Learn and Discover Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

The Best Children’s Books about Farms

May 04, 2021

Does your child like farms and farm animals? Read these children's books about farms to tie in to nursery songs or a trip to the farm. If you're a parent, there's a good chance you've bleated, moo'd, and baa'd about a thousand times by now. After all, farms and farm animals remain a big hit with kids. They're in every nursery rhyme and preschool curriculum. Your kids probably have a toy, coloring book, or puzzle about farm animals. They even make their way into birthday party themes. And of course, we find them throughout many children's books about farms. Every year, my family and … [Read more...]

Outdoor Activities for 18 Month Olds

Activities

May 03, 2021

Encourage your toddler's independent spirit with these outdoor activities for 18 month olds, from toys to places to go with your little one! The weather has been warming up, you've been cooped up all season—whatever the reason, you and your 18 month old are ready to head outdoors. Except you can't seem to keep him interested for too long in one activity before he's fussy for another one. As much as he loves going outside, you're also running out of ideas, bored with the same ones you've been doing. Perhaps you're a first-time mom, worried you're not doing something you should be doing … [Read more...]

Unique End of the Year Teacher Gifts

School

Apr 29, 2021

Looking for unique end of the year teacher gifts to show your appreciation? Check out these gift ideas to say thanks to your child's teacher. If you're like me, you rave about your child's teacher. She has gone above and beyond to encourage his learning and potential. Her patience in dealing with 20+ kids (and those 20+ kids' parents) is admirable. And you see how much your child enjoys going to school every day. And if you're wondering what to get her for teacher appreciation week or the end of the year, it only makes sense to pick a meaningful gift. You want unique gifts she'll enjoy … [Read more...]

5 Homework Mistakes You Should Definitely Avoid

Little Kids

Apr 28, 2021

Take a look at these homework mistakes you should avoid. Learn what to do instead to get the most out of your child's homework time. I'll admit: Homework offers many benefits. Kids practice what they learn at home, and teachers are able to see how students are faring. And homework can be an opportunity to make learning natural and even fun. That said, I've had plenty of days when I secretly breathed a sigh of relief that the kids didn't have homework that day. And with the pandemic this past year, homework was nearly non-existent, especially since all the work was done at home. Now … [Read more...]

9 Ways to Keep Kids from Getting Sick at School

Little Kids

Apr 27, 2021

Don't want your child catching germs from other kids? Discover 9 ways to keep kids from getting sick at school. Kids getting sick at school seems inevitable sometimes. You enroll your child in preschool, but he misses half the month because he keeps getting sick. Or you can't seem to go a week without someone catching something from school. Maybe you picked your child up from school and realized half the kids have snot running down their noses. With the pandemic this past year, getting sick at school has been a bit different. For one thing, most kids spent the majority (if not all) … [Read more...]

7 Benefits of Reading to Your Child You May Not Know

How Kids Learn

Apr 25, 2021

You've likely heard the importance of reading, but do you know why? Discover 7 benefits of reading to your child, even starting from day one! by Lane Rebelo Some of the fondest memories of my daughter’s first year are of us bundled in the glider in her room reading stories at bedtime. Back then, she fit in the crook of my elbow so perfectly, both of us reading together as we rocked back-and-forth, baby in one arm and book in the other. Now, even at 12-years-old and on the threshold of her teen years, she still wants me to read to her at bedtime each night. I'm savoring every moment … [Read more...]

Top Children’s Books for Earth Day

Children's Books

Apr 22, 2021

Teaching kids to take care of the environment starts with reading! Discover children's books for Earth Day that will inspire your child. I'll be honest: I skip past news about the environment—at least the bad news. I don't do this because I'm oblivious to the facts or I'm set on disregarding the planet. Nope—I avoid bad news because it can depress me. With every frightening hurricane or degree of heat, it's easy to feel powerless in the face of these tragedies. That's why I like to focus on proactive news, especially the steps we can take to care for the environment. From … [Read more...]

Cool Science Kits for Kindergarten Kids

Activities

Apr 17, 2021

Looking for cool science kits for kindergarten kids? These toys are perfect for this age and encourage curiosity about how things work. With three kids, we've had our share of science toys. From experiments to magnets, each one incited plenty of "oooh's" and "aaah's." They're fantastic gifts to give, whether your own or loved ones (in fact, many of these were given to my kids for birthdays or holidays). Everything is a science experiment as they try to figure out why and how something works the way it does. And of course, they love the process, from mixing elements to building a … [Read more...]

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