The Kids Issue: Local doctors and nurses can help keep your children active and healthy
As parents, we ultimately want to raise happy, healthy children. We want to teach them how to be the best versions of themselves and prepare them for adulthood. That doesn’t just happen, though. It takes nurturing, teaching, learning and care to get there.
“I feel every parent’s goal is to raise happy and healthy children,” says Shelby Logsdon, APRN-FNP, of Kettering Health Medical Group’s Primary Care office in Hamilton. “We know this is not always an easy task as there are multiple factors to consider as well as varying opinions on this subject. When implementing healthy habits for your children, it is essential to make sure they are up to date on all well-child checks as well as their pediatric vaccines. By doing so, parents are able to catch some medical conditions in early stages, discuss supportive treatment and prevent disease.”
Well-child visits allow you the opportunity to meet with your child’s pediatrician and ask questions while making sure your child is hitting important milestones that signal their appropriate development, which is why these visits are so important.
“In screening for developmental delays, it is important that parents keep regular follow-up with their health care provider as these are a part of each well-child visit,” explains Dr. Dennis Anthony at Kettering Health. “Areas screened include social and emotional milestones, language and communication milestones, cognitive milestones, and movement and physical milestones. Each child will move through these milestones as a different pace, but sometimes a delay in one or more areas will require further investigation and intervention. The earlier delays are found and the quicker they can be addressed leads to better outcomes.”
Anthony says that one of the best ways to keep this information accessible to you is by visiting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, where there is a downloadable app that parents can use to track development.
“These milestones are helpful to see if your child is on track and by looking ahead at the next set gives you guidance on things to work on,” he adds. “Sometimes a child will really be advanced in motor skills and lag in another area such as language. Try focusing more on their area of weakness and see if gains can be made.”
Parents who notice delays will be able to mention their concerns at well-child visits and work with their health care provider to determine if any intervention need to be made. As Anthony says, “The earlier the interventions are started, the better the outcome. So if you are concerned, don’t delay.”
Of course, recognizing potential delays shouldn’t be based off comparison. Dr. Alaba Robinson of Mercy Health says that she always tells new parents to “try not to compare your children to other children.” However, comparison can be used as a good gauge to assess development.
“For example, if all the other children in your child’s age range are conversational and your child doesn’t have two words, then that’s a reason to be concerned or at least discuss their development with a pediatrician,” she says. “Each child develops on a range. Some walk early, some talk early. In general, I like to encourage my parents by saying, ‘Most kids are potty trained by high school.’ The best way to assess development of a child is to have them seen by their pediatrician at regular well-child visits.”
Dr. Michael Kessel, a pediatrician at Dayton Children’s Hospital, says you can help to promote development in your children through frequent play and interaction, as it gives you insight into what they can or can’t do. You can also help to work toward raising healthy children by encouraging a routine and maintaining healthy habits year-round.
“Continue some form of schedule throughout the summer,” he says. “For example, enforce reasonable bedtime and wake up times so that kids are still getting plenty of sleep, especially if they’re involved in several summertime activities and camps—which we encourage!”
Logsdon says that it’s also important to create a “happy” environment for your children. “It’s important to understand that children need playtime outdoors,” she says. “Focus on limited screen time and go outside to play. Getting time outside gives children necessary sun exposure to boost vitamin D and serotonin, which aids in creating positive moods and promotes better behaviors. Please note, when spending time outside, it is important to use sunblock and proper safety equipment such as bike helmets and life jackets.”
And, while it’s sometimes easier said than done, one of the most important parts of raising healthy children is feeding them a healthy diet. “Make food fun,” says Logsdon. “Children need a colorful diet full of fruits and vegetables. Staying well hydrated with water and sugar-free sports drinks can also help them live a healthier lifestyle.”
Then, you always have your village. Talking with your own parents, friends who are parents and even others in your community who have experience with children is a good way to find helpful advice throughout parenthood.
“The keys to ensure healthy children is love, sunshine, boundaries and good rest,” says Robinson. “More specifically, children who are raised in an environment that includes healthy meals, family bonding, positive reinforcement, specific boundaries including discipline, outdoor play and adequate rest are more likely to have good health. Children thrive in homes where they can play, explore and grow with appropriate boundaries.”
Parenting can be hard, but the community is full of knowledgeable people who can help you out along the way.
