Featured Content | Health & Wellness

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Back-to-School anxiety: Ways to help your child cope

A new school year can trigger feelings of anxiety in children of all ages. There are new classes, teachers, friends and pressures -- all mixed with the physical changes that come with growing up. As a parent, you are the first responder in your child’s life when they are feeling anxious.

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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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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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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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Bullying at school: Helping your child deal this fall

We asked Melissa Faith, Ph.D., ABPP, and Celia Heppner, Psy.D., Children’s Health℠ pediatric psychologists, for some helpful insights, what signs to look for and how a concerned parent can help their child cope with the issue of bullying. According to stopbullying.gov, bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. An estimated 75% of children are bullied at least once during their school career, and 10-20% of children are bullied repeatedly over a much longer period of time. Children who are bullied repeatedly over a long period of time are at most risk of problems with behavior, mood, school performance and family or social relationships.

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Talking with your child about suicide

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults, according to the CDC. Most suicide attempts in children and adolescents occur in the midst of depression or other mood disorders. Nearly one in five high schoolers have seriously considered suicide within the past 12 months, and about 8% have made an attempt. Many do not want to die, but they feel ambivalent (i.e., have mixed feelings) about life and simply want to end emotional or physical pain. Suicide is 100% preventable and there are effective treatments to help. Dr. Nicholas J. Westers, a clinical psychologist at Children’s Health, offers the following advice for parents.

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The facts about summer sun safety

When it comes to buying the right sunscreen, there are so many choices you may not know which is best. Sunscreen, or sunblock, protects skin against the sun's ultraviolet A (UVA) ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause sunburn.

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Vaccines protect children from crippling or fatal diseases

Vaccines protect children from getting sick from many crippling or deadly illnesses. Thanks to decades of immunization, diseases like measles and polio are mostly a thing of the past in the U.S. "Despite what you may have heard, vaccines are quite safe for children," says Jeffrey Kahn, M.D., Director of Infectious Disease at Children’s. "In fact, the risks to your child from catching the diseases vaccines prevent far outweigh any threat posed by the vaccines themselves."

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How to spot and stop bullying

Whether your child is being bullied or acting like a bully at school, these behaviors can affect their self-esteem, relationships, and mental health. As a parent, you can help protect your child’s emotional well-being by watching out for the signs of bullying and getting your child the help they need.

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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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Know when to talk to your pediatrician about your child’s development

As your child grows, he or she will begin to hit certain developmental milestones like crawling, talking and walking. Although each child grows differently, children tend to hit these developmental milestones roughly around the same time.

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When to have your child evaluated for learning disabilities

When your child struggles in school, it can be difficult for you as a parent to understand why. Are they having trouble paying attention? Are they missing important skills? Do they just need more sleep?