While one in five kids may have a learning disability that requires one-on-one intervention, others may simply need to develop good study habits to improve their grades. But good study habits don’t always come easily or naturally. You can help your ‘tween or teen develop them with a few easy steps, and save both of…  read on >

If you want breastfeeding to go smoothly, you might want to ask the hospital to delay that first bath for your newborn, new research suggests. For decades, it’s been standard procedure to give newborns a bath within the first few hours after birth, but the new finding suggests that waiting 12 or more hours before…  read on >

Talking with your baby helps the child’s language development, the Nemours Foundation says. Researchers have found that the number of words a parent said to a child was strongly associated with the depth of the child’s vocabulary at the age of 3. And when parents used different words and sentences in conversation, their children had…  read on >

Germs may thrive at the gym, creating a perfect breeding ground for skin infections. Bacteria, viruses and fungi thrive in warm and moist places, such as the locker room or sweaty gym equipment, the American Academy of Dermatology says. The academy mentions these preventive tips: Wear loose-fitting, moisture-wicking clothing. Always wear shoes around the locker…  read on >

No parent wants to see their child catch a cold, but some take prevention measures that have little basis in science, a new survey shows. For example, 51 percent of parents said they give their child an over-the-counter vitamin or supplement to prevent colds, even though there’s no evidence they work. Seventy-one percent of parents…  read on >

The amount of sleep a child needs varies at different ages, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. While different kids of the same age may require different amounts, there are science-based guidelines of suggested sleep amounts for each age, the academy says. Here are the guidelines: Infants: (4 to 12 months): 12 to 16 hours…  read on >

Not every budding musician will become a rock star, but studying music has brain bonuses for kids, even those who don’t take up an instrument until their teen years. There’s no doubt that participation in in-school music programs boosts motivation. Mastering an instrument or performing with a group brings a sense of accomplishment and is…  read on >

The foods you eat and drink during childhood will impact the strength of your bones as you age, the Nemours Foundation says. Most of your bone density stems from what you eat and drink as children and teens, says Nemours, which notes the process is virtually finished when a person reaches age 20. As adults,…  read on >

Today’s teens are better at using birth control when they first become sexually active, but many unexpected pregnancies still occur, new research finds. Teens who didn’t use birth control during their first month of sexual activity faced nearly a fourfold increase in the risk of an unwanted pregnancy within three months, the study found. “Our…  read on >