While their bodies are a lot more limber than adults, children may still experience back pains just like we do and will most likely not notice. There is a danger in not giving attention to this right away as back pains can hinder with the body’s development and become the cause of other underlying problems.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, here are symptoms parents should watch out for with children experiencing back pains:

• Losing weight or running a fever.
• Complaining of numbness or weakness.
• Having difficulty walking.
• Having pain that extends from the back down one or both of the legs.
• Having bladder- or bowel-control issues.
• Having pain that prevents the child from sleeping.

If any of these symptoms are present, an examination done by the doctor is necessary to evaluate it. Physical exams, MRI, CT Scans and Xrays may be asked.

Back pains are usually signs of the following condition, according to OrthoInfo.Org, and develop as early as pre-teen stage, so parents must not ignore it:

Muscle Strain and Imbalances
Musculoskeletal strain is most often responsible for back pain in children and adolescents. This type of pain frequently responds to rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and an exercise program.

Stress Fracture of the Spine
Spondylolysis, or stress fracture, may cause lower back pain in adolescents. Stress fractures may occur during adolescent growth spurts or in sports that repeatedly twist and hyperextend the spine, like gymnastics, diving, and football.

Infection
In young children, infection in a disk space (diskitis) can lead to back pain. Diskitis typically affects children between the ages of 1 and 5 years, although older children and teenagers can also be affected.

Tumor
On rare occasion, tumors, such as osteoid osteoma, can be responsible for back pain. When they occur, tumors of the spine are most often found in the middle or lower back. Pain is constant and usually becomes worse over time. This pain is progressive; it is unrelated to activity and/or happens at night.

Slipped Vertebra
A slipped vertebra, or spondylolisthesis, occurs when one vertebra shifts forward on the next vertebra directly below. It usually occurs at the base of the spine (lumbosacral junction). In severe cases, the bone narrows the spinal canal, which presses on the nerves.

Children will usually say “I don’t know” when asked about things they have done or didn’t do when you expected them to deliver. This response is a classic and many children may actually mean it when they say they do not know. Parents then end up getting frustrated and prod for more questions. This often results to asking questions that will not get answers as children will most likely withdraw and retreat from getting the third degree.

Experts say that asking the right questions is the key. It teaches the kids to own up to their actions and mistakes.

For instance, instead of asking “Why did you do that?” ask “What did you do?” or “What happened?” Answering this will help children see the consequences of their actions. The process of explaining to you, is actually letting them see the error of their ways, so to speak. Allowing the child to describe what happened makes her see her behavior and hopefully, come into a realization and self-awareness.

The next question to ask then is “What can you do instead?” to help the child come up ways and solutions. This process teaches the child to develop sharper decision making skills and life-skills that he will need when he is an adult.

You can also ask the question, “What would have happened if you didn’t do that?” It increases their self-awareness and the way they know themselves.

These basic questions, according to expert takes the blame off and makes productive, thinking individuals of your kids.

With sources from Parenting & Children at About.com

My eight year old niece has expressed interest for learning to play the guitar. No one in her immediate family or extended family is musically inclined and this was something that her parents were quite hesitant to follow through, believing that it might just be phase. The child may outgrow the desire and expenses for buying a guitar and taking lessons will all go to waste.

However, my niece was persistent. All through last year, she took lessons and fortunately, has truly learned to love the art of guitar playing.

Today, she performs actively in a small crowd. In school, during family gatherings, she obliges everyone with her music. I see my niece growing from a shy little child to a confident young lady who really loves what she is doing. Even when no one in her family can play with her she is getting so much support from their encouragement and from constantly asking to listen to her music.

The guitar playing did wonders for her, that it also became a good influence in the way she does her school work. She is more inspired I guess, and her mother recently told me that she has gotten straight A’s.

She has also become more confident among peers. It seems that finding what she’s capable of doing and nurturing this, has boosted her self-esteem.

The other day, I found her teaching some of her friends the basic of guitars and I was really so proud of the way she carried herself and became the “teacher” this time. All these happened, because she chose to pursue what she really loved doing!

Image by OneInstant via Flickr

While many new parents have been there before, be it with their own children or a friends (or relative’s child) parenting classes really can still make a huge difference.

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While there are a lot of talented musicians out there, it can be a lot harder to find some really family-friendly fare. Many musicians don’t cater to the younger set, and while many parents may love the tunes by the more popular artists (Lady Gaga, anyone?) finding something for both parents and their musical children can be frustrating.

Kidz Bop tries to make the differences a bit more livable, by taking many popular songs and changing some of the more questionable lyrics. While this works out for music that may not be great for kids, or at least a but more on the questionable side, many groups are still wondering if the idea is even a workable one. After all, having a nine year old singing about broken hearts and falling in love may seem a bit more ridiculous than many may be able to overlook.

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