700 Children's® – A Blog by Pediatric Experts

Posts About Child Development

Posted by: Geri Hewitt, MD on Oct 15, 2025

First published December 2015 Updated October 2025 When you’re pregnant, it seems like everyone has something to say about what you should eat or drink, and it can be stressful trying to listen to all the advice.

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massage therapy for children.
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Benefits of Massage Therapy for Children
Your young ones are more active than ever, in mind and in body. Teaching them to manage stress and body awareness while they are young can help prevent a lifetime of chronic pain and poor habits.
A young girl with curly hair smiles while climbing through a rope net on a playground. She is framed by knotted ropes and looks directly at the camera, appearing happy and active.
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Kindergarten Readiness and Changing Expectations
Today’s kindergarten is more rigorous than ever—focusing on reading, writing, and math from day one. Learn what the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment measures, why expectations have shifted, and how parents, schools, and communities across Ohio are working together to help kids start strong.

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About this Blog

Pediatric News You Can Use From America’s Largest Pediatric Hospital and Research Center

700 Children’s® features the most current pediatric health care information and research from our pediatric experts – physicians and specialists who have seen it all. Many of them are parents and bring a special understanding to what our patients and families experience. If you have a child – or care for a child – 700 Children’s was created especially for you.

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Latest Posts

Is Strength Training Safe for Kids?

Mar 01, 2016

The safety and effectiveness of children participating in strength training has previously been a source of great debate. However, despite previous misconceptions there is now evidence supporting strength training by pre-adolescent and adolescent children and its acceptance by medical and fitness Read More

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Eating Disorders: Awareness is the First Step

Feb 23, 2016

As the medical director of Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Eating Disorders Program, I am a passionate advocate, but I must be honest – I was skeptical when asked to write about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Read More

Cholesterol Screening for Kids - When Should Your Child be Tested?

Feb 03, 2016

You probably know that you need to get your blood lipids, or cholesterol, checked regularly as a way to understand your risk for cardiovascular disease. But you might wonder why your 10 year old needs to have her cholesterol checked. Read More

Early Sports Specialization: Does Benefit Outweigh Risk?

Jan 05, 2016

Early sports specialization is when a young athlete chooses a single sport to practice and play exclusively. This usually occurs prior to elementary or middle school, is nearly year-round, and is an attempt to gain early skills. Read More

Our Top 10 Posts of 2015

Dec 31, 2015

As we wrap up 2015, we want to take a moment to put a bow on the top ten 700 Children’s posts from the past year. This site is a wealth of information from our clinicians, researchers and staff and we thank them, and our readers, for sharing this space with us. Read More

Are Scented Candles and Air Fresheners Harming Your Child?

Dec 03, 2015

Scented candles and air fresheners are popular items that many families use inside their homes. But recent reports have found their way to the internet regarding the potential harm from these items, some of which are exaggerated or misconstrued, whereas others have more merit. Read More

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Should Every Child Be Screened?

Nov 17, 2015

For several years, most pediatricians have been following guidelines created by medical experts that suggest all children between the ages of 18 and 24 months be screened for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – even if the parents aren’t worried about development or behavior. Read More

Indoor Activities for Kids When the Weather Gets Cold

Oct 22, 2015

As a developmental Physical Therapist, one of my jobs is to help kids become and remain active. But as a parent, I know the struggles of keeping kids active, especially during the upcoming cold, wet season. Read More