网曝门事件

网曝门事件 Health specialists discuss how to handle common parenting concerns about development.

Raising healthy children is sure to result in some gray hairs for parents. From kindergarten readiness to screen time and healthy eating, there鈥檚 plenty to worry about. When should parents consult an expert? When is a concern just a normal part of your child growing up? 网曝门事件 Health providers help us figure out how to handle common parenting questions about child development.

Q: My toddler is only saying 鈥渄ada,鈥� but her sister said more than a handful of words by this age. When should I worry about a speech delay?

A: Walking and talking are major milestones, and it鈥檚 important to speak to a trusted pediatric provider as soon as you have a concern. 鈥淭he key is early intervention if a speech delay is identified,鈥� says Erica Baumker, pediatric nurse practitioner. 鈥淵our provider may recommend an assessment, which can provide insight, advice and peace of mind for mom and dad.鈥�

Q: My son is complaining of pain. When is it time to see a doctor?

A: Whether it鈥檚 a tummy ache, headache or some other kind of ache, parents should gauge the seriousness of the complaint, says Julia Katsuura, MD, a pediatrician at 网曝门事件 Health Ukiah Valley and a mom herself. Most parents know when their child is truly uncomfortable and can determine whether to consult a professional or wait to see if a less serious ailment will resolve on its own. 鈥淚t鈥檚 child-dependent,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd a lot of times the parent knows best.鈥� Contact the pediatrician鈥檚 office for advice if you are unsure.

Q: I鈥檓 not sure my kindergartner is ready for the transition to school. What should I do?

A: Annual checkups by your pediatric provider can help you decide. Even before the transition to elementary school, parents are asked to do an annual self-assessment of their child using a screening tool that pinpoints developmental progress in children, Baumker says. 鈥淭hese annual assessments give parents a starting
point for a conversation, allowing them to address concerns earlier,鈥� she says.

Q: Healthy eating is a struggle for my oldest child, and I鈥檓 noticing more weight gain. Is it time to seek help?

A: 鈥淓specially during the pandemic, healthy eating and gaining weight are some of parents鈥� biggest concerns,鈥�
Dr. Katsuura says. 鈥淢any children get less exercise due to local restrictions and have easy access to snacks throughout the day,鈥� she explains. Visiting your pediatrician can make it easier to discuss the need for healthy eating and exercise as a family 鈥� talking to the doctor allows you and your kids to come up with ideas as a team. It鈥檚 not something that should fall through the cracks.鈥�

Q: How should I monitor and manage my child鈥檚 screen time?

A: Zoom school, endless cartoons and video chats with friends have children staring at screens for a large portion of the day. While more time online is normal during a pandemic, it鈥檚 important to set ground rules for screen time, especially for older children who thrive on having more autonomy, Dr. Katsuura says.

Keep in mind: The American Academy of Pediatrics calls for no screen time for children until 18 to 24 months old, except for video chatting; kids ages 2 to 5 should watch an hour or less of high-quality programming per day.

Here are four things to consider when creating a family plan for screen usage in the home:

• Model good behavior. Put away your own devices during meals or game time.
• For younger children, set time limits for each day of the week (some devices can track hours used).
• Limit the hours or places where devices are allowed, such as no devices in the bedroom.
• Involve your children in making the action plan so they are more likely to follow it. Do periodic check-ins to discuss your progress as a family.

Find a child development expert

As your child grows, it鈥檚 important to have a trusted pediatric team to address concerns. 网曝门事件 Health offers pediatric services throughout Mendocino County.

• Ukiah: 707-463-7459
• Willits: 707-459-6115
• Fort Bragg: 707-961-4631