Total Kid Fall 2012

TOTAL HELPING ARIZONA PARENTS RAISE HEALTHY KIDS AND TEENS

KID

ing Trend now: cs R do What E ing are see

Food Fight!

Bringing food allergies to the table supervising the cyber playground Should your child be on Facebook?

FALL 2012

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headache causes in

children

Banner Children’s has pediatric care covered.

Blanky. Fuzzy. Wubby. No matter what they’re called, Banner Children’s understands security blankets.

Parents need security, too. With Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in the West Valley, Cardon Children’s Medical Center in the East Valley, and pediatricians and pediatric specialists all over, Banner Children’s has kids covered. That’s how we handle everything, from simple tummy aches to serious health issues. Isn’t it comforting to have a pediatric security blanket serving the entire Valley?

Discover what a comprehensive network of pediatricians, pediatric specialists and kid-focused hospitals can do for your sense of security.

Cardon Children’s Medical Center Banner Thunderbird Medical Center Pediatricians and Pediatric Specialists

BannerHealth.com/BannerChildrens Find a physician: 602-230 - CARE (2273) • Help support Banner Children’s: 602-747-GIVE (4483).

Connect with us:

Editor’s Letter THE ‘PLATE’ MOST TRAVELED

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ull disclosure? I’m a foodaholic. And whether it’s genetic, or a learned behavior, my kids have inherited my passion for food. Granted, I wish I could say I’ve imparted in them a more sophisticated culinary palate. However, like me, they love Jim pizza, burgers and hotdogs. Don’t even Williams get me started on chicken nuggets…those fatty little disks of breaded goodness!

Editor OK, I’m not a total nutriand father tional Neanderthal. I know the of three importance of eating healthy.

I even had a salad once and all my major organs continued to function. We all want our kids to eat a balanced, nutritious diet. But for some parents, their children face a more serious challenge: food allergies.

A recent study in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, revealed that 5.9 million children in the United States have some form of food allergy. Our cover story on page 6 defines what food allergies are, the kinds of foods that trigger them and symptoms to watch for. A related story on page 8 breaks down the facts, and myths, concerning gluten and celiac disease.

Does your child complain of headaches? According to experts at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center and Cardon Children’s Medical Center, they’re more common than we know. In our feature on page 9, you’ll learn how to determine if your child is suffering from headaches and what might be causing them. Speaking of headaches, is the proliferation of social media giving you one?

Finally, in “Supervising the cyber playground” on page 10, Banner Health experts will help parents develop social networking controls for their children.

Check out these stories and much more in this issue of Total Kid. If you own an iPad, be sure to download the latest Total Kid app. It’s free and packed with more interactive stories, videos, expert advice, games and activities for the entire family. For details, go to totalkid.azcentral.com.

Oops, pardon me; I believe that’s the pizza delivery guy at the door! lTK

Publication of Republic Media Custom Publishing and az magazine.

Contents Volume: 3 Issue: 2 – Fall 2012

How to help your kids avoid fall sports injuries.

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Should your child take multivitamins?

A pediatrician offers tips for age-appropriate vitamins.

Food fight

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Gluten: the good, the bad and the ugly

8

The painful truth

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What your child eats might be making them sick. Find out why.

Dispelling the myths about celiac disease.

Headaches in children are more common than most parents think.

Supervising the cyber playground

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Check out 9 websites where kids can get connected

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How social media is changing our kids’ lives.

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Fit Kid Corner “What we wish parents knew”

Banner physicians offer helpful advice.

Kids activity page

Making an autumn fabric wreath.

CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING FOR BANNER THUNDERBIRD MEDICAL CENTER AND CARDON CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2 FALL 2012 General Manager: Cami Kaiser/ckaiser@republicmedia.com Manager Creative Development: Isaac Moya/imoya@republicmedia.com Editor: Jim Williams/JLWilliams@republicmedia.com Managing Art Director: Tracey Phalen/tphalen@republicmedia.com Art Director: design RVB – Romeo Van Buiten Contributors: Rick D'Elia, Jessica Rush, Sally J. Clasen Total Kid magazine is published as a service to our friends and neighbors by Republic Media Custom Publishing for Banner Thunderbird Children’s Center, 5555 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, AZ 85306 and Cardon Children's Medical Center, 1400 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202. Material in Total Kid is obtained from a wide range of medical experts and health-care authorities. If you have any concerns about specific items that appear in Total Kid, consult your personal physician. To order a copy or to stop receiving Total Kid magazine, call Cami Kaiser at Republic Media Custom Publishing, 602-444-6899.

Cover Photo: Rick D’Elia.

Madden Probst, 18 months, swipes some tomato pieces as his mom, Chandice Probst, prepares ingredients for a gluten-free meal of chickenbasil spaghetti for her family. A division of Republic Media, 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602-444-1000

totalkid.azcentral.com

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Careful, kids!

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We exist to make a difference in people's lives through excellent patient care.

For information, call 602-230-CARE (2273) or visit BannerHealth.com/BannerChildrens

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Quick Hits

‘Tops’

Careful, kids! f

or pediatric orthopedic physician Edward Fink, M.D., late summer and fall means he’ll soon be seeing kids with certain seasonal injuries, notably fractured legs from football, concussions from contact sports, and back injuries from overloaded backpacks.

Even popular playground structures, particularly those with ‘monkey bars’, can wreak havoc on a kid’s body, bones and muscles. As a matter of fact, those ubiquitous monkey bars can cause a huge amount of carnage to kids’ elbows, Fink said, noting that as kids fall from the bars, they often brace their fall with an elbow and end up snapping it.

Tips for tip-top shape

Along with making sure kids wear and use the correct sports equipment, such as a helmet for bicycling, Dr. Fink offers a few quick tips for keeping youngsters safe this autumn: • Practice optimal conditioning. “The more fatigued we are, the more apt we are to encounter injuries.”

• Exercise good judgment. “Do not take stupid risks.”

• Acclimate yourself to the heat/outside elements.

• Think support when choosing a backpack. “Make sure it has a good waist strap to ease the weight on the shoulders.”

For more information, visit BannerHealth.com/BannerKids, search ‘injury’.

in pediatric emergency Care

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anner Thunderbird Medical Center and Cardon Children’s Medical Center are among nine Arizona facilities to receive the highest available certification for pediatric emergency care.

Through a new certification process established by the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Arizona Department of Health Services, pediatric

Trending NOW

If what doctors are seeing in the emergency room lately is any indication, we all need to step it up several notches when it comes to supervising children.

William Schneider, D.O., medical director of Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s pediatric emergency department in Glendale, said there’s been an increase in youngsters getting into the following:

recent case involved a child who’d ingested graffiti remover stored in a soft drink bottle. Don’t store paint thinner, paint or other chemicals in packaging originally intended for food or drink, Schneider advises.

“Throw it out,” he said.

1 Detergent-filled ‘pods’ used in washing machines and dishwashers. “They’re colorful and look like candy,” he said. These cleaning agents typically cause mouth irritation, but can also cause respiratory problems, stomach irritation and sleepiness.

3 Guests’ medication. “Visitors come to town and kids get into their medication by accident,” he said.

Be cognizant of the situation and take precautions so that little ones — as well as older kids who might be interested in Grandma’s stash for other reasons — stay safe and out of the ER.

2 Chemicals/compounds stored in bottles or jars. Schneider said a

For more information, visit BannerHealth. com/BannerKids, search ‘emergency’.

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emergency departments can voluntarily seek certification for one of three levels — Prepared, Prepared Plus Care and Prepared Advanced Care.

Both Cardon Children’s and Banner Thunderbird have been certified at the highest level: Advanced Care.

“The advanced care level means we are the best of the best for pediatric patients,” said Kim Marshall, pediatric nurse manager in Banner Thunderbird’s ED. fall 2012

QA &

Kids and multivitamins

Q

Should my child take a daily multivitamin?

A

Depending on children’s nutritional habits, multivitamins can be a great addition to their diets. There are some general guidelines: Newborns/infants: If exclusively breastfed, children need a liquid Farah Rehman multivitamin containing iron Lokey, M.D. is a Banner-affiliated and vitamin D. Formula-fed pediatrician in children do not need a Gilbert. For more supplement since formula information on this topic, contact is nutritionally fortified.

supplement. However, adding a daily children’s multivitamin is not harmful.

Toddlers through schoolage children: Picky eaters or kids who don’t eat well (or often) should take a children’s multivitamin; toddlers may also take a supplement like PediaSure to get necessary carbohydrates and protein. Children who eat a balanced diet should get sufficient vitamins through their food and therefore don’t need a

Adolescents and teens up to age 18: Menstruating females (typically starting between ages 8 and 13) need additional iron, calcium and folic acid, so a once-a-day woman’s multivitamin in addition to a calcium supplement is advised. Adolescent boys, starting at puberty around age 11 or 12, should take a men’s multivitamin, especially if they play sports.

Farah Rehman Lokey, M.D.

Dr. Lokey’s office at 480857-6316.

Being prepared for an ER visit

Q

What kind of information do I bring to the emergency room?

Steve Narang, M.D.

Steve Narang, M.D. is the chief medical officer at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa. For more information on this topic, call 480-4125437.

totalkid.azcentral.com

A

Not much in life is more stressful than taking your child to the ER. The last thing on your mind is which medications or prescriptions — or, worse, the exact dosage — your child is taking. But such information is vital for hospital staff to know because they often give new medications to newly admitted patients or make changes to existing medications. And without correct information to go on, it’s easy for an unintended and potentially harmful medication interaction to occur.

An accurate record of your current medication list is essential to achieve safe outcomes for every patient, every time. Our focus is, and always will be, patient safety. Cardon Children’s has created the Medication Card, an easy-to-use card that’s given to patients upon discharge; a template may also be downloaded at www.bannerhealth.com/childmedicationcard.

Families can record their children’s medications and dosages on the card and take it with them whenever they visit a health-care provider – or, of course, the ER.

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Feature

Food

FIGHT! What your children eat might be making them sick

y

By Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell

ou try to do the right thing by serving milk rather than juice at snack time and then your little one begins complaining of tummy troubles. Or, in an attempt to guide your teen toward more nutritional fare, you ply her with a freshly made egg salad sandwich and, suddenly, she’s covered in a rash.

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Left: Jaxton Probst, 3, enjoys a gluten-free cupcake created by a local bakery. Right: Jaxton helps his mom, Chandice Probst, put together a gluten-free meal of chicken-basil spaghetti for her family.

In either case, you may be dealing with a food allergy — the immune system’s adverse response to a food protein. What’s more, you may be surprised to find you’re not alone.

Increasing numbers Doctors have seen the number of food allergies increase significantly during the past two decades, with scientists estimating that about 6 million children in the United States alone suffer from some type of food allergy.

Ranging from mild to severe and even life-threatening, symptoms can come on immediately or be delayed, taking from about two minutes to even days to appear.

Although it’s not clear why such allergies are on the upswing, Mark Rose, M.D. said that the most accepted theory is the “hygiene hypothesis”. That’s the idea that the overuse of antibiotics and sanitizing products has made our environment so clean, our immune systems don’t have to fight those germs anymore. Instead, they’ve shifted to fighting other things, namely food proteins they perceive as harmful. fall 2012

Common culprits Meal- and snack-time can definitely be challenging when a food allergy is involved. After all, some of the biggest culprits are familiar foods, those found in kitchens from coast to coast or hidden in processed foods.

“In kids, the most common foods that cause allergies are eggs, milk, wheat, soy, corn, peanuts and fish,” said Kevin Boesel, M.D., a Banner-affiliated pediatric allergist and immunologist who is Rose’s colleague. But because symptoms don’t always appear right away, the connection between a food and an allergic reaction may not be immediately apparent. Then again, sometimes things are more obvious. “If a kid is constantly spitting food out,” Dr. Boesel said, “the child may be saying that this doesn’t feel right.”

Symptoms to watch for Parents and caregivers should know that common food allergy symptoms include: • Upset stomach • Swelling/hives • Runny nose • Worsening asthma • Diarrhea • Eczema The potentially life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis (a severe, whole-body allergic reaction to a chemical that has become an allergen), include: • Drop in blood pressure • Swelling of face, tongue and/or throat • Wheezing • Dizziness or fainting • Acute (sudden onset) diarrhea and/or vomiting, nausea

Diagnosis and treatment There is no cure for food allergies, but many children do outgrow them. Nevertheless, both doctors recommend seeking advice from a board-certified specialist if you notice symptoms. A skin-prick test or blood test can often diagnose the problem and then a treatment plan can be developed to keep your youngster happy and healthy.

“If you manage a food allergy properly, it shouldn’t be an issue,” said Dr. Rose. lTK

Nourishing life Feeding clinic helps children thrive despite medical issues

A food allergy is one thing, but what if your child has a medical problem — such as swallowing, gagging or chewing problems — that makes the very act of eating a challenge?

That’s when families turn to the Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding Rehabilitation Clinic at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, a literal lifesaver for those faced with feeding dilemmas. The clinic’s staff of pediatric specialists provides assessments, consultations and therapy for children up to age 17, all within an environment that promotes healthy and positive eating behaviors.

Staffers also work with parents and caregivers to develop strategies that will lead to success at mealtime.

Along with addressing picky eaters, the clinic also focuses on helping children who refuse food or have sensory issues, express fear or anxiety related to eating, or who are experiencing slow or inadequate weight gain. In addition to the clinic in Mesa, all these services will soon be available at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale.

For more information: BannerHealth.com, search ‘feeding therapy’

Did you know?

• Celiac disease is not a food allergy. It’s actually an autoimmune disease caused by the body’s sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

Josh Probst browns the chicken while his wife, Chandice, waits her turn with their son Madden, 18 months, to add the ingredients she has prepared to the mix. totalkid.azcentral.com

• Being lactose intolerant is not the same as being allergic to milk. Lactose intolerance means your body lacks lactase, an enzyme that breaks down milk sugars, leading to problems like cramps, bloating and diarrhea.

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Feature

GLUTEN:

The good, the bad and the ugly

Dispelling the myths about celiac disease

By Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell

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or people with celiac disease, consuming anything made with gluten, a food protein found in wheat, rye, barley, spelt and other grain, can spell big T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Tasty alternatives

Think having celiac disease means no pizza, chicken nuggets or cupcakes?

Think again!

“Gluten-free can be fun!” said Chandice Probst — and she ought to know.

The Gilbert mother of two boys was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease four years ago and is president and founder of the Celiac Disease Foundation — Arizona East Valley Chapter. She also runs two websites, glutenfreefrenzy.com and glutenfreecalendar.com, which promote celiac awareness through activities, blogstyle commentary and, yes, oodles of recipes.

Celiac disease 101 Although some people think it’s an allergy, in reality, celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the ingestion of gluten causes the body to Although folks with celiac damage its own villi, the microscopic hair-like projections on the disease must avoid many ee r small intestine that aid in food absorption. f foods, particularly processed n e glut The result can be malnutrition or anemia, said Paul Ufberg, items, Probst promises there D.O., a Banner Health pediatric gastroenterologist, both of are tons of tasty alternatives on restaurant menus. For which can affect one’s quality of life and lead to life-threatening example, Barro’s Pizza makes complications. Symptoms in children can gluten-free pie and 24 include a bloated abdomen, constipation, Carrots in Chandler serves stomachaches, diarrhea, weight loss, bone gluten-free pancakes and a loss and tooth defects. Infants may be small, chocolate-banana cheeseshort, irritable or considered failing-to-thrive. cake. There are many gluten“Celiac disease can go undetected for free products available on years,” Dr. Ufberg said, noting it seems to be mainstream grocery store hereditary and that it’s not uncommon for a shelves, and just about any dish is child to be diagnosed, and then later, to have adaptable thanks to products like a parent receive a similar diagnosis. Dr. Ufberg gluten-free rice pasta, which is what Probst uses when making spaghetti. recommends a screening test as well as a There’s also the Gluten Free Country follow-up biopsy to confirm a diagnosis.

Store in Gilbert, packed with goodies that don’t require hours of foodGluten-free lifestyle label research.

While there is no cure for celiac disease, there is one surefire treatment: “They have gluten-free chicken avoid gluten. That’s easier said than done, but, luckily, gluten-free products nuggets and gluten-free Goldfishand restaurant options have become more available in recent years. style crackers — they have Because a gluten-free approach can be a very healthy lifestyle, it everything,” Probst said, noting may be tempting to convert the entire family so mealtimes are more her brood is particularly fond of streamlined, but Dr. Ufberg recommends checking with the family doctor one local brand the store carries: before starting any kind of diet. He also suggests families join a support Julia’s Gluten Free Bakery. group or online organization.

“She does phenomenal cinnamon “It can make a huge difference in life,” he said, adding that there is rolls and red velvet cupcakes!” comfort in knowing there are others going through similar situations

Celiac disease can go undetected for years.

and that they can be a great resource in how to make the gluten-free lifestyle easier. lTK

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For gluten-free recipes, go to BannerHealth.com/BannerKids, search ‘gluten free.’

fall 2012

Feature

THE

Headaches in children are more common than most parents think

TRUTH

By Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell

y

ou may roll your eyes when your little tyke says he has a headache, but experts say the child has probably called it right.

Common malady The painful truth is headaches are common in youngsters of all ages, according to Eric Hastriter, M.D., a pediatric neurologist at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa.

Just like adults, children are susceptible to tension and migraine headaches, and as a matter of fact, Dr. Hastriter said 82 percent of adolescents report having a headache before age 15. In addition, he said six percent of the adolescent population suffers from at least one “disabling” migraine each year.

“Headache pain is a frequent problem. I see about 30 new patients per week and 20 of them are chronic sufferers,” said Dr. Hastriter, who has diagnosed a migraine sufferer as young as 23 months.

Types of headaches Mild, or tension, headaches often strike children in the afternoon, said Tamara Zach, M.D., a pediatric neurologist at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale. The pain typically feels like a band wrapped around the head.

Migraines in children differ a bit compared to those of adults, Dr. Hastriter said. Children’s migraines can last one hour to three days. And whereas adults feel migraines on

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one side of the head, Dr. Hastriter said kids experience them at the front of the head and/or the temples. Youngsters also often feel lightheaded and fatigued, he said, even to the point of looking drained and exhausted.

Zach notes that, like adults, children may have sensitivity to light and sound and experience nausea or vomiting.

While most times a headache is just that, any headache that escalates in frequency requires a visit to a pediatrician or specialist since, Dr. Hastriter said, between five and 10 percent of headaches are due to a secondary cause, including head trauma, obesity or a tumor.

Treatment options Although parents often give children over-the-counter (OTC) medications — which are fine if headaches are infrequent, or once or twice a month — Dr. Hastriter recommends seeing a pediatrician or specialist if a child is having three or more headaches per month. A doctor can provide more accurate dosage (the instructions on most OTC headache medication boxes are general guidelines) and recommend a preventative or daily medicine and, if suitable, prescribe vitamins.

“The earlier in life that we can treat these issues, the better,” Dr. Hastriter said. lTK For more information: BannerHealth.com/BannerKids, search ‘headaches’.

potential headache causes

What triggers headache in children? Pretty much the same things that bother adults.

The most common things that cause headaches are dehydration and stress, said Eric Hastriter, M.D., a pediatric neurologist at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa.

1Dehydration Dr. Hastriter

said dehydration happens easily in

totalkid.azcentral.com

Arizona’s desert climate, so he suggests patients drink their body weight, so to speak. He said a child’s weight – in kilograms – is the same number of ounces of water a child should drink daily. So, a 110-pound child weighs roughly 50 kilograms and therefore should drink 50 ounces of water a day.

deprivation 4 Poor eating 2 Stress 3 Sleep habits Today’s kids have Sleep deprivation considerably more hectic lives than those of days past.

Tamara Zach, M.D., a pediatric neurologist at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, notes many young migraine sufferers she sees are “type A, high achievers.”

is another common problem, especially with kids’ access to technology. Texting, calling, gaming or otherwise communicating into the wee morning hours is detrimental to their health.

“Turn everything off one to two hours before going to sleep,” Hastriter said.

Poor eating habits, including fasting or skipping meals, can trigger headaches, so making sure kids eat regular meals is important.

5 Inadequate exercise

Not getting enough exercise can also lead to headache problems.

6 Caffeine Caffeine, which,

incidentally is in some headache medications, can trigger headaches, and Hastriter points out that caffeine is a mixed bag. “I recommend kids don’t drink caffeine at all.

It works against hydration and messes with sleep,” he said.

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Feature

Supervising the cyber playground

Social media poses many questions, challenges for parents

By Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell

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oes a sixth-grader need a presence on Facebook? Should your 12-yearold be embarrassed because you don’t see the need for him to have an email account when that’s how his teachers communicate with students while off campus?

The advent of electronic communications and social media has brought on these questions and many more, along with a host of new issues for

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parents. The result is that keeping kids safe on today’s cyber playground takes effort, planning and an understanding that there are rarely ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions.

Learn how it works If you’re not familiar with social media, create a Facebook or Twitter account so you can learn how it works. Read about parental controls, how to report fall 2012

inappropriate activity and check out sites like connectsafely.org, where you’ll find detailed guides about cyber-safety.

Kathy Thomas, Ph.D., director of pediatric neuropsychology at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, suggests setting an age minimum for various types of accounts and then reminding your child that you will be a ‘friend’ or ‘follower’.

“This is so you can step in and give feedback and be present when they’re having these (online) relationships,” Thomas said, noting parents should be sure to respect their child’s privacy and refrain from commenting on posts unless necessary. “Because you’re a ‘friend’, you can also provide protection.” Similarly, Thomas says parents should have all passwords to their children’s accounts and let their kids know that, as parents, they have the right to log on anytime to monitor any and all activity on a phone or computer.

Bullies can spew venom

Ground rules important Parents should also establish additional ground rules such as where the computer will be used in the home, how much ‘screen time’ will be permitted and what kind of language, posts and pictures are appropriate. After all, she said, youngsters don’t have a fully developed frontal lobe. “It’s the part of your brain that is your ‘wise mind’,” said Thomas, “and it’s not fully functional in children.” If rules are broken, there needs to be consequences, perhaps restricting access or deleting an account.

Until you think your child is old enough, consider establishing a family account, a private Facebook account or a private YouTube channel. This way, your child can still share with family and friends, but on a considerably safer level.

“Families are so different, but the important thing is to talk with the other parent, come up with an agreement and stand by it,” Thomas said.

Just remember your child’s peers may have significantly more free reign — so as with all else in parenting, be prepared to hear about it! lTK

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sites where kids can get connected

Why should big people have all the fun on the Internet? Fact is, they don’t!

Here are a few cyber-sites where kids can have fun playing and learning while in a safe online environment: 1. Club Penguin 2. Everloop 3. Free Realms 4. FaceChipz 5. Kidzrocket 6. Kidswirl 7. Kidzui 8. Kidzworld 9. Whyville

Beware of cyber bullying As much fun as cyberspace provides, the anonymity it offers also makes it a dangerous place where bullies can lurk.

That’s why it’s important for parents to be involved with their kids’ online activities, said Kathy Thomas, Ph.D., director of pediatric neuropsychology at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa.

“Bullies can spew venom, and it can be damaging psychologically,” she said. “The core job of parenting is to make sure you protect your kids because they can get sideswiped in a really bad way.”

She suggests parents monitor activity on all accounts — email, totalkid.azcentral.com

Facebook and Twitter — and become a friend or follower, where applicable. And if a child is bullied, connectsafely.org suggests ignoring any provocations, using blocking and abuse-reporting tools, and saving any evidence in case the situation worsens.

To keep kids from being bullied, or from participating in bullying behaviors, Thomas said it’s wise to address the following:

• Permanence: “There are long-term repercussions of social networking,” she said. “Kids don’t realize they’re setting down a permanent track record and it’s discoverable.” A post can be removed, but who knows how many people, in any number

of places, saw it — or printed it or posted it — before it was taken down.

• Courtesy: Remind kids that the Golden Rule applies online.

Encourage them to report inappropriate or bad behavior or any bullying, whether it’s against them or someone else, and let them know you’re there to help.

• Respect: “What one kid may think is harmless or funny may not be harmless or funny to someone else,” Thomas said. “When in doubt, ask permission.” The virtual world makes it easy to say and do things because we’re not looking someone in the eye and getting feedback, she added.

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Fit Kid Corner

Get fit,

win a trip

By Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell

Want to learn new hints and strategies to keep your kids healthy? Or how about a chance to win a trip to San Diego for the family?

i

f so, be sure to sign up for the Cardon Children’s Medical Center Fit Kid Challenge, a free, easyto-follow wellness program that’s aimed at kids, but offers parents information about making good choices for their family’s health.

Not only that, participants and their families are invited to fun activities and events throughout the year and have opportunities to enter contests and receive discounts from local businesses.

Think you’re too busy to juggle one more thing? Fit Kid Challenge makes life easier by regularly emailing health reminders so you and your

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youngsters can stay on track.

All you have to do is register and you’re automatically entered into the contest for the California getaway (valued at more than $1,300, plus airfare!). So, warm up those fingers and sign up: • Online at bannerhealth.com/ cardonchildrensfitkid; or • Use your phone and text FitKids to 411923.

Lots of great info On bannerhealth.com, you’ll find plenty of stories and comments from Fit Kid participants and their

families, along with kid-friendly recipes for easy meals and snacks.

There’s also a newly posted section about the growing problem of childhood obesity, packed with resources for parents who have questions about what to do if their child is overweight. Topics include body mass index, nutritional counseling services at Cardon Children’s, and the various risk factors for diabetes.

Join the Fit Kid Challenge today — it’s a win-win, all the way! lTK

Tatum Brown, 11, rides her bike at the Phoenix Zoo during during a Banner Health fair for children. fall 2012

For Parents

“What we wish parents knew…”

Helpful comments from Banner doctors

“Parents should rotate their baby’s sleep position to keep the baby’s head round during the first six months of life, and avoid crooked head shapes.”

– Dr. David Moss, pediatric neurosurgeon

“People with Type I Diabetes do much better when they have a support system, and parents should stay involved if their child has this disease.”

– Dr. Edward Holland, pediatric endocrinologist

“I wish parents knew the dangers associated with NOT vaccinating their children. The worries of associated illnesses with vaccinations have not been proven to be true, and the dangers of NOT protecting your children have been proven true time and time again and can be lethal.”

– Dr. Joseph Winchell, emergency medicine

“Not every cough should be treated with an Albuterol puff or nebuliser treatment.”

– Dr. Manisha Thakkar, pediatrician

info to keep handy More health info for kids and parents:

bannerhealth.com/ bannerchildrens bannerhealth.com/ bannerkids

Banner Poison Control: bannerhealth.com/poisoncenter 800-222-1222 Facebook: facebook.com/cardonchildrens facebook.com/bannerthunderbird Sign up for our e-newsletter: bannerhealth.com/econnect Cardon Children’s Fit Kid (info on fitness and nutrition): bannerhealth.com/cardonchildrensfitkid

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Kids’ Activities

Autumn fabric wreath

No need to travel north to add fall colors to your home’s palette.

Get your fall fix by creating an autumn fabric wreath. This is a fun, family do-it-yourself project that will add a pop of color and a seasonal touch your home.

Here’s what you’ll need: • Wire hanger • Strips of ribbon • Scraps of fabric in fall colors (strips should be 6-7 inches long)

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Directions: Carefully unfold the wire hanger and twist it into a circular shape.

Begin tying the scraps of fabric to the wire with a simple knot, varying the colors and types of patterns. Be sure to push the knots very close together and twist the fabric around the wire to give the wreath dimension.

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Once the wire is completely wrapped with fabric add a ribbon around the main frame and tie with a bow.

What you’ll need

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Source: A Beautiful Mess Blog

3 Frozen yogurt pops This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a healthy and delicious frozen treat.

Ingredients: • One 8-oz. container of your favorite flavor of yogurt • Popsicle sticks • Small paper cups • Plastic wrap

Directions: 1. Pour yogurt into paper cups. Fill to almost the top.

2. Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the top of each cup.

3. Using a Popsicle stick, poke a hole in the plastic wrap. Stand the stick straight up in the center of the cup.

4. Put the cups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen.

5. Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup, and enjoy!

Serves: 3 to 4

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TOTALKID

Source: Banner Health

fall 2012

Banner Children’s has kids’ emergency care covered 24/7.

It’s nice to know that when emergencies happen, there’s expert care nearby. That’s why you’ll like knowing about Banner Children’s. With Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in the West Valley and Cardon Children’s Medical Center in the East Valley, Banner Children’s has kids’ emergency care covered, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Our pediatric emergency specialists can handle it all, from a broken bone to the most serious issues. And if care is needed beyond the emergency room, Banner Children’s features more than 30 pediatric specialties. Isn’t it comforting to have kid-focused care that’s easy to get to from all over the Valley?

Banner Children’s. We’ve got pediatric emergency care covered.

Cardon Children’s Medical Center Banner Thunderbird Medical Center BannerHealth.com/BannerChildrens Find a physician: 602-230 - CARE (2273) • Help support Banner Children’s: 602-747-GIVE (4483).

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