Child & Teen Health Archive

Articles

Dialectical behavior therapy: What is it and who can it help?

Emotional dysregulation is a hallmark of many mental health conditions. A treatment known as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on teaching people to manage intense emotions, cope with challenging situations, and improve their relationships.

Magnets, sound, and batteries: Choosing safe toys

If you're choosing gifts to give or donate to children this year, be sure safety is on the list. Here are tips for toys to consider — those that encourage creativity, imagination, and movement  — and toys to try to avoid, due to safety concerns or for other reasons.

Do toddler formulas deliver on nutrition claims?

Formula companies claim that toddler formulas, also known as "follow-up formulas," "transition formulas," or "growing-up milks" offer nutritional benefits to toddlers. But are these products necessary and healthy?

Do children get migraine headaches? What parents need to know

Headaches are very common in children and teens. We don't tend to think about children getting migraines, but by age 10 one in 20 children has had one. Symptoms may differ from adults and it's important for parents to understand triggers, helpful treatments, and possible red flags.

Talking to children about tragedies and scary headlines in the news

When news of the world is overwhelming and awful, our first instinct is usually to shelter our children and not say anything about it to them at all, a strategy that's usually not viable. Instead parents can give children the perspective and skills they need to navigate a sometimes scary world.

Navigating middle school is tough: How parents can help

Middle school can be challenging for many students, with increased time demands, more homework, and social situations to navigate. What can parents do to support their kids and strengthen family bonds during this period in their lives?

4 things everyone needs to know about measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious health complications in some people. It's also highly preventable through vaccination. Here are the facts that everyone — especially parents — needs to know about measles.

What to do if you think your child has the flu

If you hear your child start coughing, it's natural to wonder: could this be the flu, or is it another virus like COVID or RSV, or even a common cold? Here's what to know about similarities between these illnesses and what to do if your child does have the flu.

The new RSV shot for babies: What parents need to know

RSV is a common virus that just causes cold symptoms for most people. But for infants up to eight months, and for babies and young children with certain health problems, it can be very dangerous. A new immune-boosting shot may help.

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