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 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
Any ideas for burning off kid energy on a rainy day?
When you’re stuck inside with a preschooler, it doesn’t take long until you feel like they are bouncing off the walls! Finding safe and creative ways to be active inside can burn off loads of rainy day energy. One of my favorite things to do with my own children is to create an inside obstacle course using pillows, blankets, and toys. ...
Personal & Social Skills
What are good indoor exercises to do with a 3-year-old?
If you cannot get outdoors, try making an obstacle course inside your home using pillows and toys or turn on some music and have a dance party! You could play Freeze Dance, where you turn on the music for a period of time during which the kids dance, then when you turn it off, the kids freeze in place. Kids yoga is great way to get som...
Personal & Social Skills
Is it too early to teach my almost 3-year-old to read?
While you may want to teach your child how to read as early as possible to ensure that your child has a head start on reading, it is important to not push your child. Most children are not developmentally ready to read until they are 5 or 6 years old. So, let your child take the lead, and nurture your child’s natural interest in readin...
What types of books are best for my preschooler?
Picture books are unique in that they blend stories with art. When choosing a picture book, look for a book with a great story, as well as beautiful, eye-catching illustrations. Great illustrations are important because they not only help tell the story, they draw children in and help bring the book to life. Preschoolers love picture b...
Reading & Writing
How can I encourage creativity in my child?
The best way to encourage creativity in young children is to provide them with lots of opportunities to be creative. Give children lots of different experiences (visiting farms, looking at art, talking with relatives, listening to music) from which they may pull ideas. Provide materials and time for open-ended exploration, such as free...
Creativity & Life Skills
How can I get my kids to volunteer with me?
Becoming a parent often means rearranging priorities, but it does not mean having to completely lose your sense of self. You may not be able to enjoy all the activities you did before you had kids but it is important to preserve one or two things that give you a creative outlet and boost your own self-esteem. Volunteering is a wonderfu...
Personal & Social Skills
My son is the pickiest eater. How can I get him to try new foods?
While it may be tempting to try to bribe or trick your son into eating trying new foods, child development research suggests that forcing a child to eat something can actually make picky eating behavior worse.
Personal & Social Skills
I have tried playing some board games with my son, but he doesn’t play for more than a few minutes. Any suggestions?
Board games are a fun way to spend uninterrupted, quality time with your child. Most board games are made for children 3 years of age and older, since younger children are not developmentally ready to play games that require them to “play by the rules”.
Logic & Problem Solving
What 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 help my daughter's speech?
One of the best ways to build your child’s vocabulary is to narrate your daily activities. As you go about your day, describe what you are doing and point and label everyday objects and actions. As you narrate your day, you will be exposing your daughter to new vocabulary, and teacheing her that words are used to communicate needs, id...