Clear Answers for Common Questions

There are many pros and cons of school uniforms, and sometimes things vary depending on who is doing the arguing; in most cases, though, the discussion centers on whether uniforms can create a serious learning environment, whether they can promote equality and possibly reduce bullying, and whether they impact children ...

Playground games have been around longer than the inception of the modern playground itself, and children have been playing some of the more popular ones for years. Tag, kickball, dodgeball, hopscotch, and jump rope have remained long-standing favorites at recess. Newer games such as tetherball, funnel ball, and four ...

Her day may begin at 6 or 7 in the morning, preparing breakfast for the children. She ferries them off to school in a minivan or SUV and perhaps uses a call list to announce a rescheduled game or remind other parents about a PTA meeting. After school, she picks ...

Parents are often quite frustrated when dealing with hyperactive kids. Even kids who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, and who are medicated may still pose challenges to any caregiver or to teachers. The following tips may help you better respond to hyperactive kids. 1)Set clear rules, consequences ...

Parenting can be challenging, whether or not you have a hyperactive child. All kids can cause you to want to tear your hair out at times, or make a quick break for Tahiti. It is especially difficult when you have a child whose activity level is very high and who ...

Crafts made during children's birthday parties should be quick and simple. Most kids enjoy creating crafts and having a fast, but fun, project available at a birthday party can help keep things interesting. Of course, the younger the children, the easier the project should be. Preschoolers aged three to ...

Children’s vitamins help provide children with a daily supplement of vitamins and minerals recommended for children. Children’s vitamins can be especially beneficial for younger children who have not yet developed healthy eating habits and remain picky about fruits, vegetables, and other foods they eat. There are several types ...

Teaching kids about charity is a valuable lesson for both you and the children. It is important that children learn at an early age to be considerate of others and to show compassion. When you educate children regarding charity, you teach them important life lessons. Most kids can more readily ...

Children are never too young to start learning ways to save and invest wisely. In fact, there are many ways for kids to save that will make them feel empowered and pave the way for prosperity once their reach adulthood. One of the most popular methods has always been to ...

Many children claim that they hate school, and they may ask or beg not to go. This can be a signal that your child is having difficulty making friends, is having problems with other students, or has a learning challenge. Talking with your child and working closely with the school ...

There are many reasons why a child at school may lack friends. A child who has just moved to a new school district may simply need time in order to establish a social base. However, other things can also get in the way of a child making friends. Extreme shyness ...

There’s a lot of dispute on whether to pay children for chores, whether to require children to do chores, or whether to offer an allowance that isn’t dependent on chores. Parents have a variety of options to choose from when considering this matter. There are some things to ...

Oppositional defiant disorder is recognized by the American Psychological Association as a mental health disorder affecting children between the ages of six and nine years old. It is marked by argumentative, disobedient and hostile behavior toward authority figures as well as by a general negative attitude. The severity of the ...

Hot potato is a children’s game similar to musical chairs, in which participants sit in a circle and pass a potato, or any other object, around the circle as quickly as possible. The object of the game is to not be the one holding the potato when the music ...

All parents must decide when to talk to kids about sex, how old children should be and exactly how much information needs to be imparted. Talking about "the birds and the bees" can be uncomfortable for many parents and knowing when and where to start can be difficult. Moreover, parents ...

Abstinence only education refers to sexual education programs that teach kids, often starting at 5th or 6th grade and progressing through high school, that abstaining from sex, usually until marriage, is a better plan than being sexually active. These programs tend to leave out any education about birth control methods ...

You may not be Mary Poppins and able to whisk clothes away with a charming hand gesture, but you don’t need magic to make cleaning fun for kids. There are a variety of methods you can employ to help children enjoy cleaning, especially when they’re younger. There are ...

The Boxcar Children are the leading characters in a series of children's books by the same name. These books have been popular with American children since the 1940s, and the series continues to be produced, although the original author has passed away. Many children's bookstores carry the Boxcar ...

Birthday parties are a time for celebrations, good food and, if you are under the age of about 13, some fun games. Kids birthday party games run the gambit from the ordinary to the more modern. While there are some old standby games, some new ones have also entered the ...

Parents tend to worry about their children's bad habits, and nail biting is a common one. Almost one third of children 7-10 years old and almost half of all adolescents bite their nails! The sooner you can help your children stop biting their fingernails, the easier it will ...

Las Vegas is a playground for adults, but there are some family-friendly activities to be found. From museums to shows to rides, a little research can uncover fun for kids of all ages. Parents should keep in mind, however, that it is a bustling city, and attractions and hotels ...

If you're spending time in Salt Lake City, Utah, with your children, there are plenty of things to do to keep the kids occupied and entertained. Salt Lake City is an especially kid friendly place, given the large population of members of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Among ...

If you’re traveling in San Jose with children, there are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained. Just an hour south of San Francisco, San Jose, California, boasts many features worth visiting. Some of these are a bit costly, but others provide free or low-cost enjoyment for the ...

Families visiting Los Angeles with children have access to a number of great attractions. L.A., the second largest city in the country right after New York, has a Mediterranean climate, which makes it ideal for a number of outdoor activities, especially those that have to do with water sports ...

It would be difficult to run out of things to do if you’re in Miami with children. There are numerous terrific activities for the whole family, and many of them offer special one of a kind experiences. There’s much to amuse, entertain and educate the littlest ...

Families visiting Jacksonville with children have access to many attractions, many of which are either free or available at a very low charge. A classic example is the many parks that are spread around the city and offer many chances for walking, playing in the lakes, and cycling. The The ...

New Haven is a thriving Connecticut city that attracts thousands of visitors every year. While many come here for New Haven's historical significance as America's oldest community, many families approach the city because of the attractions geared toward people visiting New Haven with children. New Haven is also ...

For kids, rollerblading falls under the category of extreme sports alongside skateboarding, BMX biking, and snowboarding. Rollerblading is a healthy activity that affords plenty of exercise, but most kids will be willing to take risks while blading. Even those that aren’t need to be well protected. To ensure your ...

The health impacts when children eat fast food have been carefully studied as Americans grow more diet conscious and especially American children’s obesity rates have risen. Many fast food restaurants are trying to promote healthier fast food alternatives — apples instead of fries, milk or juice instead of soda ...

Getting kids to try new foods can feel like pulling teeth. It seems some children want to eat the same foods day after day. Children who don't like to try new foods are referred to as finicky or picky eaters. The truth is that they are just kids. Many ...

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, only 21 percent of children eat enough vegetables to satisfy the daily requirements. Some children eat vegetables readily while other children are picky eaters, or they only eat certain colors, shapes or textures of foods. Fortunately, for parents, it isn't ...

Healthy eating is required for proper growth and brain development in children. The early years are when a child's body is experiencing the fastest growth rate. Junk food lacks the vitamins needed for a healthy diet. There are some changes you can make to encourage healthy eating among your ...

How much television your child is permitted to watch may not seem like a huge concern. However, healthcare experts agree that as childhood obesity rates continue to rise, there is a direct link between obesity rates and inactivity. Children in many schools throughout the United States, and other parts of ...

Summer vacation is a great time of year. Beautiful weather, a chance to spend time outdoors, and lots of fun activities like going to the beach and having a picnic are all part of the season. Something else that usually goes along with summer vacation is the use of the ...

A sock hop is a dance, often held for teens, that first became popular in the 1950s, when the term was coined. Since dances were often held in school gymnasiums, dancers would often kick of their shoes and dance in their socks or stockings to avoid marking up gym floors ...

There are numerous board games for children, and teaching kids to play board games can be an excellent way to promote healthy and friendly competition and good sportsmanship. Many games are also geared toward learning basic skills like reading, counting, using their memory, and recognizing colors. As well, playing board ...

Many adults remember playing board games as children, especially favorites like Hi Ho! Cherry-O® and Chutes and Ladders® (also known as Snakes and Ladders). As people grow up, they often realize that these games have some lessons to teach. They can be great tools for teaching children ...

Cabbage Patch Kids® are the design of Xavier Roberts, who first created cloth dolls with uniquely dented faces for sale at craft shows and fairs. Toy manufacturer Coleco quickly noticed their appeal, and the toys underwent some slight changes before being sold to the general public in 1983. The principal ...

In 1985, the Topps Chewing Gum Company began producing trading cards called the Garbage Pail Kids® that parodied the Cabbage Patch Kids®. Rather than the 1930s baby book names such as Fritz and Anne that were used for the Cabbage Patch Kids®, the Garbage Pail Kids® ...

A picture book is a book designed for children which uses pictures and illustrations to tell a story. In some cases, a picture book may convey the meaning of the story entirely through pictures, without any text at all. In other cases, text accompanies the pictures and is read along ...

Ideas for craft projects that kids enjoy are great to have on hand for rainy or snowy days when outdoor play is curtailed and are also great for kids' parties at school or at home. Most children enjoy making things, but kids' craft projects are also a good way of ...

Many children enjoy and learn from doing puzzles, and there are a number of types of age-appropriate puzzles for children. Some puzzles for children require physical manipulation, while others rely on vision or thought for solutions. Puzzles for children that require manipulation include jigsaw puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles usually consist ...

Messy bedrooms and kids seem to go hand in hand. Bill Cosby in many of his comic monologues used to call his mother the best judge of pigsties that had ever existed, and she would judge his bedroom as the worst looking pigsty she had ever seen. It can be ...

Santa Claus sparks a lot of controversy when families who celebrate Christmas must decide whether to encourage their children to believe in him. Some people are rigidly against having children believe in Santa, while others feel it wouldn’t be the same without children thinking that he will visit them ...

When children stop believing in Santa is variable, and depends much on the way the myths of Santa Claus are presented (if they are in fact presented) in the home. Some children are told the basics of the myth, that Santa is real, comes to their homes on Christmas night ...

Even though we can't watch our children every second, we still want to keep them safe. That's not always easy, however, especially when they're not in plain sight. At least we know when they're protected at home, right? Not necessarily, especially if your children have access ...

It can be difficult work taking care of children, especially when you are new to the job. Even if you’re a teen or young adult who really enjoys the company of children, being a babysitter can be fraught with various unplanned events. Though some parents may be willing to ...

Parenting kids on Halloween and the subsequent days thereafter can be more frightening than the scariest ghost or ghoul you can imagine. Though scientific research suggests that sugar is not responsible for hyperactivity in children, many parents argue to the contrary. A child or children hyped up on the sugar ...

Many people love to make and give homemade treats at Halloween — this used to be the norm. Children would collect caramel apples, popcorn balls, homemade candy, or cookies from people they didn’t know well, or from close neighbors without safety concerns on the part of the parents. Today ...

There are plenty of ways for kids to make money, and fortunately many of them won’t cost parents a thing. Of course it is a good idea to have some way for kids to make money at home, either by paying for chores or by offering children a chance ...

If you have a child who is more than four years old, you are probably faced with the decision of sending him or her to kindergarten. Whether or not you are ready to let go of your baby, the truth is that the most important question to ask yourself is ...

Comic books come in many forms and many are completely inappropriate for children. Manga, the Japanese form of comic book drawing and creation, may have some child friendly comic books, but a vast majority of these works are geared toward teens, or even strictly for adults. This is certainly true ...

An imaginary friend is a fictional friend often created by a child. The child may treat the friend in quite a real way. He or she may play with an imaginary friend or talk to it, he might try to feed it, or blame the friend if a misdeed is ...

What is it about children’s parties that give moms hives? Why is it so panic-inducing to give a kids’ party? In a word: food. It seems many more children have food allergies these days, so when thinking about kids’ party food, it’s always a good idea to ...

For many children, Halloween is an exciting day, but for some children, especially young ones, and a few older kids too, it is frightening because of scary Halloween costumes. Some are gory, or others just spooky, and they make certain kids feel extremely uneasy, or even terrified to the point ...

Head Start is US program designed to help children from birth to age five, who come from families with incomes below or at the poverty level. Its goal is to help these children become ready for kindergarten, and also to provide needed requirements like health care and food support. President ...

Parents often wonder when should kids be allowed to date, and this is a complex judgment call that may be influenced by cultural practice, religious beliefs and simply, parental values. Much depends in considering whether you allow your kids to date, and at what age, and also how you define ...

Generally speaking, outdoor kids' games can be more fun than playing inside; kids can feel free to run, jump, and yell without disturbing adults. One of the most popular outdoor kids' games is tag. To play this, one child agrees to be "it," which means the chaser/tagger. He runs ...

Determining whether your child should attend preschool is a very personal and important issue. Many children who attend preschool do show better readiness to attend kindergarten, and from grades K-4, are more likely to be successful in the traditional school environment. These achievements tend to level off from grade ...

Whooping cough is caused by inhalation of the airborne droplets of someone infected with pertussis. A person with pertussis who coughs or sneezes around an unvaccinated person may spread the disease readily. Pertussis is a virus, once nearly eradicated in the US after vaccinations became a standard part of well ...

A whiz kid is a child or adolescent who demonstrates extraordinary artistic, intellectual or physical abilities far beyond what would be considered normal for his or her age group. A twelve year old boy who graduates from college would be considered a whiz kid, as well as an eight year ...

Sport stacking is a sport designed for individual and team competition that involves participants stacking and unstacking 12 plastic cups in a predetermined sequence at a high rate of speed. The sport originated in California during the 1980s, but it gained widespread attention when Johnny Carson showed a segment on ...

Camping trips can be a great weekend activity with family and friends. However, there are some particular challenges when camping with toddlers or older children. Here are some things you should keep in mind when camping with kids that will make the trip much more enjoyable both for you and ...

A travel toddler bed can be a terrific choice for toddlers too big for portacribs. If you travel often, perhaps to see family on the weekends, the travel toddler bed will provide comfortable sleep for your toddler. You should look for a few things when you purchase these beds, particularly ...

A walking school bus is a fun and environmentally effective way to get kids to school in the morning. It’s certainly safer for kids who would otherwise walk alone to school, and may be very effective when there are multiple children in a neighborhood close to school. Instead of ...

Parents understand that children are expensive, and one particularly pricey aspect of having children is buying their clothes. Especially when the children are growing very quickly, it can seem like they grow out of their clothes before they have time to wear them. There are ways to buy your children ...

For children, traveling can be a long and boring experience. That boredom is often only heightened for children who face the experience of solo traveling. Safety also becomes a larger concern for children traveling alone. While we may not want to send our kids off alone, it is sometimes unavoidable ...

When parents are preparing their children for starting kindergarten, there are numerous things that schools want children to know before they start. Depending on the part of the world where children start kindergarten, they must be around five or six years old. Different countries have different prerequisites for a child ...

When you child proof your home, it’s not exactly the same as baby proofing. Rather if you have children, you need to constantly be looking at ways to keep their environment safe as they grow and gain the capacity to get into new things that may cause them harm ...

Often, especially near the end of the school year, a school or organization will sponsor a lock in party. Whether it’s for prom, graduation, or some other event, an overnight party is planned and hosted by the school or group. A church, scout troop, or community center can also ...

A nursery rhyme is a short rhyming story, often set to music and usually designed for young children, such as those in a nursery. Songs for children are a part of many cultures, and they often serve as an oral record of important political and historical events. They also can ...

If you're not a fan of contributing to the sugar highs of your neighbor's kids, or you just want something different to hand out at Halloween, you'll find plenty of good substitutes for Halloween candy. Though candy is still traditional, some parents won't let their kids ...

Pre-schools, daycares and kindergartens may have that wonderful break in the day called naptime. Many of us wish we still had a naptime, especially if we could get cozy with a special nap mat. A lot of schools and day care facilities do have cushioned mats, much like gymnastic ...

A rumpus room, or recreation room, is an indoor space designed for the recreation of children and adults. It may lean more toward one group or the other depending upon what people want to do with the room. It may not even be a part of the main rooms of ...

The term "Indigo Children" refer to a new generation of people supposedly born with paranormal gifts, including psychic ability and clairvoyance. Believers claim that Indigo Children are the harbingers of the next wave of human evolution. The idea of Indigo children was first posited by self-proclaimed psychic Nancy Ann ...

A babysitting co-op can be a great way for parents to get the occasional babysitting help without paying cash for it. This type of group requires lots of organization and agreed upon rules to be successful. It also requires that those who join the co-op will be willing ...

Care leavers are those children who have left foster care, or who at 18 are no longer provided with foster care or housing as wards of the state. The term is more common in the UK and in Australia, but is beginning to be used in the US. More commonly ...

Are you looking for some fun ideas for Fourth of July crafts? You and your kids will like these cute, simple craft projects. Patriotic crafts don’t have to be expensive or difficult. These craft ideas are easy and affordable and even small children can do them. Kids can begin ...

The Suzuki method is a popular method of teaching young children to play a musical instrument, typically the violin or the piano. The Suzuki method is an educational philosophy that was developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Dr. Suzuki was a violinist from Japan who began teaching young children music in ...

A Firefly phone is a mobile phone specially designed for younger kids. The Firefly phone features only five buttons on the faceplate, which are picture-coded and designed to be pre-programmed by parents. The Firefly phone is kid-friendly in design and has a clip for attaching to backpacks ...

Little League is a United States based nonprofit organization created by Carl Stoltz in the late 1930s. Initially, Stoltz organized a very small group in Pennsylvania, with three baseball teams for kids that competed against each other. From this early start, Little League has grown to a huge size, with ...

A kiddie park is an amusement park for younger children. Some kiddie parks advertise as being for children 12 and under, or six and under, while many just stipulate that the rides are for those 50 inches (1.27 m) or shorter. Parents are usually permitted to accompany very young ...

People usually first turn to traditional dyeing methods to make Easter eggs, dipping them in containers of water, food coloring and vinegar. Individuals also can look into nontraditional techniques, however, such as using silk fabric. Other ways of decorating eggs include banding, applying stickers and gluing items to the shells ...

The spring holiday of Easter brings with it the tradition of Easter bunnies, eggs and Easter egg hunts. An outdoor Easter egg hunt can be a lot of fun for children of all ages. Adults should plan a garden Easter egg hunt so that all children taking part can find ...

Slumber parties, also called pajama parties and sleepovers may give some parents sleepless nights. Deciding whether your child can and should attend slumber parties is often fraught with anxiety, particularly when the invitation comes from a family or a child you don’t know very well. Though no one wants ...

There is something about every kid’s first slumber party that both parent and child will remember vividly for years to come. Whether for a landmark birthday celebration or to commemorate the last day of school, a slumber party can be a great deal of fun for the host to ...

A healthy breakfast is a great way to start the day. It can help to wake up, refresh, and get a child ready for the day. Studies have proven that a good breakfast, full of healthy choices, can help a child perform better at school. A healthy breakfast can also ...

Disneyland Park in California is meant to be a park for all ages to enjoy. The variety of Disneyland rides and attractions can be daunting, but it ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you are traveling with children, choosing Disneyland rides will depend on their age ...

Atlanta is both Georgia's capital city and the largest city in the state. There are many fun and creative things to do with children in Atlanta. Stone Mountain Park, the Center for Puppetry Arts, Imagine It! Children's Museum, Imagym, Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium are just some ...

Just two hours south of Los Angeles and across the border from Mexico, San Diego is the seventh largest city in the United States. With beautiful weather, miles of beaches, and a low-key atmosphere, it can be wonderful to visit San Diego with children. There are tons of activities ...

With over half a million inhabitants, Denver is the largest city in the state of Colorado. Colorado's capital city is also home to some of the best tourist attractions in the area and one of the most visited. People visiting Denver with children also have access to world class ...

Phoenix has lots of wide open spaces and desert areas to explore as well as a children-friendly museum, amusement park, zoo and much more. When you're with children in Phoenix, you'll never run out of interesting things to do whether outdoors or indoors. The Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix ...

The very best way to get kids to do anything is to teach them through example. Occasionally, turn off the TV and sit down with a good book. Doing so will help your children learn how important reading is, and you won't have to say a word. It is ...

A child who reads is a child who usually does well in school, is a good speller, has higher critical thinking skills, and has a greater pool of general knowledge. Children should be encouraged to read every day, and as soon as they can turn the pages of a picture ...

Getting a child to take medication can sometimes be very challenging, especially because younger children may have difficulty taking meds. They may have a hard time swallowing pills or may resist medication that tastes bad, as many medications do. Some kids will throw up when confronted with large doses of ...

Low dose aspirin the drug aspirin or salicylic acid in a much lower dose than the adult aspirin tablet. Adult aspirin usually contains 325 mg of salicylic acid per tablet. Different brands of low dose aspirin contain 81-100 mg of salicylic acid. The 81 mg dose is the most ...

Parents are told that reading to children is an excellent way to enhance learning skills, stir an interest in reading, and to improve a child’s concentration. Reading to children also allows one to spend cuddly, quality time with kids, and can be an end of the day treat for ...

Becoming a stepfather can be one of the most challenging roles a man can undertake, but the process is often easier when you takes time to think about your changing position well before you assumes your new role in full. It’s often a good idea to set aside some ...

Down Syndrome or Down’s Syndrome is a pattern of congenital defects caused by an additional 21st chromosome. It was first documented in 1866 by John Langdon Down. The condition occurs in all races, and it has been specifically linked to maternal age. Risk for having a child with this ...

Driving for long distances can become a boring task for everyone in the vehicle. This is especially true if there are children along for the ride. While many kids today have electronic games to play, there is still the chance that they will tire of those and want something else ...

A band camp can refer to many different types of camp, normally for kids, in which the main emphasis is on practicing musical instruments, getting specialist help, and playing in ensembles. Such a camp can have numerous types of focus, or be highly specialized. For instance you could attend a ...

As its name implies, child-led learning is a type of education that a child leads. This is typically accomplished in a homeschool environment, though it is possible to put it to use in a more traditional setting as well. With this style of learning, a child is allowed to ...

Follow children's yelps of delight, and they'll lead to a giant inflatable bouncer. These room-sized inflatables are a combination of a ride, game, playroom, and trampoline. They are a dream come true for hyper kids who want to jump to their heart's content without fear of ...

Anyone under the age of 65 who earns more than 5,000 US dollars (USD) in income must report taxable income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the form of an income tax return. If a child is blind, he doesn’t have to file a tax return unless ...

Homemade slime is relatively easy and quick to make, and it can entertain the kids for hours. That’s always a plus as the weather turns colder and more damp, keeping the children inside the house for longer periods of time. Not only that, but you'll be able make ...

Bullying is a sad fact of life for a large number of people. Commonly associated with playground children, bullying can lead to problems in later life. If a child is a victim of continual bullying, he or she may have problems with confidence and self-esteem in adulthood. Bullying at ...

The choice of which child's bicycle to purchase should be based on features that are important for comfort and safety, rather than on color or style alone. While kids have definite opinions when it comes to style, there are ways to compromise so you can find a child's ...

So it’s a rainy day and the kids are screaming for something to do. Mom really has other things she needs to be doing, but the kids are insistent. They’re BORED! What can an inventive mom do to help her children pass the time, especially if they have ...

These days, you might not wish to simply purchase the first A-frame model you see at a good price when buying a children’s easel. Given interesting developments in the art world, there are a lot of choices to be had in terms of models and accessories. Here is ...

As technology advances, it can be difficult to keep up and adapt to the advancements in both our personal and professional lives. Teachers have an especially important role to play in technological advancements, as incorporating technology in the classroom can be both a learning tool for students and a teaching ...

Empty nest syndrome is a condition that many parents feel when their children leave home or fly the nest. Empty nest syndrome is a natural condition that affects many parents, especially mothers, when their children begin to make a life without them. After almost eighteen years of caring for a ...

A nursemaid or nursery maid is a female servant who cares for children under the supervision of a senior servant like a nurse or nanny. This position is relatively unheard of in the modern world, as few people maintain households formal enough to require a nursemaid, although nursemaids can still ...

Foster care tends to have the goal of helping to reunify birth parents and children at some eventual point. Yet many children remain in the foster care system and their parents are unable to meet the requirements to resume custody of their children. When parents permanently lose custody of their ...

Child psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on children from infancy through adolescence. A wide variety of topics within psychology are encompassed by this discipline, including abnormal psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and so forth. A specialist who focuses on children is known as a child psychologist, and ...

Mental health professionals now claim that many children suffer from clinical depression, and that in fact children are just as likely to have major depression, as are adults. In adults, depression tends to be easier to recognize, whereas a child with depression may simply be labeled as moody, sensitive or ...

Deciding on appropriate books for children is a highly individualized process. A fourth grader might read a book like Where the Red Fern Grows and not be disturbed by the death of the dogs at the end. On the other hand, a seventh grader might read the same book and ...

A stay-at-home parent is a parent who stays at home to raise his or her children rather than going to work outside the home. Traditionally, a stay-at-home parent was always a female, or stay-at-home-mom, but today some stay-at-home parents are fathers ...

The three main parenting styles identified by the research of Diana Baumrind circa 1978 are called authoritative, permissive and authoritarian. Some people include a fourth, neglectful, which falls under the category of the permissive parenting style. An authoritarian parenting style means that a parent typically sets high standards and expectations ...

Working parents in search of high-quality child care may find that hiring a nanny is the best option. Once thought of as a choice for the very wealthy, nannies are now more affordable than ever before. In fact, if you have two or more small children, hiring a nanny ...

In the last few decades, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of activities available for children in the US. While many adults can fondly remember participating in Girl or Boy Scouts, and perhaps playing a musical instrument, many children today participate in both educational and fun activities ...

Most parents are deeply concerned about their children's safety, which is why many now consider enrolling children in self defense classes. Some parents feel that these classes may create unforeseen problems for their children, however. Children who take classes might worry more than is necessary or feel unsafe or ...

Art classes can be a wonderful way for children to express their creativity, while at the same time learning fundamental skills that will improve their artistic endeavors. Art classes for kids can come in many forms. They can be specific to one genre, like drawing, painting or sculpting, or they ...

In education, when a child begins to connect squiggles on a page with sounds, it is termed print awareness. Print awareness is a very important part of early childhood education, and it usually arises naturally, as the child follows adult models. Both parents and teachers work with children to increase ...

One can bring a child to a wedding under a few circumstances. The first is if the wedding invitation is directed to the entire family. Especially on the inner envelope of an invitation, there may be the names of all people invited. If the invitation includes one’s children, it ...

Maintaining a good school attendance record is an important part of the learning process in schools. Children who have poor school attendance can easily fall behind in their classwork, and may have trouble following school rules when school attendance is inconsistent. Deciding whether your child should attend school when sick ...

Whether your children like to spend the day relaxing in their own backyard swimming pool or playing with their friends at the local public pool, there are a number of pool toys available to make the experience even more enjoyable. You can purchase pool toys at your local discount store ...

Children seem to inevitably get to a point in summer where they exclaim, loud and often, “I’m bored!” When kids seem to be hitting that point, you can get to work providing plenty of family friendly summer activities that can keep all members of the family interested and entertained ...

Hartford, Connecticut is one of America's oldest cities. Founded in 1614, Hartford has a population of little over 100,000 thousand people and a tradition for being the "insurance capital of the world." Hartford also has a large Latino population, mostly of Puerto Rican heritage, whose influence can be ...

Madison, Wisconsin offers many interesting activities for children. There is a children's museum, a zoo and many more great places to consider when you're in Madison with children. For example, the many lakes and parks as well as the University of Wisconsin offer excellent things to do for ...

Ann Arbor offers many fun, interesting and educational activities for children. Ann Arbor has two main universities: Eastern Michigan University and The University of Michigan as well as many parks and museums. Exhibit Museum of Natural History, Ann Arbor Hands-On Physical Science Museum, Colonial Lanes, Buhr Park, Leslie Science ...

Froebel Gifts are educational toys for children which are designed to encourage them to explore shapes, the relationships between objects, and the nature of beauty. These education tools are designed for very young children, and they are part of a larger educational framework developed by Friedrich Froebel, a German educator ...

There are plenty of names for grandmothers, which can delight grandmothers who don’t want an old standby like Gram, Grandma, or Grandmother. Some young grandmothers would rather not be reminded of grandparent status, and others just like a name that sounds a little different or expresses the culture in ...

The boogeyman, also spelled bogeyman, is an imaginary monster often believed in by children. Adults have traditionally used the boogeyman to threaten children into going to sleep on time, although this practice seems counter-intuitive. The boogeyman may also be used as a threat to induce children to finish their ...

Twice-exceptional children are gifted children who also have learning disabilities. They represent a unique challenge in education and child-rearing, as many people are unaccustomed to the idea that a person can be gifted while also being disabled. One of the most common problems which faces twice-exceptional children ...

Oakland, California is set against the background of the San Francisco Bay, and shares much of the cool coastal weather. If you are visiting the area and wondering what is there to do in Oakland with children, here is a quick overview of the city attractions especially created for the ...

San Francisco, named after Catholic monk Saint Francis of Assisi, is one of the most popular cities for tourists in California. Because of its ideal location over the Bay, there are many things to do when visiting San Francisco with children. No matter age or preferences, finding a favorite destination ...

If you are visiting Green Bay with children and looking for a way to keep the little ones entertained, you are in luck. Green Bay is full of attractions for the whole family, both indoors and outdoors. The city of Green Bay, with a population of over 100,000, is ...

While the city of Houston, Texas may not in the prime of its celebrated oil heyday any longer, there is still plenty for any family to see and do while visiting the city. Here are some examples of things you can do with children in Houston that will be fun ...

If you are traveling to Vermont with children, be prepared. The state boasts an impressive list of attractions to keep the little ones entertained for days. The state of Vermont, situated on the northeastern coast of the US, shares borders with Canada and has a total population of just over ...

A petting zoo is a zoo which keeps domesticated farm animals such as horses, goats, and sheep, along with some tame wild animals, like deer or turtles. Visitors to the enclosure can see the animals, interact with them, and usually feed them as well. Staff educates guests about the animals ...

A special day class is an intensive educational program designed for children with special needs. A child may be eligible for this program if he or she suffers from severe mental or emotional disorders and learning disabilities. These problems must be severe enough so as to cause a child difficulty ...

A day camp is a type of recreational program for children. Despite its name, a day camp needn't be a camp at all; it is simply a program that provides a place for kids to go and activities for them to do, usually during summertime when they are out ...

Considering the number of accidental drownings and near-drownings involving young children every year, swimming lessons may be one of the best things parents can provide for their children. There are a number of non-profit organizations such as the YMCA which routinely offer swimming lessons to the public, as ...

A play date is an organized period of time during which two or more children get together to play. Play dates allow kids to relax and enjoy themselves, and they also cultivate important social skills. In some cases, parents may get together and form an organized play group of children ...

Many people are familiar with Valentine’s Day, a day traditionally reserved for expressing romantic and familial love, often with chocolates. Sweetest Day is a tradition somewhat similar. Yet it was especially designed to express love and care for those who were routinely neglected by society. Sweetest Day was the ...

A chapter book, like a picture book, is a category of children’s books. Categorizing children’s books makes it easier for parents and educators to choose age-appropriate reading material for children. A chapter book is a category designated as appropriate for children who have learned to read, but ...

All parents want their children to grow up to be successful and have what they need. Although money cannot buy happiness, responsible use of money can help ensure that your children will have what they need later in life. Teaching them about money and how to deal with it in ...

Teaching children about politely receiving gifts is important during the first few years of life. It is especially valuable to practice politely receiving gifts, so that children are well rehearsed prior to the hustle and bustle of a holiday or birthday. Very young children often shout out things like “I ...

A school supply drive is any effort to collect school supplies for donation to needy children who will otherwise go to school without the necessary materials. In many areas, there is an annual charity drive at a local store, church, or even a school itself. People can participate by donating ...

Buying children's bedding can be fun. There are so many colorful patterns available today that can really add a “wow factor” to kids' rooms. When buying children's bedding think about how often you'll be washing the bedding and what type will best suit your child's needs ...

When people were talking about the Elephant Man, Joseph Merrick, in the early 1980s, the general consensus was that he had neurofibromatosis. Later examinations of his case and even his skeleton have led experts to determine he probably had a mysterious disease called Proteus Syndrome. However, neurofibromatosis is also a ...

Parents need to make their own choices before exposing children to violent video games. There is still speculation at the degree to which children may be harmed by playing these games. Studies in this matter do show that children tend to exhibit more aggressive behavior directly after playing violent games ...

If you want your family to be more active, you can be the one to get the ball rolling – literally! Start small with weekly activities the whole family can participate in such as playing ball in the yard or at the park every Sunday. Have a rained out option ready ...

In many societies, the issue of protecting children from predators is a big one. By working together to protect children from predators, all members of a society can make the world more pleasant and safe to live in. While parents have the primary responsibility of educating their children to protect ...

Setting appropriate limits for children involves instilling excellent self-discipline techniques so that you can prevent having to punish them if they get in trouble. Self -discipline is what shapes and teaches your child to be a confident, happy and independent adult. However setting limits for your child has to ...

Most children love to help mom and dad with whatever they’re doing at the moment and this extends to gardening or yard work. Children also love to plant things and watch them grow. So what are some good plants to grow with children? The pleasure of seeing the flowers ...

Children, as well as adults, are likely to feel stress during Christmas, and before the holiday happens. Kids may exhibit stress during Christmas by acting out, seeming worried, or simply by being very hyper. Other children may show signs of stress during Christmas by being more accident prone, or by ...

The Children's Crusade was a Crusade led by a young boy who wanted to join adults defending Christendom during the tumult of the Middle Ages. There is some debate as to whether the boy was French or German, but in 1212, he motivated a large crowd which followed him ...

When some people think of dinner, they may think it’s just another meal and it’s nothing special. Dinner should be fun and something you look forward to, not just an opportunity to eat because you’re hungry. There are ways you can make dinner fun, not only for ...

Sparklers are a long-standing tradition during Fourth of July celebrations and other backyard summer parties. Though they are primarily sold at retailers in the United States only during the weeks preceding the Fourth of July, they are both inexpensive and plentiful. While sparklers are a fun way for children ...

A security blanket is something which dispels a sense of anxiety. The term is often used literally, to refer to the blankets and other objects carried by young children, and also in a metaphorical sense, as in “My schedule is like my security blanket: I always know what's going ...

Parent and tot programs are recreation programs for toddlers and their parents. Most towns or cities have these programs available in their community or recreation centers, and they are sometimes called "mommy and me." These community sessions offer young children the opportunity to interact with children the same age that ...

For parents, getting a diagnosis that their child has ataxia-telangiectasia, is an extraordinarily difficult thing. The disease is neurodegenerative, because portions of the brain which control speech centers, the cerebellum, progressively degenerate, making it difficult for children to speak without slurring, and eventually impossible for children to speak or ...

A stay-at-home dad (SAHD) is a father who also takes on the role of primary caregiver of the child or children in his household. Typically the father assumes the responsibilities of the home as well as those of raising the children during the day, while the mother is ...

Many people like the idea of having one stay at home parent while the other parent works full time. However, financially speaking, this may not be an affordable option for many parents today. The high costs of housing and other living expenses may mean that having a full time stay ...

Virtual twins are children who are raised together, but have no genetic relationship. They are also very close to each in age, generally less than nine months apart in age. They can come into a family in a wide variety of ways, and they are a topic of interest to ...

People differ in their opinions of when a child should first be able to attend church services, especially long ones. Sadly some suggest that they just be offered a sound beating for not sitting still during a church service. This attitude fails to account for what most child development experts ...

The normal length of a human pregnancy is about 40 weeks. Pregnancies that last for at least 37 weeks are considered full term. Thanks to modern medicine, however, it is now possible for babies to survive even if they are born after as little as 23 to 26 weeks of ...