Child Month 2015 message to schools

by the Hon Girlyn Miguel

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education

Every year I look forward to the month of May with a sense of awe and nostalgia. It is Child Month again and I think, what a privilege! Do you realize that you are growing up very quickly? Treasure your childhood. Make good memories that will sustain you when you get older. Yes! Over 50 percentage of the population of St Vincent and the Grenadines are under the age of 40 – young people in whose hands lies the future of this country.{{more}} However, in order for continuity to occur we must put things in place that will ensure that this happens. This brings to my mind the theme for Child Month 2015 – “Nutrition and Play: Healthy Children Today.” There are two essential components mentioned here that will impact children’s learning – they are what our children eat and how they learn. So, for just a few minutes or so I want to talk to you about what you eat and your learning process.

Here is a quote for you to think about: “To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.” In other words, people need to eat in order to survive, but the person who eats wisely has mastered the art of eating, so that he or she gains the ultimate benefit. Put it another way, some of you make unwise choices in the foods you eat. Do you ever think about why you eat? The easy answers are because you are hungry, or you are tired, or because your stomach is rumbling. You might also eat because you are bored, sad, happy, or just because that chocolate-covered cake or cheesecake looks so good. Those are just a few of the emotional and physical reasons why you eat; but do you ever put much thought into why your body needs food? Not just any food by the way, but healthy, really good-for-you food? In other words, do you really think about nutrition and its importance when you decide to eat?

At primary and secondary schools, many of you usually forego hot nutritious breakfast at home for soda beverages and fried chicken. Research has shown a direct relationship between breakfast and educational achievement. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that a healthy breakfast enhances learning, since children’s brain will be less sluggish and more alert. Two researchers have advised that snacking on high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt food items should be discouraged, because it sets the pattern that favours the development of high blood pressure and the hardening of the arteries of the heart. So, when you rush daily to buy the chemically flavoured snacks, it is quite likely that you are setting the foundation for high-blood pressure and heart problems. Do not let the fast food culture become ingrained in your eating habits. This reminds me of a story I read:

Billy’s mother dropped him off in town while she did shopping and errands. “Enjoy yourself, dear!” she said, as she handed Billy $25.

“I sure will!” Billy said, as he took the money and walked away.

Several hours later, Billy’s mother returned. She found him sitting on a bench in a park looking not so good.

“Well, did you enjoy yourself, dear?” she asked.

“I did but my stomach isn’t!” Billy replied. “The chicken and ice cream, and slice of pizza I ate are making me want to throw up!”

“Well, it serves you right!” the mother lectured. “Who told you to buy all that JUNK FOOD?”

“What else could I do?” the boy said in confusion. “That’s what we usually eat.”

At present there has been an upsurge in the number of children who are suffering from diabetes. Do you want to be counted as one of those statistics?

This brings me to the second component in our theme – the need for play. Play is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood, as well as social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. It is through play that you are able to use your creativity while developing your imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. I remember in my young days we learnt to count easily by playing hop scotch. We learnt about balance by putting pieces of sticks along the rims of bicycle tyres as we rolled the wheel along the road. No one had to teach us to estimate distances when we were playing marbles or about measurement when we made cricket bats from coconut trunks.

These activities were part of my childhood experiences that made learning enjoyable. I, therefore, suggest that you balance your absorption with the technological gadgets with that of outdoor activities. Get up from the computer chair, put down the IPads, IPods and the cell phones for a minute and go outside to enjoy the fresh breeze that will strengthen your lungs.

I conclude this year’s Child Month message with a quote from Izaak Walton: “Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; blessing money cannot buy.” Simply put, this writer is saying that when you get very sick, money cannot buy good health. Money may be able to provide ease or comfort, but it is hardly likely that money can buy back good health. I always believe in old people’s saying and one of them is “Prevention is better than cure.” Won’t it be better that you eat right and stay healthy, rather than your parents paying a lot of money towards your health after you have contracted an illness?

Finally, I ask you to remember those children in the Rock Gutter tragedy who did not make it to enjoy Child Month this year. They will never get the chance to become adults. I think of the four-year-old pre-schooler who will not be able to participate in any of the activities put on by her pre-school at the Grace and Truth Pre-school in Georgetown. You who are alive and well – look to your health. Embrace a healthy lifestyle that incorporates physical exercise and good nutrition.

I thank you.