Repeated refusal to attend school can signal anxiety, bullying, exhaustion or low mood. Experts say parents should look beyond discipline and seek support when the pattern persists. In many families, the morning refusal sounds the same: a child says they…
A study of 1,731 children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia found that those given human milk after leaving intensive care were less likely to need sick visits, emergency treatment or respiratory medicines. For parents of babies born very preterm, the months after…
The STARKIDS trial found that structured, family-centred support delivered through paediatric practices improved children’s BMI over 12 months, but the advantage largely disappeared after regular contact ended. A German trial suggests that childhood obesity treatment may be strengthened by bringing…
Research and clinical theories suggest ADHD involves motivation, reward, time perception and impulse control as much as attention, challenging the way the condition is understood and treated. Psychiatrist Awais Aftab argues that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder may be better understood as…
Guatemala’s health ministry has proposed banning the production, import and commercial use of industrial trans fats, alongside a phased reduction to the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit. Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance has sent Congress a bill…
Federal officials are deploying extra support and nearly $4m to Pennsylvania as a fast-moving measles outbreak spreads across 42 counties and deaths rise to five. Federal health officials are sending extra support to Pennsylvania as the state battles one of…
Long pauses, memory gaps and a dreamlike sense of unreality can signal dissociation in teenagers. Experts explain what parents should look for, how to help in the moment and when to seek urgent support. For many parents, the first clue…
Small, age-appropriate tasks and low-stakes consequences can help children build confidence, independence and a lasting sense of responsibility. Helping children take responsibility is less about perfect behaviour than about repeated practice. Small, real tasks can give them a sense of…
Short, playful activities that help children hear, manipulate and link sounds to letters can build the foundations for confident reading at home. Phonics works best when children can hear, say and play with sounds before they are asked to read…
A classroom approach inspired by Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy aims to help young children understand their emotions, resist intimidation and build a sense of worth that does not depend on others’ approval. In early childhood classrooms, the response to bullying…
