Fluoride, when added to community water supplies, is the most effective public health measure for preventing tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association. Fluoridation of water is safe, only costs the community about 50 cents a person a year, helps persons of all ages and prevents cavities. Fluoride in toothpastes and rinses helps, too. […]
Communication among family members can usually be improved if we truly make the effort to understand each other’s personality. One type of person that is often misunderstood is the introvert. The introvert is drained of energy by relating or talking to people, and needs time to be alone or quiet to recharge. Introverts also need
Plain wooden blocks may be one of the best learning tools for a young child three to seven. their simplicity lends themselves very well to a multiplicity of uses. A child can use wooden blocks to make houses, cars, castles, ranches, robots, or anything else his imagination may dictate. World famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright
Recent studies have shown that our kids possess a relatively meager understanding of the geography of the country and the world. Naturally this has been made even more difficult by the radical changes occurring in the boundaries of many nations around the world over the past few years. However, there are several things you can
Children don’t just tattle for attention; they do it because they feel smart and important when they observe something and report it to you. When the “reports” are always negative, it is annoying and unproductive. However, there is a way to change or stop this kind of tattling. Look at it this way. When children
I have received several letters from parents since the publication of two columns on latchkey children. I strongly agree with readers who believe that our communities desperately need to provide affordable, supervised programs for latchkey children. We must all continue to work to improve this situation by contacting our legislators and our government and school
Children are like emotional sponges. They will pick up on your tension and anxiety, even if you say nothing. In many cases this can cause more stress than would the truth, because they may imagine far bigger problems than you have, or may think they are the cause of the tension. Many parents feel uncomfortable
Last month you gave advice to parents who had just decided to divorce. How about tips for those of us who have to deal with problems after the divorce? I often encounter stress when my 13-year-old visits her father, my ex-husband. It just seems to be such a hassle. — G.A., McAllen, Texas Your daughter
You may see the first signs in her tension and tears or by the remnants of a home pregnancy test in the trash or your daughter may share her fears with you directly. What is the best course of action when your daughter fears she may be pregnant? While home pregnancy tests are undeniably convenient,
She may call a boy she likes ten or more times a day, perhaps leaving suggestive messages on the answering machine. She may write a boy notes that would make even the most liberal grown Child of the Sixties (or Seventies) blush. She may take the lead in urging sexual activity. She is the central
