Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention manager for Cook Children's Health Care System, explains that, while these may seem like gifts without much concern, it is important to understand they are vehicles. She offers families tips on how to help their children safely enjoy e-bikes and e-scooters. 

“Always wear a helmet,” emphasizes Evans.

• Always wear a helmet: Make sure you have the right helmet. For e-bikes/e-scooters that go up to 20 mph, a bike helmet is sufficient, but parents may want to invest in a stronger helmet to better protect their children.
• Perform a safety check before each ride:
  • Check the tires. Ensure they are inflated to the recommended pressure on the sidewall.
  • Check brake levers. Squeeze them while rolling the bike forward and backward to ensure the brakes engage and stop the e-bike/e-scooter.
  • Inspect your e-bike/e-scooter for loose nuts or anything that looks abnormal.
• Follow the rules of the road:
  • Always ride on the right, in the same direction as traffic. Use the bike lane if available.
  • top and look both ways before entering a street or crossing an intersection.
  • Stop at all intersections.
  • Obey all traffic lights and traffic signs.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Do not talk on the phone or text. Do not wear earbuds; you cannot hear what is happening around you.
• Night rides: Make sure you wear bright, reflective clothing. Ensure your e-bike/e-scooter has a light and reflectors.

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The Ultimate Holiday Safety Checklist 

Know When to Use Telemedicine, Urgent Care, or the ER for Kids 

Halloween is a fun time where kids and caregivers can let their imagination take hold. Children and adults alike dress up as various characters. A mix of spooky and fun costumes will adorn the streets of North Texas this year, and Cook Children’s Health Care System wants to make sure families are not spooked by any preventable mishaps.

Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention manager and Laura Romano D.O., hospitalist at Cook Children's, share their expert tips to stop the scariest spooks of the night: preventable injuries.

Pedestrian safety:

Research shows children do not have the cognitive ability to safely cross the street, unsupervised, until they are ten years old.

Evans shares that most pedestrian injuries occur between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., especially as Daylight Saving Time ends. Pedestrians who are distracted (on the phone, listening to music, etc.) are four times more likely to be injured or killed.

Evans emphasizes that parents are role models and can set a good example by putting down the phone when walking.

“Follow the same rules you want your child to,” said Evans.

• Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street. Then remind them to continue looking until safely across the street.
• Watch for cars backing out or pulling into driveways.
• Put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street. It is particularly important to reinforce this message with teenagers.

Dr. Romano adds these pedestrian safety tips for everyone:

•  Make sure your child stays on the sidewalk and crosses at crosswalks or at corners.
• Slow down: Remember to drive very slowly, particularly when coming home from work in the evening.

Trick-or-Treat: Staying Safe in Costume

Your child’s costume should prioritize visibility and mobility to prevent common trip-and-fall injuries.

•  If possible, avoid all black costumes, particularly if your kids are trick-or-treating later in the evening, as dark costumes can be hard to see.
• If your child is wearing a dark costume, make sure that your child is bringing a flashlight or wearing glow sticks to help them be visible.
• Make sure to purchase costumes that are labeled “flame-retardant”. For any DIYers, nylon and polyester are materials that are known to be flame-retardant.
• Use caution with wigs, masks, or other accessories that may cover your kids’ eyes, nose, and mouth, making it difficult to see or breathe.
• Prevent falls by avoiding ill-fitting shoes and costumes that may become tripping hazards.
• Only use make-up products that are “non-toxic”. Test a small area of their skin a few days before use.
• The use of colored contact lenses could lead to eye infections or injuries—stick to only prescription contact lenses!

Tips for Teens

• Sending a responsible adult is always a good idea.
  • Older kids who can go trick-or-treating by themselves should only visit houses they know and follow routes that parents preapprove.
• Trick-or-treat in large groups, not alone or with just one other friend.
• Arrange specific check-in times throughout the evening.
• If your teen is driving to a party, make sure they are driving slowly and know to watch out for little kids.

By Laura Romano, D.O., hospitalist at Cook Children's Medical Center- Fort Worth

 The season of the Great Pumpkin, falling leaves, and fun Halloween costumes has officially arrived! My kids are so excited to show off their Halloween costumes this year. If you see a Fairy Princess and Thomas the Tank Engine wandering around your neighborhood, make sure you say hi!

 As kids get ready for trick-or-treating, there are some important things parents can do to keep them as safe as possible! Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about Trick or Treating!

 Prepare your little ones for Halloween

• Trick or treating can be fun, but slightly intimidating for little ones. Practice trick-or-treating with your kids. Have them come to your door and say “trick or treat!” and practice saying please and thank you!
• Practice handing out candy. Handing out candy is my daughter’s personal favorite. You MUST take candy from her before you are allowed to leave our yard. She will follow you.
• Talk about what they might see on Halloween and walk around the neighborhood beforehand.

For older kids

• Sending a responsible adult is always a good idea.
• Older kids who can go trick-or-treating by themselves should only visit houses they know and follow routes that are pre-approved by parents.
• They should avoid going by themselves or with just one other friend, and instead go in large groups.
• Arrange specific check-in times throughout the evening.
• If your teen is driving to a party, make sure they are driving slowly and know to watch out for little kids.

Trick or Treat: Give me something good to eat

• For little kids: Avoid candies or treats that are small and might be a choking hazard.
• Check the candy: Practice going through the candy haul with your kids before allowing them to eat any.
  • You want to look for candy that may have been tampered with or look-alike food items that might contain illicit substances like THC or CBD.
• Giving out candy: I always try to make sure we have a peanut-free option for kids! We keep a separate bowl with non-peanut candies like Skittles or Smarties.
• Allergies: Regardless of your child’s allergy status, inspect all candy before they eat any. You want to look out for food allergens like peanuts or candies that are made in nut-containing facilities.

Too much candy?

As a Reese’s lover, my answer is that there is never too much candy. However, as a mom, I try to remember that the combination of sugar, chocolate, and the excitement of Halloween can lead to an upset stomach. Try to limit the intake to just a few pieces on Halloween night.

Keep It Reel: Staying Safe in Costume

• If possible, avoid all black costumes, particularly if your kids are trick-or-treating later in the evening. Dark costumes can be hard to see in the evening.
• If your child is wearing a dark costume, make sure that your child is bringing a flashlight to help them be visible or wear glow sticks.

SUID can occur in infants younger than a year. It includes three causes of death: sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed (ASSB) and unknown/undetermined reasons. 

“SUID can happen in any sleep environment but is less likely to happen if the baby is in their own crib, bassinet, or portable crib,” explains Samantha St. John, program coordinator at Cook Children’s Center for Community Health.

St. John shares how families can prepare and keep their little one safe as they build their baby registry. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires that products include clear labeling with information such as age recommendations, safety warnings, usage instructions, and manufacturer details to help ensure safe use and inform caregivers of potential hazards.  St. John adds that while some items may be marketed to help ease parenthood, they may not be safe.

Safe Sleep:

Weighted sleep sacks: Weighted sleep sacks are often advertised as providing extra comfort to a baby by imitating a parent’s hand resting on the infant’s chest.  However, according to the CPSC, the additional weight on the baby’s chest may hinder movement and breathing, which could increase the risk of SUID.

Alternative: Parents should use unweighted wearable blankets or sleep sacks to keep the baby warm and allow the baby to take full, deep breaths. 

Bumper pads: Crib bumper pads are a common piece of décor for the crib. Due to the significant risk associated with crib bumper pads, the Safe Baby Sleep Act bans the manufacture and sale of this product in the United States. Between 1990 and 2016, bumper pads were responsible for at least 107 infant deaths, according to the CPSC.  Even alternative products that claim to be breathable still pose a risk of suffocation and strangulation.

Lounger: A baby lounger is a portable, cushioned space for a baby, often called an infant lounger, a lounge pillow, or newborn lounger.  Though these products are made for the baby to use while awake and supervised, we often see infants sleeping in these loungers while in their crib, bassinet, or on the couch.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants are at risk of suffocation if they roll into the cushioned side of the lounger and their nose and mouth become blocked. 

When in use: Caregivers need to supervise while the baby is awake.  The lounger should be placed on the ground to avoid the risk of falling.  Manufacturer instructions and guidelines should be followed.   

Pillows: It is a common misconception that babies need a pillow in their beds for comfort.  Adding this soft product to their sleep space can increase the risk of suffocation and SIDS. 

Alternative: Save the pillows for when the child is over the age of one and it is developmentally safe.  This includes wedge pillows, regular pillows, anti-roll pillows and head shaping pillows.

Stuffed animals: Toys should never be placed in a baby’s sleep space, as they can increase the risk of suffocation.  Stuffed animals make great décor for the nursery but are not safe for the baby to snuggle with while sleeping until they are over the age of one.

Toys with button batteries: Infants learn by exploring and putting items in their mouths. If swallowed, toys with small button batteries can get stuck in the throat and be a choking hazard or can travel through the digestive tract, causing serious or life-threatening injuries within three hours.  Parents need to inspect toys to ensure the battery case is securely closed, there are no loose or broken parts, and the case is sturdy enough to withstand continued use without the batteries falling out.

Blankets: Blankets are a popular registry item because they are cozy, cute, and useful during cuddle time and for tummy time on the floor.  However, blankets can cover the baby’s face and increase the risk of suffocation while sleeping. 

Alternative: To keep the baby safe and warm, use a wearable blanket or sleep sack.

Swings/rockers/bouncers: Baby swings, rockers, and bouncers are great products on a registry because they can help soothe the baby and allow the baby to enjoy independent time in a different position or location.  For sleep, these products are not a safe place for infants because the incline of the product makes it easier for the baby’s head to fall forward, which can block their airway and increase the risk of suffocation. 

When in use: Swings, rockers, and bouncers are great for supervised awake time, but not for naps or overnight sleep. 

Safety over comfort

In 2024, the CPSC report on Injuries and Deaths Associated with Nursery Products among Children Younger than Age 5, stated more than 60,000 children visited the emergency department in 2023 due to injury related to a nursery product such as an infant carrier, bouncer, swing, or other items. St. John emphasizes that when caregivers are determining which products to purchase, safety should be top of mind.

When looking at items for vehicle safety with a baby, she suggests:

Mirrors/Cameras: Caregivers need to be mindful that these products can become detached in an accident and cause injury to anyone in the vehicle. Any loose and unstored items in the vehicle can become a projectile in a car crash. Mirrors and cameras are often added to registries because parents want to be able to see their baby while they are rear-facing in their car seat. 

Car Seat Accessories: Items such as car seat covers, head support inserts, and toys are not often approved products by car seat manufacturers because they can affect the safety of the child in the car seat. Parents should check their car seat owner’s manual before registering for these additional accessories.

Counterfeit car seats: Fake car seats may not have a manufacturer date, model number, warning label, or instruction manuals.  Caregivers can schedule an appointment to have their car seat checked by visiting www.freecarseatcheck.org.

Vehicle Seat protectors: Vehicle seat protectors are advertised as being able to help protect the fabric of the vehicle seat.  However, many child safety seat manufacturers do not allow the use of these seat protectors.  When registering for this product, parents need to be sure the car seat manufacturer approves the use of vehicle seat protectors.

Toys gifted during the holidays are meant to bring joy and adventure. But toys can also pose risks for choking, head injury and other dangers.

A curious toddler might swallow a Barbie shoe or stick a craft bead up their nose. Older children might crowd onto the trampoline or shoot a Nerf gun at someone’s face. Teens might want to ride their bicycles and scooters without a helmet.

That’s why the safety experts at Cook Children’s urge parents to implement the best practices to help keep kids of all ages from getting hurt with toys. January is the time to set intentions for the new year … a fresh start for rules when it comes to how your family members use toys and put them away. 

“Injuries prevent fun. We want to be able to have fun with our toys, and in order to do that, we have to be safe with them,” said Ashley Pagenkopf, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist at Cook Children's Emergency Department (ED). “Safety produces fun.”

National statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission show an estimated 209,500 toy-related injuries were treated in hospital EDs across the country in 2022. Cuts and abrasions accounted for 41% of those ED visits. Almost half were injuries to the patient’s head and face.

At Cook Children’s in the year between October 2022 and September 2023, our ED saw patients with injuries stemming from: 

• 15 in bicycle collisions with automobiles
• 52 on bicycles
• 27 on scooters
• 25 on skateboard or hoverboard
• 20 on skates or rollerblades
• 106 on trampolines

The data from the Cook Children’s ED also included 93 injured ATV riders, including five fatalities. Additionally, the ED treated 29 patients hurt on go-karts and golf carts in the 2022-2023 year.  

Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention coordinator at Cook Children’s, said parents need to understand the risks and be vigilant about teaching and enforcing rules for safe use of toys. She especially emphasizes the need to wear a helmet on any toy with wheels.

“Kids need to be taught the importance of using a helmet on EVERY ride, how to look for cars pulling in and out of driveways and on the street, crossing only at intersections,” Evans said. “They don’t learn all this by one parent lecture. You have to be with them and model this behavior until they are able to reproduce it on every ride.”

What’s most important for parents to remember? Here are key tips:

1. Get rid of the packaging right away when a new toy is unboxed. Plastic bags, bubble wrap and packing peanuts can be hazardous for a young child.  
2. Read the warning labels and instruction manuals. Show your child how to use the toy properly.
3. Follow the age range listed by the toy manufacturer. If it says 4+, then it’s not appropriate for a 3-year-old. And be mindful of your child’s maturity and any developmental delays that could affect their readiness for a particular item. Just because your child is 4 years old, they might not be suited quite yet for a toy labeled 4+. “As a parent you have the ability to say ‘We’re going to put this up for a while,’” Evans said.
4. If assembly is required, finish the job completely and correctly. A screw only partially screwed in can wind up in a child’s mouth.
5. Watch for magnets and batteries in toys. If swallowed, they can cause a fatal injury or serious harm to the throat, stomach and intestines.  
6. Be aware of recalls issued for toys identified as potential choking or fire hazards, containing unsafe amounts of lead, or other concerns.
7. Make sure older siblings keep things out of reach. That includes game pieces, mini LEGOs, makeup kits etc. Evans recommends finding a place and time when babies and toddlers aren’t nearby. “There may have to be rules where the older child can play with the small toys only when the younger child is asleep. Or put the toys up on a table or counter where they are out of the younger child’s reach,” Evans said.
8. Pick up after playtime. Plastic bins and secure lids from the dollar store are smart and affordable ways to contain your family’s toys.

Parents should set the expectations and then give their kids frequent reminders to help them stick to the family rules. Children might push back on the limit of two jumpers at a time on the trampoline or the requirement to wear a helmet on the scooter or bicycle. But it’s important to be consistent. And be ready to follow through with consequences if a child breaks the rules.

Pagenkopf said parents should reinforce again and again the conversations about putting away the toys that are risky for a little brother or sister. It’s also important to model the habits you want to instill, she said. For example: Parents should always wear a helmet when riding their bikes, so that kids understand that safety rules apply to everyone in the family.

Another tip is to praise your child for using and storing toys properly. “Say ‘Hey, thanks for having your helmet on.’ ‘Thanks for putting your toys away,’” Pagenkopf said. “Kids are so responsive to positive reinforcement.” They’ll repeat the praised behavior.  

Not all toy-related injuries can be prevented. But when a family makes safe habits the norm, they reduce the odds of a severe injury that requires a trip to the ED. It takes consistent practice by children and parents.

“There’s an intentionality and a mindfulness in it,” Pagenkopf said. “Not being safe is what steals fun away.”

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It’s gift-giving season once again! While shopping for those on your holiday list can be fun, finding the perfect gift for the children in your life may present some challenges. What toys are safe and age-appropriate? What will grab their attention after Santa and his elves have returned to the North Pole and the new wears off? What will engage their mind, body and soul?

Much like Santa, our Cook Children’s family knows a thing or two about kids, toys and the magic that makes the holidays special. We’re here to help take the chore out of your holiday shopping with tips on everything from how to spot an unsafe toy to how to know what type of gift will bring holiday cheer while feeding your child’s passion. 

So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and let’s get started on finding the perfect gift for the children in your life.  

Safety First

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. Last year, more than 200,000 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The commission also received reports of 11 toy-related deaths of children ages 14 and younger. Reported causes of death include choking hazards,  riding toys and magnets. 

When it comes to toys, one size does not fit all. It’s important to make sure whatever you give a child is appropriate for their age, size, maturity and developmental ability. You can read more safe toy tips here.

Some toys pose a danger no matter the child’s age. Water-based soft-gel toy guns were all the rage a few years ago, and remain a popular toy. But anything that blasts a projectile, be it hard or soft, comes with risk. If you are gifting one of these toys this year, be sure your child also unwraps protective gear. 

“I encourage eye protection for any air-powered firearms or toys, such as BB guns, airsoft guns and water bead guns,” said Dan Guzman, M.D., emergency medicine physician and director of the Aim For Safety program at Cook Children’s. 

Read more about potential injuries from air-powered toy guns here. 

If Santa brings a big outdoor gift this year, like a trampoline, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or golf cart, be sure he doesn’t forget to leave safety equipment and a list of precautions before shimmying back up the fireplace. 

“We have definitely seen an increase in golf cart injuries and deaths over the last two to three years,” Dr. Guzman said. “It is very sad to see the lack of supervision and how parents allow children to drive golf carts on the road.”

We’re not trying to “bah humbug” these popular sources of outdoor amusement and adventure, but making safety a priority means less of a chance your fun will be interrupted with a trip to the emergency department. We cover everything from trampoline to bike to ATV, golf cart and motor vehicle safety here. 

Holiday Gift Guides for Safe, Healthy and Strong Kids

Now that we’ve covered safety, let’s talk gift ideas.

We asked for input from Cook Children’s Child Life experts. If there is one thing these professionals know, it’s how to engage kids and teens by tapping into their personal interests. They spend their days helping children and families express and work through their concerns while undergoing medical care, and they do it with a big dose of fun. 

Here are the kid-friendly gifts that top their lists for everyone from the avid reader to the artistic genius to the musician, animal lover and tech wizard. 

For the Book Lover

By Ashley Brock, Cook Children’s Family Library/Literacy Program Manager

• If you are looking for a new book for your little reader, award-winning titles are a good place to start. The Association for Library Service to Children publishes a comprehensive list of awards, including the distinguished Newbery Medal.  
• Graphic novels are popular. Don’t write them off. There's still a lot of reading to be done with these books, and kids are likely to read more if they can choose books based on their interests.
• Drawing books, craft books, or otherwise interactive books are good for reluctant or shy readers.
• You can never go wrong by gifting a book lover a bookmark, especially one your child can color or personalize. Bookmarks with built-in book lights and digital timers to keep track of how long your child reads are fun and useful for those who need to log their time for reading homework. 
• Every bookshelf needs fun book ends. Just be sure they can not topple or be pulled off the shelf onto the top of a little one’s head.
• Gift a floor pillow or lounge chair that can be used to outfit a reading nook where your child can comfortably read. It doesn’t have to be big, just a cozy little corner in your home will do. Accent the space with a bookshelf and lamp for good reading light. 
• Wrap up a personalized book bag with a library card inside. Kids love having their very own library cards. It’s a special rite of passage. 
• Consider a subscription to a child’s magazine that will come directly to your home for something new to read every month. 

“Give the gift of time and attention by reading with your child. It’s never too early to start this.  They’ll learn to love books early and can become life-long readers and learners. Share books that you loved as a child. Recently, my daughter and I read Charlotte’s Web together. It was special for both of us. Make time for you to read, too. Much like so many other aspects of parenting, we can model behaviors we want our children to adopt.” ~ Ashley Brock

For the Budding Artist

By Sydney Peel, Cook Children’s Resident Artist, Create Art Residency Program

Art can be a joyful hobby and outlet for many kids, and is such a healthy and encouraging way for them to spend their time and to connect with others. Make sure your little Picasso has all the supplies they need to let their creative juices flow.

• Choose a material that your budding artist might be interested in and buy one or two good quality items while avoiding the multipack art kits that tend to be lower quality. A mixed-media sketchbook is great for most types of art. Include charcoal pencils for the drawing enthusiast, or oil pastels for those that prefer to work with color. If your child enjoys more 3D art, air-dry clay is a good option.  
• A gift card to a local art supply store will excite any artist. 
• Encourage art exploration with a how-to-draw book that relates to your child’s other interests. For example, a how-to-draw dinosaur book for your dinosaur lovers. 
• Paint sticks are a fun and relatively mess-free material for new artists to try. They glide across the paper like a glue stick but are actually paint. 
• Exploring while making a mess is a fun way to engage with art. Try liquid watercolors and watercolor spray paints if you aren’t afraid for you or your child to get their hands a little dirty. 

“When children get a gift of art supplies they will be encouraged to explore and feel excited to try new materials. Having their own supplies gives them ownership and freedom to make their art their own. When kids have the opportunity to be creative it helps them grow and gain confidence in themselves.” ~ Sydney Peel 

For the Music Maker

By Raymond Turner, Recording Studio Producer, Cook Children’s Child Life Zone

If you have a young musician in the family who is constantly tapping, humming, or suddenly belting out movie theme songs at full operatic volume around the house, it’s likely time to take it as a sign from the heavens that you might have a future rockstar on your hands. But, where do you start with this angelic Mozart? At the candyland for all musicians, of course — your local music store. A field trip to the music store with your child is not only great time spent together, but can also give you precise clues as to what instrument has a particular “groovitational pull” on them. 

If it’s possible in your area, find a music store with a diverse assortment of instrument families (guitars, keyboards, pianos, drums, stringed instruments), and watch your child explore them to see what instrument awakens something inside of them. Other location options might include your local orchestra/symphony performing organization or a high school band hall. 

While listening to music in the car or at home, take note of what instruments intrigue them without being asked. Are they more conscious of the words or melody of the songs? Do they attempt to air drum or make rock guitar strumming motions along with the songs? Avoid the pressure of having them choose a specific instrument early on. Instead, focus on creating a positive musical atmosphere around them to make it easier for them to find which instrument may, in fact, be choosing them. This may take some time and lots of earplugs!  

Here are a few gifts that will make young musicians sing with delight. 

• A keyboard or piano, no matter how small, can be foundational to understanding other diverse instruments, even if your child never becomes proficient at it. The tactile connection between pressing a key and hearing an immediate musical sound is a quick “win,” and creates an indelible neurological imprint that will likely keep them coming back to it even decades later.  
• For the young want-to-be guitarist, a ukulele is a good place to start. The strings are made of nylon, which is not as hard on the fingers as a steel stringed acoustic guitar. Kids can quickly learn a few simple chords and strum patterns.
• If you are a glutton for punishment, a cajon, or box drum, will thrill your child with hours of rhythmic fun. Since these do not utilize sticks, kids are immediately free to create beats using only their hands. This is true of any hand drum, like bongos, frame drums, or a small djembe. Parents should highly encourage their child to play their drums along with their favorite songs. 
• A kalimba, or thumb piano, is a nice melodic entry point into music-making.  
• Handpan drums, or tongue drums, are made of metal or wooden tines, but the tone is resonant and immediately soothing. Since these are played with hands (or soft mallets) and based on a harmonious scale, it’s unheard of to play a “wrong” note. Handpans have an uncanny ability to lure musicians into their web of sound and lose track of time.
• A customized songwriting journal for writing lyrics, concert tickets to hear a favorite artist, or gift cards to a music store are all gifts that inspire musicians and help them express to others what is otherwise inexpressible for them.  
• Instrument accessories and gear are always a win. For guitarists, give customized picks with their name, a new set of their favorite strings, or a guitar strap printed or embossed with their name. For a drummer, wrap up a set of their favorite drumsticks, or even customized drumsticks with their name or signature, a practice pad, new cymbal, or new drum heads. 
• For children with sensory disorders, instruments such as rain sticks, ocean drums, and small shakers can allow them to express themselves in more subtle ways. These instruments can help with coordination, brain stimulation and soothe the child all at the same time.
• Music production is an interest for many teens. They enjoy producing beats and loops, and mixing their music so it sounds comparable to any other song they’re listening to. The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to get great studio-quality equipment. Look for a good microphone, a recording interface that connects to your teen’s computer, recording software and a small MIDI keyboard. Unlike a typical keyboard with built-in sounds, a MIDI keyboard must be connected to a computer to access the “virtual” sounds used for recording. Often, you can find many of these components bundled together as a packaged deal. If your child has these components already, an online subscription service to a reputable tutorial site where they can learn about their software and mixing and producing beats will help them along significantly in their musical journey. 

“I believe children are born with a limitless outlook and a boundless capacity for creative ideas.  Unfortunately, those ideals can get locked away behind impenetrable walls because of rejection, abuse, neglect, bullying, etc. Music in my own life started like a slow, steady stream of water and eventually became the unquenchable rapids that finally eroded those stony walls. Music has the ability to go places within the human heart where nothing else can reach. When a child has an instrument, they intrinsically know they are holding something that will allow them to convey whatever they need to say, without hurting them in return. At its essence, any musical instrument can begin this process of healing and unlocking things within children that they never knew were there. I’ve seen this happen time and time again, even just in songwriting sessions.” ~Raymond Turner

For the Animal Lover

By Laura Sonefeld, CCLS, Sit, Stay, Play! Facility Dog Program Coordinator at Cook Children’s (with the help of Steve, her furry friend and one of Cook Children’s facility dogs)

Puppies are a popular holiday present for many heart-warming reasons. They help fill a home with fun, joy and comfort. A dog’s excitement when greeting its owner and the unconditional love they provide can boost mental health and acceptance in humans.  

All dogs are incredibly intuitive, too. They sense when their owners are sad, happy or sick. Oftentimes, we hear parents say their dog knew their child was sick before the parents did because their dog would not leave the child’s side at home.

But dog ownership isn’t something to jump into lightly. A dog requires so much time, and a puppy requires even more than a fully grown dog. Think of your new puppy like an additional child in your home. They require love, attention, feeding, bathing, stimulation and more, just like all children do.

If you plan to give your child a furry friend for the holidays, here are a few tips to help you prepare a safe home for your new animal and a positive pet parenting experience for your child.

• Do your research on dogs and the type of environments in which they thrive. Not all dog breeds are a good fit for a home with small children. Taking the time to research which breeds are the best fit for your home is crucial. Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are known to be great dogs for a family, as are a number of other breeds.
• Consider your limitations. Do you have time to take care of another living, breathing creature in your home? Do you have the financial ability to take care of all of the expected and unexpected costs of having a dog? Who will care for the dog when your family goes out of town if you can’t bring your pet along? How will your child be involved in the pet's care? Have you looked into a good veterinary clinic and what types of visits your new puppy will need soon after you bring them home?
• You’ll need a few accessories to care for your furry friend. Gift your dog and its new pet parent with a leash, collar, water bowl, doggy toys, chew toys, dog bed, kennel/crate, dog food and heartworm and flea preventative so that all are well prepared for the new arrival. 
• Patience is a virtue and required when owning a dog, especially when it’s a puppy. Potty training takes dedication and time to perfect. It will not be an overnight success.
• Puppies, much like infants, go through a teething stage and often use their humans as their chew toy. Their intention is not to be mean or to hurt their humans but to help relieve the discomfort they feel with their puppy teeth moving out and adult ones moving in. 
• Both you and your dog are getting to know each other and that can take some time for both of you to get used to a new routine. There are many groups, trainers, social media posts and other resources that can help guide you on how to train a dog and to take care of them.

“Including your children in the pet caretaking responsibilities can help teach them how to take care of others and involves them in the many responsibilities that come along with having a dog in the home.” ~Laura Sonefeld

For the Techie

By Bianca Erazo, Cook Children’s Child Life Zone Program Coordinator

From gaming systems to robotic toys and every smart gadget in between, there is no shortage of gift options for the technologically inclined. Many enhance learning in science, technology engineering and math (STEM). 

Consider these giftable gadgets if you have a future programmer, scientist or engineer in your family. 

• Robotic toys and robot-building kits can give young kids and teens hours of fun, and they’ll be learning engineering and programming skills along the way. 
• Take the guesswork out of gifting with a monthly STEM-based subscription box. There are boxes for everything from cooking kits to science experiments to gadget and toy building projects. 
• Outfit your gamer with accessories like high-quality headphones or a comfortable gaming chair. Build their gaming setup with accessories that relate to their favorite games. A driving wheel for virtual car racers or a throttle for those who enjoy piloting virtual planes, for example. 
• Young gamers have loads of fun with hand-held gaming devices. Some can be plugged into full gaming consoles for play at home or taken on the go for entertainment while traveling. 

“If your child receives a gaming console or hand-held device, setting up parental controls can help you monitor and limit screen time and block unwanted connections for a safer experience in the tech world. Parents should closely monitor their kids’ online activities.” ~Bianca Erazo