Elementary school child - Child and Health
Most children start school at age 4. From this age they are called elementary school children. Children from age 4 to 6 are also called preschoolers. A child is in elementary school until grade 8. There, the child learns writing, reading and math, among other things.
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Growth and development
On average, a child ages 4 to 12 grows between 55 and 75 inches and gains about 25 pounds. So a lot changes physically! But changes also come mentally. Your child understands more and more of the world around him and acquires a character of his own. Usually this all goes fine. Do you still have questions? Take a look at the website Opvoeden. Or ask your question at the GGD. At elementary school you will visit the GGD 2 times with your child. The youth doctor or the youth nurse will check if your child is growing and developing well.
Website GGD
(Pre)puberty
Your child's body changes when he or she is between 10 and 14 years old. Your child then enters puberty. A lot is changing mentally as well; your child is becoming an adult. It varies from child to child when and how the changes come. Check the website Raising for detailed information.
Nutrition
A child grows quickly. To grow up healthy, it is important to eat and drink well. Good nutrition means eating healthy food, with occasional snacks. When a child eats many different products, he or she gets enough nutrients. Drinking enough is also important, as is exercise. This keeps your child at a healthy weight.
You can find information about healthy eating on the Nutrition Center website and on the website of Opvoeden. Of course, you can also ask the GGD for advice. A handy app is TNO's IGrow app. It allows you to see how your child (aged 0-10 years) is growing, how tall your child is getting and whether they are at a healthy weight.
Overweight
Children are increasingly overweight. This is unfortunate, because if you are overweight at a young age, it is often difficult to get rid of it later. It is good to teach your child to eat healthy at an early age. Exercise is also important. On the website of the Nutrition Center you can read how to prevent obesity. Health for enough exercise. Have your child bike or walk to school and play outside a lot. Find a sports club for your child. Set a good example yourself by exercising a lot and eating healthy.
JOGG Youth at Healthy Weight
Geldrop-Mierlo one of the Dutch JOGG municipalities. JOGG stands for Jongeren Op Gezond Gewicht (young people at a healthy weight). The goal is to ensure that enough exercise, healthy eating, drinking water and playing outside become 'normal' for children. The municipality works together with schools, child care, sports clubs, Health and welfare organizations and companies.
Safety
You cannot protect your child from everything. It is important to find a balance in this: help your child develop, but also protect them. A fall is part of the game. Your child should just not get hurt.
Teach your children that there can be risks (dangers) in and around the house. For example, explain why it can be dangerous to somersault on a trampoline in the garden. Think about safety yourself. Hang a safety net around the trampoline, for example.
For information on traffic safety, visit Opvoeden or the website of Veilig Verkeer Nederland.
Raising
Often children are trying out how far they can go and where the limit lies. That certainly doesn't make parenting easy! How do you set clear boundaries? What is a good reward? And what do you do when your child doesn't want to go to bed or eats poorly?
You can contact the GGD for advice . Or look for parenting tips on the website Opvoeden. Together with other organizations, the CMD provides courses, workshops and trainings on parenting.
A sick child
Is your child sick? Check the website Dokterdokter for which complaints you call the family doctor. Information and advice on (childhood) illnesses can also be found on Thuisarts and the GGD website: ggdbzo.nl.
Does your child remain ill? Are you in doubt? Then see your family doctor. Do you have general questions about illnesses and ailments, or does something often bother your child? Discuss this with your doctor as well.
Pocket Money
Children learn how to handle money through pocket money. If they can count (from about age 6), you can start doing this. Give a small amount and agree on what your child can do with it. By saving, children learn that not everything can be bought right away. For expensive things you need to put some money aside. This is how your child learns to plan.
Want to know at what age you can start giving pocket money? Or what amount you can give? For more information, visit the Nibud website .
Sports
Sufficient exercise is good for your child's health and development. Children love to climb, run and explore. Exercise is good for your child's weight and fitness. If your child is in good shape (feeling good) they are less likely to get sick. Playing outside, biking to school and walking are good ways to get more exercise. Outdoor air is healthy, too!
You can get your child more active by letting him do a sport, for example. It will also get to know other children. Sports clubs can be found in the digital municipal guide. Does your child have a disability? Check out the website Uniek sporten.
No money to play sports
Does your child want to play sports but there is no money? You may be entitled to the Youth Sports Fund and Youth Culture Fund Scheme. This gives children between 4 and 18 years the opportunity to participate in a sport and/or cultural activity. More information can be found at Minimaregelingen.