DiscussionWhy is learning to rhyme important to my son's development?
Research has shown that strong rhymers make good readers! The reason that learning to rhyme is so important is because it helps with phonological awareness. By listening to rhymes, your son begins to recognize that words share segments of sound (for example, cat and hat, share the sound “at”), and that words that have sounds in common ...
Reading & Writing
My preschooler loves drawing, coloring and listening to stories, but he doesn't write alphabet letters like the rest of his classmates. What would you suggest?
It sounds like your son really enjoys being creative, so try to introduce letter-writing activities that build on his love of drawing and coloring. Invite him to make animals or other fun drawings from basic letter shapes. For example, after he writes an uppercase B, encourage him to add black and yellow stripes and a pair of wings to ...
Reading & Writing
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
Should I ask my preschooler to make a New Year's resolution?
Talking to children about New Year’s resolutions is a great way to teach them about the importance of setting goals and self-discipline. Take this opportunity to work together as a family and come up with a resolution you can all take part in – whether it is to be more active and go on a walk together every weekend or to help someone i...
Personal & Social Skills
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...
Science
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 child is in speech therapy but it's not helping. What do I do next?
After filling out all the paperwork and finding a specialist to help your child with a challenge, it can be very frustrating when you do not see progress. Keep in mind that there may be small steps, rather than big, noticeable breakthroughs. Speak with your child's speech therapist to express your concerns. Find out what reasonable goa...
Reading & Writing
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
Is it safe to let my son use scissors?
As a parent, the thought of handing your small child a pair of scissors can be nerve-racking! But by 4 years of age, children are old enough to use scissors, and it is a great way for them to practice fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The most important thing is to teach your son how to use them safely and keep them out of r...
Creativity & Life Skills
My three year-old is reading! Is she gifted?
While your child is reading earlier than most children her age, it is difficult to determine whether your daughter is gifted because development unfolds unevenly at this age. In other words, it is not uncommon for a child to be advanced in one area of development (e.g., language), but slower in another area of development (e.g., physic...
Reading & Writing