Explore expert advice, timely updates, and valuable resources to keep your child healthy and thriving.

A woman smiles while examining a young girl with an otoscope in a bright, softly lit room.

Why Kids Get Nosebleeds: What Causes Them and How Parents Can Help

Few things startle parents quite like seeing blood coming from their child’s nose. Nosebleeds often seem to come out of nowhere, and many parents immediately wonder: Why does my child keep getting nosebleeds? Or when should I worry about a nosebleed? The reassuring news is that nosebleeds are extremely common in childhood and, in most […]
Mom talking to her child about new current events.

How to Talk With Your Kids About Current Events

How to Talk With Your Kids About Current Events: Including Immigration News, ICE, and Other Difficult Topics Many parents are asking the same question right now: How do I talk to my child about what’s happening in the world without scaring them? From immigration enforcement and protests to violence and breaking news alerts, children are often […]
Two individuals in a bright room; one is smiling and holding sheets of paper, while another stands in the background near a window.

Pediatric Vision and Screen Safety: Protecting Young Eyes

Screens are everywhere—classrooms, tablets, video calls, and even the grocery store checkout line. For many families, they’re part of learning, connecting, and relaxing. But as helpful as screens can be, today’s kids use them far more than any generation before, and that can take a toll on pediatric vision and eye comfort. Eye strain, dryness, […]
A child builds colorful structures with blocks on a table, surrounded by scattered building pieces and a cozy seating area in the background.

How to Encourage Independent Play (and Why It’s Good for Development)

If you’ve ever felt torn between entertaining your child and getting five minutes to fold laundry, you’re not alone. Parents often feel pressure to fill every moment of their child’s day with engagement, learning, or together time. But here’s the reassuring truth: letting kids play independently isn’t just okay—it’s wonderful for their development. Independent play, […]
Two children play together inside a homemade fort made of foam blocks, while another child stands nearby, engaged in the fun.

Navigating Cold Weather with Kids: Staying Active and Healthy Indoors

When temperatures drop and daylight fades early, it’s easy for kids (and parents!) to slip into hibernation mode. Between school, early sunsets, and icy sidewalks, families often find themselves spending far more time indoors. While that cozy winter nesting has its charm, staying active and healthy through the colder months takes a little extra creativity. […]
A pediatrician examines a young girl sitting on an examination table while another girl watches, in a bright clinic setting.

How to Tell If Your Child’s Cough Is Something More Serious

When your child develops a cough, it can send your parental radar into overdrive. Is it just a common cold, or something more serious like RSV, asthma, or pneumonia? Coughs are one of the most frequent reasons families call or visit their pediatrician, especially during the colder months in Central Oregon. At Central Oregon Pediatric […]
Two women converse warmly in a hallway, one wearing a vest and holding a dog leash, while the other is casually dressed.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Teen Wellness Visit

The preteen and teen years bring rapid change, physically, emotionally, and socially. Between growth spurts, shifting friendships, and new responsibilities, this stage can feel like a rollercoaster for both parents and kids. That’s exactly why teen wellness visits are so important. At Central Oregon Pediatric Associates (COPA), we see these visits as a chance to […]
Two individuals engaged in a supportive interaction, one holding the other's arm, conveying a sense of care and companionship.

Managing Eczema in Children During Cold Weather

When temperatures drop, many parents notice their child’s eczema flaring up again — itchy spots, rough patches, and extra crankiness at bedtime. You’re not imagining it. The cold, dry months can be especially tough on sensitive skin, but with a few simple habits and some consistent care, most kids can get through winter much more […]
A young girl with a stethoscope on her chest smiles at an adult, both positioned near a window in a bright room.

Understanding RSV, Flu, and COVID: What Parents Should Know This Season

Each fall and winter, parents brace for the parade of sniffles, coughs, and fevers that seem to sweep through every classroom and daycare. It can be hard to tell what’s just a simple cold and what might be something more serious, like RSV, influenza (flu), or COVID-19. These viral infections often share similar symptoms, which […]
Scroll to Top