Kids Corner

Top Five things doctors wish you'd do for your grade school child-

1. Keep TVs and computers out of the bedroom-

Placing all screens in the house in a common area helps you keep an eye on what, and how much, your child is watching. Time spent in front of the TV or computer, or playing handheld video games, should be no more than two hours a day. And stopping all movies and games at least half an hour before bedtime will help your child fall asleep and stay asleep all night.Watching TV at bedtime, especially in the bedroom, is one of the biggest disruptors of children's sleep, because it's hard for the brain to switch instantly from stimulation to relaxation.


2. Act out safety basics-


At this age kids are spending more time away from their parents. "Big kids should memorize their phone number and address, and they should know that if they get lost they should go to a police officer or someone else in uniform and ask for help," says pediatrician Alanna Levine. "They should also know not to talk to a stranger, even if the person offers them candy or asks them to help look for a lost puppy. It helps them learn these rules if you play through the different scenarios with them."


 3. Don't ditch the booster too soon-


Many parents rush their children out of a car booster seat too early. The booster's  safety advantage lasts longer than most parents think. Many people think it's based on height, weight, and age, but there's a four-point readiness test online. Most kids are ready to graduate from a booster sometime between ages 8 to 12, which may be even later than what your state's law suggests as a minimum.


4. Make sure your kid has some free time-


There's a middle ground between pushing your kids too hard and having no expectations. Pediatricians say many of their patients lean toward the former, with back-to-back sports, music lessons, and other activities. Unstructured play is important for children. If every moment of their lives is spent in a class or activity directed by an adult, they are always following guidelines set by someone else. They don't have the chance to develop self-direction and creativity.


The hyperscheduled lifestyle has another downside – it isn't conducive to sitting down to healthy meals prepared at home. "If you have your child in so many activities that he's eating fast food in the van, that's misplaced priorities," says Nancy Krebs, a pediatrician and nutrition specialist.


5. Take five minutes a day to really connect-


Sit down for five minutes a day and give your child your undivided attention – talk about what he wants to talk about. Right after school is usually not the best time – kids are too wiped out. But later, after dinner and homework are done, ask a few specific and nonjudgmental questions to generate conversation: Did you learn anything cool today? Who did you play with at recess? "Children grow up very fast." It's a habit of connection you'll be glad to have when your child hits the preteen years.

Healthy Skin during Winter

                        
Get rid off winter itch:-
Have you suffered from winter itch before? Then autumn is the right time to start taking precautions.


Many people don’t realize that winter itch is a form of eczema, one that tends to run in families. If your parents have it, chances are that you and your children will develop it,too. Even babies can suffer from winter itch.


 The skin gets dry very quickly, especially on the legs and the hands. Dry skin leads to itch, which leads to scratching, which leads to the raised red bumps of eczema and in many cases infection. The more people scratch their skin, the worse it will get.Even if you are genetically prone to eczema, you can still take steps to protect your skin which may prevent eczema or at least ensure only a mild case.


First of all, moisturize your skin. This is the crucial step, because you want to keep the skin barrier intact. Even if it has turned warm again outside, now is the time to start using the most effective moisturizers you can find. Drugstores sell inexpensive yet highly effective petrolatum-based ointments and creams that are heavy enough to protect the skin. 


It is a very good idea to use these or a moisturizing lotion right after your bath or shower, when the skin is still damp. Oils work well, too.For daytime wear, when you may want to use something a little lighter and less greasy, look 
for creams and lotions that contain hyaluronic acid, shea butter, avocado oil, or glycerin. 


Dimethicone, a silicone-based ingredient, works for many, but not for those whose skin is prone to acne, since it can increase breakouts.Hands contain comparatively few oil glands and tend to dry and crack easily. The use of 
those alcohol-based sanitizers doesn’t help, either. Not only do they dry skin more than good old soap and water, they are not as effective at killing viruses and bacteria. 


Actually, you don’t even have to use soap, which is undeniably drying, to wash your hands. Products marketed as gentle cleansers for sensitive skins work beautifully; carry a small bottle in your bag and use it instead of those scented soaps in public restrooms.


In fact, stay away from scented soaps, period, since they tend to irritate the skin. As for deodorant soaps, they are absolutely terrible for anybody prone to winter itch – ditch them immediately! Take shorter showers and baths, and try to use a moisturizing body wash or a super-fatted soap. If your skin is very sensitive, you can use the same gentle facial cleanser for hands.


Autumn is also the time to start using a humidifier. Even slight drops in air humidity are reflected in the skin, so start using one now. Don’t wait until the snow is actually piling up outside.


Remember, when it comes to winter itch, it’s very important to be proactive. If you start taking precautions before the cold weather really sets in, you may not even get winter itch at all this year.