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A Parent’s Guide to Screen Time

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth fighting with your child over the amount of time he or she spends in front of the TV, computer or another screen, the answer is a resounding YES. Research has shown that kids spend more time using electronic media devices than they do on any other activity – an average of 7 hours a day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Screens are everywhere and as a result, having control over a child’s screen time has become much harder on parents. Although some screen time can be educational, too much of it may have a negative effect on a child’s development and overall well-being. As your child grows, keep in mind that too much or poor-quality screen time has been linked to:

  • Obesity
  • Irregular sleep schedules and shorter duration of sleep
  • Behavioral problems
  • Loss of social skills
  • Violence
  • Less time for play

Monitoring screen time and media content is an absolute necessity. Although limiting screen time will not immediately lead to changes, over time there is a wide range of health and wellness benefits associated with less exposure.

Here are a few tips to help regulate screen time:

  • Children under the age of 2 should have zero screen time
  • Reduce screen time to only 2 hours a day
  • Create a “screen free” zone in the home
  • Remove screens from a child’s bedroom
  • Do not leave the TV on as background noise
  • Be a good role model

Experts also suggest that the quality of the screen content your child is viewing is more important than the platform or amount of time spent. Not all programs, online games and apps are created equal. To ensure quality screen time, consider these tips:

  • Preview programs, games and apps before allowing your child to play them
  • Seek out interactive options that include activity vs. sedentary entertainment
  • Use parental controls to block or filter internet content
  • Ensure your child is close by during screen time so that you can supervise media activities
  • Speak with your child regularly about what programs, games and apps he or she is using
  • When watching programming with your child, discuss what you’re watching and educate him or her about media content/advertising

Reserving more time for person-to-person interaction and offering activities that encourage creativity and socialization will limit screen time and promote a child’s healthy development. Remember: unstructured playtime is more valuable for a young child’s developing brain than an electronic device!

About Melinda Scheibe

Melinda received a B.S. in Nutrition from Illinois State University. Upon graduation, she joined Well Child Center and is actively working as a WIC Nutritionist and Development Associate. Melinda is committed to her career as a Nonprofit professional, empowering families to reach their maximum potential.

Helping Families Eat at Home Together During National Family Meals Month™

With an aim to inspire families to eat at home together more often, to foster the best health possible for individuals and families now and into the future, we are proud to celebrate National Family Meals Month™!  During September, we encourage families to share one more meal together per week and we will highlight tips, resources, information, inspiration, and simple, healthy meal solutions to help make that happen.

Did you know that numerous studies underscore the long-term health, academic and societal benefits of consistently eating together as a family?  Home-cooked meals nourish the spirit, brain, and health of all family members.  Not to mention, people who frequently cook at home eat fewer and healthier calories.’ Additionally, regular family meals are linked to the kinds of outcomes that we all want for our children: higher grades and self-esteem, healthier eating habits and less risky behavior.

However, according to a 2013 Harris poll, only 30 percent of American families share dinner every night. Why is this?  Yes, juggling jobs, kids and the demands of a busy, modern life often come at the expense of family mealtime at home. But, this doesn’t need to be the case. You have allies all around you to provide solutions to your mealtime dilemma. We are committed to helping your family eat well to be well together.  Check out easy, budget friendly recipes on https://www.wichealth.org or ask your WIC Nutritionist for ideas at your next appointment. 

So, as the new school year starts, we challenge you to renew your commitment to creating and serving meals at home that nourish your kids and your whole family, because family meals make families stronger. Pledge to Raise Your Mitt to Commit™ to sharing one more family meal at home per week. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for family meal- focused content, including shopping tips and recipes

Share your own family meal experiences, misadventures, and solutions within your social channels.  And, remember, use the hashtag #familymealsmonth to be part of the conversation!  

About Linda Rusenovich

Linda is the mother of four young adults and has worked at the Well Child Center since 2005. She encourages parents to take small steps toward better health for themselves and their children.

Invest in Breastfeeding

“What have you heard about pumping your breastmilk when you return to work?”

We ask this question every day at the WIC clinic. I share with interested clients that I pumped breastmilk for two of my three kids and encourage them to continue to breastfeed while working as well.

I cried a lot when I realized that I wasn’t going to get the same time at home with my youngest child as I did with my first born. My boss was great at allowing me to work three-hour shifts and have hour long lunch breaks. All it took was a few bites of food and a few pages into Harry Potter to help me relax and have a letdown of milk. I would pump right before leaving for work and feed my daughter first thing when I got home. With my youngest, the daycare would let me come in and feed my son before packing him up for the ride home.

The Kane County Breastfeeding Coalition has encouraged local employers to help moms achieve their breastfeeding goals. They understand when baby drinks mom’s milk for a longer length of time, the child is healthier in later years. For the boss, this means an employee calling in sick less often to stay home to care for a feverish little one. Watch for the Coalition’s recognition during World Breastfeeding Week (August 1st-August 7th), so you can support breastfeeding friendly businesses.

Some people are unaware insurance companies will cover the cost of a breast pump. Save your baby shower dollars for the diapers!

About April Swain

April has worked at Well Child Center throughout three maternity leaves since 2006. She graduated from Illinois State University and is a passionate IBCLC. She is also a member of McQueen Station Farm, a co-op in Elgin, IL.

Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week with Us!

Breastfeeding Event

Breastfeeding aficionados, this blog’s for you! Is there anything quite as special as a mom cradling and nursing her newborn baby? The oldest image of a mother breastfeeding dates back to Babylon, approximately 2003-1595 B.C. and throughout history breastfeeding sustained life. However, in 2019 a simple internet search for “breastfeeding” produces over 100 million results that range from its benefits, oppositions, complications, personal blogs and instructional videos. How is a person curious to learn more about breastfeeding supposed to navigate all this information without becoming confused? Although breastfeeding has many supporters, today an image of a woman breastfeeding her baby is often a divisive and much debated topic. Sadly, this creates barriers for a woman deciding how to feed her baby.

At Well Child Center (WCC), we strive to help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. We have two Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultations (IBCLC’s) and three Breastfeeding Peer Counselors dedicated to ensuring our community’s breastfeeding experience meets expectations.

Every August since 1992, The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) celebrates World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) to highlight the joy and importance of breastfeeding. WCC, as a member of the Kane County Breastfeeding Coalition, is participating in the Fourth Annual Global Big Latch-on. This year’s event takes place at Advocate Sherman Hospital on August 3rd from 9:30-11 a.m. Pregnant women, mothers and families are welcomed to enjoy fun activities and learn more about new Illinois breastfeeding laws that protect women breastfeeding at work.

Once again, the Kane County Breastfeeding Coalition will be recognizing employers in Kane County who provide breastfeeding friendly practices in the workplace. If you are an employer that accommodates breastfeeding or work for a company that you would like to recognize please share here: http://kanecountyconnects.com/2019/07/coalition-celebrates-breastfeeding-friendly-workplaces-in-kane-county/ Last year, 25 businesses were congratulated on their commitment to help make breastfeeding easier for their employees.

Continuing August’s breastfeeding celebration, WCC is thrilled to be one of 200 sites selected nationwide to debut the groundbreaking documentary “Chocolate Milk.” This project is an exploration of the racial divide in breastfeeding and discusses why more African American women are choosing not to breastfeed as told by three African American women: a new mother, a midwife and a WIC lactation educator. Our screening is August 7th at 1:00 p.m. If you are interested to attend, please contact Cindy Anderson at cla@wans.net

About Cindy Anderson

Cindy has been an IBCLC since 2001 and has worked at Well Child Center for 22 years. She is the mother of three grown daughters and grandmother to one granddaughter. Difficulties with her own breastfeeding experiences led her to become a Lactation Consultant. Breastfeeding does not always go as planned and Cindy believes every mother deserves compassionate care to help achieve her breastfeeding goals.

Cartoon Cavalcade – July 12 and 27, 2019

  • Cartoon Cavalcade Postcard Front
  • Cartoon Cavalcade Postcard Back

Oddball Art Labs presents

“Cartoon Cavalcade”
A Celebration of all things ‘Toony!

The Well Child Center has been selected as the recipient of funds from this year’s playful summer gallery show from Oddball Art Labs. Be a part of it all when things get ‘Toony’ this July in ‘Cartoon Cavalcade!‘

From the creators who brought you ” Strange Imaginations and Other Perplexing Wonders”, “Robots, Rockets and Space Vixens”, “Cheesecake Anyone?”, “Cheesecake Seconds Please! A Salute to the American Pin-up!” and “Fez Fest” comes: Cartoon Cavalcade, A Celebration of All Things Toony!

The Summer 2019 Oddball Art Labs group art show promises to bring you back to those care-free Saturday mornings of your childhood. Let us help you remember the joy of the one time of the week when you were in complete control of the TV, soaking in Technicolor lunacy while stuffing your face with sugar coated cereal.

Opening Reception

Friday, July 12th, 2019
Hours: 6pm-10pm

ArtSpace Gallery
51 S. Spring St.
Elgin, IL 60120

Opening Reception on Facebook

Closing Reception

Saturday July 27th, 2019
Hours: 10am-3pm

ArtSpace Gallery
51 S. Spring St.
Elgin, IL 60120

Closing Reception on Facebook

Ready, Set, Shop!

Picture this: you’re at the grocery story accompanied by your hungry toddler. Although this might seem like a daunting task, there are ways of turning this mundane outing into an opportunity for interaction, conversation and fun!

Kids are curious creatures, they want to know everything about anything. Children learn through imitation (copying others: primarily their parents and caregivers) and induction (noticing patterns by personal experience). Therefore, the grocery store is a great platform to learn about food and social interactions.

As a child browses the grocery store shelves, this is where the best education takes place. Children are given the opportunity to see and learn about a variety of foods, other than what comes home with you. Here, kids can view food’s different colors, shapes and smells. With this hands-on approach, it’s a great opportunity to talk about healthy foods, where foods come from, and may even help motivate a picky eater to try something new. Let your child choose foods they want to bring home as it will help connect him or her to the food being prepared and thus much more likely to eat it. Furthermore, discuss why certain items do not end up in your cart and the importance that food plays in your health.

In addition to food education, children can practice their social skills while at the grocery store. Children can benefit from seeing, meeting and interacting with different people. This helps a child learn that people come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Also, while grocery shopping, it’s a great opportunity to experience and practice social skills such as waiting your turn, being respectful to others, speaking politely and asking for help. As parents and caregivers, it’s important to realize the value of human interaction and real-life experiences. Furthermore, nonverbal communication is an important part of communicating and it includes facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice as well as posture. In a world that children use digital communication extensively, it can limit the face to face experiences necessary for them to develop and master appropriate social skills.

So next time you’re preparing your grocery store list, consider taking the kids! View it as an outing and opportunity to learn. What will you cook up? Ready, set, shop!

About Melinda Scheibe

Melinda received a B.S. in Nutrition from Illinois State University. Upon graduation, she joined Well Child Center and is actively working as a WIC Nutritionist and Development Associate. Melinda is committed to her career as a Nonprofit professional, empowering families to reach their maximum potential.