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The Benefits of Awe-Inspiring Experiences for Kids

HealthNews · Sep 7, 2023 ·

We have all known the sensation of wonder and amazement when we experience something “awesome” like a spectacular rainbow. It turns out that ‘awe’- the overwhelming feeling of respect and amazement, often created by something vast and mysterious- is an important emotion with lots of benefits. Sources of awe might be nature, art, music, spirituality, or a demonstration of courage.

Experiencing awe has been well studied in kids and adults and has been shown to increase creativity and curiosity, which fuel learning. Awe increases positive feelings, decreases negative feelings, and helps with emotional regulation and the ability to handle stress. Awe inspiring moments give children stronger feelings of connection and cooperation, especially if shared with others. Family bonds are strengthened by family members witnessing something ‘awesome’ together. Prosocial behavior (behavior that benefits others) has been shown to be more likely after experiencing awe.

In the face of something vast like a starry sky or beautiful ocean, we may feel more humble, understanding how small we really are in the world. This feeling of humility can put our own issues and struggles in perspective and encourage us to think beyond ourselves. This is particularly important now given social media use with its constant attention on us as individuals and how we appear to others.

When nature is the source of wonder, kids tend to feel more comfortable and confident in the outdoors. Nature-inspired awe also can decrease PTSD and overall stress. Feeling awe after doing something brave or challenging can increase a child’s resiliency and ‘grit’.

The benefits of awe have a biologic basis. Research shows that feelings of awe decrease cytokines, chemicals in the body which are related to inflammation, illness, and depression. Awe can also cause the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with love and empathy.

There are relatively simple ways to encourage more awe, terrific for both our kids and ourselves:

Slow down and take time to notice the little things such as birds in flight, changing leaves, or a butterfly
Have more unstructured time, less rushed time and put away the phones and devices
Expose your child to art (such as galleries and museums), dance, and music; there are many local opportunities for this
Look for science activities that inspire wonder, such as going to a planetarium or a science museum
Get out in nature more, taking the time to comment on and express curiosity about what you see and hear
Notice and discuss courageous and kind behavior
Read books about brave and pioneering individuals
Create experiences at unusual times such as an early walk at sunrise or stargazing late at night (yes, after bedtime!); these can be very impactful
Consider doing journaling or artwork about awe-inspiring experiences
Although in-person is best, watching nature documentaries can also create feelings of awe
Express awe yourself- get excited about wondrous things and share those feelings with your child

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Vehicular Heat Stroke in Children

HealthNews · Jun 6, 2023 ·

Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

As summer approaches and the outdoor temperature increases, a danger looms for children- vehicular heatstroke (VHS), which is heat injury due to being in a hot car or other vehicle. These deaths are so preventable, and as a parent you may wonder how such a thing could happen, but vehicular heatstroke claims an average of 38 children’s lives a year in the US, with almost a thousand deaths since 1998.

Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and occurs when the core body temperature is over 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit with signs of nervous system injury including confusion, seizures, and coma. Dehydration along with heat exposure can cause deadly heat stroke. Children are more at risk because they sweat less than adults and can overheat more quickly.

Vehicular heatstroke most often occurs when an adult ‘forgets’ a child in a car, often when the adult is on the way to work, intending to stop at childcare first. A change in routine such as a different parent doing the drop-off can also increase the risk. Parental stress or sleep deprivation can be contributing factors. Vehicular heat stroke can also occur if kids are playing in a car and accidentally lock themselves in.

The outside temperature does not need to be extremely high for vehicles to become dangerously hot. VHS has happened with outside temperatures as low as 57 degrees. A car can heat up 20 degrees in 10 minutes on a sunny day, and 72 degrees outside can become 117 degrees in a vehicle within 1 hour. Cracking the window or parking in the shade make little difference in term of the car heating up. Climate change also means more hot days and more extreme heat.

There are steps we can take to minimize the risk of this tragedy:

Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended even briefly
Make it a habit to open the back door of the car when you park, just to check the backseat.
Put some important item you need for your day- purse, iPad, employee badge, etc. in the back seat near your child.
Keep a stuffed animal or something similarly eye-catching in the car seat when empty and move it to the front passenger seat when the car seat is in use as a reminder.
Remember the phrase “Look before you lock”.
Instruct your childcare provider to contact a parent if a child is not dropped off as scheduled.
Keep car keys out of reach of kids, and teach them to never play inside cars, trunks, etc.
Teach your child to honk the horn if they are trapped inside a car.
If a child is missing, check all vehicles and trunks immediately.
If you ever see a child alone in a locked vehicle, call 911.

Resources

Prevent Child Deaths in Hot Cars / HealthyChildren.org
Extreme Heat: Keeping Kids Safe When Temperatures Soar / HealthyChildren.org
Kids in Hot Cars – Free Online Course / National Safety Council
Prevent Hot Car Deaths, Check the Back Seat / nhtsa.gov
Car Seat Safety > Heatstroke Prevention / cpsboard.org

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Virtual Second Trimester Session

Kirsten Oursland · Apr 22, 2023 ·

May 4 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Attend between 13-17 weeks

Session meets every 1st and 3rd Thurs of the month at 2:30 PM

During this one-hour virtual session we will cover key topics about the second trimester of your pregnancy. You will hear about nutrition for pregnancy, conditioning exercises, prenatal screening, and tests to monitor fetal wellbeing. This is an interactive forum; bring your questions!

Click Here for More Info

Family Birthing Place

509.962.7328

View Organizer Website

FamilyBirthing@kvhealthcare.org

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Bringing Music into Your Child’s Life

HealthNews · Apr 4, 2023 ·

Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

Children seem to love music right from the start, which makes sense since babies in the womb can hear sound beginning around the fourth to the fifth month of pregnancy. Research has shown the many positives of music for kids, so making music part of your child’s life will reap benefits over their lifetime. Music involvement includes listening to music, playing an instrument, singing, and dancing.

Music exposure for young children increases brain development, according to research done at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2016. This was particularly noted in the areas of language and reading skills. Other research has shown that participation in music classes can increase IQ and standardized test scores along with achievement in English and mathematics. Involvement with music improves patience and listening skills and, therefore, school readiness for young children. Experiencing music and dance of different cultures expands a child’s world view and appreciation of other people.

Music has been shown to decrease stress hormones and anxiety, so much so that it is used in hospitals before surgeries and in dental offices. It increases positive emotions and encourages self-regulation and a sense of calm– obviously beneficial for children of all ages. Playing an instrument and dancing help develop motor skills and encourage self-expression and creativity. Being part of a music or dance class teaches kids how to participate in a group and work with others; kids learn valuable social skills in these settings.

It is never too early to bring music into your child’s life. Sing to your unborn child and continue this from infancy onward. Talent doesn’t matter, so don’t avoid this if you are not a gifted singer (few of us are). Sing lullabies to your infant, and attach certain songs to activates for your toddler, such as songs for cleaning up, nap time, and bedtime. Nursery rhymes and clapping along are delightful to young children. Preschoolers love silly songs and lots of repetition (think “The Wheels on the Bus”). Quiet background music (at times) is a great way to expose your child to music of different types.

Keep simple musical instruments in your child’s play area, like a tambourine and shakers. You can also make your own ‘instruments’, such as using a wooden spoon to beat pots and pans and putting beans in a childproof small plastic container for a shaker.

Older kids enjoy music classes in school and benefit from music and dance lessons outside of school as well. Watching dance videos with your child and trying to learn dances together is a fun musical activity. Going to concerts and dance performances connects kids with others and encourages attention and listening skills.

So, start early by filling your child’s life with music and dance of all types. Have fun, and let it awaken the child within you, too. Look online to find lots of local opportunities for music and dance, both for classes and live events. We are also fortunate to have the outstanding music department at Central Washington University, which offers many concerts which are family-friendly.

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Experience Healthcare

Kirsten Oursland · Apr 4, 2023 ·

July 17 @ 8:00 am – July 21 @ 5:00 pm

XpHC | Summer 2023

Experience Healthcare is a fun and rewarding week long program introducing attendees to healthcare careers. Kittitas Valley Healthcare will host one Experience Healthcare session, which will be July 17-July 21 from 8am-5pm. Students will learn all aspects of working in healthcare, learn about the range of careers within the field, and learn practical skills! See the Flyer

Our goal is to convey What makes healthcare the best field to work in, how important it is, and how it’s worth it and the variety of jobs that are in the medical field.

Our hope is to develop a future healthcare workforce for the community and to show high school Juniors who don’t have career plans that there are other careers within/that support healthcare.

Interested? Talk to your school counselor today or ~~Apply Here~~ (closed). Space is limited. Application deadline June 11th (extended).

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Parenting Your Teenager

HealthNews · Mar 3, 2023 ·

Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

As kids get older, the joys and challenges of parenting change. Teenagers can be wonderful people—enthusiastic, very involved with friends, and with passionate opinions and feelings. However, they can also be impulsive, take risks and feel invulnerable, creating a setup for poor decisions. In addition, teens are working on independence, which can mean pushing back against authority (i.e., us parents). It is all-natural but can create some tension in the household.

Many parenting goals now are the same as when your child was younger, such as encouraging a healthy lifestyle. This includes good nutrition, family meals, getting outside regularly, and adequate sleep. Teens generally need 8-10 hours of sleep nightly but often want to stay up late and then sleep in or have difficulty getting up for school. “Sleeping in” on the weekends should be no more than 1-2 hours later than usual, and naps should be avoided. There should be no caffeine later in the day (this includes pop). Phones or other devices should not be used within an hour of bedtime; ideally, phones are out of the bedroom at night to limit temptation. If you feel this won’t work, parental controls can also be used to manage data access.

Safety is a big topic for teens— so many new things are happening! Driving, dating, possible alcohol and drug use, mental health concerns. Find moments to chat with your teen about some of these issues in shorter conversations, possibly when the two of you are in the car or making a meal. If something is in the news, such as cyberbullying, use that as a start to a discussion (not a lecture). Acknowledge that things are more complicated and high-pressured for them than when you were a teen and that you would like to know more about their world.

Encouraging autonomy means having clear, consistent rules and expectations (ideally agreed upon by your teen) for driving, dating, curfew, etc., gradually giving them more freedom. Acknowledging their successes helps build confidence and will make you comfortable giving them more responsibility. Consequences for poor behavior should be “firm and fair” and be understood by your child beforehand. Give your child a more significant voice on decisions such as meals, activities, and family plans; weekly brief family meetings are a great time to let your teen know their input is valued.

Teens are really in training for adulthood, and you need to give them life skills to succeed. Having chores, learning to set a budget, and being able to cook and clean are crucial. A part-time job encourages responsibility and teaches your teen to balance work, school, and other activities. Learning to drive can be challenging and perhaps worrisome to parents, but it is necessary to become independent. Teens should know how to do essential home repairs, change a tire and deal with small emergencies (such as power outages or grease fires in the kitchen). Teach them essential money management, such as using a credit card responsibly and spending wisely within their means. Learning to regulate emotions is also a necessary part of growing up. Model this by trying to remain calm, talking about your feelings, or taking a break from an uncomfortable situation.

The teen years can be challenging for you and your child as they strive for more independence. Mistakes may be made, but let them know you are there to support them. Don’t be afraid to tell them you love them, even if it sometimes feels awkward. They may not always act like it, but adolescents still want to know they are loved unconditionally, so even a brief hug or high five is reassuring when life may feel stressful and confusing.

Resources

American Academy of Sleep Medicine
HealthyChildren.org / American Academy of Pediatrics
CDC.gov/parents/teens

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Gun Safety and Your Child

HealthNews · Feb 6, 2023 ·

Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

Parents want to keep their children safe, and an increasingly important part of this relates to gun safety. The leading cause of death in the US for kids (those 18 years old and under) is now firearm-related injuries. There were 301 unintentional shootings by kids in 2022, which caused 133 deaths and 180 injuries. Regardless of opinions on gun control, we all want to prevent these tragedies, making proper storage of weapons and ammunition crucial. Whether you have guns in your home or not, there are important steps you can take to keep kids safe.

Home safety

If you decide to keep a firearm in your home, make sure all guns are locked and unloaded, with ammunition stored separately and securely. Store weapons in a gun cabinet, vault, safe, or storage case. Keys and combinations for these need to be hidden. Fingerprint lock technology is another way to prevent children from gaining access to the safe. Consider a trigger lock as well to prevent the gun from firing. If firearms are in a vehicle, they should also be in a locked safe with ammunition stored and secured separately.

Studies have shown that contrary to what parents may believe, children generally do know where guns are in the home, can get access to a loaded weapon in minutes, and many have handled them without adult supervision.

Safety out of the home

Over one third of accidental shootings of children happen in other people’s homes. It is vital that you discuss gun safety with the parents of your child’s friends when arranging get togethers. Just as you would go over other safety information such as food allergies, adult supervision, or bike helmet use if appropriate, you need to ask about guns- in their home and vehicles. Without any judgement, ask if the other family has guns and if so, how the guns and ammunition are stored. You could also volunteer how you secure weapons at your house. If guns and ammunition are not stored appropriately by the other parents, you can suggest that they be secured but if the situation does not seem safe, have the playdate at your home instead. Think of how you would handle the situation if the other family had a pool without safety measures in place. Have similar discussions with family members or caregivers where your child spends time. These conversations may feel awkward at first, but it is your child’s safety on the line.

Talking to your children

Remind kids that if they see a gun that is not locked up, they should refrain from touching it, leave the area and tell an adult right away. Children should be taught to always assume a gun is loaded. Gun safety and hunter responsibility classes are recommended but are not a guarantee that a child will be safe around unsecured guns.

Mental health concerns

If someone in the home has depression or suicidal thoughts, firearms should be removed from the home while there is an active concern. Guns may be stored temporarily with local law enforcement (check on-line) or with a friend or family member living outside the household.