Providing researched based educational resources to meet the needs of Long Islanders
By Cara Weiner Sultan, MSW Since 1949, National Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May. The goal of this initiative is to bring attention to mental health through education, media, local events, and screenings. The hope is to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and embrace the notion that mental health is…
Join us for open conversations about living with toddlers! These 45 minute talks are for parents and other caregivers of toddlers (children between 12-36 months of age.) There is no fee to participate in these conversations, however advanced registration is required. Contact Jane Juran to register at jsj79@cornell.edu. Please include your full name, the ages…
By Alysa Ferguson, RD, CDE The pumpkin is carved, the costumes are ready, it’s time to trick-or-treat! If your family is like most, this can mean a month or more of candy laying around everywhere. While candy and treats can and should be a part of Halloween for children (yes, even children with diabetes), there…
By Dinah Torres Castro How many times have we heard a parent say, “If you eat your broccoli then you can have a cookie”? And for the most part the child will oblige. The problem with using food (the cookie) as a reward for a desired behavior (eating their broccoli) is that it works in…
By Kerri Kreh Reda, M.P.H. Many people say that play is the work of children, but what they may not realize is just how essential play is to growing children. Children use play as a way of exploring their environment and developing skills. Play is needed for the development of the whole child – for…
By Kerri Kreh Reda As your child’s first teacher, you teach her many things – how to talk, feed herself, dress herself and how to use the toilet. You make a conscious effort to teach these skills. What you may not realize is that you also teach many other things unintentionally by the example you…
By Alysa Ferguson Summertime is great for barbeques, picnics, and fresh produce (think grilled vegetables with your meal and watermelon for dessert!). However, fun-in-the-sun eating also means taking some extra precautions to ensure your family’s food is safe to eat. The warmer temperatures create a perfect environment for bacteria and other pathogens to multiply rapidly,…
By Kerri Kreh Reda, M.P.H. The World Health Organization recently published new guidelines for children under the age of five. These guidelines address factors impacting children’s physical and mental health. The recommendations seek to help parents balance the need for physical activity with sedentary behavior, including the use of screens. Sleep recommendations are also part…
By Cristina F. Toscano It is recommended that at each meal, ¼ of your plate should be fruit. In fact, toddlers age 2-3 need 1 cup a day and children age 4-8 need 1 and 1/2 cups. Most adults need 2 cups. It is important to meet this recommendation because fruit provides important vitamins, minerals,…
By Kerri Kreh Reda, M.P.H. One of the best ways to have a successful outing with a little one is to be prepared with a well stocked diaper bag. The items you pack will change, depending on the outing and the age of your child. Here are some suggestions to get you started: Diapers Wipes…