The Importance of Health and Literacy

By ENHE Board MemberJoseph Taylor, M.D.

Joseph Taylor is a physician who has practiced Family Medicine and Geriatrics in Hendersonville, Tennessee, for over 30 years.

East Nashville Hope Exchange is all about literacy and that includes health literacy. 

We know that a child’s heath – emotional, physical, and nutritional – has a significant effect on learning. It can be difficult to remember something new when one is stressed out or distracted by other activities or problems. Likewise, it is difficult to learn if one is ill or does not have the fuel required for the brain to functional optimally.

How can you help ensure your child is healthy and prepare to succeed?

• Provide a quiet place for studying/reading without lots of music or TV or other distractions. This habit can reinforce the importance of concentration.
• Talk to your child about stress – in an age appropriate way – and help them feel safe and loved regardless of what else is going on in their life. Open communication about the things that might be causing them stress is a powerful way to work together to problem solve.
• Physical exercise is important for children of all ages and has been proven to improve health. It should be incorporated into your daily schedule. It’s also a great way for a kid to burn off some pent-up energy!
• Proper nutritional also is vital. Consider starting your child’s day off with a meal that incorporates protein and doesn’t have too much sugar. Oatmeal is a great option.

 
By providing our children the tools and resources they need to be healthy, they’ll be more than ready to learn!