For infants and toddlers, exercise doesn't mean going to the gym to run the treadmill or pump iron, but that doesn't mean that exercise isn't important for small children. In fact, exercise is essential to child development, an...
Babies progress from the infant stage to the toddler stage, which begins at age 1 and continues to age 3, according to HealthyChildren.org. Toddlers are just learning to eat solid foods, and parents are often concerned about nu...
Your teen's academic performance is a reflection of her social and physical health, so don't wait and hope her grades will improve on their own. Working with her as well as her doctor and school counselors can help you identify...
As a parent, you probably envision your child growing into a confident adult who respects not only others but also himself. It's not always easy to instill these attitudes and behaviors in children, but it's important to start ...
While you might rely on chicken soup and orange juice as an adult, you may wonder if there are foods that are off limits for children between the ages of 12 and 24 months. Avoiding certain foods and giving others in the right a...
Through extracurricular programs, a student can explore new interests with more autonomy than she has during her school day, learning new skills while socializing with peers who share her enthusiasm for the activity. Music, for...
According to Judy Herr, author of "Creating Learning Activities for Young Children," the foods your child eats now can influence her food preferences as she gets older. Texture is an important element of food, and off...
Virtually every child will experience constipation at one point, and some children are frequently constipated. Constipation can be painful for your child and stressful for you, but luckily it's generally not a sign of a serious...
Learning downhill skiing -- sometimes referred to as alpine skiing -- offers a both exciting and nerve-wracking experience for you and your toddler. The confining ski gear along with the downhill position and cold weather may n...
As her temperature starts to go down, she should start to feel better, but she won't be completely healthy right away. Be on the lookout for signs that indicate her illness is getting worse, and don't hesitate to call the pedia...
Croup is a medical condition characterized by difficulty breathing and a distinctive cough caused by constricted airways. Croup, which usually affects children who are 5 years old or younger, results from inflammation and swell...
Illness, such as a fever, can cause fatigue, lethargy and a general feeling of malaise in your child. Both fever and mood changes can be symptoms of an underlying serious illness. By understanding your child’s symptoms an...
Even in the United States, where food is plentiful, 1 percent of children suffer from malnourishment, according to Johns Hopkins Children's Center. The World Hunger Organization Service reports that in developing countries, as ...
Babies' tummies go through dramatic changes in a short amount of time, and the type of food they receive will have a significant impact on their overall health and wellness. Introducing some foods at the wrong time can even con...
Many toddlers seem to get one illness after another, and your toddler's doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight an infection. When your toddler is taking antibiotics, you can help her recover more quickly by providing a nutri...
Antibiotics are powerful medications used to treat illness caused by bacterial infections. Some of the most common bacterial infections in children include strep throat, skin infections and ear infections. If your child has a f...
Teething is an essential milestone in your baby's development. Although every infant is different, most will begin teething between 4 and 7 months of age. The first molars will typically appear when your baby is between 12 and ...
Developmental milestones for emotional and social skills can help you decide if your child lacks maturity. Keep in mind that children develop at different rates, so immaturity isn't always a cause for concern. But if it interfe...
Breast milk is the most nutritious food you can feed your infant. Once your baby reaches the toddler years, he might still be nursing, which continues to provide him with tiny doses of key nutrients. Breast milk should not be t...
Discovering that your toddler has diarrhea can be unnerving, particularly if he displays no other symptoms of illness. While a gastrointestinal infection is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in toddlers, the grains your...
Children, for whatever reason, love to put small items in their ears, noses and mouths. If you have a child who frequently puts things in his ear, constant visits to the emergency room and doctor's visits can be frustrating. Be...
For centuries, people have harnessed the healing powers of the camellia sinensis plant to make green tea. Green tea is available as a traditional beverage, or as extract in a capsule. Unlike black or oolong tea, which also come...
Diarrhea causes more missed days of work and school than any health problem other than the common cold, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This common malady usually goes away on its own, and fasting won't help resolve it more ...
Only your gynecologist can make honest, informed suggestions on what you should and shouldn’t use during your pregnancy, but olive oil is generally considered safe. In fact, many women apply this oil to their stomachs to ...
It’s normal for colds and infections to result in a cough, but if your toddler’s cough persists, it may be the symptom of another medical condition. It’s not common for a cough to get worse while you're eating...
A fever is the body's natural defense against infection, and occurs when the hypothalamus tells the body to raise its normal temperature, according to the textbook "Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology." While the a...
All of these conditions have specific signs and symptoms. Some are self-limiting and others, such as intestinal obstruction and meningitis, need immediate medical attention. When vomiting occurs with painful urination and no fe...
A fever is the body's way of fighting infection, and elevated body temperature can kill a variety of pathogens, according to the textbook "Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology." Some children develop fevers after ea...
The elderly are at higher risk than the general population for temperature-related health issues. The body's reduced ability to regulate temperature, medical problems, medications and the environment are all factors affecting t...
Parents never want to see their child feeling uncomfortable. If your toddler's face is constantly itching, the irritating, unpleasant sensation may leave her cranky, easily frustrated and prone to tears. By figuring out what is...
When a common cold or a virus-fed cough lays your toddler low, it’s frustrating to known that antibiotics or other prescribed medicines can’t help. Your child’s pediatrician is the expert source for the best o...
Many parenting books and articles acknowledge the importance of praise as a tool for boosting a child's self-confidence and shaping his behavior. However, not all children respond similarly to praise, and not all praise is equa...
While you might not be able to control the physical factors of your growth, simply because of what you are born with at the start of your life, you can still try to keep your body as healthy as possible by tending to your nutri...
A painful shoulder paired with red skin may mean you need medical attention. However, the cause could be something simple like a sunburn that may resolve on its own. Several other possible unrelated conditions could cause such ...
Bronchitis is the medical term for a chest cold. Viral infections are the most common cause of acute bronchitis. Dr. Alan Greene, pediatrician and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University, notes that research ind...
Walking is an easy aerobic exercise that burns calories and helps keep the heart healthy. There are few drawbacks, but black toenail is a common problem. Regular walkers are most often afflicted with black toenail. If shoes do ...
Pregnancy starts at the point of conception when the sperm of a male fuses with the egg of a female. This can lead to several changes in your body. In fact, most women opt for a pregnancy test only after they observe symptoms s...
When your toddler has a fever, your natural instinct is to worry. However, toddlers can get many fevers a year, and they usually aren't serious. A fever is the body's first line of defense against an infection. Consult your ped...
The rash appears on the chest, back and stomach before spreading to the limbs. Small, red bumps occur in patches and disappear within hours or days. The virus is so common that, by kindergarten, most children are immune to rose...
Whether you are using toys, books, materials from outdoors or simply your own bodies, young toddler games naturally encourage hand-eye coordination, language development, spacial reasoning and interpersonal skills. Children at ...
Human babies have immune systems that have yet to be exposed to many pathogens, or disease-causing agents. Many diseases that seem rather innocuous to older children and adults can wreak havoc on a newborn’s developing im...
Nausea in kids can be triggered by a wide range of both physiological and psychological causes. Most pediatric nausea is a short-duration condition related to food, a virus or nerves. Some children also get nauseous from motion...
Fundamental movement skills are the basis of the first movements that infants make in their lives. The child must master these skills before she can begin playing games, participating in sports or involving herself in any recre...
Noticing black gums on your child can be frightening, but there are many possible causes. In general, milk ingestion isn’t a direct cause of black gums, but it may contribute to periodontal disease that involves the gum l...
More than 600 muscles form in the human body and by the time your child surpasses puberty into late adolescence, his muscle mass is at peak levels. Genetic abnormalities can cause under- or overdeveloped muscles in children. My...
Many parents give their children multivitamins in an effort to ensure that they get all of the nutrients they need each day. According to MayoClinic.com, however, experts disagree on the necessity of supplementation. Children c...
These black spots are probably not a reason for concern, as long as they only occur once or for only a few seconds, according to Medline Plus. Many people, including children, see these spots from time to time. However, if the ...
Difficulties can range from mild bedwetting to urine retention that results in kidney damage and should be addressed as soon as you become aware. Stimuli such as the birth of a new child, moving to a new home or starting day ca...
Many physically handicapped or learning-disabled children receive occupational therapy to address developmental needs. Occupational therapists often use games and activities to help children practice motor skills, improve coord...
Because childhood obesity often results from a lack of physical activity, disabled children can develop it because of their physical limitations. These children also face more serious health consequences from obesity than non-d...
Taking supplements may result in many side effects, including constipation, which is characterized by hard, infrequent stools. If your toddler is taking a multivitamin supplement, it might even be difficult to determine which n...
The lining in the small intestine becomes damaged from the immune system’s response and has difficulty absorbing important nutrients from foods. Celiac disease cannot be cured. Children, as well as adults, with the diseas...
Although dizziness can precede fainting, fainting can occur without warning. Sudden fainting in your child can be alarming, but many causes of fainting are not dangerous and can be easily remedied. However, sudden fainting can ...
The emotional changes in school-age children can be enough to leave a parent scratching their head and wondering if everything is okay. However, children’s development, while it can sometimes be challenging, follows defin...
Toddlers often have rather odd-looking stools, depending on what they last ate, but white or light-colored diarrhea deserves evaluation. While white diarrhea could be a temporary reaction to a intestinal infection, it could als...
Gluten intolerance is a spectrum of problems some people have when eating wheat, rye and barley. It can be as minor as symptoms of bloating or a stomachache after eating a large plate of pasta, or it can be a full-blown autoimm...
Vomiting is a common symptom of different swallowing disorders. There are three different phases of swallowing and children can have difficulty during any one of the stages. Consult your child’s pediatrician for treatment...
Adrenaline is a hormone that stimulates the body to quick action in response to exercise as well as physical and emotional stress. It is produced by the adrenal glands -- small triangular organs atop the kidneys. Adrenaline and...
Most children suffer from occasional anxiety, and anxiety disorders are increasing in children, according to pediatrician Dr. William Sears. In addition to its psychological symptoms, anxiety might cause physical symptoms as we...
You can develop a child into a volleyball player by starting simply with the concept of jumping and touching the ball. Even once-in-a-generation players such as Misty May-Treanor, on the road to her two Olympic gold medals, had...
Peppers come in many varieties, from sweet bell peppers to hot peppers. If you have a reaction to one type of pepper, you may react to others. Many meals, including those made in restaurants, contain whole peppers or a spice, s...
Vomiting and rapid breathing in your two-year-old are alarming and troublesome. Although they are not always cause for alarm, these symptoms sometimes signal a serious condition or infection that requires a doctor’s treat...
Gymnastics is a highly challenging sport. Many children aspire to be Olympic gymnasts, but only a few will ever make it. The current methods for teaching gymnasts are extremely demanding and at advanced levels, require that ch...
Skin rash is a common symptom of many childhood illnesses and conditions. Some conditions cause a rash specifically on your child's torso, which can then spread to other parts of your child's body. The appearance of the rash, ...
Although the number is not broken down, it likely is safe to assume that most of the participants are kids, including adolescents. Therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, where a child is placed on a horse but not asked to develop ri...
Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by a fungus called Candida. This fungus lives in our mouths in small amounts, and its growth is kept in check by the bacteria that naturally live there and by our immune system. Differ...
The lungs are the organs responsible for gas exchange. Humans require oxygen for cellular respiration, and they produce carbon dioxide as a waste product. The lungs are composed of a number of multiple levels of branching airwa...
Climbing is a skill children master incrementally, as they reach developmental milestones for various gross motor skills, according to neurologist Lise Eliot. Climbing typically begins with crawling over objects, progresses to ...
It's normal for toddlers to resist new foods and to prefer foods of certain textures, although the type of food your toddler likes may change from day to day. As long as your toddler is eating a variety of foods over the course...
Feeding young children can be an overwhelming exercise in confusion and sometimes frustration. As your child transitions from toddler to preschooler, it can be hard to be sure that he is getting enough of the important foods. F...
When your child runs a fever, there generally is an underlying cause, such as an infection or illness, notes MedlinePlus. As your child's body temperature rises, a lot of vital organs, including the heart, work harder and faste...
In today’s demanding world, even young children become overwhelmed and stressed. What seems insignificant to an adult is often a big deal to a kid. Stress in children can bring about physical symptoms such as diarrhea and...
Fevers occur when the body raises its core temperature greater than 110.4 Fahrenheit. This can be caused by several factors including infections, immune responses and even overdressing. In some toddlers, however, fever occurs f...
When the body temperature is elevated, some bacteria die off and white blood cells are drawn to the site of infection, according to "Biology: Life on Earth With Physiology." A very high fever, however, poses substanti...
Toddler nutrition isn't just about the foods he eats. It is also about teaching your child how to eat healthy for the rest of his life. Toddlers need from 1,000 to 1,400 calories a day, according to KidsHealth, and this intake ...
Rashes typically occur when an inflammatory agent comes into contact with your child's skin, but a rash accompanied by a cough could mean something else. Monitor the severity and longevity of your child's symptoms and watch for...
Recurring fevers occur at least three times in a six-month period. They might happen regularly or with no pattern at all, and they may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms. If your child has a recurring fever without the...
If she does not have the symptoms of a cold, however, and seems to be coughing frequently, she may have a health condition such as asthma or allergies. If a cough lasts longer than two weeks or recurs frequently, visit her pedi...
Infections stem from invasions of the body by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. While individuals of all ages are prone to infections, children are more likely to come down with a bug. The immune system is made up of cells...
Coaches can play a prominent role in a child's formative years. Sports Illustrated columnist and National Public Radio commentator Frank Deford in 2004 contended when you ask a man what he remembers most about school he is &quo...
Head lice can affect anyone but infestations more commonly occur in 3- to 12 year-old children. Although head lice are unattractive and may cause irritation, they are not dangerous. Treatments can be time-consuming and lengthy ...
The teething process, when a baby's primary teeth emerge through the gums, can turn a previously happy and restful baby into an uncomfortable and cranky child. Teething children experience a host of symptoms, including sore gum...
Stomatitis is a viral infection caused by a Herpes virus hominis, also known as herpes simplex virus -- HSV. It is mainly seen in young children, and it causes ulcers and inflammation in your child's mouth. Herpetic stomatitis...
When your child is first learning to speak, he stumbles, hesitates and repeats parts of words as he is becoming familiar with a growing vocabulary. This is not true stuttering and is considered normal development. He might exhi...
Fortunately, with some exceptions, most toddler feeding problems are psychological and can be solved if parents are patient and try to establish regular mealtimes and serve healthy foods.
Whether using glue for a craft, woodworking project or other pursuit, it is possible to experience an allergic reaction to the chemicals contained within glue. Some industrial glues, such as epoxy resins, contain strong chemica...
Rashes around and in an infant's mouth can have several causes. The most common cause of a mouth rash in infants is oral thrush, which is rarely serious and usually resolves itself without treatment. While much less common, a m...
Most foods are safe for children during a fever, but your child might not be hungry. Additionally, some foods help rehydrate your child better than others, and some may be gentler on an upset stomach. Lack of appetite accompany...
Your child’s alarm goes off for school and all you hear is a cough echoing from his bedroom as he gets ready. Coughs are a common childhood symptom that have several underlying causes. Asthma, gastroesophageal reflux and...
Young children easily come down with respiratory infections, fever and chills. Because they are exposed to other children suffering from different illnesses and because their immune systems are still immature, they are more pro...
A fever in a toddler who can't describe any other symptoms she's having to you can be more difficult to evaluate, especially if physical evaluation by your physician turns up no clues as to the source. Fevers account for 33 per...
Children receive numerous health benefits from sports, including healthy bones and muscles, decreased risk of obesity and lower levels of stress, according to pediatrician William Sears. When children overtrain, however, they a...
There's a reason it's called the common cold: almost everyone catches a cold at some point, often several times a year. Still, when it's your child sniffling and sneezing, it doesn't matter how common it is. You just want to kn...
According to California Pacific Medical Center, most viral fevers range between 101 degrees and 104 degrees and disappear after two or three days. A fever of 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit technically sits on the border between a com...
Some children gag and vomit. If your child has a similar response to some foods, talk to her doctor. She may have a sensitive gag reflex, which the doctor can discuss with you. As you introduce new foods to your child, you will...
Nutrition is a key part of good health. During the early years of life, infants and children undergo rapid growth and marked development. Good nutrition can facilitate healthy growth, weight gain and brain development, making a...
Your toddler can communicate using crying and body language, but she likely can’t tell you exactly what’s wrong at mealtime. Toddlers need to eat a wide range of foods in order to have balanced nutrition. Discoverin...
If your little one is fussing or complaining of ear pain, you might assume he has an ear infection. Then, after taking a closer look, you see a rash on his outer ear that's causing the pain. The good news is, rashes hardly ever...
It is important to properly motivate your child to help him grow into a successful adult. If a child is well motivated, he will also learn a sense of pride in himself for achieving his goals as well as gaining independence. Con...
Ruffin, a child development specialist at Virginia State University, stresses the importance of the first five years of a child's life in setting down the patterns for future emotional development. Affirmation and affection in ...
Children’s nails require the protein keratin and a range of vitamins and minerals to develop and stay healthy. A deficiency in any of the key vitamins responsible for nail health can result in brittle, ridged or weakened ...
Foul gas and diarrhea are two symptoms that go hand-in-hand for toddlers and people of all ages. The occurrence of diarrhea can be alarming for parents, regardless of if the infection is from a virus, bacteria or dairy intoler...
According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, milk is one of the most common allergens for children under age three. Most infants who are allergic to milk exhibit symptoms early, during their first year, and many outgr...
Toddler morals are the large teeth located in the back of the mouth. Most children develop these teeth between 13 and 19 months, according to pediatrician William Sears. Because of their large size, molar teething may be especi...
The six components of motor skills related to fitness are agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time and speed, according to Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Education. A motor skill is associated with muscle activity. You carry o...
Growth deficiencies in infants and toddlers, also called failure to thrive, can occur in association with several nutritional problems. By making sure that your child gets all his well-baby and toddler checkups, you can help yo...
While most adults and older children experience a fever whenever an infection or other similar health hazard occurs, infants may experience either a fever or a drop in temperature once infection strikes. If your baby's temperat...
A cough is generally an indication that you have an irritant in your bronchial airways. Coughing is an important and generally healthy reflex that protects your lungs from outside contaminants. With children, repeated coughing ...
A low-grade fever of less than 102 degrees Fahrenheit is common in children and may be caused by a variety of ailments. About 10 percent of viruses will have a rash accompanying a fever, according to the Palo Alto Medical Found...
Children may not realize their body temperatures have fallen dangerously low because they are usually engaged in outdoor play when it happens. This, along with their small size, puts them at high risk for hypothermia, which is ...
As your baby reaches his toddler years, you may start worrying about letting him continue to use his pacifier. For many children, the pacifier represents a transitional object or way to continue comforting themselves until they...
If your child loves vegetables one day and turns her nose up at them the next, this is completely normal. Continue to offer your child a variety of nutritious food so she can grow up strong and healthy. Talk to your child's ped...
Fine motor skills are often impaired by disease processes such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. Brain injuries such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury or brain tumor also can impair fine motor skills. Even some ha...
You can work to enhance your child's cognition at any age, but some strategies that are useful for infants and toddlers are implausible or ineffective for older children. By incorporating these strategies into your parenting, ...
The first three years of your child's life are the most crucial to his development. During this time, he will transform from a helpless infant to a child with advanced mental, emotional and physical responses. While every child...
Diarrhea is not always a sign of illness. For some children, the occasional bout may be normal, even if it contains mucus. The key is to know when diarrhea is a symptom of a problem. Factors to evaluate include the frequency an...
Your child is constipated if he hasn’t had a bowel movement in 48 hours or if the stool he does produce is hard and dry. Constipation generally is not dangerous, but it will cause your child discomfort. Although constipat...
The most common cause of coughing and a runny nose in toddlers is a viral infection. You toddler might have other symptoms, such as a low-grade fever, irritability, difficult sleeping or sneezing, according to MayoClinic.com. U...
Along with lice and colic, pinworms represent one of the common challenges of parenting young children. Fortunately, unlike colic and lice, pinworms are easily treatable with the proper prescription medication. Although they ar...
Megacolon is a condition in which the colon is abnormally dilated in a short space of time. Toxic substances build up in the intestines and can cause bowel perforation. In children, megacolon can be caused by several underlying...
When the body encounters infections, the immune system releases chemicals that cause its temperature to rise. Causes of fever in children are usually from bacterial or viral infections and most just need a few days to run their...
Your child’s first year of life was full of rapid growth. Once she enters her toddler and early school years, she doesn't grow as quickly, but nutrition is still as important as ever because her little body has a lot of d...
Toddlers frequently come down with fevers as they encounter infections, bacteria and bugs new to their still-developing immune systems–this is to be expected. When a small child develops periodic fevers that defy treatmen...
Many children show resistance to trying new foods as they reach the toddler stage, but most eventually outgrow their picky tendencies. If, on the other hand, your child gags or vomits when eating foods of certain textures, or a...
A systemic disease is a condition that affects the entire body. A variety of systemic diseases in children are associate with rashes. While the rash may be the most obvious symptom of these diseases, these conditions often need...
For children with sensory disorders, such as sensory processing disorder or auditory processing disorder, participating in daily activities and interacting with peers can be challenging because they are unable to appropriately ...
Vomiting in children is usually preceded or followed by other symptoms. The most common cause of vomiting in children is stomach virus. For some children, deep coughing can trigger vomiting. Vomiting that occurs without other s...
Children, owing to their weaker immune systems, are at a risk of developing influenza, commonly called the flu. Children with chronic health problems are even more prone to the flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventio...
Your body is in constant need of potassium and regulates the potassium content of your blood by controlling the flow of potassium from your body's cells, where the mineral is stored. Children may develop certain complications o...
Fevers in children are common and generally harmless. A fever usually occurs when the body is fighting off an infection. The body produces macrophages, which are cells that eat up the invading organism. At the same time, the bo...
Dry, hacking, raspy or heavy with phlegm, a toddler’s morning cough might be nothing more than a temporary annoyance, but it could also be a sign of a more serious respiratory problem, such as asthma. Proper diagnosis pla...
Infants grow rapidly and eat a lot to support their tremendous growth rate. However, your toddler’s growth will slow around age two. As a result, he will have less of an appetite. He will also become more mobile, giving h...
The gastrointestinal tract is responsible for the intake, digestion and absorption of food. Children under the age of two are prone to a wide variety of gastrointestinal diseases. The most common of these are diarrhea condition...
An estimated 9.5 percent of children ages 4 to 17 have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most doctors won’t diagnose this d...
If your child has a high temperature and swollen glands at the sides of his throat, he might have a case of tonsillitis. Young children are sponges for viruses and bacteria, making it easy for them to become ill. If your child ...
A fever in a toddler that is between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit usually means that the body is fighting off an infection. If the fever is higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, you can take steps at home to lower the fever saf...
All children will develop loose stool on occasion, but if your child is consistently experiencing diarrhea, you should talk with a pediatrician for an evaluation. Toddler's diarrhea is considered two to six watery stools per da...
The first three years of an infant’s development are marked by dramatic emotional changes. A preschool child learns how to regulate his emotions, play with others and think more independently. Problems with socialization ...
Psychologist Richard Weissbourd points out that adults who are able to relate well to other people excel in their careers and are more respected by peers, colleagues and family. Additionally, children with excellent empathy ski...
Fat malabsorption is an inability of the intestine to absorb fats. Fats are essential nutrients needed for energy and growth. A number of diseases of the intestine, liver and pancreas can lead to this condition. Toddlers can be...
High fevers also occur frequently in children. An increase in temperature is an indication that the body is fighting against something. Depending on other accompanying symptoms, a high fever may be relatively benign, or may be...
Fever in children indicates the body is trying to fight off a viral or bacterial infection. Low fevers, therefore, are not a problem and should be left alone to assist in the natural healing process. Higher fevers, those over 1...
If you begin giving it water again, it will likely turn bright green and grow healthy and strong. Your body is like the plant. It needs water to thrive. Hydration is the process of getting water into your body to keep it
As a child makes the transition from baby to toddler, the sounds that she made become words, and the words become sentences. Some toddlers seem to pick up language with no problem at all, while others seem to take longer. Most ...
The incidence of cavities in young children has declined, reports the American Dental Association. However, cavities still represent one of the most common disorders, second only to the common cold. Smooth surface cavities are ...
A persistent cough lasts for more than three weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic, and requires a proper diagnosis to resolve. Several medical conditions, including asthma, bronchitis and inhalation of a foreign body, cause coug...
If your child has ADHD, you may consider alternatives to stimulant medications that carry the risk of side effects. Research suggests that dietary supplements such as GABA may diminish the symptoms of ADHD for some children, sa...
Physical development in children is much more than just growth; it encompasses gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills include the ability to sit, stand, balance and move the body. Fine motor skills involve the hands an...
As your child grows, many situations and stages will come up where he must gradually separate from you. Beginning in infancy, your child will begin to realize that he is a separate person from you. Throughout childhood, he will...
Department of Health and Human Services. Many children experience bouts of constipation, and typically the constipation will resolve itself before medical intervention is necessary.
Toddlerhood is full of challenges, and nap time can be especially challenging for parents. Although they may give all the signals indicating that they are tired, some children just refuse to nap. There are different reasons why...
Treat your child's fever with fever-reducing medications or a slightly warm bath. Don't give children aspirin, though, which can cause a serious medical condition, or apply rubbing alcohol, which can cause shivering and an even...
Chills and fever are often the first signs that a child has an infection. Young children commonly get high fever and chills from minor illnesses like colds and influenza, or the flu. A fever is present when a child has an oral...
Any time you have an allergic reaction that causes inflammation in your body, you're at risk of developing secondary infections. Children are the most prone to develop food allergies, such as a gluten allergy that could cause a...
Lymph nodes are small glands throughout the body that filter foreign substances and fight infection. Children frequently have swollen lymph nodes around the neck and face when they have bacterial or viral infections. In most ca...
When your child changes positions, he may cough to move the mucous out of his throat. Children may cough for up to four weeks, following a respiratory illness, according to Dr. Jerry Rubin, MD, but allergies are a more likely c...
Just like younger babies, older children and adults, toddlers require a range of vitamins to manage all their bodily processes and ensure healthy development. As toddlers can have highly selective likes and dislikes regarding f...
Fever in a toddler typically occurs when the body is fighting an infection. However, parents might be alarmed when a toddler wakes up with a morning fever. Typically, your child's fever will get better within a few days. Howeve...
A child with a tight cough and fever is alarming. Usually a fever is caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. However, it's important to monitor your child closely. Recognizing potential red flags will help determine wh...
Parents of boys face unique challenges. Boys are under immense pressure to meet gender stereotypes by being tough and behaving aggressively. These behaviors can cause low self-esteem and fear, and they sometimes can lead to cri...
Child analyst and psychiatric consultant Erik Erikson was born in Germany in 1902. Like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believed people developed psychologically in stages. In 1933 Erikson became Boston's first child analyst, working at...
Most babies start teething between 4 and 7 months and have all 20 baby teeth by age 3, but teething patterns vary for each child, and late teething probably is nothing to worry about. What you attribute to teething might be due...
Babies and toddlers are particularly prone to bacteria, parasites and viruses while their immune systems are still growing and developing, and they are still gaining immunities. This disadvantage is especially a problem, as bab...
A lingering fever in a child is typically caused by a virus. However, a bacterial infection or inflammatory condition might also be to blame, according to MayoClinic.com. If your child has a lingering fever, it's important to k...
Humans release digestive gases through normal belching and flatulence, averaging a dozen instances a day when they pass these common vapors. Excessive gas in children can manifest through digestive discomforts, such as a stomac...
Young children experience frequent colds due to their immature immune systems and through close contact with each other in settings such as kindergarten. It is normal for children to experience between six and 10 colds each yea...
More serious respiratory conditions like pneumonia can start off with a cough and a fever, and eventually cause shortness of breath and chills, explains Mayo Clinic. While home care can often help diminish fever and coughing, a...
Boils are common infections in both children and adults. Boils are painful and can cause a significant amount of discomfort for your child, but they rarely cause complications and generally heal on their own within two weeks....
When a child spikes a fever, his body is saying something out of the ordinary is occurring. A feverish child might have other symptoms such as sweating, shivering, muscle aches and weakness. Keep your feverish child hydrated. O...
Motivation is an important skill that encourages children to work hard, achieve their goals and make good decisions. Many parents worry that their children don't have independent motivation without parental supervision. There a...
Such deprivation, it turns out, has profound implications for a child's brain development, physical growth and long-term mental health.
As many mothers and grandmothers can attest, teething can make your otherwise cheerful baby or toddler cranky and miserable. Teething causes inflammation of the gums, and this can raise your toddler's body temperature a fractio...
While a fever is the body's method for fighting infection, a body temperature that is too high can cause serious health problems. For toddlers and babies 6 months of age and older, a fever between 99.0 and 102.9 can typically b...
Young children's intellectual development passes through many stages between birth and age 5. It is important for parents, teachers and caregivers to monitor this vital growth by watching for predictable milestones that should ...
In babies younger than 1 month, a herpes infection is cause to contact your doctor immediately. Hand, foot and mouth disease, commonly abbreviated HFMD, is a common viral disease in infants and children. Most cases of HFMD can ...
A toddler's fever can be worrisome. A fever is often caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold. If your toddler has a fever that won't go away, understand when it's time to seek medical help. Also, you can take steps...
Some will have to go through the discomfort of braces to get straight adult teeth. As children lose their baby teeth, they need to learn how to properly care for their adult teeth to ensure a lifetime of dental health.
Toddlers with a mild to moderate fever often experience sleep disturbances. Fevers can cause your child to have both nightmares and night terrors, but the latter are slightly more common in children around ages 4 or 5 years tha...
According to the World Health Organization, childhood experiences have lifelong consequences in terms of health, education and economic status. In many parts of the world, children suffer hardships that place them at a disadvan...
It's normal for your toddler to scratch her head once in a while, but if she's constantly itching, it may be caused by a medical condition. Common scalp conditions that affect toddlers include eczema, or dry skin; dandruff, or ...
Outdoor activity boosts you children's physical and mental health. In an August 2010 article for "The Times-Tribune," Paul J. MacKarey, D.H.Sc., cites studies finding American children spend an average of 6.5 hours daily engage...
Young children and infants can't tell parents about vision problems and, in most cases, when a child has an eye problem from birth, he may not know his eyesight could appear differently. Checkups with a pediatrician may not det...
Acute coughs in toddlers usually ease off after a few days to two weeks. However, if a cough persists for more than two weeks or regularly keeps a child awake at night it might signal another medical condition. Similarly, a tod...
A low-grade fever and fatigue is typically a viral infection. Your child's fever is considered "low grade" when it's between 99 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it's higher than 101, it's a high fever. However, since toddlers c...
Most of the time these ailments are caused by a virus and they pass on their own, but you can speed your toddler's recovery by keeping him comfortable and hydrated. In some cases, diarrhea or a rash could be a symptom of a more...
The second and third years of life are marked by rapid changes in physical, cognitive, personality and social characteristics. Developmental psychologists do not view these changes as separate and discrete but as interdependent...
Constipation is characterized by less frequent, hard and dry stools and is common in children, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Babies and toddlers under 2 years of age experience varied b...
If it hurts each time you brush out your hair after it becomes tangled during a car ride or rough night of tossing and turning, imagine how painful it feels to a toddler's ultra-sensitive scalp when you use the same hair tools ...
As one of the most common childhood ailments, ear infections represent the most common reason doctors prescribe antibiotics for children. Antibiotics, however, do not provide immediate relief of the pain, and not all children n...
If your infant or toddler is facing a development issue, it is imperative that you get him the help he needs as soon as possible. The University of Michigan Health System defines a developmental delay as your child being unable...
An itchy rash on your child's face may look alarming and can cause discomfort -- but if there's no other symptoms, chances are it isn't serious. An itchy rash can even be caused by exposure to the sun. In some cases, however, y...
Fifth disease has been called slapped cheek disease because of the unmistakable redness on the face of children. If your child has a cough and pink cheeks, this virus is likely the culprit causing your child's mild discomfort....
Although a fever can be frightening to parents, a high temperature by itself is not a cause for concern; it is simply the body's way of fighting off a virus or bacteria. Many times, a fever is accompanied by other symptoms, inc...
Toddlers are no strangers to minor health issues such as colds and flu, as their immune system continues to grow and develop. Stomach pain also is a common toddler complaint, and while the majority of the time it is nothing ser...
Fever during teething is not a cause for concern, or so an old wives' tale would have you believe. The advice implied in this traditional tale is to get your baby as comfortable as possible and go right back to sleep. But is th...
When children's permanent teeth come in substantially later than average, it is called delayed tooth eruption. In "Factors Influencing Permanent Teeth Eruption," Ruta Almonaitiene, et al. argue that delayed tooth eruption does ...
Anatomically, the lower respiratory tract consists of the parts of the respiratory system positioned beneath the larynx and trachea, specifically the bronchi, bronchioles, lungs and alveoli. Prompt recognition and treatment of ...
Zinc supplements can also be effective for the treatment of children's diarrhea, but they are typically used only in cases of severe acute or chronic diarrhea. Zinc can become toxic, and it interferes with some medications, so ...
Muscle reflex tests are used to indicate the health of the brain and nervous system and to help diagnose neuromuscular disease or nerve injury. A reflex is a nerve circuit between a muscle and the brain or spinal cord in the ce...
Teeth are normally white or yellowish-white. Baby teeth tend to be whiter than their adult successors. Discoloration of the teeth can affect just one tooth, some teeth or even all of the teeth in the mouth, depending on the cau...
