It鈥檚 time to head back to school! There鈥檚 often a lot to take care of before classes start, and that can feel overwhelming. These five tips should help you feel more prepared 鈥� and less stressed 鈥� for the new school year. Establish a Regular Schedule Before School Starts Summer is a great time for your children to rest and relax 鈥� but the lack of a schedule, including later bedtimes and less-regular meals, can make the transition back to school more difficult. Before the new school year starts, encourag...
Is your toddler saying their first words? Can they stack blocks or kick a ball? Watching your child learn and grow is exciting鈥攁nd sometimes confusing. How do you know if they鈥檙e on track? At every well-child visit, your child鈥檚 doctor checks if they鈥檙e reaching key milestones . These are skills most children develop by certain ages, like walking, talking, and playing with others. Here鈥檚 what to look for from ages 1 to 5, along with simple ways you can help your child learn, grow, and have fun. On...
Does mealtime feel like a battle? Many parents face the same challenge. Your child refuses anything green. They turn down new foods. They only eat the same three meals. Picky eating is frustrating, but it doesn't have to last forever. Most children go through picky eating phases, and you can help your child try new foods and build healthy habits. Why Are Kids Picky? A study in the journal Pediatrics followed children ages 4 to 9 to understand why picky eating happens. The researchers found that habits k...
For most people, technology is an important part of daily life. While it can be helpful in many ways, there are also times when it can be harmful, especially for children and teens. As a parent, you want to make sure your child is staying safe online and making healthy choices about the time they spend on electronic devices. Looking for tips on how to manage technology use? Try the steps below to get started. Define 鈥渉ealthy鈥� technology use for your family. Set limits on how long your child ca...
Summer vacation is here again! It鈥檚 a time for kids to rest and relax after a busy school year 鈥� but it鈥檚 also a great chance to keep your child ready for the classroom. Students often experience 鈥渟ummer brain drain鈥� during the long break from school. This can mean that they end up falling behind on important skills like reading and math. The good news is that summer brain drain can be prevented! Here are a few ways to make sure your child has a summer break that鈥檚 fun 鈥� and full of opportunities to lea...
If you鈥檙e a parent or caregiver, you know it鈥檚 important to keep your children safe. And when it comes to being safe on the road, having the right car seat is essential! What kind of car seat does my child need? Your child will need different types of car seats as they grow. If the seat is too large or too small, it may not offer enough protection. When your child reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat鈥檚 manufacturer, they should move to the next type of car seat. Rear-facing car...
Having a baby can be exciting 鈥� but for many new moms, it can be overwhelming, too. Are you expecting your first child? You may be unsure of what to expect or how to prepare for your new arrival. First-time moms who are PCHP members may be able to get extra support from our Nurse-Family Partnership program. Who can participate? The program is open to first-time moms who join before their 28th week of pregnancy. Moms can participate in the program until their child is 2 years old. How does it work? A nur...
Is your child ready for potty training? It鈥檚 an exciting time. It鈥檚 also a major step in their growth from infancy to young childhood. Potty training can also be a time of frustration and 鈥渢wo steps forward, one step back.鈥� The move from diapers to using a child-sized toilet can take three to six months or more. If you start potty training too early, the entire process can take even longer. (Staying dry overnight is unrelated to toilet training. If your child is unable to stay dry overnight and is at le...
At birth, most babies weigh somewhere between 6 and 8陆 pounds. Low birth weight means the baby weighs less than 5陆 pounds. If a baby weighs too little at birth, they will need extra help during their first few hours and days in the hospital. They may also need extra care after you take them home. Babies with low birth weight may: have problems eating have trouble gaining weight be prone to catching infections be at risk for some long-term health problems have difficulty controlling their body temperatur...
When a child goes through puberty, they experience many changes until they reach sexual maturity. Parents will notice both physical and emotional changes during this time. For example, on average, girls have their first periods around age 11 or 12. Around the same age, boys may start growing several inches a year and notice their voice cracking and, eventually, deepening. Puberty lasts several years. It can start as early as age eight for girls and age nine for boys. During these stages from elementary ...
Sometimes, staying healthy takes a little extra effort 鈥� and it鈥檚 nice when you can get rewarded for it! 天美传媒鈥檚 Member Rewards program gives members the chance to earn reward points for completing health and wellness activities. Once you earn the points, you can use them to get gift cards and other items from a rewards catalog . One way to earn rewards: visiting the doctor! Earn a $20 reward value when you : Visit your primary care provider (PCP) within 90 days of joining Parkl...
Parents usually take their children to the doctor when they don鈥檛 feel well, or if they need help with a certain condition. But regular doctor visits are an important part of your child鈥檚 care, too 鈥� even when they鈥檙e healthy. If your doctor sees you on a regular basis, they will be more likely to find health issues quickly and keep them from getting worse over time. They can also identify chronic conditions that may require additional care throughout your child鈥檚 life. Preventive care can include: Well...
Is your child in school? You probably know that good sleep and good nutrition are important for their success in the classroom. Good vision is just as important. School days are long, with many demands on your child鈥檚 eyes. These demands include: Reading , including books with longer paragraphs and smaller words as your child advances through the school years. Writing , which requires them to copy letters and words neatly within the lines. Chalkboard work , which means your child will need to see distan...
Getting to know your baby includes learning what makes them laugh, and what makes them cry. For new parents, hearing their baby cry can be frustrating and even scary. For babies, crying is a survival skill that lets caregivers know they need help. Keep reading to learn the most common reasons babies cry鈥攁nd how to soothe them. Why do babies cry? From the very first moments after birth, babies use their voices to communicate physical and emotional discomfort. The most obvious discomfort is hunger....
Sleeping next to your baby may seem natural 鈥� but it can be dangerous for the baby. Every year in the US, about 3,400 babies die from sleep-related causes. Many of these deaths occur while newborns or babies are sleeping with parents or other caregivers. When you are extra tired from the demands of caring for a baby, it鈥檚 easy to fall asleep holding them in your own bed, on a couch, or in your favorite chair. Don鈥檛 do it! Keep your baby safe while they鈥檙e sleeping. Learn more with the safe sleeping tips...
You may have heard about autism or know someone who鈥檚 been diagnosed with it. It鈥檚 a condition that that can be hard to deal with and understand. Tamara Gavin, 天美传媒鈥檚 Vice President of Behavioral Health, shares some facts on what autism is 鈥� and what parents can do if their child is diagnosed. What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that may cause children to have limited and repeated behavior, interests, or activities. People with ASD can also have troubl...
Good nutrition is one of the keys to keeping your family healthy 鈥� and as your child continues to grow, their dietary needs will change. North Texas pediatrician Dr. Yohanna Andrade, MD explains what you need to know about calories, portion size, and more. How do portion size and calorie intake change with age? The number of calories a child needs will increase as they get older. For example, a toddler typically needs about 1,000 calories per day, while an older child needs between 1,200 a...
From birth through late teen years, your child will visit the pediatrician often. Regular doctor visits are a normal part of growing up as healthy as possible. Make it easy for your child鈥攁nd for you. Prepare ahead of time with these tips from Dr. Mary Strength, a pediatrician in North Texas. What kinds of appointments are available for my child? Some pediatrician visits are unplanned, such as those for diagnosing and treating sudden illness and injury. Others are scheduled in advance, such as well-baby...
September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and it鈥檚 a good time to learn more about how you can help your child maintain a healthy weight. In the United States, 1 in 5 children and teens are affected by obesity, meaning they are above a healthy weight for their age and height. Excess weight gain can have many causes, including behavior, genetics, and taking certain medicines. Compared to children with healthy weight, children with overweight or obesity are more likely to develop asthma, sleep apnea...
A Pediatrician Explains: The Importance of Sleep for Children and Teens A good day begins with a good night鈥檚 sleep. It鈥檚 true for adults鈥攁nd especially true for the youngest members of the family. Do you need help getting your baby, toddler, child, or teen on a better sleep schedule? Keep reading for some great advice from North Texas pediatrician Dr. Mary Strength. Why is a good night鈥檚 rest so important? Growing brains work hard at school, at home, and even at play. When your child sleeps, they build...
The best way to treat childhood illnesses is to prevent them. Vaccines, also called vaccinations, were created to protect people of all ages from serious illnesses and diseases. When you take your baby, toddler, young child, and teenager to the doctor for their vaccines, you help them to stay as healthy as possible. To learn what vaccines are, how they work, and more, keep reading! North Texas pediatric physician assistant Patrick Tarango explains the basics of vaccines and why they are so important. Wh...
Do your children spend many hours a day reading or watching screens? If so, they鈥檙e not alone. Screen time can include viewing computers, tablets, TVs, games, and phones. Children use them for entertainment, education, and socializing. These activities can be a healthy way to spend time. When does screen time become unhealthy? When your child spends too many hours on their favorite devices. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), too much screen time may lead to: Po...
If you鈥檙e getting ready to welcome a new baby, you might be thinking about breastfeeding. It鈥檚 a great idea. Breastfeeding is good for your baby, and it鈥檚 good for you. However, many new moms are not able to do it for more than a few weeks鈥攐r at all. Some moms and babies have medical conditions that make it hard to stick to a nursing routine. Other women choose to formula feed because they have high demands at work or home. If you want to try breastfeeding, plan ahead. Talk to your doctor about it as so...
School starts in August鈥攂ut there鈥檚 still plenty of summer left! That means it鈥檚 the perfect time for the whole family to relax with a good book or fun learning activity. In fact, when you encourage your child to read, learn and explore during summer break, you help them start the school year stronger. Are you looking for no-cost or low-cost educational activities in Dallas and nearby counties? You鈥檙e in luck. Families in North Texas have many resources for in-person and online learning. Just a few loca...
Children seem to grow from babies to toddlers to school-age overnight. Growing bodies need good nutrition to stay strong and healthy. If children don鈥檛 get the proper nutrients in their food, they can have problems with attention, sleep鈥攁nd many other health issues. These problems can last until they are teens and adults. What is a balanced diet for children? Every day, children need three meals and up to three nutritious snacks. Meals should follow the guidelines from MyPlate.gov . Do you and your chil...
Regular doctor visits are important for both kids and adults 鈥� and having a primary care provider (PCP) is a great way to stay focused on your health. What is a Primary Care Provider? A PCP provides general preventive care to help you stay healthy 鈥� they can treat minor health problems and keep them from becoming more serious issues. A PCP is also known as your 鈥渕edical home鈥� because you鈥檒l get most of your healthcare from them. You might visit a PCP for an annual well-child exam or adult physical exam....
Babies and toddlers grow up fast. So do children and teens! That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to schedule regular 鈥渨ell-child鈥� visits with your family pediatrician. During these appointments, parents can check up on their child鈥檚 health and make sure they鈥檙e growing and developing normally. You should take your baby for their first well-child visit within five days after bringing them home from the hospital. After that, most babies will have checkups at: 1 month 2 months 4 months 6 months 9 months 12 months The...
Is your baby growing up quickly? It can seem like they are newborns one day and off to kindergarten the next. The reality is that children grow step-by-step through stages. Every child is different. However, by age five, most children will reach certain milestones in the ways they interact with you and others. At 天美传媒 , we want to help you to help your children be as healthy as possible, every step of the way. Below, we鈥檝e listed a few of the developmental milestones to watch f...
The Dallas Healthy Start program is an in-home service that aims to reduce infant deaths, preterm, and low-weight births. The staff is made up of English and Spanish-speaking community health workers and health educators that provide prenatal and postpartum classes among other educational opportunities. Watch as Nishell Jackson, a Community Health Worker of Parkland Health, talks more about the program and all it has to offer community members. Dallas Healthy Start Program 4917 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas,...