Q: [All Ages] “My daughter likes to play jumping and turning sports like soccer, lacrosse and volleyball. How can I protect her knees?” A: The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a major supporter of the knee during sport activities that involve jumping, turning and changing direction. The ACL also stands for “all too common ligament […]

Q: [All Ages] “My child is anxious. No matter how much I reassure her she insists that her worries are justified. What more can I do to help her?” A: It’s hard to rationalize with anxiety. It’s like speaking an entirely different language that anxiety doesn’t understand. Anxiety is emotional and instinctual, protecting the individual […]

Q: [All Ages] My son is entering high school and I’m worried about bullying. How can I prevent it? A: We think of bullies as tough kids who are all fists and no heart. But the truth is trickier. Research from around the world repeatedly shows that bullies are a product of their environment. Children […]

Packing a healthy and tasty school lunch can seem like an overwhelming task. If you are like most parents, you spend a fair amount of time and energy on preparing something healthy for your kids. And it can be discouraging to open the lunchbox at the end of the day to find that lunch half […]

You may have heard about “carb loading” before a game (as in bread and pasta). These options before, during and post-game might have more of a role for young athletes. Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and other melons. On a hot and humid day, these fruits provide refreshing and necessary salts and fluids. They are particularly good […]

Generally speaking, fevers are not dangerous. While they are uncomfortable, most fevers that parents encounter are manageable and benign. Even many of the high ones. A fever is caused when our immune system is activated by a virus or bacterial infection. The fever itself tells us nothing about the severity of the illness causing it, […]

Q: [All Ages] Does your two-month-old baby smile at the sound of your voice? Can your five-month-old grab and hold a rattle? Does your one-year-old clap his hands? Does your two-year-old engage in pretend play? A: These are just a few of the questions that developmental screenings explore. Even if your baby is healthy and […]

Q: [All Ages] How do I teach my kids how to be prepared for an emergency? A: Teaching your children how to prepare for an emergency doesn’t have to be overwhelming—in fact, it can be fun! Spring is a great time to talk to your child about family emergency preparedness and the importance of checking […]

Q: [Preschool to Elementary] My daughter bit her best friend. What do I do? A: There is nothing worse than picking up your child from daycare and receiving a note that he or she bit someone. Whenever a child displays behaviors good or bad, there is a reason for that behavior, biting included. Before you […]

Q: [Baby to 5 Years] I’m going back to work and want to find the best childcare facility I can. What should I be looking for when I’m researching facilities? A: Parents often come in and don’t know what to ask, or they get distracted by some of the things I’d call “bells and whistles” […]