 |
Going organic: Is it worth it? With healthy eating increasingly at the forefront of many families’ minds, many of us may be wondering whether we should go organic. MyChild’s Camilla Chafer finds out if it’s worth it during Organic Fortnight. |
 |
Save our playgrounds from Government cuts With the recent announcement that funding for 1300 playgrounds is being axed, MyChild’s Camilla Chafer investigates the real value of playgrounds, and what the government funding freeze means for school children nationwide. |
 |
More rainy day activities Who needs sunshine when you've got MyChild's collection of creative holiday activities for a rainy day? |
 |
Rainy day activities It can be difficult finding things to do on a rainy day for kids. Keeping the children entertained during the school holidays is hard enough, and if it’s raining then the challenge is even greater. We have compiled a list of fantastic rainy day activities to keep the kids happy. |
 |
Protect skin in the sun Shocking findings from Nivea Sun reveal that 40% of parents don't use suncream on their children in the UK. How do you keep kids' skin safe in the sun? |
 |
Cycling safety tips Here's some tips from LV=Streetwise to help keep your child out of harm’s way while they’re cycling and building their confidence on two wheels. |
 |
Top 5 UK staycations If the standard package holiday is losing its appeal then why not do something different with your family? Keep it local with our look at the top 5 UK holiday destinations with a difference. |
 |
As easy as riding a bike Learning to ride a bike (and falling off it) should be a normal part of growing up, shouldn't it? But some parents are delaying teaching their kids to cycle because of safety fears. Here's how to teach your kids to ride confidently and safely. |
 |
Bring back letter writing! Exchanging hand-written letters can have a positive impact on child development, yet according to a new survey commissioned for children’s charity World Vision as many as one in five children in the UK (20%) have never received a letter. |
 |
Camp Bestival: Oh what a weekend What a weekend. From the incredible Gruffalo stage show to the magical and eclectic House of Fairy Tales to Madness’s stunning performance, this was a family event that lived up to all expectations. |
 |
Dyscalculia: What are the signs of dyscalculia in children? Does your child have dyscalculia? Does your child struggle with mathematical skills such as counting, telling the time or giving and receiving directions? MyChild looks at how to recognise the signs of dyscalculia in children. |
 |
Famous dyslexics With a greater awareness of dyslexia now, and more help available, if a learner is struggling with reading and writing, there’s no reason why they can’t aim for the stars. |
 |
How to find the right childcare How do you choose the right childcare setting for your child? Finding a safe and stimulating environment for your child can be made easier if you know exactly what to look for. |
 |
Engaging activities for autistic children Taking your autistic child out of their comfort zone might fill you with unease, but it could help them to enjoy new experiences and gently extend their boundaries. |
 |
SEN support in schools - What's the real story? A recent government inquiry showed that parents of children with special educational needs feel let down by the educational system. |
 |
How to talk to your kids about sex The Government has announced that from 2011 a basic form of sex education in primary schools will be a statutory part of the curriculum. How do we talk to our kids about the birds and the bees? |
 |
Supporting your children through a family break-up The proposed Government support for families going through separation and divorce is much-needed, and helping children through this difficult, emotional time is vital. MyChild talks to parents and experts about ways of coping and supporting your child through a family break-up. |
 |
Family walks to beat the winter blues Favourite family walks bring laughs, fun and memories to share. What could be better than exploring new journeys in the fresh air with your children unearthing new sights and experiences along the way? |
 |
Do your children help around the home? Few of us expect a child to complete a full school day, do their homework and do an endless list of chores. However, many MyChild readers agree that encouraging their children to complete a few simple tasks around the home is beneficial for the whole household and helps children grain crucial skills that will take them through life. |
 |
Educational toys – worth the money? Do 'educational toys' really enhance your child's learning? MyChild looks at how your child learns through everyday experience, not bleeping gadgets. |
 |
Low sugar lunchbox ideas The food in a child's lunchbox can contain as much sugar as ten doughnuts, alarming new research from consumer watchdog Which? found this week. Registered Nutritionist Carina Norris suggests some healthy lunchbox alternatives. |
 |
Taming temper tantrums at any age Tantrums are a part of everyday life for children and their parents, and it’s not just toddlers who are guilty of losing it from time to time. MyChild looks at ways to deal with the drama of tantrums. |
 |
Could your child have neuro developmental delay? Neuro developmental delay could explain why your child is having problems with their development. NDD expert Sue Cook of www.helpingadhd.com explains what NDD means for your child. |
 |
ADHD and siblings Children with ADHD can make family life challenging, and it can be hard for siblings. Home can feel like a never-ending war zone when one of them is a child with ADHD. |
 |
How to spot if you have a gifted child Psychologist professor Joan Freeman, who has worked with gifted and talented children for 35 years, explains how to spot if your child is gifted and what to do to nurture their development. |
 |
Tips for a good night’s sleep Health experts say that the National Curriculum should include lessons in sleeping well to make sure that pupils get the best out of school life. Here's some sleep tips to help them sleep tight and stay bright. |
 |
Expert swine flu advice for parents Swine flu is an infectious disease caused by a type of influenza virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Humans pass it to each other in the same way as winter flu – mainly through coughing and sneezing. Here’s how to reduce your chances of getting swine flu, and advice on how to deal with the virus if you do get it. |
 |
Bedwetting advice from Dr Janine Spencer Huggies’ bedwetting advice expert Dr Janine Spencer answers your bedwetting questions to mark the launch of new parenting tool and online community bedwettingbuddy.com. Find out how to deal with this distressing problem. |
 |
The third instalment in our bedwetting series with Dr Janine Huggies’ bedwetting expert Dr Janine Spencer answers your bedwetting questions to mark the launch of new parenting tool and online community bedwettingbuddy.com. Dr Janine has some expert tips and techniques for solving bedwetting problems. |
 |
MyChild's Shout - Our pick of the Celeb Mum of the Year shortlist The Celebrity Mum of the Year shortlist is here - MyChild picks our Top 5 favourite mums and explains what makes them so special. |
 |
The second in our bedwetting advice series with Dr Janine Every day this week Huggies’ bedwetting expert Dr Janine Spencer will be answering your bedwetting questions to mark the launch of new parenting tool and online community bedwettingbuddy.com. Read on for advice on making night time a dry and peaceful time. |
 |
Huggies' Dr Janine answers your bedwetting questions In the first of our series of bedwetting questions posed by you, Huggies’ bedwetting expert Dr Janine Spencer talks about the best solutions to two parents’ childrens’ bedwetting problems. |
 |
Badman's home education study - a home-schooler's response Home educator Pauline Adams shares her impassioned response to Graham Badman's damning study into home education. |
 |
Wholesome family food on a budget Cooking wholesome family food on a budget is not as hard as you think. Chef Caitlin Finch ( author of ‘Healthy first foods for your baby' and 'Healthy first foods for your toddler') shares her top tips. |
 |
How to manage your child's television time How much television do you let your child watch? Do you feel that watching television offers benefits for your child? We take a look at how television in moderation can be used to support your child's learning. |
 |
In praise of praise - a grandparent's view Praising our children is as natural as breathing, but now we're told we should be keeping our words of encouragement to ourselves. Granny Frances Scott offers her views on overpraising kids. |
 |
Inspirational head teachers turn schools around The measures introduced by forward-thinking head teachers at poorly performing schools will remind many that common sense and a return to core values help many distressed, aggressive or fearful kids to find their way when their home life may be challenging and hard to cope with. |
 |
Dealing with childhood diabetes When your child is diagnosed with diabetes it can be an overwhelming experience for you and your child. How do you support your child with diabetes? |
 |
How to use aromatherapy for relaxed homework time Achieving a state of relaxed concentration is key to making homework a stress-free experience. |
 |
Exclusive interview with Britain's Got Talent finalists, Flawless Britain's Got Talent finalists Flawless talk about their inspirations, growing up with a love of dancing, and how to unleash your inner performer, in our exclusive interview. |
 |
Help - my child doesn't want to go to school anymore One day your child is happy and settled at school, the next they are withdrawn or crying because they don't want to go to school anymore. |
 |
How to settle your child into school When your child can't drag himself out of bed, and has to be taken kicking and screaming out of the house, you know it's back to school time. |
 |
Heads up on head lice Going back to school inevitably means that your child is at risk of catching head lice. 1 in 8 primary school children have head lice at any one time yet many parents are badly informed about this common pest. |
 |
Book extract - How to do the school run The daily school run is a multi-tasking challenge. Author Tanith Carey shares her tips for making it as painless as possible. |
 |
How to help your child prepare for starting school My Child’s Amy Schofield looks at ways to prepare your child for school life. |
 |
Immunity boosting foods The top 5 immune system boosting foods for children. |
 |
Transition time: From primary to secondary Moving schools from primary to secondary can be a daunting time for parents and children alike. Our expert Sue Atkins offers some invaluable advice on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. |
 |
Yoga for children Yoga for children is sweeping the nation. If your child has difficulty relaxing, or suffers from general aches, pains or posture difficulties, then trying some Yoga could be the ideal solution. We take a look at what Yoga offers your child. |
 |
Children watching TV - How do you manage their viewing time? Are you worried about your children watching too much TV? How much television is too much? Do you feel that watching television offers benefits for your child? We take a look at how television in moderation can be used to support your child's learning. |
 |
Footcare special: Children's feet in summer Look after your children's feet this summer with this helpful guide on footcare over the warm season. |
 |
Mums need me-time! Jenni Trent Hughes' advice for parents Do you feel you spend so much time looking after your family, that you forget about your own needs? If this sounds familiar, psychologist Jenni Trent Hughes offers her advice for parents who need a little me-time! |
 |
Coping with sibling rivalry All brothers and sisters argue, but when does it become sibling rivalry? With the long holidays ahead, parenting expert Sue Atkins offers parents her advice on how to recognise sibling rivalry, and how you can support your children. |
 |
How singing for children supports learning Singing for children is a brilliant way to support learning. My Child takes a look at the educational value of singing and how it could help your child. |
 |
Resilient children: How to raise an independent child Resilient children cope with the challenges life throws at them. Find out here how you can raise a resilient, independent child, with this expert advice. |
 |
Children with disabilities - getting access to family days out Every child looks forward to a family day out, however for some children with disabilities it can be a real struggle. My Child looks at some of the challenges facing children with physical disabilities. |
 |
Lazy eye: Children's health problems What is lazy eye, and how could affect your child? Find expert advice on your child's health here. |
 |
Final week of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit Challenge It's the final week of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit Challenge, so find out the verdict from our Wii Fit mums. |
 |
How can a clinical psychologist help your child with SEN? We find out about the role a clinical psychologist plays in supporting children with special educational needs. |
 |
Week three of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit Challenge In the final half of the Wii Fit Challenge, find out all about our mums' experiences as the Wii Fit becomes part of everyday family life. |
 |
Week Two of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit challenge! It's week two of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit challenge, and our mums have really got into the swing of using their Wii Fits. Read their reports here. |
 |
Camping family holiday - try something a little different this year A camping family holiday in the great outdoors could be just the thing for your family this year. We explore the benefits of camping holidays for your family and how they can help your kids learn new skills. |
 |
My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit Challenge: Week One My Child and Nintendo Wii have teamed up to ask My Child mums to take part in a Wii Fit Challenge. Read week one of our mums' reports here. |
 |
Routines for children - are we over-scheduling our kids? Strict routines for children run the risk of taking away the freedom of childhood. British children have one of the most ‘over-scheduled’ and heavily supervised childhoods in the world says Bernice de Braal. Is your child getting enough unstructured, free playtime? |
 |
The summer birth debate Summer birth debate - Are summer born children at a disadvantage to peers? Should children born in the summer months be allowed to start school later? We take a look. |
 |
Do bribes and incentives really help children learn? We all want to help children learn, but does offering incentives really help children to learn to their full potential? And is it completely ethical? Is there a right and wrong way to approach this? |
 |
Key Stage 3 PSHE During Key Stage 3 PSHE pupils learn about themselves as growing and changing individuals and as members of their communities with more maturity, independence and power. |
 |
Key Stage 2 PSHE During Key Stage 2 PSHE pupils learn about themselves as growing and changing individuals with their own experiences and ideas, and as members of wider communities. |
 |
Key Stage 1 PSHE Building on the EYFS for personal, social and emotional development, PSHE lessons at Key Stage 1 will encourage your child to develop awareness about his/herself as an individual and as a member of the community. |
 |
Personal, social, and emotional development in EYFS Personal, social, and emotional education is important for Early Years Foundation Stage children's development. Find out here how you can support your child's emotional education at home. |
 |
Water for the brain - How water can help your child's thinking skills We all know we need water to survive. With the average body weight comprised of 50 to 70 per cent water, regular top ups are essential. But water can play a very important part in the classroom too. |
 |
Guide to starting your own mum blog Mummy, or "mommy" blogging, a huge phenomenon in the US, is taking hold in the UK. A staggering 36 million women worldwide participate in "blogosphere" every week and fifteen million women have their own blogs. A growing number of these women are British. |
 |
What makes a good childhood? It’s something many of us do – compare life today for our children, to how things were when we were growing up. But now a two-year inquiry into childhood today has done just this, publishing its findings in a landmark report called A Good Childhood. |
 |
Your child's eyesight Visual impairment affects a huge percentage of people in the UK, as almost every household harbours at least one bespectacled family member. Eyesight problems are generally perceived to go hand in hand with ageing, but that’s not to say that we shouldn’t be keeping a regular check on our children's eyesight. |
 |
Children's eyesight - how to recognise problems Did you know that 80 per cent of what your son or daughter learns comes to them visually? Therefore if children have difficulties seeing what's on the board, they're far more likely to become frustrated with the whole learning process and consequently under perform. |
 |
Strengthen your child's coordination skills Handwriting, buttoning, drawing or using a knife and fork… your child’s hands can perform the most amazing array of fine motor tasks. |
 |
Your child's mental health Mental illness in children can be a difficult experience for parents and children alike. Often it may go unnoticed, or may present itself in subtle ways. There are however, many things you as a parent or carer can do to support your child through this sensitive time. |
 |
Top 10 fun activities to get kids active Getting the kids away from the TV can be difficult, but there are plenty of ways to encourage them to lead healthier lives. Here are 10 ideas to inspire you. |
 |
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children From saying 'goodnight' to teddies, to demanding that the curtains reveal the same piece of sky every night – it’s all part of the normal bedtime routine in most family households. But occasionally those little worries and rituals can turn into unhealthy obsessions, and may be a sign of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Nicky Solloway explains. |
 |
Childhood obesity In the UK today, around one million children under 16 are obese according to the British Medical Association (BMA). Childhood obesity is now referred to as a 'timebomb', but what does this mean for the health of our children? |
 |
Switching to vegetarian diets Parents who consider switching to a vegetarian diet often worry over whether their children will receive the right balance of nutrients to grow and function healthily. But you needn't worry, offering your child a vegetarian diet can help them achieve a healthy balance of all food groups. |
 |
Personal hygiene learning for kids You may think that simple acts such as washing your hands or brushing your teeth have little to do with learning, but we show otherwise... |
 |
Help your child cope with divorce and separation As a parent, facing the prospect of divorce or separation from a partner can be a daunting experience, fraught with anxieties of how your child may be affected. |
 |
Teaching children circus skills Ever thought about how circus skills could benefit your child? In fact, circus skills offer children a unique and very fun learning experience which can help them later on in life. Ruth Breckman explains. |
 |
Brain food for kids Jamil, age seven, used to be easily distracted, hyperactive and have difficulty concentrating. Then his mother changed his diet. And the results were incredible. |
 |
Physical education to tackle childhood obesity Physical education's profile has recently been raised in the fight against obesity. Sue Tibballs, chief executive of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), believes it plays as important a role as food. |
 |
Physical education PE has an important role to play in encouraging a desire in children and young people to participate, to be physically active and to be healthy. And when children are happy and healthy they do better in life. |
 |
Help your child learn to save energy In recent years, we have all become increasingly aware of the need to save energy in our everyday lives. Energy saving not only supports the wellbeing of our planet, but also makes far better financial sense in our current economical climate. |
 |
Why choose organic food? Research shows organic foods have up to 90 per cent more nutrients than their non-organic equivalents. Isn’t it time we agreed that choosing organic food makes better health sense? |
 |
Understanding your child and bereavement A child experiences bereavement and grief differently to adults. Their responses vary according to age, development stage, and personality factors. The important thing is to help them to understand they are not alone in their feelings. |
 |
Helping children develop good habits - part one Good habits have an important role to play in your child’s learning. A child who habitually forgets to complete homework, or is always late for school, or gets stuck on a groove that ‘learning is boring’ will be short-changed throughout their academic career… |
 |
Helping children develop good habits - part two We continue our feature on children's good habits, and the positive effects they can have on learning, health, and general outlook on life. We focus on older children as they enter the 'tween' years. |
 |
Talking to your child about mental health Despite affecting around 12 per cent of the world population mental health is still seen as a taboo subject, even something to be ashamed of. World Mental Health Day, which takes place October 10 each year, was set up to change that. |
 |
Imaginary friends Does your child insist that you set a place at the dinner table for a friend that doesn’t exist? Do you find your child insisting on the rights of an imaginary friend to the point of throwing a tantrum? |
 |
The importance of a family meal Better exam results, a healthier diet for life, a lower risk of obesity, eating disorders and drug, alcohol and smoking addiction. These are just some of the proven benefits of sharing a family meal. |
 |
Childhood friendships - should you intervene? Childhood friendships are such a critical part of growing up and school life, so when a disagreement leads to friends falling out it can end up affecting a child’s learning and desire to go to school. It is at that point that many parents worry whether to intervene or not, writes Danielle Weekes. |
 |
The benefits of walking to school Take to your feet with Walk to School Week! We look at the benefits of walking to school for you and your child. |
 |
Childhood eczema Eczema is a chronic skin condition which affects 1.7 million children in the UK. Causing skin to become itchy, reddened, dry, and cracked, eczema causes great physical discomfort to sufferers, and may lead to psychological difficulties such as lack of confidence, depression, and anxiety. |
 |
How eating less meat could help save the planet Sunday roasts, spaghetti bolognese, shepherd’s pie, steaks, and sausages – these are just some of our nation’s favourite dishes. But did you know that by serving your family meat-heavy meals on a daily basis you are having a negative impact on climate change? |
 |
Why a healthy packed lunch is so important For many children carrot sticks, or a sandwich made with wholewheat bread, or anything else that we say is healthy is not exactly what they want in their lunchbox. But with childhood obesity on the increase, this is exactly the healthy packed lunches parents should be preparing for their child to eat at school. Sharon Platt-McDonald looks into the matter. |
 |
Thinking of going dairy-free? Before putting your child on a dairy-free diet here are a few facts to bear in mind, advises registered dietitian Gaynor Bussell. |
 |
What's so educational about relaxation for children? Early starts, full school days, tests, deadlines, extra-curricular activities, homework, family time, fast-paced technological changes, umpteen choices… today's child has a very busy schedule. It's no wonder then that finding time for relaxation is as important for children as it is for adults. |
 |
Smoothies - healthy drinks for children How does your child feel about eating fruit and vegetables? Serving your child a smoothie is the ideal way to help even the fussiest of eaters enjoy a healthy, five-a-day diet. They give children the opportunity to use raw ingredients and begin to put ideas of healthy eating into practice. |
 |
Walking as a sport for children Although you may not consider it a sport, walking is a physical activity which most children can participate in. Aside from being an enjoyable pursuit, it can also help improve children’s health. Even the least active child, who claims to lack any sporting aptitude, probably still finds time to walk from the sofa, to the games console, via the TV and back to the sofa. |
 |
Healthy eating for children with special educational needs Does what our children eat really affect their behaviour and learning? Expert Annette Colman sheds some light on the link between behaviour and nutrition and its affect on children's learning. |
 |
Raising a Positive Child Is your child full of ifs and buts, always looking on the negative side and worrying about stuff? Helping your child to grow into a confident and well-adjusted adult is hard work, but worth it. |
 |
Relaxation Techniques for Children Give your kids some well deserved time-out with these calming relaxation exercises created by relaxation experts Relax Kids. |
 |
Healthy teeth Keeping children's teeth healthy and teaching them how to take care of their own teeth is so important - especially with half of all teenagers today suffering from tooth decay. Denise Roberts gets to the root of it. |
 |
Diagnosing Allergies Children's allergies are often hard to diagnose. We take a look at some symptoms and how to detect them. |
 |
How to keep young minds active During the summer children generally tend to abandon routines without school to define their days. They use fewer maths skills, and spend less time reading and thinking critically about the things they are learning. In some cases a child can go the whole summer without reading a single book. What is obvious however, is that in a household where opportunity for learning is respected, 'summer brain-drain' is something that is nipped in the bud early on. |
 |
Symptoms of Allergies Allergies are triggered by something we eat, touch or inhale. At best their symptoms are mild, at worse they can be life threatening, so what should parents know children's allergies? Dr Kate Harrod-Wild gives a little advice |
 |
Wake Up! Morning Exercises How do you get your children to jump out of bed each morning, full of energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead? Simple, try some fun, early morning exercises with them, says expert sports nutritionist Tracey Mallett. |
 |
Childhood Epilepsy Epilepsy is a condition that affects around one in every two hundred of the population. Childhood epilepsy is a common neurological disorder and affects children more than any other age group. |
 |
How to Introduce Your Older Child to a Healthier Diet It is difficult enough to get your child to eat anything green when they are small – but how do you introduce a healthy diet to older children without turning dinner times into a war zone? Nurse Sharon Platt-McDonald offers some advice. |
 |
Good Fats, Bad Fats, and Healthy Eating for Children As parents we are all concerned with healthy eating for children. Bad fats contribute toward obesity and health problems, such as heart disease; while good fats contribute toward healthy brain development, boosting learning power. To show you how to get more of the latter into your diet, and to help you provide a healthy diet for your children, registered nutritionist Gaynor Bussell separates the good fats from the bad. |
