Healthy Kids Zone

New Year's resolutions aren't just for adults—kids can make them too. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says by helping children make and keep resolutions, parents can teach their children important values such as commitment. Dr. Gellner has some tips for helping your children choose a resolution or two, and how best to hold them to it.

There are so many shining decorations that can catch a child’s eye during the holiday season, especially since they are only brought out at this time of the year. From the Christmas tree to seasonal plants around the home, there can be hidden dangers lurking in your decorated halls. In this episode Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about how to protect your child from common, but preventable, holiday home hazards. She'll explain exactly what can be hazardous, what can be poisonous, and what you can do to help your child avoid getting hurt during the holidays. For emergency help, please contact Poison Control at 18002221222.

In the United States, 18 percent of children under the age of 18—13 million children—live in a home struggling to put healthy food on the table. Food insecurity can have long-lasting effects on young children, impacting their memory, social, and learning skills. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about the steps you can take to help children in food-insecure homes, as well as what resources are available if you find yourself having difficulty providing food for your child.

As parents, we want to make sure our children are safe and healthy. We worry when they cough too much or eat too little. As The Healthy Kids Zone celebrates five years, Dr. Cindy Gellner breaks down the top five health concerns for children—according to parents—and not so surprisingly, coughs and stomach aches made the list.

Play is more than a pastime—it is vital for healthy brain and emotional development. From boosting creativity and problem-solving skills to buffering stress, play is one of the simplest and most effective tools for growth. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about why unstructured, screen-free playtime may be the most important part of your child's day—and what happens when it is missing.

"They grow up so fast." For some parents, this fact of life makes it difficult to stop micromanaging their teens; for other parents, it causes them to stop teaching life skills at a crucial stage of development. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner helps parents find the golden mean of parenting preteens when it comes to eating, sleeping, and exercising.

Foot skin issues are common among teenagers—and no, it’s not always athlete’s foot. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about three common foot skin issues in teenagers, and how to identify and treat those issues without a trip to the doctor.

Foot skin issues are common among teenagers—and no, it’s not always athlete’s foot. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about three common foot skin issues in teenagers, and how to identify and treat those issues without a trip to the doctor.

After-school programs can provide a safe place for children when parents may not be available. But as children age into preteens, when can they be allowed to stay home by themselves? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the different factors that vary from family to family and how to best prepare your preteen for staying home alone.

Nearly 13 million children and adolescents in the United States are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It may seem counterintuitive, but pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says technologies such as smartphones and fitness trackers can actually help kids watch their own weight by gamifying their exercise and physical activity.