ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Child Development

Summer is often viewed as a break from school and a chance to relax. But as the leader of a pediatric health system, I see summer as a stress test for the systems that support children’s health. When the structure of the school year falls away, we gain a clearer view of the factors that shape a child’s well-being: access to nutritious food, safe places to play, nurturing adults, learning opportunities, and stable family support. These conditions matter because medical care is only one component of health. Research consistently shows that the vast majority of health outcomes—around 85%—are shaped by the circumstances of daily life. Over the summer, dependable school breakfast and lunch give way to whatever a family can piece together. Built-in recess and physical education give way to unstructured hours, often leaving children to look for community spaces to play. The network of trusted teachers, counselors, and coaches […]

Before your child can read a single word, they’re learning to read the world. Your gaze, your voice, the way you answer their coos and cries — all of these inputs wire their brain for a lifetime of learning. It’s an invisible curriculum, delivered in the ordinary moments of daily life, and it’s the foundation upon which all language and literacy are built. It’s also, quietly and without much public debate, under threat. Learning Starts Long Before Reading As a pediatric surgeon and social scientist, my entire career has revolved around one central question: What do children need from the adults in their lives in order to thrive? Again and again, the science points to the same thing: Nurturing human interaction, and a whole lot of it. Not “educational” videos. Not apps. Not YouTube. Your words, your songs, your eye contact. This is why I’ve spent the last 15 years […]

Choosing childcare can feel a bit like starting a big adventure, one filled with new places, new faces, and lots of big decisions. The good news? Your pediatrics team is here to help you every step of the way. Here’s a friendly, easy-to-follow roadmap to help you find the best childcare fit for your family. Exploring Different Types of Childcare Options   When it comes to choosing a child or infant care provider, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The right fit for your family depends on factors such as cost, location, classroom size, accommodations, and specialized services. Childcare options may be run by schools, universities, churches, independent providers, employers, hospitals, and the military. There are also specialized childcare centers for children with medical or developmental needs. Here’s an overview of the types of settings where childcare is provided: Family Childcare Homes Smaller home-based settings run by 1–2 caregivers. This is […]

You might think cholesterol and heart disease are only adult concerns, but research shows cardiovascular disease begins in childhood. Many teens have unhealthy cholesterol levels, meaning their good cholesterol is too low or their bad cholesterol is too high. And the risk increases dramatically with weight — with obese teens being affected at a rate of 43%. Since childhood obesity rates are significantly higher than in previous generations, more kids are developing abnormal cholesterol levels early. And obesity doesn’t just affect cholesterol — it increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Ready to make a real difference in your child’s heart health? Here are four simple habits you can start today. 1. Get Moving Every Day Being active at a young age can help lay the groundwork for being physically active as an adult. But how much exercise is recommended for children? Healthy kids should get […]

Adolescents are at a point in their lives where everything is (or simply feels like) it’s changing all around them. They’re gaining new skills as they learn and grow; they’re taking on new responsibilities as they gain more independence; and they’re navigating new social challenges — within their families, at school, and among friends as their peer group members also mature and grow. Meanwhile, their bodies are undergoing rapid physical, mental, and emotional development. When you put it all together, this can often lead to that feeling of uncertainty that most of us experienced growing up. This adolescent uncertainty leads to three core questions that almost every teenager goes to bed wondering: These questions are fundamental to an adolescent’s development and health, which is why there are differences in pediatric and adolescent medicine. Pediatrician checkups begin to change to include more questions about mental, emotional, and social well-being. Our goal […]

Rates of mental health concerns among adolescents, including depression and suicidal thoughts, have risen substantially in recent years. Studies have also shown that the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. has disproportionately affected people with low socioeconomic status, as well as Black, Indigenous, and Latino people, all of whom have experienced higher rates of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. According to suicide.org, about 20 percent of all teens experience depression before they reach adulthood, but only about 30 percent of teens are being treated for their symptoms. Pediatric primary care is an important setting for routine mental health screening among adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends universal screening by primary care providers for all patients 12 years of age and older at their annual well visits. Depression screenings are important because signs can often be missed if they are not obvious to untrained individuals.  Kids who are in distress often […]