ST. JOSEPH - Tanner Jacob was 5-for-9 from three-point range, leading St. Joseph-Ogden to a third consecutive win on Friday. The Spartans jumped out to an early 16-point lead on visiting Illinois Valley Central at the start of the second quarter and poured on the points on the way to a 79-56 win Friday night.
Jacob, the squad's go-to scorer, finished the Illini Praire Conference game with 19 points and four assists. Shooting 54% overall, the senior started the game on fire with 14 points in the first half.
The win improved the Spartans' record to 16-4 on the season, and they remain undefeated in league play at 3-0.
SJO led the fast-paced action by as many as 27 points with a little under six minutes to play in the fourth quarter after Coy Taylor buried a three-pointer from near the top of the key. Taylor made four other shots inside the arc to finish with nine points, five boards, and four assists.
Using his long wingspan and height, Tanner Siems led St. Joseph-Ogden's rebound effort, hauling in eight boards. The junior finished with 13 points, all made under the rim.
Luke Landrus and Logan Smith finished with ll points each for the Spartans. Smith led the team's defensive effort with four steals, and dished eight assists. Shooting 50% from the field, Landrus made five of his ten shots and sunk one of his three free-throw attempts.
Next up, the boys' squad takes on St. Anthony's in Effingham today for a 2:30 p.m. contest. SJO then plays at home, hosting St. Thomas More on Tuesday and playing at Monticello on Friday to remain at the top of the IPC standings.
DANVILLE - Decades ago, a day at school for a kindergartener would usually involve an afternoon nap. Today, some schools have phased that out, leaving parents to wonder what’s right.
Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says daytime sleep plays an important role in a child’s development. He says parents should look at it in terms of daytime sleep and nighttime sleep added up to total sleep. He stresses that each child has unique needs, and you should get to know your child’s sleep habits. But there are guidelines. For young kids, Dr. Garcia says nighttime sleep stays mostly consistent at 10 hours. Daytime sleep varies by age.
“Usually, the need for naptime decreases when kids reach 4 to 6 years old,” Dr. Garcia says. “At that point, they only need to sleep the 10 hours at night.”
When and how long
Dr. Garcia says naps for kids should be 30 minutes to two hours. So, you can do some math. For example: your 2-year-old needs four hours of daytime sleep with naps no greater than two hours. So, aim for some two-hour slumbering mid to late morning and early afternoon.
“It’s not recommended to nap after 3 or 4 p.m. to avoid causing disruptions at bedtime,” Dr. Garcia warns. “We want to allow at least four hours between last nap and bedtime to avoid the kids being too tired at bedtime.”
Bad nighttime sleep leads to irritability and poor concentration the next day, he adds.
No more naps
Dr. Garcia suggests parents look for signs that their child is ready to stop napping.
“Is the kid refusing or having a hard time taking a nap? If they do take a nap, do they have a problem falling asleep at night?” Dr. Garcia asks.
You should also talk to your child’s school or day care. If they have daily nap time, let that continue until the child ages out of the facility. If the facility is flexible, inform them of your child’s sleep habits and come up with a plan.
When the time comes to stop naps, Dr. Garcia recommends a clean break. There will likely be some fussiness, but it will subside. Moving bedtime up by 20 to 30 minutes can help.
Sleep tipsSome general good sleep tips:
Make your home’s lighting natural: bright during the day, darker as night approaches and dark at night.
Make the bed the place to sleep. Do other activities like looking at screens in another room, and don’t look at screens right before bedtime.
Get into a routine by going to sleep and waking up at around the same time each day. And make the sleep and wake times normal. Waking up mid-morning each day, while a routine, isn’t the best idea.
Avoid large meals and caffeine before bed.
If you are a light sleeper, use an artificial noise machine.
Why can I speak about this issue? I worked as a pharmacy technician before working as a Registered Nurse (RN) and ultimately becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in 2000. I have been employed in health care for 33 years, including over 20 of those years as a NP. At present, I work in a specialized emergency service, and am attending the University of Washington for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. I am writing in hopes to affect change on this ubiquitous delivery of health care problem.
A personal story exemplifies this issue. My 90-year-old grandfather was discharged from an ER and resumed taking a long discontinued antihypertensive (blood pressure) medication from an old pill bottle. He took this in addition to his newly prescribed antihypertensive medication, both medications listed as active in his discharge instructions.
Fortunately, my grandfather was okay, and my mother caught this error and understandably had something to say about it. She drove back to the hospital to give them a piece of her mind, before recommending they come up with a better system. They agreed.
One recurring and nationwide theme are health care providers, and patients, becoming confused with the list of medications in their medical records in all phases of care, including at hospital admission and discharge. This medication list often includes medications that are listed as active and those they haven't taken at times since many years ago.
Sadly, this is not an exaggeration, and often leads to harmful medication errors which are a big problem during all phases of health care. Affected phases include outpatient ambulatory care clinics, during hospital admissions, during hospital stays and hospital discharge. Because of these gaps, medication errors are not surprisingly a leading cause of injury or death.
This is a serious issue that I believe can be solved with a concerted effort by an interdisciplinary team approach along with a streamlined electronic health record system. This is in addition to an emphasis on patient education throughout all stages of treatment which includes outpatient care, an urgent hospital visit or inpatient stay. Providers and ancillary services should always be involved in this process.
Better practice solutions:
1. For health care providers, at all phases of treatment, if it remains unclear if a patient is taking a medication, ask questions, and if medication reconciliation is not possible then list it as such. Increasing awareness of this problem in the advent of increasing use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) is key.
2. Incorporation of admission and discharge medication reconciliation as a continuous process by admitting and discharging RNs, the pharmacist and nurse practitioner and physicians.
As noted by J AM Med inform Association (2016) working towards a solution would include incorporating reconciliation modules that are interoperable with other Electronic Health Record components. This includes medication history, the computerized order set and discharge documentation. Some EHRs have some interoperability with external sources (hospitals, clinics, pharmacy) to import medication history and share updated medication list at discharge, although this is not fail safe and should not be relied on itself alone.
3. As health care consumers, don't be afraid to ask questions or clarification. Most health care providers want you to be involved in your own care. You reserve this right 100 percent and it is okay to ask questions and include your loved ones to advocate for you in your treatment plan.
In summary, medication confusion and errors are fear reaching. It is up to us as health care providers to be conscientious and provide essential emphasis on patient education and collaboration. Encouraging patients and their loved ones to actively participate in their care is vital. This includes asking questions and seeking clarification about medications along with interdisciplinary providers to help prevent confusion and potential medication errors. Involving patient's loved ones can contribute to healthy outcomes. Refining EHR is of the utmost importance.
I thank all health care providers for dedication to this important cause, and I wish success in your continued efforts to make a positive impact on health care practices while encouraging health consumers to be proactive in their care.
Angela Buxton, FNP-BC is a national Board-Certified (BC) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) since 2000 and who is originally from Massachusetts, obtaining her undergraduate and graduate degrees at UMASS, Amherst, and worked as both a Registered Nurse (RN) and FNP throughout her career. She is currently attending the University of Washington to expand her skills as a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health. She has now been working as a NP at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington for the last 20 years. She enjoys her role in assessing, diagnosing and developing client centered treatment plans, not limited to prescribing medications. Population includes those who are underserved and across the lifespan. She has membership in Snohomish County, WA Search and Rescue (SSAR), has participated in team endurance events with lessons learned that crossover into daily life. Other outside interests include photography, painting, skiing and hiking the Pacific Northwest.
GODFREY - The 2015 horror film “The Visit” gives the Hollywood treatment to sundowning. An impostor grandmother is seen running the halls, scratching the walls and vomiting, terrorizing two children in the home.
A little exaggerated, says Courtney McFarlin, PA, an OSF HealthCare internal medicine provider who specializes in geriatrics. But she says sundowning is an all too real experience for some older adults.
What is sundowning?
McFarlin explains that sundowning is not a medical condition, but rather a way to describe behavior seen at night. It’s triggered by a disruption in your circadian rhythm.
“That’s our body’s natural, 24-hour sleep/wake cycle,” McFarlin says. “It’s regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain. Based on daylight and darkness, it tells our body to be alert during the day. And it helps us settle down in the evening to want to go to sleep.”
Key takeaways:
Sundowning describes nighttime behavior in older adults, especially those with dementia, due to a disruption in the circadian rhythm. The person may be agitated, moody, not want to go to sleep or physically aggressive.
Ways to help include medicine like melatonin, eliminating long naps and practicing general good sleep hygiene. Homes should also be arranged so the elder does not fall or wander outside.
A caregiver may ultimately have to decide whether to move the person to an assisted living facility.
Many things can disrupt your circadian rhythm, like illness, stress, artificial light and genetic factors. But McFarlin says sundowning is most often seen in older adults with dementia and similar disorders like Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Chronic alcohol use can also bring about sundowning.
What does sundowning look like? McFarlin says the person may be agitated, have mood changes and pace around. They may not want to go to sleep. And the person may even physically lash out at others.
“Reports and research have shown that it’s most common when people are in mild or moderate stages [of dementia],” McFarlin says. “You would think as one progresses with dementia, it would get worse. But it actually improves a little bit.”
How to help
McFarlin says caregivers of older adults often come to her with a plea: help us do something about my loved one’s nighttime behavior. The caregivers are sometimes awake through the night keeping an eye on things, leading to sluggishness, crankiness and other issues during their workday.
First, McFarlin reminds you that support groups exist – if not in-person in your community, then online – for caregivers of older adults. But for medicinal aids, McFarlin says melatonin is a good first option.
“It’s a natural hormone that our body produces that helps aid in sleep,” she says.
McFarlin adds that studies have found decreased levels of melatonin in older adults with or without dementia.
Serotonin-based medications, hypnotics and anti-anxiety medications can also help. Paxil, Prozac, Seroquel, Risperdal and Haldol are common brand names. Talk to your health care provider or a sleep specialist if you have questions about these medicines.
Something to strike from your loved one’s routine: long naps.
“It’s suggested that a less than three-hour naptime schedule is advised,” McFarlin says. “If I find my patients are napping quite a bit, I’ll encourage them to take less naps.”
Other sleep hygiene tips:
Make your home’s lighting natural: bright during the day, darker as night approaches and dark at night.
Make the bed the place to sleep. Do other activities like looking at screens in another room, and don’t look at screens right before bedtime.
Get into a routine by going to sleep and waking up at around the same time each day. And make the sleep and wake times normal, as if the older adult was going to work. Waking up mid-morning each day, while a routine, isn’t the best idea.
Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol before bed. McFarlin says lunch should be the biggest meal.
Stay busy during the day so you feel tired at night. Regular exercise can help with this.
If you are a light sleeper, use an artificial noise machine.
Since people with sundowning behaviors can pace and wander, make sure your home is trip-proof and escape-proof. Rugs, chairs and nightstands should be moved or removed. McFarlin says providers can also recommend physical therapy or devices like a walker, wheelchair or bed alarm.
“[People can] actually unlock the door and wander outside in the middle of the night,” McFarlin warns. “So, make sure the door is properly locked. If the adult is someone who wanders at night, make sure they don’t have the ability to leave home.”
Ultimately, you may have to decide whether a different living arrangement is best for your loved one.
“That could be remaining at home and more family coming in. Because that’s our first choice – to leave the person at home as long as they can,” McFarlin says.
“But when it becomes unsafe for the person or exhausting the caregiver, it’s my responsibility to engage other options,” like an assisted living facility, she says.
TOLONO - In addition food donations, The Giving Place is seeking kids clothing, especially for young boys, this month.
"The Giving Place started as a way for our church and other community churches to minister to the Unit 7 School District and help those in need," said Mike Williams. "All donations of food are most welcome as the need in our community is great. This ministry can’t survive without the support of our community."
Any family in need residing in the Unit 7 school district is encouraged to visit The Giving Place Wednesdays from 4:00 – 6:00. TGP is located at 113 N Bourne in Tolono.
This week, the organization served seven families, which included 18 adults and seven children, with eight boxes of food totalling $400.
Williams said the ministry will continue for as long as they are able to do so and thanked those who donated items throughout the year.
Donated items and food may be dropped off every Wednesday between 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. or every first Saturday between 9:00 a.m. - Noon. TGP asks that donation not be left outside the building during closed hours.
A pipeline project to transport carbon dioxide captured from ethanol and fertilizer production to a permanent storage site in Illinois is raising concerns about safety and potential damage to surrounding land.
Last month, members of the Illinois Farm Bureau adopted policies supporting a temporary moratorium on the project until the Hazardous Materials Safety Administration can update its safety regulations. They include automatic notifications for pipeline leaks and training for emergency first responders.
Bill Bodine, the Farm Bureau's director of business and regulatory affairs, said his group opposes another condition.
"They expressed concerns about the use of eminent domain for these projects and do not support the use of eminent domain," he said, "and then want to see the developers reaching willing agreements, making some progress in reaching those willing agreements before the pipeline portions of those projects are approved."
Landowners are not willing to give up their land so easily. In 2006, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill to limit the takeover of private property for private development. However, critics of the legislation have claimed it included exceptions that undermine any benefits to property owners.
Two more pipeline proposals to connect Iowa and Illinois are also being reviewed by the Illinois Commerce Commission, the agency that oversees these projects.
The Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hopes to have its safety revisions completed this year. If this happens, Bodine said, the Farm Bureau would lift its support of a temporary moratorium. But he isn't sure whether these other pipeline projects are on state lawmakers' minds.
"Our legislative session in the state of Illinois begins again in January and usually runs through the end of May," he said. "So, we may see some action during that timeline associated with some of these issues."
Developers say any future pipelines would help farmers by boosting the ethanol industry. The state Agriculture Department has said Illinois uses 274 million bushels of corn to produce more ethanol than any other state.
CHAMPAIGN - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will host a panel discussion on Black Health, Wealth & Wellness on February 22 during Black History Month. The main focus of the conversation will be on the advancement and evolution of Black health, wealth, and wellness within the Champaign-Urbana community.
The CUPHD's Justice Coalition will moderate the discussion. The doors at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign will open at 5:30 p.m. for light refreshments, with speakers starting at 6 p.m.
The panel's primary goal is to "provide a space for the community to share information and discuss mutual obstacles."
Attendees are encouraged to park in the north entrance lot and enter the building through the main conference room door.
Every year, thousands of people end up in an emergency department due to things happening when they’re shoveling snow
ROCKFORD - It’s that time of the year when winter can really show its teeth. For adults, snow – especially the heavy stuff – also means lots of shoveling, which can lead to an assortment of health-related problems if you’re not careful and properly prepared for the winter season.
Photo: Serkan Gönültaş/PEXELS
“Every year, thousands of people end up in an emergency department due to things happening when they’re shoveling snow," says Amy Henderson, a family practice physician assistant for OSF HealthCare. "These include falls, sometimes people experience heart attacks from extraneous activities, back injuries amongst other things. So it’s really important to take some caution when you are going to be shoveling snow, and the snow is coming.”
Among the people at the greatest risk of experiencing potential issues while shoveling are the elderly, people with a history of back problems as well as people who have suffered a heart attack or other serious illness. Henderson says to check with your doctor first if you have any concerns about your health.
“If a person develops any chest pain, sharp, radiating arm pain, jaw pain, those are all signs and symptoms of a possible heart attack," says Henderson. "If those symptoms do not improve with rest after a short amount of time, it’s concerning. My advice would be to seek immediate medical attention if you’re concerned at all about a cardiac event or a heart attack; in this case it’s always good to play it safe than sorry.”
Safety is key when it comes to snow and ice. Henderson offers a few basic tips before getting started with shoveling your sidewalk or driveway.
“One of the most important things to do is wear the appropriate clothing to stay warm and avoid frostbite," says Henderson. "Also, stretching prior to going out and doing this activity is important so I recommend stretching 5 to 10 minutes before you go out in the cold. I also recommend staying hydrated because you’re doing physical activity.”
Other important tips include:
Lift with your legs, not your back
Push (don’t) lift the snow
Stay low to the ground
Shovel more frequently
Take breaks if you feel winded
Be aware of ice
Go inside to warm up in order to avoid frostbite
The same suggestions apply when using a snow blower. Many people are injured every year by pushing their snow blower, twisting their body or reaching into the snow blower.
The bottom line when it comes to snow shoveling, Henderson says, is play it safe, take your time and be sure to let your loved ones and friends know what you’re up to in the event something does happen. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Key Takeaways:
Every year, thousands of people visit the emergency department due to snow-related injuries or events.
People at the greatest risk are the elderly, those with back issues or a history of heart problems.
Wear appropriate clothing to stay warm and avoid frostbite.
Other tips include lifting with your legs, push (don't) lift the snow, take breaks, and be aware of ice.
If you experience a medical emergency, call 911.
“If you really should not be shoveling snow, or you’re at higher risk, I recommend trying to find someone else who can do it for you, whether that’s a neighbor or a family member. I highly recommend that," adds Henderson. "It’s not worth the broken hip or the hospital follow up. Another thing for people who are at higher risk is to bring a cellphone. If you do fall, you’re able to call somebody.”
Before you bundle up and head outside to shovel your driveway, make sure you follow proper safety measures to avoid injury. If you or a loved one experiences severe injury, heart attack, or other medical emergencies while shoveling snow, call 911.
DALLAS - The American Heart Association and National Football League are asking classrooms, afterschool programs and other student groups to join the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Tracking Competition from Jan. 22 to Feb. 9. The classroom with the most activity minutes in each of the 32 NFL club markets will receive a $1,000 grant with an additional $1,000 PLAY 60 grant awarded to the top classroom overall. The competition and the goal of NFL PLAY 60 is to increase physical activity in kids which impacts overall mental and physical wellness which is essential to help children reach their full potential.
The NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Tracking Competition takes place in the free NFL PLAY 60 app, (available for iOS and Android devices). The app invites users to select their NFL team and control personalized avatars onscreen with their own physical movement. Users can create custom workouts, earn special PLAY points and unlock cool NFL gear for on-screen PLAY 60 avatars. Using the Group Quickplay feature in the app's Teacher Dashboard, students will get active together adding to their classroom's total activity minutes. Educators can commit to participating now at heart.org/NFLPLAY60 and will officially register their student group via the app on Jan. 22.
"Working together with the National Football League on NFL PLAY 60, we're excited for continued ways to support getting youth across the country moving towards a healthier and more active lifestyle," said American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown. "It's our 100th birthday and we're committed to making our future all about improving yours. Prevention skills as well as lifesaving skills, such as CPR, are critical to change health outcomes across generations."
The American Heart Association and the NFL offer students, teachers and families different ways to add movement minutes to achieve their daily goal of 60 minutes of play. In addition to the NFL PLAY 60 app, the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library features two-to-three minute on-demand exercise videos from each of the 32 NFL teams featuring players, NFL Legends, cheerleaders and mascots.
Lastly, the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break broadcasts are a series of three 15-minute synchronous broadcasts that get students moving with sneak peeks into the NFL season, including tentpole events like the Kickoff, Super Bowl and Draft. The last Fitness Break broadcast of this school year, the NFL Draft broadcast, will air on April 25 at 1 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. CT/ 10 a.m. PT. Advanced registration is required.
Rooted in American Heart Association science, the NFL PLAY 60 initiative helps children develop healthy habits for a better chance of a healthy adulthood. The program encourages kids to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans[1]. Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are keys to immediate and long-term health for children.
"As proud partners of the American Heart Association, the NFL is excited to once again kick off the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Tracking Competition to encourage students to achieve the daily goal of 60 minutes of play," said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. "Through our NFL PLAY 60 app, we are providing youth across the country with an interactive and engaging platform to get moving with their favorite NFL teams."
The NFL and the American Heart Association have been teaming up since 2006 to inspire kids through fun and engaging ways to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. Information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and additional grant opportunities can be found online at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
JAC Local 149 instructor Justin McMullen talks to high school students during an open house last November. Teamed up with Urbana community leaders, the local will host a hiring expo this Sunday for apprenticeships and other career opportunities at the Union Hall located in Savoy.
Photo: PhotoNews Media
SAVOY - The East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council is teaming up with Urbana mayoral candidate DeShawn Williams and City Councilwoman Chaundra Bishop to bring career opportunities to members of the community. The trio have joined forces to provide information and application guidance to those interested in a career with area unions.
The hiring expo set for 3 pm Sunday at UA Local 149, 1003 N. Dunlap Ave. in Savoy. There will be 20 local labor unions under one roof, offering opportunities that could change your life. Whether you are a seasoned pro or looking to kickstart your career, there is a place for you.
"This hiring expo is yet another step toward doing all we can to open our doors to as many people as possible," said Kevin Sage, President of the Building Trades. "It’s important that we create opportunities for everyone to have a chance to earn high wages, great benefits, and to work in safe conditions. Our unions promise all of that."
From plumbers to electricians, carpenters to laborers, unions provided guaranteed wages, with many starting at $22 an hour and soaring over $77 after five years of on-the-job training. That is in addition to leading benefits, including free healthcare and early retirement plans.
This is the second hiring fair that Williams has co-sponsored with the Building Trades.
"This is an opportunity to discover the transformative power of union trades," Williams said. "It’s not just a career, it’s a path to stability, fair wages, and a stronger community."
Dear Editor,
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is back grandstanding for the news media, complaining about the immigration crisis trickling up to Illinois.
In October, Pritzker sent an open letter to President Biden begging for federal tax resources to deal with the so-called “asylum seekers” being bussed to Illinois. Not once in his appeal did Pritzker ask the administration to shut down the border or reinstate the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy of the Trump Administration.
This month, Pritzker paid the Austin American-Statesman newspaper to publish another open letter, this one addressed to Texas Governor Greg Abbot. Referencing the freezing temperatures of a typical Illinois winter, Pritzker pleads for mercy, pointing out that many lives are vulnerable to the cold weather.
Ironically, not one word was written to Biden about the critical need to secure the border. Wouldn’t it be nice to see an open letter in the USA Today in which Pritzker could appeal to the Biden Administration for serious enforcement?
And while Pritzker laments the lives at stake because of the season’s “dangerous winter storm and subzero temperatures,” there is not one mention of the tens of thousands of American lives being destroyed by fentanyl and other deadly drugs flowing into our cities.
If Gov. Pritzker were serious about this crisis, he’d speak out about the dangers of open borders and the failure of the executive branch to uphold federal immigration laws to protect the citizens of this great nation.
David E. Smith, Executive Director
Illinois Family Institute
Discover the headlines published on each of these days from our news and sports coverage from Champaign‑Urbana and the wider community. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
ST. JOSEPH - Tanner Jacob was 5-for-9 from three-point range, leading St. Joseph-Ogden to a third consecutive win on Friday. The Spartans jumped out to an early 16-point lead on visiting Illinois Valley Central at the start of the second quarter and poured on the points on the way to a 79-56 win Friday night.
Jacob, the squad's go-to scorer, finished the Illini Praire Conference game with 19 points and four assists. Shooting 54% overall, the senior started the game on fire with 14 points in the first half.
The win improved the Spartans' record to 16-4 on the season, and they remain undefeated in league play at 3-0.
SJO led the fast-paced action by as many as 27 points with a little under six minutes to play in the fourth quarter after Coy Taylor buried a three-pointer from near the top of the key. Taylor made four other shots inside the arc to finish with nine points, five boards, and four assists.
Using his long wingspan and height, Tanner Siems led St. Joseph-Ogden's rebound effort, hauling in eight boards. The junior finished with 13 points, all made under the rim.
Luke Landrus and Logan Smith finished with ll points each for the Spartans. Smith led the team's defensive effort with four steals, and dished eight assists. Shooting 50% from the field, Landrus made five of his ten shots and sunk one of his three free-throw attempts.
Next up, the boys' squad takes on St. Anthony's in Effingham today for a 2:30 p.m. contest. SJO then plays at home, hosting St. Thomas More on Tuesday and playing at Monticello on Friday to remain at the top of the IPC standings.
“Usually, the need for naptime decreases when kids reach 4 to 6 years old,” Dr. Garcia says. “At that point, they only need to sleep the 10 hours at night.”
When and how long
Dr. Garcia says naps for kids should be 30 minutes to two hours. So, you can do some math. For example: your 2-year-old needs four hours of daytime sleep with naps no greater than two hours. So, aim for some two-hour slumbering mid to late morning and early afternoon.
“It’s not recommended to nap after 3 or 4 p.m. to avoid causing disruptions at bedtime,” Dr. Garcia warns. “We want to allow at least four hours between last nap and bedtime to avoid the kids being too tired at bedtime.”
Bad nighttime sleep leads to irritability and poor concentration the next day, he adds.
No more naps
Dr. Garcia suggests parents look for signs that their child is ready to stop napping.
“Is the kid refusing or having a hard time taking a nap? If they do take a nap, do they have a problem falling asleep at night?” Dr. Garcia asks.
You should also talk to your child’s school or day care. If they have daily nap time, let that continue until the child ages out of the facility. If the facility is flexible, inform them of your child’s sleep habits and come up with a plan.
When the time comes to stop naps, Dr. Garcia recommends a clean break. There will likely be some fussiness, but it will subside. Moving bedtime up by 20 to 30 minutes can help.
Sleep tips
Some general good sleep tips:
Any family in need residing in the Unit 7 school district is encouraged to visit The Giving Place Wednesdays from 4:00 – 6:00. TGP is located at 113 N Bourne in Tolono.
This week, the organization served seven families, which included 18 adults and seven children, with eight boxes of food totalling $400.
Williams said the ministry will continue for as long as they are able to do so and thanked those who donated items throughout the year.
Donated items and food may be dropped off every Wednesday between 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. or every first Saturday between 9:00 a.m. - Noon. TGP asks that donation not be left outside the building during closed hours.
