Victoria Dunckley's Blog, page 3

Are Your Kids Mal-illuminated?

Research shows our genes are programmed to respond to exposure to full spectrum light, which we now know to be a critical factor in how healthy we are. But are we getting enough?

The Unique Impact of Dads

Dads often report feeling undervalued, yet research shows their influence offers unique, long-term developmental benefits.

Restricting Screens: Why Your Child WON'T Get Left Behind

When it comes to limiting screen-time based on tolerability, parents needn't worry whether keeping the child from electronics now will put them at a disadvantage later.

Rethinking How to Help Kids Lose Weight

Is it possible to "tweak" a child's metabolism to help them lose weight naturally? How do psychiatric issues and medications impact weight in children?

12 Days of Non-Tech Gift Giving

Get "real" toys this year! Here are 12 gift categories for children that encourage imagination, bonding, movement, and of course loads of family fun.

Going Screenfree: Sheer Madness or Sheer Genius?

Whether a parent senses screen-time is having a negative impact on a child or simply feels there's way too much of it, constantly managing electronics use can drive parents crazy. Here are three tips to help parents go from thinking "something needs to change" to taking decisive action.

A Curious Case of Depression

A young adult male comes in reporting weight loss, fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, and depression so severe he's requesting "shock therapy." Where does one begin with such difficult cases?

The Hidden Agenda Behind 21st Century Learning

High-stakes testing, obsessive data collection, and lofty promises of technology’s potential to “revolutionize” education are contributing to alarming amounts of school-based screen-time—without regard for screens’ numerous impacts on learning and mental health. Teacher and public education advocate Tara Eckhre describes the deceptive web behind 21st Century Learning.

Screentime Is Making Kids Moody, Crazy and Lazy

By disrupting sleep, suppressing the brain's frontal lobe, raising stress hormones, and fracturing attention, daily screen-time is making children become the worst version of themselves.

Wired Parent, Wired Child

When it comes to managing their kids' screen-time, parents are often blamed for being bad role models. But in practice, blaming and shaming doesn't work. Here's what does.