Keeping your kids active during the summer in Phoenix can be challenging. You want them to play outside, but you don't want them to suffer the effects of extreme heat. Thankfully, the Phoenix metro area has no shortage of indoor options for those of us who don't have a pool, or who simply want to escape into some air conditioning. Here are just some ideas: [...]
Summer learning loss results in students forgetting weeks to months of reading and math curricula. Teachers spend weeks making up for the summer slide by reviewing material, instead of progressing to build on grade level knowledge. Some school districts throughout the country have done away with summer break altogether in order to improve academic retention. However, old habits die hard. Summer vacation arose from the [...]
As summer begins, you might receive mixed messages about introducing very young children to the pool. Our job is to educate you and your children on the medical community's findings. We support you keeping your child safe and healthy. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against formal swimming lessons until after a child turns four years old. This is because children younger than four years of age have [...]
Diagnosing and treating children with ADHD and anxiety disorders can lead to better academic performance, improved behavior and higher quality of life. So, when a toy hits the market claiming to be a treatment method, and kids love it, what should parents do? School’s out for the summer, and the fidget spinners that irked so many teachers these last few months will soon be whirring [...]
Splash pads are popping up all over the country, and there's a particular appeal in Arizona. These water playgrounds are usually free to the public, located in parks or outdoor shopping malls. Kids exercise and play with other children -- a rare and welcome sight when oppressive heat tends to keep us indoors. Are Splash Pads Safe? As with any other activity you share with your kids, [...]
By now, you've seen it on the news: Don't ever leave your kids (or pets) in a hot car. Children are more vulnerable to heatstroke, a deadly condition that occurs when the body becomes too hot to cool itself off again. In 80 degree weather, a car can heat up to deadly temperatures in just 10 minutes. 80 degree weather is positively chilly compared to [...]
Okay parents, grandparents and guardians, prepare yourself for some truth. We know you're already worried about a million risks to your child, so we'll make this quick: In the U.S., drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone. Of all preschoolers who drown, 70% are in the care [...]
Temperatures are already climbing as summer approaches Phoenix, and even winter days can bring intense heat. Whether you’re visiting a water park in Phoenix or escaping the heat on vacation, it’s time to be extra mindful of heat stroke. Signs of Heat Exhaustion Kids have a tendency of playing until they drop, and aren’t likely to notice what’s going on with their own bodies. You’re [...]
The warmth of the sun feels good and its mere presence can brighten our mood as well as our day. It provides our bodies with Vitamin D, something we are typically lacking. But the sun can also cause sunburn and skin cancer, and children’s skin is more sensitive than that of most adults. Here are some ways to protect your children from the negative effects [...]
Better Crib Construction On June 28, 2011, new legislation, HR 5386, went into effect, making it illegal to sell cribs with sides that drop down. This includes secondhand stores and yard sales. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s mandate for cribs manufactured after the law went into effect: Bans cribs assembled with sides that drop down, Requires cribs to have stronger supports for the mattress, and [...]
