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Healthy Kids

Last Updated: Oct 31, 2019 08:30AM • Subscribe via RSS • ATOM

Kids With Gratitude: Making Thankfulness Second Nature

Oct 31, 2019 08:30AM

Research shows kids that are grateful are happier, more studious, and less depressed, materialistic and prone to violence. Here are 3 ways to teach and instill gratefulness in children.

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Mindfulness in the Classroom: Meditative Training Helps Kids Thrive

Sep 30, 2019 08:30AM

A grassroots movement towards meditation in the classroom is happening as emerging research documents the strong positive effects of mindfulness on children's developing brains.

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Digital Kids: How to Click With Young Techies

Aug 30, 2019 08:30AM ● By Ronica O’Hara

Sound strategies from experts that parents can use to help kids navigate the electronic world we live in.

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Feeding Healthy Habits: A 10-Step Guide for Helping Children Thrive

Aug 15, 2019 11:28PM ● By Melinda Hemmelgarn

Today’s barrage of junk food ads can easily influence kids for the worse, but 10 strategies, including visiting farmers’ markets, teaching cooking skills and implementing device-free family meals, can help them choose to eat better.

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21st Century Parenting: Preparing Kids for the Future

Aug 15, 2019 11:27PM ● By Meredith Montgomery

Today’s kids live fast-paced, technology-driven lives, which is why it’s critical for parents to strike a balance between accepting modern advances and teaching kids timeless virtues.

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The Pure Joy of Play: Why Kids Need Unstructured Fun

Jun 28, 2019 11:37AM ● By Ronica O’Hara

Numerous studies show that giving kids open time for “free play” is so important that pediatricians are writing prescriptions for it. Here are ways to encourage more playtime in kids' lives.

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Gardening for Kids: The Fun of Growing Their Own

Apr 30, 2019 01:45PM ● By Ronica A. O’Hara

How to involve kids in growing their own garden to get them outdoors, foster an appetite for fruits and veggies, teach them planning, and develop their motor, literacy and scientific skills.

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Loving Nature: Outdoor Adventures for Kids

Mar 29, 2019 11:12AM ● By Ronica A. O’Hara

In a time in which digital devices often rule, kids will happily head outdoors for adventures involving gardens, bugs and birds that spark their interest and creativity.

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Household Cleaning Products Affect Babies’ Guts and Weight: Disinfectants Linked to Health Concerns

Mar 29, 2019 10:54AM

Canadian toddlers in households that used chemical disinfectants at least once a week had disturbed gut microbes and higher body mass index scores than toddlers in households that used vinegar or other eco-friendly cleaners.

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Air Care for Kids: Keeping the Homefront Allergy-Free

Mar 04, 2019 01:42PM ● By Avery Mack

Kids are especially sensitive to the pollen, chemicals, dust mites, mold and pet dander that cause allergies, but simple strategies can keep these culprits in check.

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Screen Time Doubles Kids’ Risk of Anxiety and Depression: Impacts Mental Health in Youth

Jan 31, 2019 12:06PM

Children and teens who spend more than seven hours a day on screens are twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression.

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Soothing Anxious Kids: Natural Remedies Restore Calm

Jan 31, 2019 11:27AM ● By Marlaina Donato

Social network-stoked anxiety is rising among kids who already have enough to worry about, but their stress can be lowered with mindful approaches, nature, sleep, diet and supplements.

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Daily Walks Make Kids Healthier: The Daily Mile Program Improves Children's Fitness

Dec 27, 2018 12:42PM

A Scottish program called The Daily Mile, which allowed school kids to walk or run 15 minutes a day, improved overall fitness and lowered body fat.

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Scouts Updated: Name Change Embraces Guys and Gals

Nov 30, 2018 10:59AM

To roll out the welcome mat for girls, the Boy Scouts of America has changed its name to Scouts BSA.

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Beyond Toys: Gifts that Evoke Kids’ Creativity

Nov 30, 2018 10:59AM ● By Sandra Murphy

From do-it-yourself robots to language lessons to field trips, outside-the-box gifts for children will summon their excitement and build favorite memories.

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Air Pollution Harms Developing Brains: Fetal Exposure Leads to Cognitive Difficulties

Oct 31, 2018 11:04AM

Fetal exposure to air pollution can thin the outer layer of a developing child’s brain and lead to later cognitive difficulties, say Dutch researchers.

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Hostile Teachers Hamper Learning: Damages Academic Performance

Oct 31, 2018 11:04AM

Students’ test scores dropped by as much as 5 percent when taught by teachers that belittled or criticized students or showed favoritism.

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Nurturing Creative Kids: Hobbies Engage and Grow Healthy Kids

Oct 31, 2018 11:03AM ● By Marlaina Donato

Unplugging with creative and fun activities fosters skills that can last a lifetime. Here are ways children can express themselves through arts, crafts, hobbies and more.

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Healing Our Kids: Reversing a Rising Tide of Chronic Conditions

Sep 28, 2018 11:23AM ● By Ronica A. O’Hara

An estimated quarter to half of American children have a diagnosed chronic condition such as autism or allergies, but an integrative approach to healing can have profound effects.

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Music Lessons Make Kids Smarter: Improves Academic Performance

Sep 28, 2018 10:59AM

Dutch 6-year-olds that sang, listened to music and played an instrument one to two hours a week showed significantly enhanced cognitive abilities and better grades two and a half years later.

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Youths Step Up to the Global Challenge: Fresh Hope for a Troubled Planet

Sep 28, 2018 10:57AM ● By Linda Sechrist

Realizing that they can’t wait for adults to fix our sweeping societal and environmental problems, young people are taking meaningful action to end business as usual.

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Asthma Less Likely to Afflict Breastfed Kids: Reduces Risk of Attacks

Aug 31, 2018 12:19PM

Dutch children that had been breastfed had a 45 percent lower incidence of asthma later in childhood.

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Spanking Linked to Mental Health Problems: Impacts Children Later in Life

Aug 31, 2018 12:19PM

Adults that were spanked as children turned out to have a higher risk of depression, suicide attempts, drinking and drug use, according to University of Michigan researchers.

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Acupuncture Alleviates Autism in Children: New Study Finds Effectiveness in Alternative Treatment

Aug 31, 2018 12:19PM

When used alone or with other therapies, acupuncture lowered autism markers in Korean children.

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Build a Bento Box Lunch for Kids: Pack Five Foods for Fun, Flavor and Health

Aug 31, 2018 10:51AM ● By Judith Fertig

The newly popular five-compartment bento boxes make packing a nutritious child’s lunch easy plus allow for fun twists.

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Screentime Overdose Means Unhappy Teens: Digital Device Downers

Jul 31, 2018 12:13PM

Teens that spend the most time on digital devices tend to be unhappier, reports a San Diego State University study of a million teens.

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Expecting Moms Can Protect Against Autism: Prenatal Vitamins Lower Risk

Jul 31, 2018 12:13PM

Taking folic acid or multivitamins before and during pregnancy can help to reduce the risk of having a child diagnosed with autism.

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Simplified Parenting: Why Less Means More Happiness

Jul 31, 2018 11:29AM ● By Deborah Shouse

By simplifying our approach to child-raising, we can garner less anxiety and stress, more casual time, deeper conversations and much more fun with our kids.

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Natural Immune Boosters for Kids: How to Power Up Their Defenses

Jul 31, 2018 11:29AM ● By Marlaina Donato

As kids head into the school year, choosing the right food and encouraging them to exercise and address stress can help raise their immunity.

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Air Pollution Affects Teen Menstruation: Disrupts Regularity

Jun 29, 2018 11:40AM

Teenage girls in polluted areas have a slightly greater likelihood of menstrual irregularity and take longer to achieve regularity in high school and early adulthood.

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The Joy of Dirt: Gardening Connects Kids to Nature

Jun 29, 2018 11:01AM ● By Barbara Pleasant

When children plant seeds, tend them and then pull vegetables out of the soil, they learn not just where food comes from, but of their place in the web of life.

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Healthy Summer Hydration: Kids Love These Homemade Drinks

May 31, 2018 10:42AM ● By Judith Fertig

Kids need plenty of hydration, especially during summer heat, and they’ll happily chug tasty homemade drinks that more healthfully balance electrolytes using natural salt and fruit.

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Energy Drinks Hurt Youth Health: Causes Negative Side Effects

May 31, 2018 10:41AM

Over half of teenagers that have consumed energy drinks report experiencing nausea, increased heartbeat and other negative health consequences.

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Eye Contact Syncs Baby and Adult Brainwaves: Supports Early Learning and Communication Skills

Apr 30, 2018 10:41AM

When an adult looks into the eyes of a baby, a synchronization of brain waves occurs that supports early learning and communication skills, say Cambridge University researchers.

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Acetaminophen Linked to Delayed Language Skills: Pain Reliever Impacts Child's Development

Apr 30, 2018 10:41AM

Swedish moms that took acetaminophen during pregnancy gave birth to girls which 30 months later showed slower ability in acquiring language skills.

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Kid Talk: How to Communicate with a Child

Apr 30, 2018 10:17AM ● By Amber Lanier Nagle

Consistency, honesty, flexibility and availability are all key in communicating deeply with our children.

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Natural Awakenings Twin Cities
High-Fat Diet Risks Multiple Sclerosis Relapse: Increasing Veggies Cuts Risk

Mar 30, 2018 11:17AM

Eating a high-fat diet increases the risk of multiple sclerosis relapse in children by as much as 56 percent, while each additional cup of weekly vegetables cuts the risk by 50 percent.

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Into the Woods: Nature Helps Kids Build Skills and Character

Mar 30, 2018 11:17AM ● By April Thompson

Nature immersion programs help kids to navigate through woodlands and listen to their quiet inner voice.

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Teen Marijuana Use Fosters Depression: Impact on Mental Health

Mar 01, 2018 06:32PM

Teens using marijuana have a higher risk of depression as young adults, and depressed young teens are more likely to be using marijuana by age 18.

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Upbeat Kids: Five Steps to Positivity

Feb 28, 2018 11:10AM ● By Tamar Chansky

By using wise strategies, we can help a child move past negativity and despair into a fresh, happier point of view.

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Antidepressants in Pregnancy Linked to Autism: Slightly Higher Risk Involved

Jan 31, 2018 12:04PM

Children born to Swedish mothers that took antidepressants when pregnant had a slightly higher risk of autism compared to mothers with psychiatric conditions not taking the meds.

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Banishing Body-Image Blues: How Teens Can Learn to Love Their Looks

Jan 31, 2018 11:39AM ● By Amber Lanier Nagle

Young women worldwide don’t feel happy with their bodies, but by monitoring their thoughts, eating well and exercising, they can face the world with confidence.

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Healthy Weight Kids: Food Choices that Prevent Obesity

Dec 29, 2017 12:10PM ● By Amber Lanier Nagle

With one in six U.S. youngsters classified as obese, it’s important for parents to follow healthy eating strategies to reduce children’s odds of disease now and later.

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Awake Parenting: Raising Connected, Confident Kids

Nov 30, 2017 04:14PM ● By Judith Fertig

Children are not ours to possess or own, but rather to guide into living fearlessly and authentically.

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Naps Boost Toddler Talk: Daytime Snoozes Help with Language Development

Nov 30, 2017 03:21PM

Toddlers under age three that took the most daytime naps developed larger vocabularies over time, British researchers found.

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Books that Kids Will Love: Advice for Parents from Award-Winners

Oct 31, 2017 11:55AM ● By Randy Kambic

Books with strong stories and inspiring characters can entice children away from e-devices, broaden their horizons and encourage their dreams.

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School Om Work: Kids Calm Themselves with Meditation

Sep 29, 2017 06:18PM ● By April Thompson

Students in forward-thinking school districts are learning through meditation to relax, focus and stay calm in the face of trying conditions.

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Fast Foodies: Toddlers Routinely Reach for French Fries

Sep 29, 2017 06:18PM

The journal Pediatrics reports that children under the age of 2 are more likely to eat French fries than healthy vegetables on any given day and many eat no veggies at all.

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Tonsillectomies Help Only Temporarily: Benefits Do Not Last

Aug 31, 2017 11:14AM

Children have fewer school absences and infections in the first year after a tonsillectomy, but the benefits ebb over time, reports a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study of 10,000 children.

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Experiential Ed: Gestalt-Based Curricula Emerging

Aug 31, 2017 11:14AM

Schools in Finland and New Orleans are pioneering new ways to involve students in a more collaborative education model.

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