Puppy careCaring for pets—in real life and in play scenarios—helps children develop qualities of responsibility and empathy. Developing these important social skills will help your child thrive in school and in life.
Find a furry friendThis printable activity encourages your child to think about the needs of others, an important part of developing socially and emotionally.
My child becomes upset when I can't guess what he's drawn. Help?Try responding with, “Tell me about your picture.” My mom, a former first grade teacher, passed along this very useful phrase as I started teaching and would have students proudly present their latest masterpieces that were often hard to identify.
My preschooler won't tell me about her day. How do I encourage her to open up?It isn't uncommon that a child responds with such a question with not much more than, "Fine!" or "Not much!" While it might be tough to get a conversation started, a few simple things might encourage them to tell you more about their day at school. It is important to ask the right question at the right time. At preschool, it is common ...
How can I encourage my child to speak in front of his class?The key is to provide your child with plenty of opportunities to communicate in a variety of contexts. Start with relatively “low-pressure” experiences like ordering food at a restaurant or asking for help locating a specific item in a store. Gradually, introduce more performance-based opportunities like reading aloud to a family membe...
How can I change the focus of the holidays away from just gifts?One way to take the focus off of gifts during the holiday season is to reach out to others in need. You can do this by taking your child to visit a nursing home, or by providing meals for families who might otherwise not be able to afford them. Have your child go shopping with you and choose a toy to donate. Take this opportunity to ta...