Reading & Writing

Discussion

What types of books are best for my preschooler?

 Picture books are unique in that they blend stories with art. When choosing a picture book, look for a book with a great story, as well as beautiful, eye-catching illustrations. Great illustrations are important because they not only help tell the story, they draw children in and help bring the book to life. Preschoolers love picture b...
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Discussion

How many sight words should my kindergartner be able to read?

 Acquiring sight words is an important part of learning how to read. By the end of kindergarten, most children are able to identify approximately 50 sight words. There are many fun ways to help your child learn sight words. For example, word hunts can be a fun way to encourage your child to find sight words in a favorite book, magazine,...
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Discussion

My child still holds his pencil incorrectly. Should I worry?

 Holding a pencil correctly can help avoid fatigue and cramping that can make writing difficult. Have your child rest the forearm in a neutral position on a flat writing surface. The hand should rest on the little finger allowing the wrist to move freely. The thumb needs to be in a position where it can provide resistance to the fingers...
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Math

Discussion

My son knows basic shapes. What shapes should I teach him next?

 If your child already easily recognizes squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles, he may be interested in learning about other 2-dimensional shapes and some basic 3-dimensional shapes. Your child may be excited to learn that a shape with 5 sides is called a “pentagon” and a 6-sided shape is called a “hexagon”. In addition to flat, 2...
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Discussion

I’ve never considered myself good at math. How can I help my child stay confident?

 It is wonderful that you want to help your child have a more positive experience with mathematics than you had. To do this, it’s important to avoid telling your child that you were not “good at math” because your child may begin to believe that mathematics success is related to an innate talent, rather than practice and perseverance. W...
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Discussion

How can I help my child master skip counting?

 Skip counting is a skill that can help children become more confident in mathematical problem solving and in daily tasks such as counting money. Children often begin by skip counting by tens: 0, 10, 20, 30, and so on. In many classrooms, children learn to skip count while looking at a 100 chart. A 100 chart shows the numbers 1 to 100 i...
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Logic & Problem Solving

Discussion

How can I help my baby reach her full intellectual potential?

 All parents want the best for their children and hope to give them a head start on intellectual development. For the most part, the best thing a parent can do for an infant or toddler is to provide a warm, loving environment so that the child feels confident to explore. Proper nutrition is also essential for health and early brain deve...
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Discussion

How can I make cleaning fun?

 Cleaning up can be fun when it’s a shared experience, when it’s accompanied by a song (“Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere…”), and when there’s a goal in mind. Make the clean-up process a fun activity by incorporating a challenge, such as trying to fit all the toys into a specific basket, or attempting to clean up all the blocks...
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Science

Discussion

How can I help my child to think scientifically?

 Scientific thinking is based on things that children naturally have in abundance—curiosity, energy, and playfulness! While it may sound too easy to be true, a great way to develop scientific thinking is to let children explore and play. As children explore the everyday world, ask questions, and start developing theories about how the w...
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Discussion

My child asks lots of science questions that I can't answer.

 As parents, it can be uncomfortable when your child asks you a question that you don’t know the answer to! Rather than make something up, it’s okay to let your child know that adults don’t always have all the answers. Admitting you are unsure teaches your child that is okay to be honest when you don’t know the answer to a question. It ...
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Discussion

How can I encourage my child's interest in science, technology, engineering, and math?

 One of the best ways to encourage children’s interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is to provide them with plenty of opportunities to play, because it is through play that children learn to be thinkers, builders, and inventors. Look for toys that encourage important scientific skills such as creativity (e.g., Le...
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Social Studies

Discussion

How can I encourage my child to learn more about different parts of the world?

 Geoliteracy is a hot topic these days. A basic understanding about the different parts of the world and the diversity of people and cultures are important foundation for the future. Children at this age are just moving out of a very self-centered view of the world, and are just getting a sense that there are more beyond their immediate...
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Discussion

What can I do to encourage my child's interest in history?

 There are a number of ways to encourage your child’s interest in history. Make history relatable by sharing your own family history with your child. Share fun memories of the people and places in your childhood, and encourage your child to talk about his/her favorite memories as well. Read about people and events that have made a diffe...
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Discussion

Can you recommend any great Thanksgiving-themed books?

 Thanksgiving is about more than turkey! It can be a wonderful opportunity to talk to your child about the history of Thanksgiving, as well as the importance of being grateful. It is also a great time to teach your child about your own Thanksgiving traditions. When choosing a book, be sure to read through it carefully to ensure that the...
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Creativity & Life Skills

Discussion

How can I encourage creativity in my child?

 The best way to encourage creativity in young children is to provide them with lots of opportunities to be creative. Give children lots of different experiences (visiting farms, looking at art, talking with relatives, listening to music) from which they may pull ideas. Provide materials and time for open-ended exploration, such as free...
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Discussion

Is there such a thing as too much imaginative play?

 Pretend and imaginative play are crucial to a child's development. Research shows clear benefits of children's engagement in imaginative play, especially between the ages two and seven years. Pretend play encompass a host of cognitive and creative activities such as make-believe, storytelling, acting, divergent thinking and the use of ...
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Discussion

How can I help my toddler have fun on Halloween?

 Older children and adolescents may enjoy the ghoulish aspects of Halloween, but your toddler may find them frightening. Young children may prefer celebrations and traditions that emphasize the harvest season such as a visit to a pumpkin farm with corn mazes or hay rides.
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Personal & Social Skills

Discussion

Should I let my child cry it out?

 Crying is a baby's way of communicating. Responding to your baby's cries builds trust and a sense of cause and effect. Responding to a baby's nighttime cries is an important part of parenting, but so is sleep. Parents should also keep in mind that "sleeping through the night" for an infant means a five-hour block of sleep, no...
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Discussion

How can I help my toddler overcome a fear of animals?

 As toddlers become more aware of the world around them, they may develop fears. Understand that this is a perfectly normal response given your child's limited range of experiences and ability to express emotions. First, acknowledge your child's fears. Then, reassure your child that you will keep him or her safe ("Mommy will hold you un...
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Discussion

How can I get my kids to volunteer with me?

 Becoming a parent often means rearranging priorities, but it does not mean having to completely lose your sense of self. You may not be able to enjoy all the activities you did before you had kids but it is important to preserve one or two things that give you a creative outlet and boost your own self-esteem. Volunteering is a wonderfu...
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