Radio spots for the week of 11/09/08.  Broadcast on KKOY, KALN, KKOW

Topic #1

Here’s a wonderful Halloween story that explains Three Year Old Development.  The mother of one of my three year old little friends on Halloween had a major task at hand.  It seems her young lady was going to be Tinker Bell for Halloween, and had just decided that the rest of the family needed to dress up, as well, and that Daddy was to be Peter Pan.  Mother, it seems, was dispatched to take care of this probl...I mean research alternate opportunities for Daddy’s costume.  Now to discuss Three Year Old Development.  This wonderful age has an attention span of three minutes for things of interest; plenty long to plan a fun filled Halloween evening for the family.  The language of Age Three should be understood by a stranger 90% of the time, and is usually very capable of communicating desires and mandates, again as demonstrated in our story.  Age Three is beginning to understand social relationships, and know the differences in male and female, though they don’t grasp the “before hair and after hair” or “high voice, low voice” aspects, i.e. puberty.  Enter Miss Tinker Bell’s father’s dilemma, since Peter Pan is of the “before hair” variety.  Alas, I don’t know of any father who would be looking forward to dressing up like Peter Pan for Halloween, even for his favorite little Tinker Bell.  Probably depends on how much Trick or Treating is involved.  But enter the last point about young children.  Dubious as it may seem from Daddy’s perspective, little Miss Tinker Bell has bestowed the most wonderful honor to her father that is possible.  She has invited him to share a very special time in her life, and to be the “Star” of her show.  Parents, pay attention, to see life through the eyes of your Tinker Bell, and not over look the honors that children often give.  Of course, the honors must be earned by the parents, and it all starts with that hug.  I’m Dr. Greta McFarland.

Topic #2

Have you got on the Green Bandwagon by using those CFL’s the compact florescent lights?  Well, they are economically great, but there is a concern with disposal and especially with breakage.  This information came from the EPA, the Environmental Protective Agency, at www.epa.gov, and type in CFL or compact florescent light.  The problem with breakage is that mercury is released.  Here are a few of the points with breaking a CFL.  Before clean-up, have people and pets leave the room, and don’t walk through the broken glass.  Open a window and leave for 15 minutes or more.  Shut off the central air conditioning.  Clean-up steps for hard surfaces include carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag.  Use sticky tape to pick up remaining glass fragments and powder.  On a hard surface, don’t use a vacuum or broom, as this will spread and break up the mercury into smaller pieces.  Wipe the area with damp wipe and discard in the plastic bag or glass jar.  Clean-up for carpeting includes the same pick-up and tape.  See the EPA website for vacuum use on carpets.  For clothing, bedding and soft materials that come in contact with mercury-containing powder from the inside of the bulb, throw them away.  Do not wash mercury contaminated materials in the washing machine, or wash anything down the drain, into the sewer.  After clean-up, immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.  Wash hands after disposing of the jars and plastic bags.  Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area.  So if you have kids, and use the CFLs, check out the EPA website for how to dispose and take care of spills, due to the mercury.  Give that kid a hug.  I’m Dr. Greta McFarland

Topic #3

Here’s a reminder about tooth decay, from the September issue of Contemporary Pediatrics, and I paraphrase:  Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, with 40% of American kids having cavities by age 6.  Cavities in baby teeth almost always pass on to the permanent teeth.  One of the biggest risks to kids, is if mothers have cavities, because the bacteria in the mother’s mouth that is causing her cavities is transmitted to the baby, with kissing, and other forms of sharing spit.  This is why we don’t recommend sharing drinks, or putting Baby’s fingers or pacifiers in Mom’s mouth.  These cavity-causing bacteria use sugar for energy, and they make acid that dissolves calcium, which causes a hole in the teeth.  Any food or drink with sugar is potentially a problem; this includes juices, sodas, sports drinks, formula and sweetened milk.  Another common form of sugar is cooked starch, like the white flour in crackers, cereal, chips, and junk foods.  The decay process starts as soon as those little teeth poke through the gums, usually at about 5 to 14 months of age.  To stop the attack, begin cleaning baby’s mouth very early by wiping baby’s gums and teeth several times a day.  As soon as a child can hold a tooth brush, encourage him to brush, especially at night, to get rid of the bacteria before the long night with no food.  It is crucial that an adult brush with the child, either before or after, until the child is around 7 years of age.  Check with your dentist, as to when to start visits.  Some recommend at 1 year of age, others later.  There are fluoride varnishes available for kids under age three.  Check to see if your dentist or your doctor offers this.  If you are not drinking water with fluoride, check with your doctor or dentist for a vitamin with fluoride.  Give that kid a hug while you’re brushing those teeth.  I’m Dr. Greta McFarland.