March 2012
How Far Should You Go to Get Your Kid into Kindergarten? Mar 29, 2012
Once upon a time, little Johnny or Janey turned five and off to kindergarten they went. Little was done between Big Bird and the classroom to 'prep' them for such an event; all parents had to do was go to the nearest school and sign them up. Now,...
Can You Be Too Tough on Your Children? Mar 28, 2012
Do kids have to be the best at everything they do? Unfortunately, some parents believe so. This belief can place a lot of undue stress on their children. While encouragement and motivation are important, is pushing kids too hard, particularly...
Could the 'Gifted and Talented' Label Be a Curse for Your Child? Mar 27, 2012
Many parents are likely thrilled when they are told that their child is 'gifted and talented'. Who wouldn't like to be told that their child is, among other things, intelligent and observant? Despite the positive connotations, however, 'gifted...
Should It Matter How Your Child's Teacher Dresses? Mar 26, 2012
Dress codes have long been a staple in many schools across the country. In some cases, students and even parents have opposed them. But what about dress codes for teachers? When it comes to this issue, just where do most people stand? And should...
How Can You Know if College is Right for Your Child? Mar 23, 2012
A prevailing school of thought is that most people need college in order to be successful. But this certainly may not always be the case. Quite simply, not everyone is college material. If your teen will soon be graduating from high school, you...
Could Higher Pay for Teachers Be Bad for Your Child's Education? Mar 23, 2012
Does higher pay for teachers translate into better education for students? Not necessarily, some say. In fact, there may be no correlation between higher salaries for teachers and increased student achievement. So is there any real benefit in...
10 Ways Parents Can Supplement Their Children's Learning at Home Mar 20, 2012
Are you worried that your child is not learning all that he or she can? With many schools enduring budget cuts leading to compromised programs and fewer teachers, they may not be getting all they can or should out of school. The good news? You...
10 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids Mar 19, 2012
You can encourage your kids to write more by giving them some simple, open and creative writing prompts. These prompts help kids explore less formal styles and techniques while also having fun with different concepts.
Languages through Listening: Podcasts for Learning a New Language Mar 16, 2012
Learning a language, whether it's your second, third or tenth, is easier when you can hear the language spoken aloud. This is especially true for children, for whom learning a new language through reading may be particularly difficult. Because...
The Let's Move Initiative: Fighting Childhood Obesity Mar 15, 2012
First Lady Michelle Obama is leading a fight against childhood obesity through the Let's Move campaign. The multi-faceted effort is a continuation of Mrs. Obama's concerted attempt to draw attention to the wellness of America's children and...
Novelist Says Parents, Not Teachers, Need to Encourage Kids To Read Mar 14, 2012
While an old saying states that 'charity begins at home', the same could be said for reading. Many advocate starting children reading at an early age; this view, of course, places the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of parents. Is that...
5 Tips for Staying Smart Over the Holidays Mar 13, 2012
It's spring break time for many students. While a healthy rest from homework and test-taking can leave your child refreshed, it's also a time when some students let their minds atrophy. This can make returning to school more difficult than it...
Charter Schools Tops in Math and Reading Mar 12, 2012
Is public education always the way to go? Can students receive an equal or better education elsewhere? According to a new study, charter schools are doing at least a comparable job to, and in some cases a better job than, traditional schools....
Confused by Your Child's Report Card? You're Not Alone Mar 09, 2012
The report card: it strikes fear into the hearts of some students, pride in others. What it shouldn't cause is confusion for parents and frustration for teachers. Yet as many schools move away from traditional single-grade report cards, they're...
Why Do Kids View Engineering As Too Difficult? Mar 09, 2012
America needs more engineers. Last fall, the Presidential Jobs Council set a goal of graduating 10,000 more engineering students from U.S. schools each year. But in order to do that, high school students must get over their apprehensions about...
No Winter Break: A Surprisingly Welcome Change Mar 09, 2012
This year, many Detroit schoolchildren won't spend their winter break at home watching television, playing video games or surfing the Internet. Instead, they'll be in school during a new event known as the Holiday Learning Fest. This innovative...
High-Tech Cheating: Students Finding New Ways to Get Ahead Mar 09, 2012
Cheating has come a long way since students used to write answers in ink on their hands or create 'cheat sheets' that they could slip out of their pockets during a test. While many technological advances are normally for the better, some students...
Read My Lips: Babies Learn to Talk From More Than Just Hearing Sounds Mar 07, 2012
It's long been understood that babies experience speech and emotional development through hearing and eye contact. Speak and smile at a baby and they will listen, look into your eyes and smile back. But a new study shows that infants as young as...
What Does the New Definition of Autism Mean For Your Child? Mar 07, 2012
The definition of autism may be changing soon. If the expected changes occur, many children may no longer be considered autistic. What's behind these changes and how could they impact families?
Are Math Struggles Due to Poor Instruction or Real Learning Disabilities? Mar 06, 2012
In a way, it's sort of the 'chicken or the egg' question: do learning disabilities lead to a greater struggle in math class or does poor instruction lead to deficits that result in a learning disability? Of course good instruction plays an...
Should Your Child Finish High School Before Learning to Drive? Mar 05, 2012
One method that seems to be fairly effective with many kids who are not doing well in school is to take away something they enjoy, such as TV, video games or cell phones. Some state governments have even enacted laws wherein licenses are taken...
How Facebook Could Help Teens in Trouble Mar 05, 2012
If your child was depressed and having suicidal thoughts, where would he or she turn? And where might your child's best chance for help be found? The answer may be Facebook.
What You Should Know Before You Carpool Mar 02, 2012
Does your child always use a seatbelt and safety seat in your car? What about when he or she rides with friends in a carpool? Even if you're diligent, you should know that many parents are more cavalier about safety while ferrying a carful....
How Do You Feel About a No-Zero Policy for Student Assignments? Mar 02, 2012
Let's face it: failing is a part of life. It's a fact many learn as children. But over the past few years schools across the country have adopted no-zero policies for assignments and even tests; in other words, students simply can't fail. What...
Why You Need To Know Your Child's Teacher Mar 01, 2012
As illustrated by a recent study, teachers not only play a huge role in the development of our children, they can have a lasting impact on them for the rest of their lives. Yet how many parents truly get to know their child's teachers? If their...