All Search Results
-
When bullying contributes to feelings of grief and loss in kids
Parents often struggle with the realization that their children feel grief and loss, and we struggle to know exactly how to support them through it. Just as it is important for adults to process their grief to promote healing, children need the same opportunities, along with guidance from the trusted adults in their lives to navigate grief in a positive and healthy way.
-
Your go-to guide for packing a healthy school lunch
Packing a school lunch every day can be stressful and often time-consuming. Many children and teens prefer to munch on sweet and salty foods such as chips, candy, fast-food burgers and greasy pizza instead of fresh fruits and vegetables. Choosing a more healthful lunch most likely will improve a child’s school performance, attention span, and also health. Having a lunch-packing guide can help make the process go more smoothly.
-
How to childproof your kitchen
Childproofing is a very real concern in my home right now. I have a 5-year-old daughter and a very active 18-month-old son, and although I’ve experienced the challenges of life with a toddler before, I have to admit that it is very different the second time around. I used to secretly wonder why some parents attached every kind of childproofing gadget they could think of to every item in their house; now I know. My daughter got into some things (as every kid does), but mostly she was more interested in being with me than exploring the off-limits things around our house. My son, though, is a completely different kid. We’ve nicknamed him “Curious George” because like the fictional character, his adventurous spirit has the potential to get him into a lot of trouble.
-
Have you talked to your teen about the drug called "Molly?"
You may have seen the recent news reports detailing the hospitalization of 12 people (10 students and 2 visitors) at Wesleyan University due to the popular drug called, “Molly.” If it’s been a few years since your college days, the name ecstasy or “X” may sound more familiar to you. Each of these nicknames, however, are referring to the same drug: a chemical substance known as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA.
-
Is it okay to just let kids play? Sorting through the busyness of life with little ones
A few months ago, I rifled through the contents of my son’s homework folder. There were some graded assignments, some work yet to be done, as well as a flyer for a new science club being started at school.
-
Should I teach my baby to sign?
We have posted previously on the “” and ways to sidestep the frustration that comes at that time of life. I often educate parents that it’s not a behavior problem; it’s a communication problem. Have you ever found yourself at the pantry door with a child who lays on the floor because the choices are too many and they know what they want, but they just can’t tell you? Parents report this to us all the time, and you are not alone. Unbeknownst to most new parents, children are able to understand language as early as 6 months, but the ability to speak requires complex fine motor skills that don’t develop until much later. The result is frustration and tantrums.
-
The gift that keeps on giving: Noah’s birthday wish
From a very young age, Noah has had a heart for giving back to his community. Two years ago, he began asking for a birthday gift that not many kids would ask for – money from friends and family to go towards the local charity of his choice. Since that time, he has raised over $3,000 to help those who need it most.
-
The journey to healing through a bone marrow transplant: Zoe’s story
Zoe is a vivacious 10-year-old who loves to spend time with her family, especially her sister, Eva. You would never know that just two years ago, she was fighting for her life as she underwent a bone marrow transplant, the only treatment that could offer Zoe the chance to live a healthy, normal life.
-
What about me? Providing support to siblings during a hospitalization
March is National Child Life Month. As a Certified Child Life Specialist in the NICU, I find this month quite exciting. It is a time for Specialists to continue to spread awareness of the need for patient education and support during trying times in the hospital, and most importantly, we celebrate the importance of play! But, patients are not the only family members that Child Life Specialists serve. We also provide education and support to siblings. Regardless of age, siblings can struggle throughout a child’s hospitalization for various reasons, and it is important to recognize ways that they can feel supported and have an understanding of what is going on with their brother or sister in a way that makes sense to them.
-
What every parent needs to know about depression and suicide in children
Written by Analise Vendittelli, Arnold Palmer Hospital resident
