Child & Teen Health Archive

Articles

Naps: Make the most of them and know when to stop them

As babies become toddlers, when they need to nap and for how long evolves, so parents and caregivers need to know how to handle the changes, as well as how to know when naps are no longer needed.

Wondering about COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11?

While the FDA has authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, and the CDC recommends it, parents are still likely to have questions about the vaccine and how COVID-19 affects younger children.

How to get your child to put away toys

If you frequently find yourself tripping over your child's toys, then you know the challenges of getting younger children to clean up. Taking a calm, rational approach and issuing clear and specific instructions will enhance your chances of success.

Skills children need to succeed in life — and getting youngsters started

All parents want their children to be happy and able to successfully navigate life's challenges. Five core skills form a great foundation and the early childhood window is particularly important for developing them. Parents can help their children learn and strengthen these skills in the course of everyday activities.

Stuttering in children: How parents can help

Stuttering in children is fairly common: as many as 10% of children stutter between the ages of 2 and 6. Although the majority of them stop, it can be distressing for both the children and their parents. Here's how to help your child manage stuttering and when to talk to your pediatrician or a speech-language specialist.

Boosting your child's immune system

As children go through another school year under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are asking what they can do to keep their children healthy. While no magic solutions can ward off every illness, parents can take steps to help children — and everyone in their household — protect their health by keeping their immune systems robust.

Dropping anchor on big emotions

When children are learning about their emotions and how to manage them, there can be spillovers at school and at home. Parents can help their child or teen navigate big emotions by talking about them, modeling calm behavior, and offering coping strategies like grounding and anchoring.

Reduce the health risks from "forever chemicals"

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of manmade chemicals that are widely used in products such as nonstick pans, stain repellants for furniture and carpets, cosmetics, and industrial products. These compounds are dangerous to human health and may lead to immune system problems and increased risk of certain cancers. Avoiding exposure by filtering water and choosing PFAS-free products can help to reduce those risks.

Does your child need to bathe every day?

Bathing daily is a habit for many people, but does it need to be for children, preteens, and teens? Not necessarily. Of course, it depends on what they have been doing and whether or not they are visibly dirty or stinky, but most don't need a top-to-toe daily scrub.

The sore throat checklist: What parents need to know

Children get sore throats all the time — and most of the time they are nothing to worry about. But it is important for parents to know the common causes of sore throats, and to be aware that that certain instances are serious and should be seen by a doctor immediately.

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