Pediatricians San Diego

Thanks to the coronavirus, all of us have had a dramatic change in lifestyle. Not only are many parents working from home, but schools are closed, extracurricular activities are suspended and daycare may not be an option. This creates a long day for everyone and could result in a lot more screen time, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing under these circumstances. Here are some helpful hints about using screen time during social distancing: Have a schedule: Young children thrive on consistency. They also need to maintain consistent sleep, so keep bedtime, wake-up time and naps relatively the same. Have a schedule of what you will do each day, asking your kids to help decide what activities will go in the schedule – this includes screen time. Don’t forget to include physical activity and down time, along with school work and chores. Academics: Get the scoop from your child’s teacher or school district on assignments, work packets and what topics they need to focus on. Ask about t...

Does your child know what to do in case of emergency? Here are five things to teach your children about when and how to call 9-1-1. Explain what 9-1-1 is. Your child should know that 9-1-1 is the phone number to call when they need help or if they see someone who needs help right away – explain what an emergency is and give examples like a car accident, getting lost, or if someone is sick or injured. Let them know that calling 9-1-1 means that the police, fire department and paramedics will come help them. Also, be sure to give examples when NOT to call 9-1-1. Explain what happens when they call 9-1-1. Tell your child that when they call 9-1-1 they will speak with a special operator who will ask questions and ask them to do things to help. It’s important for your child to know that they should follow directions as best as they can because they are the “eyes and ears” for the 9-1-1 operator. Your child should also tell the operator how old they are so the operator knows how to give ...