Author: Splash Creative

If your child has learning differences like ADHD or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developing executive functioning skills can be challenging. Executive functioning skills are essential brain functions that help children (and adults) plan, stay organized, control impulses, regulate emotions, and make decisions. Children who struggle with executive functioning may feel easily overwhelmed by everyday tasks, like finishing homework, keeping track of school assignments, or completing household chores

The good news is that there are several effective strategies to help children improve these skills and tackle tasks more confidently. Here are some helpful methods to support your child in building executive functioning skills.

 

Break Down Tasks into Smaller Steps
Breaking larger tasks down into manageable steps can help kids feel less overwhelmed. For example, if your child has a big project or a long list of chores, teach them to create a checklist of smaller steps. By tackling one step at a time, they’ll gain a sense of accomplishment and feel less daunted by the larger task. Checklists and clear steps make it easier to stay organized and keep track of progress.

 

Use a Planner or Calendar
A planner or calendar is a great tool for children who tend to forget deadlines or struggle to keep up with assignments. Encourage your child to get into the habit of jotting down homework, test dates, and other responsibilities in a planner. Having all their to-do items in one place helps them plan their time effectively and reduces the risk of missing important tasks. It’s also beneficial to set time limits for each task so that they can get a sense of how to map out their schedule.

 

Establish Routines
Habits take time to build, but once routines are in place, they can help children feel more grounded and organized. A consistent routine, including setting homework time, bedtime, or a chore schedule, provides structure and makes it easier for kids to manage their responsibilities and activities without becoming overwhelmed.

 

Find the Right Learning Methods
Every child has their own unique learning style, so finding methods that work best for your child can make a difference. Visual learners, for example, may benefit from using visual aids like charts or color-coded organizers. Some kids might also respond well to reward systems, where they earn incentives for completing tasks to keep them motivated.

 

Create a Distraction-Free Workspace
When it’s time to focus on homework, a distraction-free environment is key. Help your child set up a quiet, organized space for work that is free of screen devices (unless needed for homework), clutter, and noise. Making sure their workspace is comfortable and well-organized can go a long way in creating a positive environment for learning and concentration. All of these strategies can help your child build a foundation for strong executive functioning skills that will empower them to approach tasks with confidence. If your child has a learning disability and is still struggling with executive functioning skills, it may be helpful to reach out for additional support. Call our office for further guidance and resources to support your child’s needs.

 

At least 3,500 babies die every year from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation or strangulation. Losing a baby to sudden death is extremely devastating for families and can cause feelings of guilt along with grief. The cause of a baby’s death isn’t always clear at first, but most sudden deaths occur while the baby is sleeping. SIDS is still being studied by experts, but there are multiple things parents can do to reduce the risk and protect their baby. 

 

One of the essential recommendations from pediatricians is to ensure that your baby sleeps safely and in a safe environment. This includes placing the baby on their back and on a firm and flat surface – there should be no soft and loose bedding or objects such as pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Use a fitted sheet only and keep everything else out of your child’s crib or bassinet. Infants should not sleep on their stomachs (or on their side where they can roll over onto their stomach) as research suggests that SIDS might be caused by defects in the part of the brain that controls breathing and waking up. If the baby is on their stomach, they can sleep too deeply and not wake up when they need oxygen. 

 

It is also recommended to not let your baby share a bed, including putting twins or multiples together. Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet alone, but it is highly beneficial to share a room with your baby so that you can watch over them. Never let your baby sleep in car seats, strollers, infant carriers, or swings. You’ll also want to make sure that the temperature of your baby’s sleep environment is safe. If your baby gets too hot, they become at higher risk for death. 

 

Another important precaution to follow is to avoid any smoke exposure. It is advised for pregnant women to avoid smoking, even if it’s just one cigarette per day, as it can double the risk for sudden infant death syndrome. Smoking near the baby should be avoided at all times as secondhand smoke increases their chances of dying and it also jeopardizes their respiratory system. Vaping and e-cigarettes are not safe around infants. 

 

Breastfeeding is recommended for babies to strengthen their immune system, provide all of the nourishment they need, and ensure that they develop healthy and strong. It can also reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%! Breast milk causes babies to wake up more easily when they need to which protects them from dying. A pacifier can also help keep your baby safe from sudden death, but it’s best to wait until your baby can latch onto the breast during nursing and has started to gain weight. 

 

Tummy time can protect babies as it strengthens their neck muscles and helps prevent flat spots on the head. An adult should always be with a baby during tummy time and it should only be done while the baby is fully awake. As always, keeping up with your child’s well-check visits is extremely important for ensuring that your baby’s development and health are on track and for them to be up-to-date with their immunizations. Immunization is helpful in protecting babies from sudden infant death syndrome. To schedule your baby’s visit or if you have any questions about keeping your little one safe, please call our office. 

Engaging in sports offers children and teens a chance to stay active, build confidence, and foster friendships. Sports also bring a sense of excitement and accomplishment while helping young athletes develop essential skills. However, it’s important to also understand the risks of injury, especially if kids push their limits. There are many things families can do to protect their kids from getting injured so that they can enjoy sports safely. 

 

Common injuries from sports in kids include sprains, strains, growth plate irritation, and stress fractures (which are small bone fractures caused by repeated stress and impact). While all sports can cause injuries, sports with the most contact pose a greater risk of a traumatic injury. We recommend that young athletes avoid specializing in one sport too early. Playing a variety of sports not only provides opportunities to develop a broader range of skills, but it also reduces the risk of repetitive stress injuries. As a parent, you have a key role in guiding children toward age-appropriate sports that match their development and physical abilities. Your pediatrician can also help you assess this. 

 

To prevent injuries and ensure that sports remain safe and fun for kids, encourage your child to take time off. It’s best for children to take at least one day off each week and one month off per year from training for a specific sport. This allows the body to recover. Additionally, your child should have the appropriate protective gear that fits correctly, such as pads, helmets, mouth guards, and eyewear. It is also important for children to strengthen their muscles and flexibility.  Conditioning exercises that focus on the muscles used in sports can help build stability.  Stretching after practices or games improves flexibility – all of which helps prevent muscle strains. 

 

Another way to prevent injury is to ensure that proper techniques in sports are being used and that safety rules are followed. This includes avoiding head first sliding in baseball and spearing in football. If your child ever feels pain, they should stop playing at once. Playing through pain can turn a minor injury into something serious. Taking breaks during practices and games is also crucial. This is especially the case when the weather is hot so that your child doesn’t get a heat-related illness or fatigue-based injuries. Make sure your child stays hydrated and wears appropriate clothing for the weather as well.

 

Physical injuries aren’t the only concerns when it comes to sports. Emotional stress can also take a toll on young athletes. Although winning is exciting, it’s important to keep the focus on effort, improvement, and teamwork. Kids should feel encouraged to enjoy sports for the fun, health benefits, and learning opportunities rather than feeling pressured to win.

 

While sports injuries can’t always be avoided, these steps can minimize the risks. If you have any questions or concerns about sports injuries, call our office. We advise that your child gets evaluated if they experience any point tenderness over a bone, regardless if the swelling is only minimal. Even mild pain should be addressed as it can lead to greater problems.