Reviewed by: Mary L., Gavin, MD/KidsHealth
Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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But shots called vaccinations keep you from getting some serious diseases. These diseases could make you very sick. The pinch of a shot isn’t nearly as bad as those illnesses.

Making Antibodies

Shots protect you by giving you only a tiny piece of a disease-causing germ or by giving you a version of the germ that is dead or very weak. Giving a whole germ that’s alive would give you a disease (like measles or chikenpox).

But giving only this tiny, weakened, or dead part of the germ does not give you the disease. Instead, just the opposite happens. Your body responds to the vaccine by making antibodies. These antibodies are part of your immune system, and they can fight the disease if you ever come in contact with that nasty germ.

When your body is protected from a disease in this way, it’s called being immune to an illness. It can’t get you. In most cases, it means you won’t get the illness at all. But sometimes, you can still get a mild case of the illness. This can happen with chickenpox. Even kids who get the shot to prevent chickenpox can still get a case of it. The good news is that they usually don’t get a very bad case of it. Milder cases mean fewer spots and less itching.

Shots are given by injection with a needle. A syringe (say: suh-rinj) holds the liquid vaccine, and the needle has a hole in it for the liquid to squirt through. Shots are usually given in your arm or sometimes your thigh.

First Shots

The good news is that kids get a lot of the shots they need by age 2. So if you’re old enough to read this article, you’ve already had most of your shots! After that, a kid doesn’t need many more.

There are a few shots given when kids are between the ages of 4 and 6 years. The next set of shots isn’t usually until kids are about 11 or 12 years old.

Most kids should have a flu vaccine each year. Some kids will get it as a shot, and some will get it with a spray in the nose.

Why Do Kids Need Shots?

Shots are great for individual kids because it means that they won’t get those serious diseases. But shots are great for the health of the country and world, too. How? When almost all kids have received these shots, it means that these illnesses don’t have much of a chance to make anyone sick.

Because most kids in the United States get all their shots, you rarely meet anyone who has had diseases like measles or mumps. Your mom or dad has probably had to show your school that you’ve had all your shots. Schools and camps do this because they don’t want the kids spreading or catching serious illnesses.

My Aching Arm!

OK, it’s true. Getting a shot can hurt a little. But the pain usually comes and goes pretty quickly. If you cry, don’t worry about it. Lots of kids do.

To make shots easier to take, try bringing your favorite teddy bear or asking your mom or dad to hold your hand while you’re getting a shot. Afterward, you may even get a little treat if you’re brave! Maybe your doctor gives out stickers or your mom and dad will take you to the playground.

Sometimes after a shot, your arm will hurt, look red, or have a small bump where the needle went in. You also could have a fever. Your mom or dad can talk to the doctor about any problems you have. Usually, the pain goes away quickly or after you take some pain reliever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

It’s OK if you don’t like shots, but remember that they are your best shot at staying healthy!

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD/KidsHealth
Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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But knowing that doesn’t make it easier when you look in the mirror and see a big pimple on your chin! The good news is that learning about acne and taking some simple steps can help you feel better about your face.

Acne is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps. They include whiteheads, blackheads, red bumps (pimples), and bumps that are filled with pus (pustules). What causes these annoying bumps? Well, your skin is covered with tiny holes called hair follicles, or pores. Pores contain sebaceous (say: suh-bay-shus) glands (also called oil glands) that make sebum (say: see-bum), an oil that moistens your hair and skin.

Most of the time the glands make the right amount of sebum, and the pores are fine. But sometimes a pore gets clogged up with too much sebum, dead skin cells, and germs called bacteria. This can cause acne.

If a pore gets clogged up, closes, and bulges out from the skin, that’s a whitehead. If a pore clogs up but stays open, the top surface can get dark and you’re left with a blackhead. Sometimes the walls of the pore are broken, allowing sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to get under the skin. This causes a small, red infection called a pimple. Clogged-up pores that open up deep in the skin can lead to bigger infections known as cysts.

Why Do So Many Kids Get Acne?

A lot of kids and teens get a type of acne called acne vulgaris. It usually appears on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest. Teens and kids get acne because of the hormone changes that come with puberty. As you grow up and your body begins to develop, these hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to make more sebum, and the glands can become overactive. When there is too much sebum, that oil clogs the pores and leads to acne.

If your parent had acne as a teen, it’s likely that you will, too. Stress may make acne worse, because when you’re stressed, your pores may make more sebum. Luckily, for most people, acne gets better by the time they’re in their twenties.

What Can I Do About Acne?

If you’re worried about acne, here are some ways to keep pimples away:

• To help prevent the oil buildup that can lead to acne, wash your face once or twice a day with warm water and a mild soap or cleanser.
• Don’t scrub your face. Scrubbing can actually make acne worse by irritating the skin. Wash gently, using your hands instead of a washcloth.
• If you wear makeup, moisturizer, or sunscreen, make sure they are “oil-free,” “noncomedogenic,” or “nonacnegenic.”
• When you wash your face, take the time to remove all of your makeup.
• If you use hair sprays or gels, try to keep them away from your face because they can clog pores.
• If you have long hair, keep it away from your face and wash it regularly to reduce oil.
• Baseball caps and other hats can cause pimples along the hairline. Avoid them if you think they are worsening your acne.
• Wash your face after you’ve been exercising and sweating a lot.
• Try not to touch your face.
• Don’t pick, squeeze, or pop pimples.

Many lotions and creams are sold at drugstores to help prevent acne and clear it up. You can try different ones to see which helps. Products with benzoyl peroxide (say: ben-zoil peh-rok-side) or salicylic (say: sal-uh-sil-ick) acid in them are usually pretty helpful for treating acne. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that can lead to acne and it also can reduce swelling (puffiness) of pimples. Salicylic acid is another acne-fighting ingredient. It causes skin to dry out and peel, which can help get rid of pimples, too.

When you use a product for acne, be sure to follow the directions exactly. Don’t use more than you’re supposed to because it can make your skin very red and very dry. It’s also good to try just a little bit at first to be sure that you’re not allergic to the product. Don’t give up if you don’t see results the next day. Acne medicine can take weeks or months to work.

What If I Get Pimples Anyway?

Some kids will rarely get a pimple — those lucky ducks! But many kids will get some pimples, even if they take steps to prevent acne. It’s totally normal. In fact, some girls who have a handle on their acne may find that it comes out a few days before they get their periods. This is a common problem called premenstrual acne and is caused by hormonal changes in the body. Boys undergo hormonal changes, too, and may be more likely to suffer from severe forms of acne.

Even if you get acne, you don’t want to make it worse. That’s why it’s important to keep your hands off your pimples. Try not to touch, squeeze, or pick at a pimple. When you play around with pimples, you can cause even more inflammation by poking at them or opening them up. Plus, the oil from your hands can’t help! The worst part, though, is that picking at pimples may lead to scars on your face.

Some people will tell you that sitting out in the sun helps acne. But this isn’t true. A suntan can make acne look less severe by hiding pimples, but it won’t help them go away. And too much sun isn’t a good idea anyway because it can give you a sunburn today and wrinkles and skin cancer later in life.

Kids who have serious acne can get help from their doctor or a dermatologist (a doctor who treats skin problems). Doctors can prescribe stronger medicine than you can buy at the store. Acne prescriptions can include stronger creams that prevent pimples from forming or antibiotics that decrease swelling (puffiness) and kill bacteria that cause pimples.

If you have acne, now you know some ways to improve your skin. And remember that you’re not alone. Look around at your friends and you’ll see that most kids and teens are in it together!

Reviewed by: Patrice Hyde, MD/KidsHealth

Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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So how does one handle a holiday like this? Here are our top tips that will hopefully fill this day with a little bit of pleasure.

Get out of dodge. Change up your environment and take a weekend getaway. Plan your trip in advance—this way you’ll have something to look forward to instead of dreading the upcoming holiday. Your focus will be on your new adventure—dreaming about the future instead of thinking about the past. And consider this extra bonus: A trip that features some serious R&R can be a great way to get pregnant—think of it as a “procreation vacation.” Check out these conception-friendly resort packages!

Please your palate. Just for one day, store all your super-healthy eating habits away in the cabinet next to those rice cakes and live it up at bit. While trying to conceive, perhaps you’ve been focusing on nutritious foods, plenty of water, and never missing a day of your prenatal vitamins. But today is a day to eat and drink whatever you want. Have your partner make you something special—and don’t skimp on the good stuff! Go for the butter, chocolate, wine … you name it! Plus, enjoying a meal in the comfort of your own home will help you avoid restaurants serving Mother’s Day brunches.

Pamper yourself. Yes, you deserve it. Time spent trying to get pregnant can be taxing on your body and on your mind. Get a massage, get a manicure, get a new haircut, get some new makeup—just get out of the house and get to the pampering!

Steer clear of card shops. Really, just don’t go there.

Go to the movies. Go see a comedy in the middle of the day and laugh your buns off. Heck, see two in a row. As they say, laughter is the best medicine. Be sure to choose one that’s appropriate only for adults—no kids allowed!

Head outdoors. On Mother’s Day, go celebrate with the greatest Mama of all: Mother Nature. Hang out at the beach, take a hike the woods, swim in the ocean, or bike along your favorite trail. Nature has a knack for getting us out of our heads and into a different frame of mind. Plus, you most likely won’t see big balloons or banners screaming “Happy Mother’s Day” in the great outdoors.

Present yourself with a present. Either buy one for yourself, or flat out tell you partner that you’d like something special. Why? Because although you may not have a baby in your arms this Mother’s Day, you’re been putting out some serious mother energy in trying to conceive, so you deserve some recognition on this day as well.

So, whether you’ve been trying the old-fashioned way (leaving it up to fate) or have been exploring fertility treatments, whether you’ve been trying for three years or three months, whether you’ve always dreamed of being a mom or have just felt the pull in the recent past, you too deserve something special this Mother’s Day.

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Huh? Would you like a translation? Here it is: For your information (FYI), your body mass index (BMI) is pretty darn important (PDI).

Did you know you had a BMI? Body mass index is a calculation that uses your height and weight to estimate how much body fat you have. Too much body fat is a problem because it can lead to illnesses and other health problems.

BMI, although not a perfect method for judging someone’s weight, is often a good way to check on how a kid is growing.

The best way to determine your BMI is to have your doctor do it for you. That way, you’ll know the number is accurate and your doctor can discuss the result with you and your mom or dad.

Four Categories

Once you know your BMI, you’ll learn that you are in one of four categories:

1. Underweight: less than the 5^th percentile
2. Healthy weight: greater than or equal to 5^th but less than 85^th percentiles (in other words: 5^th to 84^th percentile)
3. Overweight: greater than or equal to 85^th but less than 95^th percentiles (85^th to 94^th percentile)
4. Obese: greater than or equal to the 95^th percentile

A kid whose BMI is at the 50^th percentile is close to average compared with the kids of the same age and gender who were measured to make the chart. A kid at the 85^th to 94^th percentiles is considered overweight. And a kid who measures at or above the 95^th percentile is considered obese, a term doctors use that means very overweight.

How BMI Can Change

It’s important to remember that BMI is interpreted differently for adults. There are separate charts for men and women, but they don’t use percentiles at all — just number ranges that are considered underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese (which means very overweight). That’s because adults have stopped growing and their age is no longer a major consideration when it comes to weight.

Kids, on the other hand, are growing. And it’s common for kids to gain weight during certain times in childhood, such as puberty. The charts take growth into account.

The following example shows that in action: Here’s a look at a boy as he grows yet stays in the 50^th percentile for BMI, which means he’s average. Notice that his BMI goes up and down, but he continues to stay at the same percentile.

Where BMI Can Fall Short

BMI is not the whole story when it comes to someone’s weight. A more muscular kid might have a higher weight and BMI but not have too much body fat. A smaller kid could have an ideal BMI, but might have less muscle and too much body fat.

Also, it’s very common for kids to gain weight quickly — and see the BMI go up — during puberty. Because of these and other considerations, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have questions about whether you are at your ideal weight.

If your doctor tells you your BMI is high, don’t let it get you down. Instead, talk to your doctor about what you should do to lower your BMI. Unlike adults, kids don’t usually need to diet. But by eating healthier and getting more exercise, a kid can improve his or her BMI.

Controlling a weight problem while you’re still a kid can help you avoid becoming an overweight adult and developing health problems like diabetes and heart disease. With a little effort, your BMI will be JWIOTB — just where it ought to be!

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD/KidsHealth
Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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Earwax is made in the outer ear canal. This is the area between the fleshy part of the ear on the outside of your head (the part you can see) and the middle ear. The skin in the outer ear canal has special glands that produce earwax. The fancy name for this waxy stuff is cerumen (say: suh-roo-mun).

After the wax is produced, it slowly makes its way through the outer ear canal to the opening of the ear. Then it either falls out or is removed when you wash. In most people, the outer ear canal makes earwax all the time, so the canal always has enough wax in it.

So why do we need wax? Earwax has several important jobs. First, it protects and moisturizes the skin of ear canal, preventing dry, itchy ears. Second, it contains special chemicals that fight off infections that could hurt the skin inside the ear canal. Finally, it acts as a shield between the outside world and the eardrum. When dust, dirt, and other things enter your ear, the earwax traps them so they can’t travel any further.

If you want to get rid of earwax, here’s what you need to do: nothing! Most kids don’t need to do anything special to remove earwax. If you wash your hair regularly, this is enough to keep your ears clean.

You can wipe the outside of your ear with a washcloth but don’t use a cotton swab, your finger, or anything else to poke around inside your ear to remove earwax. Your ear canal and eardrum are very delicate, and you may hurt them or cause bleeding by trying to get rid of wax this way. Poking around in your ear can also push and pack the wax in further.

In some kids, one or both ear canals make extra earwax. If this sounds like you, tell an adult. Doctors often can prescribe special medicines that are placed in the ear to get rid of extra wax.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD/Kidshealth

Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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What Exactly Is Cheating?

Cheating is when a person misleads, deceives, or acts dishonestly on purpose. For kids, cheating may happen at school, at home, or while playing a sport. If a baseball team is for kids who are 8 or younger, it’s cheating for a 9-year-old to play on the team and hit home run after home run.

At school, in addition to cheating on a test, a kid might cheat by stealing someone else’s idea for a science project or by copying a book report off the Internet and turning it in as if it’s his or her original work. Copying someone else’s words or work and saying they’re yours is a type of cheating called plagiarizing (say: play-jeh-rise-ing).

How Do People Cheat?

Cheating can happen in a lot of different ways. Jeff is doing it by sneaking answers to a test, but it’s also cheating to break the rules of a game or contest or to pretend something is yours when it isn’t. When people cheat, it’s not fair to other people, like the kids who studied for the test or who were the true winners of a game or contest.

It’s tempting to cheat because it makes difficult things seem easy, like getting all the right answers on the test. But it doesn’t solve the problem of not knowing the material and it won’t help on the next test — unless the person cheats again.

Sometimes it may seem like cheaters have it all figured out. They can watch TV instead of studying for the spelling test. But other people lose respect for cheaters and think less of them. The cheaters themselves may feel bad because they know they are not really earning that good grade. And, if they get caught cheating, they will be in trouble at school, and maybe at home, too.

Why Kids Cheat

Some kids cheat because they’re busy or lazy and they want to get good grades without spending the time studying. Other kids might feel like they can’t pass the test without cheating. Even when there seems to be a “good reason” for cheating, cheating isn’t a good idea.

If you were sick or upset about something the night before and couldn’t study, it would be better to talk with the teacher about this. And if you don’t have enough time to study for a test because of swim practice, you need to talk with your parents about how to balance swimming and school.

A kid who thinks cheating is the only way to pass a test needs to talk with the teacher and his or her parents so they can find some solutions together. Talking about these problems and working them out will feel better than cheating.

Truth and Consequences

Many kids feel tempted to cheat once in a while. Most resist and do the work instead. Some kids cheat once and feel so bad that they never do it again. Others get caught and decide it isn’t worth it. Unfortunately, some kids start cheating and feel like they can’t stop.

Kids who cheat may feel worried about getting caught. Whether they are caught or not, these kids may feel guilty, or embarrassed, or ashamed — or all three. Even if the cheater feels fine or doesn’t get caught, that doesn’t mean it’s OK. If you see someone cheating, or if someone asks to copy your work, you can tell a teacher or another grown-up.

Kids who get caught cheating might be given a “zero” score on the assignment, be sent to the principal’s office, and have their parents contacted. Worse than the bad grade may be the feeling of having disappointed other people, like parents and teachers. A parent may worry that you are not an honest person and a teacher might watch you more closely the next time you’re taking a test.

Cheaters cheat themselves in a way because they don’t make an honest attempt to learn as much as they can. For instance, if you cheat your way through spelling tests, you won’t learn how to spell. That can katch — I mean catch — up with you when you get older! And adults who cheat — at work, sports, or in their relationships — get into serious trouble, far more serious than a bad grade on a spelling test.

Making a Comeback

There are plenty of reasons why a kid shouldn’t cheat, but some kids have already cheated. If that’s you, it’s never too late to stop cheating. Cheating can become a habit, but like other bad habits, a kid can always decide to act better and make better choices. It might help to talk the problem over with a parent, teacher, or counselor. Choosing to play fair and be honest again can help a kid feel relieved and proud.

There’s an old saying that cheaters never win and winners never cheat. This may sound confusing because sometimes it seems like cheaters do win — at least for the moment. But kids who don’t cheat are true winners because, when they win, they do it fair and square.

Reviewed by: D’ Arcy Lyness, Phd, KidsHealth
Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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Middle school is called middle school because it’s in the middle of your school years. Elementary school is behind you. High school and possibly college still await you. Middle school often includes sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, but you might go to middle school earlier or later, depending on how it’s done in your area.

For a kid, going to middle school is often a big change:

• First, it often means moving to a new building, which takes some time to adjust to.
• Second, it may mean taking a different bus, with different students.
• Third, the friends you made in elementary school may end up going to different middle schools.

All that can make you feel a bit scared on the first day of school.

Other things that probably will be different are the teachers and the work. Have you heard rumours that middle school teachers are really mean and the homework is really, really hard? Oh, dear. We’ve heard those, too, but they’re generally not true. Yes, you’ll like some teachers better than others, but middle schools are not special breeding grounds for mean teachers!

Learning New Stuff

Your homework — and the work you do in class — likely will get more challenging, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You’re growing up and you get to build on all that learning you already did in elementary school. You’ll also probably be learning some new and different stuff in middle school — like foreign languages, more advanced courses in computer technology, music and art, health, and life skills, such as cooking.

On top of that, middle school will probably offer a variety of new teams, clubs, and activities you can join. Maybe you love lacrosse, ceramics, or jazz music. You might find opportunities to do all three at middle school.

Still worried about middle school? Let’s talk about how to make the transition and not get too freaked out!

Visit more than once. Most middle schools have orientation day for students who will be attending in the fall. Orientation is a day when you tour the school and get a little information about what it will be like to go there. Another great way to get oriented is to attend a concert or sporting event at your new school. And talk to friends who already go there. Ask them about any problems they had and ask if they could help you if you need it when you get there. It’s cool to have an older kid as a friend at your new school!

It also might help if your mom or dad drove you to the school in the summertime. You might see sports teams practicing outside and just get a flavour of the place. It’s also good to get an idea of where it is in your area. Is it over near the mall or on the other side of town?

Prepare for Day 1. Read any materials you get at orientation or that arrive by mail in the summer. Are there books you need to read or supplies you have to buy? You’ll also want to figure out what time school starts and what time the bus will pick you up, if you take one. Then you can decide what time you’ll need to wake up. You also might want to find out when your lunch is. If it’s later than usual, you might want to pack a snack. Also in advance, think about what you’ll wear. Choose something that you like and feel comfortable in. If you’ll be wearing a uniform, try it on to see that all the pieces fit and that they feel good.

Get to bed on time the night before! Try to get a good night’s sleep — even if you’re so excited you don’t think you can sleep. Before bed, lay out all your stuff so you don’t forget anything. Set your alarm, but tell your mom or dad when you need to get up in case you sleep right through it!

On the big day, eat breakfast and be brave. Breakfast might seem skippable if you’re in a major hurry, but don’t cut it out. You’ll feel terrible by mid-morning, just when you need your energy and brain power to navigate your new school.

On your way out the door, take everything you need and try to remember that this is a big adventure. You might get lost in the halls. Oh well, it’s your first day! Check in with friends you know and try to be brave and say “hi” to other new kids. Don’t know the kid with the locker next to yours? Say “hello.” You’ll be seeing a lot of each other this year!

In class, listen to what the teacher says and take notes because it’s hard to remember everything. Try to write down the important stuff — like your locker combination and your homeroom number. Then you can look it over when you get home and be prepared for Day 2.

On Day 2, repeat. On the second day, do everything you did on Day 1. Hopefully, things are starting to go a little more smoothly. Keep referring to your notes. It might help to look over your class schedule at home so you start to memorize that math follows English and science follows gym, but only on Tuesdays!

After 1 week, pat yourself on the back. When you’ve been at your school for a whole week, it’s time to give yourself a round of applause. You’ve probably absorbed a ton of new information — all in a short time. You probably know your locker combination, where your assigned seat is in all your classes, where the bathrooms are, and how to get to the cafeteria. Do you still get lost on the way to gym? If so, find a buddy who goes to gym at the same time and walk together.

Solving Problems Beyond Week 1

If you find you’re having trouble with schoolwork or friends, don’t panic but do get help. Just like in elementary school, ask the teacher for extra help after class if you don’t understand something you’re learning. You also might have study halls in middle school — these free periods are great for talking to a teacher or getting a jump on your homework.

Also talk to your mom or dad if you’re having trouble with your classes. It could be that you’re just a little rusty after that long summer, but if your problems don’t go away, you’ll want to talk to the teacher and maybe a school counsellor.

When it comes to friends, the switch to a new school can leave you feeling a little dizzy. What if your best friend isn’t in any of your classes and you never see him or her? What if none of your friends even goes to your school? Middle school is a good time to make new connections and new friends.

Sometimes, it’s easy to make a new friend. You might meet the first day and then hang out all year long. But it can also go more slowly, especially if it seems like a lot of kids are already hanging out together in groups that don’t include you. Let someone know how it’s going for you. Talk to your mom, dad, or a school counsellor if you’re feeling lonely and it’s not getting any better.

You might wonder what you can do to feel less lonely and make friends. Here’s something: Try joining a club, sport, or activity. It’s a great way to get to know kids you don’t know yet. Being in these groups also can help you feel more at home at your school. By next year, you’ll be that cool older kid who’s helping out the new kid. If he’s lost on the way to the gym, please show him the way!

Reviewed by: Mary L.Gavin, MD/KidsHealth
Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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The Scoop

There might be a biological reason behind why men suddenly show their sensitive sides more often when they become new dads—and it has everything to do with decreasing levels of testosterone. So what gives?

In a study from Northwestern University, researchers tracked hormones levels in a group of 600 men over five years. In the group, those who never became fathers saw a 14 percent drop in their testosterone levels, a dip considered to a normal factor of aging. But men who became dads saw testosterone levels plummet an average of 34 percent. Testosterone tanked even more in men with newborns. In this group, testosterone levels dropped a whopping 50 percent—and their levels remained low until their kid was a toddler. But the guys with the lowest hormone levels? Stay-at-home dads who spent more than three hours a day caring for children.

Your Guy

What is it about diapers that makes a man’s main sex hormone seem to head for the hills? According to a report in the New York Times, it could be that men’s bodies evolved hormonal systems that helped them commit to their families once children were born. In other words, while higher levels of testosterone may help men be more successful at finding a mate, high testosterone levels may hinder the nurturing required for childcare. Some experts even say that lowered levels of testosterone in new dads may help them to be more faithful in their relations.

The findings, researchers say, could almost be demonized, “like, ‘Oh my God, fathers, don’t take care of your kids because your testosterone will drop way down,’” says Lee Gettler, an anthropologist at Northwestern University and co-author of the study (quote via the NY Times). “But this should be viewed as, ‘Oh it’s great, women aren’t the only ones biologically adapted to be parents.’”

Edited by:  Jacqeline Tourville/Babies Today

Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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Boys, especially, might wish for bigger muscles, but their bodies can’t build that kind of adult muscle until they’re older. On the bright side, both boys and girls can do a lot to build strong, healthy muscles. Let’s find out how.

Playing Makes Muscles

It sounds too simple, but it’s true. Playing, running, jumping, and riding your bike can make your muscles stronger. Any physical activity you like to do — from dancing to playing football — can make you stronger. Why? Because you’re using your muscles when you do it.

Eat Strong

What should you eat if you want strong muscles? You might think you need a lot of foods that contain protein (such as meat and eggs) or foods that contain iron.

But no one magical food helps build muscles. Your muscles — and your entire body — will be strong and healthy if you eat a variety of nutritious foods.

Should You Pump Iron?

Some kids want to lift weights so they can look bigger and stronger. But lifting weights won’t produce big muscles in kids who haven’t gone through puberty yet, and lifting heavy weights can be dangerous to kids’ muscles and tendons.

With supervision from a coach or trainer, kids can do some light weightlifting or exercise with resistance bands (large rubber bands). This kind of exercise can improve muscle tone, meaning a kid’s muscles will be leaner and stronger, but not really bigger.

Push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups also help build strong muscles. But so can plain old running, jumping, and climbing.

Get the message? More playtime means stronger muscles. Now that’s something to get pumped up about!

Reviewed by: Mary L.Gavin, MD/Kids Health
Date reviewed: September 2010

Published by: 4KidsWithLove

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