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Summer is full of opportunity and adventure for kids who like the outdoors. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are exciting and many kids can’t wait to get off-road and try them out. Although these vehicles may seem like a fun summer activity, they can lead to some serious – even fatal – injuries, especially if you don’t follow ATV safety rules and regulations. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 16 not ride ATVs at all. They say this age group lacks the necessary physical strength, coordination, and judgment to drive an ATV safely in all situations and conditions. Still, despite the risks, many kids are legally able to ride ATVs. Each state has different guidelines and laws about age requirements, many of which allow children under 16 to ride ATVs. But before you let your kiddos hop onto an ATV, know the risks and follow these […]

One of my favorite things about summer has always been the great variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. In addition to being delicious, they’re packed with nutrients including fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate. The high water content also makes them a perfect snack to help kids stay hydrated during the hot summer months. Mix It Up With Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables You can incorporate fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet in a variety of ways to help beat the heat this summer: Try freezing grapes, melons, orange slices, or your favorite fruit so it’s still cold when your child wants a snack at the pool or beach. Add seasonal fruits and vegetables to water. Include cucumbers, strawberries, lemons, or limes to give it a refreshing summer-time taste. It’s also a healthy alternative to juice without providing extra sugar. Just slice up the produce of your […]

By now we all know the benefits of kids playing outside: The physical activity, exposure to vitamin D, as well as the development of thinking, motor, and social skills, and even stress reduction. But did you ever think it could improve your kids’ vision? What is myopia? The American Academy of Ophthalmology defines myopia, commonly referred to as “nearsightedness,” as “an eye focusing disorder in which close objects look clear, but distant objects appear blurred.” It is the No. 1 reason kids need glasses. Myopia usually occurs in school-age children right around the onset of puberty, and generally slows or stops progressing in the mid to late teens. About 30 percent of the U.S. population has myopia. While it’s believed to be an inherited condition, the progression of myopia can actually be affected by the way people use their eyes. Those who spend a lot of time reading, working at a […]

The flu is usually far from our minds in summertime, but an announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the nasal spray vaccine FluMist has put influenza back at the forefront. Come this fall, the FluMist nasal spray won’t be offered to anyone — flu shots will be the only option available for the young and old. If you have kids who panic at the mere mention of a needle, here’s what you need to know. The Lowdown on the FluMist News Recently, a CDC committee made up of a panel of immunization experts announced that they were no longer recommending FluMist for the upcoming 2016-2017 flu season. The FluMist nasal spray is the only flu vaccine that comes in a form other than an injection (shot). You may have heard FluMist referred to by the more formal name “live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV).” So why […]

For so many, dogs are our best friends and trusted companions. Despite how warm and loving they can be, all breeds of dogs are capable of biting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States, and more than half of those bites happen at home with a familiar dog. Of those who endure dog bites, more than half are children under the age of 14 and nearly a million require medical attention. Most dogs won’t bite without a reason. A family dog may bite when a new baby is brought home or a child plays too roughly, teases, or startles the dog. A dog you don’t know may bite when approached without taking the proper precautions. Knowing how to prevent dog bites will help keep your family safer this summer — and beyond. […]

Many parents wonder: “Is my child’s anxiety normal? Should I be worried?” While anxiety in young kids can be nerve-wracking for parents, it has a lot to do with age and development. Anxiety about a certain trigger can be completely appropriate at one stage and inappropriate at another. For example, it’s entirely normal for children up to age 2 to have some degree of separation anxiety, but we hope that kids are able to separate without too many tears around ages 3 or 4. Being worried about dogs, bees, storms and sudden loud noises is totally understandable for 3- and 4-year-olds because they’re starting to understand that the world can be scary sometimes. It’s also expected that kids of this age will go through a phase when they’re exercising mastery of their environment – when it’s “my way or the highway,” which can often be mistaken for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For […]