Most parents have seen television commercials that seem to poke fun at the fact that children don’t want to eat their vegetables. Picky eaters push peas around their plates – but don’t try them. Cooked spinach brings a grimace. Roasted beets are strange enough to make them raise their little eyebrows. These attitudes may seem funny, but when some parents…
April is Stress Awareness Month. Stress can directly affect children’s mental health. Here are some great insights and tips for parents to talk to their children about mental health. Mental health-related emergency room visits increased substantially for children and teens during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the proportion of related visits were up…
In the winter months, that task gets a bit harder and activity levels can drop off. Follow these five suggestions and your kids (and you!) will stay active on even the coldest of days.
Today, more than 12 million U.S. children are obese. Nationally, one out of every six kids is considered overweight or obese, while nearly one in three Michigan children face the same dilemma. These kids face an increased risk of having chronic health conditions and diseases, including type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea and more. The typical American diet has shifted to favor convenience foods…
It would take a 185-pound person an entire workday of non-stop cross country running to burn off the higher end of the 3500-7000 calories from Halloween candy consumed by the average US child. Holidays aren’t exactly known for being healthy, but this year there are more health considerations to keep in mind beyond the usual sugar rush. To prevent the…
As kids start a new year of learning, it might be a good time to check on their vision. Whether they’ll be in a classroom or learning virtually this year, your child may not always tell you they have a hard time seeing things. Since it’s best to catch any problems early, be on the lookout for any of these…
Research shows that without any educational activities over the summer, most kids will lose about two months of math skills. And kids in lower-income families will also lose an average of two months of reading and language skills. Repeating those “summer slides” year after year can really add up, making it tough to keep up with classmates. What’s a parent to…
Creating a window garden with kids can be a fun project to help get them involved in healthy eating habits. The joy of watching a seed grow into something delicious can also help encourage children to try new foods. If you’re ready to try a DIY window garden at home, here’s a step-by-step guide from A Healthier Michigan with a little help…
Oral health care is a critical part of a child’s development. Without it, they’re susceptible to conditions that can be both painful and embarrassing. Each year during National Children’s Dental Health Month, health providers and educators promote the importance of oral hygiene and pediatric care. In support of this initiative, here are the most common dental problems found among children:…
