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Children's health articles

Berthelsen family (Harris, far left)
'I help school staff keep my son safe'
How do you make sure your child sticks to an allergy-restricted diet when they’re not at home? Derrick and Alison Berthelsen’s son, Harris, has a serious nut allergy – Alison tells us how she’s worked with his schools to manage it.
Pupil queuing for school meal
Managing allergies at school: a guide for parents
It’s easy to keep track of what your child eats when they’re at home, but school is another matter. We’ve rounded up the latest advice on how to manage your child’s allergies at school.
Child washing hands at sink
Threadworms: all your questions answered
It’s easy to feel horrified if your child gets threadworms, but don’t panic! They’re very common among kids – and easy to treat. Here are all your pressing questions answered.
Parent cooking with child
Cooking with kids: the educational benefits
Cooking with children has some great educational and health benefits, from practising maths skills to exploring different ingredients. We take a look at what your child could learn in the kitchen.
Cartoon girls playing
How to make outdoor play safe
The sights and sounds of children playing together outdoors have waned over the years, but with them go many learning benefits. Try these tips to inspire safe play outdoors.
Child on climbing frame
The importance of children's play
Play helps a child develop their creative abilities, and takes them into a fun, positive and imaginative world where anything is possible. We explore the benefits of play and offer top tips on how you can encourage all the family to join in.
Children playing 'pile on'
What supervised indoor play offers your child
Children's play is not only a great learning experience, it also can affect their approach to physical exercise and activities in years to come. We take a look at what play centres could offer your child.
Brother and sister playing on laptop
Screen time rules
What do children really think about the amount of time they spend playing computer games? And how can you establish appropriate screen time so your child benefits from technology and all it has to offer? Denise Roberts finds out.
Boy scratching his head
Your headlice questions answered
Most families have some experience of head lice but do you understand how they spread and how to battle an infestation? Here’s everything you need to know.
Child having hair combed
Beating headlice: the facts and the fiction
Up to a quarter of UK schoolchildren may have headlice, and more than two-thirds have had nits at least once – so what can parents do to fight them off? We find out.
Boy being treated for headlice
Headlice myths busted
From playground gossip to ill-informed parents, there are a lot of false beliefs about headlice out there. It's time to set the record straight!
Mum looking for lice in daughter's hair
Heads up on headlice
Nurse Consultant Christine Brown shares her advice on how to get rid of headlice – and stop the little beasts coming back.
Sick child
Childhood meningitis – your need to know guide
We give you the lowdown on the disease and how you can recognise the signs to help protect your child’s health.
Leaving your child home alone in the UK
Leaving your child home alone: when is it safe?
At what age can your child safely be left at home while you go out? Read our advice on how to decide, with advice about the legalities in the UK.
Bucket and spade on the beach
Top tips for safety in the sun
When your child is out in the sunshine, in the UK or abroad, they need to be protected. Follow this advice to keep them safe.
Family in the park
Child safety while playing outdoors
Outdoors play is important for children’s development – and great fun. So how can we ensure they stay safe?
Girl on climbing frame
Child safety today
How has child safety changed over the years? Are there new risks? We take a look at today’s child safety issues and what you can do to protect your children.
Children crossing the road
How to teach children road safety
Making sure your child learns all about road safety from a young age is key to preventing accidents later on in life. Follow these tips on ways you can help your little ones learn the basics of staying safe on the road.
Bike bell
Safe cycling tips for kids
When your child is ready to cycle unsupervised, it’s important to make sure they know how to be safe on the roads. Here are the steps you need to take.
Family walking outdoors
Walking and orienteering for kids
Walking is something most of us take for granted. But did you know that regularly taking the kids on a walk has some great health and educational benefits? We take a look at what walking could offer your child.
Family relaxing in bed
Why relaxation is important for children
With so much going on in their lives, children need to find time to simply unwind, put their feet up, and have some all important 'me-time'. We take a look at the educational and psychological benefits of encouraging children to relax.
Children holding hands
Managing eczema at school
With one in five children suffering from eczema, we take a look at how to help your child manage their condition at school.
Walking on the school run with mother and sister
Walking the school run
Encouraging your child to take to their feet and walk to school has many health, social, and environmental benefits – for the whole family. Put your best foot forward and start the school day with a stroll today!
Tackling obesity through sport
Tackling childhood obesity through PE
Gaining a good, well-rounded physical education can benefit your child's health and weight for years to come. We take a look at how physical education can help the fight against childhood obesity.
Little boy in the bath
Personal hygiene learning for children
We take a look at some of the important issues surrounding personal hygiene and discover why a clean child is a happy child.
Overweight boy
Childhood obesity – what you need to know
In the UK today around one million children under 16 are obese according to the British Medical Association (BMA). Childhood obesity is now referred to as a 'time bomb', but what does this mean for the health of our children?
Children playing in the park
Recognising Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children
All children have daily rituals and habits, but when they start to become stressful for the child it can be a sign that something isn't quite right. Here’s your guide to identifying OCD.
Brothers riding their bikes
Top 10 activities to get kids active
Struggle to peel your child off the sofa to get some exercise? Try these fun activities to get them up and out.
Luke Pennystan Unsplash
How to look after your child's mental health
Coping with a child who has mental health issues is never easy for parents or carers. We take a look at some of the things you can do to ensure a healthy, happy recovery.
Girl struggling with vision
How to recognise eyesight problems in your child
Are you worried about your child's eyesight? We take a look at some common problems which may affect them and how you can spot the signs.
Child having an eye test
Your child's eyesight – what you need to know
Do you take your child for regular eye examinations? We look at why it’s important for their health and the different children's eyesight problems that can arise.
Parent tucking child into bed
Your bedwetting questions answered
Need help training your child out of having accidents? Read our expert answers to your pressing questions.
Child asleep on their desk
Tips for a good night’s sleep
With sleep and success at school closely linked, how can you help your child have a more restful and refreshing night?
Boy playing cricket
How to keep your family fit and active
After long days at work and school, exercise is often the last thing on our minds, yet it's crucial for our health. So what can we do to keep active as a family and pack everyday life with easy, enjoyable exercise opportunities?
Sperm and egg
Top tips on talking to your kids about the birds and the bees
As a parent it’s not always easy to know where to start when it comes to your children's sex education. To help ease into the subject, try our top tips.
Mum and daughter talking
How to talk to your child about sex
Not many parents relish the thought of having the "birds and the bees talk" with their children. We asked professionals for tips on making conversations about sex, puberty and relationships easier.
Girl lying on grass laughing
Top 10 ways to calm your child's fears about SATs
Give your child some all important “me time” during their SATs with our top tips on how to relax the mind and body and make for a healthier, happier learner!