All reading is good reading. Let children know that reading is great no matter what they are interested in. It can be fiction, biographies, children’s magazines, comic books or even a cookbook. Having books within reach makes it more likely that they will pick up one and read. Reading is fundamental for success. Shared reading is great experience not only reading but for building family relationships.

Dyslexia is NOT one size fits all. Having dyslexia does not reflect a person’s intelligence. As many as 1 in 5 children in the US have dyslexia and it does run in families. It is a disorder in the complicated neural circuits necessary for reading. Due to the complexity of reading it is not possible to diagnose dyslexia with a single test. Reading specialists will have to test each child to find out what the specific needs are and determine the best way to help them.

We live in troubled times! Today’s teenagers are having an especially hard time with an increased incidence of mental illness seemingly linked to the pandemic and to social media

The pathways for language and cognition are not as efficient and established so the work of reading is harder. It is harder for child readers not previously exposed to the squiggly lines and their sounds (phonics) as they have not been able to use the neural pathways needed.

September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

The growth of AI has been so rapid that U.S. legislation has not been able to keep up protecting children.

We can all reach out and offer support to parents and caregivers on a regular basis. There are lifeline resources such as the suicide and crisis lifeline (988). There is a Parent Support Network (mhanational.org/mental-health-resources-parents) that provide free local and online support meetings for any parent or guardian.

Congratulations to Dr. Reyes and Dr. Petronella Croisant. Recognized at the Office of Faculty Affairs Faculty Recognition Reception Dr. Victor Reyes, Professor, Departments of Pediatrics (JSSOM) and Microbiology & Immunology (GSSB) FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARD IN TEACHING (one of two such awards across the institution) Dr. Sharon Petronella Croisant, Professor, School of Public and Population Health former member of Dept. Pediatrics (1999-2010) ACADEMY OF MASTER TEACHERS’ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Let your doctor know if you or your family have been exposed to flea dirt and have the above symptoms and are not responding to the usual treatments.

Most of all it is important that parents take care of themselves and talk to their doctors when stressed.

Water is the most vital of human’s macronutrients. Without water we die and quickly.

Congratulations to Victor E. Reyes, PhD, who has been selected for the 2024 UTMB Faculty Excellence Award in Education

Congratulations to Dr. Tiziana Corsello for being awarded the Catalyst Award from the American Lung Association Research Institute for up to two years. profound changes in exosomes.

When should a parent or caregiver be worried about drooling? If an ill child with a sore throat has excessive drooling and difficulty breathing call 911 immediately as it may be a life-threatening emergency called epiglottis. Thanks to vaccines this is less common today.

Each disastrous event is different but including children in the planning for and then the review of their plan will make things better for everyone. Remember practice makes perfect.

In healthy children.org there is a recent update on travel tips for stress-free family travel. Most families travel by car and the first rule is always use a car seat even in rental cars or taxis.