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“Strength training, when done correctly, can improve the overall health of children and adolescents of all athletic abilities,” says Katherine Stabenow Dahab, MD, who did a comprehensive review of scientific research on the topic (published in the journal Sports Health). Strength training can improve your athlete’s performance in the sport of her choice. It can also boost metabolism, and help your child reach a healthy weight and maintain it. There are risks associated with strength training, such as growth-plate fractures and lower back injuries....

5 to 10 minutes Materials Hand-sized objectsA piece of thick yarn 2 to 3 feet long Directions Extensions Toss the toy out and help your baby to pull it back.Make several yarn toys so your baby can choose which to pull.Sing a song as you swing the toy back and forth toward or above your baby, just close enough that it can be reached.When your baby can crawl, pull the toy slowly so it can be followed....

You get up early and hit the gym hard. You’re torching calories in anticipation of the succulent spread you’ll be feasting on later that night. Then it’s off to the grocery store for steaks and shrimp, beer, chips and salsa; basically all the essentials that translate into good eats for you and your buddies. You can’t wait to rev up the TV and hunker down on the couch with a beer as you desperately cheer for the squares you bought in the office pool....

Even if you don’t intend to get pregnant anytime soon, you may have concerns about family planning and your biological clock. These are all good reasons to talk to your health care provider. Talking to your gynecologist or midwife before you conceive is an important first step in having a healthy pregnancy—but this discussion can be anxiety-provoking. Your health care provider wants to help you and is ready to discuss any and all reproductive topics—even embarrassing or sensitive ones....

It’s not too hard for most college kids to get; the credit card companies inundate them with offers. What is hard is knowing how to resist the ease in which they can be used to their maximum credit limits, the ease in which multiple cards can be obtained, and the ease in which debt can mount up and overwhelm them. How to Get a Credit Card In deciding among various general credit cards, the choices aren’t limited simply between MasterCard and VISA, or Discover or American Express....

Sarah Kesty What Needs Do You Anticipate Your Students Having? I’m already planning how to infuse more support into my teaching this coming year. I anticipate that my students will be coming in with higher than usual social-emotional learning (SEL) needs as well as some significant deficits in executive function, like planning, organizing, and self-management. How Do You Plan on Meeting Those Needs? I plan to spend at least the first two weeks with skills, not content, at the forefront of our activities....

Gifts that remind new moms to prioritize themselves, and make it more convenient to do so, can make a big difference in their overall quality of life. We carefully considered design, material, usefulness, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best first Mother’s Day gifts to put a smile on a new mom’s face. With its built-in battery and charging coaster, this self-heating smart mug allows you to set an exact temperature for your hot drink—you can even control it with your smartphone....

“Kids can and should play in the rain! Rain is a part of life, as is getting wet sometimes,” explains Amanda Stovall, MD, an Illinois-based board-certified pediatrician. “Keeping feet dry and protected can help prevent blisters and help prevent slipping.” Rain boots should be able to stand up to all the water, snow, mud, and debris that your child will stomp through. Look for boots that are made of durable materials, such as rubber that won’t tear, crack, or leak, and provide insulation to prevent cold feet....

Since there are so many socks on the market, we turned to Meghan Schlitt, MD, a New Jersey-based pediatrician, for her advice on how to pick the best socks for kids. “The best socks are those that are durable, comfortable, affordable, and fit comfortably,” she tells Verywell Family. The type of kids’ socks you’ll need will also depend on your child’s age, the types of activities they do, and the climate you live in....

Tying the present to the tween’s passions, whether that’s sports, art, history, science, or music, is key. From shoes to science kits and books to video games, the possibilities are endless to fill a 10-year-old’s need for fun while also satisfying their interest in being more like older kids. We carefully considered age recommendations, design, features, functionality, trendiness, material, ease of use, and value when reviewing products. And while we use “boys” in the headline here, we think these are great gifts for girls or nonbinary 10-year-olds too....

After months of social distancing, many families are looking for safe and budget-friendly ways to hit the road and get in some travel. A camping trip provides a budget-friendly way to make the most of the great outdoors and spending time in nature, all while finding distance from others if so desired. Choosing a tent for your family can be a make or break decision when it comes to family camping....

This handy device allows you to suck out the snot from your baby’s nose when they’re not able to blow it yet. “It makes great sense to wipe our babies’ noses when the mucus rolls out but is it a good idea to stick a nozzle in their noses? Sometimes, but not always,” explains Arthur Lavin, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio. Dr. Lavin doesn’t advise using an aspirator if the mucus (wet or dry) isn’t bothering your little one....

When it comes to purchasing twin baby products, ensuring that they are designed to safely accommodate both of your babies is essential. We carefully considered design, any age, height, and weight recommendations, material, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best twin baby products on the market. Each seat is designed to support kids up to 50 pounds, has a five-point harness to ensure they stay tucked in safely, and folds down to nearly flat....

Warmth, comfort, and your little one’s safety are key considerations when looking for winter nursery products. We carefully considered design, material, age recommendations, safety, value, and ease of use and cleaning when reviewing products. Here are the best cold-weather products to have in your nursery. Comfort You’ll also want products that keep your baby comfortable in the winter season, when the air is drier and cooler and respiratory bugs are common....

With money tighter than ever and inflation on the rise, families will be hunting for back-to-school deals wherever they can. This year, with groceries, fuel, and other household costs rising, the pressure is on more than ever. Back-to-School Shopping on a Tight Budget More than two years post-pandemic, the economic hits to families keep coming, with the news that many of the schools that enjoyed free federally funded breakfast and lunch menus for all students the last couple of years will see that support pulled for the coming academic year....

If you’re thinking of getting your child a hoverboard, we have some safety tips to share with you as well as a look at some of the best hoverboards for kids. At What Age Can You Get a Hoverboard? Most hoverboards are recommended for kids ages 8 and up. It’s best to read the instructions before buying your child a hoverboard to make sure it’s age appropriate. You know your child best....

“At the age of about 3 to 4 years old, kids can be expected to carry a few of their own things when they travel,” explains Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, founder and CEO of the Modern Mamas Club app. “But the most important thing is starting them out with a little bit of responsibility versus having them carry a substantial amount of luggage as they travel.” The ideal luggage for your child will depend on their age and the length and style of your family vacation—plus your budget....

Experts suggest that the Moro reflex evolved to help keep infants closer to protective figures and to avoid falling. Lack of a Moro reflex response in young infants may indicate auditory problems, a motor system disorder, or a disorder affecting the central nervous system. Why Are Psychologists Interested in the Moro Reflex? The Moro reflex is certainly interesting, but why does it interest psychologists? When striving to understand human development, psychologists often start by examining what infants can and cannot do....