o
Playing vide
games could
ild
help your ch
stay fit and
en
have fun wh
to
it's too cold
if
get outside—
re
the games a
active.
Game On
exercise offers a high-tech
way to help children maintain
a healthy weight, strengthen
muscles and get moving.
"The more your child is
moving in the game the better,
so a dancing game burns more
energy than bowling," says
Nicole McWilliams, DPT, physical
therapist at Children's Mercy.
"The best active video games keep
children off the couch and require
whole-body movement to play."
C
onvincing your child to get off
the couch to exercise may be
easier than you think. With games
for Nintendo's Wii™, the Xbox 360
or PlayStation®3, game console
KEEP IT MOVING
According to McWilliams, game
console exercising is a great option
during bad weather or if a child is
unable to play outdoors. However,
participation in a
team sport or other
types of active games
should still be the
first choice.
"With
childhood
obesity on the rise,
'exergaming' is a
good alternative to
sitting down and playing a
conventional video game,"
McWillams says. "Physical
sports, such as soccer
or basketball, provide
benefits beyond exercise
and encourage children to
work harder alongside their
peers, engage with others
face to face and stay
motivated as part of
a team."
For other ways your child
can be more active, visit
www.childrensmercy.org/
weightmanagement and
click "Weight Management
Handouts" and then
"Be More Active."
The Long Goodbye
The death of a cherished family pet is never easy—especially for children. Turning this sorrowful time
into a teachable moment can help children learn valuable life lessons about dying and grief.
"A
pet can be a trusted, loyal companion for a child,
much like a sibling," explains Brian Belden, PhD,
developmental and child psychologist at Children's Mercy
and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the UMKC School
of Medicine. "Because children often form an
intimate bond with pets—letting them sleep
on the bed, playing together and receiving
countless hours of unconditional
love—the death of a pet can be highly
confusing and traumatic."
LEARNING ABOUT LOSS
A pet's death is often a child's first
exposure to death.
"As adults, we deal with death without
2
Safe & Sound Winter 2014
completely understanding it ourselves," Dr. Belden says. "The
same goes for children. It's important to be honest with your
child and explain that sometimes bad or sad things happen
to those we love."
To guide your child through the grief process, Dr. Belden
recommends these helpful tips:
• Allow your child to ask questions and experience the
emotions of grieving.
• Avoid phrases such as "put to sleep" or "God has taken"
that might make your child fearful.
• Give your child a chance to say goodbye by holding a
memorial service, drawing pictures or writing a poem.
To find out more about developmental and behavioral
health services offered at Children's Mercy, visit
www.childrensmercy.org and search for "behavior."