Too Much Violence: USVI Shootings Near Preschool's 2

Too Much Violence: USVI Shootings Near Preschool's 

 

(photo credit to associated press) 

Since the beginning of school two weeks ago I'm sure most parents would agree that things have been hectic; settling back into routines, conforming to new ones, etc. So this weekend I decided to let my hair down and get back into my old routines of reading daily publications from groups and people with like interests, but I was a little taken aback by some articles I'd read with regards to the homicide of Jermaine 'Bird' Williams in the parking lot of his child's preschool, George's Christian Academy in Whim, Frederiksted after school. According to numerous reports by local and associated press this father was shot in the parking lot while awaiting his wife to sign out their child after school. Students and school personnel were evacuated to secure room where they called for help from emergency responders but it was to no avail for the violence had already taken this father of three's life. Local public and private agencies came together to aid in the evaluations of students and staff scorned by the incident as was indicated by those in the Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services, but the ignorant violence has not ended nor has the arrogance of our community turning a blind eye to what is unfortunately becoming regular and that is too much violence within and near our schools.  

In 2013 I wrote a blog post, Too Much Violence; USVI Shootings Near Preschools, which illustrated for those who were unaware the rising amount of violence not only in schools but near schools that house our early learners. Different reports of gunfire at various head starts in Bovoni and in Berg's Home caught the attention of many concerned citizens and parents who spoke with officials from the Dept. of Human Services and the Virgin Islands Police Dept. expressing their concerns for the safety of their children. After a vote parents and officials came to the decision to send students to other Head Starts within the community that weren't experiencing such troubles due to violence in the community. That same year a similar incident took place on St. Croix regarding another parent who was shot and in the parking lot of their child's school after dropping off and killed trying escape inside the preschool housing two employees and ten children, causing the center to close.  

Nonetheless, as disturbing as all of this is, the fear and pain spread by the incident in question news and internet sources have chosen to ignore the blatant disregard for the lives of children within our territory in or out of school and call on legislators for stricter policies and legislations to defend our children while in learning institutions they have taken to the more 'popular' trend of 'blaming the victims'. According to reports made, rather than highlighting the severity of the crime instead many have taken to reporting the death of a gangster and gunfire fights that have since emerged in alleged retribution acts, basically glorifying the tragedies taken place causing more danger for residents of our islands.  

I am no politician nor legislator and my opinions are solely my own but when will it be enough to not only ignore the arrogance of others and educate them for the better? What will it take to stop turning a blind eye, to stop promoting and glorifying violence and the things that attribute to it? We are all members of this community and we are all members of families, but most importantly we all went to school and it was once considered safe.  

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read How Was Your First Day Of School, Too Much Violence: USVI Shootings Near Preschools, and Violence And Abuse In School 

  

Top Five Reasons Why I'd Choose An Educated Child Care Professional

Top Five Reasons Why I'd Choose An Educated Child Care Professional

Written By: Ms. Child Advocate

        I've recently been on the hunt for a preschool that would meet both my child's needs and my expectations and while I didn't expect to find many who'd fit the criteria I was expecting to find more than I actually found. First I found that many of the preschools that were within reach of the average parents working middle class either didn't offer progressive programs that are age appropriate and those that did were in high price ranges. Many of the learning environments in question were structured in environments themselves that were unprogressive and unwelcoming first leading many to question the safety of the environment. Secondly, as many of the individuals employed at these establishments aren't necessary professionals at their 'profession' concerns are again raised with the extent of progressive lessons and environments that can be constructed for individual children. While experience is a great teacher it does leave one lacking knowledge in areas and would need to be explored in order to be efficient at the profession. For instance, would you allow your child to be treated by a 'physician' with ten to fifteen years experience but no medical training? I'm sure the answer would be no (unless under dire circumstances) so why would these 'schools' be operating without at least a CDA present at each facility? Simply put, what I found was that there weren't many educated child care professionals within our territory and while I was shocked I as also stunned at the fact so many individuals believed in experience over education with all that has come to light about early childhood education. Too many of the preschools within our territory are welcoming individuals as teachers who have little experience in the field and no education and sadly it seems the only reason for so is to save these 'businesses' money; the lesser educated professional received a lesser pay grade. I has also come to my attention that the preschools within our territory were given a deadline of summer 2015 to either educate their staff on the profession or add members with the right credentials, which would be an associates in any field related to early childhood. It is for this reason I decided to write this post about my reasons for choosing a childcare provider who is educated within their profession.


1. Information- An educated child care provider would have common knowledge of different learning practices, techniques, policies, and procedures making learning more versatile with the individual children they encounter. They would also have common knowledge about the symptoms of diseases of various disorders, illnesses, and even common diseases making a diagnosis easier for those involved and hopefully any processes smoother. As we all different as individuals it should be equally important that a educational professional have different resources to ensure progressive developmental learning is taking place. While I wouldn't dare say that an educated professional would be open minded whereas an uneducated professional won't be I would say that with the wealth of knowledge they would've developed such a way of thinking, but people will be people and there is no way to determine such a thing. 


2. Quality- An educated professional would be quite aware of the need for stimulating experiences for early learners to thrive and progress; facilitating nurturing environments where all is concerned regardless of age or disability. They would provide an atmosphere that's inviting and loving while age appropriate, placing an importance on developmental aspects while making it engaging to learn. 

3. Respect- An educated professional is more cultured and would more easily accept and be open toward others cultures or those with special needs. Respect is this aspect is very important not only between teachers and students but between the school/ institution and parents/ family members as well for interaction between all parties concerned is necessary and anything hampering such could also hamper the child's views and development. 



4. Family & Community Ties- Many educated and uneducated professionals network alike ,but those who have attended educational institutions and others alike are included in larger networks based on those institutions and the professionals within these institutions. Networking and collaborating with after school programs, inter neighborhood programs, religious programs and family/community members helps to build solid relationships and a strong foundation for trust and engagement


5. Safety- As I mentioned before, safety can come in many different forms but the one topic that was repeated mentioned during interviews for this article was that of the safety of the environments of the early learners in question. Educated professionals have a wider network of resources to enable them to provide safe yet engaging programs in safe environments. 


 In closing I know that many parents choose their child care providers on a budget and have all rights to do so, I know I do, and by it's convenience but I implore many of you to actually consider the education levels of the 'professionals' working with your children and consider this, would you depend on your child's primary teacher or intermediate teacher if they were uneducated within the field? Cause it is basically the same thing. 

When is it Time to get rid of the Pacifier?

When is it Time to get rid of the Pacifier?

 

 

 

I don’t usually like to do points mostly off of my opinions, as everyone has the right to their own but I must admit that the urge to write this blog post has been extremely overwhelming (partially because of my own feelings on the matter and the other half because others seemed to think it was ok). Earlier this week I witnessed a little boy whose age couldn’t have been any less than three, with a mouth full of teeth speaking clearly and then he put his pacifier in his mouth. Honestly, I think I spent the first five minutes observing the child (from the back of the room) play and interact with children of various ages (18 months-6 years) but the more I observed the more it resonated with me that he was too old to be using a pacifier especially while out playing. As my focus then shifted to his parents and other parents surrounding I could tell many of them were having the same thoughts I did. I’m certain that his mother has some qualms with it for when it was his turn to go to the evaluator she removed the pacifier from his person and quickly stuffed it in her bag.

I won’t contest two things; the first is I could be completely wrong and he could simply be a child who is very mature and advanced for his age, and that it’s possible that the pacifier is a tool being used only in times of need (like getting him to sit still, play with others well, or sleep). But my main concern is for the child and the fact that such prolonged use of the pacifier at his ‘advanced’ stage may result in dental problems in the immediate future and the long run; It’s simply for the same rules has giving children baby bottles with nipples to drink from after their teeth have formed. Straying from the topic a little, I’ve once meet a parent who thought that it was natural that both of her children (eight years apart) experienced decaying of their primary teeth. While I don’t want to paint an ugly picture I had the pleasure of meeting both children from very young stages in their lives and I can assure you (and many will probably agree) that there is nothing natural or healthy about kids having a mouth full of rotten teeth; it was sadly the only thing that distracted others from their academic achievements and even their appearances. I reason for saying this is that it is not all right to let children ruin their primary teeth because they will get new ones and studies suggest that even when adult teeth are formed children with prolonged use of pacifiers are more likely to have dental issues such as;

1.     

Openbite

 

2.      Overjet (great chances

 

 

 3.      Posterior crossbites (children with more prolonged use are subject to anterior openbite and posterior crossbites)

 

 

While I am not a dental hygienist and can’t offer much on the prices of braces or other orthodontic wear for children, I can say that from the accounts that I’ve read it seems very painful for children. The only alternative to the pain is to put children under anesthesia and many of us know the risks of what can happen when children are put to sleep; anyone remember the little girl that died after going to the dentist? As I said in the beginning I don’t generally like to write about my personal opinions in matters but in this case I had to make an exception.

For further readings on the U.S Virgin Islands on topics of education and our children please read Children Are Dying, Thank God you’re NOT MY MOM!!!, and Thank God you’re NOT MY MOM 2

 

 

This blog post is the opinions of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on the institution’s she is employed for nor is those she affiliated with through volunteer work or otherwise. For more opinions from us please visit our blog page usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com or email us at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com  and like us on Facebook or follow Ms. Child Advocate on Twitter.

 

 

Guy Benjamin Elementary is Closing; What Now?

Guy Benjamin Elementary is Closing; What Now?

So in many recent reports that I've read the Department of Education is receiving a lot of ‘heat’ from the general public, and members of the St. John community. I completely understand it of course; I mean the situation is one that no one would have hoped for. The students, faculty, and staff at the Guy Benjamin Elementary School along with parents have long voiced their opinions and concerns about lack of support it receives, declining numbers, and more recently an ‘invisible operating budget’. The school closing didn’t really come as a surprise to many since there have been rumors of such all year since the removal of kindergarten and first grades to the Julius Sprauve Elementary School in Cruz Bay. So, exactly what is all the fuss about?

At a meeting held at Guy Benjamin School for parents and students on Monday, Education Commissioner and Superintendent gave the awaiting parents the daunting news they’d feared for so long. While education officials only cited one reason for closing the school, declining students and operating costs, all of the arguments coming from parents and even teachers involved had little to do with the benefit of students. Attendees of the meeting cited how the school has always met the standards of the AYP report, and that residents of Coral Bay would now have to ‘commute’ to Cruz Bay in defense of the children. Other concerns expressed pertained to the area of the school (being around bars) and the amount of funding being saved by closing the school.

Those remarks almost seem selfish to me. In a school that has been operating without a principal or ‘checkbook’ how parents can and teachers alike expect the institution to continue with the same results. And while there were a few in attendance, mostly those affiliated with the school, haven’t heard of any actions taken by the community or the parents of students at Guy Benjamin Elementary to thwart the long awaited decision of closing the school. I did however read reports of education officials urging residents of St. John to consider enrolling their children within Guy Benjamin to hinder the pending decision, but one can only assume it was to no avail since the enrollment ratio for the next school year compared to the last were still very slim    While all students can benefit from a lesser student to teacher ratio, parents and educators should look at the benefits of this merge;

·         With the space at the closing elementary school new, necessary programs like an head start or even a K-12 institution may be implemented (which is well needed on the island)

·         Funds saved by the department can be used to enhance student life on the island itself as well as at the remaining school

·         Education official spoke of transportation for students of Coral Bay to the Julius Sprauve school in Cruz Bay under the supervision of teachers/aids; that is much more than most, if not all of our students within this territory (At least in my own experience it is mainly/solely the bus driver) and abroad.

Anyone can appreciate that change can sometimes be challenging, especially for children so young, but as adults (teachers and parents) should consider working on making the transition easier for all involved and encouraging already discouraged students to look on the bright side of things, after all the children are the ones who are really being affected the most aren’t they?

For further readings on the U.S Virgin Islands on topics of education and our children please read “Alternatives to Suspensions and Expulsions”, “Families Matter for the Achievement and Development of Goals”; and “ So Carnival Warrants Closing School Now!?”

This blog post is the opinions of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on the institution’s she is employed for nor is those she affiliated with through volunteer work or otherwise. For more opinions from us please visit our blog page usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com or email us at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com  and like us on Facebook or follow Ms. Child Advocate on Twitter.

Children’s Day 2014: Treasure our Children

Children’s Day 2014: Treasure our Children

Figure 1 Arzucanaskin.com photo credit

       As many of us have experienced throughout our lifetimes, there are days internationally reserved to specific topics to draw awareness/advocacy or simply to honor a memory. Many days are highly publicized making them more popular than others, and many with their own right. We’ve recently celebrated Memorial Day and it’s a day I’m sure all can empathize with; whether you’ve known someone in the battle, were a part of it yourself, or was just touched by the actions and efforts of your fellow countrymen. It is certainly a day to be recognized and (one I personally think) should rightfully be done internationally.

       But there are other important observances that go unnoticed every year; they are under publicized, uncelebrated and go without any recognition and the sad part about it is that those days are usually those observed for the rights, well-being, and education of children. I couldn’t help but wonder if the reason for those aren’t because, on a larger scale (judging by the insights of a majority) children’s issues are ‘seemingly’ marginal or does it just truly reflect what we as human beings in today’s societies value; ourselves.

       On this past May 11 our nation, like others (whether before or after) celebrated Mother’s Day; another day rightfully observed for all the hard work, perseverance, and stress (just to name a few) that mothers (like myself!) go through. There were plenty of advertisements ‘reminding’ us of the observed day and the things we could do to either support mothers and their struggle or to celebrate others. But also observed in May that has already come to pass was Brothers & Sisters Day/ Baby Day on May 2 and while the International Day of Families did have some ‘clout’ I can’t help, but wonder once again if it isn’t due to the fact that once more, adults were involved rather than it just being a celebration of children.  Then again, as I have thought of this I’m sure someone else has already and thus; Children’s Day was born, to bring light to the most innocent part of humanity that is probably the most abused/neglected because of size and age.

      But unlike other highly publicized observances that usually call upon a need to show support through donations or gifts I simply urge others to make yourselves more aware of the issues that are plaguing our world and to resonate closer to home, our nation. Did you all know that there is still child labor happening in the U.S? I’m sure most of you have heard of those children who aren’t allowed to purchase or smoke tobacco, picking tobacco leaves for profits, either way check out the Human Rights Watch! Among us are many evils lurking that many of us, myself included, thought were long gone. Awareness is the key to put a stop to these injustices for our fellow peers, as has touched the case of those children and the unfortunate one of the seven year old who died after becoming ill in a school with no nurse, who may have been able to discern the seriousness of the situation. There are many different topics to choose from and while I can only encourage self-awareness, spreading the word is the only way to kill this disease plaguing our world and nation so that we may begin to ‘treasure our children’ sincerely. 

Preschool Suspensions???

     There have been many reports of the Department of Educations  report on discipline in preschools (public schools) highlighting what many of us already knew before the report came out; black students are treated unfairly among their peers. The real question is why? Why are kids in preschool being suspended? What actions did they display to determine such a punishment for suspension? It is highly unlikely that they posed some form of threat to others or themselves, or even that their characters are so overbearing at such a young age. What criteria is used to determine the suspension of students four and five years of age? 

     After scouring the internet for such a criteria to no avail, I decided to try different news reports and sources since they are undoubtedly more resourceful in matters that span across the country or globe. After a thorough research  we've noted little to no mention of such guidelines being used, but educational facilities or their administrators to determine whether or not the actions of a pupil (in preschool) should/ could sanction such disciplinary actions. In fact, the data nor anyone else has explained just why students where being suspended. They did however highlight the same quotes from Department of Educations Secretary, Arne Duncan, as well as a principal from an elementary in Memphis and other advocates statements'. 

     I'd dare to say that we are being a little Hippocratic, the reason for that being whats the sense in advertising across the country that things aren't working and need to change without first pinpointing the problem. The problem isn't that teachers/administrators serve children unfairly or unjust but that the system is too. With all the information presented the Department of Education's report, someone could decipher exactly where the problem lies. Maybe it is some piece of legislation or policy that isn't written clear or maybe it just needs to be amended to suit pupils who are age appropriate. The fact still remains just advertising it alone will not help, for it was always well known.

Children's Corner; Poetry

Rathers

I know very well what I’d rather be
If I didn’t always have to be me!
I’d rather be an owl,
A downy feathered owl,
A wink-ity, blink-ity, yellow-eyed owl
In a hole in a hollow tree.
I’d take my dinner in chipmunk town,
And wouldn’t I gobble the field mice down,
If I were a wink-ity, blink-ity owl,
And didn’t always have to be me!

I know very well what I’d like to do
If I didn’t have to do what I do!
I’d go and be a woodpecker,
A rap-ity, tap-ity, red-headed woodpecker
In the top of a tall old tree.
And I’d never take a look
At a lesson or a book,
And I’d scold like a pirate on the sea,
If I only had to do what I like to do,
And didn’t always have to be me!

Or else I’d be an antelope,
A pronghorned antelope,
With lots of other antelope
Skimming like a cloud on a wire-grass plian.
A bounding, bouncing antelope,
You’d never get me back to my desk again!

Or I might be a puma,
A singe-colored puma,
A slinking, sly-foot puma
As fierce as fierce could be!
And I’d wait by the waterholes where antelope drink
In the cool of the morning
And I do
not
think
That ever any antelope could get away from me.

But if I were a hunter,
A red Indian hunter –
I’d like to be a hunter, –
I’d have a bow made of juniper wood
From a lightning-blasted tree,
And I’d creep and I’d creep on that puma asleep
A flint tipped arrow,
An eagle feathered arrow,
For a puma kills calves and a puma kills sheep,
And he’d never eat any more antelope
If he once met up with me!


Mary Austin

Source: Rathers, Famous Children Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/rathers-by-mary-austin#ixzz2rvOml177
Family Friend Poems

Children's Corner; Poetry

What Will You Be?

When you grow up what will you be?
Will you be tall like Dad or short like me?
Will your hair be dark like it is right now?
Or will it turn amber, or auburn, or brown?

Will you run fast with agility and grace?
Or fall behind in a slower pace?
Will words come quickly to your mouth and hand?
Or will mathematics and numbers be your plan?

Whatever you choose and wherever you go,
May you always understand and know,
That you are loved, not for what you do,
But because you're special - because you're you.

 Author: unknown

Children's Corner; Short Stories

The Astrologer

by Aesop

---

A man who lived a long time ago believed that he could read the future in the stars. He called himself an Astrologer, and spent his time at night gazing at the sky.

One evening he was walking along the open road outside the village. His eyes were fixed on the stars. He thought he saw there that the end of the world was at hand, when all at once, down he went into a hole full of mud and water.

There he stood up to his ears, in the muddy water, and madly clawing at the slippery sides of the hole in his effort to climb out.

His cries for help soon brought the villagers running. As they pulled him out of the mud, one of them said:

"You pretend to read the future in the stars, and yet you fail to see what is at your feet! This may teach you to pay more attention to what is right in front of you, and let the future take care of itself."

"What use is it," said another, "to read the stars, when you can't see what's right here on the earth?"

Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.

The End

Children's Corner; Short Stories

The Little Red Hen

   

The little Red Hen was in the farmyard with her chickens, when she found a grain of wheat.

"Who will plant this wheat?" she said.

"Not I," said the Goose.

"Not I," said the Duck.

"I will, then," said the little Red Hen, and she planted the grain of wheat.

When the wheat was ripe she said, "Who will take this wheat to the mill?"

"Not I," said the Goose.

"Not I," said the Duck.

"I will, then," said the little Red Hen, and she took the wheat to the mill.

When she brought the flour home she said, "Who will make some bread with this flour?"

"Not I," said the Goose.

"Not I," said the Duck.

"I will, then," said the little Red Hen.

When the bread was baked, she said, "Who will eat this bread?"

"I will," said the Goose

"I will," said the Duck

"No, you won't," said the little Red Hen. "I shall eat it myself.  Cluck! cluck!"  And she called her chickens to help her.

  

Children's Corner; Poetry

SITTING BY YOUR SELF

THIS child needs your love,
this child sees himself in
mamas arms,
this child sings,
this child laughs,
this child cries, when your
sitting by your self.
THIS child sees your tears,
this child waits untill its
past.
this child sings,
this child laughs,
this child cries, when your
sitting by your self.
THIS child takes your hand,
this child leads you to a
chair.
this child sings,
this child laughs,
this child takes away your pain.

 

DAVID GERARDINO

 

Children’s Health Awareness

       The development of fundamental skills to children are important for a number of reasons, but many of the main/apparent reasons are also the most crucial; obesity and the diseases that follows obesity because of our exercise and diet habits (or lack thereof). Fundamental motor skills are the building blocks of all sports played today as well as other activities that aren't considered sport, but just fun. Without these skills children do not develop accordingly and as such have developed a ‘handicap’ so to speak with regards to fundamental motor skills and sports. Fundamental Motor Skills are essential to a healthy way of life, when fundamental motor skills aren't developed on the level that they should be, many children risk falling behind, not only in school but socially. Again while their environment plays a big factor as well, it is still the responsibility of the parent and teacher to engage their children/students into physical activities.

Through my research I've gathered that the most pertinent problem/issue with the inclusion of health and physical education is with disabled children, though with all of the mentions that I've seen through different scholarly work the concerning issue shouldn't be the disabled students. The problem with the inclusion of disabled students lies within the inadequate schools and professionals that are in charge of these programs. Schools either lack the knowledgeable professionals to advocate for these children or they are seemingly uninterested and as a result disabled children are somewhat lost within the system with regards to physical education.

       Physical Activities should stop when a child has left the school grounds or outside of normal extracurricular activities, but it should also be present at home as well. The home is, and always will be the underlying foundation for anything that is taught to children. It is for the parents and teachers alike to push and educate children on the best avenues for them to live healthy, prosperous lives. The seeds planted today are the flowers of tomorrow and no seed grows without guidance and help. The ‘Let’s Move’ program is an incentive to help children and parents across America integrate nutrition and physical activities into their daily routine. There website http://www.letsmove.gov/make-physical-activity-part-your-familys-routine specifically lists physical activities that parents can do at home with their children, among many other useful tips on nutrition. Some of the activities listed are play tag, swim, toss a ball, jump rope, hula-hoop, dance to music or even play a dancing video game. It doesn't have to be sports—just get your family moving (Let’s Move, 2013)!

• Walk the dog, go for a jog, go on a bike ride, take the stairs or head to the park and let kids run around for a while.
• Celebrate special occasions—like birthdays or anniversaries—with something active, such as a hike, a volleyball or soccer game or playing Frisbee at the park.
• Get the whole family involved in household chores like cleaning, vacuuming, and yard work.
• Walk instead of drive whenever you can. If you have to drive, find a spot at the far end of the parking lot and walk to where you’re going.
• Park farther away and count with your children the number of steps from the car to your destination. Write it down and see if you can park even farther away on your next stop.
• Train as a family for a charity walk or run.

       Here in the U. S Virgin Islands, there are a number of government resources and private organizations that help families maintain physical activities and healthy lifestyle choices. The U.S.V.I Department of Health website has several links that lead to organizations that advocate for children against obesity, as well as the food pyramid, and a dietary guideline recommended by the government to help make the correct choices about what to eat. There is even a list of popular diet plans that have proven to be useful by many and for those of us with different dietary plans located under a link to http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/. The SNAP and WIC programs are also strong, healthy avenues for one to take and follow when trying to regulate your diet; they come with information as well as guidelines for their participants so it is easier to stick with the program. The Happy Cow website offers a listing of vegetarian, vegan, and healthy choice friendly restaurants within the Virgin Islands as well as other places within America, which can be very helpful for many of us that like to travel and try new things, now when you leave your hometown you’ll still be able to make healthy delicious choices. Shopping at the local farmer’s market held at the Bordeaux Agricultural Fair every other weekend and on the last Sunday of the month is also a great place to find all natural, healthy, and fresh fruits, vegetables, refreshments, and food. Shopping at the local farmer’s market is a great way to ensure the use of fresh foods in your diet, as well as a great way to learn how to make healthy meals using these natural resources, using their recommended recipes.  

References

Hastie, P. (2012). Foundations of moving & learning. San Diego, CA. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

SPARK. (2013). Physical Education; Countering Childhood Obesity. Retrieved on January 28, 2013                    from http://www.sparkpe.org/physical-education/k-2/curriculum/lesson-plans/

Let’s Move. (2013). Let’s Move; America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids. Retrieved on             February 4, 2013 from http://www.letsmove.gov/.