When April arrives, the anxiety-provoking CSAPs are history for another year.  Students, parents, and teachers celebrate the freedom of leaving CSAPs behind in the dust.  But I for one hate to see them slip by so quickly.  How can I feel remorse for abandoning this stressful time in the educational arena?

Well, consider this.  How many times do students hear, “We are not going to give much homework, so you can get a good night’s sleep.”  How often do parents receive a letter pleading, “Please, have your child eat a healthy breakfast before school.”  How often do principals remind teachers, “Let’s decrease stress levels, and be sure to make time for students to play outside.”  How often do parents receive support for encouraging children to make healthy choices?  And don’t forget during CSAPs, suddenly healthy breakfast foods appear at the start of school day, healthy snacks are offered throughout the day, and water bottles mysteriously stand at attention on every student’s desk.

For a few weeks, students, parents, teachers, and administrators share a common goal, success on the CSAPs.  However, the goal I see is supporting kids through healthy choices that directly impact educational success.  Without CSAPs, we rarely unite with these loud and clear messages—eat breakfast, drink water, have healthy snacks, get a good night’s sleep, exercise, and keep stress levels in check.  Suddenly, these words transform into essential life practices. To date, there are more than 200 studies that suggest physical activity supports learning.  The connection between healthy nutrition and brain development for learning in children has also been well established.  For a detailed report visit http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/resources/files/learning-connection.pdf.

What would happen if CSAPs occurred throughout the school year?  Would  children receive consistent messages of healthy learning through healthy living?  I admit year round standardized tests are not the solution, so what are our alternatives?  Is it possible for parents to receive weekly or monthly reminders of the importance of eating a healthy breakfast and adequate sleep?  What would happen if teachers offered extra credit to students who drink a daily water bottle? Imagine scheduled time for daily outdoor or indoor exercise.  Can healthy snacks and lunches become the routine at schools and at home?  Imagine parents, teachers, and principals working together to provide healthy choices, healthy environments, and reduce stress levels in and out of the classroom.  Finally, the medical profession must be involved in providing schools with accurate information when it comes to healthy behaviors.

To enhance learning in children, each of us must step up to the plate to promote healthy choices.  These practices extend beyond words and require regularly modeled behaviors at home and school.  For parents, that means educating our families and making healthy choices a priority, even when inconvenient.  For schools, that means modeling healthy practices and educating children about healthy choices, even when faced with change.  For health care professionals, that means serving as active advocates for healthy learning in children.

Remember as parents, educators, administrators, health care professionals,  community members, and leaders,  we play on one team.  Our team coaches  children to reach their full potential through health and educational successes.  Let’s commit to a collaborative partnership where we lead all children down the path to success, not only during CSAPs, but more importantly, every day of their lives.

©2010 Chris Marchioni, MD