5-12 years: Elementary School Archives - Nemours Blog | Expert Advice on Children’s Health & Wellness

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5-12 years: Elementary School

Melatonin: 5 Safety Tips for Kids and Teens

Melatonin: 5 Safety Tips for Kids and Teens

We all know that terrible feeling of not being able to sleep and drudging through the next day in a fog. If your child is having trouble sleeping, of course you want to help. You have probably heard of using melatonin for sleep problems. Its use has skyrocketed in the past few years. Melatonin is a hormone (or chemical messenger) made by the brain. It helps us fall asleep. Melatonin is also made as a dietary supplement and can be bought in the U.S. without a prescription. But is melatonin safe for kids and teens? Does it work? If melatonin is used with guidance from a health care provider, it is probably safe for short-term use in kids over 5 years. It can help kids and teens get some rest while they work through certain types of sleep problems. But it is still being studied so we don’t know for sure what […]

Is the Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine OK for my Child?

Is the Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine OK for my Child?

This week brought big news for kids and families. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is finally authorized for kids ages 5 to 11 years. The vaccine has been studied in thousands of kids in this age group and has been found to be safe and effective. It is given as two shots, spaced three weeks apart. The main difference between the vaccine for kids younger than 12 and those older than 12 is the dose, which is lower for younger children than for teens and adults. Studies have shown that younger kids have very strong immune systems that react just as well to lower doses of certain vaccines. An added bonus of lower dosing is that it can result in fewer side effects following the vaccine (such as chills and fever). Parents Have Questions About Vaccine Dose The lower dosage for younger children has confused some parents. They might wonder whether […]

Stuttering: What to Know About a Common Speech Problem in Kids

Stuttering: What to Know About a Common Speech Problem in Kids

As toddlers and preschoolers begin to speak more, they might stumble over their words or have problems with enunciating certain sounds. That being said, how do you know if your child is having typical speech problems, or experiencing something more than just the common stumble over their words? What is stuttering? Many young kids go through a stage between the ages of 2 and 5 when they stutter. This might make them: repeat certain syllables, words, or phrases prolong them stop, making no sound for certain sounds and syllables Stuttering is a form of dysfluency (dis-FLOO-en-see), an interruption in the flow of speech. What Causes Stuttering? Doctors and scientists aren’t completely sure why some kids stutter, but most believe that a few things contribute to it, such as: a problem with the way the brain sends messages to interact with the muscles and body parts needed for speaking. Genetics, kids who stutter […]

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) in Children

While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19 and suffered complications from the virus, very few have been hospitalized, and adults still make up most of the known cases to date. However, there are still many unknowns about the virus and new information unfolds every day. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (commonly known as MIS-C or PMIS) is a serious condition that has occurred in some children who have contracted COVID-19. This complication causes a significant inflammatory response in a child’s body that can cause a fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and signs of shock. MIS-C typically presents several weeks after a COVID-19 exposure or infection. Know the Signs of COVID-19 The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally shown mild symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath and cough. Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and headache have […]

Rethink How you Think About Food

Positively Delicious: Having Healthy Conversations About Food

Melanie Franklin, PhD, Psychology Fellow, contributed to this blog post. It’s well recognized that childhood eating habits have a lasting impact on health, longevity, and disease prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that obesity affects approximately 42% of adults living in America, and obesity-related conditions (type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer) are some of the leading causes of preventable death. Obesity affects nearly 20% of children and adolescents (13.7 million), which greatly increases the chances that obesity will carry forward into adulthood. While encouraging healthy food choices is important for preventing obesity and its related conditions, parents should be mindful of how they discuss diet and weight with and around their children. Encouraging kids to diet can have a lasting impact into adulthood, including: a higher risk of disordered eating, unhealthy weight control behaviors, lower body satisfaction, and higher risk of overweight […]

How Can Children Socialize During a Summer Pandemic?

How Can Children Socialize During a Summer Pandemic?

Your family’s summer plans during the COVID-19 pandemic have likely been canceled or at least shuffled around. In the first part of a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs), below are answers and ideas about how your children can socialize during the summer and out-of-school months. Can my children have playdates? For social distancing to truly work, there shouldn’t be playdates, especially inside your home. The best option is still to do a virtual playdate via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. A good compromise is an outdoor playdate, where you can keep that six-foot distance. Get a few kids together for a bike ride or hike. Remember to have rules: be sure that kids over 2 years wear face masks when possible make sure that they wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. If you decide that an indoor playdate is a good choice for your family, […]

A boy pretends to be an airplane while his dad lifts him in the air.

Keeping Your Kids Busy During Social Distancing

Healthy Ways to Avoid Crowds and Keep Kids Engaged during the Coronavirus Pandemic The COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic has changed Americans’ daily lives due to cancellations and closures just as many parents and kids prepared for spring break. Schools and other organizations are now closed for at least two weeks in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. Kids are thrilled, but parents are… well, not. Here are some things parents can do with kids while avoiding crowds, and coronavirus, and keeping some level of sanity. Make a nature bracelet.When I was little, my grandmother took me on “nature walks” in her neighborhood. She made a bracelet for me out of tape, turned sticky side out, and I would pick flower petals, leaves, blades of grass, and other items from nature to “decorate” my bracelet. Put on a show with homemade puppets.We’ve all created puppets out of cotton […]

What to Tell Your Kids About Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What to Tell Your Kids About Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Help Kids Understand What it Is COVID-19 is a new disease that is caused by a coronavirus. Coronaviruses cause a number of different illnesses, from colds to more serious respiratory tract infections. Because this is a new illness, we’re still learning about it. But we do know that COVID-19 causes a fever, cough and trouble breathing. We also know that it spreads very easily when people who have it cough or sneeze, sending tiny droplets into the air. That’s why it’s important to do things to stop it from spreading, like washing our hands a lot and staying away from other people if we feel sick. For most people, the illness is not serious. People might feel a bit like they have the flu and can recover at home with rest and fluids. Some people do get very sick, though. These people can get help and expert advice from their […]

Talking to Kids About Death and Grief

Talking to Kids About Death and Grief

Almost every child will experience the death of a loved one at some point during their childhood. Whether it’s an immediate family member, a friend or a classmate, it’s important for parents to know how to talk to their kids about death and grief. Be Honest The key is to be honest and use age-appropriate language to make the concept as easy as possible to grasp. “Depending on your child’s age, you want to give them the right amount of information and be straightforward,” said Dr. Meghan Walls, a pediatric psychologist Nemours duPont Hospital for Children. “Some parents will say, ‘Grandma is in a better place,’ but that’s confusing to kids. What does that mean? Instead, they should say, ‘I have to tell you something. Grandma died last night.’ It’s better than saying she passed away. You want to be very clear.” Most elementary-age children don’t understand what death means. […]

Which Cereals and Bars are Best for Kids?, Powered by Nemours Children's Health System

Which Cereals and Bars are Best for Kids?

A trip to the grocery store can quickly become overwhelming once you turn the corner and head down the aisle with cereals and bars. You could easily end up leaving the store empty handed in frustration. Cereals and bars for kids are an easy alternative for a quick meal or a snack. With so many options, how do you know if what you are buying is the best and healthiest one?  In 2018 the American Academy of Pediatrics released a report stating that food additives are particularly harmful to children since their metabolic systems are still developing. These chemicals may disrupt endocrine function, delay puberty, cause weight gain and trigger insulin resistance. Because of all these risks, it is important to choose cereals and bars that emphasize organic and natural ingredients.  Bars: The “bar” market is not just limited to granola bars. There are protein, fiber, and nut bars all […]

Healthy Portion Size for Kids

“There are starving children around the world and you are going to leave that food on your plate?” How many of you heard this growing up? I certainly did.   It’s basically parenting 101, right? And it comes from a genuine place. You spend money and time preparing food for your family; you don’t want that to go to waste! Not to mention, it’s hard to know how much a child should be eating in a day. Here are some tips that should help encourage a healthy portion size for your kids!  Serving Size Versus Portion Size Before we jump into healthy portion sizes for kids, let’s first break down the difference between a portion size and a serving size. A serving size is a specific measurement of food. Often expressed in cups, tablespoons and grams, the most common example is the Nutrition Facts Label found on the back of […]

Kids and Sleep, Powered by Nemours Children's Health System

Kids and Sleep: Why They Need Their Zzzzz’s

How many hours of sleep did you get last night? Can you remember the last time you or your child slept at least seven hours? In this fast-paced and work-driven society, sleep often takes a backseat to other priorities. But research shows that sleep is one of the pillars that allows people to thrive emotionally, mentally, and physically. Without enough sleep, our health can decline. What Is Sleep? Sleep is defined as a time for physical and mental rest. During sleep, consciousness and ability to make decisions takes a partial or total break and bodily functions slow down. The body uses this time to physically restore and allow the brain to “clean up” and carry out important functions. Because sleep is so important for good health, not getting enough has been shown to increase the risk and incidence of: cardiovascular disease high blood pressure elevated cholesterol inflammation emotional reactivity Lack […]

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