Past Issues of the Preteen Alliance Newsletter
Issues from 2008:
Jan. 14 | Feb.
14 | March 18
| April 17
Issues from 2007:
Nov. 19, 2007
| Oct. 16, 2007
| Sept. 7, 2007
| Aug. 2, 2007
| July 9, 2007
| June 7, 2007
| May 3, 2007
| April 3,
2007 | March
1, 2007 | Feb.
6, 2007 | Jan.
4, 2007
Issues from 2006:
Nov. 30, 2006
| Oct. 30, 2006
| Sept. 28,
2006 | Aug.
30, 2006 | July
26, 2006 | June
27, 2006 | May
25, 2006 | April
28, 2006 | March
23, 2006
Issues from 2005:
Aug. 10, 2005
| March 29,
2005
Issues from 2004:
Nov. 17, 2004
Monday,
Nov. 19, 2007
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
What Is Normal?
Luncheon Speakers Address Important Questions on Preteens' Minds
Am I normal?
How do I fit in?
Why do I feel the way I do?
When do I have to start worrying about taxes?
These are some of
the "Important Questions on the Minds of Preteens" addressed
by Rob Lehman, MD, and Julie Metzger, RN, MN, at Preteen Alliance luncheons
held in October and November. Rob and Julie, who run a popular series
of workshops for preteens and parents at both Seattle Children's Hospital
and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, shared insights into how preteens
think. The speakers' tips on helping preteens through these important
years included:
- When talking
through important issues such as puberty and relationships, have 200
one-minute conversations, not one 200-minute conversation. Long, one-time
discussions may be less effective than short in-the-moment conversations
when opportunities naturally arise.
- Parents should
aim to reassure their preteens that the changes they are going through
are normal.
- Rather than “fix”
their problems for them, let preteens experience real-life consequences,
within reason.
For a more complete
re-cap of the events and a list of resources from Rob and Julie, visit
preteenalliance.org.
Did you miss Claire
Goss's recent column on preteen temperament? Read
it here.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
Find
Data About Preteens Across the Bay Area
Want to know how area preteens are faring? Now, even more local preteen
data is readily accessible online. Kidsdata.org
has expanded from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to include data and
resources for four more Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin,
and San Francisco. Find a data summary about Bay Area preteens at:
http://www.kidsdata.org/demographicdata.jsp?menuused=indexdem&dem=21
Violence
in Schools on the Rise -- Rates Highest in Middle Schools
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage
of public schools experiencing violent incidents increased from 71 percent
in the 1999–2000 school year to 81 percent in the 2003–04
school year. The study also found that both elementary schools and high
schools nationwide had lower rates of violent crimes per 1,000 students
than middle schools. In 2003–04, there were 28 violent crimes per
1,000 students in elementary and high schools combined, compared with
53 violent crimes in middle schools.
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/index.asp
WHAT'S GOING ON
Adolescence
Preparedness Training
This Hand in Hand class will help parents learn how to build strong connections
with their preteens, in order to sustain a strong relationship during
the teen years. Monday, Nov. 19, in Palo Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/204089
Managing
Parental Anger
The Foundation of Family Values offers this workshop to parents struggling
to effectively and positively handle conflicts with their children. Thursday,
Dec. 6, in Campbell.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203983
Serving ADHD
Students
This workshop for educators, sponsored by the San Mateo County Office
of Education, will offer evidence-based strategies for meeting the needs
of students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Wednesday,
Dec. 12, in Redwood City.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203913
Find
more preteen events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Tuesday,
Oct. 16, 2007
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
Phone
Calls? PDAs? Pencil and Paper? The Best Ways to Survey Preteens
If you work with preteens
– whether in community, school, health care, or other settings –
you probably have needed to ask them questions about their feelings, behaviors,
health habits, or other issues at some point. But what's the best way
to get good information from this age group?
The Preteen Alliance
set out to answer that question by commissioning Education Training Research
(ETR) to review eight common methods used to collect data from children
ages 9 to 13, including surveys (computer-based, PDAs, paper and pencil),
diaries, interviews (phone, in person, focus groups), and observational
methods. The full report, including briefs on each data collection method
and a synopsis of existing local surveys, is available at http://www.lpfch.org/informed/facts/etr.html.
ograms
Key in Promoting Preteen Well Being
This issue brief summarizes formal evaluations of after-school programs
for youth. The summary notes that such programs help keep children safe,
and have a positive impact on behavior, social skills, and family life.
Additionally, researchers have found that after-school programs encourage
parental involvement, according to the brief.
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/documents/Evaluations_Behavior_0107.pdf
WHAT'S GOING ON
Second Date
Added -- Important Questions on the Minds of Preteens
While the Oct.
17 event is full, the Preteen Alliance and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
are co-sponsoring a second luncheon to address the issues on preteens'
minds and the strategies that adults can employ to assist kids during
this important transitional stage. This encore performance will take place
at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel. Register
for the Nov. 6 conference at http://events.lpfch.org.
Preteen Soccer
Tournament
The Preteen Alliance is a proud sponsor of this year's CW Cup, a soccer
tournament for preteens from all over the Bay Area. The tournament, scheduled
for Oct. 27 and 28 in Morgan Hill, will feature 64 teams of 10- to 14-year-olds.
Parents and
Homework: What Is Your Role?
Sponsored by Parents Place and the Stressed Out Students Project at Stanford
University, this lecture will address how to support your child's homework
efforts and effectively communicate with teachers. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in
Palo Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203935
Find
more preteen events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Friday,
Sept. 7, 2007
Popular
Doctor/Nurse Duo to Speak at Next Preteen Luncheon
The Preteen
Alliance will hold its second luncheon event, this time in partnership
with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, on Wednesday, Oct. 17. The free
luncheon, which will be geared toward professionals who work with preteens,
will feature Rob Lehman, MD, and Julie Metzger, RN, who are well known
locally for leading the popular Heart to Heart workshops at Packard Hospital
for preteens and their parents. The event will be held from noon to 1:30
p.m. at the Garden Court Hotel in downtown Palo Alto. Visit http://events.lpfch.org
for more information and to RSVP. Questions? E-mail preteens@lpfch.org
or call (650) 724-5778.
Did you miss the
first luncheon with Kaiser Permanente on June 25? Read
a re-cap here.
Coming
Soon: Bay Area-Wide Data About Preteens
This fall, kidsdata.org
will expand to offer extensive data on child well being for four more
Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Francisco. Major
upgrades also will be made to the website for all six counties, and the
expanded site will include a range of data related to preteens, from asthma
to demographics to weight. Please help us spread the word by telling your
colleagues throughout the Bay Area about this great resource, and forward
this link:
http://www.lpfch.org/kidsdata/aboutkidsdata.pdf
Attend
a meeting about the kidsdata.org expansion:
Alameda
County (9/18) | Marin
County (9/19) | San
Francisco (9/27)
(Contra Costa County date to be determined)
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
New
Column: Preteen Temperament Runs the Gamut
Preteenalliance.org's newest column, by licensed education psychologist
and Alliance Steering Committee member Claire Goss, encourages parents
and educators to embrace preteens' temperaments and behaviors as gifts,
rather than labeling a child’s style as "good" or "bad."
Goss also outlines how a child's temperament affects the learning process.
"Understanding a child’s temperament can help him or her succeed
academically, as well as socially/emotionally," she writes. Read
Claire Goss' column now>>
Did
you miss Susan Camarillo's recent column on helping preteens transition
to middle school? Read
it here>>
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
Study:
Average Drinking Age Dropping
According
to a recent national study conducted by researchers at the University
of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 7 percent of fourth graders said they have
had an alcoholic drink in the past year. The study makes a case for alcohol
prevention programs during the preteen years, noting a connection between
early alcohol use and negative outcomes later in life.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m1427200268q6r02/
Kidsdata.org fact: In 2006, 32 percent of fifth graders
in San Mateo County and 26 percent in Santa Clara County said they have
tried alcohol. See
the data>>
Preteen
Emotional Health as Important as Physical Health, Doctor Writes
This article in the Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s newsletter focuses
on preteen emotional health and what parents can do to help their child
navigate these important years. The author, Elizabeth Lee, MD, notes that
a child’s emotional health during this time is just as important
as the physical changes they experience.
http://www.pamf.org/children/newsletter/emotional.html
Also see: “We’re Talking Too,” the Palo Alto
Medical Foundation's website just for preteens, sponsored in part by the
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health.
http://www.pamf.org/preteen
RESOURCES ABOUT PRETEENS
Books About
Growing Up for Preteens and Parents
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital offers this list of books that
may be of interest to preteens and their families. The books cover the
topics of puberty and sexuality for boys, girls, and parents.
http://www.lpch.org/pdf/heartToHeartBookList.pdf
WHAT'S GOING ON
Staying Close
with Your Preteen
Parents searching for ways to connect with their
adolescent child may be interested in this class offered by Hand in Hand
and the Santa Clara Library. Participants will learn how to create opportunities
for "one-on-one" time and tips for keeping a lifelong connection.
Monday, Sept. 24, in Santa Clara.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203927
Understanding
ADHD
This San Mateo County Office of Education workshop will help parents and
school personnel understand the behaviors associated with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder and the long-term implications of the disorder.
Wednesday, Sept. 26, in Redwood City.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203733
Help Working
Through a Sibling's Disability
This support group sponsored by Parents Helping Parents and the El Camino
YMCA offers a place where teen and preteen siblings of children with special
needs can share their experiences and learn more about their brother's
or sister's disability. Sunday, Sept. 30, in Mountain View.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203728
Is Media
the Other Parent?
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital offers this seminar to discuss the
effect that media messages have on children. The event will include suggestions
for how children can become smart consumers of media. Tuesday, Oct. 2,
in Palo Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203845
Find
more preteen events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Thursday,
Aug. 2, 2007
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
Helping
Preteens Make the Transition to Middle School
As school starts
this fall, many preteens will make the delicate transition from elementary
school, where they rule the roost, to the new and unfamiliar environment
of middle school. This month's columnist, Susan Camarillo, MSW, a counselor
at Crocker Middle School in Hillsborough, explains how parents and caregivers
can help preteens navigate this transition. "The key for parents
is finding the balance between supporting your children while still allowing
them the independence needed to grow and build their own skills,"
she writes. Read Susan Camarillo's
blog>>
Did
you miss the first Preteen Alliance luncheon event on June 25? Read
a re-cap here. Plans for future luncheons are in the works. Stay tuned
to www.preteenalliance.org
for upcoming information.
Is there
a topic you'd like to see covered on preteenalliance.org? E-mail us at
preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
A
Model Middle School
Many preteens experience an academic slump during middle school, making
these grades among the most difficult for educators to teach effectively.
This profile of a successful middle school program in New York highlights
innovative programs that have helped to reverse that academic slump. The
programs include comprehensive education for teachers about adolescent
social and emotional development and a school-wide emphasis on a common
vocabulary for acceptable behaviors.
http://www.middleweb.com/mw/news/NYTmsmanages.doc
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/12/education/12middle.html?ref=education
Early
Behavior Affects Teen Mental Health
According to an article in the journal Child Development, behavioral problems
in grade school can initiate peer rejection and loneliness that, in turn,
lead to early adolescent depression. According to the authors, these results
suggest that interventions to prevent adolescent depression and loneliness
should start in elementary school.
http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/07/24/early-behavior-critical-for-teen-mental-health/
Web Resource:
Child and Adolescent Social and Emotional Development
The Maternal and Child Health Library at Georgetown University has created
an electronic guide to resources on healthy social and emotional development
among school-age children (and other age groups). The site includes web
links, data, literature, and a database of programs. A section containing
resources for families also is included.
http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_Mental_Healthy.html
WHAT'S GOING ON
Celebrating
National Night Out
The Children's Discovery Museum and several other
sponsors will celebrate National
Night Out, an event to promote community togetherness and police partnerships.
The event will feature a visit from local police officers, access to museum
exhibits, and a resource fair. Tuesday, Aug. 7, in San Jose.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203835
Stop the
Power Struggles
Participants in this Kaiser Permanente workshop will learn to defuse power
struggles while disciplining children in a way that builds collaboration
and harmony within the family. Tuesday, Aug. 28, in Redwood City.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203264
Weight Management
for Preteens and Teens
This Camino Medical Group program aims to help families develop an active
lifestyle with a healthful eating plan. Each session includes breakout
meetings for parents and children, ages 8-15. Begins Tuesday, Sept. 18,
in Mountain View.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203803
Find
more preteen events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Monday,
July 9, 2007
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
HPV,
Sexual Health Key Issues for Preteen Girls, Say Alliance Luncheon Speakers
If you couldn't
attend the June 25 Preteen Alliance luncheon about girls' health, here
are some highlights from the speakers:
- It's crucial for
parents to talk with preteen girls about sexual issues, so that they
develop healthful habits later in life; and
- The HPV vaccine,
which recently was recommended for preteen girls starting at age 9 to
help prevent cervical cancer, is an important -- and safe -- vaccination,
even at that young age.
The Preteen Alliance
extends our appreciation to the event's speakers, Kaiser pediatrician
Dr. Seham El-Diwany and psychologist and sex therapist Bryna Barsky-Ex,
PhD, as well as everyone who came and asked such important questions.
And we also want to thank Kaiser Permanente San Jose, our co-sponsor.
In addition to the speakers, they provided lunch and the meeting space
for this event. For a more complete summary of the event, and links to
the speakers’ materials, visit www.preteenalliance.org.
Did
you miss Sarah Kremer's recent column on mentoring? Read
it here.
Is there
a topic you'd like to see covered on preteenalliance.org? E-mail us at
preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
Studies
Show Preteens Need Family Involvement for Academic Success
The Harvard Family Research Project has released a series of research
briefs on the importance of family involvement. The second and third installments
of the series deal specifically with preteens. In "Family
Involvement in Children's Elementary School Education," researchers
note that family involvement is critical for elementary school-age children's
learning and development. And in "Family
Involvement in Middle and High School Students' Education," researchers
acknowledge that families are less involved in preteens' academic lives
as they get older. However, experts say that staying a part of a child's
life well into the high school years is essential for positive social
and academic outcomes.
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/pubs.html#general
WHAT'S GOING ON
Social Skills
Support Group for Preteens
Family Service Agency's Children's Socialization Group caters to preteens
who have trouble making or keeping friends, participating in group activities,
resolving disagreements, and/or getting along with teachers and parents.
The group aims to help children improve self-esteem, as well as social
and conflict-resolution skills. Saturday, July 14, in San Mateo.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202953
Raising Children
in a Culture of Affluence and Pressure
In this Parents Place workshop, participants
will discuss the stress that affects affluent children, and the risk of
depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other self-destructive behavior
among privileged youth. Thursday, July 19, in Palo Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203751
Free Health
Screenings
Neighbors in Health and other sponsors will offer free health services
for uninsured and underinsured children up to age 18, including back-to-school
check-ups and immunizations, sports physicals, vision and dental screenings,
and nutrition advice. Saturday, July 28, in Daly City.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203758
Find
more preteen events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Thursday,
June 7, 2007
Space
Going Quickly for 'Preteen Girls' Health: A Conversation with a Physician
and a Psychologist'
Although we only announced the event last week, seats
are filling up fast for the June 25 luncheon discussion sponsored by The
Preteen Alliance and Kaiser Permanente. This free event, which takes place
in San Jose, will feature two Kaiser experts:
- Dr. Seham Eldiwany
is a pediatrician who will discuss the new HPV vaccine recommended for
preteens, as well as other key physical health issues facing preteen
girls.
- Dr. Bryna Barsky-Ex,
a psychologist and sex therapist who specializes in working with adolescents
and preteens, will discuss self-esteem, body image, sexual health, and
how to communicate with preteen girls about these issues.
The event, which
will be valuable for parents and professionals alike, also will offer
the opportunity for questions and discussion. Lunch will be provided.
Space is
limited. If you haven't done so already, register now at http://events.lpfch.org
For more information,
contact us at preteens@lpfch.org
or (650) 724-5778.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
This
Summer -- and All Year Long -- Preteens Need Mentors
During the summer months when school is out, preteens may need some extra
guidance in their lives, and a mentor can have a big impact, according
to mentoring expert Sarah Kremer. In a new column just posted on preteenalliance.org,
Kremer outlines why it's important for preteens to have adult mentors;
the great need for more adults willing to volunteer their time as mentors;
and how mentoring can be an effective intervention tool for at-risk youth.
"For those who are in their preteen years and are open to the experience,
a positive adult role model can make a world of difference," Kremer
writes. Kremer is an Alliance member and program manager for the Mentoring
Institute at Friends for Youth in Redwood City. Read
Sarah Kremer's mentoring blog now >>
Did
you miss Dra. Marisol’s recent column on parenting preteens? Read
it here.
Is there
a topic you'd like to see covered on preteenalliance.org? E-mail us at
preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
Need
Local Data on Preteens?
Kidsdata.org now offers the ability to view data in a new way -- by demogrpahic
group. The site can serve up data profiles for nearly 20 groups -- such
as Latino kids or low-income children. The preteen profile presents roughly
25 separate measures of how these kids are faring, offering data on topics
ranging from reading proficiency levels to physical fitness results.
http://www.kidsdata.org/demographicdata.jsp?menuused=indexdem&dem=21
Local
Teens: More Intervention Needed During the Preteen Years
Local teenagers surveyed for the 2006 San Mateo County Youth Commission
Needs Assessment said they would have used less drugs and alcohol if they
had been offered more guidance and intervention during the preteen years.
According to the report, 71 percent of teens surveyed said their close
friends drink alcohol, and most teens said they didn't remember receiving
any education about alcohol or drug abuse. The teens surveyed recommended
alcohol/drug abuse education beginning in the fourth grade. The Needs
Assessment findings were included in the 2007 San Mateo County Adolescent
Report.
http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/home/0,,1954_5352214_878453731,00.html
WHAT'S GOING ON
Heart to
Heart Seminar for Preteen Boys
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital's two-part Heart to Heart Seminar for
boys and their fathers, or other male caregiver, covers the myths and
facts of puberty, growing up, and sexuality. Wednesday, June 20, in Palo
Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202103
Preteen Girls'
Health: A Conversation with a Physician and a Psychologist
As noted above, this free luncheon event will address the key physical,
sexual, and emotional health issues facing preteen girls. Monday, June
25, in San Jose.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203707
Stopping
the Power Struggles
This class for parents of preteens, sponsored
by Kaiser Permanente Redwood City, will focus on how to defuse power struggles
when disciplining children and build more collaboration and family harmony.
Tuesday, Aug. 28, in Redwood City.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203264
Find
more preteen events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Thursday,
May 3, 2007
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
Parenting
Preteens: Building a ‘United Front’
In the second of two installments in this series on parenting preteens,
child psychologist Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne offers practical advice
for how parents and professionals can better understand preteens' changes
in appearance, attitude, mood, and behavior. (You may remember Dra. Marisol
from the panel of experts at last year's Preteen
Summit) "Once we realize that preteens and parents are strongly
impacted by preadolescence, and are on the same side, we can ... tackle
the challenges as a united front," writes Dra. Marisol, who is host
of the parenting radio show Nuestros Niños. Read
Dra. Marisol's
blog>>
Did
you miss the first part of this series from Childhood Matters host Nurse
Rona Renner? Read it
here. (More about Nuestros
Niños and its sister program, Childhood
Matters.)
Coming
Up: Sarah Kremer, program manager of the Friends for Youth Mentoring
Institute, describes why it’s so important for preteens to have
a mentor.
Is there
a topic you'd like to see covered by one of preteenalliance.org's expert
bloggers? E-mail us at preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
Family
Involvement in Elementary School
As children enter elementary school, they begin to spend more time away
from the family and experience many developmental changes. This research
brief reviews why family involvement during elementary school is important
for children's learning and socio-emotional development and highlights
how this research can be used to promote effective policies and practices.
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/elementary.html
Study:
Most Kids Are Affected by Bullying
Researchers at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital have found that nine
out of 10 elementary school students report they have been bullied. Experts
say the findings are important because they rely on questionnaires filled
out by the kids themselves, rather than by teachers or parents, who often
do not know about more subtle cases. Lynne Huffman, MD, associate professor
of pediatrics at Stanford University and a member of the Preteen Alliance
Steering Committee, was an author of the study.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2007/april18/med-bullies-041807.html
Find
more news and research about preteens
WHAT'S GOING ON
Bully-Proof
Your Community
In this Parents Place workshop, parents of children up to 8th grade will
learn to identify what bullying is, how and when to intervene, and how
to help their child create a peaceful community. Wednesday, May 9, in
San Mateo.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203574
Stanford
Conference Focuses on Student Stress
The annual Stressed Out Students conference, sponsored by the Stanford
University School of Education, will feature a panel of students talking
about their academic careers, and two keynote speakers who will discuss
stress and emotional health. The conference, which is focused on kids
in middle school and high school, was co-founded by the Lucile Packard
Foundation for Children’s Health. Friday, May 11, at Stanford.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/201600
Help for
Siblings of Children with Special Needs
Parents Helping Parents' Sibshops offer a setting
where preteen siblings of children with special needs can connect and
learn from each other. The brothers and sisters will have an opportunity
to talk about their joys and concerns and hear about the services that
people with disabilities can receive. Saturday, May 12, in Santa Clara.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203408
Find
more preteen events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
WEB RESOURCES
Helping Families
and Children Cope with Traumatic Events
In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, the National Association of
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies has assembled resource listings
to help children and families deal with traumatic events, as well as tips
for recognizing the early warning signs of youth violence. This website
includes information for parents, caregivers, school staff, and others.
http://www.naccrra.org/parent/traumatic_events/
Find
more resources about preteens
Tuesday,
April 3, 2007
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
Two-Part
Series: Parenting Preteens
Starting today, we begin a two-part series highlighting the perspectives
of two local parenting experts, Rona Renner, RN, host of the Childhood
Matters radio show, and Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne, PhD, host of Nuestros
Niños. Renner recounts the story of her own daughter's transition
into adolescence, and notes some warning signs of depression or anxiety
for which parents should be on the lookout. "It’s hard to know
when emotional intensity and mood swings are part of the normal changes
of puberty or signs of more serious issues," she writes. Read
Nurse Rona's blog>>
Coming Up: In the second part of this series, Dra. Marisol, a
psychologist, will offer practical tips for parents baffled by preteens'
sometimes sudden changes in attitudes, mood, behavior, and appearance.
More about Childhood
Matters and Nuestros
Niños
Did
you miss preteenalliance.org's discussion of the HPV vaccine? Read
it here.
Is there
a topic you'd like to see covered by one of preteenalliance.org's expert
bloggers? E-mail us at preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
An
Academic Perspective on Youth Development
Recent issues of the new Journal of Youth Development feature several
articles related to preteens, on topics including adolescents' negative
impressions of youth activities, the successful elements of after-school
programs, and social growth among disadvantaged middle-grade students.
http://www.nae4ha.org/directory/jyd/index.html
Survey: Less
Than One-Third of Children Have What They Need to Succeed
Only 31 percent of America's children (ages 6-17) have at least four of
the five basic supports they need for healthy development, according to
a Gallup survey developed by Child Trends and the Search Institute for
America's Promise. The survey focused on the following five resources
and supports that every child needs for healthy development:
- Ongoing, secure
relationships with parents, as well as consistent positive relationships
with other caring adults.
- Safety at home,
school, and in the community,as well as a balance of structured and
unstructured time.
- Good nutrition
and exercise habits, regular health care, as well as knowledge, skills,
and role models regarding health.
- Quality learning
environments, challenging expectations, and consistent guidance and
mentoring.
- Models of caring
behavior, a sense of responsibility to contribute to society, and opportunities
for volunteering, leadership, and service.
Children with more
of these supports consistently had better outcomes, according to the survey.
http://www.americaspromise.org/ECEP.aspx?id=208
Find
more news and research about preteens
WHAT'S GOING ON
Support
Group for Children of Cancer Patients
Kids Konnected, sponsored by Parents Helping
Parents, is a support group for preteens and teens who have a parent with
cancer. The group meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month.
April 9 and 23, in Santa Clara.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202772
Triathlon
-- For Young Children and Preteens
The Peninsula Family YMCA is offering a triathlon designed specifically
for children in grades K-8. Saturday, April 14, in San Mateo.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202493
Taming Gaming
in Your Home
This Commonwealth Club seminar is for parents of preteens and teenagers
who are concerned about the amount of time their children spend playing
video games. An expert panel will address how parents can be more effective
in guiding their children’s video game playing habits and preferences.
Thursday, April 19, in Mountain View.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203537
Find
more preteen events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Thursday,
March 1, 2007
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
HPV
– A Vaccine for Preteen Girls to Prevent Cervical Cancer
Now on preteenalliance.org, Ruth Shaber, M.D., director of Women's Health
Services at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, answers why
the HPV Vaccine is recommended for preteen girls before they become
sexually active. "Hopefully, this exciting new vaccine will lower
the risks of young women getting cervical cancer, precancer, or warts,"
Shaber writes. At least 20 states currently are pushing to make the vaccine
mandatory for preteen girls, leading to nationwide debate; see news
coverage of this issue on preteenalliance.org.
Blogging next: Nurse Rona Renner, host of the radio show
Childhood Matters, will help parents understand when to worry about their
preteen.
Is there
a topic you'd like to see covered by one of preteenalliance.org's expert
bloggers? E-mail us at preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
School
Involvement May Lower Kids' Health Risks
Young teenagers who are active in their school may be less likely to smoke,
drink, use drugs, or have sex, a new study suggests. Australian researchers
found that 8th grade students at schools that started programs of "social
inclusion" were 25 percent less likely than their peers at other
schools to engage in risky behaviors. The programs were designed to help
preteens feel more connected to their schools by encouraging them to get
involved in and out of the classroom.
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/96/9/1582
Low
Self-Esteem Linked to Future Drug Use
Preteen boys who have low self-esteem and friends who approve of drug
use are more likely to become dependent on illicit drugs by age 20 than
those with higher self-esteem, according to researchers from Florida State
University. Researchers studied data on 872 boys collected over a span
of nine years. The study, published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent
Substance Abuse, points to the importance of prevention and early intervention
efforts for preteens.
http://alcoholism.about.com/od/tipsforparents/a/blfsu060408.htm
Find
more research about preteens
WHAT'S GOING ON
Student Panel
on Learning Disorders
In this Parents Helping Parents annual event, high school and college
students with learning disorders or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
will share their experiences and academic survival techniques. Tuesday,
March 6, in Santa Clara.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203287
Dad and Me
Staying Healthy
The San Mateo Medical Center hosts this event where kids will learn about
important issues such as healthy eating habits, exercising the body and
mind, dental hygiene, and visiting the doctor. The event is sponsored
in part by the Fatherhood Collaborative of San Mateo County. Saturday,
March 10, in San Mateo.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203397
Is My Body
Good Enough?
A teen health educator will conduct this San Jose Public Library workshop
to help preteens and teens ages 11 and up learn to like living in their
body. Friday, March 16, in San Jose.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203471
Find more preteen-focused
events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Tuesday,
Feb. 6, 2007
Please
Note
Starting with this issue, the Preteen Alliance newsletter will incorporate
information that previously appeared in the three-times-a-year Preteen
Digest. The Digest content now will fall under the “What We’re
Learning About Preteens” section below, and the Preteen Digest no
longer will be published (subscribers to the Preteen Digest now will receive
this monthly e-mail). This newsletter is an easy way to keep up to date
about events, activities, research, and other information regarding the
well being of preteens. Please send any comments or questions to preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRETEENS
Helping
Preteens Become Independent
In a just-posted blog, local
elementary school principal Carol Piraino discusses what parents and
educators can do to help preteens develop more independence, confidence,
and responsibility. "While I recognize the world is a different place
today than when I was growing up, I do believe our preteens can handle
many more challenges and responsibilities than some are given," Piraino
writes.
Coming up next: Kaiser Permanente Dr. Ruth Shaber will
discuss the new HPV vaccine that's recommended for preteen girls.
Is there
a topic you'd like to see covered by one of preteenalliance.org's expert
bloggers? E-mail us at preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT PRETEENS
Emotional
Health a Top Concern, Parents of Preteens Say
Slightly less than 50 percent of parents in Santa Clara and San Mateo
counties rate their preteen's emotional health as "excellent,"
according to a wide-ranging poll of Bay Area parents commissioned by the
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health. Parents of children of
all ages listed emotional health issues, such as stress, depression, and
the fallout from family conflict, among their chief concerns. Parent Poll
data on preteens are available for the following topics:
If you would like
to inquire about other preteen-specific data from this poll, please e-mail
preteens@lpfch.org.
Parent
Opinions Still Matter to Preteens, Research Shows
Although friends’ opinions take on greater importance during the
preteen years, research shows that parental influence on behaviors and
choices, both positive and negative, continues to be significant. This
brief from Child Trends and the National Adolescent Health Information
Center provides data on the influences of parents on their preteens, addressing
issues such as parental monitoring and health behaviors.
http://nahic.ucsf.edu/downloads/FamEnvironBrief.pdf
Study: Early
Alcohol Use Leads to Dependency Later On
Children who start drinking alcohol before age 14 are five times more
likely to become alcohol dependent later in life than those who wait to
drink until after age 20, according to a national survey. The survey,
reported and analyzed by the University of Maryland's Center for Substance
Abuse Research, found that 47 percent of children under 14 who drank developed
a dependency problem, compared to 9 percent who began drinking after age
20.
http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/cesarfax/vol15/15-30.pdf
February 11-17 is National Children of Alcoholics Week
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/seasonal/coaweek/default.aspx?
Also see: http://www.lpfch.org/informed/facts/coaweek.html
Find
more research about preteens
WHAT'S GOING ON
Talking to
Kids About Sex
This Parents Place workshop will address communication skills and resources
for talking to preteens about sex. Tuesday, Feb. 13, in Palo Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203192
Problem-Solving
for Preteens
In this Kaiser Permanente class, parents of preteens will learn
how to turn the day-to-day challenges preteens face into improved communication
and connection, and parents will gain the tools to help preteens get beyond
the all-too-common "I don't know!" response. Wednesday, Feb.
28, in Redwood City.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203265
Heart to
Heart Seminar: Just for Preteen Boys
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital's two-part Heart to Heart Seminar for
boys and their fathers, or other male caregiver, covers the myths and
facts of puberty, growing up, and sexuality. March 8 and 15, in Palo Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202103
Find more preteen-focused
events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/admin.cgi
If you have information
about preteen events or activities for the next newsletter, please send
it to preteens@lpfch.org.
Thursday,
Jan. 4, 2007
THE PRETEEN ALLIANCE: 2006 IN REVIEW
Much
happened with the Preteen Alliance in 2006, and we thank you for your
continued interest in improving the health and well being of local preteens.
Following are some highlights from 2006:
Events
Roughly 300 people came to The
Preteen Summit in January 2006, which featured a keynote address by
Dr. Peter Jensen, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, on preteen
development, as well as two panels -- one of local experts and another
with preteens themselves. More events are in the planning stages, and
will be announced in future Preteen Alliance newsletters.
Research
& Data
The Alliance released a number of research
reports focusing on area preteens, including "A Portrait of Preteens
in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties," a first-ever local analysis
of what
we know about this age group. Nearly 20 indicators about preteen well
being also were added to kidsdata.org
in 2006.
Membership
In 2006, the Alliance’s membership grew from 542 members to nearly
800, a roughly 50 percent increase.
Website
The new preteenalliance.org
was launched in January 2006 to facilitate conversation about preteen
issues. The site features discussion forums where parents and professionals
can post questions and comment about issues facing preteens, and offers
a member directory of Alliance members who have identified themselves
as experts on specific issues. Additionally, the site includes news and
data about preteens, as well as listings of events and resources.
NEW COLUMNS IN 2007
In 2007,
we'll continue the series of expert blogs that began on preteenalliance.org
in 2006. Just posted online: a blog from parent educator Cynthia Klein
on how to keep the lines of communication
open with preteens. Coming up: Local school principal Carol Piraino
offers advice on how to help preteens develop independence, and an expert
from the State Department of Health Services will outline vaccinations
recommended for preteens, in observance of Preteen Vaccine Week, Jan.
21-27.
Is there
a topic you'd like to see covered by one of preteenalliance.org's expert
bloggers? E-mail us at preteens@lpfch.org.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR THE PRETEEN ALLIANCE
What
do you hope the Preteen Alliance will accomplish in 2007? What are some
important actions or activities the Alliance could pursue on behalf of
preteens this year, keeping in mind the group's focus on raising public
awareness and sharing information? Post
your thoughts here.
WHAT'S GOING ON
January is
National Mentoring Month
National Mentoring Month focuses on recruiting volunteers to mentor underprivileged
youth, and local events include the Mentoring Coalition of San Mateo County's
annual recruitment
and recognition celebration, on Sunday, Jan. 21, in Foster City, as
well as the 8th
Annual Mentoring Conference on Jan. 25 and 26 in Redwood City. More
about National Mentoring Month.
Self Defense
for Preteens and Teens
Participants in this Los Altos Recreation Department class will learn
self-defense techniques using blocks, punches, kicks, and strikes. Tuesday,
Jan. 9, in Los Altos.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203223
Helping Children
Who Face Social Difficulties in Group Settings
The Children's Socialization Group, sponsored by Family Service Agency,
helps children who have difficulty in group settings improve social skills,
resolve conflicts with peers and adults, and increase self-esteem. Wednesday,
Jan. 17, in San Mateo.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202953
Healthy Eating,
Active Living
This Kaiser Permanente class for preteens and their parents covers basic
nutrition and strategies for increasing energy and fitness. Monday, Jan.
22, in Redwood City.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203266
Find more preteen-focused
events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/register.cgi
JOIN A DISCUSSION
Topics Being
Discussed on preteenalliance.org:
Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006
First
Alliance Column Discusses Student Stress
How much does what parents say affect a child’s stress level? Denise
Clark Pope and Jerusha Osberg from the Stanford School of Education examine
that issue in the Preteen Alliance's
first-ever online column. If you haven't already done so, be sure
to visit the website to read their blog and post your comments. Pope is
author of "Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed-Out,
Materialistic, and Miseducated Students," an expert in the field
of student stress, and a lecturer at the School of Education. Along with
the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, she co-founded
the annual Stressed Out Students conference, which helps schools reduce
the amount of stress their students face. Osberg is a graduate student
at the School of Education.
Coming
Up
In upcoming columns: a local middle school principal will discuss how
to help preteens become independent, and a parenting expert will offer
tips on communicating with the preteens in your life.
WHAT'S GOING ON
Radio Show:
When to Worry About Your Preteen
This Childhood Matters call-in radio show will address developmental norms
for preteens, and answer parents' questions about whether their preteens'
mood swings, troubles in school, or conflicts with friends are typical.
The show is one of a series of preteen-specific shows sponsored in part
by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health. Sunday, Dec. 17,
on 98.1 KISS FM.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203205
Technology
and Kids - Keeping Them Safe
Every day, preteens are exposed to countless technological devices including
video games, instant messaging, social networking websites, and cell phones.
This Parents Place workshop will address some of the risks associated
with these technologies, and tips for how parents can connect with their
tech-savvy preteens. Wednesday, Feb. 7, in Palo Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203191
Find more preteen-focused
events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/register.cgi
WEB RESOURCES
For
Teachers: Free Children's Health Curriculum
Kids' Health in the Classroom, a project of the Nemours Foundation, offers
free children's health curriculum for teachers from pre-kindergarten to
12th grades. The tutorials feature age-appropriate information on personal
health, the human body, and health problems for each grade. Visit
preteenalliance.org's discussion forum for teachers to get more information
about Kids' Health in the Classroom or share resources that you've found
useful with other teachers.
JOIN A DISCUSSION
Topics Being
Discussed on preteenalliance.org:
Monday, Oct. 30, 2006
Coming
in November: Alliance Columnists
We’re revamping our website and gearing up for the November launch
of new guest columns on preteen issues. We thank everyone for their suggestions
for columnists. (If there's a topic that you'd like to see covered in
a column, feel free to send your ideas to preteens@lpfch.org.)
We'll send you a note when the first column is posted on the site.
HOW ARE LOCAL PRETEENS FARING?
More
Emotional Support Needed for Preteens?
According to the 2004 California Healthy Kids Survey, 23 percent of 7th
graders in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties reported that they have
"felt
so sad or hopeless every day for at least two weeks" that they
stopped doing regular activities. Data also show that these students may
not have the recommended emotional support at school. In San Mateo
County, there is only one school counselor for every 781 students, and
in Santa Clara County, there is only one school counselor for every 1,375
students, according to 2005 public school data. The American School Counselors
Association recommends a ratio of one counselor for every 250 students
in grades K-12.
Report: School-Based
Counseling for Preteens in San Mateo County
More data about preteens: http://www.preteenalliance.org/data.html
Find more local data: http://www.kidsdata.org
WHAT'S GOING ON
Spend An
Evening with Children's Authors
Award-winning authors and illustrators Barbara Bottner, Michael Emberley
and Zilpha Keatley Snyder will speak and sign books at this fundraising
event for Family Connections. The authors write books geared toward children
up to age 13, but the evening is for adults only. Wednesday,
Nov. 8, in San Carlos. http://www.kidscal.org/event/203045
Workshops
for Parents and Their Preteen Daughters
Two local organizations are offering workshops focusing on parents' relationships
with their preteen daughters. The Children's Health Council's "Mothers
and Daughters: The Roller Coaster Years" class will help moms understand
the reasons behind conflicts with their daughters. Packard Hospital's
"Fathers and Daughters: The Joys and Challenges of Adolescence"
offers dads a chance to strengthen their relationship with their daughters.
Mothers and Daughters: Thursday, Nov. 9, in Palo Alto
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202993
Fathers and Daughters: Wednesday, Nov. 15, in Palo Alto
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202714
Find more preteen-focused
events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/register.cgi
LOCAL RESOURCES
Helping
Preteens Work Off Halloween Treats
Roughly 25 percent of children in 5th, 7th, and 9th grades were overweight
in 2004, and many children do not meet all of California's fitness standards.
Do you know of a local organization providing physical fitness or nutrition
services to preteens and/or their parents? If so, please add them to the
Preteen Alliance's listing
of resources on weight and physical fitness.
And
remember, we are continuing to compile resource listings for the following
topics:
High
School Readiness
Substance Abuse
Help for Latina Preteens
Internet
Safety
JOIN A DISCUSSION
Topics Being
Discussed on preteenalliance.org:
Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006
Thank You
We appreciate all the suggestions of experts for the website's upcoming
weekly columns. We're reviewing those ideas now. If you have other suggestions
of individuals who could share their expertise on preteen emotional, physical,
or behavioral health, feel free to send your ideas to preteens@lpfch.org.
Be on the lookout at preteenalliance.org for the launch of this new feature!
HOW ARE LOCAL PRETEENS FARING?
New Data on Preteen Arrests
Did you know that preteens make up a small -- and decreasing -- percentage
of total juvenile felony arrests? According to new data now available
on kidsdata.org, preteens in both San Mateo and Santa Clara counties made
up roughly 8 percent of juvenile felony arrests in 2004, the most recent
year for which data are available. Not only is the percentage decreasing;
the overall number of preteen arrests is on the decline as well.
More data about preteens: http://www.preteenalliance.org/data.html
Find more local data: http://www.kidsdata.org
WHAT'S GOING ON?
In Search of the Right High School
Finding the high school that best suits an adolescent is an important
decision for older preteens. This class for parents and teens, sponsored
by Redwood City's Parks, Recreation, and Community Services department,
will present an overview of public and private high schools on the Peninsula.
Saturday, Sept. 30, in Redwood City.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203035
Girls For a Change Annual 'Girl Summit'
Middle school and high school girls will hear from female entrepreneurs,
activists, and artists, and will have an opportunity to work on addressing
social issues in their own community. Thursday, Oct. 12, in San Jose.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/203062
'I'm So Mad, and It's Your Fault!'
This Children's Health Council class helps parents employ strategies for
working out conflicts with their preteens. Thursday, Oct. 19, in Palo
Alto.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202991
Find more preteen-focused events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/register.cgi
JOIN A DISCUSSION
Topics Being Discussed on preteenalliance.org:
Teen Depression ("There are many options and resources available
to parents, guardians, and significant others involved in the teenagers
life...")
Communicating with Preteens ("Be consistent and genuinely listen
to your preteen...")
LOCAL RESOURCES
Help Preteens Get Ready for High School
The percentage of students who drop out from local high schools may be
cause for concern -- 6 percent in San Mateo County and nearly 15 percent
in Santa Clara County, according to California’s Department of Education.
Do you know of any local resources that can help preteens struggling with
academic, social, or emotional issues get ready for the pressures of high
school? Help start the Preteen Alliance’s listing of resources for
high school readiness.
And remember, we are continuing to compile resource listings for the
following topics:
Substance Abuse
Help for Latina Preteens
Internet Safety
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006
COMING SOON -- ASK THE EXPERTS
Wanted:
Columns from Experts on Preteen Issues
In the coming months, preteenalliance.org may join the world of blogging
by offering regular columns from a team of experts. We're now on the lookout
for individuals who could share their expertise on various preteen topics
-- from physical or emotional health to behavioral or school-related issues.
Do you have any suggestions of experts (local or national) or topics of
interest you'd like us to consider for these potential blogs? Please send
them to preteens@lpfch.org.
WHAT'S GOING ON
Exploring
the Intentions Behind Parenting
These YWCA classes offer tips to help parents reconnect with their preteens
and explore different types of communication and discipline techniques.
Thursday, Aug. 31, in San Jose.
For parents of children ages 5-10: http://www.kidscal.org/event/202808
For parents of children ages 11 and older: http://www.kidscal.org/event/202809
Packard Hospital's
Programs for Preteens
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital's popular Heart to Heart program, which
covers the topics of puberty and growing up, will be offered for girls
and boys throughout the fall. Classes for fathers and sons begin Sept.
13, and the next available classes for mothers and daughters start Nov.
9. The course
is held at Packard Hospital in Palo Alto.
Girls: http://www.kidscal.org/event/202102
Boys: http://www.kidscal.org/event/202103
Support Group
for Children Struggling Socially
Does your preteen have trouble socializing and meeting new friends? This
Family Service Agency support group aims to help preteens improve social
skills, learn to resolve conflicts with peers and adults, and increase
self-esteem. Wednesday, Sept. 20, in San Mateo.
http://www.kidscal.org/event/202953
Find more preteen-focused
events on kidscal.org: http://www.kidscal.org
Add your events to kidscal.org: http://www.lpfch.org/cgi-bin/calendar/register.cgi
JOIN A DISCUSSION
New Discussions
on preteenalliance.org:
LOCAL RESOURCES
Community
Services for Substance Abuse
Experts say that parents should begin talking to their children
as early as age 11 about the dangers of drinking. Do you know of any local
programs to prevent or treat substance use among preteens or to help families
dealing with substance abuse? Help start the Preteen Alliance’s
listing of resources for substance abuse.
And
remember, we are continuing to compile resource listings for the following
topics:
Help
for Latina Preteens
Internet
Safety
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
LOCAL RESOURCES
Help
for Preteen Latinas
A recent
editorial in the New York Times highlights struggles for some Latina
girls nationwide, including high rates of suicide attempts, teen pregnancy,
drug abuse, and high school dropouts. Locally, data from San Mateo and
Santa Clara counties show that Latina 7th graders are more likely than
other 7th graders to report feeling sad or hopeless, and that self-inflicted
injuries are more prevalent among Latina and Caucasian girls than other
groups. (See
full report - pdf) Do you know of any local support services available
for Latinas? Help start the Preteen Alliance’s listing of resources
geared toward Latina girls by listing
services here.
And
remember, we are continuing to compile resource listings for the following
topics:
Summer
Learning
Internet
Safety
Summer
Activities
HAVE AN OPINION?
Question
of the Month: Are
Gifted Students Bullied More?
More than two-thirds of academically gifted 8th-graders report
being bullied at school, according to researchers at Purdue University.
The study’s authors also say that gifted children may be more susceptible
to emotional damage from bullying. What can schools and parents do to
curtail this problem? Post
your thoughts.
New Discussions
on preteenalliance.org:
LOCAL EVENTS
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