No one likes to lose, but it is important for young children to learn how to accept loss without feeling bitter or bad about themselves. Begin by acknowledging your child’s feelings and let her know that it is okay to feel disappointed, sad, or angry when she loses.
There is no “magic number” for kindergarten class size. And, in fact, since all children have their own unique set of needs, your child’s success in kindergarten is tied to a number of factors that may include class size, relationship with her teacher(s), the mix of children in the classroom among other factors.
In Kindergarten, children learn many other important skills in addition to learning how to read. Your daughter will learn basic math skills like counting, pattern and shape recognition and simple addition and subtraction.
To encourage your son to sound out words he doesn’t know, help him build confidence blending and segmenting words. For example, you might start by having him listen to you stretch out the two-sound word “me” (e.g., m-ē).
While it may be tempting to try to bribe or trick your son into eating trying new foods, child development research suggests that forcing a child to eat something can actually make picky eating behavior worse.
Is your child ready for kindergarten? Although each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, most educators and developmental experts agree upon a certain set of skills as essential tools for further development and achievement in school.
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to hold a paintbrush. Different ways of holding a paintbrush produce different effects. For example, using a pencil grip helps with painting fine details, but holding a brush like a tennis racket might make long, sweeping lines. Between the ages of 2-3 years, most children are able to hold and contro...
Thanksgiving dinner might feel like comfort food to adults, but for toddlers, it is a table full of new colors, textures, tastes, and experiences. To keep your child’s first experience with these new foods as positive, and low pressure, as possible, try serving some of the dishes you will have at Thanksgiving dinner beforehand at a reg...
There are so many valuable qualities we want to instill in our children, but learning to be thankful–or grateful–is one of the most important. Not only are grateful people more pleasant to be around, research has shown that they report higher levels of happiness and optimism, as well as lower levels of depression and stress. But learni...
Cooking together can be a wonderful way for you and your child to spend quality time together, but before you head into the kitchen together, it is important to discuss with your child the importance of kitchen safety. The most important thing to remember is to never leave your child unattended in the kitchen. It is also a good idea to...
As a parent, it can be difficult to see your child struggle with shyness, particularly if you are outgoing. It is important, however, to avoid labeling your child or making him/her feel like there is something wrong with being shy. Instead, acknowledge your child’s feelings and help your child overcome his/her fears by encouraging them...
It is not uncommon for teachers to have up to 30 children in their classroom, which can make it difficult for teachers to give students – and parents – the personalized attention they need. While it is important for you to keep this in mind, you should always feel comfortable contacting your child’s teacher with any concerns that you h...