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adjustment and achievement. Parents must collaborate with teachers and school personnel to ensure that the child is fulfilling the expectations and requirements for this age group in school. Parents must monitor the child’s homework assignments and friends, and observe for any changes in behavior that would indicate school or behavioral problems. Reading Encouraging reading is an excellent way to promote learning in the school-age child. Trips to the library and purchasing books help to promote a love of reading. School-age children enjoy being read to as well as reading on their own. Younger school-age children (6 to 8 years) enjoy books that are simple to read with few words on a page, such as the Dr. Seuss books. They enjoy books about animals and trains and simple mysteries. Children 8 to 10 years of age have more advanced reading skills and enjoy those books from early childhood, plus more classic novels and adventures such as the Harry Potter series. Older children enjoy horror stories, mysteries, romances, and adventure stories as well as classic novels. School-age children of all ages benefit from books on topics related to things they may be experiencing, such as a visit to the hospitalfor a surgical procedure. See Box 6.1 for ideas for parents to promote reading in the school-age child. Promoting Safety School-age children become more independent with age. This independence leads to an increased self-confidence and decreased fears, which may contribute to accidents and injuries. School age is a time that the child may walk to school with peers who may influence his or her behavior. Increased independence may also increase exposure to dangerous situations such as the approach of strangers or unsafe streets. Promotion of safe habits during the school-age years is important for parents and nurses. See Teaching Guidelines 6.1 for additional information on safety education for nurses and parents. BOX 6.1 PROMOTION OF READING IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN • Parents, read to and with your children. • Ask teachers and librarians for advice on books appropriate for your child. • Choose stories that the child can relate to if the child has difficulty reading. • Choose books with movement if the child has a short attention span. • Take advantage of allreading opportunities (cereal boxes, road signs). • Provide choices for the child to select a book of interest. • Talk about the text and ask questions to improve understanding. • Keep a record of what the child is reading. • Visit a library, get a library card, and check out books. • Parents, demonstrate role modeling through reading books. Teaching Guidelines 6.1 SAFETY ISSUES AND INTERVENTIONS OF THE SCHOOL-AGE CHILD Safety Issue Interventions Car safety • Seat belt or age- and weight-appropriate booster seat should be used at all times. • Seat belts should be fastened before car is started. • Children under 12 years must sit in back seat. • Childproof locks should be used in back seat. • Rules of conduct for car rides must be established. Pedestrian safety • Child should be instructed on looking right, left, then right again before crossing the street; and crossing only at safe crossings. • Older children and adults should provide supervision of younger children. • Walking should only be done on sidewalks. • In parking lots, children should know to watch for cars backing up and not dart out between parked cars. • If children are playing outside, drivers should be aware of their presence before backing up. Bike safety: general • Bikes should be well-maintained and appropriately sized. • Child should be oriented to bike and demonstrate ability to ride bike safely before being allowed to ride on street. • Safe areas for bike riding should be established as well as routes to and from area of activities. • Riding bike barefoot, with someone else on bike, or with clothing that might get entangled in the bike should be prohibited. • Child should know to wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes. • Child should know to wear ANSI-approved helmets. • Bike should be inspected often to ensure it is in proper working order. • A basket should be used to carry heavy objects. Bike safety in traffic • All traffic signs and signals must be observed. • If riding at night, the bike should have lights and reflectors and the rider should wear light-colored clothes. • Child should know to ride on the side of the road traveling with traffic, and keep close to the side of the road in single file. • Child should learn to watch and listen for cars. • Headphones should not be used while riding a bike. • Never hitch a ride on any vehicles. Sports safety • Sports should be matched to child’s ability and desire. • Sports program should have warm-up procedure. • Coaches should be trained in car-diopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. • Appropriate protection devices should be used for individualsport. Skateboarding and inline skating safety • Child should wear helmet, and protective padding on knees, elbows, and wrists • Child should know not skate in traffic or on streets or highways. Homemade ramps should be assessed for hazards before skating. All-terrain vehicle safety • Child should be at least 16 years of age to operate vehicle. • Helmets must be worn in addition to protective coverings. • No nighttime riding. • Use should be avoided on public roads. • Never stand up in the vehicle or ride in a person’s lap. • All homes should have working smoke detectors
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