Next Step Pediatrics

08/31/2026

Happy First Day Back to School! 🍎✏️

From all of us at Next Step Pediatrics, we’re wishing all of our amazing patients a wonderful first day back to school! We hope your year is filled with new adventures, great friendships, lots of learning, and plenty of smiles.

Remember to get plenty of rest, eat healthy, stay active, wash those hands, and most importantly have fun! We’re cheering you on all year long!

08/26/2026

As the school year gets underway, so does the return of those pesky classroom germs! Colds, coughs, fevers, stomach bugs, and all the other “back-to-school” illnesses tend to make their rounds.

We’re here to help! If your child wakes up feeling under the weather, remember that in addition to our same day visits we offer Quick Sick Hours for those unexpected illnesses that can’t wait for a routine visit.

QUCIK SICK HOURS:
MONDAYS: 8-930am
TUESDAY-FRIDAY 815-930.

Quick sick visits are designed for: minor, new-onset illnesses that typically develop overnight—especially to help working parents decide if their child can attend school or daycare.
Examples include:
--Fever
--Ear pain or suspected ear infection
--Eye redness or discharge (e.g. pink eye)
--Vomiting
--New cough or cold symptoms
--Sore throat
--Rash
--Possible urinary tract infection (UTI)

Quick sick visits are NOT intended for:
--New patients to our practice
--Medication checks (ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc.)
--Well checks, sports physicals, or annual exams
--Chronic conditions or constipation
--Follow-up visits for ongoing concerns

08/24/2026

Three Ways to Help Your Kids Have a Healthy School Year
1. Prioritize healthy routines: sleep, exercise & nutritious meals
--Begin with the basics. Make sure your child eats nutritious meals, and gets plenty of physical activity and sleep. All of these are key to success in school and social life.
2. Stay up-to-date on checkups & immunizations
--If your child has not had a physical in the last year, please call or go online to schedule their back to school visit.
3. Mental health matters: what to look for & how to help
--Childhood and adolescence is an exciting time. It can also be filled with challenges and change. Many children and teens struggle with mental health, so it can help to always watch for signs in your child. Some kids may show signs like struggling in school, sleep problems or physical symptoms. School absences may also be a sign.

Follow the link for more tips:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/school/Pages/back-to-school-tips-to-help-kids-have-a-healthy-year.aspx?_gl=1*1gvsc00*_ga*MTU3Njg2NjE2OC4xNzc5NDYyMjE3*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*czE3ODc1OTk2MzkkbzMkZzEkdDE3ODc1OTk4MzQkajM5JGwwJGgw

08/17/2026

MAKE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL EASIER FOR KIDS.
--Take your child to visit the new school or classroom before the first day of school.
--Remind your child that teachers know that students may be nervous about the first day of school;
--Point out the fun aspects of school starting to help your child look forward to the first day of class. Talk about how they will see old friends and meet new ones, for example.
--Find another child in the neighborhood you child can walk to school or ride with on the bus
DEVELOP A HEALHTY SLEEP ROUTINE
--Help your child adjust to earlier bedtimes a week or two before the new school year starts, just to help them ease into new routines.
--Create a bedtime routine that is consistent to help your child settle down and fall asleep. For example, a calming pre-bedtime routine may involve a bath/shower, reading with them, tucking them in and saying goodnight.
--Have your child turn off electronic devices well before bedtime. Try to have the home as quiet and calm as possible when younger children are trying to fall asleep.

follow the link for other tips: https://www.healthychildren.org

08/10/2026

Repost from Healthy Children regarding the measles outbreak

"As measles outbreaks continue across numerous states, it’s important to ensure your children are up to date on their MMR vaccines ahead of the new school year.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at age 12-15 months, and again between 4-6 years. Children can receive the second dose earlier if it is at least 28 days after the first dose. Read more about how you can help protect your children from preventable diseases this school year. https://bit.ly/2M0wqe1 "

07/29/2026

🍎Back-to-School Season is around the corner! 🎒✏️

Before the school buses start rolling and the schedules get busy, make sure your child is set up for a healthy, successful school year!

If your child needs a back-to-school or sports physical, now is the perfect time to get on our schedule.

📋 Got school or sports forms?
Don't wait until the last minute! Please drop off or submit via the portal any required medical forms (immunization records, sports clearances, medication administration forms) as soon as possible so our team has time to complete them. Forms may take 48-72 hours to be completed.

07/22/2026

Some tools and techniques to help your child manage big emotions.
--Deep breathing. Breath slowly to calm down body. Try "box" breathing: Breathe in to a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, and breath out to a count of 4.
--Muscle relaxation. Lie flat and tighten sections of the body from toes to the head. Hold for a few seconds, then release the muscles.
--Mental imagery. Close eyes and imagine a relaxing, happy and comfortable place.

The video below shows another grounding technique called 5-4-3-2-1.

Feel like life's moving too fast? Learn how to slow down with AAP's...

07/20/2026

Did you know that this summer, free eye exams and glasses are offered at Baltimore County Public Library?

Vision To Learn, a nonprofit with a mission to help all children see clearly, is back for an eighth year at Baltimore County Public Library branches, offering free eye exams and providing glasses, if needed, for those 18 years old and younger. The program is once again expanding, making a total of 43 stops at 16 branches between June 17 and August 26.

Preregistration is required for the visits because space is limited. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Families can register themselves for an appointment at the branch of their choice. Once registered, a parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form available at the branch either before or on the day of the appointment. Each appointment is 10 to 15 minutes, which includes an exam, glasses selection and equipment cleaning between patients. Register online or click the link below:

https://www.bcpl.info/blog/2026/vision-learn-reservations-now-open

07/13/2026

Cyclosporiasis information from the AAP

07/03/2026

Happy 4th of July from all of us at Next Step Pediatrics! ❤️🤍💙

We wish all of our families a fun, safe, and happy Independence Day filled with celebration and special memories!

Holiday Hours:
• Today (July 3): We are OPEN with a reduced schedule in both offices.
• Tomorrow (July 4): Our office will be CLOSED.
• Monday (July 6): We will resume our normal office hours.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend