Ask the Experts

We have a wide range of experts on hand to answer your questions on everything from dental visits and playdates to dance lessons, lawns and so much more! If you have a question that needs answering, get in touch.

Q. What’s the best age for my daughter to get braces?

It is best to have an evaluation with an orthodontist by the age of 7. At age 7, most patients don’t need treatment, but we ensure all of the teeth are growing correctly and build a relationship. At Fry Orthodontics, we aim to have the orthodontic experience take the shortest time possible. This goal means that most patients have braces only once when all of the adult teeth are grown. For girls, that age is usually between 11 and 12, and for boys it is between 12 and 13. There are different philosophies among orthodontists about doing braces or “expanders” or “spreaders” earlier than 11-13 years old. We believe that these options usually are unnecessary to get a beautiful healthy smile in the end.

Dr. Jeremy Fry, Fry Orthodontics

At Fry Orthodontics, we have been providing superior service to patients of all ages for more than 40 years while helping them achieve a healthy and beautiful smile. 913.469.9191, FryOrthodontics.com

Q. What is the main goal of foster care?

Foster care is a temporary arrangement for children and teens when their parents or caregivers are going through crisis. When youth cannot remain safely in the home, child welfare agencies work diligently with the family to resolve the conflicts or disruptions that resulted in the child entering foster care through intensive family-centered services. The primary goal is to return the child to their home with additional supports in place for the family. Foster families come alongside the biological family to provide support while the family is in crisis, provide a stable home environment for the children and teens, and model appropriate parenting.

Megan Maciel Director of Recruitment and Communication, KVC Kansas

KVC Kansas provides heart-centered services to children and families through in-home family support, foster care, adoption, behavioral health care and children’s psychiatric hospitals. 913.499.8100, Kansas.kvc.org

Q. My child is always procrastinating when it comes to getting homework completed. What can I do to help?

We aren’t born master jugglers (homework, practice, etc.), but time management and organization are teachable. At Sylvan, we say goodbye to procrastination with: 1) Academic Planners–Track homework, tests, and extracurriculars (paperbased/electronic); 2) Monthly, Weekly, and Daily Calendars–Plot big events monthly, commit time weekly for complex tasks, and make daily to-do lists; 3) Uncovering Teacher Expectations–Ask about homework, tests/quizzes, grades, and participation; 4) Real-Time Grades–Record scores in academic planner or grade tracker; and 5) Project Planning–Divide tasks, assign deadlines. Be involved. Encourage. Don’t give up; start with one tool at a time. You may find your child learns better from another person–Sylvan teachers can help your child develop life-long skills.

Barbara Nickless, Sylvan of Kansas City

Sylvan offers a wide range of tutoring for every age and grade from pre-K through college, to meet your child’s individual needs and goals. 816.468.7900, locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/kansascity-mo

Q. How much screen time is okay for kids?

With kids’ virtual learning and activities, we find ourselves overwhelmed with screen time. Data shows that kids are spending about 50 percent more time in front of screens than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Typical age-appropriate limits:

• Under 18 months: no screen time except video chatting with loved ones
• 18 months to 2 years old: 1 hour per day of high quality educational content, co-watching with adult
• 3 to 5 years old: 1 hour per day
• 6 to 10 years old: 1.5 hours per day •
• 11+ years old: 2 hours per day

But during these unprecedented times, screen time guidelines are not always possible or reasonable to follow. Instead of focusing on the amount of time spent, focus on how to make screen time more meaningful.

Ram Chettiar, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Children’s Mercy

Children’s Mercy is one of the nation’s top pediatric medical centers. With hospitals and specialty clinics in Missouri and Kansas, we provide the highest level of care for children. 816.234.3000, ChildrensMercy.org

Are you an expert in your field with advice for our readers, contact editor@kcparent.com and we may consider adding you to our panel.

• Fry Orthodontic Specialists

  Fry Orthodontic Specialists is a unique group of people that consistently follow a core ideology to better the lives of those around us. We create a warm, family environment while providing exceptional service and a commitment to caring.

• Children's Mercy Hospital

  Every moment with your child is one to cherish. At Children’s Mercy, we fight to give families more of them.

• KVC Kansas - Kansas City Office

  At KVC Kansas, our goal is to enrich and enhance the lives of children and families by providing services in family preservation and reunification, foster care, adoption, behavioral health and more.