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School’s back in session, and the novelty of seeing old friends, a new classroom, and a new teacher has begun to fade, to be replaced by the hard work of studying. We’ve collected a few studying tips for kids to help keep them on top of their homework, reading, and test preparation. Keep Them Organized A planner is an excellent tool for tracking assignments, quizzes, and to-do lists, and teaches children the value of
The changing seasons fascinate kids. Watching the green leaves of summer turn to golden brown and yellow is exciting—and a reminder Halloween is just around the corner (and then Thanksgiving! And then the winter holidays!). Help your little ones welcome the new season with these three fall crafts for kids. Leaf People Fall transforms gardens and familiar parks as the leaves turn color and fall. Take a walk with the kids to look for
Baby’s first year is an exciting time, filled with memories you’ll want to cherish for a lifetime. In response to this, the market overflows with baby albums, many containing space to record weight, height, and other important information, such as first word, favorite toy, and so on. Commercial baby albums have serious limitations. For one thing, their question and answer format feels more like you’re filling out forms than documenting baby’s first year. Commercial
It’s important for kids to know even small acts can make a difference. Volunteering teaches this lesson and builds caring and empathy in children from an early age. Even toddlers are capable of learning about compassion and community responsibility through volunteering. Finding the Age Appropriate Volunteering Activities Choosing the right volunteer opportunities for kids helps keep them invested in charitable activities. Start by calling your local volunteer center. Describe your own interests and your
Few bonds are as strong as the love a child shares with a well-trained dog. A family dog can be a child’s friend, confidante, comforter, and protector. Both sides of the relationship love playing, and outdoor games for kids and dogs can give pet and child alike the fun and activity they crave. Safety First Before we discuss games for kids and pets, it’s important to consider safety. Family dogs must be well-trained to
A generation ago, kids spent most of their time playing outdoors. In today’s world, children spend much more time indoors, and it’s having a negative effect on their health and development. Part of the problem is the allure of television and computer games, but technology alone isn’t to blame. Today’s busy schedules also take their toll: both kids and adults tend to have their time heavily scheduled—after a week of school, piano lessons, karate
She’s been your best friend for her whole life, but now you’re pregnant, and you’re not sure how she’ll react to the baby. We’re not talking about your human bestie here—we’re talking about the family dog. Introducing dog to baby can be hair-raising. We’ve all heard horror stories of family pets seriously injuring infants. Some of those stories are true. On the other hand, family dogs have been known to lay down their lives
As spring progresses, the number of biting insects and mosquitos begins to climb, continuing into summer. Aside from itchy irritation, insect bites have the potential to spread several nasty diseases, including West Nile Virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and Lyme disease. Mosquitos capable of carrying the Zika virus are present in the US, and researchers believe it’s only a matter of time before the disease becomes a domestic issue. It’s important to choose insect-repelling wipes
Whether you decide to go back to work after maternity leave or after years of caring for children, the transition from stay-at-home mom to member of the workforce can be jarring. You may be returning to your old job with the added responsibilities of parenthood, or you may be reentering a workplace that’s changed significantly in the years since you left. We’ve got some suggestions to help you rebalance work and life when you return
Traveling with kids is always an adventure—or a challenge, depending on how long you’ve been on the road and how the kids are behaving. Keep your travel plans on track with some careful preparation, and you’ll have more adventures and fewer headaches! Traveling with Infants Pioneers crossed the Wild West with less provisioning than you need when traveling with infants. Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but the list of items you need to get
