Quality resources for parents and caregivers designed to help kids be healthy, safe and strong.

CONTENTS

Critical Thinking A Key to Success 2 Healthy Bites Winter Menu 3 Building Responsible Kids 4 Entertaining Restless Kids in Winter 5 Why You Should Read to Your Kids 6-7 How Roller Skating Made Me Love Exercise 8 Family Card Games 9 Tutoring 9 Valuing Elders in the Famly 10 Benefits of Bonding with Grandparents 11 Tips for Dressing Baby 12 The Dreaded Fever 13-15

KidWise Winter 2013

“Winter is the

time for comfort,

for good food and

warmth, for the

touch of a friendly

hand and for a talk

beside the fire: it

is the time for

home.”

Critical thinking: Work in groups. In a group setting,

students are exposed to the thought processes of

their peers. Thus, they can begin to understand how

others think and that there are multiple ways of

approaching problems — not just one correct way.

Critical thinking: Make decisions. Help your child

consider pros and cons, but don't be afraid to let her

make a wrong choice. Then evaluate the decision later.

Ask your child, "How do you feel about your decision?

What would you do differently next time?"

Critical thinking: Find patterns. Whatever you're doing,

whether it's going to the park or watching television,

encourage your child to look for patterns or make

connections for critcal thinking practice. For example,

relate a favorite television show to a real-life situation.

Or, while driving in the car, have your child identify

different shapes in roads signs and in the windows and

roofs of passing houses.

It might be tempting to pass off the critical thinking

buzz as just another fad in education. However, most

teachers disagree. It's still important for your child to

know his multiplication tables, but it's just as vital for

him to know how and when to use them.

Critical thinking has become a buzzword in education. In the

past, the emphasis in classrooms has been on imparting

information and content — the times tables or the capitals of

the United States, for example. In recent years, however,

there's been a shift toward teaching critical thinking, a skill that

elevates thinking beyond memorization into the realm of

analysis and logic.

Put another way, critical thinking is about knowing how to

think, not what to think. Teachers use a number of techniques

to help students learn critical thinking, starting as early as

kindergarten and ramping up especially in 2nd grade and

beyond. Below are a few of the methods educators employ;

you can try them at home to help your child become a critical

thinker.

Critical thinking: Ask open-ended questions. Asking questions

that don't have one right answer encourages children to

respond creatively without being afraid of giving the wrong

answer.

Critical thinking: Categorize and classify. Classification plays an

important role in critical thinking because it requires identifica-

tion and sorting according to a rule, or set of rules, that kids

must discover, understand, and apply. If you play classification

games at home, be sure to follow up the activity with questions

about the similarities and differences between the groups. You

can sort everything from dirty laundry to Legos to produce to

doll clothes to promote critical thinking.

"Too often we give children answers

to remember rather than problems

to solve."

CRITICAL

THINKING

A Key

To Success

HEALTHY BITES - Winter Menu Teaching kids to eat healthy foods at a young age will help them develop healthy eating patterns for life, so we’ve

included kid-friendly recipes with a variety of vegetables, using proteins that are naturally lower in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals. These delicious kid-friendly recipes will help your kids learn to love whole grains (most kids

should be eating at least 6 ounces a day!). And don’t forget calcium-rich recipes to build strong bones. This collection of healthy kid-friendly recipes gets high marks from kids of all ages and is designed to make meal planning easier.

We think your whole family will love them!

QUICK CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup frozen green peas and carrots 1 cup cut-up cooked chicken

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) creamy chicken mushroom soup 1 cup Original Bisquick® mix

1/3 cup milk

Heat 1 1/2 cups milk, the peas and carrots, chicken and soup to boiling in 3-quart saucepan, stirring fre-

quently.

Stir Bisquick mix and 1/3 cup milk until soft dough forms. Drop dough by 8 spoonfuls onto chicken mixture

(do not drop directly into liquid).

Cook uncovered over low heat 10 minutes. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer.

COOKED APPLES - A Sweet Side to Savory Dishes, or a Dessert or for Breakfast & Brunch

Quick-Easy-Versatile-Delicious! Cooked apples are a classic and can be served with almost any meet a a great com-

pliment to game. But they can also be eaten as a dessert, such as with vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce, or served over warm biscuits, or as a side to a slice of pumkin bread or pound cake, or in a warm bowl of hot cereal

or oatmeal. Elevate a ho-hum breakfast and pour over pancakes, waffles or French toast or wrap in crepes.

INGREDIENTS:

3 Large Tart Apples - Peeled and Sliced

2 Tablespoons Melted Butter

1 Teaspoon Flour

1 1/2 Tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Arrange apples in a baking dish.

Brush with melted butter.

Combine last 4 ingredients in a bowl and stir.

Top apples with rest of ingredients.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Kids are born with the capacity to become responsible people — it’s all up to us.

Developing responsibility means becoming trustworthy or accountable for one’s actions. Encouraging your child to become

responsible should start at an early age. I t will take a lot of work and patience on your part, but it will be worth every minute of effort,

both for you and for your developing child.

Pouring the Foundation - You can’t build a sturdy house without a firm foundation. The same is true when helping your child

develop responsibly: If you don’t lay the groundwork early and consistently, it will be difficult for her to develop into a trustworthy

adult. So when your child is young, take these steps to building a strong foundation:

Establish rules and appropriate consequences. Help her understand that rules are to be followed and that there will be

consequences if they are not. This will encourage her to become responsible for her actions.

Help her develop concern for others. Teach her to share and to think of others’ feelings. Caring for pets and other living

creatures is a good way to help kids develop empathy. Insist that she treat others in a kindly and mannerly fashion.

Give her chores. From an early age, kids are capable of putting away their toys and helping with simple tasks. Completing chores will give her a feeling of accomplishment and self-sufficiency. It will also make her feel like a member of the home team!

Allow her to make choices. This should be done in an age-appropriate way. For example, small children can choose a bedtime

story, or make a choice from a selection of breakfast cereals.

Framing the House - As your child matures, she will have a steady foundation upon which to build a “house” of personal

responsibility. As she frames her house, guide her in the following ways:

Whenever possible, act as advisor, not as director, in her life. Give her increasing chances to make her own decisions while

still under your roof. As a result, the world will seem a lot less threatening later on. And she will know how to exercise good judgment if she has lots of practice in this area.

Continue to establish rules and follow through with consequences. Rules are not just for little kids. In fact, as your child

heads toward the teen years, structure may become even more important. If kids become accustomed to following rules, they will be equipped to establish structure in both their internal and external worlds once they leave home.

Encourage her to earn and manage money. Developing a good work ethic and learning to manage money is key to becoming a

responsible adult. Give her opportunities to earn money while she is still young. When she becomes a teen, assist her in obtaining

part-time work. Teach her to save a portion of her earnings. Help her start checking and savings accounts, and encourage her to begin putting money away for car insurance, clothes or college.

Help her understand the importance of giving to others. Encourage her to participate in community service or volunteer work.

Insist that she reach out to friends and family in need. Becoming a responsible person means looking out for others as well as oneself.

Without one final element, your child’s house of responsibility will crumble: You must model responsibility yourself. In fact, your own actions will have more of an impact on her development than anything else. The task of helping her to become a responsible person

may seem daunting. But it’s doable, one building block at a time.

Entertaining Restless

Kids in Winter

Why You Should Read to Your Kids What’s the most important trait you’d like to develop in your child? If you’re

like most parents, intelligence is probably at the top of your list. We all want

bright, smart children, which is why we spend so much time choosing the

right schools and making sure teachers are exceeding expectations. But

remember: as a parent, you have the power to boost your children's learning

potential simply by making books an integral part of their lives.

We all know reading to our kids is a good thing—but are you familiar with

the specific advantages your toddler or preschool-age child can receive by

being exposed to the merits of reading? Below are some benefits that high-

light the importance of reading to your child between the ages of two and

five.

1. A stronger relationship with you. As your child grows older, he’ll be on

the move—playing, running, and constantly exploring his environment.

Snuggling up with a book lets the two of you slow down and recaptures that

sweet, cuddly time you enjoyed when he was a baby. Instead of being seen as

a chore or a task, reading will become a nurturing activity that will bring the

two of you closer together.

2. Academic excellence. One of the primary benefits of reading to toddlers

and preschoolers is a higher aptitude for learning in general. Numerous

studies have shown that students who are exposed to reading before pre-

school are more likely to do well in all facets of formal education. After all, if

a student struggles to put together words and sentences, how can he be

expected to grasp the math, science, and social concepts he’ll be presented

with when he begins elementary school?

3. Basic speech skills. Throughout toddlerhood and preschool, your child is

learning critical language and enunciation skills. By listening to you read One

Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, your child is reinforcing the basic sounds

that form language. “Pretend reading”—when a toddler pages through a

book with squeals and jabbers of delight—is a very important pre-literacy

activity. As a preschooler, your child will likely begin sounding out words on

his own.

4. The basics of how to read a book. Children aren’t born with an innate

knowledge that text is read from left to right, or that the words on a page

are separate from the images. Essential pre-reading skills like these are

among the major benefits of early reading.

5. Better communication skills. When you spend time reading to toddlers,

they’ll be much more likely to express themselves and relate to others in a

healthy way. By witnessing the interactions between the characters in the

books you read, as well as the contact with you during story time, your child

is gaining valuable communication skills. (con’t next page)

Continued… “10 Reasons Why You Should Read to Your Kids”

6. Mastery of language. Early reading for toddlers has been linked to a better

grasp of the fundamentals of language as they approach school age.

7. More logical thinking skills. Another illustration of the importance of

reading to children is their ability to grasp abstract concepts, apply logic in

various scenarios, recognize cause and effect, and utilize good judgment. As

your toddler or preschooler begins to relate the scenarios in books to

what’s happening in his own world, he’ll become more excited about the

stories you share.

8. Acclamation to new experiences. As your child approaches a major devel-

opmental milestone or a potentially stressful experience, sharing a relevant

story is a great way to help ease the transition. For instance, if your little one

is nervous about starting preschool, reading a story dealing with this topic

shows her that her anxiety is normal.

9. Enhanced concentration and discipline. Toddlers may initially squirm and

become distracted during story time, but eventually they’ll learn to stay put

for the duration of the book. Along with reading comprehension comes a

stronger self-discipline, longer attention span, and better memory retention,

all of which will serve your child well when she enters school.

10. The knowledge that reading is fun! Early reading for toddlers helps them

view books as an indulgence, not a chore. Kids who are exposed to reading

are much more likely to choose books over video games, television, and

other forms of entertainment as they grow older.

Books have the power to benefit toddlers and preschoolers in a myriad of

ways. As a parent, reading to your child is one of the most important things

you can do to prepare him with a foundation for academic excellence.

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever

free." — Frederick Douglass

"The things I want to know are in books.

My best friend is the man who'll get me a

book I [haven't] read." — Abraham Lincoln

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray,

Go throw your TV set away, And in its

place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on

the wall." — Roald Dahl, Charlie and the

Chocolate Factory

"Children are made readers on the laps of

their parents." — Emilie Buchwald

"Reading aloud with children is known to be

the single most important activity for build-

ing the knowledge and skills they will even-

tually require for learning to read." —

Marilyn Jager Adams

"There are many little ways to enlarge your

child's world. Love of books is the best of

all." — Jacqueline Kennedy

"The more that you read, the more things

you will know. The more you learn, the

more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss, "I Can

Read With My Eyes

Shut!"

"You may have tangible wealth untold. /

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. /

Richer than I you can never be – / I had a

mother who read to me." — Strickland

Gillilan

"There is more treasure in books than in all

the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." —

Walt Disney

How Roller Skating

Made Me Love Exercise

Roller Skating is… A fun way to increase muscular strength and

cardiorespiratory endurance. A way to burn anywhere from 330 to 600

calories per hour! A GREAT for improving balance and flexibility A fantastic source of aerobic exercise A key to weight control Easy to learn A great tension reliever and enthusiasm

builder An excellent way to help maintain good health Have fun with the kids

Roller skates have come a long way. They are lighter, faster and more comfortable and it’s now more affordable to own a personal pair. Between the music, lights, social aspect, health benefits and fun; roller skating could simply be the best total body workout there is. So whether you choose quad-skates or roller blades, hit your local rink or park for a few laps of fun!

Anybody remember the shag carpets, disco lights

and groovy music at the local roller skating rink

when you were a kid? We had a blast on those

Saturdays!

Then, we grew older, got jobs, had kids and skat-

ing became a childhood memory. But who said

that we had to give up those childhood activities?

I suggest we revisit those activities and remem-

ber just what great exercise (and fun) skating can

be!

The updated rinks have forgone the old shag

carpeting for a newer, modern look with more

amenities to offer the public.

If you haven’t been to a roller skating rink lately,

you’ll be pleased to find that they are still rock’n.

The kids are having just as much fun as we did,

and there are adults now participating, too. Not

only can you accompany your kids on a great

family outing, but you can participate with them.

It’s a great social event where you can build new

friendships along with muscular strength and

cardio endurance. Who said exercise had to be

a bore?

So, I for one am going to indulge in this terrific

exercise where I can stroll to the beat and at the

same time improve my balance and flexibility!

Let’s party!

With busy, hectic schedules and a very important need to stay

connected and play together as a family, I thought about what might be a fun, simple and inexpensive activity that we could

do together.

I dwelt back on my childhood, on those dark and cold winter afternoons where we as a family or as a group of neighbor-

hood friends would gather to play board games or cards.

Cards games were my favorite, as the ways to play a stack of 52 was unlimited.

If you want to get away from video games and TV time, cards

will not disappoint. You can play the games anywhere - at

home, on a road trip, waiting in an airport or pretty much wherever you find yourself to be. You can re-learn old fa-

vorites or venture out and find some new, interesting games. Not only will you have fun, but so will your family and not only

will someone learn something, but you’ll have bonding

experiences that you may remember for a lifetime as I do. Pick

up a book of card games or find the information on the inter-

net. It’s a great, easy way to increase your repertoire of fun family times. Below are web links with suggestions on games:

http://boardgames.about.com/od/cardgames/tp/best_family_card_games.htm

http://boardgames.about.com/od/cardgames/tp/best_childrens_card_games.htm

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/card_games_for_kids.htm

http://grandparents.about.com/od/projectsactivities/tp/Easy_Card_Games_for_Kids.htm

http://www.ehow.com/list_6180833_family-card-games.html

FAMILY CARD GAMES

“There are a multitude of games that can be played with a standard deck of playing cards or a

modified deck of playing cards.”

Tutoring Empowering Children

To Reach Their Potential

The purpose of tutoring is to help children to the point

at which they become independent, successful learners. Tutoring is available in your home, at a local or national

tutoring center, and online.

There are many possible reasons why you or your child

might need tutoring. Here are some of the most important reasons.

• Teacher or counselor recommends tutoring

• Grades are dropping • Homework seems increasingly difficult

• Extreme anxiety before tests • Self-esteem is dropping

• Loss of interest in learning

• Feelings of wanting to give up • Resistance to doing schoolwork

• Reluctance to go to school

Tutoring can be beneficial in many ways. Here are some of

the benefits.

• Provides personalized attention • Improves grades - child no longer feels left behind

• Increases knowledge and understanding of subjects

• Increases motivation to succeed

• Provides intensive practice • Allows progress at own pace

• Leads to better use of study time

• Improves self-esteem and confidence • Encourages higher levels of learning

• Encourages self-directed learning

• Reduces competition

• Provides praise, feedback, and encouragement • Provides review of skills previously not mastered and no

longer taught in class

Not everyone needs tutoring. But when needed, tutoring

can make a great contribution to a child’s confidence and success. Find local tutors @ http://www.Wyzant.com

Valuing the Elderly in Our Families

Longevity of life becomes the gift of the fulfillment of life

that receives meaning from the wisdom of the heart. Older

persons are the guardians of the collective memory. They

have the perspective of both the past and the future, living

in a present that already takes on the sense of eternity and

serenity. Their life must converge in inter-generational

relationships transmitting to all people the treasures of their

time, their capacity and experiences. I n the present culture

of global productivity, they face the danger of considering

themselves as not being useful. However, their mere pres-

ence must prove that the economic aspect is neither the

sole nor the most important value.

Although it is better to grow old in one's own family, we

find an increasing number of abandoned older persons.

Facing the marginalization of older persons in the present

society and taking a perspective of the future, one sees the

necessity for creating an inclusive society for all ages in

which the older persons will have their place, especially

women and the underprivileged.

It would be good if everybody could see older people as the

bridge to our past and our future. They have built the

nations we are so proud of today. We recognize that our

future can only shine if we reconcile our dreams with the

dreams of our parents and grandparents. We must capitalize

on the experiences gathered along the way of many years of

hardship. Older people are living libraries. In Africa, older

people are the oral sources of history. For us, they are the

link between the new generations and our forefathers.

Therefore, we have a moral obligation to honour all those

who contributed to the building of a new and harmonious

world.

The Benefits of Bonding

With Grandparents Establishing a bond with grandparents can benefit kids

in many ways. Grandparents can be great role mod-els and influences, and they can provide a sense of

cultural heritage and family history. Grandparents provide their grandkids with love, have their best in-

terests at heart, and can make them feel safe.

Grandparents also encourage a child’s healthy

development. Overnight trips to Grandma’s house, for example, may be less traumatic than sleepovers

with peers and can help kids develop independence. Another benefit—grandparents may have lots of time

to spend playing and reading to kids. Such dedicated

attention only improves a child’s developmental and

learning skills.

In today’s world, though, families may be scattered

across the country, and jam-packed school and work

schedules may interfere with regular time with grand-parents. Despite physical distance or busy schedules,

you can encourage your kids to develop a closer

bond with their grandparents.

Visit often. Make an effort to carve time out of

your busy schedule for regular visits. Encourage

grandparents to drop by your home, too.

Stay in touch through technology. Use the

telephone, email, write, send pictures and sound

files. If they don’t own a computer, send videos

of the kids in action.

Say cheese. Post pictures of grandparents in your

home and point them out to your kids often.

Mail. Kids love receiving mail. So send grand-parents a box of stationery and postcards and

some stamps and ask them to write regularly. Do the same for the children so that both kids and

grandparents will anticipate the regular

communication.

Pass it on. Many grandparents have hobbies or

special skills such as knitting, woodworking,

cooking, mechanical knowledge—that they’d love

to pass on to the youth. Provide kids with the time and tools needed to learn these skills from

their grandparents.

Chart a family tree. Encourage grandparents to share stories of their families. Let the children

create a family tree.

Safety Away From Home

Grandparents may not be accustomed to having young

children in the house, and the presence of household

dangers could mar visits with trips to the doctor. Use a

household safety checklist and collaborate with the

grandparents to childproof the home, ensuring that

dangerous items and substances such as cleaning prod-

ucts, medications, razors and knives are out of reach or

locked away. Walk through the home with the grand-

parents to address any potential hazards. They may not

realize that small or breakable items pose a choking or

safety risk.

Taking these precautions ahead of time can free kids and

grandparents to make the most of their special time

together.

Tips for

Dressing Baby It’s important to dress your baby or toddler snugly

in cold weather, but it’s also important to know

when snuggly coats and blankets should come off.

Sharing with you the benefit of wisdom

and many years of parenting experience.

Baby's Temperature

Small babies cannot regulate their own body heat as well as adults, therefore it's important to keep an eye on your baby's temperature. Sometimes babies will cry when they get too hot, though some just fall asleep (which can be dangerous, as you won’t know if he is tired or just passed out). You don’t have to undress a baby or toddler to tell how they are doing. What you should do is place the back of your hand on their chest, belly or back of their neck. If these feel cool, then you are fine. But if they feel very cold or too warm or sweaty, remove clothing even if you have to wake them up to do so. Also - don't judge a baby's heat by their toes or hands, as these are usually colder that the rest of the body.

Coats and Hats

If your baby doesn't like the bulk of a coat, you might find blankets are a more flexible way of keeping them warm or cool. With regards to hats, buy light cotton hats rather than wooly ones which might scratch or irritate their sensitive skin. Also, make sure the hats are not too tight, as they can cause baby discomfort. If there is a cold wind, do make sure baby’s ears are covered. You do not need to use a scarf since babies don’t really have a neck to wrap and it can actually become a choking hazard if tightened around their neck.

Inside and Outside - Be Aware of Your Surroundings

If you are out shopping or in a café, it is very important to adjust your baby's outside clothing when you go inside. You might undo your own buttons or simply put up with getting sweaty if you're in a shop longer than you expected, but your baby can suffer greatly. Even if your baby is alseep, it is important to remove layers of clothing in order to allow them to adjust correctly to the inside temperature. Do not leave extra clothes on just because you don't want to disturb your baby. When you are shopping, it's easy to forget how long you have been inside.

Babies in Slings, Carriers, Car Seats and Strollers

It might seem an even bigger pain if your wrapped up baby is in a sling, carrier, car seat or stoller, to have to take him out and undress him just to go into a shop, but it is very important. I was recently in a store where I saw a child in a snowsuit laying asleep in a stroller. The child was so overheated that their little face was flush completely red and visibly moist.

Baby’s Temperature at Night

Babies generally wake up and let you know if they get too cold, but wouldn't if they got too hot, so it's always better to go for cooler. Don't worry about their hands being cold though, they do tend to get colder hands when they are tiny, as they're not mobile and don't have good enough circulation yet to keep their hands and feet warm. Just check their body temp by touching their chest, belly or back, and as long as that is the correct temp they are fine. Anywhere between 60-68 degrees room temp is fine. There are baby monitors with built-in thermometers which detect temperature and humidity and allow you to set alarms if the temp gets too hot or cold.

Remember — it is always best to avoid too many layers of clothing or blankets with children

National Institutes of Health alerts caregivers to increase in SIDS risk during cold weather

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/nov2010/nichd-02.htm

Viral InfectionViral InfectionViral Infection (most common)

Bacterial InfectionBacterial InfectionBacterial Infection (less common)

Urinary tract infection Meningitis Pneumonia

Reaction to VaccinationReaction to VaccinationReaction to Vaccination

OverheatedOverheatedOverheated from being dressed too warmly or spending time

outside on a hot day

DehydrationDehydrationDehydration

The

Dreaded

Fever

Fever in Babies: What Are the Signs?

One common sign of fever in babies is a warm forehead. Your baby’s behavior may also be that they are crankier than usual. Other symptoms associated with fever in babies include:

poor sleeping poor eating lack of interest in play lethargy convulsion or seizure

How Do I Take My Baby's Temperature?

You can take a child's temperature a few different ways, such as via the rectum (rectally), mouth (orally), ear, under the arm (axillary), or at the temples. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends only using digital thermometers in children. Rectal thermometers provide the most accurate temperature readings, and can be easi-est to take in an infant. Typically, babies can't hold an oral thermometer in place, and the reading of an ear or un-derarm thermometer are not as accurate. To take a rectal temperature, first make sure the thermometer is clean. Wash it with soap and water or wipe it off with rubbing alcohol. Lay your baby on the belly or on the back with legs bent into the chest. Apply a little bit of petroleum jelly around the thermometer bulb and gently insert it about 1 inch into the rectum opening. Hold the digital thermometer in place for about two minutes until you hear the "beep." Then gently remove the thermometer.

At What Temperature Does My Baby Have a Fever?

A baby's normal temperature can range from about 97 degrees Fahrenheit up to 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Most doctors say a rectal temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever.

What Should I Do If My Baby Has a Fever?

If your baby is under 1 month old and has a fever, contact your child's health care provider right away - it is considered an emergency. Seek immediate medical care. For older babies, try these tips: Bathe your child with lukewarm water - always check the temperature of the water on your wrist before

washing your baby. Dress your baby in a light layer of clothes. Give your baby enough fluids to avoid dehydration. Those fluids should be breast milk, formula, an electrolyte

solution, or water depending on the baby’s age. Contact your baby's health care provider for guidelines. A dehydrated baby may have fewer wet diapers, no tears with crying, or a dry mouth.

If your doctor says it is OK, you can give your baby children's Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Never give babies aspirin for a fever because of the risk for a rare but potentially dangerous condition called Reye's syndrome. Also, do not give a baby under 6 months of age Advil, Motrin, or other medicines that contain ibuprofen. Be sure to ask your doctor about the dosage and also read and verify the package instructions before giving your baby a fever lowering medicine.

If you are concerned about your baby's fever, call your health care provider for advice and reassurance.

When to call the doctor

The most important things you can do when your child has a fever are to improve your child’s comfort by making sure they drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and monitor for signs and symptoms of a serious illness. It is a good sign if your child plays and interacts with you after re-ceiving medicine for discomfort. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has a fever and

If your baby is under 1 month of age and has a fever, it is considered an emergency. Seek

immediate medical care.

Is under 3 months old and has a has a temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher;

Looks very ill, is unusually drowsy, or is very fussy or is lethargic and not responsive

Has problems breathing or eating

Has been in a very hot place, such as an overheated car

Shows signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, no tears with crying, or

sunken soft spot on the head

Has other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, severe headache, severe sore throat, severe ear

pain, an unexplained rash, or repeated vomiting or diarrhea

Has immune system problems, such as sickle cell disease or cancer, or is taking steroids

Has had a seizure

Fever rises above 104°F (40°C) repeatedly for a child of any age

Also call your child’s doctor if

Your child still “acts sick” once his fever is brought down.

Your child seems to be getting worse.

The fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years.

The fever persists for more than 3 days (72 hours) in a child 2 years of age or older.

It can be difficult for doctors to tell whether a newborn has a simple virus (like a cold), or a more serious infection (like pneumonia or meningitis). That's why doctors will sometimes order special tests (such as blood or urine tests, or a spinal tap) to pinpoint the exact cause of an infant fever, and to look for more serious infections in young babies.

American Academy of Pediatrics

When to Call the Pediatrician

New Advice for Fighting Fever in ChildrenNew Advice for Fighting Fever in ChildrenNew Advice for Fighting Fever in Children

Fever is the body's normal and healthy reaction

to infection and other illnesses, both minor and

serious. It helps the body fight infection. Fever is

a symptom, not a disease. In most cases, having

a fever means you have a minor illness. When

you have a fever, your other symptoms will help

you determine how serious your illness is.

ByJennifer Warner, WebMD Health News

Reviewed byLaura J. Martin, MD

Fever may be beneficial when it comes to fighting infection, according to new advice from pediatricians. New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics urge parents to recognize fever as a sign that the body is working to fight infection and not something to be feared. Instead, they say the main goal of treating fever in children should be to keep them comfortable while watching for any signs of serious illness rather than focusing on keeping their temperature within a "normal" range.

"Fever makes many parents do whatever they can to bring their child’s fever down into a normal range. Fever is not a danger itself; it usually is a benefit," Henry Bernstein, MD, chief of general pediatrics at the Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, says in an email. "Parents need to know that fever is not something to fear, but more of a friend that shows the body is fighting the infection."

Which Fever Reducers Work

Researchers say evidence suggests there is no substantial difference in safety and effectiveness between the fever reducers acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) in treating fever in healthy children between 6 months and 12 years old. Although some studies suggest that alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be more effective at lowering temperature, researchers say questions remain regarding the safety of this practice as well as the effectiveness in improving discomfort.

"The possibility that parents will either not receive or not understand dosing instructions, combined with the wide array of for-mulations that contain these drugs, increases the potential for inaccurate dosing or overdosing," researcher Janice E. Sullivan, MD, at the American Academy of Pediatrics on clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, and colleagues write in Pediatrics.

Researchers say acetaminophen is the most common single ingredient involved in emergency room visits for medication over-doses in children. More than 80% of these overdoses are the result of unsupervised ingestion. Therefore, proper storage, handling, and dosing of fever-reducing medications is critical. "They must be given in the correct dose at the right times based on a child’s weight, age, and overall health," Bernstein says.

How to Treat Fever in Children

When a child has a fever, researchers say parents and caregivers should focus on the overall well-being of the child and care-fully monitor their behavior for any changes in activity or temperament that may be a sign of a serious illness. Additionally, the report offers this advice for treating fever in children:

Encourage the child to drink appropriate fluids (breast milk, formula, water, etc.) to prevent dehydration. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, when used in appropriate doses based on the child's weight, are generally safe and effective

to manage symptoms of fever in children. Do not wake a sleeping child to give him or her a fever reducer. Cough and cold medications that contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen should not be given to children. Parents may acci-

dentally give the child simultaneous doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen and a cough and cold medication that contains the same fever-reducing medication.

For children who require liquid medications, only one formulation should be used in the household. To prevent accidental overdose, all fever reducers should be stored out of reach of children, and an accurate measuring

device should always be used when dispensing to children.

Learn Infant CPR: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2pZt_VYOMw

Compiled by Beverly Sitherwood 2013 ©

WINTER TIME

Icy fingers, icy toes,

Bright red cheeks and bright red nose.

Watch the snowflakes as they fall,

Try so hard to count them all.

Build a snowman way up high,

See if he can touch the sky.

Snow forts, snowballs, angels, too,

In the snow, so white and new.