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There are several esteemed institutions offering child life specialist programs in California. These programs provide aspiring professionals with the knowledge, skills, and practical experiences necessary to become competent child life specialists.

Through a comprehensive curriculum, clinical training, and mentorship from experienced faculty, these programs prepare students to meet the unique needs of children and families facing medical challenges.

In this article, we will explore some of the best child life specialist programs in California and highlight their key features.

What Is a Child Life Specialist?

Child life specialists are trained professionals who work in healthcare settings to support the emotional and developmental needs of children and their families during medical procedures.

They are experts in child development, psychology, and family systems. Child life specialists provide age-appropriate preparation, education, and therapeutic interventions to help children cope with the stress and anxiety associated with medical experiences.

Medical procedures can be overwhelming and frightening for children, leading to anxiety, fear, and confusion. Child life specialists play a crucial role in minimizing emotional distress and promoting positive coping strategies.

By creating a supportive and child-friendly environment, they help children understand medical procedures, express their feelings, and develop effective coping mechanisms. Child life specialists also collaborate with healthcare teams to advocate for the psychosocial needs of children, ensuring their overall well-being.

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Overview Of Child Life Specialist Programs In California

Child life specialist programs are specialized educational programs that provide comprehensive training and preparation for individuals aspiring to become child life specialists.

These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to support the emotional well-being of children and families in healthcare settings.

The curriculum of these programs typically includes coursework in child development, psychology, family systems, medical terminology, and therapeutic interventions.

Role Of Child Life Specialists In Healthcare Settings

Child life specialists play a crucial role in healthcare by providing psychosocial support to children and families facing medical challenges. They collaborate with healthcare teams, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, to ensure a holistic approach to patient care. Some key responsibilities of child life specialists include:

• Preparing children for medical procedures in a developmentally appropriate and understandable manner
• Using play and other therapeutic techniques to help children cope with stress and anxiety
• Providing emotional support and distraction during medical procedures
• Educating children and families about their medical conditions and treatments
• Advocating for the unique needs of children and families in the healthcare system
• Assisting with bereavement support for children and families experiencing loss

Best Child Life Specialist Programs In California

Several universities and colleges offer child life specialist programs in California. Some of the accredited universities and colleges offering these programs include:

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Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific’s MS in Child Life program is one of only a handful of academic programs in the United States and Canada that is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).

This recognition assures that the program meets the requirements outlined in the ACLP’s Standards for Academic and Clinical Preparation Programs, confirming that the program’s structure, curriculum, resources, support system, and sustainability are of the highest quality.

Azusa Pacific University’s master’s in child life program prepares men and women for this special role, utilizing advanced academic preparation and hands-on experiences within a framework of Christian compassion.

Students can be confident that coursework meets ACLP certification requirements, enabling them to apply for and take the exam to become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). it is one of the best child life specialist programs in California.

Address: 901 E Alosta Ave, Azusa, CA 91702, United States

Phone: +1 626-969-3434

Loma Linda University

As one of the few graduate programs in the nation that is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals, students can expect a high level of both preparation and personal interaction as they embark on their careers.

Loma Linda University shares the same campus as the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. This enables the program to provide in-class clinical training by utilizing the hospital staff and their facilities as a working lab. All of the core child life courses are taught by certified child life specialists that have ten or more years of experience working in a clinical setting.

The MS Child Life Specialist degree is housed in the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences in the School of Behavioral Health. Master’s degree students may choose to combine one or more certificate options with their degree program.

Certificates are offered in the following specializations: Drug and Alcohol Counseling (Certificate Online), Play Therapy (Certificate Online), and School Counseling (Certificate). This school offers one of the best child life specialist programs in California.

Address: Riggs Hall – 11065 Campus St. Loma Linda, CA 92350, United States

Phone: +1 909-558-1900

University of California, Santa Barbara

Another one of the best child life specialist programs in California is the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) program offers a Child Life Specialist program. This program provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to support children and families facing medical challenges.

PaCE’s Child Life Specialist program is designed to be flexible and accessible, accommodating the needs of working professionals or individuals with busy schedules.

The curriculum covers various aspects of child life specialization, including child development, family-centred care, medical terminology, psychosocial assessment, and therapeutic interventions. Students learn how to effectively prepare children for medical procedures, provide emotional support, and facilitate play-based interventions to help children cope with the stress and anxiety of healthcare experiences.

The program also emphasizes the importance of cultural competency, diversity, and ethical practices in the field of child life. Students gain practical experience through internships in healthcare settings, allowing them to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

The UC Santa Barbara PaCE’s Child Life Specialist program is designed to prepare students for a career as child life specialists, equipping them with the necessary skills to positively impact the emotional well-being of children and families in healthcare settings.

Address: Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States

Phone: +1 805-893-8000

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Program

When comparing child life specialist programs in California, several key factors should be considered:

• Accreditation: Programs accredited by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) ensure adherence to quality standards and eligibility for professional certification.
• Curriculum: Assess the breadth and depth of the curriculum, including the relevance and variety of courses offered, and whether it aligns with your career goals and interests.
• Clinical Experience: Evaluate the clinical experience and internship opportunities provided, including the diversity of settings and the level of hands-on experience offered.
• Faculty Expertise: Consider the qualifications and expertise of the faculty members, including their professional experience, research involvement, and contributions to the field.
• Student Support: Assess the resources, services, and support available to students, such as libraries, career counselling, networking opportunities, and alumni connections.
• Location and Accessibility: Consider the location of the program and whether it aligns with your preferences and potential opportunities for practical experiences.
• Program Focus: Some programs may have a specific focus, such as trauma-informed care, bereavement support, or working with specific populations, which may align with your career interests.
• Clinical Placement Opportunities: Evaluate the range and quality of clinical placement opportunities available to students, including partnerships with renowned hospitals or specialized pediatric units.
• Alumni Network: Explore the strength and engagement of the program’s alumni network, as it can provide valuable networking, mentoring, and job placement opportunities.
• Research Opportunities: If you have an interest in research or academia, consider programs that offer research opportunities, faculty collaborations, or access to research centers focused on child life specialization.
• Professional Development: Look for programs that offer workshops, conferences, or other opportunities for professional development, as they can enhance your knowledge, skills, and networking within the field.

By comparing these factors and considering your personal career goals, you can make an informed decision about which child life specialist programs in California best suits your needs and aspirations.

Applying to Child Life Specialist Programs In California

When applying to child life specialist programs in California, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the application process and requirements. The specific process may vary between programs, but common components of the application include:

• Online Application: Complete the program’s online application form, providing personal and educational information.
• Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, demonstrating academic performance.
• Letters of Recommendation: Obtain letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or professionals familiar with your academic and/or work experience.
• Personal Statement: Write a compelling personal statement that highlights your motivation, relevant experiences, and career goals in child life specialization.
• Application Fee: Pay the application fee, if required.

Conclusion

In conclusion, child life specialist programs in California play a vital role in supporting the emotional well-being of children and families facing medical challenges.

These programs provide specialized education and training, equipping aspiring child life specialists with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to excel in the field.

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Behavioral therapy for a child becomes necessary when the child begins to show questionable behaviors that start becoming a lifestyle.

For example, children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other related issues require behavioral therapy after their diagnosis.

This therapy helps the child overcome whatever triggers the behavior and teaches them how to unlearn and handle themselves.

Moreover, behavioral therapy largely requires the inclusion of parents or caregivers. It helps them understand the state of their children’s minds and how to strategically veer them away from such questionable behaviors. As we proceed, we must understand behavioral therapy and how it can help a child.

What is behavioral therapy?

Behavioral therapy is a technique used by professionals to help curb disorderly behavior in children. It focuses on teaching children new methods and behaviors and changing their thoughts and feelings about certain situations.

More so, behavioral therapy uses techniques such as positive reinforcement and modeling to help people learn how to cope with stressful or difficult situations. These techniques may differ according to diagnosis; however, they all have the same goal to improve the behavioral aspect of the child.

Parents are also taught how to handle their child’s behavior in a new and different way. For example, a child diagnosed with anger issues may get away with anything because parents naturally tend to overlook and take the easiest available option to pacify the young child before the tantrum escalates. However, during behavioral therapy, parents learn more efficient and effective ways to handle a situation at home.

They will understand that their perceived easiest route out of their child’s anger issue may not be the best for them and the child. They may need to offer rewards when the child acts calmly in the face of a situation and firmly stand by it.

What are the types of behavioral therapies?

People of different age grades can require behavioral therapy, including children under five. Behavioral therapy is a broad field and comes in various types which deal with different mental issues. For clarity, we have a list of some of the therapies:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is another therapy that focuses on helping individuals identify and modify dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors that lead to distress.

The professionals use these techniques to target the pattern of the patient’s thoughts and their following actions. The therapy helps to correct the flow of thoughts and how to act in situations that would have resulted in distress.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

This type of therapy was primarily established to treat patients with borderline personality disorder, and this disorder paves the way for other dangerous mental sicknesses, including intensive suicidal thoughts.

So, DBT focuses on helping these individuals manage their emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthy coping skills.

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Systematic Desensitization

This type of therapy helps individuals with phobias or anxieties by gradually exposing them to feared objects or situations.

This type of therapy helps individuals calmly confront their fears and anxieties. Most times, patients take their time to thoroughly do away with fear and anxiety, but the professionals help them to conquer their fears through techniques like the breathing technique.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

This type of therapy encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to taking action that is consistent with their values. One of the techniques helpful in this kind of therapy is the mindfulness-awareness method.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

This therapy focuses on helping individuals identify and modify irrational beliefs that lead to distress.

Children behavioral therapy

When it comes to kids, the techniques become more doused and accommodating. This includes turning a cognitive behavioral therapy session into a supervised play period.

Through these, the therapists work directly with the children and proffer a lasting solution like a coping mechanism.

When a child is involved, everything about this process becomes very sensitive and must be handled carefully. So, aside from the therapies mentioned above, a child-friendly procedure will include the following:

Family therapy

Here, the child is not hand-picked for the therapy sessions. The whole family, which primarily includes the parents, must be involved.

Family therapy can collectively understand the child involved and learn how to proceed from the situation. More so, the therapist learns about the entire family and professionally decides how they can be individually and collectively helpful to the child.

Play therapy

Play therapy is a psychological therapy that involves playing and creative activities as a way for children to express their thoughts and feelings. It is based on the belief that children can express themselves more freely through play than verbal communication.

During play therapy, the therapist uses the opportunity to monitor the child and analyze their mental state and problem.

This method is highly effective as it can help children with various issues, such as difficulty in social situations, difficulty expressing emotions, and difficulty forming relationships.

Play therapy is also used to address behavior problems and to help children work through trauma.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for younger children who show emotional and behavioral disorders. This therapy emphasizes improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and changing parent-child interaction patterns.

PCIT uniquely combines play therapy and parent training to help parents learn more positive, effective ways to interact with their child to promote positive behavior, all under the watchful eyes and guidance of the therapist, who may be directing things from a separate room.

Hence, this therapy’s final result helps children improve their behavior and emotion regulation and build attachment with their parents.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has also been a breakthrough for adopted children and their new parents or parents who have been away for a very long time to bond.

Why is behavioral therapy for a child necessary?

Diagnoses are scary events in life; when they occur, people involved begin to seek the proper medications immediately.

So is the situation with parents of children diagnosed with mental issues. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is better to begin behavioral therapy for children presenting with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) first. Especially children from two to seven years old, and maybe follow up with medications if necessary.

Parents who offer medications first may only successfully suppress the symptoms without addressing the root or helping the child know how to behave when faced with triggers. Therefore, causing more harm than good to the child.

Benefits of behavioral therapy for a child

Behavioral therapy for a child is necessary because it can help children learn to manage their emotions, build confidence, improve communication skills, and develop better problem-solving abilities.

Furthermore, it can help children develop healthy coping strategies to deal with difficult situations, improve relationships with peers and adults, and understand the consequences of their actions.

Conclusion on behavioral therapy for a child

Behavioral therapy may require many sessions and stretched patience, depending on the severity of the child’s condition.

Be as it may, child behavioral therapy always comes through for mostly all kids and their families needing it.

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You may know someone who has been diagnosed with or is suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But how much do you know about this most common childhood brain disorder?

A fact from WebMD shows that ADHD is the most common mental or developmental disorder among children in the United States. Children under the age of 18 with ADHD outnumber those with autism spectrum disorder by nearly four to one.

ADHD symptoms typically appear between the ages of 3 and 6. Children with more severe ADHD are typically diagnosed around the age of five. Mild cases are typically discovered around the age of eight. Children with hyperactivity and impulsivity are frequently diagnosed earlier than children with inattention alone.

It should also be noted that ADHD can become milder or change as children grow. For example, hyperactivity may subside as they age. However, young adults with ADHD may suffer from depression, mood disorders, or substance abuse issues.

In this article, we will be discussing how to help a child suffering from ADHD, but before that we need to understand what ADHD is all about so as to find the best way to help a child out.

Understanding ADHD

It is important to understand the meaning of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD is a chronic condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and, at times, impulsivity. ADHD usually begins in childhood and lasts into adulthood. As adults, up to two out of every three children with ADHD continue to have symptoms.

ADHD symptoms vary from person to person, but there are three basic types of ADHD. The term “addiction” refers to the process of becoming addicted to something. When the primary symptoms are inattention, distraction, and disorganization, the condition is referred to as primarily inattentive.

The symptoms of hyperactivity and possibly impulsiveness appear to fade with age, but they are still present in the hyperactive/impulsive type. The third type, known as the combined type, shares some symptoms with the other two.

Children with ADHD frequently struggle to function at home and at school, and they may have difficulty making and maintaining friends. If untreated, ADHD can interfere with school, work, and social and emotional development.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms can be divided into two types of behavioral issues:

• inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
• impulsiveness and hyperactivity

Many ADHD patients have issues that fall into both of these categories, but this is not always the case.

For example, approximately 2 to 3 out of every 10 people with the condition have difficulty concentrating and focusing, but not hyperactivity or impulsiveness.

This form of ADHD is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). Because the symptoms of ADD are not always obvious, they can go unnoticed.

ADHD is more common in boys than in girls. Girls are more likely to have symptoms of inattention only and are less likely to exhibit disruptive behavior that highlights ADHD symptoms. As a result, girls with ADHD may not always be diagnosed.

Symptoms in Children and Adolescents

ADHD symptoms in children and teenagers are well-defined, and they usually appear before the age of six. They occur in multiple contexts, such as at home and at school.

Children may exhibit symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity and impulsiveness, or they may exhibit only one of these types of behavior.

Impulsiveness and hyperactivity

The main symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are inability to sit still, particularly in calm or quiet surroundings, unable to concentrate on tasks due to constant fidgeting, Excessive physical movement, excessive talking, inability to wait their turn, acting without thinking, interrupting conversations, and a lack of a sense of danger.

Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)

The following are the primary indicators of inattention:

• Being easily distracted and having a short attention span
• Making careless mistakes, such as in schoolwork
• Appearing to be forgetful or to be losing things
• Being unable to complete time-consuming or tedious tasks
• Appearing unable to listen to or follow instructions
• A task or activity that is constantly changing
• Having trouble organizing tasks.

These symptoms can lead to significant problems in a child’s life, such as academic underachievement, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and behavioral issues.

What are the Possible Causes of ADHD in child?

Scientists are researching the cause(s) and risk factors of ADHD in order to find better ways to manage and reduce the likelihood of a person having the disorder.

Although the cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, current research indicates that genetics plays a significant role. Recent research has linked genetic factors, Brain structure and function, and Threatened groups to ADHD.

Genetic factors

ADHD runs in families, and it’s thought that the genes you inherit from your parents play a significant role in developing the condition.

According to research, parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have the disorder themselves.

However, the inheritance of ADHD is likely to be complex, and it is not thought to be caused by a single genetic flaw.

Brain structure and function

A number of possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD and those without the condition have been identified by research, though the exact significance of these differences is unknown.

Brain scan studies, for example, have suggested that certain areas of the brain in people with ADHD may be smaller, while others may be larger.

Other research has suggested that people with ADHD may have an imbalance in neurotransmitter levels in the brain, or that these chemicals may not work properly.

Threatened groups

Certain people are also thought to be more vulnerable to ADHD, including those who were born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) or with low birthweight, people with epilepsy, and people with brain damage – which occurred either in the womb or later in life.

Possible steps to help a child with ADHD

It can be difficult to care for a child who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD’s impulsive, fearless, and chaotic behaviors can make daily activities exhausting and stressful.

Pay Positive Attention

Parenting an ADHD child can be exhausting. Even the most patient parent can become exhausted by their never-ending supply of energy and desire to talk all the time. Providing a child with ADHD with positive attention, on the other hand, is a wise investment.

Positive playtime reduces the need for attention. It will also improve the effectiveness of your consequences. Set aside one-on-one time with your child every day, no matter how difficult their behavior has been.

Exercise

Ensure that your child gets plenty of physical activity throughout the day. Walking, skipping, and participating in sports can help your child exhaust themselves and improve their sleep quality.

Check that they aren’t doing anything strenuous or exciting close to bedtime.

When Necessary, Use Time-Out

Time-outs can be an effective way to help children with ADHD calm their bodies and minds.

A time-out does not have to be severe. Instead, it can be a valuable life skill that can be applied in a variety of situations.

Teach your child to go to a quiet place to calm down when they are overstimulated or frustrated. Make a comfortable space for them and gently lead them there, not as punishment, but as a way for them to relax. Before getting into trouble, your child will eventually learn to go to this location on their own.

Recognize Your Child’s Hard Work

Catch your child doing something good and praise them. Children with ADHD respond positively to praise, and frequent feedback is essential.

Make your compliments specific. You could probably say, “Great job putting your dish in the sink right when I asked you to,” instead of “well done.” Praise your child for following directions, playing quietly, and sitting still, and they will be more likely to continue.

Eating

It is important for you to keep a close eye on what your child consumes. If your child becomes hyperactive after eating certain foods that may contain additives or caffeine, keep a diary of these and consult with your doctor.

Provide Clear Instructions

Children with short attention spans require extra assistance in following directions. They frequently do not hear the instructions in the first place. To improve the effectiveness of your instructions, begin by capturing your child’s full attention. Turn off the television, establish eye contact, and place a hand on your child’s shoulder before making a request.

Avoid chain commands like, “Put on your socks, clean your room, and then take out the trash.” A child with ADHD is more likely to put on their socks and then find something else to do on the way to their room rather than cleaning it. Give each instruction one at a time.

Night time

Sleep issues and ADHD can create a vicious circle. ADHD can cause sleep problems, which can exacerbate symptoms.

Many children with ADHD wake up frequently after being put to bed and have disrupted sleep patterns. Trying a sleep-friendly routine can benefit your child and make bedtime less stressful.

Ignore Minor Infractions

Attention-seeking behavior is common in children with ADHD. Giving them attention, even if it is negative, encourages them to continue their behavior.

Ignoring minor misbehavior teaches them that obnoxious behavior will not result in desired outcomes. Ignore whining, complaining, loud noises, and interruption attempts. Your child will eventually stop.

Create a Reward System

Reward systems can be an excellent way to keep children with ADHD on track.

Traditional reward systems, however, often bore children with ADHD because they require them to wait too long to earn a reward. Consider implementing a token economy system to assist your child in earning tokens throughout the day.

Set a few target token-earning behaviors, such as staying at the table during a meal, using gentle touches with a pet, or putting toys away after they have been used. Allow tokens to be exchanged for larger rewards, such as electronics time or the opportunity to play a favorite game together.

Collaboration with Your Child’s Teacher

When parents collaborate with a child’s teacher, the chances of a child’s academic success increase. To be successful, some children require modifications to their schoolwork, such as extra time on tests.

Changes in behavior may also be required. Forcing a child with ADHD to stay in for recess may exacerbate behavioral issues. As a result, it’s critical to collaborate to develop a behavior management plan that will support your child’s efforts to manage their symptoms.

If all these steps are followed accordingly, there’s a high possibility of the child to heal faster.

A final thought on how to help a child with ADHD

Helping a child with ADHD is very important so they get to enjoy their childhood.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11% of all children in the United States have ADHD, and that number is rising.

It should be noted that, while ADHD is most commonly associated with young children, particularly boys, it affects many adults of any gender.

This fact shows that there’s a need to help a child with ADHD by following some practice steps which have been highlighted in this article.

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What does a Child Psychologist do? Here, everything you ought to know about a career in Child psychology is made known.

The soft giggles of a child can melt a stony heart. But anxiety could set in unexpectedly with episodes of long yowling at night, heightened fever, delay in growth progression, and a sudden deflection in behavior.

Oftentimes, new parents get dribbled by the alternating changes in their kids and would generally be perturbed by these changes.

Expert intervention may be required in some of these cases. However, it is essential to seek professional opinion in matters that concern conscious and subconscious development in kids and adolescents.

Psychology is not a novel term. Over time, psychology has progressed from identifying and resolving adult crises to resolving that of kids.

Child psychology is the branch of psychology that studies the behavior, interaction, and development of kids, until puberty. There are a lot of medical conditions that affect kids and they could be managed upon early detection.

Aside from this, children have peculiar needs that should be understood, in order to be met. Instincts may successfully encode the babbling of a child but child psychology is an analytic process.

What is Child Psychology?

Child psychology is the study of the psychological processes of kids as they develop how these processes differ from one child to the next and how these processes are different from those of adults.

Child psychology deals with children; and their response to the environment, parents, and other kids from infancy to the end of adolescence. As a branch of developmental psychology, child psychology focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘when’ changes occur in children. Children must undergo a series of development and this is the reason child psychology is crucial.

At each level of development, children reach milestones – they begin to sit, make gestures, crawl, stand, walk, talk, etc.

All these developments are attained by kids at different ages and times and they prove that growth exists and is taking place.

So, child psychology analyses the behavior of a child – the conscious and the subconscious, the progressions that occur at each developing point, when these progressions will occur and how they occur. It also spells out the dissimilitude in the level of progression for each child. This investigation continues until the child reaches puberty.

Core developmental areas in child psychology

Child psychology focuses on some core developmental areas, such as;

• Development
• Milestones
• Behaviours
• Socialisation

Development: 

This is evidence that changes occur. It includes physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development. From the time of birth, children must undergo a series of changes that are relevant to their growth.

Child psychology focuses on progression in speech, in the ability to learn, feel, and think in children. With this, they will be able to perform a comprehensive analysis at every developmental stage of a child.

Milestones: 

As another facet of development, milestones are pointers. It is considered normal to have children crawl, take their first walk, and make their first speech at a particular period. Most times, many kids develop in these areas between 12 months or less.

These actions are relevant pointers in a child’s growth and child psychologists can tell when these actions would take place, empirically.

When these developments are delayed, it often raises a red flag. However, some of these stunts are not a result of a medical condition or disorder.

Behaviours: 

The way a person acts can presage personal sentiments, background, beliefs, and sometimes age. Children are mostly carefree and enjoy activities that make them move about.

They become generally mischievous, hyperactive, curious, and may never reach a point of disagreement with their parents. It is a common feature for kids to perambulate at functions, lose a tooth and get a cut from indulging in playground activities.

These behaviours are seen as normal. For adolescents, the predominant character trait is juvenile rebellion and it is for this reason that many parents seek counsel from child psychologists.

Socialization: 

Socialization refers to interactions between individuals and how these interactions assist in the conformity to societal values. Socialization begins in early childhood.

There is a common saying that the family is the primary agent of socialization. There is also the axiom that charity begins at home.

Kids absorb what they see and hear quickly and as soon as they begin to internalize these norms, they will definitely begin to apply them.  Socialization involves acquiring values, knowledge, and skills. All these, the child adopts bit by bit and will enable them to communicate properly with their family, community, and society.

Child psychology cuts across different areas. Hence, child psychology has different types.

Types of Child Psychology

There are specific areas of child psychology. They include;

1. Educational psychology
2. Adolescent psychology
3. School psychology
4. Clinical Child psychology
5. Developmental child psychology
6. Abnormal child psychology.

• Educational psychology: 

The predominant function of an educational child psychologist is to address the psychological needs of children by suggesting changes or modifications to the curriculum and classes. This is in a bid to improve the teaching and learning processes in schools.

• Adolescent psychology: 

Adolescent psychologists deal with adolescents or pre-teens as well as teenagers. They work with their patients through psychotherapy, create a structure of behaviour modifications and therapeutic processes. This they do with constant contact with the parents of the patients and the patients’ other supporters.

• School Psychology: 

The functions of an educational child psychologist and that of a school psychologist may be closely associated because of the near term to education in school. School psychologists on the other hand address the mental health needs of kids.

• Clinical Child Psychology: 

Clinical child psychologists do the following; assess, diagnose, and treat children and adolescents with psychological disorders. Clinical psychologists also conduct academic and scientific research.

• Developmental child psychology: 

Child psychologists answer the “how” and “when” development occurs. The major role of developmental child psychologists is to conduct research in order to gain a better understanding of children’s behaviour.

• Abnormal Child Psychology: 

Abnormal child psychologists work with young patients into their adulthood. They treat atypical issues in children, which are a result of emotional or physical abuse or some other trauma.

What does a Child Psychologist do?

Child psychology deals with the needs peculiar to children and pre-teens. Their specialty is in identifying the mental and psychological needs of children and adolescents.

All these are in a bid to build strong and exemplary personalities. Child psychologists may perform separate functions, which may differ in the workspace, child, teen etc. But they perform these specific functions;

• Conduct academic and scientific research on child and adolescent behaviour, in order to gain a better understanding of their behaviours in total.
• Diagnose and treat kids and adolescents experiencing developmental and emotional setbacks.
• Identifying developmental encumbrance in kids and preteens.
• Work with doctors and specialists by identifying psychological needs as it affects the patients, their growth, and their well-being.
• Offers counseling to the patients’ parents on the methods to be taken for mental health management.
• Perform assessments and tests for diagnostic purposes.

An employer would normally include a set of skills, which an applicant must have acquired prior to application. A Child psychologist is expected to have these skills;

• Analytical evaluation.
• Patience
• Organization.
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication
• Observation skills
• Listening skills
• Research

These skills come under study, that is, during the process of learning or studying child psychology.

 How can I become a Child psychologist?

1. Get a bachelor’s degree in general psychology.
2. Enroll in a graduate program.
3. Complete practicum or internship
4. Apply for license
5. Get board-certified
6. Apply for child psychology jobs.

Final thoughts on what a child psychologist do

Seeking professional help and counsel at the slightest behavioral change in your kids is important. Childhood is delicate, as it is the period where changes occur.

If things begin to look different in your kids, don’t assume. Seek help.

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There are many Benefits of Having a Pet for a Child, however, these 5 on our list are the cardinal advantages of them all

So your kid has been insistent about owning a pet. However, you aren’t sure if the benefits outweigh the commitments that involve having a furry friend at home.

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, and it requires constant care and attention. Investing in regular vet visits, vaccinations, pet health insurance, and healthy food are critical aspects of keeping a pet healthy. Additionally, dedicating time to play and encouraging regular exercise will ensure it remains happy and strong. Having this lovely companion around your home will benefit your child in ways you never imagined.

In this post, we put together a couple of benefits and reasons why you should consider a pet as your child’s best friend.

Benefits of Having a Pet for a Child

Want to find out these pros? Let’s get right into them!

Pet teaches kids value

Having a pet in a home invariably teaches a kid how to be responsible in ways you would never have imagined as parents.

Yes, the larger percentages of the job of taking care of the companion will be on you, but your tot will most likely want to be of assistance due to the presence of this interesting companion.

Kids are very inquisitive and the presence of a pet home will most likely improve their want-know attitude.

They will want to follow you all around when you are caring for the pet and will also wish to be of assistance by feeding the pets. All of these acts mean the kids are also learning to be responsible.

It improves self-esteem

There have been many kinds of research that established the fact that kids with a pet at home have higher self-esteem.

Some of the findings from these experiments indicated that kids love four-legged creatures that are not judgmental towards them.

These creatures also love kids by following them all around the home and looking after them in their own ways.

Also, there’s a particular study that concluded that when a child read aloud to a loyal pet such as a cat or dog, there’s an increase in motivation in reluctant readers.

This means keeping a little companion at home will make your kid cultivate the habit of reading compared to homes where there’s no pet.

Pet improves kid’s health

Another perk to owning a pet is that your child will less allergic due to early bacteria exposure. The truth is, cats and all other companion animals always have a larger amount of bacteria in their body and as your tot continues to interact with them, he becomes allergic, thus reducing his rate of sickness.

In the first year of your kid’s life, having a pet at home will help your kid pass through this critical stage without getting into the hospital due to sickness.

This is in line with a study conducted in 2012 that children who stay with dogs rarely develop respiratory challenges and ear infections. Also, patting and brushing a furry creature reduces your ward’s stress level to the barest minimum.

It gives an unconditional love

You should also have a pet at home because when your kid grows alongside this great companion, he learns what it means to be loved unconditionally.

Your child knows pet attaches no importance to how he looks and what he puts on, but still loves the kid quite well. This is love undiluted!

Kevin Doyle, who is a pediatrician says dogs are human’s best friends and can go a long way to care for the owner.

What this means is that the little pet provides another level of comfort for the child, which is different from the mother, father, and son relationships.

Pet promotes active exercise

If you’ve got a son who prefers to have a sedentary life and doesn’t want to mingle, getting a furry or feathered pet is what you should do as soon as possible.

If you also want your kid to be as active as the rest of the family, you have got to do the due diligence by purchasing a pet for your child.

When your child has a pet walking around him all the time, it increases his energy, thereby shedding off extra energy through both indoor and outdoor games.

When there’s a pet at home, it automatically means your kid will be doing a lot, most especially when he knows it is his responsibility to take care of the animal.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Having a Pet for a Child

There are many benefits associated with having a pet around the home and the child at home benefits immensely from these furry animals.

Hence, when next your kid is asking that you bring home one of these beautiful companions, you sure want to do that like the pros of having the little creature outweigh the cons.

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Is 28 a good age to have a baby? You may have heard questions such as this before during relationship seminars, workshops, and whatnot.

The decision to get married and when to actually have your first child is one of those many decisions you would have to make in life.

Some decisions are no-brainers such as what to eat in the morning and when to visit a supermarket.

Is 28 a good age to have a baby?

But making the decision about the best age to procreate is one of those head-turning and critical decisions everyone would have to make.

Well, there is no ideal age to have a baby and that means you should let those negative thoughts out of your chest now if any.

Life circumstances are different from one person to another and the same goes with body chemistry.

It’s unique to the individual as a different person has different DNA encoded for special functions but there’s one universal truth you need to know and that is, women aren’t fertile forever.

If you’re a woman thinking about an ideal age to have your first little one, then you’ve got to consider something around 20 to 33.

Yes, 28 is a good age to have a baby if you are just coming to motherhood.

According to a sociologist at the University of Texas at Austin, early teens or late twenties are ideal ages biologically to conceive.

Why is this the case? Because the body’s reproductive system and hormones are at their peak during that time.

Benefits of Having a Baby in Your 20s

To go scientific a bit, the chance of getting pregnant as you age continues to decrease as the chromosomal defects in eggs released into the fallopian tube increase.

What this means is that there is a high tendency of abnormalities in babies born at a later age in life due to genetic anomalies.

A lady in her twenties will produce many eggs as the reproductive hormones are quite active. Also, the uterus will be very strong to effectively take on the fertilized egg throughout the pregnancy. A young woman has an excellent chance of getting pregnant compared to the older ladies.

Young women have about a 33 percent chance of getting pregnant if they have sex a day or two before ovulation.

This means the chance of fertilization to take place during this period in younger ladies is pretty high coupled with the production of healthier offspring.

When you give birth very early in your 20s, there’s a reduced chance of miscarriage, but the risk tends to be higher in older women coming into motherhood.

Also, taking care of the neonates isn’t a walk in the park as there are routines that have to be taken care of, always. So being a young mother gives you that leverage to always be on schedule with your baby’s routine.

Young mothers are always healthy as the energy continues to flow in adequately, coupled with strong bones because the stress of taking care of the little one is real.

So the younger the mother, the better and healthier you are to cope with all of these joyful pressures.

Also, if you have your first baby in your 20s, say 28, you’ll become a grandmom at a very early age and you sure don’t think there’s a better gift to grandkids than a young and agile grandmother who plays around with them and help in their navigation of life.

Are there challenges to having a baby in your 20s? 

As with anything in life, there are advantages and drawbacks as well. Having a baby at a very tender age of 28 isn’t an exception as it has its challenges one of which is, that it may lead to a disrupted career path.

Yes, it’s excellent to have the child early in your 20’s but this is a critical age for career development.

The 20s are the best years in which people discover their best and set out to be the best version of themselves.

This means getting pregnant during this crucial time may disrupt your professional life and you may have to quit your position due to your condition. This means another candidate will be hired to replace you, especially with high-demanding jobs that require women to prioritize their goals.

Furthermore, the financial aspect of running a family with a kid may be rocket science for couples in their twenties.

This is the time many people of such ages started earning to get everything in order and raising a kid during that time means you will be spending a lot more and that could spell a real financial strain on your earnings.

Is it Impossible to Have a Baby at 50 or 55?

You may be wondering does this piece now imply that if I fail to have a baby in my twenties or thirties I can’t have a child again?

The answer is NO in capital letters! No woman is too old to get pregnant and have a baby until she reaches menopause, which is usually around 50 years now.

Thanks to the technological advancement of the present day, women now can have a baby at these old ages, but they won’t be the ones to carry the pregnancy. The advent of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has made this possible for women.

The truth is, conceiving at the fragile age of 50 isn’t the best of decisions as it is no joke and medical professionals would never recommend such to anyone.

If you’re taking this path as an older woman in your fifties, ensure you continue to visit your gynaecologist from time to time to know how is your body coping with the foreign body in there and to assist with any complications you might have as you go through this lovely journey.

Final thoughts on is 28 a good age to have a baby?

One of the hardest decisions you can ever make as a woman is when to have a baby.

Many women tend to choose something around 28 as a good age to have a baby as this enables them not to only get pregnant easily but also to produce healthier children with no abnormalities.

However, there are women who do have their first babies at a later age with healthier children as well.

The important thing is to prioritize your life as the choice of when to have a baby rests on the individual.

But whatever the decision you are going to take, don’t make your doctor’s advice on when to have your first child an afterthought.

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knowing the best age to have a baby is of utmost importance as long as childbearing is involved.

The decision to start a family is dependent on many factors including your age and your readiness to take responsibilities as a parent.

Biologically, women can get pregnant and bear children from puberty when they start getting their menstrual period to menopause when it stops.

In the normal physiological process, fertility naturally declines as one gets older, which could mar the chances of conception. In addition, starting a family later in life could pose greater risks for pregnancy complications.

Depending on one’s understanding about the best age to have a baby, there is no perfect age to have babies.

Overview on the best age to have a child

Experts say the best time to get pregnant is between your late 20s and early 30s. This age range is associated with the best outcomes for both you and your baby. That doesn’t imply that over 30 or 40 years of age can’t have a healthy baby

A woman might be in her fertile prime in her 20s, this time is not an ideal time for many women to tackle pregnancy and parenting, although some women aren’t even ready in their early 30s.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, females experience a slight reduction in fertility in their early 30s, and this will decrease significantly between the ages of 35 and 45. A healthy 30-year-old has about a 20% chance of pregnancy each month. By age 40, that figure reduces to less than 5% per cycle.

To some people knowing the best age to have a baby is more emotional than biological that is why is essential you put other factors into consideration before you embark on the journey of parenthood.

The time considered the best age to have a baby is when you are ready to take responsibility in all ramifications.

Age is not the only factor that may affect a person’s ability to conceive. Around 12–13% of couples in the U.S. have problems becoming pregnant, regardless of age. Although, age is mostly rated as the number one determinant in conception

Some Individual health issues may pose a threat to conception. It might be virtually impossible for a person to predict the best age to have a baby or the exact right time for them to have a baby.

Some individuals might be biologically ready to have a child in their 20s but not in the right place financially and emotionally.

This does not mean that they have missed the opportunity to have a child. Individuals must consider all factors before making a decision that suits them.

However, women must be aware that they cannot have a baby after menopause. The average age of menopause is usually 51, due to retardation of essential body chemistry as a woman gets older.

Technically speaking, if a woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have about 1 to 2 million of them, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Those numbers decline with age, but as soon as a girl hits puberty and starts releasing those eggs and menstruating, she can get pregnant between the ages of 10 and 14, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Pregnancy carries high health, emotional, and financial costs for teen mothers and their children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Best age to have a baby for a woman

The optimal time for a woman to get pregnant is when she’s ready physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially and this time varies greatly from woman to woman.

To help you determine what age might be best for you to get pregnant, we asked experts to guide us on that

There is no right age to have a baby that works for everyone. Women are typically able to have children from adolescence through menopause, while males may remain fertile well into their 60s or 70s.

Economic issues, lengthy educational careers, and personal preference now mean that for many people, the time when they are the most fertile may no longer be the best age to have a baby.

People in industrialized nations are waiting longer to have children than they once did.

A 2017 study found that the average age of the father of a newborn in 2015 was 30.9, compared to 27.4 in 1972.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 2016 saw a higher birth rate for women aged 30–34 than for women aged 25–29. This occurred for the first time since 1940 when these data became available.

Your age is just one factor that should go into your decision to get pregnant. You also need to consider your emotional and financial readiness to start a family. That timing is unique for each woman and there is no best age to have a baby.

Best age to have a baby for men

A man’s fertility also declines with age. But this process happens later, usually starting around 42 years of age.

There is no set age-related limit on male fertility, though sperm quality declines slightly as a male ages. By the time a male is in his 60s, a reduction in the number and quality of the sperm might make it more difficult to conceive.

After that age, men have a lower semen volume and sperm count. The sperm cells they do have lack the right mobile strength.

While there is no specific age at which males can no longer conceive, their sperm does change and reduce in number as they age.

Sperm cells of an older man are also more likely to have genetic abnormalities than those of a younger man.

The older a man is, the longer it will take him to get his partner pregnant. Moreover, his partner is at a higher risk for a miscarriage, regardless of her age.

This does not mean that a man can’t father children in his 40s and beyond. Nevertheless, it might be a little more difficult than it was earlier in his life.

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The best pediatric hospitals in the world are worth knowing because Children’s health is crucial and must be treated with urgency and utmost care.

Children’s illness is one of the most difficult health issues in the world today. The best pediatric hospitals in the world as listed here serve as examples of the most impressive strides toward solving these health issues.

They have built award-winning, and most importantly, life-saving medical programs that have helped to heal suffering kids all over the world.

Top pediatric hospitals in the world

Below is the list of top pediatric hospitals in the world arranged in alphabetical order for easy access to these outstanding hospitals.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital

Address: Steelhouse Ln, Birmingham B4 6NH, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 121 333 9999

Children’s Hospital switchboard: 0121 333 9999

Children’s Hospital appointments: 0121 333 9700

Children’s Hospital Emergency Department:  0121 333 9500

Children’s Hospital Medical Records (access to health records):  0121 333 9714

Children’s Hospital admission inquiries: 0121 333 9710/8390/8395

Boston Children’s Hospital

Address: 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, U.S.A.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Address: 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States

For general assistance, call 513-636-4200 (local) or 1-800-344-2462 (toll free)

To schedule an appointment, call 513-636-3200.

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital

Address: 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195

Phone:  216.444.5437

Website: visit

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

Address: The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center building 1800 Orleans Street Baltimore, MD 21287

Phone: 443-997-5437 (KIDS)

Admitting: 410-955-6190

Appointments  

Patients: 443-997-5437 (KIDS) (Maryland residents); 1-855-695-4872 (Non-Maryland residents only)

Blood Donors: 410-955-6528

Burn Center: 888-KID-BURN

Child Life: 410-955-6276

Children’s House: 410-614-2560

Website: visit

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital

Address: 2200 Children’s Way, Nashville, TN 37232, United States

Phone: +1 615-936-1000

Website: click here

Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children

Address: 274 Grosvenor Rd, Belfast BT12 6BA, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 28 9024 0503

Royal Children’s Hospital

Address: 50 Flemington Road Parkville, Victoria 3052

Phone: +61 3 9345 5522

Website: click here

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Address: 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Donor Services: (800) 822-6344

Hospital Main Line: (866) 278-5833

TTY: (901) 595-1040

Physician / Patient Referral Office: (888) 226-4343

Website: visit

St Louis Children’s Hospital

Address: One Children’s Place St. Louis, MO 63110

Admitting: 314.454.6021

Child Life Services: 314.454.6178

Family Resource Center: 314.454.2350

Guest Services/Information: 314.454.2615

Media Requests: 314.454.6000

Outpatient Pharmacy: 314.454.6123

Parking/Security Escort: 314.362.0750

Patient Information: 314.454.2615

Physician Referral: 314.454.KIDS (5437) or toll-free 800.678.KIDS

Website: click here

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

Address: Dafna St 5, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Website: click here

The Hospital for Sick Children

Address: 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada

Phone: +1 416-813-1500

Website: visit

Introduction to best pediatric hospitals in the world

Every parent desires that their children have healthy and happy childhoods free of serious health issues.

However, a significant number of children require specialized health and medical care annually and such medical care can be provided only by any of the best pediatric hospitals in the world.

Listed here are the best pediatric hospitals in the world. Each one of these hospitals is sophisticated with all it takes for the utmost medical care of children.

No matter how great the health centers are, it can be difficult to bring attention to the reality that many young people deal with serious cases which most times can only be diagnosed and treated using advanced technological procedures thus, the knowledge of the best hospitals in the world is very important.

The list of the best pediatric hospitals in the world is a commendable list for these amazing hospitals for the hard work of the pediatric doctors, nurses, and all the workers who work together for efficient and effective care for children.

Furthermore, the hospitals that make the list of the best pediatric hospitals in the world are technologically advanced renowned health workers and international positive reviews and awards both national and global.

The list of the best pediatric hospitals in the world is based on the above factors and surveys by recognized bodies or organizations.

Description of the best pediatric hospitals in the world

The list of the best pediatric hospitals in the world is in no specific order all hospitals here are outstanding in one specialty or the other.

• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Birmingham Children’s Hospital
• Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital
• St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
• Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
• Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
• The Hospital for Sick Children
• Royal Children’s Hospital
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
• St Louis Children’s Hospital
• Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital

Boston Children’s Hospital

With more than 40 clinical departments and 258 specialized clinical programs, Boston Children’s is one of the largest pediatric medical centers in the United States and the world. They provide a complete range of health care services for children of all ages, and in some cases, can offer fetal interventions and treatments for adults.

Boston Children’s is dedicated to creating a culture where all patients, families, clinicians, researchers, staff, and communities feel empowered and supported. Boston is in no doubt one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world.

They are committed to working together to support health equity and promote anti-racist practices. This is not merely an aspirational goal, and in August 2020, Boston shared a formal Declaration on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity that will be our guiding compass in making this goal a reality.

Address: 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

Birmingham Children’s Hospital

Birmingham Children’s Hospital is a specialist children’s hospital located in Birmingham, England. The hospital provides a range of specialist services including major trauma care, paediatric intensive care, cardiac, renal, hepatic, orthopaedic surgeries, and operates the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for the city.

The service operates as part of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; whose CEO is Sarah-Jane Marsh. This hospital remains one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world

Birmingham Children’s Hospital has offered the very best specialist care for sick children for more than 150 years. It’s the generosity of the supporters, the determination of the leaders, and the bravery of the patients that make it all possible.

The young patients have benefited immeasurably from the astonishing progress the health institution fundraisers, volunteers and partners have enabled them to achieve since Dr Thomas Heslop set up the Birmingham and Midland Free Hospital for Sick Children in 1862.

Address: Steelhouse Ln, Birmingham B4 6NH, United Kingdom

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals.

With more than 500 physicians trained in 30 pediatric and surgical specialties, they are equipped to handle any issue a child may face from the simple to the complex.

The hospital offers comprehensive services for everything from cancer, transplant, trauma, and sickle cell disease, to developmental disorders, ENT, general surgery, and others.

Featuring Centers of Excellence for the treatment of diabetes and congenital heart disorders, Children’s Hospital is also home to the highest level NICU in the state and serves as Nashville’s Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.

Address: 2200 Children’s Way, Nashville, TN 37232, United States

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

More than 70 years ago, Danny Thomas was a young entertainer with a baby on the way. Work wasn’t easy to come by, and his despair grew. He turned to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, and vowed:

“Show me my way in life, and I will build you a shrine”.

That prayer marked a pivotal moment. Soon after, he began finding work, eventually becoming one of the biggest stars of radio, film, and television in his day. He was on Make Room for Daddy, later known as The Danny Thomas Show.

Danny used his fame to fulfill his vow and to change the lives of thousands of children and families. In 1962, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened in front of a crowd of 9,000 in Memphis, Tenn.

Address: 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is a nationally ranked, pediatric acute care children’s teaching hospital located in Baltimore, Maryland, adjacent to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The hospital has 196 pediatric beds and is affiliated with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Address: 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States

The Hospital for Sick Children

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada’s most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health in the country.

With passionate and dedicated staff, SickKids is much more than a hospital. We work each day to provide the best in child and family-centered care, create ground-breaking clinical and scientific advancements, and train the next generation of experts in child health.

SickKids is a founding member of Kids Health Alliance, a network of partners committed to advancing excellence and expertise in the delivery of pediatric care in Ontario.

Address: 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

This Children’s Hospital is an outstanding pediatric hospital in Israel and serves as the goal setter for most pediatric hospitals in the country.

Its journey started back in 1899 in jaffa. Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is committed to delivering medical excellence and compassionate care with the most skilled physicians and medical teams, treating each patient equally, integrating excellence in clinical care with academia and research and development for the benefit of Israeli residents and the population worldwide.

Address: Weizmann St 6, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children

The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is a specialized government children’s hospital and medical center in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is managed by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and is the only hospital in Northern Ireland dedicated to children.

Address: 274 Grosvenor Rd, Belfast BT12 6BA, United Kingdom

Royal Children’s Hospital

The Royal Children’s Hospital is a major children’s hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

This hospital is one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world.

As a major specialist paediatric hospital in Victoria, the Royal Children’s Hospital provides a full range of clinical services, tertiary care, as well as health promotion and prevention programs for children and young people.

Address: 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati Children’s, a nonprofit academic medical center established in 1883, is one of the oldest and most distinguished pediatric hospitals in the United States.

They are ranked No. 3 in the nation among Honor Roll hospitals in the U.S. News and World Report 2020-2021 Best pediatric hospitals in the world.

Address: 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States

St Louis Children’s Hospital

Founded in 1879, St. Louis Children’s Hospital is one of the premier children’s hospitals in the United States. It serves not just the children of St. Louis, but children across the world.

The hospital provides a full range of pediatric services to the St. Louis metropolitan area and a primary service region covering six states.

As the pediatric teaching hospital for Washington University School of Medicine, the hospital offers nationally recognized programs for physician training and research.

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Children’s offers three facilities dedicated to the medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care of infants, children, and adolescents.

Their Inpatient Hospital and Outpatient Center are both located at our main campus in Cleveland, OH. They also offer inpatient and outpatient care at many of our regional hospitals and family health centers throughout Northeast Ohio.

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation offers inpatient care, day hospital care, and a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services and is located in the Shaker Heights neighborhood of Cleveland, OH.

They have more than 300 pediatric specialists who are leaders in research for cardiac care, neurological conditions, digestive diseases, and other conditions. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is consistently rated among the “Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.

However, this hospital is in no doubt one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world.

Best pediatric cardiology hospitals in the world

Below is the list of best pediatric cardiology hospitals in the world

The best of these children’s hospitals demonstrate a strong desire not only to apply current medical knowledge to today’s illnesses but to advance the field of pediatrics by extending their knowledge and expertise to the next generation of pediatric specialists.

In this article on the best pediatric hospitals in the world, outstanding hospitals are considered from a global view.

• Texas Children’s Hospital
• UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
• Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health

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Teaching a child about nutrition could be tiring however, knowing the best approach on how to explain nutrition to a child is worthwhile. Nutrition deals with food and how it nourishes the body.

The nutrients in food are the determinants of whether a food is nutritious or not. Food has varying degrees of nutrients and components ranging from protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, fats, and oil.

Choosing the right diet is choosing a nutritious meal. Children need good nutrition for proper growth and all-around development, that is why how to explain nutrition to the child is necessary. showing the children the right approach and why a healthy diet is essential should be what they encouraged.

Also, a child needs to understand that every food taken affects their body directly or indirectly, positively or negatively.

Introduction to how to explain nutrition to a child

Children would always prefer junk to a meal with high nutritional value, however, is your duty to make sure that junk is being cut down at all courses and balanced diets are encouraged. Good nutrition and healthy habits begin in childhood.

With this write-up on how to explain nutrition to the child, you can ensure your child grows up with healthy eating habits into adulthood.

Having a nutritious meal builds and maintains a healthy body weight and can help reduce the risk of contracting other infectious diseases by building a stronger immune system. There are many conditions associated with a lack of meals with high nutritional values.

These conditions can be easily noticed in children, therefore, is essential you know how to explain nutrition to a child in simple and effective ways. Some of these conditions are not limited to iron deficiency, diabetes, retarded growth dental caries, poor vision, and other conditions associated with malnutrition.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended that children of age 2 or older should follow healthy eating guidelines that will include: Variety of proteinous food, Fat-free, and low-fat dairy products, whole grains,   fruits and vegetables, Oils, and also there should be a reduction in the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars alongside salt.

Nutrients and Vitamins for Newborns

Many people believe that babies can get everything they need from breast milk or formula, but this isn’t always the case. In some cases, a newborn may require additional supplementation in order to stay healthy and grow properly. This is why it is so important for parents to talk with the doctor to make sure their baby gets the essential vitamins he needs. In hospitals, newborns can get essential vitamins and nutrients with the help of neonatal picc catheters. It’s inserted into a peripheral vein in order to infuse fluids, medications, or other treatments directly into the bloodstream.

How to explain nutrition to a child

Below is the list of the best approaches on how to explain nutrition to a child:

• Use the demonstrations
• Tell them about the portion
• Nutrition should be based on overall diet
• Cook with them
• Let it be a discussion
• Lead by example
• Always create room to have dinner together as a family
• Do not ban junk
• Make eating a healthy meal a routine and not a rule
• Start  this procedure young
• Never force a child to be on a diet
• Teach them how to only eat when hungry
• Always seek health advice from experts

Use the demonstrations

Among the approaches on how to explain nutrition to children, making use of demonstrations will make them learn better and more effectively. Some educational toys will go a long way towards teaching your child essential things to know about nutrition.

In relation to this pictures can also help in this process of making a child adhere to healthy guidelines easily because the process is always fun with educational toys, pictures, and demonstrations. You can find some of these educational materials here.

Tell them about the portion

This is an essential part of how to explain nutrition to a child in such a way it gives room for them to learn how to eat and do things in moderation. Although this technique is usually based on individual differences, you have to know how your child eats and evaluate if you encourage them to eat more or less.

Nutrition should be based on overall diet

A child should know why and how nutrition is essential for him or her. In this approach, you should consider giving them an introduction to healthy eating in any way conducive to you. And this process should be seamless and fun. For instance, when you say, take a proteinous meal, you should also tell what protein does. And what happens when they fail to take it.

Cook with them

This sounds funny, right? yea because you might have read many articles about why you shouldn’t let your child in the kitchen. However, this is dependent on factors like age, and the safety of your kitchen to children, and this should also come with caution and carefulness.

Let it be a discussion

Teaching a child about nutrition should be done in a free manner and should be more interactive. mind you, you are in the classroom, you ought to create a conducive environment for discussion most especially when a child is in his/her best mood.

Lead by example

Don’t be surprised you could, you could be the manual of your children. You should eat healthy where your children can see you. Although as an adult, your dietary requirements might differ from what a child needs always make a way to encourage them through the meals your take.

Always create room to have dinner together as a family

The above can be encouraged when families have dinner together. learning comes faster through seeing and practice. therefore, healthy eating should be encouraged by having a healthy dinner together with the children.

Do not ban junk

Do not ban the taking of junk in your household. A better way to do this is by cutting down junk intake by making the effects on the body known to them. With this, the craving for sweets will be reduced.

Make eating a healthy meal a routine

Make the availability of healthy foods in your household a duty. And also this can be encouraged by taking the children to shop for healthy food items. You should also allow them to choose from the grocery store. A child should not be forced to a meal, let him/her have the opinion to choose to owe to the fact that the meal is nutritious and healthy.

Start  this procedure young

In the course of how to explain nutrition to a child, an effort to introduce it to them early should be made. This is necessary so that they might have become acquainted with it before they grow older.

Never force a diet on a child

Forcing a child to eat what he or she doesn’t want is not proper. In one of the approaches, we advise a child should be free to choose from among healthy meals, that is why there should be room for varieties of nutritious meals on the menu.

Teach them how to only eat when hungry

Because there is enough meal available in the house, a child might be overfeeding which is not also good for better health. Also, teach them to take things in moderation as such avoid gluttony.

Always seek health advice from experts

We highly recommend an expert either a physician or nutritionist is involved in your strive for a healthy meal for your children and household.

A nutritionist can tell your children directly about the approaches on how to explain nutrition to a child, it will also be productive. When you feel a child gaining too much weight or losing weight, you should not hesitate to reach out to your doctor.

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Teaching a child about nutrition could be tiring however, knowing the best approach on how to explain nutrition to a child is worthwhile.

Nutrition deals with food and how it nourishes the body. The nutrients in food are the determinants of whether a food is nutritious or not. Food has varying degrees of nutrients and components ranging from protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, fats, and oil.

Choosing the right diet is choosing a nutritious meal. Children need good nutrition for proper growth and all-around development, that is why how to explain nutrition to the child is necessary. showing the children the right approach and why a healthy diet is essential should be what they encouraged.

Also, a child needs to understand that every food taken affects their body directly or indirectly, positively or negatively.

Introduction to how to explain nutrition to a child

Children would always prefer junk to a meal with high nutritional value, however, is your duty to make sure that junk is being cut down at all courses and balanced diets are encouraged.

Good nutrition and healthy habits begin in childhood. With this write-up on how to explain nutrition to the child, you can ensure your child grows up with healthy eating habits into adulthood. Having a nutritious meal builds and maintains a healthy body weight and can help reduce the risk of contracting other infectious diseases by building a stronger immune system.

There are many conditions associated with a lack of meals with high nutritional values. These conditions can be easily noticed in children, therefore, is essential you know how to explain nutrition to a child in simple and effective ways. Some of these conditions are not limited to iron deficiency, diabetes, retarded growth dental caries, poor vision, and other conditions associated with malnutrition.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended that children of age 2 or older should follow healthy eating guidelines that will include: Variety of proteinous food, Fat-free, and low-fat dairy products, whole grains,   fruits and vegetables, Oils, and also there should be a reduction in the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars alongside salt.

Nutrients and Vitamins for Newborns

Many people believe that babies can get everything they need from breast milk or formula, but this isn’t always the case. In some cases, a newborn may require additional supplementation in order to stay healthy and grow properly. This is why it is so important for parents to talk with the doctor to make sure their baby gets the essential vitamins he needs. In hospitals, newborns can get essential vitamins and nutrients with the help of neonatal picc catheters. It’s inserted into a peripheral vein in order to infuse fluids, medications, or other treatments directly into the bloodstream.

How to explain nutrition to a child

Below is the list of the best approaches on how to explain nutrition to a child:

• Use the demonstrations
• Tell them about the portion
• Nutrition should be based on overall diet
• Cook with them
• Let it be a discussion
• Lead by example
• Always create room to have dinner together as a family
• Do not ban junk
• Make eating a healthy meal a routine and not a rule
• Start  this procedure young
• Never force a child to be on a diet
• Teach them how to only eat when hungry
• Always seek health advice from experts

Use the demonstrations

Among the approaches on how to explain nutrition to children, making use of demonstrations will make them learn better and more effectively. Some educational toys will go a long way towards teaching your child essential things to know about nutrition. In relation to this pictures can also help in this process of making a child adhere to healthy guidelines easily because the process is always fun with educational toys, pictures, and demonstrations. You can find some of these educational materials here.

Tell them about the portion

This is an essential part of how to explain nutrition to a child in such a way it gives room for them to learn how to eat and do things in moderation. Although this technique is usually based on individual differences, you have to know how your child eats and evaluate if you encourage them to eat more or less.

Nutrition should be based on overall diet

A child should know why and how nutrition is essential for him or her. In this approach, you should consider giving them an introduction to healthy eating in any way conducive to you. And this process should be seamless and fun. For instance, when you say, take a proteinous meal, you should also tell what protein does. And what happens when they fail to take it.

Cook with them

This sounds funny, right? yea because you might have read many articles about why you shouldn’t let your child in the kitchen. However, this is dependent on factors like age, and the safety of your kitchen to children, and this should also come with caution and carefulness.

Let it be a discussion

Teaching a child about nutrition should be done in a free manner and should be more interactive. mind you, you are in the classroom, you ought to create a conducive environment for discussion most especially when a child is in his/her best mood.

Lead by example

Don’t be surprised you could, you could be the manual of your children. You should eat healthy where your children can see you. Although as an adult, your dietary requirements might differ from what a child needs always make a way to encourage them through the meals your take.

Always create room to have dinner together as a family

The above can be encouraged when families have dinner together. learning comes faster through seeing and practice. therefore, healthy eating should be encouraged by having a healthy dinner together with the children.

Do not ban junk

Do not ban the taking of junk in your household. A better way to do this is by cutting down junk intake by making the effects on the body known to them. With this, the craving for sweets will be reduced.

Make eating a healthy meal a routine

Make the availability of healthy foods in your household a duty. And also this can be encouraged by taking the children to shop for healthy food items. You should also allow them to choose from the grocery store. A child should not be forced to a meal, let him/her have the opinion to choose to owe to the fact that the meal is nutritious and healthy.

Start  this procedure young

In the course of how to explain nutrition to a child, an effort to introduce it to them early should be made. This is necessary so that they might have become acquainted with it before they grow older.

Never force a diet on a child

Forcing a child to eat what he or she doesn’t want is not proper. In one of the approaches, we advise a child should be free to choose from among healthy meals, that is why there should be room for varieties of nutritious meals on the menu.

Teach them how to only eat when hungry

Because there is enough meal available in the house, a child might be overfeeding which is not also good for better health. Also, teach them to take things in moderation as such avoid gluttony.

Always seek health advice from experts

We highly recommend an expert either a physician or nutritionist is involved in your strive for a healthy meal for your children and household. A nutritionist can tell your children directly about the approaches on how to explain nutrition to a child, it will also be productive. When you feel a child gaining too much weight or losing weight, you should not hesitate to reach out to your doctor.

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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the fate of the young girl is decided by tradition.

FGM involves partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A lot had been said about this yet the plague still strives in many communities of the world. Different organizations have been striving toward putting an end to female genital mutilation through bills and outreaches but is quite unfortunate some people still embrace this old way.

Types of Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation is classified into four types:

• Type 1
• Type 11
• Type 111
• Type 1v

Type I:

Also known as clitoridectomy, this type consists of partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or its prepuce.

Type II:

Also known as excision, the clitoris and labia minora are partially or totally removed, with or without excision of the labia majora.

Type III:

The most severe form is also known as infibulation or pharaonic type.

The procedure consists of narrowing the vaginal orifice with the creation of a covering seal by cutting and positioning the labia minora and/or labia majora, with or without removal of the clitoris.

The apposition of the wound edges consists of stitching or holding the cut areas together for a certain period of time (for example, girls’ legs are bound together), to create the covering seal.

A small opening is left for urine and menstrual blood to escape. Infibulation must be opened either through penetrative sexual intercourse or surgery.

Type IV:

This type consists of all other procedures to the genitalia of women for non-medical purposes, such as pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, and cauterization.

The procedure can result in death through severe bleeding leading to hemorrhagic shock, neurogenic shock as a result of pain and trauma, and overwhelming infection and septicemia.

Immediate consequences of Female Genital Mutilation include severe pain and bleeding, shock, difficulty in passing urine, infections, injury to nearby genital tissue, and sometimes death. Almost all women who have undergone FGM experience pain and bleeding as a consequence of the procedure. The event itself is traumatic as girls are held down during the procedure.

Risk and complications increase with the type of FGM and are more severe and prevalent with infibulations.

“The pain inflicted by FGM does not stop with the initial procedure, but often continues as ongoing torture throughout a woman’s life ”, says Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

In addition to the severe pain during and in the weeks following the cutting, women who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation experience various long-term effects – physical, sexual, and psychological.

Women may experience chronic pain, chronic pelvic infections, the development of cysts, abscesses and genital ulcers, excessive scar tissue formation, infection of the reproductive system, decreased sexual enjoyment, and psychological consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Additional risks for complications from infibulations include urinary and menstrual problems, infertility, laser surgery (defibulation and reinfibulation), and painful sexual intercourse.

Sexual intercourse can only take place after opening the infibulation, through surgery or penetrative sexual intercourse. Consequently, sexual intercourse is frequently painful during the first weeks after sexual initiation, and the male partner can also experience pain and complications.

When giving birth, the scar tissue might tear, or the opening needs to be cut to allow the baby to come out.

After childbirth, women from some ethnic communities are often sown up again to make them “tight” for their husbands (reinfibulation). Such cutting and restitching of a woman’s genitalia result in painful scar tissue.

A multi-country study by WHO in six African countries showed that women who had undergone FGM, had significantly increased risks for adverse events during childbirth, and that genital mutilation in mothers has negative effects on their newborn babies. According to the study, an additional one to two babies per 100 deliveries die as a result of FGM.

Female genital mutilation in Nigeria

Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 115–130 million circumcised women in the world.

The objective of this review is to ascertain the current status of FGM in Nigeria.

Pertinent literature on FGM retrieved from internet services FGM in Nigeria the national prevalence rate of FGM is 41% among adult women. Evidence abounds that the prevalence of FGM is declining.

The ongoing drive to eradicate FGM is tackled by World Health Organization, United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, Federation of International Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO), African Union, The economic commission for Africa, and many women organizations. However, there is no federal law banning FGM in Nigeria. There is a need to eradicate FGM in Nigeria.

Approaches in curbing female genital mutilation in Nigeria

Education of the general public at all levels with an emphasis on the dangers and undesirability of FGM is paramount.

Though FGM is practiced in more than 28 countries in Africa and a few scattered communities worldwide, its burden is seen in Nigeria, Egypt, Mali, Eritrea, Sudan, Central African Republic, and the northern part of Ghana where it has been an old traditional and cultural practice of various ethnic groups.

The highest prevalence rates are found in Somalia and Djibouti where FGM is virtually universal.
FGM is widely practiced in Nigeria, and with its large population, Nigeria has the highest absolute number of cases of FGM in the world, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 115–130 million circumcised women worldwide.

In Nigeria, FGM has the highest prevalence in the south-south (77%) (among adult women), followed by the southeast (68%) and southwest (65%), but practiced on a smaller scale in the north, paradoxically tending to in a more extreme form.

Nigeria has a population of 150 million people with the women population forming 52%. The national prevalence rate of FGM is 41% among adult women.

Prevalence rates progressively decline in the young age groups and 37% of circumcised women do not want FGM to continue. 61% of women who do not want FGM said it was a bad harmful tradition and 22% said it was against religion.

Other reasons cited were medical complications (22%), painful personal experience (10%), and the view that FGM is against the dignity of women (10%).

However, there is still considerable support for the practice in areas where it is deeply rooted in local tradition. The aim of this review was to ascertain the current status of FGM in Nigeria.

Origin and significance

FGM is a practice whose origin and significance are shrouded in secrecy, uncertainty, and confusion. The origin of FGM is fraught with controversy either as an initiation ceremony of young girls into womanhood or to ensure virginity and curb promiscuity or to protect female modesty and chastity.

The ritual has been so widespread that it could not have risen from a single origin

Types/variation of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria

FGM practiced in Nigeria is classified into four types as follows. Clitoridectomy or Type I (the least severe form of the practice).

Type II or “sunna” is a more severe practice that involves the removal of the clitoris along with partial or total excision of the labia minora.

Type IV or other unclassified types recognized include intrucision and gishiri cuts, pricking, piercing, or incision of the clitoris and/or labia, scraping and/or cutting of the vagina (angrya cuts), stretching the clitoris and/or labia, cauterization, the introduction of corrosive substances and herbs in the vagina, and other forms.

In Nigeria, of the six largest ethnic groups, the Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Ibo, Ijaw, and Kanuri, only the Fulani do not practice any form.

In most parts of Nigeria, it is carried out at a very young age (minors) and there is no possibility of the individual’s consent.

Reasons to justify Female Genital Mutilation

The respondents gave reasons for FGM. They regarded FGM as a tribal traditional practice as a superstitious belief practiced for the preservation of chastity and purification, family honor, hygiene, esthetic reasons, protection of virginity and prevention of promiscuity, modification of sociosexual attitudes (countering failure of a woman to attain orgasm), increasing the sexual pleasure of husband, enhancing fertility and increasing matrimonial opportunities.

Other reasons are to prevent mother and child from dying during childbirth and for legal reasons (one cannot inherit property if not circumcised).

In some parts of Nigeria, the cut edges of the external genitalia are smeared with secretions from a snail footpad with the belief that the snail being a slow animal would influence the circumcised girl to “go slow” with sexual activities in the future.

However, FGM is often routinely performed as an integral part of social conformity and in line with community identity.

Health consequences of Female Genital Mutilation

An estimated 100–140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM.

In Africa, about 3 million girls are at risk for FGM annually. Despite the increased international and little national attention, the prevalence of FGM overall has declined very little.

The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women.

Adverse consequences of FGM are shocked from pain and hemorrhage, infection, acute urinary retention following such trauma, damage to the urethra or anus in the struggle of the victim during the procedure making the extent of the operation dictated in many cases by chance, chronic pelvic infection, acquired gynatresia resulting in hematocolpos, vulval adhesions, dysmenorrhea, retention cysts, and sexual difficulties with anorgasmia.

Other complications are implantation dermoid cysts and keloids, and sexual dysfunction.

Obstetric complications include perineal lacerations and the inevitable need for episiotomy in infibulated parturients. Others are defibulation with bleeding, injury to the urethra and bladder, injury to the rectum, and puerperal sepsis.

Prolonged labor, delayed 2 stage and obstructed labor leading to fistulae formation, and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality have been associated with FGM

The mental and psychological agony attached with FGM is deemed the most serious complication because the problem does not manifest outwardly for help to be offered.

The young girl is in constant fear of the procedure and after the ritual, she dreads sex because of anticipated pain and dreads childbirth because of complications caused by FGM.

Such girls may not complain but end up becoming frigid and withdrawn resulting in marital disharmony.

Current situation of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria

FGM is widespread in Nigeria. Some sociocultural determinants have been identified as supporting this avoidable practice. FGM is still deeply entrenched in Nigerian society where critical decision-makers are grandmothers, mothers, women, opinion leaders, men, and age groups.

FGM is an extreme example of discrimination based on sex.

Often used as a way to control women’s sexuality, the practice is closely associated with girls’ marriageability. Mothers chose to subject their daughters to the practice to protect them from being ostracized, beaten, shunned, or disgraced.

There is a need for legislation in Nigeria with health education and female emancipation in society.

The process of social change in the community with a collective, coordinated agreement to abandon the practice of “community-led action” is therefore essential.

With improvement in education and social status of women and increased awareness of complications of FGM, most women who underwent FGM disapprove of the practice and only very few are prepared to subject their daughters to such harmful procedures.

According to a study in 1994, Nigeria joined other members of the 47 World Health Assembly to resolve to eliminate FGM.

Steps were taken so far to achieve this include establishment of a multisectoral technical working group on harmful traditional practices (HTPs), the conduct of various studies and national surveys on HTPs, launching of a regional plan of action, and formulation of a national policy and plan of action, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council for the elimination of FGM in Nigeria.

However, there is no federal law prohibiting the practice of FGM in Nigeria. This is the main reason for the slow progress on declining the prevalence of FGM.

Despite the increased international and little national attention, the prevalence of FGM overall has declined very little. The prevalence depends on the level of education and the geographic location.

At the grassroots, efforts should be taken to join in the crusade to say “NO” to FGM anywhere it is practiced among our people.

It is crude, dangerous, wicked, and unhealthy. FGM is not required by any religion and there is no scientific evidence that women who have been mutilated are more faithful or better wives than those who have not undergone the procedure. It is very clear that there is no single benefit derived from FGM.

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