Hands-on learning can be fun, and new research suggests that it works as well as more traditional teaching methods. Known as “guided play,” the technique involves educational activities that are gently steered by an adult but give kids the freedom to explore while learning. They include games that require children to read, write or use… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Nearly 600,000 U.S. Kids Had COVID Last Week
In a sign that the highly contagious Omicron variant is sparing no one, a new report shows that new COVID-19 cases among U.S. children spiked to a high of more than 580,000 for the week ending Jan. 6, a 78% increase from the week before. “Since many children remain unvaccinated — or are too young… read on > read on >
As Omicron Rages, How Important Are Case Counts Anymore?
The record-breaking numbers surrounding the Omicron surge are dizzying, with so many Americans falling prey to the highly infectious COVID-19 variant. The United States reported more than 1.3 million COVID cases on Monday, the highest daily total recorded for any country in the world. The seven-day case average has tripled in two weeks, reaching more… read on > read on >
U.S. May Soon See Sharp Drop in Omicron Cases, Experts Say
The Omicron surge may have peaked in Britain and could be about to do the same in the United States, experts report. That’s because the COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa in mid-November is so contagious that the variant may already be running out of people to infect, the Associated Press reported. In Britain,… read on > read on >
BinaxNOW Test Catches COVID Infection in Many People, Study Shows
Countering earlier concerns, a real-world study finds that a widely used at-home coronavirus test called BinaxNOW is as effective at detecting Omicron as other COVID-19 variants. The study of Abbot’s rapid antigen test included more than 700 people who visited a walk-up testing site in San Francisco. The test detected 65% of infections caught by… read on > read on >
White House to Give Schools 10 Million Free COVID Tests Every Month
In an effort to keep kids in classrooms, the White House announced Wednesday that 10 million free coronavirus tests will be provided to schools around the country every month while the wildly contagious Omicron variant continues to surge. President Joe Biden has been pushing for months to have schools stay open because the academic, social… read on > read on >
Breastfeeding May Protect a Mom’s Heart Years Later
Chloe Jo Davis is a vocal advocate for breastfeeding. The Wilton, Conn.-based writer breastfed her three sons for years to make sure they reaped all of the benefits associated with the practice. “Breastfeeding helps build up kids’ immune system and keeps colds, virus, ear infection and stomach bugs at bay, and this is more important… read on > read on >
Fertility Treatments Don’t Raise Odds for Smaller, Preemie Babies
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Babies conceived through infertility treatment are more likely to be born early and small. But there are reasons other than medically assisted reproduction to explain this difference, a new study concludes. “Rather than the infertility treatment itself, our new findings highlight the importance of parents’ underlying fertility problems… read on > read on >
Pfizer Says Omicron-Specific Vaccine Ready by March
Pfizer Inc. said Tuesday that a COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant will be ready by March. The company has already started making the new version of the vaccine, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CNBC‘s “Squawk Box,” CBS News reported. Omicron now accounts for more than 98% of all new COVID-19 cases in… read on > read on >
Later School Start Times Boost Parents’ Health, Too
For several years, a leading U.S. pediatricians’ group has called for middle and high schools to start later in the morning, to help these young people get the right amount of sleep. Now, new research suggests that students aren’t the only ones who benefit from later start times: Their parents also catch a break. “Kids… read on > read on >