Everyone wants to know how to raise a bright child and encourage a love of learning. Read how to raise smart children while still letting kids be kids. Is it possible to raise smart kids without pressure and power struggles? Absolutely. You don't even need tons of money, the latest apps, or extracurricular activities. Instead, what works stems from a loving, supportive environment with a belief in your child's abilities. Simple daily interactions that make a deep impression on how he learns. And being mindful of how you phrase learning and challenges that he faces. Genes make … [Read more...]

Want to raise kids with a genuine passion for curiosity? Discover effective ways to raise children who love to learn — and not because they have to. My son was in the kitchen trying to turn an empty box of strawberries into an airplane. He had attached a propeller from another toy to the front and strapped a rubber band he'd hoped would sling it forward. His airplane even came equipped with landing wheels. The airplane never moved, much less flew, but this is the kind of learning I want to encourage in my kids. Not doing homework begrudgingly or even perfect grades, but the … [Read more...]

Want to help your kids remember the information they learned for the long run? Get tips on how to make learning stick and encourage 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. We've all done our share of cramming for tests, memorizing formulas and drilling information a few minutes before an exam. But did we really learn anything? After all, I can barely remember the details of the American Revolution or the anatomical parts of a frog (shudder). More importantly, are we passing on … [Read more...]

Can't get kids to finish chores and homework? Learn how to motivate children to do their best and follow through with responsibilities. "How many sentences do I have to write?" my son asked. The assignment was simple: write about a time you had courage, and draw an accompanying picture to go with it. Except right from the start, he had treated the assignment as a hassle, something to just get done, even haphazardly. It was no surprise then that his sentences showed no effort and his picture was barely legible. For many parents, convincing kids to do tasks like chores and homework … [Read more...]

Is your house overflowing with toys? More isn't always better, and can even have adverse results. Here are the downsides of having too many toys. Birthday parties and play dates have given me a glimpse into just how many toys other kids have compared to my own. Tall shelves filled with action figures, floors strewn with stuffed animals. I began to wonder what these kids might think coming into our home. The holidays have also made me wonder whether I give them enough gifts. For his first Christmas, my eldest didn't even receive a toy from us—I figured he was too young to even … [Read more...]