information. On top of that, you're able to think about all this information in new ways. Your teacher knows that, and in most cases, is thrilled to be the person who's giving you all that material and helping you put it together. Remember, teachers are people, too, and they feel great if you're open to what they're tea ching you. That's why they wanted to be teachers in the first place - to teach!

Some kids may be able to learn in any setting, whether they like the teacher or not. But most kids are sensitive to the way they get along with the teacher, and if things aren't going well, they won't learn as well and won't enjoy being in class.

What Does "Getting Along" Mean?

But what does "getting along" with your teacher mean, anyway? "Getting along" means you and your teacher have a way of communicating that works for both of you and you both are getting what you need from the relationship. From your teacher's perspective, he or she wants to make sure you are paying attention, being respectful and polite, and trying your best to learn. From your perspective, you want a teacher who is respectful to you, answers your questions, and tries to help you learn. You can get along and learn without being pals with your teacher, although it's nice if that happens.

In every school, kids will say certain teachers are mean or tough, but don't judge a teacher until you are in his or her class and can see for yourself. In the majority of cases, your teacher is on your side. And a teacher who's called tough may be someone who feels strongly about getting his or her job done - teaching you the subject you are supposed to learn. It's also important to

remember that making mistakes is a part of learning. By pointing out your errors and helping you correct them, a teacher is teaching you.

What If We Don't Get Along?

Teachers want to get along with you and enjoy seeing you learn. But teachers and students sometimes have personality clashes, which can happen between any two people. If you show your teacher that you want to make the situation better, he or she will probably do everything possible to make that happen. By handling a problem like this, you learn something about how to get along with people who are different from you.

Take these steps if the problem seems tough to solve:

1.

Talk to an adult you trust, such as a parent, guidance counselor, or both.

2.

Give it time. You may not feel immediately comfortable with your teacher, but that may change as you get to know one another.

3.

If you've given it time, talk with your parents about what to do next. Lots of times, a meeting can be set up to discuss the problem. This may clear the air and make things better. "Everyone's goal should be to create trust and kindness," Ms. Vuko explains.

Your relationship with a teacher is often your first chance to develop a "business relationship." Just like your parents have business relationships with the people they work with or the people who deliver the mail to your house, kids also can have these kinds of relationships. They are different from your family relationships and friendships, which are built on affection and love. In a business relationship, each of the two parties gets something out of the relationship, but does not necessarily need to be good friends or like each other a lot. They si ply need to respect one m another, be polite, and stay focused on the job at hand. In other words, they need to "get down to business."

When you act this way, and remember that you're not the only kid in the class, you are helping your teacher. Your teacher is likely to notice this and appreciate it. Teachers also like it when students follow directions and when they learn and obey the rules of the classroom. For instance, there may be rules about listening when another student is talking, or about taking tu rns, or about raising your hand when you want to say something or ask a question.

What Are a Student's Responsibilities?

Even if a certain teacher isn't your favorite, you can still have a successful relationship, especially if you fulfill your basic responsibilities as a student. Here are some of those responsibilities:

Attend class ready to learn.

Be prepared for class with the right pencils, books, and completed assignments.

Listen when your teacher is talking.

Do your best, whether it's a classroom assignment, homework, or a test.

We've talked about some of the difficult situations that come up with teachers. Now, let's talk about the good stuff. Some teachers make such an impact that their students never forget them. Some former students may even go back to visit the teacher long after moving on to a higher grade or another school. Maybe you've seen these older students visit a teacher at your school. That's a real compliment to the teacher - that he or she was so special the student wants to keep in touch. And there's an even higher compliment you can give a favorite teacher: Grow up to become a favorite teacher yourself!

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: September 2007 Originally reviewed by: David B. Waldman, BA, MA