Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities

Ensuring that all children have access to ongoing, quality health care is essential to their development and well-being. Children whose physical, oral, and mental health needs are met in their early years are more likely to be ready to learn and succeed.

What is physical health?

Physical health is the overall physical condition of a person's body. Parents and caregivers should try to ensure children receive the best health care and health education possible. This means children need to have regular well-child check-ups with a doctor.

Parents and caregivers can also promote children's physical health by making sure healthy practices are used in the home and other care settings. Washing hands, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, preparing food safely, and brushing teeth regularly are just a few ways to keep children in good physical health. It is equally important for adults to model healthy behaviors and attitudes to young children as they grow and develop.

For more information about promoting children's physical health, visit these Websites:

What is oral health?

Oral health refers to the health of a person's teeth and mouth. Maintaining good oral health includes keeping teeth free from cavities and keeping gums free from disease.

It is important for parents and caregivers to give special attention caring for their children's teeth and gums from the time a child is born. Although it is not recommended for young children to visit a dentist until they show their first tooth (or no later than their first birthday), caring for an infant's oral health is an essential part of the child's development (Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry).

As children grow and develop in the first years, parents and caregivers should model appropriate teeth brushing and make it a fun activity for them. Parents and caregivers should also teach children about why brushing their teeth is important. There are a number of fun oral health activities that adults can do with young children. For more information about oral health activities for young children, visit: http://www.ada.org/public/education/teachers/smilesmarts/shining.asp

For more information about promoting children's oral health, visit these Websites:

What is mental health?

Mental health is how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood. For young children, their mental health is commonly referred to as social/emotional development. Social/emotional development refers to young children's behaviors, self-control, initiative, attachment and ability to form positive, trusting relationships with others. These skills are essential to children's well-being and success in school and in life.

For more information about promoting children's social/emotional development, visit these Websites:

Health Care for all Children

In 2007, Washington became a national leader in ensuring health coverage for all children. Washington's children's health coverage law (Senate Bill 5093) provides affordable, comprehensive health coverage options to all children in the state and includes measures to ensure that every child will get high-quality care in a “medical home.” (Source: Children's Alliance, 2007)

Need help finding health insurance for your child? Visit the Washington State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Web site at:
http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/chip/