Archive for year: 2010
Recess then Lunch
Want to change a child’s eating habits and behaviors in school? Perhaps try scheduling recess before lunch. There have been several studies done that indicate recess before lunch results in improved behaviors, calmer students, less trips to the school nurse and healthier eating habits. Read the full article at the NY Times.
Yet Again…Move to Improve
The Journal of Pediatrics published research on 1989, 5th, 7th and 9th graders in California. Students with lower aerobic fitness and higher body mass index scored lower on standardized tests in math, reading and language. This held true even after controlling for parent education and other co variates. More and more research has shown that […]
Pharmacologic Treatment of Spasticity in CP
Neurology published a special article to evaluate the use of pharmacologic treatments for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. The multidisciplinary panel reviewed articles from from 1966 through 2008. The panel concluded that Botulinum toxin type A was found to be generally safe although the FDA is currently investigated the use of the drug in […]
Do you check for comfort?
A review in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology reported on the use of assistive devices and technology in people with cerebral palsy. Twenty four studies were found and each study had less than 10 participants. Computer task performance was tested although only three groups studied ease and comfort of use. The researchers recommend that more […]
Superbowl = Movement
It is almost Superbowl time. Get kids involved by getting them to move not just watch the games. The NFL has a campaign entitled Play 60. The American Heart Association has free resources available for teachers to get kids moving for 60 minutes each day during the NFL Play60 six week challenge. Don’t want to […]
Best Time to Toilet Train
A recent study in the Journal of Pediatric Urology indicated that the best time to toilet train a child is between 24 and 32 months of age. Children who did not receive toilet training until after 32 months had more issues with bed wetting, day wetting and urge incontinence. The researchers concluded that the timing […]
Treadmill Training, SMO’s and Down Syndrome
Physical Therapy published research on the use of supramalleolar orthosis (SMO) and treadmill training in infants with Down Syndrome. Seventeen infants were assigned to treadmill training with SMO’s or treadmill training without SMO’s. The infants received 3 minutes of treadmill training until the infant was able to take 3 steps independently. One month following the […]
Alternatives to Written Assignments
Voice Thread is a tool to talk about pictures, documents or videos. For those children who have difficulty with written assignments, why not try using voice thread. The child can record his/her voice to go along with pictures or videos. There are so many ideas of how to use Voice Thread on their website. Check […]
Exercise and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Current Opinion in Rheumatology recently published a review on the use of exercise therapy in the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Previous studies indicate that children with JIA have significantly impaired aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity. This can result in deconditioning and disability. Girls with polyarticular rhematoid factor positive subtype are at the great […]