There are many fun ways to be active together and ensure that your daughter gets the exercise that she needs--playing at the park, going for a bike ride, jumping rope, or kicking a ball around your backyard. If you cannot get outdoors, try making an obstacle course inside your home using pillows and toys or turn on some music and have ...
It can be difficult when your daughter wants to be carried around all the time, after all, there is only so much you can do with one free hand! Encourage your daughter to be independent by praising her when she does walk on her own. If your daughter wants to be carried, give her the choice to walk while holding your hand or ride in the...
Giving your daughter the confidence to be herself is one of the greatest gifts you can give her. It is important for her to understand that she shouldn’t be ashamed of her intelligence or pretend to be someone she is not. Being smart is something to be proud of, not hide. You can help your daughter by making sure she has strong female ...
When you’re stuck inside with a preschooler, it doesn’t take long until you feel like they are bouncing off the walls! Finding safe and creative ways to be active inside can burn off loads of rainy day energy. One of my favorite things to do with my own children is to create an inside obstacle course using pillows, blankets, and toys. ...
One way to make Easter healthier is to skip the chocolate and fill up your child’s Easter basket with some non-sugary treats. Books make great gifts at any time of the year, including Easter. Three of my favorite Easter themed books are “Marshmallow” by Clare Turlay Newberry, “The Easter Egg” by Jan Brett, and “The Story of the Easter ...
Looking after a pet is a big responsibility, and while young children may be able to help care for a family pet by feeding the cat or walking the dog, they are not developmentally ready to take on the sole responsibility of looking after a pet until they are older. Pets do offer the perfect opportunity for grade school aged children to...
As parents, we want our children to feel that they belong. We teach them to be kind and generous, but they also need to learn how to set boundaries so that others do not take advantage of them. The difficulty lies is teaching your daughter the difference between being assertive (telling people what she wants) and being aggressive (impo...
If you cannot get outdoors, try making an obstacle course inside your home using pillows and toys or turn on some music and have a dance party! You could play Freeze Dance, where you turn on the music for a period of time during which the kids dance, then when you turn it off, the kids freeze in place. Kids yoga is great way to get som...
Now it’s summer, it's great to get children outdoors to play. No matter what your child is interested in, there are lots of fun toys to get your child outside and having fun! If you have a little artist, try sidewalk chalk, or give your child a paintbrush and water to paint rocks (Melissa and Doug’s Jumbo Paintbrushes are easy for todd...
Play dates provide children with opportunities to practice important social and emotional skills. Children learn to share, take turns, and cooperate as they interact with each other. Play dates are also a great place for children to practice manners and learn how to communicate with one another. At this age, it is usually best to keep ...
This is a great question! As a kindergarten teacher, the question I hear most frequently is, “Do you think my child is ready for kindergarten?” There are so many things to consider. From academic readiness to social-emotional readiness, there seem to be more questions than answers. My first step is usually turning the tables and asking...
Every great story deserves a cover. Celebrate your child's writing successes by helping him/her add durable covers that will decorate and preserve his/her work. You might purchase plastic covers or prompt your child to make covers out of manila folders, construction paper, or posterboard.