Raising Happy Children: What Parents and Teachers Can Do

We all want our children to be happy, but what does that mean? All too often it means finding a quick fix that will result in a smile instead of a tantrum. If we’re lucky, maybe that smile will also come with a hug. But is this really happiness? Finally getting a coveted toy, a [...]

Get in the Habit of Starting the Day Right

For most families, the time between when the alarm goes off and when we get to work is the busiest, most stressful time of the day. We wake up tired and move non-stop getting kids out of bed, getting everyone dressed and fed, packing up daycare bags, school bags, work bags and herding the kids [...]

Why Not “Time Out”?

It wasn’t very long ago that the idea of “time out” took hold in classrooms and households across the country. It was thought of as a more effective alternative to spanking or other forms of physical punishment for disciplining children. But it seems like times are changing again and “time out” is now making the [...]

Tips to Ease PreK and New School Anxieties

It’s that time of year again and parents everywhere are preparing to send their kids off to begin a new school year. While some kids (and parents) are thrilled with the idea, for many the upcoming changes can be a source of anxiety. These simple tips posted on a Baltimore, MD, ABC affiliate’s web page [...]

Summer Skills Series: Critical Thinking

The ability to think through problems, anticipate the results of your actions and reflect on what you have done are all critical thinking skills. While these don’t fit neatly into the categories of reading, writing and arithmetic, they are definitely important skills for success in school and in life. The brains of toddlers and many [...]