Children's Health

A child's growth not only involves the length and weight of his or her body, but also internal growth and development. ...more

Parents need to realize the rational part of a teen's brain isn't fully developed and won't be until they are 25 years old or so. ...more

Children go through distinct stages of play as they grow. Each stage is critically important to the development of the next. ...more

Read on for helpful suggestions for activities and toys for your baby, according to their age. ...more

Cognitive development means the growth of a child's ability to think and reason. This growth happens differently from ages 6 to 12, and ages 12 to 18. ...more

Research shows that reading regularly to young children, especially those between ages 6 months and 5 years, is central to their overall growth and development. ...more

Eating healthy is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and is something that should be taught to children at a young age. ...more

Choosing how to feed your baby is an important decision that has life-long effects for your baby and for you. ...more

Preschool children are still developing their eating habits and need encouragement to eat healthy meals and snacks. ...more

Read on to learn about healthy food choices, activity tips, and helpful feeding information for your toddler. ...more

Helpful information and tips on healthy food choices for school-age children....more

You may think of heart disease as a problem for adults, not your young children. But diet and exercise habits started in childhood can begin a lifetime of heart health, or a lifetime of heart damage. ...more

Encourage your teen to eat three balanced meals a day, with fruits or vegetables as snacks. ...more

You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking your child by about 12 months at the latest. The dentist can provide or recommend preventative information regarding baby bottle tooth decay, infant feeding practices, mouth cleaning, teething, pacifier habits, and finger-sucking. habits. ...more

Generally, dental exams and cleanings are recommended every 6 months for children. Encourage good oral hygiene at home by helping your child brush their own teeth. ...more

Tooth decay is the breakdown of tooth enamel. Enamel is the hard outer surface of a tooth. Tooth decay can lead to cavities. ...more

A baby's first tooth often appears between 5 and 7 months of age. Some babies get their first tooth a little earlier and others a little later. Here's what you need to know. ...more

Teeth that have tooth decay must be repaired. Advances in dental materials and methods provide new, effective ways to restore teeth. ...more

Dental sealants are thin, plastic films painted on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. They are highly effective in preventing tooth decay. ...more

The main parts of the ear are the outer ear, the eardrum (tympanic membrane), the middle ear, and the inner ear. ...more

A helpful guide to the nose, the sinuses, and the throat....more

A helpful look at age-appropriate hearing milestones for babies and toddlers....more

A look at the 3 different types of hearing loss and what causes them....more

Hearing loss in babies is rare in this country. But when it does happen, it's important to diagnose it early. Undetected hearing loss can delay speech and language development. ...more

A look at the different types of hearing tests used for babies and children....more

A look at the healthcare team members involved in diagnosing a child's hearing loss, and different ways of managing hearing loss. ...more

Hearing aids can help improve hearing and speech, especially in children with hearing loss in the inner ear caused by damaged hair cells or a damaged hearing nerve. Read on to learn about the types of hearing aids available, and what to think about before buying one. ...more

The structures of the eye include the cornea, iris, pupil, macula, retina, and the optic nerve. ...more

To understand how certain problems can affect your child's vision, it’s important to know how normal vision happens. ...more

Detailed information on a child's vision milestones....more

An overview of different eye care providers and what they do, from ophthalmlogists and optometrists to opticians and ocularists. ...more

Many types of vision tests can be used to check your child's ability to see. Some of them can be used at any age, and some are used based on your child's age and understanding. ...more

Symptoms of eye problems in children include crossed eyes, redness in the eyes, squinting, and excessive tearing. ...more

Eye disorders in children are either refractive or nonrefractive errors. Refractive errors are caused by the shape of the eye. Nonrefractive errors are caused by disease. ...more

The most common refractive errors in children are nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. ...more

Playing sports has many benefits for a child. But the correct safety measures need to be taken. Read on to learn more. ...more

Detailed information on sports safety for kids, including safety gear and equipment...more

Here's what you need to know about treating a minor sports injury, such as a twisted ankle, shin splint, or strained muscle. ...more

Sprains and strains are types of injuries. A sprain is an injury to a ligament while a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. ...more

Teens need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days for good health and fitness and for healthy weight during growth. ...more

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Sports Medicine now say that strength training is fine for kids, as long as they're supervised and don't try to lift too much weight. Read on ...more

It may not always be possible to avoid injury when playing sports, especially physical contact sports. But there are things kids can do to protect themselves. Preparing before and after a game or practice session by warming up muscles and then stretching can help. ...more

Organized sports for children offer obvious benefits such as physical fitness and sportsmanship, but did you know that a musical education program has many of the same benefits? Music education and participation in sports are both great ways to prepare your child for future success. ...more

Children with special needs are sometimes not encouraged to exercise, because their parents or guardians fear they'll be injured. But physical activity is as important for children with special needs as it is for any child. ...more

Activity can help prevent heart disease, cancer, and stroke. It can also lessen feelings of depression, and boost confidence. As children get older, they often reduce their physical activity. Because of this, making activity a family priority is key. ...more

When you have asthma, exercise can make you breathe faster. This may cause asthma symptoms or an asthma attack. ...more

The normal amount of sleep varies depending on the age of your child. Read on for helpful tips to create healthy sleep habits, plus a chart of normal day and night sleep times by age. ...more

If you know anything about your baby's sleeping pattern, it's probably that it doesn't coincide with yours. But learning more about your baby's nighttime and daytime sleep needs can help you recognize what's normal, and what's not. ...more

A night terror is a partial waking from sleep with behaviors such as screaming, kicking, panic, sleep walking, thrashing, or mumbling. ...more

Without enough shut-eye, children are more likely to struggle with their school studies, do poorly on the playing field, and suffer depression. ...more

In general, take your child to an emergency room after an injury any time you think the problem may need urgent care. ...more

You can help your child by being prepared and preventing injuries from happening. It is important to take charge of your child's health and follow a program designed to help you and your family stay healthy and safe. ...more

In an emergency, it is easy to "forget" even the most well-known information. That's why it is crucial to complete the information in this form for each member of your household. ...more

Choking hazards in the home: round, firm foods, such as grapes and popcorn, and small nonfood items, such as coins, balloons, and marbles. ...more

Read on for specific safety and injury prevention tips for wheel sports--from biking and inline skating to skateboarding and scooters. ...more

Learn helpful tips on what type and size of bike is right for your child, depending on their age, size, and ability. ...more

As part of your preparation for your new baby, you probably got an infant safety seat for the car. But do you know how to make sure it’s installed correctly? And when do you switch to a child safety seat? Learn the ins and outs of safe car travel for your little one. ...more

Detailed information on car safety....more