Kids These Days

Sleep: we need it like the air we breathe - to function, think and stay in the best mental and physical shape possible - but what happens to people of all ages when we don't get enough? We'll speak with the experts about how to maximize the Zzzzz's and we'll learn about the adverse effects of a lack of sleep. Dr. Robert Lada, head of Providence Sleep Center, and Karen McBride a school nurse who's spent years spreading the good sleep message to students are our guests.KSKA: Tuesday, 11/8 at 2pm and 7pm

Siblings have a relationship with one another like no other relationship in life – they are our first playmates and the people we can remain friends with as adults. So next time we're turning the spotlight on the sibling relationship - how’s it changed throughout history, what it means in the present day and why it’s so important through the course of our lives. Our guests are Dr. Ann Jache, a Professor of Sociology at UAA specializing in gerontology and Dr. Dallett Hemphill, Professor of History at Ursinus University and author of Siblings: Brothers and Sisters in American History. Kathleen McCoy guest hosts.KSKA: Tuesday, 11/1 at 2pm and 7pm

Halloween is coming and people young and old are looking forward to dressing up and pretending to be something else for a day. Make believe is fun, silly, freeing and it's also important to a young child's development. Many say that “Play is a child’s work” so just how do pretending, playing and imagining play a part in helping us grow up? Joining host Shana Sheehy in the studio are Dr. Robert Capuozzo, a Early Childhood Development professor at UAA as well as a parent educator at Providence Medical Center, and Shona Strauser, Education Director at Perseverance Theater in Juneau.KSKA: Tuesday, 10/25 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

On this episode (our 50th!) we're exploring the education of Alaska's brightest youth. Joining host Shana Sheehy in the studio to discuss how gifted and talented kids are identified, tested and educated are Peter Ljubicich, director of the Anchorage School District's Gifted Program; Annie Bill, director of the Mat-Su Borough's Talented and Gifted Program; and Susan Dulong Langley of the Nat'l Association for Gifted Children in Massachusetts. Plus - Dr. Carol Dweck says don't tell kids they're smart; minorities in G&T; a teen tells us why he's proud to be a "nerd". KSKA: Tuesday 10/18 at 2pm and 7pm

A new baby is a reason to celebrate but the time after birth can bring with it a wealth of conflicting emotions that sometimes go beyond typical "baby blues". What does everyone need to know about recognizing and treating postpartum depression, and supporting those who are suffering? KSKA: Tuesday 10/11 at 2pm and 7pm

Parents dread it and kids would rather hear it from strangers, yes, we're talking about the sex talk. But did you know - caregivers who learn how to speak with their children are helping their kids to be healthier individuals. Research has found that more teens would prefer to get information about contraceptives from their parents than from a health center, class, hospital, media or friends, and studies show that adolescents who feel open to discussing sexual health with their parents are more likely to delay initiating sexual intercourse. Our guests help caregivers learn how to talk the talk! KSKA: Tuesday 10/4 at 2pm and 7pm

Young artists abound in the 49th state and next time on Kids These Days! we're celebrating the singing, painting, acting, sculpting, poetry-slamming, music-making, writing, dancing lot of them! Throughout the hour we'll meet a few of Alaska's talented young people while our guests, Annie Calkins and Suzie Gaffney from the Alaska Arts Education Consortium, fill us in on the state of the arts in our state.KSKA: Tuesday 9/27 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

When a child tests into or is placed in special education parents will have a lot of questions about navigating the system, planning an IEP (Individual Education Plan) with their child's educators, and they'll wonder what is the long term outlook for their child's schooling? Teresa Holt, operations manager from the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education and Julie Broyles, a local high school resource teacher who's son has Down Syndrome join us to discuss the basics of navigating the special education system in Alaska's schools.KSKA: Tuesday 9/20 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Are today's young women under so much pressure to be beautiful, to succeed at school and sports and to be sweet and nice that they are becoming depressed earlier in life? One new book thinks so. "The Triple Bind: Saving Our Teen Girls from Today's Pressures" presents an interesting look at how the pressure on young girls can take a nasty toll. So, where's the balance and what can be done?KSKA: Tuesday 9/13 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Boys will be boys - but why exactly? We ask what makes adolescent boys 11-14 unique and what changes are their bodies - and their minds - going through at this developmental stage? Do boys and girls really learn differently? And what is necessary to help a boy become a good man? Michael Gurian author of "The Minds of Boys" is our guest.KSKA: Tuesday 9/6 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm