ARTICLES RELATED TO:
School & Learning

An estimated 7 million children in the United States have an ADHD diagnosis, according to the latest data collected in 2024 from HRSA’s National Survey of Children’s Health and reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If your child has been referred for an ADHD evaluation — or you’ve wondered whether some of their behaviors might be explained by ADHD — you probably have questions. This guide walks parents through what ADHD is, how it’s diagnosed, what treatment options look like, and how pediatricians, families, and schools can work together to support your child. What is ADHD?    ADHD stands for attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder. ADHD affects how the brain manages attention, impulse control, and activity level. ADHD symptoms usually appear in early childhood (before age 12), though they may be recognized much later, especially in bright or quiet kids who learn to mask their struggles with attention, self-control, […]

Long before a child picks up a book and begins to read on their own, the groundwork for reading success is already being laid. Early literacy doesn’t start with formal reading instruction; it begins with a child listening to the sounds of language, noticing print in the world around them, and discovering that their own marks on paper can carry meaning. These emerging abilities, from hearing the rhymes and rhythms in spoken words to making the first connections between letters and sounds, develop naturally through play, conversation, and shared experiences with caring adults. When these emerging abilities are intentionally supported and encouraged, they can blossom into the strong reading foundations that every child needs — and this is exactly where programs like Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart! (NCRBS!) come in. NCRBS! is one example of how early literacy can be nurtured through research-based approaches, offering parents and educators practical, age-appropriate ways […]

Right now, there are new kindergarteners running off the school bus, bursting with pride to tell their families how caterpillars become butterflies. In class, their little hands shoot up in the air when the teacher asks what sound the letters “CH” make. “You’ve grown so much since you were a baby!” their pediatricians exclaim, smiling. For other kids, the shift into a structured classroom isn’t so smooth. When lessons are hard to follow, they tune out. Following directions or cooperating with the other kids can be overwhelming, leading to emotional outbursts. Lunch can’t come soon enough—there wasn’t much to eat at home. Instead of rapidly learning new information, these kids are struggling to catch up. Today, more than a third of U.S. children entering kindergarten are not academically, physically, socially, and emotionally ready to learn. That is not just an education problem—it is a health problem as well. Educational achievement […]

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 […]