DiscussionWhat is phonemic awareness?
Before children learn to read, they need to understand that words are made up of speech sound, or phonemes.
Language Learning
How can I tell if my son is socially ready for kindergarten?
Is your child ready for kindergarten? Although each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, most educators and developmental experts agree upon a certain set of skills as essential tools for further development and achievement in school.
At what age should a child hold a pencil correctly?
Most children do not have the fine motor control or strength to hold a pencil using a finger grip until they are 4 years of age. When children begin to use a finger grip, they will usually use all five fingers to grip a pencil (known as an “immature” or five-finger grip). By 5 or 6 years of age, children’s finger muscles are more devel...
Reading & Writing
Is there a "right" way to hold a paintbrush?
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to hold a paintbrush. Different ways of holding a paintbrush produce different effects. For example, using a pencil grip helps with painting fine details, but holding a brush like a tennis racket might make long, sweeping lines. Between the ages of 2-3 years, most children are able to hold and contro...
Creativity & Life Skills
Our preschool gives homework. How do I keep it fun for my daughter?
The National Education Association suggests that parents follow the "10-minute rule," which calls for 10 minutes of homework per day, per grade. Following this recommendation, your daughter would receive little (less than 10 minutes) to no homework at the preschool level. If you find that your daughter routinely takes more than 5-10 mi...
Personal & Social Skills
My 3-year-old wants a digital watch. Good or bad idea?
Watches – whether they are digital or analog -- are a fun way to get your preschooler excited about time. Rather than focus on trying to teach your child how to tell time, start by helping him/her understand the notion of time. For example, help your child get a feel for how long a minute or an hour is. You can do this in a number of f...
Mathematics
How can I feed my picky eater at my Mom's Thanksgiving feast?
Thanksgiving dinner might feel like comfort food to adults, but for toddlers, it is a table full of new colors, textures, tastes, and experiences. To keep your child’s first experience with these new foods as positive, and low pressure, as possible, try serving some of the dishes you will have at Thanksgiving dinner beforehand at a reg...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I help my child be thankful?
There are so many valuable qualities we want to instill in our children, but learning to be thankful–or grateful–is one of the most important. Not only are grateful people more pleasant to be around, research has shown that they report higher levels of happiness and optimism, as well as lower levels of depression and stress. But learni...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I keep my child safe when we cook together?
Cooking together can be a wonderful way for you and your child to spend quality time together, but before you head into the kitchen together, it is important to discuss with your child the importance of kitchen safety. The most important thing to remember is to never leave your child unattended in the kitchen. It is also a good idea to...
Personal & Social Skills
My child is shy. How can I help her to feel more comfortable?
As a parent, it can be difficult to see your child struggle with shyness, particularly if you are outgoing. It is important, however, to avoid labeling your child or making him/her feel like there is something wrong with being shy. Instead, acknowledge your child’s feelings and help your child overcome his/her fears by encouraging them...
Personal & Social Skills
My son doesn't play with the other kids in his class. What can I do to help him feel safe and make friends?
It's heartbreaking for parents to see their child struggle to make friends. Research has shown that high-quality friendships in kindergarten are associated with greater social skills in first and third grades, particularly for boys. One way you can help your child make friends is to provide him with plenty of opportunities to interact ...
Personal & Social Skills
My child is disrespectful. How should we react to this behavior?
When children have trouble communicating how they are feeling or what they need, they will often act out or display inappropriate behaviors. Therefore, the first step in minimizing these problematic behaviors is to identify the real reasons behind the behaviors. For example, is your child hitting you as a way to communicate anger or a ...
Personal & Social Skills