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  • The benefits of getting involved in team sports

    Summer is almost over and it’s already time to start thinking about the new school year! There seems to be many decisions parents are faced with as their child heads back to school- which classroom will he/she be in, what classes will my child be taking, what after-school activities will my child get involved in? While all these questions are important, there is one question that every parent should be asking their kids- “what sport do you want to play this year?”. Team sports can benefit your child in more ways than one: physically, socially, mentally, and behaviorally.

    The Physical Benefits

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a study highlighting the benefits that team sports have on children’s physical health.  The study was used to compare weight status and the different forms of physical activity among teens. Researchers surveyed over 1,700 high school students and their parents, covering many areas associated with physical health including team sport participation, active commuting, physical education, recreational activity, screen time, diet quality, and demographics. What they found was that when compared with active commuting, such as walking or biking to school, participation in team sports had the strongest association to weight status. It was shown that participating in team sports could help decrease a child’s risk of being overweight or obese. As a result of this study, obesity prevention programs are encouraged to incorporate and increase team sport participation among all students.

  • The Mighty Landis

    Landis was born premature at 32 weeks and spent 4 weeks in the NICU at Winnie Palmer Hospital. What began as a scary moment for Landis's parents Brian & Hilary has become a defining moment for their family. Thanks to Dr. Gregor Alexander and the incredible team in the NICU Landis has grown from a tiny infant into "The Mighty Landis" - a healthy, happy and hilarious little wild man. Just because you start out mini, doesn't mean you can't be mighty!

  • Tragedy in Aurora: talking to your kids about violence in the news

     I am an overprotective, careful parent - a big fan of seat belts, bike helmets, and sunscreen. I think I’m probably a little more overprotective and careful than some parents, and I know this about myself and try to keep it in check. I try not to stifle my child’s natural sense of adventure and curiosity. However, I want to keep any and everything that could be dangerous or hurtful away from my little boy.

  • To spank or not to spank?

    How you choose to discipline your child is an intensely personal decision. I wonder if there is any other choice that we’ll make for our children that has the potential for such deep and far-reaching effects. And yet, most of us are still figuring it out as we go, aren’t we?

  • Would you like some cereal with that bowl of sugar?

    Fruit Loops, Cap’n Crunch, Apple Jacks, Reese’s Puffs- the list could go on and on. All of these cereals boast of their nutritional value by claiming, “now provides fiber”, “made with natural flavors”, or “made from whole grains”, but they all have one thing in common- their shockingly high sugar content. The problem is, these cereals are what many kids crave, thanks to cereal companies who try (and succeed) in luring kids into wanting, NEEDING their sugary cereal product through marketing campaigns that target young children.

  • Are you making the most of your child’s well visits?

    We often see our pediatrician for a specific complaint: ear infections, stomach flus or broken bones. And now that summer’s in full swing, many families will be making a trip to their pediatrician’s office for sports physicals and immunizations before the new school year begins. As we manage all of these items on our to-do list, it’s easy to forget that a visit to your pediatrician when your child is well is much more than a box to be checked off of your list.

  • A second chance at fulfilling a dream: Jillian’s story

    What started as a childhood dream is now becoming a reality for Jillian in her lifelong pursuit of becoming a gymnast. She began gymnastics at just 3 years old, and began competing at age 6. Fast forward a few years and Jillian is in high school, dreaming of taking her gymnastics career to the next level and becoming a collegiate athlete. She was having the time of her life- spending countless hours practicing and competing in a sport she loved, surrounded by encouraging friends and family. She was starting to be pursued by various colleges and felt more confident than ever, knowing nothing could get in the way of her dream of becoming a collegiate gymnast.

  • A child’s legacy: Will’s Gift Giving

    It was a day like any other day. But it was a day that this family would soon realize, would change their lives forever. Will had been out on a Sunday, wakeboarding on one of the lakes in Central Florida, along with over 20 other people boating and skiing that day. On a hot summer day in late July of 2007, the cool, fresh water was the perfect way to escape the scorching heat.

  • Chloe's Wedding Day: A Little Girl Who Was Diagnosed with a Brain Tumor on Christmas Eve

    Dr. Alex Levy, pediatric oncologist/hematologist at Arnold Palmer Hospital, shares the heart-warming story of a family who learned their 4-year old daughter had a brain tumor on Christmas Eve. This is Chloe's story:

  • 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.