The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) and TennCare Kids are once again planning activities to observe Child Health Week, Oct. 1-7, 2018. In honor of Child Health Day, first proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1928, the State of Tennessee designates a week in October every year to focus on the health of its children.
Child Health Week is designed to raise awareness of the many ways the community can help children have healthy, productive futures.
Child Health Week Kick- off event
- Oct. 1 Sam E Hill; 8:15 – 10:45 AM
Dental screenings, healthy habits activities involving nutrition and physical activity
Knox County Library Reading events – we will be present with reading related materials
Oct 2
- Cedar Bluff Library; 11:15
- Sequoyah Library; 10:30
Oct. 3
- Bearden Library; 10:15AM
- South Knox Library; 10:30 AM
- Lawson Mcghee Library; 11:00AM
- Murphy Library; 2:30PM
Oct. 5
- Fountain City Library; 10:15AM
- Powell Library; 10:30AM
Walk to School – KCHD participating with the following Knox County Schools
Oct 3, beginning at 6:45AM
- South Knox Elementary
- Farragut Primary
- Chilhowee Elementary
- Bearden Elementary
- Belle Morris Elementary
- Fountain City Elementary
Domestic Violence Programming – open to public
Oct. 4
- West High School; 7PM-8:30
Roll Out and Read
Oct. 5
- Safety City
Be a Friend Day – Special needs Health Care event
Oct. 12
- Ashley Nicole Park; 12noon-4PM
Community Fair – information on variety of issues including health and wellness
Oct. 27
- Tabernacle Baptist Church 9AM-1Pm
2137 Martin Luther King
Knoxville
As a way to celebrate Child Health Week, starting Oct. 2 a specific health topic will be the theme of the day. On Monday, oral healthwill be the focus. Tuesday will promote nutrition. Wednesday will talk about pedestrian safety. On Thursday, physical activitywill be the topic. Friday the focus is on early literacy.
How can you keep your child healthy?
A child’s health begins at home. Parents should make their own heath a priority. After all, a parent is a child’s best role model. Other ways parents can help keep their child healthy include:
- Make sure your child, youth and teen get regular checkups from his primary care provider
- Protect your family from vaccine-preventable diseases by making sure everyone gets the shots they need (click here for more information on vaccinations)
- Encourage your child to talk to you or an adult that they trust if they are sad, nervous or scared
- Keep your health records in one place so that you can find them easily
- Help your child get a good night’s sleep every night
- Encourage your child to wash their hands often
- Teach your children to cover their mouth with their elbow when they cough or sneeze
- Keep kids safe by making sure everyone is wearing their seat belt or is in a proper car seat
- Let your kids get out and play for at least 60 minutes every day
- Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day
- Eat meals together as a family
- Practicing good dental hygiene is an important part in being healthy
- Talk to your child and their school about bullying
- Talk with your teen about being distracted while driving (no texting, talking on phone, etc.)
- Keep your teen safe while they are online (practice good digital parenting)
More resources that promote the nourishment of children:
- www.strongbabyknox.org The Strong Baby Project is an effort to promote healthier families and infants. Improving the well-being of mothers, infants and children is an important community health goal for the KCHD. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help predict future public health challenges for families, communities and the health care system.
- www.kidcentraltn.com This website and app offers a convenient source of reliable information about child health, education and development. Families may enter their zip code to find nearby state services.
- http://healthiertn.com/small_starts Sponsored by the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness, this website and app help families create healthy habits one at a time.
- https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ A website that offers ideas and tips to help you create a healthier eating style that meets your individual and family needs and improves your health.
- https://www.tn.gov/health/goldsneaker.html The Gold Sneaker Initiative was developed to enhance policy related health and wellness within child care facilities across Tennessee.
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving A website that explains just how devastating distracted driving can be and ways to help stop it
- http://teendriving.aaa.com/TN/ From supervised driving, to going solo, this website helps prepare your teen for driving. It also offers keep points for parents to help ensure their teen is developing safe driving habits.
- http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/mouthhealthy A website from the American Dental Association that has information about taking better care of your mouth today, so it will take care of you for life.
Tennessee’s TennCare Kids is committed to promoting good health in children from birth until age 21. The program provides checkups and health services for children who have TennCare – ensuring that babies, children, teens and young adults receive the care they need. You can learn more about TennCare Kids here.
