Clean air is important for healthy children. In this “Keeping Kids Healthy” article, Dr. Sally Robinson explains that children are at risk because their lungs are still growing, are very active, and breathe in a great deal of air. Several studies show that children who grew up in more polluted areas have an increased risk of having reduced lung growth.

For the “wordbox” to learn and to do its job it needs lots of practice. It starts with a parent reading aloud to an infant to toddlers having parents help them read. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson explains how the brain works to help us understand and produce spoken language.

In Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson writes about a recent review by Dr. Peter Rowe, MD in healthychildren.org, an interesting discussion about the long-haul COVID-19 in children and teens. Dr. Robinson mentions the most common symptoms of long-haul COVID conditions and reminds us that COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect your family.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are more likely to be in a fatal crash. HealthyChildren.org has some suggestions to help parents teach their teenagers to drive. After receiving their license, they are still in the process of learning. There should be clear guidelines or rules of the road and appropriate penalties for not following these rules.

The holidays are filled with festivals of light, sparkling ornaments, candles, music, holiday trees and plants, and many family traditions. When dealing with children in the holiday chaos, it is important to think about safety. The Academy of Pediatrics offers tips to make the holidays safe for the whole family. [Click Heading For Full Story]

Having imaginary friendships does not mean that a child is lonely or doesn’t have “real” friends. Imaginary friends are normal and beneficial. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson shares the signs to look out for. Young children have rich imaginary lives and they can be very generous in sharing. [Click Heading For Full Story]

Using masks is about safety first. Concerns have been raised that masks will delay speech and language development. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson shares information and tips for better communication with children during this time of mask-wearing. [Click Heading For Full Story]

There have been dramatic changes in the routine of our lives, family interactions, and the constant presence of electronic devices in all our lives. Some of these changes are very, very good, and some are very, very worrisome. It is very easy for kids to access material that is not intended for them. It is very important that we are aware of what children are doing online. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Robinson lists advice for parents and the dangers of the internet. [Click Heading For Full Story]

Lullabies are used to soothe babies to sleep. We have inherited them, and we pass them along. Although lullabies sound soothing and reassuring, their lyrics are often dark and far from comforting. Recent research has shown that lullabies sung live can have beneficial effects on premature infants' physiological function and development. Lullabies are associated with encouraging the rapid development of the neurological system. [Click Heading For Full Story]

Healthy New Year resolutions in 2021 for children—resolutions should be achievable and age-appropriate. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson shares a great list of resolutions by age. Everyone wants a better year, and by working together, we can make it happen! #2021

When songwriters, Joe Goodwin, Larry Shay, and Mark Fisher, wrote the above lyrics, they doubt they had studied the works of Charles Darwin and Paul Ekman on human expressions. However, they did express a universal human truth about smiling. It is the most positive reinforcement. Helping a child grow up with a smile, laughter, and satisfaction is a big part of development. Read full article.

Children are famous for runny noses, sneezing, and coughing. Small children can have 8-12 colds a year. Studies are helping us understand how some diseases are spread. This knowledge would help public health experts guide the public on how fast and how far the outbreak will grow.

Dr. Sally Robinson reminds us to practice safety around young children and hand sanitizer. When buying hand sanitizers, parents should make sure the label lists the ingredients, warnings, and precautions. Call 911 right away if you think your child has swallowed hand sanitizer and needs immediate medical attention.

Headaches are a common problem. During this time of increased stress, stress and tension headaches could be even more. Children also have headaches. By middle school about 80% of children have experienced a headache of some kind. How can you tell if a child has a migraine headache? What should you do?

Human beings who are physically active throughout their lives are happier, more successful, and healthier. It has been a strange and stressful time for all age groups. Physical activity helps remove stress, and most children don’t move enough. What better time to start than during this time of social isolation. Read this week’s Keeping Kids Healthy for recommendations across age groups.

In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson comments on the prediction that we will have an epidemic of mental illness. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions. One presentation of anxiety is phobias. Everyone is fearful of something, but if your child has intense worries or fears that get in the way of his/her daily activities, please call your health care provider for help or a referral to a mental health professional.

Nobody can deny that these are extremely stressful times. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, you can find some suggestions that can help all of us, children and adults. Remember to take a step back and see if you can organize your day. Talk to your children. The fear produced by the pandemic is real. Managing this fear is important so as not to have overwhelming anxiety. As always reinforce healthy eating, healthy exercise, and safe practices. Recognize and complement each other in loving and positive ways. Be safe, and wash your hands.

Bill Bryson’s book, The Body, has an interesting discussion about microbes, including cold viruses. At first, we thought all viruses caused disease, but we now know that of the hundreds of thousands of viruses reasonably supposed to exist. Viruses have survived for hundreds of millions of years. The most common of these viruses is the common cold. Washing your hands is critical to preventing the spread of the common cold. Learn more about this virus in this week’s Keeping Kids Healthy.