You’ve probably been told to visit a dentist every six months for routine cleaning. During these visits, your dentist will check for tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral hygiene-related issues. It is recommended to visit the dentist every six months to catch potential problems early — before it becomes a serious procedure or life-altering problem.

Statistically, a baby is born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) every 15 minutes. This amounts to roughly 1 in every 100 births resulting in a congenital heart defect. This February, we are bringing awareness to congenital heart defects as part of American Heart Healthy Month.

The American Dental Association promotes National Children’s Dental Health Month during the month of February. During this month, professionals and healthcare providers in the industry aim to provide and promote the benefits and impact of good oral health for children.

Our hearts are so important for our overall health; the heart is the force that allows our blood to circulate and keep us going. During the month of February, the American Heart Association projects the message about promoting heart healthy habits and awareness of how you can prevent heart disease.

Depression in children is not an entirely uncommon diagnosis, especially in teens. ADHD, behavior problems, anxiety, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children (cdc.gov). Approximately 1.9 million kids between the ages of 3-17 have been diagnosed with depression. When a child is diagnosed with a different disorder, the likelihood of depression may increase.

February is American Heart Healthy month, an important time to acknowledge the ways in which we can keep our hearts healthy. More and more often in recent years people of all ages have suffered heart health issues due to things that could be changed or recognized sooner.

Remote learning presents challenges for students, parents, families, and instructors in different ways. For students, it may have been difficult to adjust to distance learning instead of going to school. They may have found it much more difficult to concentrate and may have many more distractions on hand. There are ways to set your family up for success with online learning by implementing regulation strategies.

While many people have heard of therapy with horses, many might not know the word assigned to the practice. Hippotherapy actually applies its form from physical, occupational, and speech therapy and can help your child’s development in many ways.

National Birth Defects Awareness Month Since the 1800s, the majority of births in the U.S. correlate with the seasons. The change of seasons brings cooler temperatures and shorter days, encouraging people to spend more time indoors. In the northern part of the states, there is an increase in births in the summer months (between June and July), and in the southern states, there is an increase in births in the fall months (between October and November).

Some people are familiar with the term kinesiology, but may not be familiar with what proprioception involves. Proprioception is also called kinesthesia, which refers to the ability your body has to sense it’s spatial relationship to your surroundings while moving or in action.

Childhood development involves so many different variables. One thing that occurs throughout the lifespan is the development of our executive functions. We continually shape our executive functions from infancy into adulthood.

The holidays can be stressful for everyone, even for those of us without special needs or sensory processing differences. There are plenty of ways we can be mindful of ourselves, as well as help others in our lives be mindful when gathering together.

Motor skills help us explore the world around us, and begin developing as soon as we’re born. Providing a variety of toys that pique their interest with bright, fun colors and interesting shapes will help develop their minds, coordination, and curiosity, preparing them to grow into confident and capable individuals.

The holiday season is the perfect time to implement new, fun, therapeutic activities into your child’s routine. Since there are so many activities to be done during the season, you can aid your child’s development by simply being conscious of the different ways you can positively affect their growth.

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, especially for the little ones! Kids might be tired and more likely to have a meltdown, but sometimes they might be experiencing a sensory overload.

World Diabetes Day is recognized on November 14 each year in an effort to spread awareness and help more people understand what diabetes is and how it affects individuals. An organization called Beyond Type 1 is organizing communities to help make this happen in an impactful way.

Many people are familiar with the five senses and ideas about how you are able to maintain balance in your body, but some may not remember the word “vestibular.” The vestibular system is what we think of when we refer to balance in your inner ear.

The March of Dimes promotes Prematurity Awareness Month, an effort where they (and others) raise awareness about the risks and current concerns regarding preterm birth for both infants and mothers.

When your child is in the middle of a meltdown, you simply try to help them feel better and stop the tantrum as soon as possible, but understanding the underlying cause can help you understand approaches to assist them, as well as prevent future recurrence.