This is a great question! As a kindergarten teacher, the question I hear most frequently is, “Do you think my child is ready for kindergarten?” There are so many things to consider. From academic readiness to social-emotional readiness, there seem to be more questions than answers. My first step is usually turning the tables and asking...
Every great story deserves a cover. Celebrate your child's writing successes by helping him/her add durable covers that will decorate and preserve his/her work. You might purchase plastic covers or prompt your child to make covers out of manila folders, construction paper, or posterboard.
As toddlers become more aware of the world around them, they may develop fears. Understand that this is a perfectly normal response given your child's limited range of experiences and ability to express emotions. First, acknowledge your child's fears. Then, reassure your child that you will keep him or her safe ("Mommy will hold you un...
Color blindness is characterized by the inability to distinguish between certain colors, most usually green and red, and is more common in males than females. Color blindness is also a genetic, inherited condition so is more likely if there are color blind adults in your family. Although some toddlers know their colors, most do not. Ev...
While keeping in mind that every child is different, there are some physical milestones children generally reach by age 2. If your child is not walking alone by age 2, speak with your pediatrician. Most children also pull toys while walking, can carry toys while walking, are running, can stand on tiptoe, kick a ball and climb. If you h...
Toddlers are developmentally incapable of truly predicting and understanding another person's response to a situation. This means that if a toddler finds something funny, such as dumping a bucket of water on Daddy, he is unable to understand why Daddy does not also find it funny. Children only begin to develop this ability around age 4...
How to celebrate a baby's first birthday is a family decision. First birthdays range from small family observances to large parties with ponies and "smash cakes." Your baby is unlikely to have any real "friends" at this age, will not have memories of the celebration and will not even realize if you skip the big party. However, your chi...
Whether or not to send a child to preschool at any age is a personal family decision. Many preschools with 2-year-old programs are similar to day cares with a few more formal educational activities. To determine if your child is ready for preschool, consider whether or not he or she can comfortably separate from you for several hours, ...
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...
Toddlers are busy little folk, and some seem to subsist on air and snack crackers. A growing toddler's body and brain need quality calories, however. Keep in mind that not every meal has to be perfectly balanced. If your toddler is eating vegetables or fruit every day, or even every couple of days, that may be fulfilling the dietary re...
If your toddler won't sit still for stories, crafts or meals, first consider if this is really a problem. Toddlers are very busy at their primary job: learning about the world through exploration. Often, the problem is not that the toddler is too active but rather that our society expects young children to be calm and focused before th...
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to bring their child to the dentist for a first visit when the child's first tooth arrives or by age 1, whichever comes first. If your toddler has not yet visited the dentist, find a pediatric dentist with experience with young patients. To ensure a positive experience, role p...