Kids & School
Autism rates rising ... but why?
In early 2012, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued findings from a study that found 1 in 88 children is now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by the age of eight. This is a 23 percent increase in ASD diagnoses in just two years. What troubles doctors is that the rate has risen far above the 2006 estimate of 1 in 110.» Read More
Parents connecting with social media
There is a power outage, and your child's school is dismissing students early, requiring you to arrive quickly for pickup. Your kid will not be left waiting for you because you got this information immediately after a quick log-in to the social media site you use to connect with other parents. Some other parents may be delayed in receiving this important information because they rely on phone alerts.» Read More
Are school lunches becoming healthier?
Grilled cheese on a pretzel bun; maple burst pancakes; cold nachos; breaded chicken nuggets -- these are some of the lunch options in school cafeterias across the country. Following streamlined government regulations aimed to make school lunches healthier, some parents are left scratching their heads wondering if anything has changed.» Read More
Homework help may force parents to refresh school skills
Your fifth grader brings home math homework and asks for your assistance. The class is up to multiplying fractions, and it's been years since you've done this type of work. Never mind numerators and denominators, the most you know about fractions at this point is how a pizza is cut into eight slices. What are you going to do when your child is a teenager bringing home even harder homework? » Read More
After-care options for dual-income families
In a perfect world, school and work hours would run concurrently. But the average school day begins at 9:00 a.m. and continues until 3:00 p.m., while the average work day lasts from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As a result, parents must arrange for child care during those hours when school is out, but Mom and Dad are still at work.» Read More
Ready young kids for school
A child's first day of school is a momentous occasion, one that parents and children alike will never forget. For parents, the day might stir memories of their own first day of school all those years ago. For youngsters, the excitement of the first day of school might be accompanied by a little anxiety, as kids don't know what to expect.» Read More
How to recognize if your child has a vision problem
Parents want their kids to be as healthy as possible. Whether tailoring kids' diets to include healthier foods or encouraging their youngsters to be physically active, parents often go the extra mile with regards to the health of their children.
But as hard as parents may try, some health-related issues are difficult to avoid or prevent. For example, even the most conscientious parents might have little influence over their children's vision. Many children have a form of myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, which progressively worsens as kids get older but eventually stabilizes when their eyes have stopped growing, typically in a young adult's early 20s. Myopia is common and treatable, but parents should still educate themselves about it so they can better respond should they suspect their child is suffering from nearsightedness.
» Read More