Learn and Discover Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

6 Useful Back to School Tips for Parents

Jul 24, 2021

Getting ready to go back to school? Read these 6 useful back to school tips for parents for a smooth transition this school year. However long the summers might seem, back to school can still come as a surprise. With many schools starting in early to mid-August, thinking about morning routines and backpacks isn't exactly on your mind. Or perhaps your summers aren't too different from the regular school year. Your child might have been in year-round preschool, or she attended summer camp while you worked. Your routine had been pretty consistent, whether it was April or July. The return … [Read more...]

12 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten

Little Kids

Jul 23, 2021

Kindergarten is a big change kids will face. Learn 12 ways to prepare your child for kindergarten that will help her adjust to a new school. Even if your child had been going to preschool, transitioning to kindergarten can still feel nerve-wrecking. She'll meet new friends and teachers she'd never seen before. The school will have a different schedule than what she'd been used to. And the campus itself—already so big compared to preschool—can feel intimidating. No wonder preparing for kindergarten can feel daunting—for both parent and child. 12 ways to prepare your child for … [Read more...]

How to Praise Your Child for a Growth Mindset

Communication

Jul 21, 2021

Many parents praise their kids with good intentions, but did you know praise can also hinder their potential? Learn how to praise your child for a growth mindset. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. I was impressed. My then-four-year-old had just finished building an intricate structure of wooden blocks. This was the stuff I didn't even know he could do. Each block was meticulously placed and symmetrical, and it looked like something a budding architect would make. I was so … [Read more...]

6 Traits That Help Kids Succeed

How Kids Learn

Jul 16, 2021

Want to cultivate the traits your child needs to succeed in school and as an adult? Teach these 6 traits that will help kids succeed. Encouraging success in kids seems to get a bad rap. We've got Tiger Moms who don't accept anything less than an A, or parents pressuring their kids to succeed at all costs. Kids can't cope with losing, and admissions tests are given at the preschool level. No wonder we're hesitant to wish ambition for our kids, fearful that we'll end up stressing them out. But when we look at how to help kids succeed in a different way, we see it's not always … [Read more...]

5 Remarkable Ways to Encourage Deliberate Practice

How Kids Learn

Jul 10, 2021

It's not just about practice—kids should learn how to improve as well. Here are 5 ways to encourage deliberate practice and learning. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. Deliberate practice is practice designed to improve specific skills you're trying to master. You receive feedback and correct mistakes to improve your performance and strive for excellence. Coined by psychologist Anders Ericsson, deliberate practice isn't just hours of practice. Sure, you can tell your child to practice … [Read more...]

Best Building Toys to Nurture Creative Play

Learn and Discover

Jul 07, 2021

Looking for the best building toys to nurture creativity? Check out these toys and gift ideas that encourage out-of-the-box thinking! "Wow, I got a lot of building toys!" my son exclaimed after opening his gifts. I wasn't surprised. Since he was a toddler, he's been curious about how things work and loves to build intricate structures from toys and even household items. Over the years, he's played with some of the best building toys, from classic sets to construction to the new and innovative. I'm a huge fan of open-ended play, and building toys make for the perfect opportunity to … [Read more...]

4 Easy Ideas to Nurture Your Child’s Creativity

How Kids Learn

Jul 02, 2021

You know the importance of play and creativity, but how can you encourage it at home? Learn 4 easy ideas to nurture your child's imagination. I had found the perfect craft on Pinterest—something I could actually try with my then-toddler. The object was simple: draw a cloud outline on a piece of paper, and have your child glue cotton balls within the shape. Once he's done, you'd then cut along the line and you'd yourself a bona fide cloud—voilá! I gathered our supplies and showed him how to apply glue to cotton balls and stick it to the paper. Except... he had his own agenda. First, … [Read more...]

Children’s Books about the Alphabet

Children's Books

Jun 20, 2021

Discover the ultimate list of children's books about the alphabet! Introduce your child to letters and words by reading these top ABC books. Every week, my kids would come home from preschool with worksheets on a particular letter. Their teachers would focus on one letter at a time, exploring its shape, sounds, and the various words that start with it. And no wonder. Early literacy starts with recognizing letters, and the alphabet gives us 26 opportunities to teach them. But perhaps one of the best ways to expose your child to the alphabet and learning to read is to read about it. … [Read more...]

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