Parents should evaluate their child’s maturity, ability to follow instructions, interest in sports, and any tendency to be overly competitive before enrolling them on a sports team. It’s important to consider the child’s ability, not overschedule them, and look for leagues that emphasize respectful behavior. Children who exhibit a tendency to be easily distracted may […]
Learning to swim is important for children as it gives them confidence and safety in and around water. Parents can teach their children to swim or enroll them in swimming classes. Introducing babies to water early can help them develop a love for it. Gradual introduction to water and proper breathing techniques can help older […]
Gymnastics is a great way to teach children about fitness and healthy living, while also building self-confidence and agility. It is recommended to start gymnastics at three to four years old, but it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. A qualified instructor can minimize the risk of injury. If you’re concerned about the […]
Swimming lessons can prevent accidental drownings in young children. Non-profit organizations and private instructors offer lessons, but parents should supervise young children and consider their interest level before enrolling them. Children four and older can enjoy the social and competitive aspects of swimming lessons. Parents should also be aware of scheduling and enrollment terms. Swimming […]
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children’s rights and is widely ratified, but the US and Somalia have not ratified it. The US has concerns about parental rights and the death penalty for minors. Even ratified countries don’t always follow all aspects of the treaty. The United Nations (UN) Convention on […]
Child labor involves employing minors in continuous work, often in dangerous or exploitative conditions. The definition varies across cultures, but the United Nations defines a child as anyone under 18. Child labor laws were first passed in the 1800s, but the tradition of children working on family farms or businesses persists. While some countries allow […]
Children experience different signs of grief based on their age and emotional maturity. Newborns may feel a sense of loss and separation, while two to six year olds may experience loss of bladder and bowel control. Nine year olds understand death to some extent, while 12 year olds may feel guilty about being alive. The […]
Every two seconds, an underage girl becomes a child bride somewhere in the world. Over 76% of girls in Niger, Chad, and Bangladesh are married before age 18. Around 15 million girls get married annually before turning 18, with 41,000 child brides daily. Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth […]
Sleepwalking in children is a common occurrence and is classified as a parasomnia sleep disorder. It is more common in young children due to the immaturity of their nervous system and can be caused by anxiety, illness, poor sleep habits, and genetics. Sleepwalking occurs during deep sleep and is not caused by dreams. It tends […]
Middle child syndrome can cause increased sibling rivalry, low self-esteem, and attention-seeking behavior. Middle children often feel neglected and less significant than their older and younger siblings. However, being the only boy or girl in the family can prevent this syndrome. Birth order does not determine success in life. Some of the effects of middle […]
Developmental delays in children can be identified by comparing their abilities to those of their peers. Milestone delays such as crawling or walking, stubbornness, stiff limbs, and communication difficulties may indicate a delay. Doctors should be consulted for concerns. There are several signs that a developmental delay may be present in a child. While it […]
Stomach pain in children can be caused by lactose intolerance, overeating, hunger, stress, infection, or illness. Girls may experience menstrual cramps. Parents should pay attention to other symptoms and behavior to determine the cause. Avoiding milk products or taking lactase supplements can alleviate lactose intolerance. High sugar and fat foods can exacerbate overeating. Hunger and […]
Psychological child abuse is the non-physical abuse of a child through words, intimidation, manipulation, and withholding. It can harm a child emotionally, mentally, and socially, and is often harder to detect than physical abuse. Signs include aggression, passivity, eagerness to please, and delayed development. Psychological child abuse is the mental or emotional abuse of a […]
To deal with a child’s anger, determine the cause and set clear boundaries. Tantrums can be reduced with distraction techniques. Fatigue, disruption to sleep and physical illness can also cause anger. Parents should lead by example and offer extra affection. Seek medical help if necessary and emotional support if needed. The first step in dealing […]
Divorce is difficult for children to accept, with emotional burdens similar to a death or move. Parents should prepare themselves first and seek advice from counselors, self-help guides, and support groups. Children should be approached at their age level, with reassurance that the divorce is not their fault and honesty about custody arrangements. Divorce, unfortunately, […]
Children are recommended to receive five different vaccinations, including hepatitis B, HiB, IPV, PCV, and DTaP, at various times during their first year of life. Most vaccinations involve multiple doses and follow-up injections later in life. Hepatitis B, HiB, IPV, and PCV vaccines are given at 2, 4, and 6 months, with follow-up shots given […]
Physical child abuse can be identified by bruises, broken bones, scars or burns without valid explanations. Abused children may hide their wounds and wear intrusive clothing. Abusers may use belts, punches, and cause head damage. Emotional harm and defensive body language may accompany physical abuse. Shaken baby syndrome is a common reason for loss of […]
The Child Online Protection Act aimed to protect children from harmful online material, but was declared unconstitutional in 2009. It required businesses with adult content to collect personal identification to verify age, but had exceptions for educational material. Parents are responsible for their children’s online safety, but the government has a role in preventing access […]
The UCCJEA is a US law that determines which court has jurisdiction over child custody cases that cross state lines. It was updated in 1997 to comply with federal law and includes provisions for emergency jurisdiction and exclusive jurisdiction. The law also streamlines proceedings and protects against child abduction. All states except for Massachusetts are […]
Incontinence in children can be caused by physiological factors such as slower bladder development, hormone deficiency, and caffeine consumption, as well as psychological factors such as anxiety. Daytime incontinence is often caused by an overly active bladder or psychological reasons, while nocturnal incontinence is linked to a small bladder, delayed development of bladder fullness signals, […]
