|
|
 SIGN
UP FOR FREE |
|
|
|
Sign Up for a free account or
learn more. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
Most Recent Articles
|
- Understanding How The Internet Affects Children
Between surfing the Internet, visiting chat rooms and sending text messages, children spend a great deal of time in cyberspace-and it's up to parents to make sure their kids spend that time safely. Consider the following statistics:
• Approximately 90 percent of children ages 8 to 16 have viewed pornography on the Internet. - American Teens Say They Want Quality Time With Parents
A new national poll contradicts the conventional wisdom that teenagers want their parents to "just leave them alone."
Up to 67 percent of America's teens say they actually want to spend more time with their parents. That's according to an online survey of 1,250 adults and teens conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. - Turn Viewing Into A Teachable Moment By Watching Together
A new national study shows how television has become a central focus of many very young children's lives. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? That depends on how parents approach it. The following questions and answers may help you decide:
Q: How much television do children watch? - Campaign Helps Uninsured Kids Get Health Care Coverage Millions Of Children Eligible For Low-cost Or Free Coverage
Millions of children will head back to school this Fall without one of the most important of all school supplies--health insurance.
More than 8 million children in the United States are uninsured-that means one in every 10 kids might not receive the medical care they need, when they need it, because they don't have insurance. In fact, uninsured children are 10 times more likely than insured children to miss out on needed care. Even when uninsured children do get some medical care, they often miss out on vital medical screenings and preventive care or seeing a doctor when they are sick. - art School Breaks
There are ways to keep kids' minds from taking a vacation during long school breaks. The key, say educators, is to find fun ways to keep children engaged, thinking and learning throughout the year.
The good news is that doing so may be easier than it sounds. For instance, parents can use Choose Your Own Adventure interactive DVDs-based on the best-selling Choose Your Own Adventure book series-to help keep kids' minds active. Viewers use the DVD remote control to guide the characters on their mission. - Parents Getting Early Start On Kids' Supply Lists
Does the early bird get the worm? More than 500 moms of grade-school-aged children surveyed apparently think so.
Early Start - Internet Safety: Protecting Children In Cyberspace
The Internet is like a vast city-full of virtual shops, museums, theaters and recreational activities. But like real cities, there are certain places online that children shouldn't visit alone.
A recent study by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children revealed several startling facts about Internet users between the ages of 10 and 17: - School Days Prerequisite: A Fun Wardrobe
Early bedtimes have returned, the buses are loaded and book reports have been assigned. Yes, the end of summer is here and it's time to head back to school. Parents rejoice, children lament. The good news? The beginning of the school year comes with one distinct silver lining…a new fall wardrobe!
If shopping with your kids could be more "fun," these tips from Amy Cafazzo, Marshalls style expert, can help: - Simple Tips For Moms On The Go
With summer winding down and school right around the corner, moms across the country will be jetting off to soccer practice, ballet lessons and after school programs. On hectic days, even the simplest tasks can sometimes become daunting. No matter where your busy life may take you, Tupperware® has all the products and tips to help make everyday run a little smoother.
Social Moms. With so many activities going on, sometimes moms' social lives are forced to take a back seat. However, a recent trend called "mom-gating" reports that moms' everywhere are putting an end to this and are making social gatherings out of everything from soccer and baseball games to gymnastics. The standard minivan and station wagon have now become portable parties. Make sure you're always prepared with the Tupperware® Rectangular Cake Taker-it's perfect for carrying cakes or pastries and with a simple flip, the container can hold up to 18 cupcakes. With a convenient handle, this container was made to go on the road. For a healthier route, fill the Tupperware Serving Center® with fresh fruit and vegetables. The center bowl is perfect for your favorite dipping sauce. - Staying Healthy In School And Home
Back-to-school time means back to classrooms, buses and cafeterias filled with germs. According to experts, an average of 10 million bacteria lurk on each school desk surface. With dirty hands sharing scissors, toys and books, one thing is clear-germs are everywhere.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that children miss 22 million days of school each year. And once kids bring germs home, it's not long before they spread throughout the household. Here are some tips to help keep your kids healthy this school season: - Helping To Raise Healthier Kids
Schools and parents are working together to help keep kids fit and in good health. That's why there's now a new program to try to show kids how to avoid joining the nearly one in three Americans between 6 and 19 who are overweight.
In fact, the U.S. has one of the highest obesity rates of any industrialized country. This is affecting kids' health not just later in life, but right now. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, poor fitness in young adults is associated with the development of cardiovascular disease risk factors. In addition, 70 percent of overweight teens could become obese adults. - Working Out With Ringling Bros.® Circus
If your kids are overweight, they may not be able to simply run away from health problems-but they can join the circus. A new and exciting national fitness program, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® CircusFitSM, encourages America's youth to lead healthy, active lifestyles by combining the fun of circus skills with stretching, strength building and aerobic exercise. Ringling Bros. has partnered with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in introducing the CircusFit program, an action-packed approach to fitness that motivates kids to get a-movin' and a-groovin', whether in the classroom, after school or at home. Schools and after-school programs are invited to participate in CircusFit as part of their involvement in the annual President's Challenge.
With school budgets shrinking and physical education and after-school programs being eliminated, the educational curriculum is absolutely free, part of a long-term commitment to improving the lives of America's young people. - 10 Things You Should Know About Charter Schools
The number of charter schools continues to grow. Today, more than a million children attend over 3,600 charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia. While such schools can serve a real need in the community, many people are still unsure what a charter school really is.
Here are the facts: - Cyber-bullying: What Parents Should Know
One of the most frustrating-and even frightening-experiences a child can face is a schoolyard bully. Today, there is a new high-tech form of bullying that uses computers instead of fists: cyber-bullying.
Cyber-bullying is a serious offense that can have harmful, long-lasting effects on kids. It includes such actions as: - Creative Ways To Help Children Stay In Shape
It's important that children take steps to stay active and healthy.
Yet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that the percent of American children who are overweight has more than doubled since 1980. In fact, it's estimated that about 15 percent of all children in the U.S. today are overweight-and carrying those extra pounds can lead to a number of health problems, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. - How To Help Keep Your Child Safer Going To And From School
You've reminded your children about how to cross the street safely or climb onto the school bus with care, but when you talk with them about personal safety, what do you tell them?
"Teaching your children to watch out for bad-looking 'strangers' is not going to keep them safer," says Nancy A. McBride, national safety director for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). - New School Supplies Put The Fun In Functional
Choosing the right school supplies could prove to be a smarter move than you might expect. That's the advice from experts who say that school supplies can help students stay organized and that staying organized can help kids keep their grades up.
"Organization is a key cornerstone of academic success and while students understand this, it's not always one of their top priorities," said Donna Goldberg, a nationally recognized organizational expert and author of "The Organized Student." - Finding The Right Private School For Your Child
Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. The process can be challenging, but with a little research and initiative, you'll find a school that's a great match for your child.
"Private school" is a term used to describe all nonpublic schools. "Independent schools" are one type of private school. Independent schools have unique missions. They are called "independent" because they have independent boards of trustees who govern the school, and they are independently financed, primarily through tuition, charitable contributions and endowment income. - Cast A Line And Reel In A Fun, Educational Activity For Families
Parents and teachers can join forces in the pursuit of learning through a "fin"tastic program. When parents are aware of what their children are learning at school, it makes it easier for them to get involved in the education process.
Research shows that teachers and parents have a common need for joining together in partnership: the need to foster positive growth in children and in themselves. - Eight Tips For Choosing Child Care
Selecting the best child care arrangement is one of the most important choices you'll make. How do you know which is best and what should you look for when evaluating child care centers that appear to have similar offerings?
"Every child is unique, so it's important to choose a place where your child feels at home and the philosophy and approach to learning agree with your own," said Sharon Bergen, senior vice president of education and training for Knowledge Learning Corporation, the nation's leading provider of early childhood care and education. - Facing Up To A Troubling Habit: Thumb-sucking
These commonly asked questions about how thumb- and finger-sucking can affect a child's teeth will let parents know that such problems may be corrected with orthodontic treatment.
Q. At what age should a child be seen by an orthodontist? - Be Careful What You Wish For
Any kid who's ever dreamed about changing something about the adults in his/her life-or perhaps even changing the adults themselves-is sure to relate to a new TV series about wish fulfillment, sibling love and nontraditional families.
"The Replacements" is an animated comedy about tween siblings Riley and Todd who can replace any adult in their life by making a simple call to the Fleemco Company, resulting in hilarious unforeseen consequences. Created by renowned children's author and illustrator Dan Santat, the series combines comedic hijinks with fast-paced humor and quick wit. - Children's Favorite Fruit = Success At School
Strawberry snacks are getting good grades at school. Nutrition research has revealed that by promoting more servings of fruits and vegetables in schools across the country, attention span in class increased, the risk of obesity lessened and preferences for fruit over fatty snacks developed. During a USDA school pilot program, researchers found that school-age children regularly chose strawberries over other fruits and vegetables for their meals.
"Strawberries are a super food with less sugar than bananas, apples, grapes or other popular fruit. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, which protect the brain and heart and reduce the risk of some diseases-but if kids request strawberries because they like the taste, then it makes our jobs as parents even easier," says Dr. Gary Small, chief of UCLA's Memory and Aging Research Center, father and author of the new book "The Longevity Bible." "Also, it's important to keep strawberry snacks in mind for our children since it's never too soon to start eating well for a long, healthy life." - Mentoring Program For Women Merits Respect
A grassroots mentoring program is helping young women to gain confidence and to excel. Studies already show how youths who participate in mentoring relationships experience a number of positive benefits. As part of its effort to mentor to girls and young women, General Motors Women's Marketing & Sales team is working with dealerships to bring its Car Sense program to Girl Scouts across the country.
The GM Women's team and the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council launched the new program this year at Moses Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC in Charleston, W.Va. The Girl Scout Girl Power Extravaganza gave local girls the opportunity to earn their Car Sense badges in a first-of-its-kind program. - Parents Urged To Channel What Children Watch
Parents need to take a more active role in deciding what programs their children get to watch on television.
That's the key message of a new public service advertising (PSA) campaign sponsored by the Ad Council, broadcasters, cable television and satellite providers, the motion picture industry and others. The campaign encourages parents to visit a new Web site, which provides information on how parents can take a more active role in their children's viewing decisions. - New Audio Books Entertain And Enlighten
Imagine Glenn Close reading The Emperor and the Nightingale to your little ones. Or Jack Nicholson telling them Rudyard Kipling's classic tale How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin. Well, you don't have to attend some exclusive event to hear these stars read to your children, because the new Rabbit Ears series of audio books is available to everyone. Each audio book in the series contains a variety of classic children's stories read by A-list celebrities and accompanied by an incredible selection of music. The winning combination is sure to please listeners of all interests and ages.
There's Rabbit Ears Treasury of Fairy Tales for those hooked on all things magical. This enchanting collection features Thumbelina read by Kelly McGillis, The Talking Eggs read by Sissy Spacek, The Fisherman and His Wife read by Jodie Foster and The Emperor and the Nightingale read by Glenn Close. The two-disc collection also showcases the musical talent of Mark Isham, Michael Doucet and Van Dyke Parks. - Tips For Keeping Children Active After School
With kids sitting at their desks for six or more hours a day at school-plus time spent doing homework at the table or at the computer-it is critically important for parents to find ways for their children to stay active.
That's because almost two-thirds of the nation's youth are failing to get the necessary exercise and activity for weight management and good health. Experts agree that school-age children need to be moderately to vigorously active for a minimum of 60 minutes a day. - Help Your Child Cope With School Stress
Each new school year can be a stressful time for children, with new teachers and classmates, new rooms, new routines and more schoolwork. It can be particularly unnerving and overwhelming for children facing major transitions such as starting elementary school or middle school. As a parent, there are proactive steps you can take to support your child.
• Express interest and enthusiasm about the start of the school year. If you are confident and excited, your child will be, too. - Making Potty Training More Like Child's Play
Being ready to use the potty can be an exciting yet challenging time in a child's life. It doesn't have to be stressful if parents know what to expect.
There's no set age to start toilet training. Parents can watch for cues such as their child being able to follow simple instructions, helping to undress himself or giving verbal and facial clues that he needs to use the toilet. - New Watch Makes Child Safety Timely
There's good news for parents who are concerned about their child's safety.
There's a new product for children that combines a cool-looking digital watch with fun accessories, a piercing 110-decibel emergency alarm and an educational DVD that teaches your child how to use the watch to stay safe in the event of an emergency-such as being lost or approached by a stranger. - Had It With Musical Chairs? Try Zoboomafoo Bingo At Your Child's Next Birthday Party
Parents are always looking for ways to make their children's parties more memorable. And now, a popular PBS KIDS Sprout show builds on expert advice to help them do just that.
"The Birthday Show," with host Kevin, features ways parents and children can spend quality time together planning special birthday parties-and experts say involving kids in their birthdays can have a lasting effect. Plus, on what other program can kids learn how to play Zoboomafoo Bingo? - How Parents Can Help Their College Kids Make Wise Financial Choices
For college students, lesson number one is learning how to use credit wisely-and as parents, it's up to you to play professor. Here are my top five "Finance 101" tips that should be on the syllabus of any parents advising their children on how to make wise financial decisions:
1. Work with your children to prepare a monthly budget-and help them stick to it. Have them write out how much they realistically plan to spend on various categories, and make an agreement that they will stick to those amounts. If they spend more than agreed upon, let them know you'll restrict their funds in the next month. - Personal Growth Motivates Teens
A teenager's life isn't what it used to be. A growing number of college-bound teens are using their free time to strengthen their resumes with academic, athletic and community-related achievements.
Still, despite the pressure-filled college admissions process, teenagers say fun and personal growth are their top motivators. "I do this for myself-not to impress parents, teachers or college admission boards," says Princeton University student and former Wendy's High School Heisman National Winner Katie Zaeh. "It feels good to get involved, meet people and learn from them. This lifestyle has helped me achieve success in multiple aspects of my life." - Mouthwash On The Rocks? It's The Latest Teen Buzz
More than 11 million American youths consumed alcoholic beverages in 2004, which contributed to more than 4,554 deaths. While the battle against underage drinking is nothing new, there is an emerging and alarming threat to contend with-NBEs, or nonbeverage ethanols.
Common NBEs, including some mouthwashes, cough medicines and vanilla extract, can contain between 12 and 30 percent alcohol; more than a can of beer (5 percent) or a glass of wine (12-14 percent). - Two-thirds Of Moms Say Their Kid's Snacks Are Mostly Full Of Sugar And Empty Calories, With No Nutritional Value
Whether fueling for little league or packing for a day at school, moms struggle to satisfy their children's picky taste buds with smart snack options. Nine out of 10 moms in a recent survey said they worry about their child's nutrition, according to Impulse Research Corporation.
"The greatest challenge for moms today is finding nutritious snacks to feed kids in between meals," says Elizabeth Ward, R.D., mother of three and author of The Pocket Idiot's Guide to the New Food Pyramids. "Snacking is a prime opportunity to sneak in some of those important vitamins and minerals that round out a wholesome diet." - Playtime: A Grand Time To Share Grandpas Are Dads Without Rules.
Grandparents have a unique relationship with their grandchildren, as authority figures who oftentimes appear to little ones as more relaxed and a little more adventurous in their parenting parameters than their own parents. Having been through the ritual of parenting, grandparents tend to easily balance their responsibilities-being both a trusted advisor and willing accomplice in cowboy roustabouts or princess tea parties.
As a result, grandparents tend to be among their grandchildren's favorite playmates. In addition to helping their grandchildren build social skills through loving interaction, grandparents can also help fast-track curiosity and imagination or observation and language skills with simple games. Consider these playtime tips from Kathleen Alfano, Ph.D., Director of Child Research at Fisher-Price, the next time you're with your grandchild: - Keep Kids Safe At School
With kids back in school, families with children who have diabetes and educators throughout the country once again face the challenge of ensuring that students with diabetes receive proper care during the school day.
Students with type 1 diabetes require insulin administration with a syringe or insulin pump multiple times each day, and students with type 2 diabetes may require oral medications and/or insulin. While many students can do routine diabetes care tasks by themselves, younger, less experienced children may need help. And in a diabetes emergency, when a child's life is on the line, he or she cannot wait for a nurse to arrive from another school or even for 911 responders. - Parents-take Action And Help Your Kids Read
Nearly 70 percent of fourth graders in America read below grade level, and experts nationwide are calling for more research-based reading instruction-both in school and at home.
Parents can take action and help their children learn how to read by utilizing an inexpensive resource offered by the non-profit American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE; www.abcte.org or 1-877-669-2228). - New Technologies Help Children Learn
The use of technology to enhance learning is an effective approach for many children, particularly those with learning disabilities (LD), such as dyslexia. In fact, research has shown that assistive technology (AT)-which is used to bypass areas of difficulty-can help students with LD experience greater success-with improved grades, increased course retention, higher test scores and enhanced reading and writing proficiency. From word processors to personal digital assistants, a range of widely available tools assists students with the challenges associated with LD. However, choosing the right product for your child may be a daunting task.
"As with any device or piece of equipment, you want to know how user friendly and reliable an AT tool is before you invest in it," said Dr. Marshall Raskind, a world-renowned assistive technology expert and the director of research and special projects for Schwab Learning. - Help Ease A Child's Test Anxiety: The Parent Role
Sweaty palms, accelerated heart rate, and nausea are all common symptoms among students who suffer from test anxiety. The anxiety some students experience before an exam is so strong that it can lead to poor performance and disrupt their ability to learn.
Parents play an important role in helping their child ease test-taking anxiety by providing support, encouragement and a positive learning environment. - Healthy Eating Tips For Infants And Toddlers
Feeding is one of a parent's most important jobs. It helps children grow healthy and strong. But meal and snack times also give parents a chance to help their children feel important and loved; understood and respected; and learn to trust that others will care for them.
Here are some tips about how to nurture a child's overall healthy development through feeding from the experts at ZERO TO THREE, a nonprofit child development organization: - Making Children's Health Coverage A Top Priority
Most Americans consider children's health care a top priority for the government, and they are willing to help finance insurance coverage for children, according to a recent public opinion survey. Seventy percent of likely voters agree that providing affordable, quality health insurance to all children in the U.S. should be a top priority of Congress and the president.
In addition, 65 percent of the 800 voters surveyed said that the federal government should take financial responsibility to cover uninsured children. - Stay Tuned In To What Your Kids Are Watching
Though your children may be the only ones who know how to operate the remote, you may still want to stay tuned in to what they're watching. TV has never been racier and parents have never been more confused and frustrated by how to control the content of what their children watch. So pervasive is the problem that the TV industry is launching a $300 million multimedia campaign to remind parents that they have the power to keep unwanted programming out of their homes.
Now the same company that pioneered viewer-controlled television, TiVo, is once again out front, empowering parents to do just that, by exercising choice and control with its latest service feature, KidZone. This feature lets parents choose from menus of shows recommended by a variety of family organizations and set automatic recordings based on those recommended menus. It also lets parents opt in or opt out of any show not on the recommended list. Other features include: - New Parents Can Sleep Without Worry
The new baby is sleeping quietly and probably safely in the crib, but every parent worries about a sudden change in the health of their infant.
Now parents in the U.S. can enjoy the same peace of mind their counterparts in Europe, Australia, Japan and Israel have had since 1992. BabysenseV sounds an alarm within 20 seconds if there is no breathing motion detected. - An Unpredictable Disease Affects Nearly All Children By Age Five
New parents expect to change lots of messy diapers, but they may not expect that something as common as diarrhea could lead to a trip to the emergency room. In fact, many parents have heard little or nothing about rotavirus-a very common and potentially serious virus-even though nearly all children get infected by age 5.
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), rotavirus is responsible for up to 250,000 emergency room (ER) visits and 70,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. every year among kids under 5. - Kid-friendly Crafts Make For Sweet Celebrations
As seasonal celebrations and holidays approach, it is only natural for children to get excited waiting for the fun to begin. Tootsie Pop, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, offers parents fun ways to channel children's energy into seasonal crafts. These fun projects can certainly make any celebration or party a whole lot sweeter.
Halloween - Child Education: A Community Effort
Although families are continuously on the go, one thing is permanently on parents' minds-keeping their children safe.
More than 2,000 children are reported missing every day. Thankfully, Sylvan is offering parents a helping hand by disseminating McGruff® The Crime Dog safety tips during "Sylvan Safety Days"-beginning in October 2006 at participating Sylvan Learning Centers. - Get Kids To Do The Things They Don't Want To Do
Whether it's eating veggies, brushing teeth, doing homework or cleaning their room, most parents will tell you that it's hard to get kids to do the things they don't want to (but need to) do.
Fortunately, there are a number of things parents can do to make these activities more fun and encourage kids to be more cooperative. - Serving Alcohol To Teens: It's Unsafe, Illegal And Irresponsible
Most teens who drink get their alcohol from "social" sources-parents of other teens, older siblings and other relatives and friends. People who provide alcohol to teens undermine the efforts of parents to protect their kids from alcohol-related injury, and also break the law.
A new national campaign to reduce underage drinking is focusing on "social sources" through a Web site, dontserveteens.gov, which is being sponsored by a coalition of public and private sector organizations, including the Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency. - What Parents Need To Know About Cell Phones
Next time your teen complains that not having a cell phone is hurting his or her social life, there may be a ring of truth to it.
A recent study by the marketing research firm Context found that the cell phone has become the number-one way for teens to communicate-and that they will often avoid contact with peers that don't have them. - What You Should Know About Child Traumatic Stress
While parents can't protect their children from everything, they can help them deal with traumatic events. The first step is to understand child traumatic stress.
Trauma is common in children's lives-by the age of 16 more than one in four children have experienced at least one traumatic event. Experiences such as a vicious dog attack, a serious car accident or a life-threatening illness can be traumatic for a child. - Keeping Toddlers Safe During Cold And Flu Season
It's enough to make a parent shriek in frustration: You send your perfectly healthy child off to day care or preschool only to have him come home as sick as a dog.
Fevers. Colds. Rashes. Viral infections. You name it, there's likely some dastardly microorganism out there trying to wreak havoc with your little darling. - Teach Teens The Importance Of Math Every Day
Math can be a challenging subject for students, but it is vital for their futures. Statistics show that strong math skills can increase success after high school, regardless of teens' career goals or plans for higher education.
While most teens believe math is important for achieving their career goals, a national survey by Texas Instruments has found that only half are planning to take additional math classes beyond their schools' minimum requirements. - Campaign Encourages Online Safety Among Kids
Internet safety, particularly when it comes to a child's safety online, is no accident. Studies show that 34 percent of all young Internet users saw unwanted sexual material, despite increased use of filtering, blocking and monitoring software.
To help keep children safe while they use the Internet, two new Internet safety books and animated companion films are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National PTA: "Faux Paw's Adventures In The Internet" and "Faux Paw Meets The First Lady," both offered by Wiley publishing. - Classic Toys Create Lasting Childhood Memories
Peter Pan may have said "I'll never grow up," but in an age of cell phones, MP3 players and video games, it seems harder for kids to stay kids. In this high-tech era, classic toys offer a "back to basics" approach to creative, imaginative play for children of all ages and interests.
Young animal lovers between the ages of 3 and 5 can saddle up on the Radio Flyer Liberty Spring Horse and pretend they're riding the range. For older aspiring equestrians, the Large Wooden Horse Barn and Corral provides stables and training grounds for toy horses. For girls who delight in dolls, no gift says "you're special" like the 23" personalized My Twinn doll, customized to look like your child using a photo you provide. Also popular for girls ages 6 to 12 is the Deluxe Victorian Dollhouse, which comes with 85 pieces of beautiful furniture and accessories. - Lessons Learned: Helping Students With Adhd
In between the field trips and recess on the playground, children in school hit the books, learn their multiplication tables and prepare for the science fair. For some, class is a time of exploration and discovery; but other children find themselves fidgeting in their classroom seat unable to focus, maintain attention or control their behavior. Oftentimes, these children do not recognize that their behavior causes problems in the classroom, nor do they understand why their parents are anxious or frustrated when they come home with disciplinary notes from their teachers.
For children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, staying focused in class and during after-school activities can be a challenge. The symptoms of ADHD, namely inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity, may affect the child's behavior, performance in the classroom and ability to interact with friends and family members. If you have a child with ADHD in your family, you are not alone. You may find it startling, but ADHD affects approximately 7.8 percent of all school-aged children, or approximately 4.4 million children in the United States. In fact, ADHD is the most prevalent behavioral disorder in children and is one of the most diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents. - Keeping Kids Off Cigarettes
Leading by example is the best way to send messages about health to your children. But what if you're a current or former smoker and don't want your kids following in your footsteps? Parenting expert Dr. Michael Popkin says there's still plenty you can do.
Popkin suggests being honest with your child. Tell him that you smoke or used to smoke, how you got started and what it's like being addicted to something. The more straightforward you are, the more likely he is to listen. - Friends Indeed
Child development experts say that sometimes kids just need a "pal" or a "friend" that they can identify with-especially at a time when youngsters might feel awkward or different in social settings. Fortunately, there's now a group of delightful oddballs and misfits with whom children-particularly during the trying "tween" years-can truly be themselves.
Zibbies are a collection of sweet, comical and eccentric plush characters-each with his/her own lovable and sometimes quirky and vulnerable qualities. Children will delight in the Zibbies' differences and celebrate the joy that comes with that realization. The animals come with fitting names, charming bios and birth dates so kids and adults can really get to know their little pals. - Getting The Most Out Of Indoor Play Tips To Keep Boredom At Bay
Experts tell us that all play-indoors and outdoors-can have a positive effect on a child's development and learning process. And there are many new toys and games available to provide a stimulating playtime experience for children.
Children who are encouraged to actively play indoors can master new abilities, such as learning to tell time and taking direction, which help to boost self-esteem and confidence. From assembling track sets to role-playing with dolls, kids develop essential life skills and a | | |
