It can be tempting to overschedule the kids, but it’s time to get serious about goofing off. A conference held last week at Clemson University on the value of play  with sessions like “The Lasting Effects of Play Deprivation” and “Shaping Tomorrow’s Female Leaders Through Play,” formalized the perspective among many childhood development specialists that play isn’t just fun. It’s essential to intellectual, social, and emotional growth.

Research has found that play reduces stress, improves recall, and enhances self-regulation...

A group representing paediatricians saysdisciplining students with out-of-school suspension or expulsion is counter-productive to school goals and should only be used on case by case basis.

The policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that paediatricians familiarise themselves with the policies of their local school districts, and advocate for prevention and alternative strategies.

«The adverse effect of out-of-school suspension and expulsion on the student can be profound,» the experts wrote.

«Data suggest that students who are involved in the juvenile justic...

Teen pregnancy rates are highest in New Mexico and lowest in New Hampshire, according to a new report on the most current state-level data on pregnancy, birthrates and abortions among 15- to 19-year-olds.

The data is from 2008, the most current year that comprehensive information is available, according to the reproductive rights agency the Guttmacher Institute. Though 16 states did see an increase in teen pregnancies between 2005 and 2008, the analysis suggests that overall rates are continuing their decades-long decline.

«There are a few key factors driving the long-term declines in teen pre...

For children with autism, trained dogs may offer not only a furry friend, but some therapeutic benefits too, a new research review finds.

There is a «substantial body of evidence» that dogs act as «social catalysts,» even encouraging adults to be a little friendlier to each other, said senior researcher Francesca Cirulli, of the National Institute of Health in Rome, Italy. And the few studies that have focused on kids with autism suggest the same is true for them.

People have long turned to animals as a way to help with health conditions or disabilities — either as part of formal therapy or t...

It’s not rare for parents to hand over their iPhones, iPods, or iPads to their kids to play around with as a much-needed distraction, whether at home or a long car ride. But, kids are more tech-savvy nowadays and can easily navigate their way around these devices, and that can lead to some very expensive problems.

The BBC reports that the issue—which has since been rectified—is that, prior to the release of iOS 4.3, in-app purchases could be made without needing to enter a password during the 15 minute window after downloading a new app.

This was first brought to the public’s attentio...

Groups representing pediatricians and geneticists issued new recommendations on Thursday to provide doctors with guidance about when to test a child’s DNA for genetic conditions.

The recommendations are the first collaboration between the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Neither organization has issued guidelines for genetic testing of kids in over a decade, according to one of the study’s lead authors.

«What we’re trying to show is a unified and consistent message about genetic testing in children,» said Dr...

Young children with ear infections don’t necessarily need antibiotic treatment right away. In fact, they may not need the medication at all, according to new guidelines from an influential group of doctors.

Children ages 6 months to 2 years with an infection in one ear who don’t have a high fever, severe pain or other complications can be watched for 48 hours without antibiotic treatment to see if the infection gets worse, the guidelines say. The same watching period applies to older children with amild infection in one or both ears.

The new guidelines, from the American Academy of P...

Community water fluoridation has been around for more than 65 years, and although proponents cite many benefits, the practice has come under fire recently as critics are questioning the amount our children are consuming – and if it’s even necessary.

Touted as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, community water fluoridation has been shown to significantly decrease tooth decay...

Ever dashed into a shop leaving a sleeping baby in the car? I think we’ve all been guilty of that but have you ever stopped to consider why children are not to be left alone in cars? Do you have any idea how long it takes for a car to heat up to temperatures that are deadly for babies and small children? Do you know how many children were rescued by emergency services in Victoria alone in this past year?

We say we know the risks of babies and children in hot cars but do we? Nine hundred Victorian parents got the shock of their lives when after dashing into the shops for a quick errand they cam...

Discussing the regrets of past drug use may seem like a good way to convey the dangers of drugs, but the move could backfire, according to a new study.

Children of parents who disclose past alcohol, drug or tobacco use are more likely to have more positive views about drugs than peers whose parents don’t, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the journal Human Communication Research. That held even if the parents were describing their regrets about drug use.

«This is a really cool article, because it does break down the dialogue» and give parents some ideas for what to say, said Mi...