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Executive functions are a set of mental processes thought to be responsible for our ability to plan, think flexibly, inhibit responses, and monitor our actions, among many other skills. In the classroom, children call upon their executive functioning skills in many ways.
Most people recognize that problem solving is an important skill for mathematical and scientific thinking. But problem-solving skills and strategies also help children—and adults—tackle day-to-day challenges.
From the time they are in the crib, boys and girls demonstrate differences in their learning styles. Discover these differences in learning styles and how to identify your own child’s preferred style of learning.
Learning to be a good decision maker is an important life skill. Use these tips to raise a thoughtful decision maker.
Foster an early appreciation for the arts in your child with these suggestions on introducing your child to the joy of live performances.
Why do so many boys seem to feel that being thick-skinned, tight-lipped, dry-eyed and in-your-face is the best way to live life and conduct meaningful relationships? The answer has as much to do with gender differences as it does with differences in parental behavior towards boys and girls. Here are some recommendations for nurturing the emotional, moral and spiritual development of your son.
While it is uncertain whether listening to Mozart will increase your child’s IQ, early exposure and active involvement with music will increase your child’s musical intelligence. Here are some tips for fostering your child’s musical intelligence.
Rules about behavior and civility are both written and unwritten—and abiding by them is essential to success.
As most early childhood teachers know, dramatic play is an extremely valuable part of the daily curriculum. Read this article to learn some of the benefits of dramatic play.
Regardless of political affiliation or faith, all parents want to instill good values in their children. Learn the importance of a moral education, plus tips on how to raise a moral child.
With the busy schedules of extracurricular activities, children have fewer opportunities for unstructured free time. Children benefit from time set aside just to relax, restore and reflect.
If you area working parent, staying connected to your children’s school life can be challenging. Here are some ideas for ways to fit in school involvement around your work schedule.
Learning at home does not have to be time consuming. Short bursts of incremental learning can have a lasting impact. This article contains some suggestions for incremental learning opportunities.
Rituals are important to children. They help to give them a sense of belonging—to a family, a group, a religion, or a country. Children seek out rituals, especially in holidays and birthdays. They find comfort and joy in celebrating the same way every year.
When you let your child prepare or assemble his own food, he gains a sense of accomplishment and may even acquire a taste for a greater variety of foods.
Find out what role fantasy friends play in your child’s development.
Is your child a dawdler? Discover reasons for dawdling and tips for how to deal with a dawdling child.
Time is an abstract concept to young children. Helping your child develop a sense of time gives him a feeling of control in his life and is fundamental to learning organization.
Help your child develop creative problem solving and exercise her creative expression with these suggestions.
Even as your child skips off to school, you’ll remain his most influential teacher. Follow these tips for learning at home—you’ll see a world of difference in your child’s academic achievement.
Creative children aren't just good artists--they're good writers, problem solvers and thinkers.
Plan a stress-free play date with these helpful tips.
It might look like a whole lot of silliness, but what's going on in your child's developing brain as she goofs off is more than child's play.
Is your child ready for kindergarten? Educators and developmental experts agree that childred prepared with certain skills are ready for kindergarten.
Research shows that students whose parents are involved in their school earn higher grades, score better on tests and are more likely to attend college. Here are ten ways you can get involved in your kindergartener's education from the get-go.
Shrinking budgets and an emphasis on testing have pushed arts education to the sidelines. Read what parents can do about it.
You'll get more out of your parent-teacher conference if you do these five things to prepare.
In the event of a national tragedy, we all struggle to find the right words to express our feelings, to provide comfort—to make some sense of it all. This can be especially difficult when talking with our children. We hope that these resources will make it easier for you to help your family and friends cope with trauma.
Learning to read is one of the most important skills your child needs for school and life success. Start at home, now, to encourage growth.
Choose children’s books wisely with these helpful criteria.
Encourage a love of reading in your child with these ten suggestions from The National Head Start Association.
Research shows that children who read a lot have better vocabularies than their peers who read little. No surprise there, but the real revelation is that the avid readers have higher cognitive abilities, better reading ability, verbal intelligence and practical knowledge of the world.
Early literacy opportunities at home encourage reading readiness. Use these tips to help your child develop the prereading skills that will prepare him for kindergarten.
Children love to role-play. Add writing to their pretend world and they'll be more likely to take chances in expressing themselves.
Educational research has shown that while many young girls excel at math and science, most girls lose interest or become discouraged by middle school. Here are some ways to keep your daughter's test tubes bubbling.
Well-developed visual skills are a prerequisite for success in math. Here are some tips for fostering your child’s visual skills.
A father’s involvement in his daughter’s life has been shown to increase her interest in math and sciences. Find out more about the influence of the father-daughter connection.
Educational research has shown that while many young girls excel at math and science, most girls lose interest or become discouraged by middle school. Here are some ways to keep your daughter's test tubes bubbling.
Cooking is a fun and practical learning activity for children. When you cook with your child, you can talk about family traditions and expose your child to new foods and flavors. Use these tips to ensure a positive experience for you and your child.
Explore by Skill Area
Kindergarten Learning
Even as your child skips off to school, you’ll remain his most influential teacher. Follow these tips for learning at home—you’ll see a world of difference in your child’s academic achievement.
Kindergarten Skills
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.
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