It is impossible to determine family relationships by looking at a family. Primary caregivers may or may not be biologically related to their children. It is important that child care and early education professionals learn about the family structure from the child’s caregivers rather than make assumptions

All children display some aggressive behaviors throughout their development. For example, some biting and hitting is normal for toddlers before they develop language skills.

One of the most abused drugs in our society is alcohol. It's also a drug that many people start using at very young ages. Though it's illegal for people younger than 21 years to drink, many children are introduced to alcohol well before they reach that age. The earlier they begin using alcohol, the higher

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have higher levels of impulsivity and hyperactivity and/or inattention than other children their age. Not every child who has disorganized or impulsive behaviors has ADHD. The most important step is to look for other causes, especially exposure

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have challenges with social interactions, language development, and sensory experiences, and they can engage in repetitive patterns of behavior or have highly focused interests. Research estimates indicate that at least 1 in 59 children (1.7%) have ASD, with

Did you know that there are about 5 million children in the United States who wet the bed? If your child wets the bed, he or she is not alone.

As a parent, you can learn to be more confident and consistent in your interactions with your child. This can help your child with a personal understanding of—and strategies for managing—his or her behaviors, at home and beyond. Here are some evidence-based parent training programs that have been

Children who engage in biting are usually identified after a bite has happened. Biting is common among young toddlers, can begin in late infancy, and, at times, can continue until preschool age. Biting can continue throughout childhood (and adulthood) in some individuals with certain diagnoses (eg, sensory

CONNECTED KIDS: Bullying is when one child picks on another child again and again. Usually children who are being bullied are either weaker or smaller, are shy, and generally feel helpless. Bullying most commonly takes place at school, when adults are not watching, or through email or instant messages.

About 9 in every 1,000 children have at least one legally confirmed child maltreatment experience, with most being neglect.

Sexual abuse of children is more common than most people think. About 1 out of 5 girls and 1 out of 10 boys will be sexually abused during their childhood. Parents can take steps to help prevent and recognize sexual abuse in children.

Young people are surrounded by pro-drug messages in the media and on the Internet. They may try cocaine for the excitement or the experience without realizing the very real risks and consequences that come with cocaine use.

When a child continues to cry excessively after caregivers have attempted to meet his or her needs and/or crying continues for a longer period than is usual for that particular child, it is a concern.

No matter what you've heard, read, or seen, not everyone your age is having sex, including oral sex and intercourse. In fact, more than half of all teens choose to wait until they're older to have sex. If you have already had sex but are unsure if you should again, then wait before having sex again.

Depression in preschool-aged and young children can manifest in a number of ways. It is important to recognize that the mood symptoms young children with depression have do not mean that they can never be happy—just that they show these symptoms more easily and/or more intensely than other children

Children with developmental delays can be identified by families, pediatricians and other primary care clinicians, and child care and early education professionals by noting when children do not meet developmental milestones at expected ages with respect to speech and communication, gross-motor skills,

Children who have difficulty sharing either do not understand the concept of taking turns with toys and materials or they understand the concept of sharing but do not engage in sharing. While toddlers can frequently demonstrate spontaneous prosocial behaviors like sharing, they should not be expected

Difficulty participating in group activities is a common experience for young children, and it affects boys and girls alike. Children who have difficulty in group activities often have challenges during large-group settings, such as circle time, morning meetings, or story time. Children who have difficulty

While family is the most important influence in a child’s life, media in all its forms, including TV, computers, and other screens, are not far behind. Because media can influence how children think, feel, and behave, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to help their children

As a parent, one of your jobs is to teach your child how to behave. While this can take time, try not to get frustrated when your child does not behave. Instead, learn effective ways to discipline your child. The following is guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to discipline your

The term disruptive behavioral disorders includes a number of problems, usually oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. In preschoolers, disorder of disruptive anger and aggression is a more developmentally specific way of categorizing problems with extreme emotional and behavioral reactions.

Every year, more than 1 million children in the United States experience the divorce of their parents. Because the average divorce takes place within the first 7 years of marriage, many of these children are very young. For many children, divorce can be as difficult as the death of a parent. Children

The 2 most well-known eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia is self-starvation. Bulimia is a disorder in which a person eats large amounts of food (binges) and then tries to undo the effects of the binge in some way, usually by ridding the body of the food that was eaten.

All children experience fear and anxiety at times. Fear of real and perceived danger will continue to protect children throughout the life span. Many fears and anxieties emerge from growing cognitive abilities and are part of typical development. Children’s fear is real and requires responsive caregiving.

Many Americans gamble for fun. However, for young people, gambling may become a serious addiction. The chances of a young gambler getting "hooked" are far greater than those of an adult.

It is estimated that about 0.6% of adults identify as gender diverse or transgender. Rates in preschoolers and early childhood are not well established. Some young children who identify as gender diverse may grow up to be transgender youth or adults, and some may not.

By school age, children understand that death is an irreversible event. Yet even though youngsters recognize that death is something more than going to sleep for a long time, they still may have many unanswered questions that they may not verbalize: Where did grandmother go when she died? What is she

Every parent's dream is to raise perfect children who have no worries and lead charmed, happy lives free of pain and hurt. We dream that we can keep our children safe from loss, heartache, and danger. But even if we could, would it really help them?

Hyperactivity is typically thought of as one part of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can be diagnosed in children as early as age 4 years. However, because most preschoolers can be active and inattentive and have difficulty staying engaged at times, only medical and/or mental health

Young people today can face strong peer pressure to try drugs, including a group of substances called inhalants. Inhalant abuse is particularly a problem with younger teens, but even children as young as 5 or 6 years may try inhalants.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). While there is no cure for HIV, early diagnosis and treatment are very effective at keeping people healthy. In addition, there are things you can do to prevent getting HIV. Read on to learn more