Tip of the Week

Please Do Learn About Positive Opposites

November 3, 2020

Positive opposites are a concept you can discuss, model or praise in well-child visits. Every unwanted behavior has a positive opposite! By replacing “don’t” with “please do,” you can think of yourself as helping a child learn how to behave – not just tell them what not to do. And, you are giving them the…

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Highly Sensitive Children

October 27, 2020

15-20% of all children have a temperament that makes them more reactive to their environment. While this is not a diagnosis, these children have a different way of experiencing the world. It can be easier to navigate an office visit if you can recognize which kids need more attention to sensory input and a gentler,…

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In the Exam Room - Let Me Count the Ways

October 20, 2020

Taking a diet history of a young child can be a great way to assess and promote early numeracy. Early numeracy refers to the foundations of mathematical understanding. It’s promoted through everyday discussion and exposure to basic mathematical ideas, such as different quantities, the relationship between large and small amounts, and actual number naming. Ask…

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The Power of Affirmations

October 13, 2020

Recognizing positive behavior not only makes parents and children feel good, it motivates them to repeat that behavior in the future. At each visit, try and find one specific thing to notice and affirm! Could it be how well a child answered your questions? How well a parent comforted their child in distress? A child’s…

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Emotional and Behavioral Effects of COVID-19

October 6, 2020

This week we are bringing you evidence to support what you may have suspected in the exam room – that emotional and behavioral health difficulties in children have increased significantly due to COVID-19. In the September issue of The Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, “Supporting the Mental Health of Parents and Children During and After Coronavirus,” demonstrates…

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Why "Don't cry, be brave" Can Backfire

September 29, 2020

You may hear parents tell their children not to cry during stressful moments in the visit. Parents are often embarrassed that their child is upset, and feel pressure to get them to stop crying. In those instances, you can label and validate a child’s emotions and let the parents know that it is OK for…

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