The negative outcomes for students using cell phones in school include the following- distraction from lessons, decreased focus and attention, reduce academic performance, impaired social skills, potential for cyberbullying, hindered critical thinking, and increased anxiety due to constant notifications.

Trusted adults need to be aware of the tremendous influence social media has for bullies to bully their victims. Children and teenagers need to know that is appropriate to reach out to a trusted adult if they know of any one being bullied or being a bully. It may save a life.

While the process of hearing is a very complex process with many moving parts (many of which can breakdown), it is passive. However listening is a skill that requires action.

The principal causes of illness and death in children today are called noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). They do not pass from person to person but are ingested orally or inhaled or absorbed through the skin. They are not germs.

The knowledge about the various gene mutations are helpful in that it can be known what complications others have with the same mutation or possible solutions can be found. Every cell in the body is full of coded messages and it is a miracle that the majority have the correct code.

Prevention is best. Have CO detectors in the home with working batteries..

Expose children to different cultures and backgrounds with books, movies, music and community events. Treat everyone with kindness.

Use the long dark days of winter to reflect on their wellbeing and make plans for the coming period of growth and building for the future.

It is probably correct that no matter which winter season festival is your family’s tradition, toys are a major part. Toys are an important part of a child’s development. It helps with eye-hand coordination, with learning basic words for shapes and colors, to develop imaginations and storytelling, and to learn social skills of sharing and cooperation.

Air pollution is a worldwide problem with worldwide involvement. It is important to strongly encourage and support policies that reduce emissions and improve air quality for all children and families from all backgrounds.

Sensory processing disorders are not recognized as a medical diagnosis and sometimes it is hard to get insurance to pay for therapy. Ask your health care provider for help with associated diagnoses.

What many faith practices have in common is a celebration of beliefs that center on family, togetherness, understanding and acceptance. What they also have in common is stress that comes with changes in routine and extra demands on time. Every family member, regardless of faith, wants this time to be special and something to be remembered. Enjoy the holiday by having time to be with your family.

Teach your child how to handle conflicts safely and peacefully. No one is prefect but we can all improve with kindness.

The treatment is that is best is lifestyle change: cutting back on processed sugars and fats and increasing daily exercise. If fatty liver is not treated it can lead to scarring and eventually to liver failure. It is the most common cause of liver transplants in adults.

All reading is good reading. Let children know that reading is great no matter what they are interested in. It can be fiction, biographies, children’s magazines, comic books or even a cookbook. Having books within reach makes it more likely that they will pick up one and read. Reading is fundamental for success. Shared reading is great experience not only reading but for building family relationships.

Dyslexia is NOT one size fits all. Having dyslexia does not reflect a person’s intelligence. As many as 1 in 5 children in the US have dyslexia and it does run in families. It is a disorder in the complicated neural circuits necessary for reading. Due to the complexity of reading it is not possible to diagnose dyslexia with a single test. Reading specialists will have to test each child to find out what the specific needs are and determine the best way to help them.

We live in troubled times! Today’s teenagers are having an especially hard time with an increased incidence of mental illness seemingly linked to the pandemic and to social media

The pathways for language and cognition are not as efficient and established so the work of reading is harder. It is harder for child readers not previously exposed to the squiggly lines and their sounds (phonics) as they have not been able to use the neural pathways needed.

September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month