Kids Considered™ Podcast

 Milestones: Language Development

We’ll be continuing our discussion from our most recent podcast on milestones, but in today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Stephanie Tangsombatvisit, a fellow in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, to discuss language development. More specifically, we’ll be taking a closer look at why developmental screening is important during earlier stages of childhood, how we define language development- including receptive language (how your child understands language), and expressive language (how your child uses language). We will also discuss ways to promote language development and factors which may contribute to speech delay and when to seek additional evaluation.

This episode was written by Dr. Stephanie Tangsombatvisit, Dr. Lena van der List, Dr. Dean Blumberg and Neha Valluri.

We thank Stephanie Tangsombatvisit, a fellow in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the MIND Institute at UC Davis Children's Hospital for joining us for this episode, although Drs. Lena and Dean take responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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Photo from Association for Psychological Science

  Motor Milestones

We are joined by pediatric developmental and behavioral specialist Dr. Van Ma to discuss gross and fine motor development.  Pediatricians screen for motor skills to make sure that kids are on track for routine behavior such as head control, crawling, rolling over, pulling to a stand, walking, feeding and more.  We discuss when these skills normally develop, how to help children advance, how to make sure that the home environment is safe as children become more mobile and curious, and more!  Plus, we are not shy telling you what we think about baby walkers.

This episode written by Drs. Van Ma, Lesley Desmond, Lena van der List and Dean Blumberg.

We thank Dr. Van Ma, a pediatric developmental and behavioral specialist at the MIND Institute, and Dr. Lesley Desmond a pediatrician at UC Davis Children's Hospital for joining us for this episode, although Drs. Lena and Dean take responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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Photo from First 5 California

  Pediatric Growth Curves

We learn about pediatric growth curves in this episode! We discuss why they are used in pediatric offices, how they track healthy growth, what is considered a normal variation in growth, and the two different types of growth curves:  from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Also remember, while growth curves track healthy growth, they should always be viewed in the context of an individual.

This episode written by Dr. Lena van der List, Dr. Dean Blumberg and Abby Michalak.

We thank Dr. Lindsey Loomba-Albrecht, a pediatric endocrinologist at UC Davis Children's Hospital for reviewing this episode, although Drs. Lena and Dean take responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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Photo from Healthy Driven

Navigating Contraceptives

 A great majority of teen pregnancies are often unplanned and more common amongst teens of racial and ethnic groups facing large disparities. Comprehensive sexual health counseling and access to reliable information regarding contraceptive methods is essential to minimizing occurrences of unplanned pregnancy and reducing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. In this episode we’ll be discussing methods of birth control, effectiveness of each of these contraceptives and the confidentiality in gaining access to various contraceptives.

 This episode written by Dr. Lena van der List, Dr. Dean Blumberg and Neha Valluri.

 We thank Dr. Ravi Nakrani, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at UC Davis Medical Center for reviewing this episode, although Drs. Lena and Dean take responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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 Photo from MedicineNet.

Insects Be Gone

 Children enjoy spending time outdoors, especially during the summer months. At the same time, they’re also more likely to be more frequently exposed to insects. In this episode, we discuss the differences between bee, mosquito and spider bites in how they cause irritation, their common immediate symptoms, and their treatment. We’ll also be talking about how to distinguish an insect bite from severe allergic reactions.

 This episode written by Dr. Lena van der List, Dr. Dean Blumberg and Neha Valluri.

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 Photo from The Environmental Working Group

Baby-Led Weaning--What's The Hype?

In this podcast we discuss baby-led weaning which is a complementary feeding approach that allows infants to self-feed a variety of table foods and requires more developmental coordination. Baby-led weaning is thought to allow infants to try new and diverse foods, and to listen to their body’s hunger cues which helps them develop a healthy relationship with food. Be sure to listen to this episode to learn the differences between baby-led weaning and traditional food introduction, advantages and disadvantages of baby-led weaning, and how to talk to your pediatrician about the introduction of solid foods!

This episode written by Dr. Lena van der List, Dr. Dean Blumberg and Abby Michalak.

 We thank Senior Outpatient Dietitian Staci Collins, RD, CNSC, Clinical Nutrition Services at UC Davis Children's Hospital for reviewing this episode, although Drs. Lena and Dean take responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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 Photo from Cleveland Clinic

Kids & Masking

Masks are effective preventing transmission of respiratory pathogens such as COVID-19, and the vast majority of children 2 years of age and older can wear masks safely.  What is the best type of mask for your child?  When should they be masking?  How can parents help their children get used to masking?  Are any of the common masking myths true?  What’s the best way of taking care of masks?  We discuss these mask issues and more in this episode.

This episode written by Dean Blumberg, Lena van der List and Nehu Valluri.

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Photo from Understood

COVID-19 Vaccine for 5–11-Year-Olds

 We have been waiting for COVID-19 vaccines to be approved for use in the US for younger children, and the CDC recommended vaccination of 5-11 year-old children on November 2, 2021.  In this episode we partner with the EM Pulse Podcast™ and discuss side effects, the immune response and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in this age group with Dr. Julia Magaña, Associate Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis.

 This episode written by Drs. Julia Magaña and Dean Blumberg.

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 Photo from Catherine Marfin Twitter feed

First crushes may occur at any time, but generally start at around 10-13 years of age.  They are an important step in developing normal and healthy romantic relationships, and provide opportunities to learn how to compromise and communicate.  First crushes may involve friends or schoolmates, but sometimes involve other people like actors or singers.  Children may be distracted during their first crush as they try to sort out their feelings, and parents can be an important source of support during this time.

This episode written by Dean Blumberg and Lena van der List.

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 Photo from Parents Canada

How to save a life: CPR and AED use

As cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) significantly increases the chance of survival in someone who has experienced a cardiac arrest it is important you know what to do in case you are a witness.

Did you know that cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death on school campuses and the leading cause of death for student athletes? In today’s podcast on CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) use, we discuss key points about what to do in case you are a witness of cardiac arrest– including how to perform CPR, who to call, how to use an AED, and how you can become trained in CPR. 

Be sure to check out Project ADAM, an amazing organization who is committed to saving lives by empowering schools and communities to be prepared for a cardiac arrest through hands-on training, as well as CPR and AED education. 

This episode was written by Dr. Lena van der List, Dr. Dean Blumberg and Abby Michalak 

We would like to thank Dr. Heather Siefkes, a pediatric intensivist here at UC Davis Children's Hospital and Rebecca McCormac, project ADAM coordinator for reviewing today's episode, although Dr.  Dean and I take responsibility for any errors or misinformation. 

 Supplemental Information

Cardiac Arrest: save a life in 5 steps

Project ADAM

UC Davis Project ADAM

American Red Cross- child and baby CPR

UC Davis Health- CPR classes offered

American Heart Association

Videos with CPR/AED training

Project Adam Sacramento Hands Only CPR and AED Training Video

AHA Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Online Demo

Photo from American Heart Association