This is the perfect green activity for a rainy day. Here’s what you do.
1. Get out your recycling. Even better, save really good materials for a few weeks – egg cartons, cardboard boxes, strawberry containers, plastic lids are good.
2. Cut out words from the magazines, advertisements, or newspapers in [...]

Get your kids reading this summer! As a teacher, mom, and book nerd, I’m always reading something – for me or for someone slightly younger. Click here for my recommendations by age and topic.
My favorite “get your child to read trick” is (drum roll please . . . ) let them read in [...]

We’ve all been there. Making our children sit down to WRITE seems like punishment for them and for us. Us, when they throw a fit, cry, or refuse to do it . . . sound familiar?
How about these real life writing experiences . . .

LISTS – make a grocery list of your [...]

Last year my daughter came home from school and told me one of her friends “locked her out” or wouldn’t let her play. It happened the next day and the next. I asked, “Do you really think she’s a good friend?”
“Yes,” she insisted.
Suddenly, my whole life flashed before me. How many times [...]

Take a pretend trip around your house. Find a suitcase your child can pack with all the very important essentials of travel — favorite toys, books, and valuables – obviously, no clothes required. Mom and dad can do that.
Use chairs to make your car since your child has just learned to drive.
Don’t forget to [...]

Children differ.  Does your child . . .
love animals?
like to work with others?
like to set goals?
enjoy singing?
do mental math easily?
like word games?
love maps?
excel in sports?
Everyone is smart. In some way. The examples you just read show the different ways in which children are gifted, or in other words, smart.
Parents, you know your kids are [...]

Twenty minutes a day.
It’s the standard homework assignment.  With good reason — practice makes “better.”
Only, it’s not a happy time at my house.
My daughter (A.) has not inherited my passion for books. Since I began reading, I have read for fun, pleasure, escape, and learning.  A. not so much.
And, the irritating thing is that [...]