Back to School

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Back-to-School nutrition tips

With kids returning to school, we thought it would be a perfect time to ask Kara Gann, a Clinical Dietitian at Children's Health, for some back-to-school nutrition tips. Eating breakfast is the best way to start the day, for children and adults alike. To encourage your kids to fuel up before school, sit down and eat with them. The act of eating breakfast together models that breakfast is important. If a rushed morning routine keeps you from sitting down for breakfast, set aside 10 to 15 extra minutes to eat. Wake up just a little bit earlier if needed.

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How to pack fresh, fit school lunches

Parents, now that the break is over for your little ones, it's time to start thinking about school lunches again. Making, packing and taking lunches from home ensures your kids get a healthy, well-balanced meal at school.

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Car seat safety tips for your child's growth and age levels

Every 33 seconds, a child in the U.S. is involved in a car crash. Regrettably, over a third of the children who died in those crashes were not in a car seat restraint, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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Pertussis can be fatal to your child – everyone should get vaccinated

Pertussis is a highly contagious illness of the respiratory mucous membrane. It’s marked by a series of short, violent coughs sometimes followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like whoop. A type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis causes this infectious disease. The bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line the upper respiratory system. Bordetella pertussis toxins (poisons) damage the cilia and cause airways to swell.

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The big move: 8 ways to help your child adjust to a new school

Some anxiety should be expected as the new school year gets underway. Every child is different and will handle change in his or her own unique way. Here are a few tips to help your child cope with a significant change in their school environment.

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Fractured vertebra: More common than you think in young athletes

Your young athlete works hard to be at the top of their game. It can be difficult to know what aches are normal and what pains need a doctor’s attention. If your child frequently bends or twists their back during sports and they experience frequent lower back pain, it might be time to ask their doctor about spondylolysis.

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8 facts about food allergies in children

Allergies are one of the most common health conditions affecting children (age 0-17). Food allergies currently affect 4 - 6% of our youth in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the number of children diagnosed with food allergies is steadily increasing – up 18% in the past decade.

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Managing chronic diseases at school

Children with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes or epilepsy need extra attention at school to stay safe and healthy. With the right treatment plan and support, children with these conditions can flourish at school without putting their health at risk.

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How to navigate accommodations and modifications in public schools

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, children with disabilities, including learning, intellectual or physical disabilities, are required to receive extra support in public schools. By law, your child should have a 504 plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines what accommodations and modifications they need in school.

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Turn your child’s screen time into an opportunity for learning

You know too much screen time is not a good thing for your child. But what about when that screen time is used to build skills in math, science and reading? There are a wide variety of educational apps that can keep your child entertained while learning at the same time.

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Concussions: Back in class and back in the game

Concussions are serious injuries that require plenty of time to heal. Limiting physical and mental activities is extremely important in the recovery process.

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Healthy strategies for returning to school after a concussion

After a concussion, your child’s brain works hard to heal. Just like an ankle sprain or broken bone, a concussed brain needs time to recover from its injury.

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School bus safety tips

"The big yellow dog," school buses, are supposed to deliver our children safely to school. But even still, during the back-to-school season — in August and September — at Children’s Medical Center, the Emergency Department sees an increase in trauma-related pedestrian, bicycle and even school bus injuries. And many of which are preventable by following some simple safety guidelines.

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Safety tips for kids walking to school

The danger of walking to school has never been greater than it is now with texting, tweeting and phone calls to distract drivers. During the back-to-school season — in August and September — at Children's Medical Center, the Emergency Department sees an increase in trauma-related pedestrian, bicycle and school bus injuries. Last year, there were 83 patients admitted to Children's after suffering injuries from being hit by a car while walking and six of these children died. Many of these injuries and those like it are preventable by following some simple safety guidelines. "The most common injury we see from children walking to school is a vehicle collision with a human," said Claudia Romo, program manager for Injury Prevention at Children's Health℠. "These injuries can range from scrapes and bruises to multiple fractures, head and brain injuries."

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5 tips for healthy school lunches

When asked what a healthy lunch looks like, dietitians at Children's Health℠ remind parents that the best lunch is one that your child will eat. But how do you encourage your child to choose items that will power them through the second half of the day, rather than slow them down?

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What are signs of bullying parents can look for?

If your child is being bullied at school, he or she might be hesitant to share that information with you. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares signs to look for if you suspect your child is being bullied or teased.

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How can parents talk to their children about bullying?

Parents often want to know the best way to talk to their kids about bullying. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares tips for keeping lines of communication open about the topic.

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How can parents help children open up about bullying?

One reason a child might be hesitant to tell a parent about bullying is fear about how a parent will react and fear of receiving unwanted attention at school if their parent intervenes. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares strategies for parents to help their children be open in their communication about bullying.

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How can parents give kids confidence to deal with bullying?

Parents often want to know what they can do in their own interactions with their kids to give them the confidence to deal with bullying. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares the importance of modeling healthy behaviors for children.

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4 Back to school tips that may surprise you

The start of a new school year can be exciting, but it can also make your child feel anxious, especially if last year was a rough one, or if he or she is entering a new school. There are a lot of great back-to-school tips online (e.g., get on a good sleep schedule before school starts, get organized the day before, eat a good breakfast, know your class schedule and syllabus). So instead of rehashing what’s already out there, here are 4 back to school tips.

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The importance of life balance for kids

These days, both parents and kids can feel pressure to participate in a variety of activities. The goal of having a well-rounded college application that includes sports, academics, volunteering and work often takes priority over free time and rest.

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Help your child stay motivated in school

It's not news that not all children enjoy school. If your child dreads going to school each day or simply seems uninterested in working hard in school, their motivation for learning may be an issue. You can help your child get excited about school at any age by getting involved and providing the right sort of praise. To help your child stay motivated academically, below are a few key strategies.

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Survival guide: Your young athlete and two-a-days practices

These extra training sessions help to accelerate physical conditioning, skill development and team cohesion. However, athletes can experience increased amounts of physical and psychological stress during these multi-session practices. Troy Smurawa, M.D., is the Director of Pediatric Sports Medicine at the Children’s Health℠ Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. He shares a few tips to help your athlete survive two-a-days and extended practices while gearing up for a great season by getting the most out of each workout.

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Tick-Tock: Time to adjust your child’s sleep schedule

As your family’s extended break from school comes to an end, one important item that may be missing from your back-to-school checklist – or may be started too late – is transitioning your student’s sleep from a break-time schedule back to a routine school-night schedule.