DiscussionHow can I teach my son to be a gracious loser?
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 son's feelings and let him know that it is okay to feel disappointed, sad, or angry when he loses. Explain that while it is okay to have these feelings, it is not okay to g...
Personal & Social Skills
Should I tell my daughter the truth if she ask me about Santa?
Whether you decide to tell your daughter the truth about Santa Claus is a personal choice, and will differ for parents depending on their own beliefs and values. It might be helpful to ask yourself why you think you should tell your child the truth about Santa Claus. Are you worried that if you continue to perpetuate your child’s belie...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I help my daughter be polite about gifts she doesnt like?
Teach your daughter the importance of saying “thank you” when she receives a gift, regardless of whether she likes it. Don’t ask her to lie and pretend that she likes the gift, instead keep the focus on teaching her the importance of being polite and thanking others. She will also learn by watching how you interact with others, so make...
Personal & Social Skills
Should my son keep practicing school skills over winter break?
The holidays should be a fun, relaxing time where the focus is on spending time together as a family. That said, there is no reason why your child can’t keep practicing school skills over the break -- the secret is to keep it fun! For example, your son can practice his writing skills by helping you address your holiday cards, make shop...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I help my child become a better speller?
Parents can help their children become better spellers by providing them with lots of opportunities to practice their spelling in fun and relaxed ways. For example, have your child practice spelling words in unexpected materials (such as shaving cream, finger paint, sand, or magnetic letters) rather than using a piece of paper and a pe...
Reading & Writing
What is the best way to explain MLK's role to a young child?
A great way to teach children about Martin Luther King is to read them books about him. When choosing a book, be sure to read through it carefully to ensure that the story is age-appropriate for you child. “Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Doreen Rappaport is a wonderful introduction to who Martin Luther ...
Social Studies
My child makes many grammatical mistakes. What can I do?
One way to help children fix grammatical mistakes is to model the proper way to say what they have just said. For example, if your child says “I goed to school yesterday,” you can respond by saying “I went to school yesterday”. You can do this by simply repeating what your child has just said using the correct grammar and pronunciation...
Reading & Writing
Should I let my son spend gift money on anything he pleases?
Whether children should be allowed to choose what they buy with gift money is a personal choice and will differ for parents depending on their own values and beliefs. One alternative to allowing him to spend his gift money on anything he wants is to allow him to choose from a selection of acceptable options (e.g., any puzzle from this ...
Mathematics
My daughter asked why a woman hasn't been president. Any tips?
There is a great book called Grace for President, by Kelly S. DiPucchio that addresses this very question. The story is about a little girl named Grace who wants to know “Where are the girls?” when she is shown pictures of the presidents by her teacher. After learning that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decid...
Social Studies
My daughter doesn't listen to feedback and gives up easily. How can I get her motivated to try harder?
Children have a hard time separating feedback about their behavior or performance from criticism about themselves. (In fact, few adults have mastered that skill either.) When a child hears that work at school or chores at home are not completed to satisfaction, she may be hearing that she, herself, is not good enough. The best motivati...
Personal & Social Skills
My son is interested in learning how to cook, how can I get him involved in the kitchen?
Not only is cooking a fun way to spend time together, it is a great opportunity to get children interested (and even excited) about eating healthy foods. As children follow recipes and measure ingredients, they also learn important math and reading skills. Start by choosing something fun and easy to make that includes some simple steps...
Creativity & Life Skills
Do you have any recommendations for books about the scientific method?
Teaching children how scientists go about asking and answering scientific questions is a great way to get them interested in science. “How to Think Like a Scientist: Answering Questions by the Scientific Method” by Stephen P. Kramer and “Mad Margaret Experiments with the Scientific Method” by Eric Braun are two great books that take ch...
Science