Articles In This Section
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10 Ways to Help Your Teen Succeed in High School
Even though teens are seeking independence, parental involvement is still an important ingredient for academic achievement.
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10 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in Middle School
As students grow more independent during middle school, it can be challenging for parents to know how to stay involved. Here are 10 tips.
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10 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in Elementary School
Kids do better in school when parents are involved in their academic lives. These early years of schooling are an important time for parents to be informed and supportive about their child's education.
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Gifted Education
About 6% of all U.S. K-12 students are considered academically gifted. Here are some ways to tell the difference between bright students and gifted students.
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The Magic of Play: How It Inspires & Aids Early Development
Learn why play is so important during the preschool years, and what you can do to foster your child's imagination.
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Smart Toys for Every Age
An age-wise guide on play and the toys that encourage learning, promote motor skill development, and spark imagination.
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Choosing Safe Toys for School-Age Kids
Is your 10-year-old crying for a pellet gun? How about that used scooter? For help figuring out what toys are safe and appropriate for older kids, read these tips.
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Choosing Safe Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
How can you tell if a small toy poses a choking risk? What types of unsafe toys should you avoid for your baby, toddler, or preschooler? Find out here.
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Cooking With Preschoolers
It may take a little flexibility and prep work, but time in the kitchen with your preschooler can be a culinary adventure you'll both enjoy.
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Group Games for School-age Kids
They might be too old for pin the tail on the donkey, but there are plenty of great games for school-age kids to play at parties and play dates.
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Games for Preschoolers
Whether at a party or a play date, preschoolers love to play games. These games can be used for birthday parties, rainy day get-togethers, or anytime you find yourself with a bunch of energetic preschoolers.
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What’s Funny to a School-age Child?
Around 6 or 7, kids start to understand language well enough to know that words can have two (or more) meanings. Riddles, jokes, and puns really start to make sense, and are a top source of enjoyment!
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What’s Funny to a Preschooler?
Your preschooler is finding new things funny while developing a better understanding of the world - and is eager to show off new ways to be playful and laugh with you.
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What’s Funny to a Toddler?
From a very young age we all have the capacity to laugh. And toddlers are willing recipients of all we have to teach them about the pleasures of humor.
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Encouraging Your Child’s Sense of Humor
Laughing together is a way of connecting, but a good sense of humor also can make kids healthier and better able to cope with challenges.
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Music and Your School-age Child
Whether dancing around the living room or singing along to the radio, school-age kids love music. And there are loads of good reasons to encourage this enthusiasm.
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Should Your Preschooler Play Sports?
Team sports can be too complicated for the average preschooler. Here are some fun and easy ways to keep them active.
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Safe Exploring for Preschoolers
Kids ages 3-5 have tons of energy and are eager to walk, run, dance, and play. It's a great age for exploration too.
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Safe Exploring for Toddlers
Toddlers are learning to talk, to walk and run, and to assert their independence. For many in this age group, "outside" and "play" are common requests.
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Games for Toddlers
Though toddlers will more often play alongside their friends instead of with them, they'll enjoy group games and can begin learning important lessons from them.
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Introducing Preschoolers to Music
Most preschoolers love music, and it does more than entertain. Research shows that kids who are actively involved in music develop important life skills too.
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Introducing Toddlers to Music
Music is a natural part of life for toddlers. And it can kickstart learning and offer lifelong benefits.
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School-Age Readers
From kindergarten through third grade, kids' ability to read will grow by leaps and bounds. Although teachers provide lots of help, parents continue to play a role in a child's reading life.
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Story Time for Preschoolers
Reading aloud to your preschooler is a great way to encourage learning development and to help prepare your child for independent reading down the line.
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Toddler Reading Time
Reading to toddlers lays the foundation for their independent reading later on. Here are some tips.
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Reading Books to Babies
Reading aloud to your baby stimulates developing senses, and builds listening and memory skills that can help your baby grow up to be a reader.
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Toddlers: Learning by Playing
It might look like just child's play, but toddlers are hard at work learning important physical skills as they gain muscle control, balance, and coordination.
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Help Your Child Get Organized
Most kids generate a little chaos and disorganization. But if you'd like yours to be more organized and to stay focused on tasks, such as homework, here are 3 steps that make it possible.
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Rainy Day Fun
Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained and off the couch when the weather's bad? These quick-and-easy ideas will keep them happy and busy.
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Learning, Play, and Your Newborn
Play is the primary way that infants learn how to move, communicate, socialize, and understand their surroundings. And during the first month of life, your baby will learn by interacting with you.
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Learning, Play, and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old
Your baby is learning more about the world through play and is beginning to use words. Keep those toys and games coming!
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Learning, Play, and Your 4- to 7-Month-Old
Your infant will learn to sit during this time, and in the next few months will begin exploring by reaching out for objects, grasping and inspecting them.
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Learning, Play, and Your 1- to 3-Month-Old
After learning to recognize your voice, your face, and your touch, your baby will start responding more to you during these months and even give you a smile!
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Learning, Play, and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old
Kids go from babies to toddlers during this time, from first steps to walking well. They also make major strides in language and communication.
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Choosing Safe Toys
Toys are a fun and important part of any child's development. And there's plenty you can do to make sure all toys are safe.
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Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Some kids may be eligible for individualized education programs in public schools, free of charge. Understanding how to access these services can help you be an effective advocate for your child.