Supportive Parents Linked to Good Grades

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

There have been numerous recent studies that focus on factors in children's performance in school. Socio-economic status, ethnicity, and many other factors were taken into account, but one factor consistently predicted whether or not a child would do well in school: parental support.

It has been found that, in most cases, the more positive support a child receives from the adults in their lives, the better their grades. It has even been found that the greater the number of adults in the child's family that were deemed supportive, the better the child's overall performance. Various studies have measured grades, social skills, and even level of physical activity. All were found to have positive links to parents who were involved in the child's education, attended events, and provided verbal encouragement. Long term studies found that instances of delinquency in children who received parental support and discipline were significantly fewer than in those who had not.

John Sanregret, the principal of a Michigan school, has found that parental involvement is not only beneficial for students, but is absolutely necessary. He recommends that parents remain a part of their child's education all the way through high school by studying with them at home and, when possible, volunteering at their school.

References

http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=9735

Michael E. Woolley, Gary L. Bowen (2007). In the Context of Risk: Supportive Adults and the School Engagement of Middle School Students. Family Relations 56 (1), 92–104.

Lennart Raudsepp (2006). The relationship between socio-economic status, parental support and adolescent physical activity. Acta Paediatrica 95 (1), 93–98.

John Paul Wright, Francis T. Cullen (2001). Parental Efficacy and Delinquent Behavior: Do Control and Support Matter? Criminology 39 (3), 677–706.

Group Helps Kids of Deployed Troops

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

A group of Tennessee school children meet to discuss the holidays with counselors. What the children all have in common, besides being excited about the holidays like any other child, is that one or both of their parents have been deployed. The group, called Keeping in Touch - Kids and Troops, or KIT-KAT, encourages kids to talk about how they feel about having their parent gone for the holidays.

They talk about memories of past holiday experiences with the absent parent and their fears about the danger that parent now faces. Teachers and children work together to make care packages to send to the children's deployed parent. Care packages include tests that the children are proud of, artwork, and a letter from the child, among other things. The kids involved in KIT-KAT report feeling less afraid and more connected with their parent oversees. The group teaches the kids to be open about their feelings and take pride in having a parent that protects their country.

Reference


http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071213/COMMUNITY/712130309

Holiday Spending Teaches Children

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

Could the way you celebrate the holidays teach your children how to handle money? Experts suggest that this may be true. Children learn from the model of their parents' lives, and this is true in financial decisions as well; so, whether parents or their children are aware of it or not, children may be forming their future spending habits based on how their parents spend.

The holidays make a deep, emotional impact on children, so a parent's actions during this time are especially important for a child's development. Jan Dahlin Geiger, a financial planner in Atlanta and author of “Get Your Assets in Gear! Smart Money Strategies”, says that spending too much on your children can not only be damaging to the family financially, but may teach your children to place importance on material things. She says that it is important during this season to teach your children that it is not money and gifts that express love, and the best way to do that is not overspending on their gifts. She suggests instead sharing experiences and spending time communicating the values that are important to your family.

Many families try to model good financial values during the holidays by giving to charities. Linda Leitz, a parent, financial adviser and author of “The Ultimate Parenting Map to Money Smart Kids” highly recommends giving to charity during the holiday season, being sure to not only model this for your children, but let them be involved in the process. Many Jewish families maintain the tradition of keeping a tzedakah box. "Tzedakah" is the Hebrew word for "charity," and the box is used to collect coins to be given to a good cause during Hanukkah. The Salvation Army is a Christian organization that collects change outside many stores and accepts donations of clothing and toys to give to families who are in need during the Christmas season. Giving to an organization that shares a family's values will help pass those values on to the children.

References
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119715386439518429.html
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/LIFESTYLE/712080311
http://www.kansas.com/living/family/story/244181.html

Number of Child Deaths Declining

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

Since 1960, the UN has been conducting studies on child health and education. It was found in the first report that around 20 million children under the age of five were dying annually. Today, the UN is happy to report, that number has dropped to less than half.

Researchers for the UN have attributed the decline to several important developments in worldwide child health. A rise in immunization has accompanied the decline in child deaths. A rise in exclusive breastfeeding is associated with fewer infant deaths. In countries where malaria is prevalent, there has been wider distribution of insecticide-treated nets, lowering the spread of malaria significantly and protecting those most vulnerable to the disease.

In the years since 1990 alone, the rate of under-nutrition has dropped from 32 percent to 27 percent. Catherine Langevin-Falcon, the editor of the report, cautions that, although this is good news, there are still too many children who suffer from under-nutrition. About 143 million children are included in this number, with more than half counted in south Asia.

The UN study also reports great progress in gender equality and child protection. Since the last report, the number of elementary age children who are not in school has fallen 20 percent. The number of girls attending school has always been lower worldwide than that of boys, but the report indicates that the number of girls attending school has risen, exceeding those in any previous report.

References

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-12-10-voa15.cfm

Holiday Tradition: Important for Children

By Marie Hunt
Mommy MD Staff Writer

Parents across the country are getting ready to celebrate the holidays with their children. Child psychology experts recommend that parents take into account the age of their child before selecting holiday activities. Understanding where the child is developmentally, they say, will help the parents give their child an enjoyable holiday experience.

Although an infant's memory is very short, with simple object recognition lasting no longer than six days, many parents want to find ways for their baby to experience the holiday season. Experts suggest holding the baby within 14 inches of decorations and lights, as their vision is limited. Infants enjoy tracking brightly colored objects that are held in front of their eyes, and with fully developed hearing by the age of one month, they may be soothed by softly playing music.

According to developmental psychologist Judith Hudson, by 14 to 18 months children are able to retain long term memories of specific experiences. This is a good age to begin involving the child in family traditions. By the age of 2 or 3, children appreciate ritual, and this is a good time to explain traditions and the reason behind them.

As the child grows, holiday traditions become very important. Linda Gulyn, a professor of psychology at Marymount University who specializes in child development, emphasizes the importance of family traditions for children, saying that they place importance on certain rituals, not because of their meaning, but because of the relational experiences that help them bond with their family members. Recent surveys have found that adults continue traditions they experienced as children, such as making specific foods and watching certain holiday television specials, because a major portion of their childhood memories are based around holiday experiences.

References

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-babys-holiday-an-age-by-age-guide_9830.bc
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/06/AR2006120602196.html
http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2198896/National-Survey-Reveals-That-More.html

Sign Language and Children

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

The popularity of "baby sign language" has increased as more parents and caregivers find value in this form of communication with their children. The use of sign language with hearing infants and children, experts say, can greatly increase communication between fully verbal adults and the child who is still developing their language skills.

It was observed that in a home where parents sign to their child, such as a home with a non-hearing family member, the child can begin communication as early as six months, while in a home where sign language is not present, the child normally begins to communicate around the age of 12 months. It was formerly believed that the point at which a child begins to speak depends on brain development, and while this is still considered part of the equation, it has been found that motor skills play a large roll in the development of verbal expression. It takes much more coordination for a child to form a word than for that same child to use their hands in a simple gesture; so while their brain is capable of understanding the concept they wish to express and they are aware of a special label for that concept, a child's ability to express it verbally is delayed by the complexity of the muscle coordination required for speech.

A study has been conducted by Simona Ghetti, a professor of psychology at the University of California Davis who works at the university's Center for Mind and Brain, wherein 55 young children were tested to discover whether or not they were capable of introspective thinking, a skill that was thought not to develop until the age of four or five. It was found that this type of thinking occurs in children as young as three. Ghetti believes the reason this has not been discovered until now is that past studies have been reliant on verbal testing, while children at this young age are still developing their speaking skills. Researchers found that they were able to obtain more accurate results by using visual cues and allowing the children to answer the test questions with gestures.

A teacher of American Sign Language, Sarah Jernstrom has reported benefits to introducing sign language as early as birth, allowing the infant to become familiar with the signs even before they are able to duplicate them. Experts believe that using sign language with babies and toddlers not only reduces frustration in the parent and child but may also give them a head start in verbal communication.

References

http://www.idahostatesman.com/life/story/204831.html
http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2007/11/22/sparta_independent/news/10.txt
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/NEWS01/711080354

Toy Safety

By Marie Hunt
Mommy MD Staff Writer

There is a mounting concern among parents and environmental groups about the levels of lead in toys. Young children may experience developmental problems due to an extended exposure to lead, and in a recent study involving 1,200 toys, a group tested the toys using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer, a device reported to be more accurate than home lead testing kits. Of the toys tested, 17 percent had to be recalled due to lead levels exceeding the federal recall standard.

A website developed by the Ecology Center and the Washington Toxics Coalition, http://www.healthytoys.org/, published a list of "worst toys" today. Several research groups were asked to help inform the public about the toys to be wary of as they shop this season. In addition, they list "best toys," toys found to be safe and environmentally friendly by the research groups involved. There is also a website, http://www.drtoy.com/, that reviews toys annually to come up with a list of "top 100 toys." Dr. Stevanne Auerbach, an experienced childhood specialist, has analyzed over 4,000 toys since she began the site, the results of which are accessible on the site. Besides safety, these toys are judged by other criteria, such as affordability, creativity, and educational benefits. The 100 best toys for 2007 are listed in categories such as Best Active Products, Audio and Video Tapes, Creative Products, Educational Products, Socially Responsible Products, Software/CDs/High Tech Products, Games, and Ten Best Toys, so that shoppers can easily find a gift that the children in their lives will not only like but can safely play with as well.

References

http://www.drtoy.com/awards/2007_3_list.php

http://origin.mercurynews.com/business/ci_7638906?nclick_check=1

http://www.healthytoys.org/

Stress and the Holidays

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

Stress is a major cause of depression and physical fatigue, and it is during the holidays, experts say, that the added pressures may cause what is known as acute stress. Several surveys have been conducted regarding stress and its effect on people during the holidays. One Opinion Research Survey found that half of the women who responded said they experience more stress during the holidays, while a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that one in five believe that holiday stress actually affects their physical health.

A study was conducted on the effects of stress on both men and women by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. It was found that, while men meet stress with a fight-or-flight response, women generally respond with what has been called tend-and-befriend. Women instinctively begin to nurture those around them and become more social, often heaping upon themselves more responsibilities, causing a cycle of stress. The holidays become a recipe for stress related fatigue and anxiety, especially for women.

The professor of family studies at Kansas State University, Tony Jurich, explains that the main cause of holiday related stress is unrealistic expectations. Women feel pressured to duplicate either past holiday experiences or what is portrayed as ideal in the media. He says that the beginning of overcoming the stress is to put aside those expectations, whether they originated with that individual or were put upon them by a spouse, children, relatives, or friends. Another expert who has studied the affect of stress on the human body, Dr. Edward Creagan, says to be especially aware during the holiday season of the signs of stress, which include irritability, fatigue, sleep disorders, indulgent eating, loss of enthusiasm and feelings of detachment and angst.

References

http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20071204/NYFNSJ0604122007-1.html
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535729/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071119170133.htm
http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/2007/11/19/stress-holiday-health-forbeslife-cx_rr_1020health.html

Pacifier risks and benfits

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

The use of pacifiers and their effect on infants is the subject of several recent studies. Many parents use the plastic and rubber or latex tools to soothe their young infant, and as the child develops, the object may continue to be used by the child for soothing themselves. Several studies have shown that there are some benefits to pacifier use as well as some risks.

The results of study on the effects of pacifier use on breastfeeding were released by the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2001. The study showed that there was a definite link between daily pacifier use and an early cessation of breastfeeding or other breastfeeding problems, while there was no association between finger sucking and breastfeeding problems. Because researchers have found a strong link between nursing and lower risk of SIDS, as well as other benefits, nursing is highly recommended; therefore, the findings of this study on the effects of pacifier use has raised some concerns. Further research is needed to determine if there are other factors affecting the results, such as the connection found between daily pacifier use and low breastfeeding confidence levels in the mothers.

Researchers in a separate study recommend the use of pacifiers to help infants transition from waking to sleep, stating that it reduces the risk of SIDS. Many parents maintain that their infant has difficulty falling asleep without the aid of a pacifier. However, the use of pacifiers over the age of 12 to 18 months may cause other problems such as overbites and otitis media, or ear infections.

References

Abigail Marter, Janyce Cagan Agruss. 2007. Pacifiers: An Update on Use and Misuse. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing 12 (4), 278–285.

Vogel, BL Hutchison, EA Mitchell. 2001. The impact of pacifier use on breastfeeding: A prospective cohort study. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 37 (1), 58–63.

Reading as Care for Pediatric Patients

By Marie Hunt
Mommy MD Staff Writer

This holiday season, 135,00 books are being sent to hospitals across the country by a charitable partnership between a literacy program, Reach Out and Read, and Scholastic Book Clubs. Reach Out and Read is a national non-profit organization that promotes reading as care for pediatric patients.

Doctors and nurses in participating clinics and hospitals agree that parents reading aloud to young children is an important part of pediatric care. Reading and singing aloud to children during medical procedures has been proven to greatly reduce stress. In recent studies, young patients have been more engaged and responsive when a parent or caregiver reads or sings aloud, as opposed to simply playing recordings. In a survey conducted in 2005, it was found that 86% of pediatric anesthesia fellowship programs that participated in the survey reported using alternative methods for care and pain management of pediatric patients, including relaxation therapy, guided imagery, and art therapy.

Alternative and non-medicinal pain management for children is a growing trend in hospitals across the U.S. Reach Out and Read provides books annually for a growing number of health care facilities as the positive results are recognized. Researchers believe that further studies are necessary to fully understand the efficacy of this therapy.

References

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYTH08429112007-1.htm

Yuan-Chi Lin MDMPH, Anne C. C. Lee MD, Kathi J. Kemper MDMPH, Charles B. Berde MDPhD.2005. Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pediatric Pain Management Service: A Survey Pain Medicine 6 (6), 452–458.

What Are the Long Term Affects of Daycare?

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

A study on the long term affects of different forms of childcare has been conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The study, beginning in 1991, involved a group of children whose behavior was followed from the age of 4 1/2 to sixth grade. Looking at teachers' reports, researchers found that, in general, children who had attended day care as opposed to staying home with a parent, nanny, family member, etc. were more likely to be cited for disruptive behavior. These results, however, was drawn from the data of children who had attended any day care. The NICHD's study, however, took into account what kind of care the children recieved. Childcare facilities were given a rating from between one and four based on factors such as quality of environment and child to caregiver ratio. Children who had attended what was deemed a high quality daycare center showed little difference in behavior from a child receiving care at home. It was shown that behavioral concerns later on were linked with children who had attended poor quality centers. Researchers also noted in this study that children benefited from attending a high quality center in that their vocabulary scores were higher than that of the children receiving care at home. These higher vocabulary scores in children that had attended high quality daycare facilities remained consistent throughout the study.Aside from these factors, researchers took into account what kind of parenting all of the children involved in the study received, and it was concluded that later behavior was far more strongly associated with parenting than childcare type.

References

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01021.x

http://www.slate.com/id/2162876