As you wearily attempt to roll yourself and your kids out of bed these days, know that the CDC and the AAP are on your side. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging education policymakers to start middle- and high-school classes later in the morning. The idea is to improve the odds…
Read moreMy kids have been desperate for warmer sunnier days so that they can get to the beach and the pool – two of their favorite activities. If ever the weather gets nicer around this town, keep in mind the importance of protecting your child’s skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Sun Safety Both…
Read moreFree + Water fun = Perfection Good thing Chicago and the North Shore is filled with splash parks! We’ve gathered a few for you to try. River Park: Located at the convergence of the Chicago River and canal, River Park offers a rich wildlife habitat, excellent fishing and a canoe launch. There’s a free swimming…
Read moreMove over Bomb Pops, these red, white & blue Patriotic Pops are just as fun and a whole lot healthier. Ingredients: Red Layer: 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries 1/2 cup orange juice 1T honey or maple syrup White Layer: 1 overripe banana 1/4 cup plain yogurt 1/4 cup milk Blue Layer: 1/3 cup frozen…
Read moreChicago is unmatched in its playground structures, often with several playgrounds within a few square blocks. Playgrounds have to pass a myriad of safety regulations in the United States, and they are usually quite safe. Inevitably, though, accidents can happen on playgrounds. Following are some tips to ensure a safe summer of playground fun. Ask…
Read moreTVs that are unstably mounted often fall on industrious toddlers trying to reach them. According to the study, “Television-Related Injuries to Children in the United States, 1990–2011,” published in the August 2013 issue of Pediatrics, the rate of pediatric injuries caused by falling TVs is increasing– about 12,300 injuries among U.S. children under age 18 in…
Read moreIn the U.S. about 1,000 kids die by drowning each year – making it the second leading cause of accidental death in children 5-18 years old. That’s why kids need constant supervision around any and all sources of water – from pools and beaches to fountains and even buckets. Young children are at especially high…
Read moreWhat’s summer without of pile of good books to read? Whether your child is a reader or not, our local libraries have fun summer incentive programs to get all kids reading as much as possible. Many of the programs below allow non residents to join. Plus, you can join as many programs as you want….
Read moreTeaching your children to swim is a lifetime gift, making it worthwhile to spend the time and/or money it takes to raise healthy, safe swimmers. Children who swim well have a fun, full body source of exercise that can serve them for the rest of their lives. Plus, and perhaps most obviously, children who know…
Read moreWith the slightly warmer weather, my kids have had a few chances to ride their bikes, and I thought this would be a good time to review bicycle safety. (Read our post about great places to bike with kids in Chicago.) Just like any activity – safe and well maintained equipment is a must. Check…
Read moreMy six-year-old son, Coby, played in his first little league game this past week. As I sat and cheered him on, I considered all the important safety issues to consider – not just for kids playing baseball, but for all sports and athletics. Here are a few I came up with: 1. Coaches and trainers…
Read moreYou child’s body has undergone significant changes since the day you brought her home from the hospital. By now, as she moves through her preschool years, your child’s body fat has been replaced by increases in muscle and development, accompanied by a slimming of her arms and legs and a tampering of her upper body….
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