DiscussionHow can I help my son understand long vs. short vowels?
Remembering what sound each letter makes is crucial to learning how to read. Vowels can be particularly tricky for young children because they have both a long and a short sound. Make learning long and short vowel sounds fun by going on a short or long “vowel word hunt” in your house, the car, or the grocery store. Encourage your son t...
Reading & Writing
How can I get my son to act grateful if he doesn't like a gift?
Learning gratitude is a difficult concept for young children to grasp. Being grateful requires a sensitivity to other people’s feelings, but the ability to take a different perspective or “put one's self in another’s shoes” is a skill that continues to develop throughout childhood. Teach your son the importance of saying “thank you” wh...
Personal & Social Skills
How 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
My child's handwriting is very large and messy. Should I worry?
Just as children develop at different rates, so does their handwriting. Between the ages of 5-6 years of age, children are just beginning to have the muscle strength and coordination to use a proper 3-finger pencil grip. Some children struggle because they are simply trying to write too quickly. Encourage your child to slow down and ta...
Reading & Writing
How can I help my son learn about calendars?
Research shows that children do not truly understand the concept of time until the first or second grade. Even though your son might be able to memorize the days of the week, he does not have a true understanding of what a day is. With this in mind, focus on introducing him to concepts such as before and after, and talk to him about wh...
Mathematics
My son can't hold a tune. Does this mean he'll be bad at music?
Even if your child cannot hold a turn, the fact that he loves to sing and is showing an interest in music is wonderful! You can foster his love of music by exposing him to a variety of music and musicians, and allowing him to experiment with different instruments. You can also sign him up for music or movement classes or take him to a ...
Creativity & Life Skills
My 4-year-old can recognize letters when he's playing Letter Factory, but mixes them up at preschool and even on flashcards. Is this normal? How can I help him?
It’s normal for children to mix up letters when they are first learning about the alphabet. Children are introduced to letters in multiple contexts, and oftentimes, these letters are presented in different styles, shapes and sizes. Although the typeface used in the Letter Factory may be most familiar to your son, he is also seeing lett...
Reading & Writing
My son is struggling with counting. How can I help him?
By the time most children are five years of age, they are able to count to 20. If your son is still struggling with counting, try making a game out of counting objects throughout the day – apples at a grocery store or the number of seconds it takes for the traffic light to turn green – and count out loud with your child. You can also h...
Mathematics
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
At what age should my son be able to tie shoelaces?
Children do not usually have the fine motor skills or coordination to tie their shoelaces until they are at least 5 years of age. Learning to tie shoelaces also requires patience and determination (which can be just as challenging for parents as it is for children) because it requires lots of practice. To make it easier for your son to...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I introduce Black History Month to my son?
A great way to introduce Black History Month to your son is to talk to him about influential African Americans, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, and how they worked very hard to make the world a better place. You can share with him that many years ago, the United States was a very different place. People were treated diff...
Social Studies