Children's Medical Group of Saginaw Bay

01/28/2026

Literacy starts early 📚 Did you know you can support your child’s future reading and writing before they
can even talk?
Babies come into the world ready to learn. Everything young children learn about communication, language, books, and printed words on their way to formal reading and writing is part of emergent literacy.

01/26/2026

01/23/2026

Has your child been identified as having delays in social communication skills? Since the earliest signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are delays in social communication skills, it is important to know that your child is at risk for having ASD.

The following information may be helpful in understanding more about social communication problems in young children.

01/19/2026

Keep dangerous foods from children until 4 years of age or older, depending on each child's development and maturity level. But keep in mind that round, firm foods, such as hot dogs or grapes, can be served if completely chopped into tiny pieces. When infants and young children do not grind or chew their food well, they may try to swallow it whole.

Peanut butter and other nut butters should be spread thinly. More foods that can be dangerous choking hazards for children include:

Hot dogs
Hard, gooey, or sticky candy
Chewing gum
Nuts and seeds
Whole grapes
Raw vegetables, such as carrot sticks
Raw fruit chunks, such as apple chunks
Popcorn
Chunks of peanut butter or other nut butters
Marshmallows
Meat sticks/sausages
Chunks of meat
Chunks of cheese or string cheese

01/16/2026

Have you noticed any of the following? Keep in mind that having just one symptom on the list doesn't mean your teen is experiencing a full-blown crisis. Biological changes, including the hormone shifts all tweens and teens go through, can affect your child's mood, school performance and more. But if you consistently see one or more of these signs, it's time to open a conversation about mental health with your teen. If any further assistance is needed, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office for further resources.

📝Notable changes in sleep, weight, eating habits or other everyday patterns

📝Loss of interest in the things they usually love or quitting activities that they enjoy

📝Withdrawing more than usual from friends, family and community

📝Canceling plans with their closest friends with little or no explanation

📝Academic struggles that seem different or more intense: for example, failing quizzes in their favorite subject or refusing to do homework that once would have seemed easy

📝Running thoughts or worries that won't leave them alone

📝A whole new set of friends you've never met before

📝Refusing to talk about what's bothering them, even after you've made it as safe as possible to discuss hard issues openly

📝Obsession with a certain goal, possibly with the belief that if they don't achieve it, their life will never be the same

📝Signs of drug, alcohol or other substance use

📝Signs of self-harm such as cuts, burns, bruises, etc. that your teen tries to hide or can't explain fully and credibly

📝Sexual activity or interest that seems new or more intense than before

01/14/2026

The most effective way to stay informed about your child's progress in school, is to start getting involved! See some helpful tips to stay on top of your child's academic, social and emotional growth!🤓🗒️

Strong home-to-school connections are one of the best ways to support your child’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Get some tips on how to build and maintain meaningful communication and involvement with your child’s school.

01/12/2026

Children with hearing loss typically struggle more in school. Reading and math may be the hardest for them. Some facts about hearing loss and school success include:

Children with mild to moderate hearing loss may fall one to four grade levels behind without help. Children with more severe hearing loss may not learn past the third- or fourth-grade level. School support will help them do better.

The most important thing you can do is to have your child’s hearing tested. With early help, your child may speak or use sign language as well as children who hear. An audiologist can test your child’s hearing. They can talk to you about the best way to treat your child’s hearing loss. This may include medical treatment, hearing aids, or speech and language therapy. If you have any concerns regarding your child's hearing, give our office a call today to stay on track!

01/09/2026

What is Dyslexia?

Listen to Margie Gillis, Literacy Expert, on the breakdown of what Dyslexia is and what techniques help overcome the challenges associated with it!

Explore reading basics as well as the key role of background knowledge and motivation in becoming a lifelong reader and learner. Watch our PBS Launching Young Readers series and try our self-paced Reading 101 course to deepen your understanding.

01/07/2026

Calling all expecting and breastfeeding Moms!📣

Listed below are a couple resources to help with any concerns or current issues you may be having on your breastfeeding journey.❤️

01/05/2026

Safe Sleep is such a hot topic and Saginaw County Health Dept is sharing how to put your baby to sleep safely each and every time by following the simple steps listed in the article.😴

We know that it can be tempting to bring your baby to bed with you, or let your baby sleep in a bouncy seat just so you can get some rest. But the fact is that a baby dies every three days in Michigan and these deaths are 100% preventable.