Kids can forget what they learned during the long summer months. Avoid summer brain drain with these tips on how to keep your child learning in the summer. "We won't have homework the rest of the year," my five-year-old announced after Memorial Day. I was shocked. I had hoped they wouldn't start getting ready for summer so soon. That's when I realized "summer brain drain" is a real thing. "A conservative estimate of lost instructional time is approximately two months or roughly 22 percent of the school year.... It's common for teachers to spend at least a month re-teaching material that … [Read more...]
Unique End of the Year Teacher Gifts
Looking for unique end of the year teacher gifts to show your appreciation? Check out these gift ideas, perfect 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 your child's 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 your child's teacher, it only makes sense to pick a meaningful gift. You want unique gifts she'll enjoy and that are … [Read more...]
8 Long Term Benefits of Reading to Your Child
Wondering why it's important to read to your kids? Discover the long term benefits of reading to children and how it can impact their future. We've all heard the advice to read to kids, often and early. No study has ever refuted the benefits of reading to your child. "Warning: new research says reading to kids does harm!" Reading to kids at a young age isn't only about the immediate results. Yes, our kids enjoy books. They'll feel less cranky after a nap, and story time adds a certain rhythm to your day. But imagine how much our kids' lives will change because we read to them. We'll … [Read more...]
31 Children’s Books about the Alphabet
Discover the ultimate list of children's books about the alphabet! Introduce your child to letters and words by reading these top ABC books. One of the most searched for articles here is how to help children recognize letters and numbers. One tip I offer is to expose kids to a variety of ABC books about the alphabet. And while I included a handful of suggested books, I knew it wasn't as thorough as it can be. And thus, I've compiled several great alphabet books. Read these ABC books as you would any story book. Don't pressure your kids to memorize the letters or quiz them on what each … [Read more...]
Homeschooling Pros and Cons: 6 Things Every Parent Needs to Consider
Parents, are you deciding whether to homeschool your kids or not? Consider these 6 homeschooling pros and cons before making your decision. By Helen Dawson Some people believe homeschooling is an outdated practice, but with statistics indicating that 3% of the school age population were homeschooled in 2011-12 and figures increasing every year, this is a very real education option for some families. Many debate homeschooling pros and cons to see which way to go. Homeschooling pros and cons list Homeschooled children are still welcomed into colleges and perform well on exams. If you're … [Read more...]
Raising College Bound Kids (Because It’s Not Too Early to Start!)
Your children are never too young to prepare for college. Learn simple ways of raising college bound kids and building a love of learning and success. I'm getting my kids ready for college, and they're all under six-years-old. I'm not sifting through college applications or signing them up for enrichment activities. Nothing like that. Instead, I cementing the idea of college as an exciting opportunity even at this young age. Stuff I won't wish "I should've done" when my kids are older. Raising college bound kids even at a young age Because I don't want to spring college onto my kids … [Read more...]
Help Your Child Transition to Preschool (and Calm Your Nerves as Well!)
Are you and your child ready for preschool? Read tips on how to help your child transition to preschool, from weeks before to the big day itself. Who knew transitioning to preschool could be so tough? And not just for children, but parents as well. I chose a preschool several months ago, but the day was coming up fast: my son would be going to preschool. And just like that, I had no idea where to start or what to do. It seemed like every other mom had it together, but I've barely registered the idea into my head. I've since learned not to let the overwhelm get the best of me, even as … [Read more...]
13 Children’s Books by Oliver Jeffers
My kids are huge fans of Oliver Jeffers. Check out our favorite 13 children's books by Oliver Jeffers. It seemed like Oliver Jeffers was going to enter our lives one way or another. The first time was when we read How to Catch a Star—except the book I borrowed from the library was in Spanish. Of course I had no idea what the story was about, but my eldest appreciated it at the time when his dad read to him. The second time was when I kept seeing this book about crayons popping up on the Amazon bestseller lists. And that's how I realized The Day the Crayons Quit was illustrated by … [Read more...]