the whole child

November 2011 Kiwi Post: "The Magic of Reading"

When I was very young, my parents often read to me and encouraged me to read.  I especially loved John Ciardi’s “You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You,” alternating reading the poems with my parents.  I still vividly recall this one.

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September 2011 Kiwi Post: "Educating the Whole Child"

No matter how old I get, September always feels like the beginning of the year to me. Maybe it’s all those years in school that have my senses trained to gear up once Labor Day ends, or maybe it’s the impact of the Jewish year cycle starting over again with Rosh Hashanah each fall. And being a pediatrician and a father, I’m reminded daily about back-to-school rituals.

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August 2011 Kiwi Post: "Past, Present, Future"

Happy Birthday, KIWI!  You’re almost 5-years-old, ready to start grade school. As a pediatrician, I’m so used to thinking about age this way… what is five years actually in magazine years? I think it’s a very significant milestone, especially in this age of digital media. KIWI is relevant in 2011 because it speaks to the growing number of families interested in natural, healthy, “green” living. You’ve come a long way, KIWI, and I am proud to work with you. In many ways, my pediatric practice and family life have grown in parallel with you.

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June 2011 Kiwi post: Summertime's Natural Toolbox

Bug bites, cuts and bruises, sunburns—sounds like summer! What’s a parent to do that’s safe and natural for these common childhood ailments?

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May 2011 Kiwi Post: The Food of the Gods

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and (at least in my family) chocolate is never frowned upon as a gift. With an increasing number of published studies highlighting its health benefits, could chocolate really be “the food of the gods”?

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April 2011 Kiwi post: Autism Awareness Month

April is here, once again marking the return of Autism Awareness Month. This month will be filled with numerous events reminding us that the autism is still more prevalent than ever, and that more families are still struggling with what’s frustratingly termed “the mystery of autism.” To these families, autism is something they live with every day, not just one month a year, of course—but the increased focus is important.

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March 2011 Kiwi post: "A Small World"

It is a small world, after all

How many millions of families have virtually journeyed around the world courtesy of Disney, serenaded by the memorable melody of “It’s a Small World”? I know that prior to these past two weeks, it’s the closest I’ve been to the wondrous lands of Southeast Asia. I write this to you from the air, on my way home from visiting Cambodia, a long journey back, but one full of memories that will linger much, much longer...

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February 2011 Kiwi post: "Fever Phobia"

Fever Phobia

Every winter I am reminded of the great “Fever Phobia” that plagues parents everywhere. In the Northeastern U.S., where I practice, we’re up to our necks in snow, ice and viruses. Cough and cold viruses, stomach viruses, and flu viruses—you name it, we’re seeing it. And the number one reason by far parents call us is—you guessed it—fever... (to read more, click on the link above)

New "The Whole Child" Post on the Kiwilog: January 2011

Ring in the New

New Year’s is in part about resolutions: wishes for the year to come. On everyone’s list is usually something about eating healthier, exercising more, and being less stressed. These are often cited as personal goals, but more importantly, they are core integrative principles that we can use to chart a course towards a healthier future for our children. In this month’s post, I wanted to profile three real-life examples of model programs that are helping families live healthier lives... (click link above to see more)

New "The Whole Child" Post on the Kiwilog: December 2010

The Circle of Life

 “All I am I owe to my Mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” –George Washington

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”    –Abraham Lincoln

Turns out that both Washington and Lincoln were more right than they knew. Our two most celebrated presidents were referring to the effect their mothers had on them after birth, of course, but recent scientific discoveries have shed light on how important a baby’s first environment—the womb—truly is.