Smartphones have transformed modern life in more ways than anyone could have imagined. They enable 24/7 access to infinite information and tools that help us stay organized, track our fitness, express ourselves and be entertained. However, easy access to these digital devices and their habit-forming qualities has led to high screen time for both children and adults and emerging research suggests that such high screen use can have a negative impact on mental health.

Concussions are a type of injury that happens when a jolt to the head causes nerve cells in the brain to stretch. These injuries send more than a million U.S. children to emergency departments or doctor's offices each year. It is important to recognize the symptoms of concussion in order to seek prompt medical care, which can improve recovery.

The start of school is a stressful time for both parents and children.

Make sure your vaccine records are up to date!

May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.

What Causes or Triggers Asthma?

People with asthma have inflamed airways which are sensitive to things which may not bother other people. These things are “triggers.”

One of the most important things you can do as a parent or caregiver is to learn the early signs of autism and become familiar with the typical developmental milestones that your child should be reaching.

What are the signs of autism?

Children are at greater risk for frostbite than adults are. Because of their greater surface area children lose heat from their skin more rapidly than adults do. Parents can help prevent frostbite by dressing their child(ren) in layers and covering all body parts from exposure to the cold by wearing hats, scarves, and mittens.

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Looking for a way to help your child keep track of her schoolwork? These tips for building systems and routines really make the grade.

The rate of teen suicide has steadily increased since 2005. Among youth ages 15-24 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of death. A ripple effect of needs is created when a teenage suicide death occurs. Responding appropriately is critical to ensuring that everyone affected—family, friends and the school community—receives the right type and amount of support.

Has this happened at your house? “Mom? Dad? I don’t feel good. I want to stay home from school." And your reaction is, “What, AGAIN?”

It’s hard to know when children should go to school and when they should stay home – and a chronic health condition like asthma can make that decision even harder.

New research gives the clearest guidance yet on how schools can best support children with ADHD to improve symptoms and maximize their academic outcomes.

Jaime Torres has been seeing his school social worker, Theresa Jones, for individual and family therapy for some time now. The bright, timid high school senior grappled with feelings of hopelessness and panic attacks for several years. His struggles started with palpitations, night sweats and an overwhelming sense of the room spinning out of control. Jaime also experienced a sense of desperation and sadness. He could not gain control of his thoughts and struggled with suicidal ideation. Eventually, he decided to seek help.

Nourish Interactive’s mission is to offer fun, innovative solutions that empower children to make healthy choices. We support parents and teachers with free interactive games and tools that promote a healthier lifestyle.

The teaching resources the site provides for parents and teachers are extensive and well organized, the children's games and activities both entertaining and informative.

The most common question for school leaders last summer was: What will school look like next year? Since then, a lot has changed. Many districts navigated significant disease spread in their communities in 2020-2021. Some schools started the year with in-person learning, and others opened up with virtual learning only. Some used a hybrid model.

Regardless of how each school system responded to the pandemic, they learned a ton about what is possible during interrupted schooling. As the old saying goes, “When you know better, you do better.”

During this time, it's important to help your children feel well-informed about COVID-19. Use simple language they can understand and allow them to ask questions or share how they are feeling. Try to underreact to anything surprising, but answer honestly and gently.

Care begins at home, so parents have to ensure that their children are well aware about the critical situations around. The following steps can be of great help.

Covid-19 is upending our lives and forcing us to make complex decisions with little information and conflicting guidance from authorities. Summer, typically the season of staying up late and popsicles in the park, offers no escape. Many of us are already turning to the fall, and the fate of schools.

What will we do with our kids? Can we really send them back to school?

Earlier this week, I overheard my kids engaged in a round of “I heard” and “Did you know?” while they were getting ready for bed.

“I heard that Margaret’s dad has it,” said my six-year-old.

“Did you know that it’s the worst sickness ever?” added my eight-year-old.

Often what distinguishes a respiratory illness as one that requires exclusion or sending the ill student of staff member home, is the presence of a fever. It might be a good PRACTICE POINT for school nurses to evaluate their current definition of fever. If you have been a school nurse for a few years you know that definition is steeped in tradition. The definition also varies even among credible professional medical organizations.