As every parent learns, keeping your child
healthy is not so much about visits to the doctor (though we are
infinitely grateful they are
there when we need them), but about making positive, well-informed choices on a daily
basis.
Knowledge of
child
developmentand techniques for creating
regular sleep routines and
healthy limits should keep most families on an even
keel if they also have access to some good background
information about potty training,
diet, and common childhood health
challenges such as those listed below.
On this page you will find some of the best articles
and links that we have found to satisfy the wish that some
kind of "owner's manual" came with the complicated little beings placed in
our care. Browse the resources on this page, but be sure to also
check out the pages highlighted in the text above. Earth's Kids
also hosts a special page just for kids and educators called
Your Body, which features links, books, and
other resources to help kids learn more about their body and how to keep
it healthy and well.
Be sure to check our kids
Fun &
Learning Page, Your Body, for great links, games,
books, and plenty of free online information.
Not only is massaging
your baby is a wonderfully enjoyable way to build the loving
connection between the two of you, but it actually has the power to
calm and soothe your baby, and even to boost his immune system,
making him healthier and more resistant to illness and disease.
View the illustrated version.
Yoga enhances flexibility, balance, good
posture and may even support good circulation and proper spinal disc
alignment when done properly. More and more research indicates it
may be helpful for children with learning disorders, stimulating brain
development. Plus... kids think it's great fun!
It's sometimes hard to know when to
take your baby to the doctor, especially for first-time parents.
Because your baby can't tell you when something hurts, normal
fussiness and mild illness can be difficult to distinguish from more
serious problems.
Read this article
to learn how to tell the difference
between true emergencies and less urgent situations, and what to do
in an emergency.
Practical help on dealing with
this fairly common childhood problem. Dr. Stoll also offers his
perspective on why your
doctor may not have been as helpful as you had hoped. Especially
useful for those looking for a method that does not involve
prescription medication or "allopathy".
We all hope it will never happen to our child,
but if your child attends a school or daycare the odds are good that
at some point you will receive one of those horrifying notices that
"your child may have been exposed". But don't panic.
Read this article to get the facts. Then be prepared!
When parents and caregivers ask us how to detect lice on young children
we strongly recommend purchasing an electronic Robi Comb.
This device emits an humming sound as parents comb through a
child or toddler's hair. When it finds a louse or nit, the
humming sound stops, signaling detection. Then the comb
electrically zaps the lice!
Excellent product for
teachers and caregivers as well. No more worrying whether
that "crawling sensation" is a louse or your overactive
imagination.
Please note: we
recommend holding the Robi Comb perpendicular to the scalp.
Do not lay it flat against the scalp as in some cases a mild zap
will be felt. It is not harmful but the zap can be
uncomfortable on tender young scalps. (Avoiding the zap is
easy once you know not to lay the side of the combs teeth flat
against the scalp.)
The Robi Comb is an excellent way to avoid
the repeat use of pesticide laden lice shampoo.
Sure we all grew up being told to wash our hands, but
for parents, teachers, and caregivers hand washing is an especially
important tool in preventing the spread of illness, both viral and
bacterial. And yet, most people do not wash their hands
effectively -- meaning, infectious germs get left behind in the
cracks and crevices. Check out this article for important
pointers to share with your family and co-workers.
Proper hand washing is the single most important way to stop the spread
of childhood illness and disease. Check out this page for helpful
tips on encouraging this important skill in children. Part of
Earth's Kids' special section on the
Science of Hand Washing,
packed with interesting facts, fun songs, crafts, activities,
history, and even experiments about germs, soap, and bubbles!
Babies and
toddlers explore the world with all their sensory organs — including
their mouths. As a result, they're especially likely to swallow
objects such as coins, marbles, safety pins, pills, buttons, toy
parts and fruit pits...
Read More
"One of the biggest threats to an infant's sleep safety is SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), also known as “crib death“ or “cot death”. SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant who is younger than 1 year old. Research has not yet determined what causes SIDS. However, infants who sleep on their backs are less likely to experience SIDS. As a preventative measure, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be put to sleep..."
[READ MORE]
Each year, an
estimated 300 people under age
19 die and approximately 24,000
(65 every day) are seriously hurt
on our nation’s farms. The rate
of death is higher in agriculture
than in mining, construction, or
the timber industry, and children who live on farms may be
exposed to dangers 24 hours a
day. Read
this fact sheet to learn how to keep children safe.
Homes are wonderful places to care for children, but
they are full of hazards including electrical appliances,
stairs, bathtubs, and dozens of poisonous medicines and
household cleaners.
Unintentional injuries cause the death of many children
and also leave more children crippled than do diseases.
Most injuries can be prevented if more care is taken.
There is no golden rule to prevent injuries, but you can
decrease the risks significantly by following the ideas
listed in the
article. Use it as a checklist and find out how well
you are doing with safety in the house. Go over the
checklist from time to time to maintain safety.
According to the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, an
average of 350 children under
five years of age drown each
year in swimming pools, many in
residential pools. The
Commission estimates that
another 2,600 children under
age five are treated in hospital
emergency rooms each year
following submersion incidents.
Some of these submersions
result in permanent brain
damage.
Nationally, drowning is a leading
cause of death to children under
five.
The key to preventing these
tragedies is to have layers of
protection. This includes placing
barriers around your pool to
prevent access, using pool
alarms, closely supervising your
child and being prepared in case
of an emergency. CPSC offers
these tips to prevent drowning [READ
MORE]
This is an
important read for all parents and caregivers. Explains how to
prevent choking (including what items and foods are choking hazards) and
what to do if your child may be choking.
Comprehensive yet concise information on
a broad variety of children's health topics, including common childhood
illnesses. Lots of useful, practical information.
This is a wonderful site for information on
various developmental disorders
-- everything from autism to spina
bifida. Covers characteristics of the disorder, treatment, resource
information, and -- best of all -- personal stories of children and
parents who are leading happy, productive lives, despite their
particular disorder. This same site also offers Diagnosis
Search, for those parents who suspect their child may have a
disorder, but have not been able to determine yet what it is (and
therefore provide appropriate treatment and support).
Information on allergies, bedwetting,
immunizations, potty training and more. Also features message boards
and on-line chat with the Doctor (a practicing pediatrician).
A comprehensive site for safety information for parents, teachers,
and child care providers. Surf their site to learn about
bicycle safety, car seat safety, drowning prevention, burn
treatment and prevention, and much more.
