Featured Video
3 Issues to Warn Your Tween About
by Lori Sciame April 12th, 2021 | Safety, Tweens
Being a parent is a huge responsibility. Children not only need love, they need proper guidance as well. Part of steering a child on the right course, involves teaching him or her to follow safety rules. Some rules are easy to teach, such as "don't play with fire." Other rules are more difficult to discuss. These rules may make you uncomfortable, but don't ignore them.
3 Benefits: When a Child Entertains Himself
by Lori Sciame April 5th, 2021 | Elementary, Entertainment
I have a cousin who is continually exhausted. It's not because she works too many hours, or that she has an elderly parent to take care of, or even because she has a dozen children. She is worn out because she has not taught her only son how to entertain himself. Ever since he was born, she has carted him to a myriad of entertainment venues: local festivals, kid's show, museums, library programs, school activities, farmer's markets...you name it, she's taken him there (more than once).
Of course stimulating a child's developing brain is laudable. A parent should expose his
Of course stimulating a child's developing brain is laudable. A parent should expose his
3 Ways to Keep Manners Alive With Preschoolers
by Joe Lawrence March 29th, 2021 | Preschool, Social
Are manners dying off in today’s society? Are we as parents doing our part to keep them alive? According to most studies manners are dying and we are not holding our own as parents. Here are three ways to reverse this tide.
I never thought I would consider having a toddler and preschooler in the house at the same time as a blessing. They are both very demanding of our time and have to be taught everything. Just when I thought we were past some foundational stuff with my preschooler, I discover we still have a lot to do. Manners
I never thought I would consider having a toddler and preschooler in the house at the same time as a blessing. They are both very demanding of our time and have to be taught everything. Just when I thought we were past some foundational stuff with my preschooler, I discover we still have a lot to do. Manners
Teething Tips for Mothers of Babies
by Tania Cowling March 22nd, 2021 | Care, Infants/Toddlers
Has your baby been drooling steadily? Does she mouth every toy she picks up? Your little one may be teething. Teething can be annoying to babies – the gums can be painful. Here are some important tips to learn when those pearly whites may pop and what to do to comfort your baby.
Physical Signs of Teething
Babies usually begin to cut teeth between the ages of four to seven months with molars coming in around their second birthday. The bottom and top teeth come in first, with some children getting one at
Physical Signs of Teething
Babies usually begin to cut teeth between the ages of four to seven months with molars coming in around their second birthday. The bottom and top teeth come in first, with some children getting one at
Teens, Parents, and Entertainment: The Divide
by Jane Wangersky March 15th, 2021 | Entertainment, Teens
Entertainment can bring a family a little closer together or drive them a fair way further apart. As kids grow into teens, parents will probably notice less togetherness and more apartness, in this as in lots of other things. The cause is simple: Teens want independence and a separate identity. One way to be sure they’re not exactly like their parents is to dislike what Mom and Dad like, and like what they don’t. Yes, that’s overkill, and it creates lots of problems, but it happens in almost every family. What do you do when it hits yours? I
The Importance of Routine and Family Dinner
by Ronald A. Rowe March 8th, 2021 | Behavior, Tweens
The tween years introduce so many new options for your child. Middle schools generally have many programs that were not previously available when your child was in elementary school. There are good options and bad options, of course. But on the whole there are many new alternatives that are positive and healthy programs for middle schoolers. Band, athletics, language club, chess, orchestra - the list of potential new and beneficial extracurricular activities goes on and on.
In the rush to embrace these new and exciting opportunities, do not lose sight of the things that got you this far. If you
In the rush to embrace these new and exciting opportunities, do not lose sight of the things that got you this far. If you
Why Do I Need to Know This?
by Joe Lawrence March 1st, 2021 | Elementary, School
“I will never use this again!” This is something we have all said at one point in school. How can we change this mentality in our children?
I mostly had this thought in high school when I would rather talk to my friends than listen to the teacher drone on about
I mostly had this thought in high school when I would rather talk to my friends than listen to the teacher drone on about
Teaching Preschoolers the Art of Collecting
by Tania Cowling February 22nd, 2021 | Preschool, Social
Are you a collector? Do you have memorabilia that you find interesting? Well, children have a passion for collections too! From baseball cards, matchbox cars, plastic army men, now Star Wars characters, and even pocket collections from an outdoor nature walk (as long as they are not live creatures) – building a treasure collection is fun for preschoolers.
The first thing a child has to do is decide what will fit into her collection – the general topic or category she wants to collect. This is an exercise in classifying. Then, she has to determine where the collection will be stored.
The first thing a child has to do is decide what will fit into her collection – the general topic or category she wants to collect. This is an exercise in classifying. Then, she has to determine where the collection will be stored.
Is Your Toddler Ready for Baby Number Two?
by Tania Cowling February 15th, 2021 | Infants/Toddlers, Social
Your baby is growing up and becoming a more self-sufficient toddler, so this may be the time to start thinking about expanding your family and giving your first child a life companion. Basically having a sister or brother to love and be best friends forever.
Of utmost importance is that your first child understands that his needs will always be met and that you will always be there for him. Yet it’s important to discuss how the new baby will create changes in your household. Routines will be a little different, so it’s time to have a talk!
What to Expect Discussion
Of utmost importance is that your first child understands that his needs will always be met and that you will always be there for him. Yet it’s important to discuss how the new baby will create changes in your household. Routines will be a little different, so it’s time to have a talk!
What to Expect Discussion
6 Ways to Be the Sitter Everyone Recommends
by Jane Wangersky February 8th, 2021 | Social, Teens
Finding work as a babysitter depends a lot on word of mouth and the reputation you have in the community. For such a sensitive job, most parents would rather turn to a sitter recommended by someone they trust. So here are six ways to be the sitter parents tell their friends about.
- Keep an appointment calendar. This makes you look efficient and professional, whether it’s on a device or in a day planner from the dollar store. It also keeps you from double-booking yourself, with all the embarrassment and other consequences that can bring.
- Take a babysitting course and let people
3 New Tips for Tween School Success
by Lori Sciame February 1st, 2021 | School, Tweens
Being born smart certainly helps a tween to succeed in a learning environment, and so does being curious about the world around him or her. It's a given that an engaged student, one who loves learning, will be more apt to do well in school; however, many other factors determine school success. Everything from identifying a child's learning style, to understanding that mastery comes from practice, and even parental support, factors into the equation.
While all tweens may not have high I.Q.s,they can still succeed according to their own abilities. No matter a child's intelligence level, a parent can aid school
While all tweens may not have high I.Q.s,they can still succeed according to their own abilities. No matter a child's intelligence level, a parent can aid school
Too Much Screen Time?
by Joe Lawrence January 21st, 2021 | Elementary, Entertainment
“Kids today are on these electronic devices too much,” said most parents. However, few parents are doing much to change this.
The average child is behind a screen of some sort for two to three hours per day. This equates to a full year before they reach the age of seven. Admittedly, I am not one to shy away from letting the kids enjoy a show or play around on the iPad. Although, my wife and
The average child is behind a screen of some sort for two to three hours per day. This equates to a full year before they reach the age of seven. Admittedly, I am not one to shy away from letting the kids enjoy a show or play around on the iPad. Although, my wife and
Four-Step Reflection Tool for Preschoolers
by Joe Lawrence January 18th, 2021 | Preschool, School
I am a huge fan of challenging what I am taught. I truly believe that there is more than one way to skin a cat. This was a thought I carried all through school, college, and into my professional life. It is something I want to pass on to
How to Teach Toddlers About Winter
by Tania Cowling January 11th, 2021 | Infants/Toddlers, Seasonal
To young children, there is no big difference between reality and fantasy. Toddlers believe everything they see, touch, and hear. They basically learn by their senses and experience. So, how do you teach toddlers about the winter season?
The first snowfall of the season deserves to be celebrated. For many children, this is the first snow in their memory. So, make time to take your little one outdoors to experience the snow (if it isn’t too cold), or get a front row seat by a large window if the conditions are bad. Think of activities that help toddlers explore the
The first snowfall of the season deserves to be celebrated. For many children, this is the first snow in their memory. So, make time to take your little one outdoors to experience the snow (if it isn’t too cold), or get a front row seat by a large window if the conditions are bad. Think of activities that help toddlers explore the
Teen’s Perspective on Starting the New Year Right
by Sam P. January 4th, 2021 | School, Teens
Now everyone has their own New Year's resolutions, but a great one is to focus on your studies. Set a reasonable goal, like doing better in your classes than you did last semester, even if your first semester hasn't ended. Don't make it anything ridiculous; if you got three C's last semester and four B's, try to bring it up to one C and six B's. You don't have to set some crazy goal like a perfect GPA, just try your best and accomplish a few mini-goals.
A great way to improve your grades with this New Year is to be
A great way to improve your grades with this New Year is to be
How to Give Back at the Holidays
by Lori Sciame December 28th, 2020 | Tweens
The holiday season offers lots of opportunities to teach tweens about the concept of giving back. Sample volunteer positions include: ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, collecting food for the local food pantry, assisting at a soup kitchen, buying toys for economically disadvantaged children, and writing letters to those overseas in the armed forces.
Why not take some time this holiday season to teach your tween about that joyful feeling that only comes after helping someone in need?
There are literally dozens of ways to
Why not take some time this holiday season to teach your tween about that joyful feeling that only comes after helping someone in need?
There are literally dozens of ways to
How to Keep Greed Under Control
by Lori Sciame December 21st, 2020 | Elementary
The holidays are a time of joy and giving, a time for love and family. Unfortunately, however, for elementary age children, the holidays can also be a time of greed. If parents are not careful, children this age can succumb to the mantra, "I want more!" We've all seen it before. There's the child who opens gifts so fast that he or she doesn't even know what's inside the package. All that's important...another gift! As the pile of torn wrapping paper and bows grows,
Nutrition for children: Guidelines to a healthy and balanced diet
by Editorial Team December 21st, 2020 | ElementaryThe nutrition of the children is one of the things that most concern parents. Which nutrients are necessary and in what amounts, are a few of the main questions they formulate to experts. Therefore, in this post, we will provide
How to Select the Best Kratom for Pain Relief
by Editorial Team December 16th, 2020 | Helpful HintsHave you been suffering from chronic pain for some time and you are now wondering about the best alternative to opioid-based medication? Although prescription drugs have proven to be effective, they come with severe side effects, including addition.
However, it is not the time to give up because an alternative, kratom, has been proven to be a reliable alternative to the conventional pain medication. In this post, we will tell you everything that you need to know about kratom for pain relief and highlight the best strains to consider.
Choosing the Best Tradition for Your Family
Joe Lawrence December 14th, 2020 | Preschool, Seasonal
Handling the holidays is always full of excitement. Most of the time it is filled with fun things to do and meaningful traditions; however, when you have a preschooler there is no telling what will come next. The real excitement is surviving the season sometimes.
My wife is a very creative woman and always coming up with some new thing to do each year. The kids almost always enjoy this
Read More
My wife is a very creative woman and always coming up with some new thing to do each year. The kids almost always enjoy this