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The practice of letting infants cry it out on their own when they wake up at night versus picking them up and soothing them has been an ageless parenting dilemma, especially since sleep expert Ferber popularized his technique. While there are many strong opinions on the subject, there is surprisingly little long-term data. Approximately half [...]
Tags: ferberization, infants, parenting, sleep problems
by David Harari (Editor Note – I am very pleased to have one of our UVM medical students, David Harari, contribute this well written piece on an important topic. For those interested in learning more about corporal punishment, however, I suggest not doing an internet search on “spanking.” You were warned – DCR) While it [...]
Tags: child abuse, child maltreatment, corporal punishment, spanking
Parents have a number of options when it comes to daycare and preschool and can wind up anxious and confused trying to find the “right” one. Primary care clinicians may be asked to weigh in on this important decision but themselves can be unfamiliar with the different approaches now available. To help, here is a [...]
Tags: montessori, parenting, reggio emilia, waldorf
Chronic sleep problems put kids at increased risk for behavioral problems, attentional difficulties and even obesity. The amount of sleep a child needs is variable and generally depends on the child’s age. The National Sleep Foundation reports that, on average, children need to following amount of sleep. Below 12 months of age: more than 14 [...]
Traditional models of child emotional-behavioral problems often posit the presence of genetic “vulnerabilities” that can be realized in the presence of specific environmental triggers. A series of new studies, however, suggest that some genes may make children more sensitive to both negative and positive environments. Three separate studies that were published together examine the interaction [...]
Family traditions during the holidays repeated year after year can be a wonderful part of the season. These rituals small and large can take all forms including… Holiday services Getting and decorating the tree Preparing holiday cookies Charity work Special foods Reading particular stories or singing carols Making gifts or decorations Of course, holiday traditions [...]
by Allison Hall, MD Behavioral and emotional problems, like some other health conditions such as diabetes, are often best treated with a package of interventions. Because families may sometimes expect a quick fix, it is helpful to have a strategy to discuss the importance of several treatment features. Russell Barkley, a psychologist who is one [...]
Compared to the media attention given to what teachers and schools can and should do to improve education, parents have sometimes seemed like an afterthought. Maybe no more, as a New York Times article highlights a couple reports recently published about how parents can help their children succeed at school. The article summarizes findings from [...]
