Growing up healthy

Each child is unique. Some children achieve developmental and physical skills before others, while some achieve them later. Regardless of the age and stage of development, all children need love, encouragement and support to feel secure, safe and confident in their actions.

Whether you're a parent, a teenager or someone researching child health topics, the following publications offer information on helping children to grow up healthy.

Healthy eating and active living

• Healthy eating and active living for pregnancy, and from baby to teen
• Childhood obesity
  • Our Health Our Future: A National Dialogue on Healthy Weights
  • Curbing Childhood Obesity: A FPT Framework for Action to Promote Healthy Weights

Growth and development

• Pre-school growth and development
• Developing Children, Developing Parents – audio resources

Dental care

• A Parent's Guide to Healthy Teeth for Children Birth to Six Years (tip cards included) 2002

Immunizations

• Immunizations in Alberta

Injury prevention

• Injury and injury prevention resources
• Injury prevention and safety services – Alberta Health Services
• Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research

Education

• A Family Talks About AIDS – Questions Children Might Ask – July 1999
• Do Bugs Need Drugs? This community education website explores the problem of antibiotic resistance.
• What to Say When They Ask: Talking About Sexuality With Your Child 1999
• Alberta Children and Youth Initiative – recommended resources
  • Internet:
    • GetWebWise 
    • Weron2u.ca – teen site
    • badguypatrol.ca – ages 5–7 and 8–10
  • Violence:
    • Prevention of family violence and bullying 
    • bullyfreealberta.ca 
    • b-free.ca – teen site

Adolescence

General information

• Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating – Health Canada
• Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868
• BLAST – Alberta Lung Association
• Mental Health For Children and Youth
• Grip Magazine 

Puberty and sexuality

• Sexual Health