For 40 years, an intervention program called the Nurse-Family Partnership has been sending public health nurses to visit first-time, low-income mothers to encourage healthy behaviors and offer advice on child development. [Read more…]
In preschool, quality counts the most
March 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment
In elementary school and beyond, the stakes for students are higher than ever before. Third-graders are practicing algebra. Standardized testing is more and more important. Even kindergartners often forgo play-time to work on reading and writing. As a result, preschool programs are increasingly focused on getting kids ready for elementary school. [Read more…]
This Is What Happens When Kids Get Enough Exercise
December 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The evidence is crystal clear: Physical activity is great for kids. Researchers around the world agree that youth who are active have better brain function, higher self-esteem, more motivation and better school performance. [Read more…]
What Do Early-Learners Need Most? Play!
October 17, 2016 By 2 Comments
Kids across the nation are back to school — and that means also back to completing math worksheets, memorizing spelling words and writing book reports. In fact, there is solid evidence that schools are requiring more formal academic work at younger ages. [Read more…]
Clear evidence: Spanking harms kids
September 5, 2016 By 2 Comments
As a first-time parent, I was completely surprised one day when I was nearly overcome by the urge to spank my two-year-old. After a challenging hour or two at a crowded shopping mall, he purposely pulled a pile of t-shirts off a shelf at a clothing store in a tantrum. Really, I should have known better than to take a tired toddler shopping for clothes. But that was cold comfort as I stood in the middle of a crowded store watching my son throw merchandise on the floor. [Read more…]
How to improve sex education
August 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment
On the whole, public schools in the U.S. are doing a poor job of teaching sex education to American youth.
A report released last year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found that fewer than half of high schools and only a fifth of middle schools teach all 16 topics the CDC lists as essential components of sex education. Those topics include how to obtain and use condoms, the benefits of condom use, and the kinds of preventative care necessary to maintain sexual health. [Read more…]
Does social media harm kids?
July 11, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Kids these days.
It’s a phrase that has been uttered for decades by older generations as youth forge their way through the modern world. Today, the phrase often refers to youth’s use of social networking sites. There’s plenty of times I’ve heard older adults argue that relationships forged through platforms like Instagram and Google chat don’t qualify as “real” social connections. [Read more…]
What we know about kids and screen time
April 22, 2016 By 1 Comment
New findings about screen-time for babies and kids are something I keep a close eye on. As parent of three young children, I want to do what’s best for them. And yet I’m often tempted to use the television – “just one show” – when I need to get something done. [Read more…]
Kids these days…: The evidence on teen behaviors
March 25, 2016 By Leave a Comment
At one time or another, we have all heard someone say, “Kids these days…” in the lofty tone that suggests children from generations past were better behaved, more responsible and less troubled than today’s youth. Maybe you’ve even said something similar yourself; I know that I have. [Read more…]
Transition to kindergarten
January 29, 2016 By Leave a Comment
My middle child is four years old, and will be starting kindergarten in the fall. While that may seem like a long time away, I know from experiencing this transition once before that it helps to start thinking about it early. [Read more…]
The science of giving
December 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
It was big news this week when Mark Zuckerberg, a co-founder and CEO of Facebook, announced that he would give 99 percent of his Facebook shares, currently valued at more than $45 billion, to charity. Zuckerberg made the announcement on Giving Tuesday, a movement to spark charitable giving in response to the high levels of commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season. [Read more…]
Kids and ear infections: What’s the best strategy?
November 30, 2015 By Leave a Comment
If you’ve ever parented a child who gets frequent ear infections, you know that this is the time of year to brace yourself. It starts with a runny nose. And before you know it, there’s a fever and ear pain. [Read more…]
