Blogs

Dr. Matt’s Tips for Back-to-School Bliss

It’s important for parents to acknowledge that back-to-school is a transition period and can be a major cause of stress and anxiety in families. So, what’s a parent to do? Don’t panic, have a plan, and stay focused on the positive outcomes of this change.

First, parents should be aware of the Big-3 school related transitions and the common fears that go with them.

Big-3 Transitions Top Fears
1. Kindergarten/1st grade Kids are afraid of being separated from their parents

How Families Surf The Web Safely

Young people who “surf” the vast internet ocean need help navigating these potentially dangerous waters. While the internet provides a remarkable tool for positive entertainment and learning, it can also provide exposure to predatory adults and unwanted violent/sexual content. Parents can help their children steer clear of this and still enjoy the many benefits of the internet.

Is My Child's Behavior Normal? Three Things to Consider:

Do you ever wonder if your child’s behavior is normal, just part of a phase? Before you become too concerned it’s important to know if your child's behaviors are just one of his/her important and normal developmental tasks. Being aware of these tasks should reassure you that your child’s development is normal and likely to change again soon. Parents should know that a behavior "problem" often lasts more than 6 months, happens in more than one place consistently, and appears as a pattern.

Nurturing Optimism in Your Child

What’s an Explanatory Style you ask? It’s the natural way in which people, adults and children, explain the day to day and moment to moment events that make up life. In other words, it’s the old ‘Is the glass half full or half empty’ approach to explaining why things happen. Another way to look at it is that an explanatory style is the way a person explains positive or negative events to him or herself. This determines whether he or she is optimistic or pessimistic. Your child’s explanatory style is evident in how he or she thinks about the causes of events in their lives.

Creating Self-Esteem for Your Child

Beginning in the early elementary years children begin to distinguish ability, effort, and external factors in explaining their performance. Children who are high in achievement motivation develop mastery-oriented attributions – they believe their successes are due to ability, a characteristic they can improve through trying hard and can count on when faced with new challenges. However, some children do not fully develop a mastery-oriented style and are at-risk for developing a pessimistic style known as learned helplessness.

Fat Kids...What's a Parent to Do?

Last week professional basketball player Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal launched this summers latest and perhaps
most unique reality television program. Shaq is taking on one of America’s fastest growing health concerns,
childhood obesity. In addition to helping the kids exercise and eat right Shaq spends time lobbying politicians
on issues such as school nutrition. And this reality TV show is not an original; it is based on the British version
“Ian Wright’s Unfit Kids” hosted by former soccer star Ian Wright.

Dr. Matt’s 8 Tips To Stop Your Child From Biting

A biting child is no fun, causes problems with peers and siblings, and while it may not be completely abnormal behavior, it's definitely not acceptable.

Dr. Matt’s Tips for Seasonal Affective Disorder (Winter Blues)

Feeling down in the winter? The physical and psychological effects of not getting enough sunlight may be to blame. Symptoms of depression can be seasonal and can also be treated, in many cases, without medication. Follow these simple steps at home in during your day to lift the winter blues:

1. Light: Purchase a portable light therapy device, use it for 30 to 90 minutes each morning by sitting in front of it, or to the side, but don’t stare directly into it. On sunny days fit in a walk outside after 12:00 noon for at least 15 minutes.

Dr. Matt’s Tips for Stress Reduction

Everyday stress builds up and reduces our quality of life by causing physical pain, stomach and head aches, crying spells, irritability, poor memory and concentration, sleep problems, and much more. Because stress is experienced both in the body and in the mind you need to pay attention to both areas. Follow these everyday tips to overcome stress and feel better!

Mind:

Dr. Matt’s Tips for Better Sleep

Many Americans don’t get enough sleep. Adults generally need 7 to 9 hours per night and kids and teens need 10 or more hours per night. Better sleep increases memory and learning abilities, and has a positive effect on your cardiovascular system; immune system; helps decrease depression, anxiety, can help you lose weight, plus so much more. Follow these tips to improve your sleep right away! Tips: Remember: Routine and Sleep Environment are the keys!

Routine:
1. Fix a bedtime and an awakening time.