leapsandboundspediatrics

Understanding the 5 C's of Media Use

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:12:48 GMT

In today's digital age, media use has become rampant. With the rapid advancement of technology, parents and caregivers are often left grappling with how to manage and monitor their children's media use effectively. To address this challenge, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed the "5 C's of Media Use," providing a framework to guide families in making informed decisions about media consumption.

Child: When thinking about media use, it is important to consider your individual child, and how media might affect them. Children interact with media in different ways, and may respond to media use differently. Take into account their reasons for wanting to engage with media, as well as the risks/benefits of your child using different types of media when setting boundaries for your children.
Content: Not all content is created equal, and some may not be beneficial to your child. Consider whether the content your child is ingesting is worth their attention, and what effect it has on their emotions and behavior. When discussing content, help them think about the effects of too much violence, rude role-modeling, unrealistic beauty standards, among other topics that may not align with your family values.
Calm: Media can affect how our children learn to manage their emotions or fall asleep at night. Encourage them to learn coping skills outside of media use. Snuggling, going for a walk, drawing, or reading a book are examples of ways to help your children calm their brains without needing to reach for technology.
Crowding out: When evaluating how much time your child is spending on the internet, consider if it is crowding out other activities. Digital media tends to draw kids (and adults!) in, resulting in more time spent online than desired. Be intentional in considering other activities that you and your family can participate in outside of media use. Examples include playing outdoors, participating in hobbies, or spending quality time as a family.
Communication: Talk to your family about digital media use in a non-judgmental way. Ask questions. Open communication can help you know when your children and teens are struggling.

The Power of Reading to Children

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:11:24 GMT

The benefits of reading to children extend far into their future. Here are some of the benefits to reading to your children:

Reading builds strong bonds between caregivers and children. Snuggled up with a book, children feel safe, cherished, and eager to explore the wonders of storytelling. These shared moments create lasting memories and strengthen familial bonds.

Reading supports language development. The early years are crucial for language acquisition, and exposure to books enriches vocabulary, comprehension, and language fluency. Through reading, children encounter new words, sentence structures, and concepts, laying the foundation for effective communication and literacy skills.

Reading stimulates imagination. Through reading, children are exposed to limitless worlds where imaginations soar. It can spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking as children envision themselves in different roles and scenarios.

Reading fosters empathy. Stories offer glimpses into diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives, nurturing empathy and compassion in young minds. Through characters' triumphs, struggles, and emotions, children learn to understand, relate to, and empathize with others, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society.

Reading cultivates a love of learning. It ignites a lifelong passion for learning. When children discover the joy of books, they become eager learners, hungry for knowledge and eager to explore new ideas. This thirst for learning extends beyond the pages of a book, driving them to seek knowledge in all aspects of life.

Tips to Cultivate a Love of Reading:

Start early. Introduce books to children from infancy.
Make reading part of their bedtime routine. Reading out loud can encourage vocabulary development, fluency, and provides quality time together.
Lead by example. When children see their parents and caregivers enjoying books, it may encourage them to pick up books as well.
Read what they read. Share in their interests and connect with your children through their reading interests.
Visit libraries and bookstores. Explore different books together, allowing children to select ones that capture their interests and imaginations. Remember: any reading is good reading.
Keep age appropriate books available to your children. The more they are exposed to books, the more likely they are to pick one up to read.

Babies Cry

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:09:08 GMT

All babies cry to tell us what they need. Some babies cry more than others. Learn how to comfort your fussy baby with these tips.

https://leapsboundspediatrics.com/Crying-and-Your-Baby-How-to-Calm-a-Fussy-or-Colick-1

Medical Library

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:05:57 GMT

Have you visited our Medical Library? We’ve included links to trusted sources of information on everything from behavior and breastfeeding to sport and exercise and teen-specific information.

https://leapsboundspediatrics.com/Resources/Medical-Library

Is your child sick?

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:59:04 GMT

If your child is feeling under the weather, don’t forget about our convenient online Is Your Child Sick tool . We make every effort to schedule appointments for ill children on the day that you call us. Please call our office ahead of time so that we can minimize wait time. If you have a medical emergency during office hours, we will do our best to see your child immediately or refer you to the appropriate facility.