Respiratory Syncytial Virus — or as most people refer to it, RSV — is not a new virus; it was discovered in 1956. Most children will have been infected with it by the age of two years old. It typically arises on the radar of physicians during the cool weather months of mid- to late-fall and then lingers into spring. This year, however, RSV made an appearance unseasonably early, with an increase in its activity starting in May.
All in kid's health
March, 2020 shifted the school year in ways we never anticipated. The uncertainty of the school season for 2019-2020 was soon clarified with an April, 2020 order to keep schools closed for the remainder of the school year.
It is estimated that up to 20-percent of children will go through what is commonly referred to as “colic.” This exaggerated version of the normal crying pattern can feel anything but normal to weary parents. These nonstop, inconsolable fits of crying will begin around six weeks of age and will generally resolve by around six months old.
“Peanuts” creator Charles Schultz said: “Happiness is a warm puppy.” The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) agrees. The AACAP found that pets help children with their self-esteem, social and emotional development, and life lessons in developing respect for nature and direct experiences with life cycles.
“No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks!”
This cheerful, yet partly-callous taunt reverberated through the halls on the last day of school. We headed to the exits to fling backpacks into corners at home, not be seen again for at least two months.
As the Snickers commercial humorously portrays, “You’re just not yourself when you’re hungry.” Raise your hand if you can relate to how your choices, actions and attitudes are impacted by an empty or poorly-fed stomach.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, self-esteem — which the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines as a confidence and satisfaction in oneself — is shaped not only by a child’s own perceptions and expectations, but also by those of significant people in his or her life.
According to the Food Allergy and Research Education (FARE), over 6 million children in the United States suffer from potentially life-threatening food allergies. Halloween is a particularly challenging time for these families, needing to balance possible exposures and the fun of trick or treating, enjoyed by nearly 40 million children nationwide.