All Search Results
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What does Florida’s new booster seat law mean for your family?
On January 1st, 2015 a new law became effective in Florida requiring children under the age of six years old to be restrained either in a child safety seat or booster seat while riding in a vehicle. Previously, Florida law mandated only that children under three years of age be restrained in a car seat, allowing parents to use seat belts for older children. Until this law took effect, Florida was one of only two states that did not require these safety measures for children under five years of age.
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What to do if you think your child has the flu
This year has been a particularly difficult flu season, and it’s not over yet. Experts estimate that we’re about halfway through the season (although the flu virus can often be unpredictable), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an alarming number of hospitalizations and flu-related deaths. Especially concerning is the number of pediatric deaths related to the flu; 26 children have died this year from flu-related illnesses, and we know from previous experience that there are likely more that haven’t been reported.
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Making Kids Feel Like Kids: What it’s like to be a Child Life Specialist
Most kids don’t want to step foot inside of a hospital. Luckily for the children treated at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, the Child Life staff improves the hospital experience. And for the kids being treated at the Center for Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders, Child Life Specialist Lauren Hamed and team focus on making extended stays and routine visits full of therapeutic interactions.
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What not to say to an adoptive parent
I have the good fortune of knowing many families with children who have been adopted, and over the years I’ve been appalled at some of the conversations these friends have endured at the hand of strangers (and even non-strangers). Most adoptive parents will tell you that they know these offenses are not intentional, and they give a lot of grace as they try to educate the public on adoption one awkward conversation at a time. Many would probably tell you, though, that they wish they didn’t have to be blindsided by these uncomfortable and sometimes hurtful exchanges. So, if you know families with adopted children or if you happen to meet a mom at the park that appears to be an adoptive mother, here are some things NOT to say:
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What to remember when parenting feels hard
With each new stage that my children enter, it’s a new reality for me as a parent. That’s especially true with my oldest. Every new milestone and new horizon for her means that I’m back to square one again trying to figure out this parenting thing. As I sort through the complexities of raising children, there are times when I am overwhelmed with the decisions I have to make and the doubts that linger in the back of mind. Am I doing this right?
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4 things your children are learning through play
There is an old saying that Child Life Specialists hear and say often: “A child’s play is their work.” It is no secret that children love to play. Play is a child’s way of learning about the world around them. It is fun, but also allows them a safe and familiar way to process information and experiences on a day-to-day basis. Children can engage in multiple types of play, either by themselves or with their friends. The benefits of play are necessary components for the positive growth and development of children regardless of age or gender.
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What You Need to Know to Keep Your Child Safe This Summer
Parents and children alike are breathing a collective sigh of relief that the lazy days of summer are finally here. However, along with the lovely warm weather come some risks.
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Is an alternative vaccination schedule better for your child?
This post was originally posted in November 2014
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Preschoolers aren’t getting enough active play time
A new study tells us that preschool-aged children aren’t getting enough active play time at their childcare facility.
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Does your teen want a tattoo? Here’s another reason to say no.
Whether it’s their favorite sports team, a tribal symbol or pretty little butterfly, teens have varying reasons for wanting tattoos. They crave self-expression, a way to assert independence from their parents, and tangible means to demonstrate their belonging to a group. Tattoos are a very visible way of achieving all of those things.
