Children's Medical Center Dallas Health Tips: October.

DALLAS -- Children's Medical Center Dallas:

Winning Attitudes

It's down to one play, and your kid's got the ball. This can be a tense moment for your child unless you've already taught him that playing the game with grace and dignity is more important than taking home the trophy.

Win or lose, experts say it is most important that young athletes learn lessons about working with others, discipline and sportsmanlike behavior.

Dr. Pete Stavinoha, a neuropsychologist at Children's Medical Center Dallas says the lessons we teach our kids carry through to adulthood.

"The win-at-all-costs attitude creates an unhealthy environment," said Dr. Stavinoha. "Instead, parents should remind kids that success is not the same as winning and failure is not the same as losing."

'Tis the Season

Flu season gets its unofficial start this month, and studies suggest 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu every year. Vaccination continues to be the best way to avoid this highly contagious illness.

"Babies six months to 23 months are considered a 'high risk' group and should receive the vaccine as soon as it is available," said Dr. Octavio Ramilo, an infectious disease specialist at Children's Medical Center Dallas. "But school age children are the ones who are most likely to pass the flu to other classmates and family members."

Handwashing, too, is important to minimizing the spread of infectious diseases like influenza. Keeping hands clean is one of the easiest ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.