You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2672 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Have Fun, Eat Free Helping Children Succeed In School (NAPSA)—The first five years of life are the years of learning that shape kids’ futures, child care experts advise. That’s why health screenings are so crucial to future success—and why many parents are pleased to learn about an easy and effective way to make sure their little ones are ready for school. Free access to an online health screening for kids 5 and under is available from Easter Seals. Parents and caregivers can take the online health survey and share the results with a pediatrician or other health care provider at wellbaby checkups and back-to-school doctor visits. The screening takes about 20 minutes and can show whether kids are meeting their milestones and are developing on track. Why It’s Important More than a million children with unidentified delays and disabilities enter school every year. These health issues put them far behind their peers and have a lasting, negative effect on their ability to meet their full potential. The good news: Kids with delays, disabilities and autism can make significant progress if they get support early in life. Explains Dr. Patricia Wright, National Director of Autism Services, Easter Seals: “Thanks to the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the Ages & Stages Questionnaires [ASQ] is now available on Easter Seals’ Make the First Five Count website to make sure children are achieving their developmental milestones during the important first five years of life and are ready for kindergarten— and what to do if they’re not.” As the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of early intervention ser- Raise your hand if your child is ready for school—an online test can help you tell. vices, Easter Seals knows what’s possible when kids get the support they need…and what happens when they don’t. What Else You Can Do Regardless of how your youngsters develop, there are ways to help them develop a love of learning: •Read to them. In young children, it nurtures an interest in language, words and communication. •Play word games. •Encourage children to write original stories and illustrate them with their own drawings. •Show them the value of math by making connections to everyday life with “teachable math moments,” from cutting slices of pizza to getting gas for the car. •Praise your children’s academic progress. Tell them that you are proud of their efforts. When students are confident in their abilities, they enjoy learning. Free Assessment Survey To help ensure your child is school ready, you can visit www.MaketheFirstFiveCount.org. (NAPSA)—In addition to theme parks and attractions, Orlando, Florida offers enticing savings for visitors. “From August 15 to September 30, Orlando’s room rates are among the lowest of the year and the world’s top theme parks are offering free dining plans,” said Visit Orlando President & CEO George Aguel. Visitors to Orlando, Florida can enjoy free dining as well as great room rates, Aug. 15 to Sept. 30. In addition to dining deals from SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, visitors can take advantage of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month during the entire month of September. This annual event features more than 60 top restaurants— including Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, Emeril’s Orlando, The Capital Grille, Luma on Park, and K Restaurant—all offering threecourse dinners for $33. Visit Orlando’s Magicard, a free, downloadable savings card, offers additional deals on car rentals, golf, spas, outdoor activities and more. For a free vacation planning kit or discount tickets, go to Visit Orlando.com/deals or call (800) 551-0181. Connect with Visit Orlando at Twitter.com/Visit Orlando and Facebook.com/Visit Orlando. Tips On Staying Healthy As You Age (NAPSA)—There’s good news for older individuals who are concerned about their health and fitness. There are simple steps they can take to help them maintain a healthier lifestyle. Experts say that as you age, it’s important to stick with healthy eating habits and get regular physical activity. That’s because staying at a healthy weight may lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Regular physical activity may even help you ward off depression and keep bones and muscles healthy. To help, here are some tips from the Weight-control Information Network (WIN).WIN is a national information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. Get the Fuel You Need •Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. Eat less white bread, rice and pasta made from refined grains. Avoid foods with added sugars or solid fats such as shortening and butter. •Choose high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, and vegetables with deep color, such as kale and sweet potatoes. •Stay hydrated. You might feel less thirsty as you get older, but your body still needs fluid to stay healthy. Tea, water, low-fat milk and other unsweetened drinks may help. Enjoy Movement and Physical Activity •Make physical activity part of As you age, it’s impor tant to check with your doctor to see what types of foods and exercises can help you maintain your health. your daily life. Take short walks throughout your day. If you use a walker or cane, or if walking is hard for you, talk to your doctor about activities that are safe for you to do. •Raise and lower arms and legs for a number of counts to strengthen your muscles. You can even do this while seated. •If you live in an assisted living or retirement facility, ask if the fitness center offers a free health checkup and fitness program. Be Good to Yourself •Get enough sleep. •Join a walking group or other social group. •Stay in touch with family and friends. There’s More For more tips from WIN’s brochure “Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults,” visit www.win. niddk.nih.gov/publications/young_ heart.htm. For more information, call WIN at 1-877-946-4627 or visit www.win.niddk.nih.gov.
