Elmo Has A Question

Can someone Sesame Street (S/S) out?

The groundbreaking children's show is yet turns 40 and its impact is wide-ranging, yet the Children's Television workshop faces a budget shortfall, as the economic downturn has strained nonprofit funding across the board. As a result, staffing cuts have been announced, and the number of new episodes is down significantly (26 this year compared to 130 peak level).

You can't argue with the numbers. As a recent Newsweek article states S/S is definitely still relevant, as several independent studies show that children who regularly watch S/S consistently:

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  score better on number and letter recognition


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  have stronger vocabulary and math skills


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  and the impact carries over into high school years

Take it from a new mom, I much rather start my day with Ernie, Elmo, Big Bert & Burt than those manic doomsayers on CNBC (which I did for many years). Maybe if we all watched a little more S/S, American productivity would return.

Economic Downturn Impacting Price of Fertility Treatments

Yes, we all know the economy is tanking, the datapoints don't lie. House prices are plummeting and foreclosures are climbing. Profits are down and the unemployment rolls are approaching the 8%, the highest level in almost 25 years.

But fertility treatment costs are inelastic, right? Not anymore. According to the NY Post, a number of clinics are offering reduced rates from the $15,000 standard.

The Lady Behind APGAR Score

How inspiring.

While at student at the prestigious Columbia Medical School in the 1930s, Virginia Apgar was strongly advised not to pursue the surgeon path because "even women won't go to a woman surgeon." Dr. Apgar switched gears and concentrated her energies on the field of anesthesia, later focusing on obstectrics and teaching.

When a young student asked what were the most important factors she looks for in a just-delivered baby, she scribbled down five criteria on some scrap paper: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration. The rest is history.

Fifty-seven year later, the medical establishment considers the APGAR score to one of the best predictors of neonatal survival. Babies with low scores, now received specialized care, and infancy survival rates surged.

Later in her career, she became a leading advocate for the prevention of birth defects.

Next month the 100th aniversary of Dr. Apgar's birth.

As they say, when one door closes, another opens.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124328572691452021.html

Whooping Cough Vaccinations

A recent government-sponsored study conducted by Kaiser Permanente's Colorado Institute for Health Research demonstrated that kids who do not receive the whooping cough vaccination series have a significantly greater probability of contracting the disease (1 in 20) that those who receive the vaccination (1 in 500).



(Reuters.com)





http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE54P0NX20090526.

New Fathers Ask What Happened to My Pre-Dad Life?

Sleep deprivation, no more video games, social estrangement. Honey we got tickets to the Knicks game tonight, do you mind? Forget about it.



Caring for a newborn can challenge the most symbiotic relationships. Fathers are particularly blind-sided by the lifestyle adjustments as they re-evaluate friendships, priorities and lifestyle. But once that connection with the baby is made, few want to return to their pre-dad days.



Courtesy of Parenting.com via CNN

Good Social Skills Start With Mom

A 14-year study conducted by the Economic & Social Research Counsel indicated that moms who foster emapthy can have a direct impact on a child's social development now and in the future. When exposed to various social situations, researcher encourage parents to ask how their children would feel in a similar setting (specifically the other persons intentions, beliefs, and wants, among other things).

Labeling and showing how one should deal with such feelings is also an extremely important tool.


Courtesy of CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/15/mother.children.social.skills/index.html

Metro Card

James joined the teeming masses today, commuting to NYC for the first time, in rush hour no less. Starting at the Hoboken PATH station, the destination was an appointment at Columbia Presbyterian and it required two connections. We met some bright-eyed NYU students on the way to their commencement ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. James was all smiles and charm as he enjoyed the people-watching on the A train. He was in great cheer when we arrived at 168th Street and Broadway. Walking toward the hospital, his laughter was infectious and he received shoutouts from all sorts of people along the way, whether it was a smile from a doctor, a god-bless from some grandmothers, or a "hey pappi" from the maintenance men. The doctors visits went well and James took a well deserved nap on the train ride home.