Good to Know

A new COVID-19 coloring book is keeping kids occupied while also helping them under stand what’s going on in the world. “When We All Stayed Home” engages children in artwork while explaining pandemic, and also includes tips for adults on talking with children and supportive ideas for homeschooling parents. Created by nonprofit Headwaters Relief Organization, each book is $5, and for every coloring book bought, another is donated to a child in need. Find it at headwatersrelief.org.

A new study says you’ll have an easier time getting through the ‘terrible twos’ depending on the way you play with your child between the age of 14 and 24 months. According to researchers, parents who take a more flexible approach to their child’s learning can minimize behavioral problems during toddlerhood. Known as ‘autonomy support,’ this parenting style places emphasis on the child taking the lead. As the child engages in tasks, parents should watch and adjust how they respond according to how the child is managing, say the researchers. Unfortunately, the autonomy support strategy isn’t equally effective for all children: those born with a more irritable temperament are still more likely to be difficult toddlers.

While research has shown that vaping in teenage years is tied to smoking later in life, a new study finds some e-cigarette devices are six times more pow erful at hooking young smokers. The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that depending on which vaping devices a teen uses— vaping pens versus modifiable e-cigarette devices—the young person may wind up smoking far more. Those using a pen-like e-cigarette device smoked 2.83 times as many cigarettes as those who had never used e-cigarettes, and participants using a modifiable e-cigarette device (often called “mod” devices) smoked 8.38 times as many cigarettes.

BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

On a hot summer night, is there anything quite as magical as a field full of glowing lightning bugs?

Those little beacons of summer don’t blink just so kids can chase them around. Fireflies light up to communicate with each other; flashing to attract potential mates. In Massachusetts, there are numerous species of the blinking beetles, each with its own unique flash pattern.

But if you think you’re seeing fewer fireflies these days than in summers’ past, you might be right.

“It is likely that there are fewer fireflies than in the past, just as there are fewer insects in general,” said Alexandra Dohan, the Education Department Coordinator at Mass Audubon. There are at least two reasons for this, she said, and probably more.

“One is that there are more people on earth, which means more houses, which means less habitat. Huge houses such as are being built in much of suburban Boston, with tiny yards, are definitely not good for fireflies. Another problem for fireflies, as for all insects, is the use of pesticides.”

In addition, she said light pollution could be another reason we see fewer fireflies – they’re there, but it’s too bright for us to notice their blinking glow.

Researchers have long been looking into the decline of lightning bugs, and for over a decade, have been enlisting the public’s help.

The Citizen Firefly Watch, first launched by the Museum of Science in 2008, combines summer fun with scientific research as “citizen scientists” around the country observe lightning bugs in their own

backyards to help researchers map fireflies.

In 2018, Mass Audubon took over the project, teaming up with researchers from Tufts University to track the fate of fireflies. With the help of everyday bug-watchers at home, they’re learning about the geographic distribution of the insects and what environmental factors impact their abundance.

Dohan said most of these citizen scientists take part in the project just for fun; it’s often a family project, retirement hobby, or homeschooling venture. They have high hopes for a busy season this summer, as folks are staying close to home and getting outside more.

It’s easy for your family to get involved with the project. Once a week during firefly season, spend ten minutes outside observing lightning bugs in one location (your backyard or a nearby field). Keep track of the activity and record it on the Citizen Firefly Watch website.

While all firefly sightings – or lack thereof – are useful to the researchers, it’s certainly more fun to monitor a site with action than an area without it. Fireflies like open, grassy places, but there are some to be found in wooded areas, too.

“Any park, field, yard, or playground that has some bushes and isn't treated with pesticides will probably have some fireflies,” said Dohan. “Go outside as soon as it gets dark, let your eyes adjust to the darkness, and start watching.”

To take part in the Citizen Firefly Watch, go to massaudubon.org/get-involved/citizen-science/fireflywatch.

Whether they’re playing in the backyard or swimming at the beach, kids need to be protected from the sun, especially in the summer months. According to the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life. More research finds that five or more bad sunburns before age 20 can increase someone’s risk of melanoma by a whopping 80 percent.

With a plethora of sunscreens on the market, it can be hard for parents to decipher what’s best for their children. You want them to be protected from sunburns, but you also want to make sure what you’re putting on them is safe.

Here are some tips for protecting your children from the sun and choosing a sunscreen from doctors at the SPD:

Avoiding sun

If possible, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It is best to plan indoor activities or seek shade under trees, umbrellas, or tents. One useful rule of thumb is that if your shadow is shorter than you, the sun is directly above and it is best to head for cover. Sun exposure is more intense closer to the equator, in the mountains, and in the summer. The sun's damaging rays are increased by reflection from water, white sand, and snow.

Protective clothing

Cover skin with sun protective clothing when outdoors, including a wide-brimmed hat to protect the face, scalp, ears and neck. In addition to filtering out the sun, tightly woven clothing reflects heat and helps keep you feeling cool. Sunglasses with UV protection can help protect the eyes and eyelids from the harmful effects of UV light. Not all sunglasses have UV protection, so be sure to check the label.

Choosing and applying sunscreen Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or

higher. The protective ability of sunscreen is rated by its Sun Protection Factor (SPF) – the higher the SPF, the stronger the protection. Sunscreens labeled as “broad spectrum” indicate that they have passed the test for protection against UVA. Spread sunscreen evenly over all uncovered skin, including ears and lips, but avoid the eyelids.

Most importantly, choose a sunscreen that your child will wear. New sunscreens are added to the marketplace frequently, and selection of a particular brand is often a matter of personal preference. Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide may result in whitish discoloration of the skin. Therefore, for dark-skinned children, sunscreens that do not contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide should be considered.

On the other hand, if sunscreen makes your child’s eyes or skin burn, look for sunscreens that are fragrance free and do contain ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as these tend to be less irritating.

Infants should be kept out of direct sun and be covered by protective clothing when possible. If sun exposure is unavoidable, sunscreen should be applied to exposed areas (i.e. face, hands).

Sunscreens have been deemed safe for infants older than 6 months of age.

Apply a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher 20-30 minutes before going outside and reapply at least every two hours, even on cloudy days. If swimming or sweating, sunscreen needs to be applied more often. There is no such thing as a “waterproof” sunscreen. Instead, look for products that say “water resistant” for use in water. Reapply more frequently if perspiring excessively or toweling off frequently.

Spray sunscreens

Spray sunscreens can provide coverage from UV rays, however care must be taken to avoid accidental inhalation of the product, especially in children. The sunscreens need to be applied evenly to avoid skipped areas due to the distribution of the droplets on the skin. Spraying sunscreen on the hands and then applying, rather than spraying the face directly, can help children avoid breathing in these fumes.

What about cloudy days?

The clouds block a good part of UVB, the burning rays, but they do not block UVA, the tanning rays. Therefore, while there is less probability of getting sunburn, the skin is exposed to the deeper penetrating UVA rays, which cause tanning and wrinkling. As a result, it is important to stay protected from the sun, even on cloudy days.

Source: The Importance of Sun Protection, Society of Pediatric Dermatology