What Is Growth? Physical growth refers to the increases in height and weight and other body changes that happen as kids mature. Hair grows; teeth come in, come out, and come in again; and eventually puberty hits. It’s all part of the growth process. What’s Normal? The first year of life is a time of amazing change …
Along with obvious changes in physical appearance that come with puberty, your child’s voice will start sounding a whole lot different too. As the body goes through puberty, the larynx (or voice box) grows larger and thicker. It happens in both boys and girls, but the change is more obvious in boys. Girls’ voices only …
What Is Prematurity? Babies born more than 3 weeks earlier than their expected due date are called “premature.” Premature babies (preemies) didn’t have enough time to grow and develop as much as they should have before birth. Why Was My Baby Born Early? Most of the time, doctors don’t know why babies are born early. When …
For most kids, body odor is part of growing up. Kids start to have body odor around the time puberty starts and hormones change. Usually, this happens when females are 8–13 years old, and males are 9–14. But it can also be normal to start puberty earlier or later. Bathing every day, especially after a lot of …
Puberty is the time when kids mature into young adults through physical and emotional changes. This doesn’t happen all at once, but slowly over time. Parents often wonder how to help their child through these changes. Knowing what to expect will help you talk to your child about their changing body and answer their questions. When Does …
What Is Teething? Teething is when teeth first come through a baby’s gums. It can be a frustrating time for babies and their parents. Knowing what to expect during teething and how to make it a little less painful can help. When Does Teething Start? While teething can begin as early as 3 months, most …
Teaching kids about their bodies and what is private can be tricky. But parents can help kids develop healthy feelings about their bodies in age-appropriate ways. This also helps kids learn what’s not OK, which can help protect them from sexual abuse. When Do Kids Start to Get Curious About Their Bodies? From as early as …
Start “The Talks” Early Kids see and hear a lot about sex and relationships on TV and online. By the time they near puberty, they may be familiar with some advanced ideas. But talking about puberty is still an important job for parents because not all this other information is reliable. Don’t wait for your kids to …
Talking about personal subjects like periods (menstruation) can make parents and kids feel a little uncomfortable. But kids need reliable information. Helping your kids understand their bodies will help them make good decisions about their health. When Should I Talk to My Kids About Periods? Talking about periods shouldn’t be one big talk at a …
Kids get many benefits from playing sports. But before signing your kids up to play, consider each child’s age, personality, and abilities to help make sure that being involved in sports is a good experience for everyone. What Are the Benefits of Sports? Sports are a fun way for kids to be active. They also …
