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.

Stress is a part of our everyday life, especially for parents during these tough times. Children learn to cope with stressors by watching what their parents do. Redirect thoughts and actions in a positive direction. Too much stress undermines not only how we feel but our day to day choices. These mindful strategies can be used by both parents and their children to build awareness around challenging experiences.

While we would like to believe the best in everyone and hope that we live in a world with only good touch, it is important to know that children can be exposed to bad touch. Abuse, and in particular sexual abuse, is a difficult topic to discuss. We have compiled a list of tips and discussion topics to help you start this conversation with your child. Also, in this article are additional references on how to prevent sexual abuse.

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.

A veces puede ser difícil comunicarse con los adolescentes. Es importante descubrir algunas formas clave de hablar sobre estas cosas con los adolescentes en su vida. Las siguientes son algunas sugerencias sobre cómo fomentar la comunicación abierta entre padres y adolescentes. Lo más importante para recordar es que la adolescencia es solo una fase.

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.

El estrés es parte de nuestras vidas, especialmente para los padres durante estos tiempos difíciles. Los niños aprenden a sobrellevar los estresores observando lo que hacen sus padres. Enseñe a sus hijos cómo llevar su estrés en una dirección positiva. El estrés afecta las decisiones que hacemos día a día. Estas estrategias pueden ser útiles tanto para los padres como para sus hijos para crear conciencia sobre las experiencias desafiantes.

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we recommit to giving every child a chance to succeed and to ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment that is free from abuse and neglect. Many parents are out of work or working at home, sharing space with their children who need and deserve their attention. Although each situation is different, here is some guidance that may help. Stay healthy, and let's make great childhoods happen.

Young children can be very active. This is hitting parents extra hard during this trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic with “stay at home” orders and homeschooling requirements. They need help managing their energy levels and you as their caregiver can help them! Although each situation is different, here is some guidance that may help. Stay healthy, and let's make great childhoods happen.

The Galveston County Daily News, April 8, 2020 In this week’s column, Megan Berman and Richard Rupp outline the process used to develop a new vaccine. Contrary to the way Hollywood portrays the process, it does not happen overnight.

Nos gustaría creer lo mejor de todos y que vivimos en un mundo con buenas intenciones. Es importante saber que los niños pueden estar expuestos al mal contacto. El abuso, y en particular el abuso sexual, es un tema difícil de discutir. Hemos compilado una lista de consejos y temas de discusión para ayudarlo a comenzar esta conversación con su hijo. Además, en este artículo hay consejos adicionales sobre cómo prevenir el abuso sexual de personas menores de edad.

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.

Los niños pequeños pueden ser muy activos. Esto está afectando mucho a los padres durante este momento de la pandemia COVID-19 con órdenes de "quedarse en casa" y requisitos de educación en el hogar. ¡Los niños necesitan ayuda para controlar sus niveles de energía y usted, como su cuidador, puede ayudarlos! Aquí hay un artículo sobre las formas en que los padres pueden mantenerse tranquilos durante estos tiempos difíciles.

Durante el Mes Nacional de Prevención del Abuso Infantil, nos comprometemos a brindarle a cada niño la oportunidad de tener éxito y a garantizar que cada niño crezca en un ambiente seguro, estable y acogedor que esté libre de abuso y negligencia. Muchos padres no tienen trabajo o trabajan en casa, compartiendo espacio con sus hijos que necesitan y merecen su atención. Aunque cada situación es diferente, aquí hay algunas pautas que pueden ayudar. Manténgase saludable y hagamos realidad una infancia feliz para nuestros hijos.

UTMB Health has developed a website as a resource dedicated to sharing accurate information about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Also find useful links to external sources for the latest information on this new disease threat. Please explore these pages to inform yourself, minimize risks and if needed, get care for COVID-19.

Here are some things parents can do to encourage learning from home. Keep checking for updates to the list. Want to share a resource, email us at utmbpedi@utmb.edu.

Let's not forget that just like adults, our children may have anxiety and also receive news and information continuously. Children are observant and notice the cues of those around them. This article provides advice on how you can support your child(ren) while practicing social separation. #StayHealthy #homebound

Let's not forget that just like adults, our children may have anxiety and also receive news and information continuously. Practicing healthy coping skills can help kids and adults deal with stress and anxiety. Dr. Jeff Temples speaks to the Texas Standard on being honest and sharing accurate information with children.

Sleep is important for children (or, for that matter, for everyone). Poor sleep in infants and young children can be a source of significant family discord. Your child loves to spend time with you, but a routine is essential. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests building a regular bedtime routine that can ease conflict. Here are some tips for all ages.

Viruses are about a thousand times smaller than bacteria. Scientists are continually working to understand how these tiny particles get transmitted, reproduce, make the host cell sick, how they infect one host cell and not another and how to prevent and to treat infections. Right now, the world is concerned about the development of a new virus, 2019 Novel Coronavirus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure. Read full article.