To help your child separate fact from fiction, teach them to: be skeptical, use credible sources, think critically, and embrace learning through science. Start early, and weave these lessons into everyday life. Back when we were young, we Nerdy Girls used encyclopedias, reference books, and textbooks to learn. These days, we are surrounded by a Read more…
💩 Uh-oh- norovirus is surging! ❓How can you stop the spread of a “stomach flu” caused by Norovirus? 🛑 To stop the spread of Norovirus: ➡️ Reach for bleach, wash your hands, don’t share, close the lid, and stay home for two full days if possible. Noroviruses are the most common cause of “stomach bug” Read more…
Q: Why are we hearing so much about Mycoplasma Pneumoniae? A: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause respiratory infections, including cold or flu-like symptoms, bronchitis, and walking pneumonia. Since spring of 2024, cases have risen across the USA, particularly in those 2-4 years old. You may have seen news headlines recently or know someone Read more…
Yes! Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend the vitamin K shot for every newborn. Vitamin K is extremely important for blood clotting and we aren’t born with any, so it’s necessary to give babies an extra boost of Vitamin K to make sure they don’t bleed too much. What Read more…
What are nicotine pouches, and what are their risks for teens? TL;DR: Nicotine pouches are small, flavored microfiber pouches that deliver nicotine through the mouth and gums. As with any nicotine product, they are highly addictive and come with potential risks for developing teen brains. Trusted adults can help. As a millennial who grew up Read more…
Q: What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid? A: Children under 18 are impacted by long COVID and experience many different symptoms that can affect their lives. Vaccines reduce the risk of developing long COVID, but we need more research into prevention and treatment for all age groups. Long Read more…
It is back-to-school season and this is a Nerdy Girl reminder for parents and carers to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Here are a few reasons why your child’s immunizations should be part of your harm reduction toolbox: 1) Vaccines help prevent diseases and can be lifesaving. When you get a Read more…
Ingredients in childhood vaccines are safe and are also common in the environment and other household items. The end of summer is a busy time of year for parents. With health visits and school supplies on the brain, vaccines are probably the last thing on most parents’ minds. But have you ever wondered about what’s Read more…
Chemical sunscreens have no proven health risks, but they ARE proven to protect the skin from the sun’s UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. As with many things in our daily lives, we can’t be sure that chemical sunscreens are 100% risk-free. Still, medical and scientific experts agree that the benefits Read more…
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
A: Whether you are a teacher or a parent, there are lots of resources available to help kids boost their skills in navigating misinformation. Check out a few we like below! 🔵 Checkology: a free e-learning platform from The News Literacy Project that offers interactive lessons led by journalists and other experts on topics including Read more…
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
