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Recently in: Children

Spanish Infant-Toddler Language and Early Literacy Activities

Developed by Angela Notari-Syverson, Ph.D, and Judy Challoner, M.S./ Illustrations: Don Syverson/ These free materials include twenty home and community activities for... Read more


Getting Outdoors With Your Toddler

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As the weather warms and families come out to play, moms and dads often wonder how they can keep their toddler busy outdoors while spending quality time together. T... Read more


Helping Your Teen Decide What to do After High School


Helping to prepare your teen for life after high school is one of the most important tasks you'll have as a parent. Although it can be difficult to imagine your baby... Read more




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Children

School-Age Readers


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From kindergarten through third grade, your child's ability to read will grow by leaps and bounds. Although teachers provide lots of help, you can continue to play a role in your child's reading life.


A child first learning to read gets more information from listening to books than from reading them independently. This is especially true of vocabulary - your child will learn more about what words mean by hearing books read aloud and discussing words with you than from reading on his or her own.


And even as your child's reading skills improve, reading aloud together can foster a sense of closeness and help impr ... Continue reading School-Age Readers.


You Can Do It!


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By Jacqueline Mroz


When Julia Gaspar-Bates' 17-month-old daughter feeds herself, it's not a pretty sight. Food is everywhere -- in the toddler's hair, on her high chair and on the floor. But it's a definite improvement. In the few months since little Talia started spooning out her own yogurt and cereal, she's gotten much better. Sometimes, she even gets most of the food into her mouth, says Gaspar-Bates of Hyattsville, Md. Best of all is the sense of accomplishment that Talia seems to feel when she does feed herself.


"When she first started doing it, the food was all over the place -- it was hard to res ... Continue reading You Can Do It!.


Early Literacy Materials Available for Free Download



Washington Learning Systems has just posted a new set of free parent-child early literacy materials, titled "On the Go". These materials include 14 activities designed to be used outside the home: in the car, while walking, during bus rides, etc. The activities encourage early language and literacy development from birth through preschool. They are appropriate for children with disabilities as well as children who are developing typically. The development of these materials was supported by Grant H324M020084 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.


The new materials are designe ... Continue reading Early Literacy Materials Available for Free Download.


Never Can Say Good-bye




By Aviva Patz


It's exhilarating to be the center of your child's universe -- until you go to answer the phone or use the bathroom and your child screams bloody murder and clings to your legs. Separation anxiety tends to kick in around the first birthday, when your baby is aware that there's only one mommy and that you still exist even when you're out of view. But the tears and tantrums can make a surprise return between the ages of 1 and 3.


"Often, new developmental milestones (such as learning to walk) or life changes (such as a new sibling or childcare situation) may shake a child's base of se ... Continue reading Never Can Say Good-bye.


Help Your Teen Stay Safe During Graduation Celebrations and Summer Months


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For teens, summer months bring high-school graduation parties with friends and extended curfews allowing for later nights. This time of year can also mean that teens have more free time and could face added pressure to drink alcohol. It's important for parents to exercise their positive parenting influence and help their teens make responsible decisions.


In fact, when it comes to underage drinking, parents have the biggest influence on their teens' decisions. According to the 2007 GfK Roper Youth Report (SM) , 69 percent of teens ages 13 to 17 say their parents -- not their peers -- are the No. 1 influence on their de ... Continue reading Help Your Teen Stay Safe During Graduation Celebrations and Summer Months.


Breastfeeding Doesn't Increase Kids' Risk of Cavities



Regularly putting babies to bed with a bottle or letting little ones walk around with sugary drinks all day are surefire ways increase kids' risk of cavities. But does breastfeeding bring on tooth decay, too? Luckily, reassuring new research puts this common concern to rest for nursing moms.


Breastfeeding (even for a long period of time) does not put infants at risk for early cavities in their baby teeth (also called primary, temporary, milk, or falling-off teeth) or decay once their permanent big-kid teeth (also called secondary or permanent teeth) start growing in. That's what researchers found when they analyzed da ... Continue reading Breastfeeding Doesn't Increase Kids' Risk of Cavities.


Talking to Your Child About Puberty


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Today, kids are exposed to so much information about sex and relationships on TV and the Internet that by the time they approach puberty, they may be familiar with some advanced ideas. And yet, talking about the issues of puberty remains an important job for parents because not all of a child's information comes from reliable sources.


Don't wait for your child to come to you with questions about his or her changing body - that day may never arrive, especially if your child doesn't know that he or she can talk to you about this sensitive topic. Keep reading to learn how you can talk to your child about puberty.

... Continue reading Talking to Your Child About Puberty.





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