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March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month – a great opportunity for parents to speak to their children about helmet safety! For helpful tips from CHOC neurosurgeon William Loudon, M.D., please click here:
http://www.choc.org/publications/articles.cfm?id=P00303&pub=KH&aid=184
For more information – including a helmet safety sheet you can share with your kids – please go to our CHOC Health Library:
http://www.choc.org/community/index.cfm?id=P00366
March 4th, 2010
A study released this month by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), found that preschool children exposed to three household routines — regularly eating family meals, getting adequate sleep, and limiting screen-viewing time — had a roughly 40 percent lower prevalence of obesity than those exposed to none of these routines.
These findings were released the same week as the launch of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign to reduce the rates of childhood obesity in the United States. The initiative includes expanding efforts to make schools healthy environments for all children, increasing children’s physical activity, improving the affordability and accessibility of foods, and empowering consumers to make healthier choices.
As a fierce advocate for children, CHOC Children’s has remained a leader in the community in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. To read more about obesity and other helpful tips from the experts at CHOC, click here:
http://www.choc.org/publications/articles.cfm?id=P00303&pub=KH&aid=240
http://www.choc.org/publications/articles.cfm?id=P00303&aid=449
To learn more about CHOC’s programs and services, click here: http://www.choc.org/services/
Or, visit www.choc.org to browse CHOC’s Health Library.
February 26th, 2010
Orange County has been getting plenty of sunshine these last couple days! Although we usually associate the flu season with colder temperatures – due to people staying inside and more likely to spread germs, as well as drier air – the flu season isn’t over yet! In fact, the flu season usually peaks anywhere from November through March.
Check out this link http://www.choc.org/specialties/index.cfm?id=P00506 for all you need to know about the H1N1 and seasonal flu, including symptoms, when to seek treatment, and a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the latest updates.
February 11th, 2010
Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it! What better way to celebrate and show you care than to send a photo valentine to CHOC patients, during the month of February – National Heart Month!
Just print and decorate our “Be Mine” heart (or make one of your own), then take your photo holding the valentine and send it in. Click here for easy-to-follow instructions: http://www.choc.org/bemine/index.cfm
In recognition of National Heart Month, click here: http://www.choc.org/healthlibrary/topic.cfm?PageID=P01800 to learn more about the CHOC Heart Institute, which brings hope to children with heart disease and their families, by providing state of the art diagnosis and treatment for an entire spectrum of cardiac conditions in newborns to adolescents.
February 2nd, 2010
When the rain outside keeps the kids inside, parents’ patience can certainly be tested by bored children! Try these activities to keep your kids entertained while “waiting out” cold, stormy weather.
• Play music and encourage your kids to exert their energy by dancing. Let children take turns picking out the songs and leading the dance moves.
• Guide little adventurers on a treasure hunt around the house! Hide a few items, draw a map and/or provide some clues, and see who wins.
• Engage in story telling. Let your kids be the voices of the characters or act out the scenes, so they are active participants.
• Get crafty. A paper bag and some crayons are all you need for a puppet – one that your child can use during story telling.
• Play “Simon Says” – but get Simon and the rest of his followers moving!
• Lights, Camera, Action. Your kids could have a great time putting on a talent show or skit for you. Make sure you bring out the video camera for this one!
A rainy day doesn’t have to lead to bored couch potatoes! Hopefully these ideas will help bring a little “sunshine” to your day!
January 18th, 2010
After the fun of the holiday season, its hard to get back into the routine, especially for kids when it means going back to school. However, this can be an opportunity to help your child be the best student he or she can be. With these few simple tips, you can make sure your child starts off on the right foot in the new year:
Get back on track
After two or three weeks off from school, it may take your child some time to get back into the swing of things. They key is to make the transition smooth and gradual. A few days before your children go back to school, decide on a bedtime that is earlier than they have been going to bed and gradually transition to their normal bedtime on a school night. Make sure your children return to their normal meal times and activities.
A Mental Jumpstart
Breakfast isn’t a meal you want to skip. Having a healthy meal to start your day seems to improve concentration and problem-solving skills. Eating a balanced breakfast can sharpen a child’s memory and improve test scores.
Be a Positive Example
Remember that setting a good example by eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise is key to getting your kids to adopt healthy lifestyles. Don’t underestimate the importance of staying involved in your child’s education and attending school functions. Children who have parents who are more involved with their education perform better in school, are better adjusted and are less likely to drop out.
If You Want to See Better Grades, then you may want to reorganize your child’s room. Specifically, consider moving his or her TV to another location. Too much time spent watching TV and playing video and computer games can harm a child’s academic performance. School-age kids shouldn’t get more than one to two hours of screen time a day. Here are some ideas to help your child develop good study habits:
- Provide a work space that is specifically for their homework. It can be in their bedroom or another part of the home, the key is that the space offers privacy.
- Give your child the necessary tools to get the job done. Provide good lighting, pencils, paper and any other supplies he or she may need.
- Make sure your child has enough time to get his or her homework done at a reasonable hour.
- Check-in on their computer to ensure it’s being used for their homework and not acting as a distraction.
- Make yourself available to help them with questions. But never do your child’s homework. If your child is having a hard time with homework, consider a tutor. Talk it over with your child’s teacher.
- Take steps to help alleviate eye, neck and brain fatigue while studying. Have your child close the books for a few minutes, stretch and take a break periodically.
January 7th, 2010
Getting your kids involved in helping the environment is not only good for the planet—it’s also good for your family’s health. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), when it comes to air pollution, the greater the level of pollutants in the air, the greater the chance for your child to experience asthma flare-ups and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
Each member of your family can do his/her part to protect the environment with a few simple ideas.
When you go shopping, buy local. Take your child to the farmer’s market to pick out a healthy, locally grown treat. Buying local products reduces energy burned to transport goods.
Avoid waste by letting your child pick out a favorite lunch box and thermos to reuse every day at school.
Turn off the tap! According to the EPA, turning off the water while you brush your teeth can save up to 8 gallons of water per day, which equals 240 gallons a month.
Invest in rechargeable batteries for your child’s electronics.
Save energy (and money!) by replacing incandescent bulbs in your child’s room with an Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). One CFL bulb uses 75 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb.
Walk more. If possible, walk your child to school or to after school activities.
Set up a recycling center in your home. Have your child decorate labels for separate bins for glass, plastics and paper.
Grow a green thumb. Planting a garden with your child is a simple way to help the environment. Whether inside or outside, plants clean the air.
When planning your garden, opt for native plants, which don’t need as much water as introduced species.
Pack a waste-free lunch by including sandwiches in reusable containers; whole fruits without packaging; drinks in containers that can be reused; and snacks purchased in bulk and brought in reusable containers Don’t include: individually wrapped snacks; plastic baggies that are not reusable; disposable forks and spoons; and straws.
Find new ways to reduce waste quantity and toxicity By thinking creatively, many new uses for common items and new possibilities for source reduction and recycling can be discovered. Here are just a few ideas: turn a giant cardboard box into a child’s playhouse; transform a plastic ice cream tub into a flower pot; give pet hamsters or gerbils paper towel and toilet paper cardboard tubes with which to play; use an egg carton to plant seedlings; turn used tires (not steel-belted) into children’s swings or other playground equipment; select nontoxic inks and art supplies; and choose beverages such as water or milk in reusable containers, where appropriate.
January 5th, 2010
More than 50 CHOC Children’s doctors were named “Physicians of Excellence” by the Orange County Medical Association (OCMA). Each year, OCMA conducts a thorough survey of local physicians, and rates them on leadership, teaching and mentoring, research, and humanitarian service. This prestigious list of doctors is published exclusively by Orange Coast magazine. Be sure to check out the magazine’s January 2010 issue out on stands now!
January 4th, 2010
AAA predicts that 87.7 million Americans will hit the roads during the year-end holidays, the busiest travel period of the year. Most of these are families traveling with cargo more precious than any holiday gifts – their children. CHOC encourages drivers to follow these tips to help keep passengers safe on the roads this busy travel season.
• Get plenty of rest before you set off on your destination.
• The night before you leave, avoid alcohol or any medication that might impair your driving.
• If you are traveling a long distance, plan to have rest stops. Young children can get anxious in the car. A few stops along the way can allow them to release some anxious energy, while providing respite to the driver!
• Allow extra time for delays and traffic, so you are not tempted to speed.
• Pack snacks for yourself and your passengers.
• To avoid unnecessary spills, bring plastic cups with their own lids and straws.
• Bring plenty of “boredom busters” for kids. Car-friendly games, puzzles, coloring books, small computer games, and portable CD players with headsets can keep little ones occupied.
• And, be sure everyone is properly buckled up.
Wishing you safe travels!
December 22nd, 2009
The holiday season is a wonderful time for visiting loved ones. Holiday parties or family gatherings make this time of year so special, but often require bringing young children to unfamiliar territory. CHOC pediatricians encourage parents to follow these simple tips to help ensure holiday visits don’t land children in harm’s way.
• Whether you’re the hostess or the guest, clean up after a holiday party. A curious toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.
• Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.
• Keep guests’ purses out of the reach of children.
• Keep a list of important phone numbers, including your child’s pediatrician, for you or a baby sitter in case of an emergency. Include local police and fire authorities and the national Poison Help Line 1-800-222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged.
• Traveling, getting presents, visiting friends, etc. can increase your child’s stress levels. Trying to stick to your child’s usual routine, especially sleep schedules and timing of napes, can help you and your little one enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
December 21st, 2009
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