We all have foods we dislike, and some of us might be termed picky eaters, but when we have to deal with a youngster who refuses to eat the food we prepare -- the experience can be frustrating, acknowledges an expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Picky eating tends to rear its head during the preschool years, a time when young children are learning to assert themselves. "Picky eating may be a child's attempt to be independent -- which is a natural part of development," said registered dietitian Katherine French, a nutrition, diet and health educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Mercer County. (more)
The return to school marks an abrupt transition in a family's routine. It forces children into a schedule that in turn affects playtime, sleep and other free time. That's why creating an effective schedule, both before and after returning to school, is important for improving performance for kids and parents alike, according to an expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. (more)
Unplug the TV, turn off the computer and force the kids to quit stalling and go to bed. Doing so can help parents and caregivers recover up to 200 hours of sleep a year lost to children's nighttime awakenings, according to a Penn State Cooperative Extension expert. "American children sleep less than doctors recommend. In fact, two-thirds experience frequent sleep problems," said Laurie Weinreb-Welch, a children, youth and family extension educator based in Clinton County, Pennsylvania. (more)
Turns out, for most people, eating between meals may not be such a bad thing after all. Healthy snacking is a great way for kids and adults to keep up energy levels, avoid overeating at main meals and ensure that they are consuming enough essential nutrients, according to a registered dietician in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. "Nearly all children need at least one healthy snack a day," said Katherine French, a nutrition, diet and health educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Mercer County. Younger children may require two to three snacks per day, while older children may only need one. (more)
Big-box stores are featuring prominent and colorful displays of back-to-school gear, hoping for excited parents to quickly make choices and move on. But by budgeting for back-to-school clothing and supplies, a family can purchase exactly what is needed and save money, according to experts in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Cathy Bowen, professor of agricultural and extension education, likens back-to-school shopping to grocery shopping. "Smart shoppers keep a running list of what they need. When preparing for a run to the grocery store, they evaluate what they have already and what they need in order to prepare the coming week's menu," she said. (more)
Your mother was right -- breakfast is the most important meal of the day, according to an expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Eating breakfast improves concentration, memory and problem-solving ability, said Katherine French, registered dietitian and extension educator in Mercer County. French offers several recommendations to encourage even reluctant breakfast-eaters to consume healthy, filling morning calories. (more)
Welcome Week is a busy time for students new to Penn State University Park, but even University President Graham B. Spanier was kept on his toes by all the activity around campus. Spanier, making every effort to get to know as many new students as possible during their first days on campus, participated in a variety of activities aimed at building lasting relationships with the freshman class. With more than 7,300 students, this class of 2012 kept him busy in the last week, with such activities as dorm move-in, meals with residents, orientation events of Schreyer Honors College, magic tricks during LateNight Penn State in the HUB, and even two nights as a guest roommate in 118 Pinchot Hall. For photos of some of Spanier's activity over the past few days, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1795 online. (more)
Many college students own a credit card, and most manage their debt responsibly. But the small percentage of college students who find themselves accumulating debt on a credit card are in for some troubling times, said Mary Beth Pinto, Penn State professor of marketing and research associate of the Center for Credit & Consumer Research (CCCR) at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. (more)
For any student, going away to college and encountering new academic and social pressures can be a challenging experience. For some, those challenges, as well as pre-existing conditions, can result in issues that need the attention of qualified mental health experts. Dennis Heitzmann, director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Penn State's University Park campus and an expert in college student mental health issues, said that the preponderance of students his center sees are dealing with anxiety and depression, but that each client is dealing with a unique situation. (more)
When Karan Jani of India thought about going to school in the United States, he imagined himself in a big city, surrounded by tall buildings and lots of people. Stepping onto the Penn State University Park campus for the first time was a bit of a surprise. "I've never been to the United States. It's different from what you see in movies and on TV," he said. Jani and other international students have found that the big university in the small college town is something they got used to quickly and enjoy now. (more)
