Talking to Kids about SARS
School age children may be learning about SARS from adults and the media, but may not know what to make of the situation, says a national health charity.
The Lung Association says parents should take time to talk to their ____1____ and explain the facts about SARS and how to avoid the illness.
The following is based on recommendations ____2____ Thursday by the Lung Association:
Ask your children if they have heard ____3____ SARS at school, from friends, from TV, etc. Finding out what they already know can be a good ____4____ to start the conversation and to clear away any wrong ideas they might have about the illness and how it is spread.
School age children are usually old ____5____ to understand concepts such as getting sick from germs and how to avoid illness. A simple reminder ____6____ to cough on people and to wash their hands often may be sufficient for younger kids. All children should be shown how to ____7____ their hands properly.
Remember to keep it simple so ____8____ not to overwhelm children with information, but answer them truthfully. Kids can tell when you're not being honest or if your're hiding something, and sometimes the unknown can be more frightening than the ____9____ . Parents with anxious children will know how their kids will handle information on SARS and can tailor their discussion accordingly.
One way to explain the illness is to tell children that SARS is like a bad breathing problem. It is ____10____ from a cold, but people can catch it in the same ways—such as coughing on someone, not washing your hands or sharing a glass with a sick person.

Talking to Kids about SARS
School age children may be learning about SARS from adults and the media, but may not know what to make of the situation, says a national health charity.
The Lung Association says parents should take time to talk to their ____1____ and explain the facts about SARS and how to avoid the illness.
The following is based on recommendations ____2____ Thursday by the Lung Association:
Ask your children if they have heard ____3____ SARS at school, from friends, from TV, etc. Finding out what they already know can be a good ____4____ to start the conversation and to clear away any wrong ideas they might have about the illness and how it is spread.
School age children are usually old ____5____ to understand concepts such as getting sick from germs and how to avoid illness. A simple reminder ____6____ to cough on people and to wash their hands often may be sufficient for younger kids. All children should be shown how to ____7____ their hands properly.
Remember to keep it simple so ____8____ not to overwhelm children with information, but answer them truthfully. Kids can tell when you're not being honest or if your're hiding something, and sometimes the unknown can be more frightening than the ____9____ . Parents with anxious children will know how their kids will handle information on SARS and can tailor their discussion accordingly.
One way to explain the illness is to tell children that SARS is like a bad breathing problem. It is ____10____ from a cold, but people can catch it in the same ways—such as coughing on someone, not washing your hands or sharing a glass with a sick person.

Talking to Kids about SARS
School age children may be learning about SARS from adults and the media, but may not know what to make of the situation, says a national health charity.
The Lung Association says parents should take time to talk to their ____1____ and explain the facts about SARS and how to avoid the illness.
The following is based on recommendations ____2____ Thursday by the Lung Association:
Ask your children if they have heard ____3____ SARS at school, from friends, from TV, etc. Finding out what they already know can be a good ____4____ to start the conversation and to clear away any wrong ideas they might have about the illness and how it is spread.
School age children are usually old ____5____ to understand concepts such as getting sick from germs and how to avoid illness. A simple reminder ____6____ to cough on people and to wash their hands often may be sufficient for younger kids. All children should be shown how to ____7____ their hands properly.
Remember to keep it simple so ____8____ not to overwhelm children with information, but answer them truthfully. Kids can tell when you're not being honest or if your're hiding something, and sometimes the unknown can be more frightening than the ____9____ . Parents with anxious children will know how their kids will handle information on SARS and can tailor their discussion accordingly.
One way to explain the illness is to tell children that SARS is like a bad breathing problem. It is ____10____ from a cold, but people can catch it in the same ways—such as coughing on someone, not washing your hands or sharing a glass with a sick person.

Boredom at Work
① You might find yourself staring at the clock, willing it to move faster so the boring workday will finally end. If your job offers little in the way of stimulation, there are steps you can take inside and outside the workplace.
② If you're bored with your job, it could be a sign that you've mastered the basic requirements and are ready for more of a challenge. You might not have been in your position long enough to request a promotion. Still, you can take steps to enhance your current role. Ask your boss if there are any projects you can help with. Volunteer to train less experienced colleagues. You'll feel more stimulated at work and also increase your chances of future advancement.
③ If you feel there is nothing left to learn in your present position, take steps to increase your knowledge. Your company's website might have online courses you can take during your slow periods, with your manager's permission. Enroll in training classes your company offers in areas that interest you. You also can pursue educational opportunities outside of the workplace, such as college classes, industry-specific training programs or self-improvement courses. If the knowledge you acquire doesn't help you in your present position, it might eventually help you move into a more fulfilling position.
④ Look for ways to challenge yourself. If your job involves performing repetitive tasks, set a quota for the number of times you can accomplish a particular task during the course of a shift. This will give you something to shoot for. If you have co-workers who perform the same tasks, make a friendly wager to see who can do the most. You'll form stronger bonds with your colleagues, and your employer is likely to notice your increased productivity.
⑤ According to psychotherapist and career coach Nina Ham, boredom at work might be a symptom of dissatisfaction with your personal life. Finding sources of stimulation outside of work can have a positive impact on your attitude toward your job. Seeking counseling for an emotional issue can also be of benefit. If your personal life is going well and nothing you try seems to improve your engagement level at work, it might be time to consider a job or even a career change.

Boredom at Work
① You might find yourself staring at the clock, willing it to move faster so the boring workday will finally end. If your job offers little in the way of stimulation, there are steps you can take inside and outside the workplace.
② If you're bored with your job, it could be a sign that you've mastered the basic requirements and are ready for more of a challenge. You might not have been in your position long enough to request a promotion. Still, you can take steps to enhance your current role. Ask your boss if there are any projects you can help with. Volunteer to train less experienced colleagues. You'll feel more stimulated at work and also increase your chances of future advancement.
③ If you feel there is nothing left to learn in your present position, take steps to increase your knowledge. Your company's website might have online courses you can take during your slow periods, with your manager's permission. Enroll in training classes your company offers in areas that interest you. You also can pursue educational opportunities outside of the workplace, such as college classes, industry-specific training programs or self-improvement courses. If the knowledge you acquire doesn't help you in your present position, it might eventually help you move into a more fulfilling position.
④ Look for ways to challenge yourself. If your job involves performing repetitive tasks, set a quota for the number of times you can accomplish a particular task during the course of a shift. This will give you something to shoot for. If you have co-workers who perform the same tasks, make a friendly wager to see who can do the most. You'll form stronger bonds with your colleagues, and your employer is likely to notice your increased productivity.
⑤ According to psychotherapist and career coach Nina Ham, boredom at work might be a symptom of dissatisfaction with your personal life. Finding sources of stimulation outside of work can have a positive impact on your attitude toward your job. Seeking counseling for an emotional issue can also be of benefit. If your personal life is going well and nothing you try seems to improve your engagement level at work, it might be time to consider a job or even a career change.