DiscussionWhat are some ways to help my child write a family story?
A fun way to create a family story with younger children is to make a family tree. You can add photos or ask your child to draw a picture of each family member. Talk about each family member and share special memories you have shared together. Another fun way to create your family story is to make a scrapbook that highlights some of th...
Reading & Writing
How much screen time is appropriate for a 4- to 5-year-old?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), young children should be limited to less than two hours of screen time a day. It is important to highlight that screen time not only refers to watching television, but time on the computer, tablet, and electronic games. The AAP also recommends parents make children’s bedrooms a “sc...
Personal & Social Skills
What are some ideas for keeping my daughter physically active?
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 ...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I help my 6-year-old daughter understand the importance of being yourself?
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 ...
Personal & Social Skills
How do I get my grandson excited about learning how to read and write?
It’s clear that you see the tremendous value in getting your grandson excited about reading and writing! A long line of research shows that children who take to reading early on are more likely to make it a pleasurable habit throughout their lives and experience later success in reading and writing, with a broader vocabulary and deeper...
Reading & Writing
How can I make Easter a healthier holiday?
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 ...
Personal & Social Skills
My daughter wants to be liked, and sometimes kids take advantage of her generosity. How can I teach her to stand up for herself?
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...
Personal & Social Skills
My 5-year-old twins are ready academically, but I'm not sure if they're mature enough for kindergarten. How can I make this choice?
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...
Personal & Social Skills
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,...
Reading & Writing
I don't like the child my son has picked for a friend. Now what?
As a parent, I understand how difficult it is when your child is friends with a child you do not like. It might be helpful to ask yourself why you do not like your son’s friend
Personal & Social Skills
My child likes quiet play. How can I encourage more activity?
While it is important for all young children to be physically active and interact with others, some children need more quiet or alone time than others.
Personal & Social Skills
Is it normal for my child to confuse b's and d’s?
Children who are just beginning to identify and write letters often confuse b, d, p, and q, reversing letters that share similar visual characteristics.
Language Learning