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  • Growth Charts: What They Mean for Your Child’s Health

    As a parent, it’s easy to worry about whether your child is hitting their growth and developmental milestones. One data-based developmental marker, the pediatric growth chart, is the most commonly used indicator but is also the most misunderstood. 

  • For Down Syndrome Awareness Month, help us beat the myths and prejudice

    In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, please welcome our guest contributor, Eliana Tardio. Eliana is the mother of two children with Down syndrome. Her advocacy work has been nationally and internationally highlighted. She works as a Family Specialist for the Early Steps program of the State of Florida, and she spreads the word about the benefits of inclusion in several well-known web platforms in both English and Spanish. This article is part of her October Awareness carnival for Down syndrome featured on her personal blog www.elianatardio.com.

  • Hanging on to the innocence of childhood

    As we pulled into our driveway, I could see a small, brown box sitting beneath the mailbox at our front door.  We had been waiting for this package for more than a week, and I must admit, I was very excited.

  • The 5-Second Rule

    How Much Germ Knowledge do YOU Have?

  • The Puzzle Theory

    Are puzzles in your toddler’s toy basket? If not, you may want to reconsider. These challenging games are a great tool to keep your child entertained and help stimulate their minds. Unlike a toy truck or baby doll, puzzles are interactive and keep children interested and willing to try and try again until they get the perfect fit.  Now, not saying toy trucks or baby dolls are a bad thing; they’re great! But we all want our babies to grow up to be little Einsteins right? Or at least that’s what we tell ourselves.

  • The Most Common Causes of Kids' Burns at Home and How to Avoid Them

    Many parents and caregivers are aware of the safety basics in preventing children’s accidents such as burns. These include keeping young children out of the kitchen when cooking, placing pots and pans on back burners with handles turned inward and keeping hot beverage mugs out of the reach of toddlers. But some of the most serious and most common dangers lurk in not-so-obvious situations. This is especially concerning when you realize that every day, over 300 children receive emergency care for burns and that over 75 percent of these events could be prevented, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Is your child getting the right dose of medication?

    Written by Susan Norman, Pharm.D., Pediatric Pharmacy Resident

  • Encouraging your kids to brush their teeth… even when they don’t want to!

    Blue or green? No, I’m not talking about candy. I’m talking about when the dental hygienist asks your kids what color toothbrush they want. Who knew choosing colors could be so exciting! The dental hygienist hopes to leave the child with a smile on his/her face, while the parents are secretly hoping that a new toothbrush will make the daily brushings at home go a little smoother. But, after a week or two, the newness of the toothbrush wears off and kids often become less enthused, and often resistant, to brushing their teeth.

    How often should your kids be brushing their teeth?

    Dental hygiene should begin even before your child has their first tooth. Begin cleaning your child’s mouth by gently wiping gums clean with a clean, moist washcloth. Your child’s teeth will usually begin to grow in at about 6 months of age. As soon as the first tooth appears, your child is at risk for tooth decay, which is why it’s important to brush his/her teeth (or tooth) with a child-size toothbrush and water. When kids reach the age of 2 or 3, they can graduate to brushing their teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. It is recommended that children (and adults) brush their teeth twice a day, in the morning and before bed, for two minutes. It’s important to teach your kids good oral hygiene habits at an early age, so that they can establish a healthy routine as they get older. But, this can be hard sometimes when it seems the brushing battle never ends.

  • Kids, COVID-19 and Daycare: What You Need to Know to Keep Them Safe

    With schools reopening, many parents will be returning to the workplace and relying on daycares and caregivers to look after their children. Many new public health precautions have been put in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in these settings. And there are steps you can take as a parent for your child to resume the benefits of socialization and education offered at daycares, while reducing their risk of infection.

  • Free Down Syndrome Clinic at the Howard Phillips Center

    The 18th Annual Down Syndrome Clinic, presented by the Developmental Center for Infants & Children/Early Steps, provides free resources for infants, children and adults with Down Syndrome. Participating families can see dozens of developmental specialists including dentists, cardiologists, eye doctors, therapists and more. The clinic provides a unique opportunity to access resources and network in one convenient location absolutely free.