Children's Nebraska’s Post

Absenteeism in schools are on the rise and can lead to negative health outcomes for children. PCC shares how pediatricians can address and prevent school absenteeism. "Connecting families to support services can also be an important step in reducing barriers to school attendance. This may include linking them with resources for transportation, childcare, or other social services that can help alleviate the challenges that can lead to missed school days." #Pediatrics #Pediatricians #PediatricPractice

Do you ever stop to remember why you got into the field of special education? We're pretty sure the answer isn't "because I love paperwork." Those of us working in special education are passionate about what we do with children on the daily. Unfortunately, we are in an age of "show me the data" and if you don't have it, you can get yourself in trouble (think due process, lawyers, & advocates...). You also waste a lot of time (yours and your students') by making decisions solely based on your gut and not rooted in data. IEPs and data collection are not just compliance hoops we have to jump through as teachers and therapists.  Rather, an IEP is a child's story, highlighting what they do well and the specific supports they need to access their curriculum.  And data allows us to see not only what is working during our specially designed instruction (SDI) but also what isn't! Let Kit streamline how you collect and reflect on the data you take so you can be your best - for yourself, your team, and the students you support. Use this link to be one of the first to try Kit! https://lnkd.in/g37KCnSy #teachersfollowteachers #sped #spedteacher #speechtherapy #dyslexia #disability #teacherlife #school #slp #specialed #iteachsped #teachersofig #occupationaltherapy #learningdisabilities #specialeducation #pediatricot #pediatricpt #schoolot #schoolpt #schoolslp #cec2024

Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, a study suggests that there were only "modest" delays in developmental milestones for infants and toddlers. The changes in daily routines due to lockdowns and remote work did not significantly impact the developmental progress of young children, as per the analysis of over 50,000 children aged 5 and younger. 🧒📊 #ChildDevelopment #PandemicImpact #JAMAPediatrics

The data from this study how in today's post-pandemic academic environment, it is essential to screen our youngest students for potential delays. Identifying problems early and remediating them sooner lead to better long-term outcomes. #Battelledevelopmentalinventory #Battelleearlyacademicsurvey #kindergartenscreening #riversideinsights "Only 30% (or 3 in 10) of Cincinnati Public Schools students were assessed as kindergarten-ready in 2021, a significant decline from 40% (or 4 in 10) assessed as ready in 2018. Researchers found a similar pattern in the 3,200 children who receive care through Cincinnati Children’s primary care sites: 21.5% deemed ready to learn in 2021 compared to 32% in 2018. This means that 7 of every 10 children in the Cincinnati Public Schools were considered not ready to learn when they entered kindergarten during the pandemic. This trend was even more pronounced among the more-disadvantaged, Medicaid-covered children we see in our primary care clinics,” says the study’s lead author Kristen Copeland, MD, Division of General and Community Pediatrics. https://lnkd.in/drHTxyzX

Is beating children good punishment in school “As pediatricians, we don't recommend corporal punishment. We know it's not an effective form of discipline. Spanking and hitting a child might help a behavior in the short term. They might be fearful and obedient,” she says. https://lnkd.in/dWyx6xMC. Over the past two decades, we have seen an international shift in perspectives concerning the physical punishment of children. In 1990, research showing an association between physical punishment and negative developmental outcomes was starting to accumulate, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child had just been adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations; however, only four countries had prohibited physical punishment in all settings.  The Canadian Paediatric Society, “strongly discourages [original emphasis] the use of physical punishment on children, including spanking. One of the first large prospective studies (1997, n = 807) controlled for initial levels of child antisocial behaviour and sex, family socioeconomic status and levels of emotional support and cognitive stimulation in the home.11 Even with these controls, physical punishment between the ages of six and nine years predicted higher levels of antisocial behaviour two years later. Subsequent prospective studies yielded similar results, whether they controlled for parental age, child age, race and family structure;12 poverty, child age, emotional support, cognitive stimulation, sex, race and the interactions among these variables;13 or other factors.14–17 These studies provide the strongest evidence available that physical punishment is a risk factor for child aggression and antisocial behaviour. https://lnkd.in/d5CgUGPd

The early years of a child’s life are critical in shaping their future cognitive, social, and physical well-being. However, many children encounter stressors during these formative years that can hinder healthy development. Early childhood intervention programs are designed to address these challenges, offering vital support to children, parents, and families. By providing learning activities, training for parents, and enhancing caregiving environments, these programs lay the foundation for a brighter future. #EarlyIntervention #ChildDevelopment #SupportForFamilies #HealthyDevelopment #BallouEducation

Everyone loves getting a call from a parent or administrator asking for proof of specially designed instruction (SDI) delivery as outlined in the IEP.  For most of us, this involves grabbing paper data sheets, hoping we have the info we need, and manually adding up service time. Ain't nobody got time for that! Kit is here to assist you in effortlessly managing student attendance, offering an efficient solution for precise attendance tracking while ensuring compliance.  You can calculate IEP service minutes in seconds - detailing the time a student was seen, dates they received SDI, and any missed time with reasons for absence. Don't get caught with your calculator in hand - instead, push a button and get a professional report that can be shared easily with parents, team members, or administrators! Comment 'beta' below and we'll send you a link so you can be one of the first to try Kit!  #teachersfollowteachers #sped #spedteacher #speechtherapy #dyslexia #disability #teacherlife #school #slp #specialed #iteachsped #teachersofig #occupationaltherapy #learningdisabilities #specialeducation #pediatricot #pediatricpt #schoolot #schoolpt #schoolslp #cec2024 #spedcollaboration

Why Child Life Specialists Matter Child life specialists play a crucial role in helping children, teens, and families navigate challenging and often unfamiliar situations. By educating, empowering, and equipping them with essential coping tools, child life specialists make a significant impact. Child life specialists wear many hats, and each hat is vital! Let’s take a look at five key ways child life specialists contribute to the healthcare setting, especially when preparing children for upcoming medical experiences. My adorable son is a perfect example (I originally recorded this back in February for him to watch later as a coping tool, but he ended up being such a great example of the power of child life that I had to share it with you. Get ready for some cuteness). 5 Ways Child Life Specialists Are Vital in Healthcare (and Beyond): 1. Explain what to expect in gentle ways. This builds trust and encourages cooperation from the child. 2. Help children name and express their feelings. Acknowledging emotions is key to processing them. 3. Offer choices and roles to the child. This empowers them while the child life specialist assesses how they’re responding to the information. 4. Rehearse coping tools through medical play. This practice leaves children feeling more empowered and confident. 5. Provide age-appropriate education through fun, hands-on learning. Engaging children in this way enhances their understanding and ease. Who needs a reminder of the value and "why" behind child life? Share this video with them! #childlife #childlifespecialists #childlifeessentials #ccls#childlifecooperative #childlifetogo #childlifegoals #medical #pediatrics #hospital #nurse #doctor #medicalprofessional #medicalresources #diagnosiseducation #therapeuticactivities #childlifematters

Responsive Caregiving: Shaping the Future of Early Childhood Development In the first few years of life, a child’s brain is developing faster than at any other time. A crucial driver of this development is responsive caregiving—the consistent, loving, and attentive interactions between caregivers and children. Responsive caregiving is more than meeting basic needs. It's about tuning into a child’s signals—whether it’s a cry, a glance, or a smile—and responding in ways that make the child feel understood and supported. This seemingly simple practice has profound effects on a child's brain and emotional development. Research from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University shows that responsive interactions, often referred to as “serve and return,” are fundamental to the formation of healthy brain architecture. Every time a caregiver responds to a child's cues, it strengthens the neural pathways that support communication, social skills, and emotional regulation . Over time, this responsive care helps children develop trust—a foundation for secure attachments, which are crucial for healthy relationships later in life. Children who experience consistent, loving responses are more likely to build strong, lasting relationships and have a higher capacity for empathy and resilience. The impact of responsive caregiving extends beyond the early years. Children raised in nurturing environments with responsive caregivers are better equipped to handle stress, have enhanced problem-solving abilities, and are more prepared for future learning experiences. In essence, responsive caregiving wires the brain for success, creating a blueprint for positive lifelong outcomes in learning, behavior, and mental health. Let’s work together to create environments where every child feels heard, supported, and loved, laying a strong foundation for their future relationships and success. #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #ResponsiveCaregiving #ServeAndReturn #ChildDevelopment #Harvard #BrainDevelopment #Parenting #FamilySupport

Why is Core Strength important? In today's world, children don't play the way they used to play. To fully understand the reason for weak core strength with many children, think back to the way children used to move: They rolled down hills, played with hula-hoops, rode on teeter-totters and merry-go-rounds. Weak core strength makes it challenging for kids to hold themselves upright - and so they move, constantly shifting positions and wiggling. Sitting still tires them. Also, all this work to stay upright and to control their movements takes a toll on children. It makes it more difficult for them to focus on what their parent or teacher is saying and the task that they are supposed to be completing. What are your favorite core strengthening ideas? Share in the comments! #pedsot #pediatricot #SBOT #schoolbasedot #otforkids #OTresources #ot #ota #cota #otr #occupationaltherapy #corestrength #posturalcontrol #sensoryplay #sensoryintegration #sensoryprocessing #schoolbasedot #pediot #otstudent #occupationaltherapystudent #specialeducationteacher #SPEDteacher #specialeducation #specialed #kindergarten #preschool #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #pediatricoccupationaltherapist #SLP #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathology