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New Psychiatric Unit at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital Provides Kids and Teens a Therapeutic Space to Heal

New Psychiatric Unit at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital Provides Kids and Teens a Therapeutic Space to Heal

Maryland’s first trauma-informed psychiatric unit for children and teens experiencing mental health crises opened this week at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital (UMCH) in Baltimore. The 16-bed inpatient unit, a therapeutic environment featuring curved walls and nature themes, is designed to be safe space for patients ages 5-17 who may have experienced traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect or …

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8 Summer Water Games To Help Kids Beat the Heat

Beat the Heat with These 8 Summer Water Activities

Whether you need fun summer party games or new ideas for staying cool when temperatures soar, the following eight DIY water games will keep your kids refreshed and entertained all summer long. DIY Sprinkler Why buy a sprinkler when you can make your own? This DIY hack from the Housing A Forest blog uses materials you can find around your …

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Top Kids Sunscreens For Summer

Top Kids Sunscreens For Summer

Sunscreen is a year-round necessity to prevent skin damage and skin cancer, but it’s especially important during the summer, when UV rays are the strongest. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that all kids ages 6 months and older should be lathered in sunscreen whenever they’re outside, whether they’re playing at the beach or biking down the street. But with hundreds …

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Spotting a Speech Disorder in Children

When my son was a toddler, he couldn’t pronounce the letter “R.” Words like “river” were “wivuh” and “crab” became “cwab.” At the time, I thought these speech errors only made his chubby-cheeked baby-talk ramblings all the more endearing. As he entered kindergarten, he learned to read and write, but not how to pronounce his “R’s.” My husband and I …

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Debunking 4 Myths About Summer Safety for Kids

A senior man spends time with his grandchildren at the beach

By Oyin Adedoyin Jill Black grew up very familiar with water. Her mom was a lifeguard when she was a teenager and while attending college. Black, who oversees swim and family programs at the Y in Central Maryland, recalls her mom enrolling her in swimming lessons as soon as possible. “As soon as I was born pretty much, she took …

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Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers? Which Is Best for Your Child?

When it comes to choosing diapers, you’ll find two types of parents: the ones who are committed to cloth diapering and the ones who are determined to use disposable diapers. How do you decide which type of diaper is best for your baby? “Look at your priorities,” says Jocelyn Albertson, a certified birth and postpartum doula who provides educational classes …

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How Parents Can Help Children Build Social Skills

While adults may joke about needing to relearn how to be around others in a post-pandemic world, children can also benefit from a refresh of certain soft skills, especially young children who may not remember pre-pandemic life. Building on these skills can also help children prepare for a successful return to school. In fact, data from Mintel shows parents’ top …

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Building Your Prenatal Care Team

You’re pregnant. Congratulations! Before you begin all the fun stuff such as decorating the nursery and picking out baby clothes, you’ll need to make an important decision: Who will help care for you and your baby during pregnancy and childbirth? Learn about your options so that you can put together a prenatal care team that will best meet your needs …

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Pregnancy and Infant Care Resources in Frederick County

When you’re expecting a newborn, you’re bound to have concerns and questions. Below are three pregnancy and infant care resources you can consult. Brighter Futures Pediatric & Lactation Services Brighter Futures Pediatric & Lactation Services provides comprehensive pediatric and adolescent health care from birth to age 21. It is our belief that the goal of pediatric care is to work …

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10 LGBTQ+ Inclusive Books for Children

It’s never too early to teach your kids about love and acceptance. In June, Pride Month is the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to the variety of children’s books that are LGBTQ+ inclusive. We’ve selected 10 books for young readers that highlight the many ways that people and families can identify. “Love Makes a Family” by Sophie Beer Through …

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