Kid's Corner
The State of Illinois cares about you and your children. Kid’s Corner is Be Well Illinois’ way of providing helpful information to support you with wellness needs of your children. Remember, your physician is an important partner in the care of your child. It’s important to have an established relationship with a physician and make sure your child has regular wellness checks.
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September is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Awareness Month
As much as parents may not like to think about it, the truth is that many kids and teens try alcohol during their high school and college years, long before it's legal for them to drink it. Research has shown that nearly 80% of high school kids have tried alcohol.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
When it comes to a smooth back-to-school experience, preparation is key. Gathering school supplies and catching up on doctor visits and other health basics can help children stay healthy and succeed in school.
July is UV Safety Awareness Month
For many people, summer is the best time of the year. However, nothing puts the brakes on a good summer day like a bad sunburn. Put plans in place to protect your family as they enjoy all summer has to offer.
June is Migraine & Headache Awareness Month
A headache is pain felt somewhere in the head or neck. They're very common in kids. It's important to understand how to recognize when a headache is a passing pain or if it's something more and needs medical care.
May is Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
The number of children with asthma has risen dramatically in the past few decades. Could your child be the one in every ten children who is affected by what is now the most common chronic disease of Childhood? Here’s what parents need to know.
April is Stress Awareness Month
Since April is Stress Awareness Month, here are some tips for those busy mothers, fathers and guardians out there and as a bonus, included are some ways to help your kids overcome their own stress too.
March’s Focus is National Nutrition Month
If you want to be healthy and have energy for all your favorite games and activities, then you need to eat food that is good for you and what will make you strong. How can you tell which foods will do the job?
February's Focus is Heart Health Awareness
The American Heart Association recommends children ages 6 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Preschoolers and toddlers need even more than that.
January’s Focus is National Blood Donor Awareness Month
Young donors play an important role in helping to make sure that blood is available when and where it is needed most. It is important to have the best possible donation experience as you begin your donation journey.
December's Focus is Winter Wellness
Extreme weather conditions and events, like record-low temperatures, can threaten children’s lives and disrupt infrastructure critical to children’s well-being.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month
If you suspect your child has diabetes, it may be a good time to learn about the things you can do as a parent to help spot the symptoms and manage the disease.
October is National Dental Hygiene Month
Dental hygiene is important to your child’s overall health now and in the future. To start them on a good path of daily, lifelong dental habits, here’s some information and tips for children’s dental health.
September is Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month
For most families, a parent's diagnosis of cancer represents a crisis. Family members find that they must adjust not only to the diagnosis, but also to a prolonged period of treatment.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
Childhood vaccines or immunizations can seem overwhelming when you are a new parent. Vaccinations not only protect your child from deadly diseases, they also keep other children safe by eliminating or greatly decreasing dangerous diseases.
July - Focus on Family Wellness
Family fitness challenges make working toward fitness goals much more fun. Collaborating as a family helps you all stay motivated and learn to reach your goals.
The widespread use of smartphones helps users stay connected, but also raises privacy concerns. According to a 2018 study by the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, and 45% say they are online almost constantly.
Teens and young men have tremendous resilience and healing capacity. Healthy young men benefit when they see a doctor for a physical exam every few years, get needed vaccinations and learn the importance of a good diet, exercise, and sufficient sleep.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
It is easy for parents to identify their child’s physical needs, whether its nutritious food, warm clothes when it’s cold or selecting bedtime at a reasonable hour. However, a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious.
May is Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
Young children with asthma may not always understand what it is and what's going on when they have symptoms. However, teaching your child about asthma at a young age can help them communicate better with you when they do have symptoms.