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hvparent.com ■ Hudson Valley Parent 31 Baby brain boosters W hile formal education may not begin until age five, those years preced- ing classroom learning are crucial to brain development. You can get your child started on the right path early on by encouraging learn- ing whenever possible. Sing a song Simple songs can be a fun and helpful way to reinforce basic concepts like numbers, letters and animals. Sing with your little one in the car, or when you have free time at home. Great choic- es include "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," "The Alphabet Song," and "The Wheels on the Bus." Colorful books "Books for young children should also be learning tools that help build vocabulary and language skills," says Sophie Mitchell, preschool publisher at DK Publishing. For newborns, Mitchell recom- mends books that feature bright, bold colors and vivid patterns that are easy to hold, for sharing be- tween baby and parent. Be active Babies need lots of mental stimu- lation for brain development. Take little trips that can foster questions and observations. Whether that be the playground, the zoo or even a run-of-the-mill trip to the grocery store, talk to your child throughout the trip, pointing out things you see. When you get home, you can rein- force the real-world concepts with learning books. Article provided by State Point New moms diabetes will always need insulin to control their diabetes as their body cannot properly digest carbohydrates. Although Type 1 diabetes is not linked to obesity, Dr. Brodsky's nutritional goal for a child with Type 1 diabetes is a healthy diet that she would want any healthy child to consume. "A perfect meal for any child to attain a healthy weight would include a serving of grilled, baked, or broiled lean protein such as chicken, a serving of brown rice, whole wheat pasta, or other high •ber grain, a serving of vegetables without butter, and a glass of water or low-fat milk," says Dr. Brodsky. Should I exercise? "Exercise makes bodies more sensitive to insulin," says Dr. Brodsky. "For people with Type 2 dia- betes, exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity, aids in weight loss, and is extremely bene•- cial." For children with Type 1 diabetes, exercise can improve their cardio vascular health and regulate weight. "When children with Type 1 diabetes exercise, their insulin seems more powerful than usual because their body becomes more sensitive to it, so they must constantly monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their dosage," says Dr. Brodsky. For patients with Type 1 diabetes, Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) may assist in blood glucose monitoring and are very useful in helping patients regulate their blood sugar levels during exercise. Dr. Brodsky is a board certied Pediatric Endocrinologist who specializes in the diag- nosis and treatment of diabetes and other hormonal disorders. She practices with the MKMG in the Poughkeepsie location. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 200,000 people under the age of 20 suŠer from diabetes. Dr. Jill Brodsky, a board certi•ed Pediatric Endocrinologist, shares her insight on diabetes in children. Why is diabetes on the rise? "Pediatric diabetes is generally Type 1, but we are starting to see Type 2 diabetes in children," says Dr. Brodsky. The major factor of this increase isŒhow much our lifestyle has changed over the years. We now favor fast food and video games over home cooked meals and family walks. Conversely, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented. The goal with these patients is to transition them from injected insulin to an insulin pump, which makes administering insulin more convenient. Insulin pumps also help to dramatically improve quality of life for children with Type 1 diabetes. What are the signs? If you notice an increase in thirst and urination in your child, get to your pediatrician right away. "Peeing a lot at night and bed wetting (especially after your child has been dry through the night for a long period of time), are glaring signs that you need to take your child to their pediatrician for an endocrinologist referral," says Dr. Brodsky. Other signs include: unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, and fatigue. How does diet play a role? According to Dr. Brodsky, her goal for children with Type 2 diabetes is to attain a healthy body weight, which often times allows them to reduce or stop their medication and use lifestyle as their new "medication." However, those with Type 1 What parents need to know about diabetes