Welcome to our Kid's Health Blog by School is Easy Tutoring

Technology can be a wonderful tool for helping children learn. For example, with the help of the Internet, we can now access a wealth of information that was previously impossible to get a hold of. But there can be drawbacks to having technology. Health problems that were previously thought to be only present in adults are now starting to happen to younger people. Today, we’re going to be focusing on preventing carpal tunnel syndrome in kids.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome in kids?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an injury that often results from doing repetitive tasks with your hands over long periods of time. There’s an area in your wrist called the carpal tunnel, and overworking your hands can cause the neighbouring median nerve to swell and put pressure on the carpal tunnel. The symptoms include numbness, a feeling of pins and needles in your hands, and pain.

Good examples of activities where carpal tunnel would be high risk are playing piano, hammering nails, performing surgery, and — you guessed it — typing on a keyboard, phone or tablet. Previously, keyboarding was the domain of clerical workers, but now that just about everyone has a computer, carpal tunnel is becoming a more common problem. Children are starting to use computers at younger and younger ages, so it stands to reason that there could be a greater risk of kids getting carpal tunnel syndrome.

Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome in kids

At its worst, carpal tunnel syndrome can require surgery to fix. But don’t panic! More often than not, carpal tunnel syndrome in kids can be either treated or prevented with relative ease.

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So we’d recommend teaching children at an early age how to use a keyboard properly.

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often caused by awkward positioning of the hands — typing while having your wrists bent is an absolute no-no. This constricts the nerves in your wrists and makes them prone to injury. As a rule of thumb, WebMD says that your hands should not be lower than your wrists.
2. Look at your child’s work space. There are many factors that can cause your child to strain his or her wrists. For example, look at the height of your child’s desk and chair. A workspace too low or high can cause awkward hand positions.
3. Pay attention to good posture. If your child’s shoulders are hunched and tensed, that can affect their typing position. You would also do well to examine if bad posture is resulting from an awkward workspace (for example, desks and chairs that are too high, low or far apart) or if your child just needs a few pointers on how to sit and type properly — for instance, don’t slouch, keep your back straight, etc.
4. Study keyboarding ergonomics. In a nutshell, this is basically the practice of finding the most efficient way to position yourself and your computer when working. There are plenty of resources you can find. Cornell University has one example.

Treating carpal tunnel syndrome in kids

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be anything from inconvenient to crippling. We recommend checking in  with your kids regularly to see how they are feeling. Are they experiencing pins and needles when typing? Mayoclinic.org recommends that you stop your kids and ice their hands. Schedule frequent breaks, preferably before pain starts to set in. And it’s best to explain to your children that a minimum amount of effort is needed when typing. Carpal tunnel is often exacerbated when banging hard on a keyboard, the above mayoclinic.org article says.

Beyond scheduling breaks and icing, wearing a splint at night can help relieve carpal tunnel syndrome in kids. That’s because it forces wrists to stay in a straight position for a prolonged period of time. This gives inflamed nerves time to recover.

Be vigilant — carpal tunnel syndrome often strikes slowly

Students, especially younger children, will have a hard time self-monitoring because carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms do not happen suddenly. They are a cumulative effect of days, months and years of stress. So it would be wise to regularly check your kids’ posture. Ask them if they are feeling any discomfort in their wrists. And make children take regular breaks from keyboarding.

As parents we’re always on the lookout for our kids’ health. In many populated areas, it’s not uncommon to have daycares and schools with lots of students huddled together for hours. Some parents think this can be a health problem waiting to happen. But in reality, how easily do children get sick?

Younger children get sick more often

Kids five years or younger typically get sick the most. That improves with age. Immune systems are fully developed when children hit 12 to 14.

The type of transmission and illness can determine how easily children get sick

The type of disease and the kind of contact determines what your child is more at risk for. Take a look at the bullet points below. So for example, if children are touching each other (e.g. a game of tag, high-fiving etc.) they’ll be more at risk to contract bacteria, viruses and parasites. Here is a great video to show kids about the ways they can get sick (including cross-contamination), and the importance of washing their hands.

This is because that’s how those infections are transmitted. If your kids are with other children who don’t cover their mouths when they sneeze, they’ll be more at risk for the common cold, since the cold is transmitted through the air. So take a moment and examine the information below to see if any of these scenarios apply to your children.

1. Direct contact can spread infections from bacteria, viruses and parasites. Some of the examples of infections caused by this include impetigo, scabies, lice, chickenpox, cold sores, ringworm and pinkeye. The best way to prevent this from happening is by encouraging children to wash their hands often. Keep infected areas covered as well.
2. Respiratory transmission is when children breathe respiratory droplets from an infected person’s lungs. Examples of this include the common cold, the flu, chickenpox and pneumonia. Keeping children at home might be a good idea to prevent these illnesses from spreading.
3. Fecal oral transmission is pretty much just as it sounds. Teach your children to wash their hands thoroughly after using the washroom. If they are too young to use a restroom, take extra care when changing their diapers. The consequences can be illnesses such as diarrhea, pinworms, and hepatitis A.
4. Blood transmission happens when your children come into contact with another person’s blood. Teach your children to report whenever they’ve been hurt and ask them if anyone had also drawn blood nearby. Examples include scraped knees in a soccer match (did the child you checked also get a bloody knee?), a schoolyard fight (did both of you get bloody noses?). Pay attention to the information your child gives you, and visit the doctor if you feel any cause for concern. Blood-transmitted illnesses include HIV, Hepatitis B or C, or cytomegalovirus.

Kids will be playing in the grass a lot — how easily can children get sick playing in parks or outdoors on vacation?

Kids play in tons of green space. Whatever local municipality you live in, there will probably be a park close to your home. When you’re on vacation, you may spend a lot of time in nature. That means there will be plenty of chances for your kids to play in the grass and murky waters. So how easily can children get sick when tussling in the green stuff?

Well, like most things in life, everything depends on the context. It seems how easily children get sick from playing in the grass is related to how often they’ve played in it beforehand. Kids who’ve played in grass more have tougher immune systems. So it seems like they won’t get sick as easily.

But take swimming in lakes and oceans, or even pools for example. Here is a video explaining diseases you can contract from swimming. Also rare, but real, is contacting the Amoeba disease through swimming in very warm waters (or using infected water), usually in hotter climates. No matter how small the likelihood is, parents should be aware. It never hurts to take a few minutes to check on any municipal announcements regarding lakes or swimming areas before diving in.

But there can be downsides. Lawn care chemicals can be harmful to anyone playing on the green stuff. The bottom line? Do some research about the place if you want peace of mind. Contact whichever municipality is in charge of the park to see what kind of fertilizers they use. And should you trust deet as an insect repellent? DNews explains this issue.

That brings us to the case of bug bites. This is no small issue. According to DNews, “mosquitos are considered one of the deadliest animals on earth with their ability to spread diseases.” Also, take the example of tick bites, which can go unnoticed, or mistreated at first.

Some ticks spread Lyme disease, and knowing whether you’ve contracted the disease is not as easy to catch as we might think. It’s not always the case that you get the ‘ring’ around the bite, and initial symptoms may seem like an ordinary cold, or another condition. The other problem is that Lyme can remain dormant for a long period before attacking the body. And when it does, it can be painful and debilitating in many ways. The reason for the symptoms could be a mystery at that point. Watch this video from DNews for more information on the topic, which is increasingly warranting more attention in the media.

Mingling with lots of tourists while travelling can expose children to illness

As you may have heard, there was an outbreak of measles in Disneyland earlier this year. This case had everyone pointing fingers at a variety of purported causes. But perhaps one key lesson to take from this is to be vigilant about illnesses when frequenting areas where there are a lot of travellers.

The Center for Disease Control says travel is related to the spread of sickness, so it would be wise to take precautions when passing through areas with many travellers. An example would be to wash hands more often when frequenting tourist attractions. For example, like Stanley Park in Vancouver. Simple steps like these can reduce how easily your kids get sick. Be sure to check Health Canada’s travel advisories before leaving your city as well.

Herd immunity can determine how easily your child gets sick

Another thing to take note — how easily your children get sick is also related to how healthy their friends and classmates are. If your child is surrounded by others who do not get sick easily, chances are he or she will not get sick easily. This also works in the opposite direction. Surrounding your kids with others who are easily sick increases their chances of falling ill. This is called herd immunity, and those of you who are statistically inclined may want to examine the illness rates of your community (or herd) to get an idea of how vulnerable your child may be. This subject commonly brings up the issue of the need for vaccines. Science has agreed, practically universally, that there is no harm to getting vaccinated, though we know this is a contentious issue nonetheless.

How easily can your child get sick? Sometimes it depends on how prepared you are!

Worried your children may get sick? Learn about their surroundings! Ask your kids what kind of activities they do with friends. If they do a lot of contact sports, teach them to scrub their hands afterward (but stay away from antibacterial soaps! Here is why).

Was your kid in a schoolyard fight? Make sure they get in the habit of telling you if blood was drawn. Are they going to a place with a lot of tourists? Bring a bottle of Purex! (But don’t overdo it with hand sanitizer, as it can have negative effects too). Adapting to each situation is key!

As adults, many of us use coffee to give us that extra jolt of energy to get our jobs done. So it’s fair to wonder whether a little java can help make our children more productive in school and at home. Another thing to consider is that coffee is becoming more and more accessible to children. It’s not hard to find kids ordering Iced Caps from Tim Horton’s and Frappucinos from Starbucks. However, many people have raised concerns about whether it is safe for kids to drink coffee. And it’s a valid question. Let’s take a look at some of the evidence and discuss what this means.

The benefits of having kids drink coffee

A researcher named Dr. Tomas Depaulis published a study saying coffee could actually give children some benefits that can be helpful in school. For example, a little java could improve concentration in children, which can aid in academic exercises such as test taking. Depaulis also pointed to a separate study in Brazil showing kids who drink coffee with milk are less likely to have depression than other children. However, one obvious caveat applies — coffee must be consumed in moderation.

When coffee can be harmful to children

Giving coffee to children can be a problem because java generally has a lot of caffeine. When children drink too much of it, a number of negative symptoms can arise. This includes jitteriness, nervousness, headaches, difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating, dehydration and heart issues. Yes, anyone who drinks too much coffee can be susceptible to these problems, but young children appear to be more sensitive to its effects. American guidelines state adolescents shouldn’t get more than 100 milligrams of caffeine a day. Take note that an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains anywhere from 95 to 200 milligrams.

Our advice? Try these ideas first

If a boost in energy is what’s needed to get your child focused, it’s probably better to get them to go outside and exercise. Much research has shown getting a good workout is a great all-natural way to boost energy. We’ve suggested a variety of outdoor activities  on our blog that stimulate both body and mind.

If your child is stuck in a rut and needs a fresh idea for an assignment, research has shown implementing a few breaks in his or her homework schedule can stimulate creativity. Finally, an inability to concentrate could simply be the result of poor organizational skills. We have some tips on how to improve on that right here.

However, if you absolutely insist on giving your child coffee, make sure you supervise them when they consume it, and moderate their intake. It’s not advisable for very young children to have java regularly. Also, it is best to consult with a physician beforehand, especially if your child has any health conditions, particularly heart or anxiety problems.

We all know that it is important to stay hydrated, and to drink our 8-10 glasses of water a day. But is this any different for kids? Read on to learn about the importance of kids staying hydrated, and how it affects their academic performance and physical activity.

The importance of kids staying hydrated in school

Since kids’ bodies are made up of approximately 70% water, it is a given that water affects nearly every part of their bodies. Water enhances circulation and is essential for optimal brain health and function. If your child is demonstrating low concentration, it could be because they aren’t drinking enough water! According to healthybrainforlife.com, dehydration can lead to fatigue, dizziness, poor concentration, and reduced cognitive abilities. So it is really important for your child’s academic success to drink plenty of water every day!

The importance of kids staying hydrated during physical activities

Drinking water also has a significant impact on your child’s physical activity. If they are hydrated, children will be less tired and have more energy. By drinking plenty of water before, during, and after exercise, they can avoid fatigue and enjoy the activity more. Since children’s bodies don’t adjust as well to losses of fluid, and their bodies don’t cool down as efficiently, it is especially important that they stay hydrated during exercise.

Are sports drinks or juice an OK alternative to drinking water?

In general, water is your child’s best bet to staying hydrated. Other drinks like juice, pop, and vitamin water can have a high sugar content, which can lead to weight gain in children if consumed regularly. They can also contain caffeine, which acts as a diuretic (dehydrating the body) and can also affect children’s concentration.

Sports drinks can be beneficial, but only if your child is involved in vigorous physical activity for over an hour. These drinks contain electrolytes, which your child will lose through sweat. Therefore, they are a good source of energy when the body’s stores are becoming depleted. However, if your child is not involved in vigorous physical activity for a prolonged amount of time, keep in mind that sports drinks also contain calories that could increase weight gain if consumed on a regular basis. It is always best to have your child avoid excess sugars by reaching for calorie-free water.

Since it is so important for kids to drink water, encourage them to keep a water bottle with them during tutoring sessions so they don’t get dehydrated. Happy studying!

Depression is an epidemic sweeping the nation, and has been on the rise particularly among teens. According to allaboutdepression.com, the average age of onset of depression is constantly dropping, and someone who has a sibling or parent dealing with depression is up to three times as likely to develop it themselves. Keep reading to find out how depression affects teens’ learning, and how to help them deal with it.

Realize how depression affects teens’ learning

It is important not to overlook depression in teens, especially because it can really affect teens’ learning. Kidshealth.org has a great article that shows how learning can be affected by depression. Depression can make it hard to concentrate and focus. This means teens may have a hard time paying attention in a class, in a tutoring session or completing homework. Teens with depression may not even realize they are depressed. This can cause them to think that they are a failure, a bad student, or a slacker. It can also cause them to have low motivation, which can lead to them skipping class, especially if they start thinking, “what’s the point?” Finally, depression can even cause memory problems, which affects test performance.

How you can tell if depression is affecting your teen’s learning

There are many symptoms of depression, including emotional symptoms like feelings of worthlessness, physical symptoms like low energy, behavioural symptoms like change in appetite, and cognitive symptoms like difficulty focussing. However, it is best for your child to visit the doctor to properly diagnose what is going on. There is even a blood test that has recently been in the news that is able to detect depression. If your teen is diagnosed with depression, your healthcare professional should be able to recommend different resources for treatment. Your teen can also turn to online sources such as studentsagainstdepression.org or those listed at mindcheck.ca.

Depression is on the rise among teens, and it can definitely affect their learning. But luckily there are plenty of resources to help you and your teen deal with this issue. It is important to realize that it is not just something a teen will snap out of, but needs to be dealt with properly. If your teen is struggling with depression, consult your doctor so that they can get the help they need and can get the most out of their tutoring sessions.