Child-Wonder

By Tricia Goyer, author of Generation NeXt Parenting

I walked into the grocery store with my youngest son on tow.

“I'na walk,” my almost-three-year-old said as we approached the shopping carts.

In a good mood, I decided to let him. This will be a learning experience, I thought as I watched his small body bound down the aisle in leaps. I didn't realize then that I would be the one doing the learning.

On his own two feet, instead of riding inside the cart, Nathan encountered the grocery store as an exciting adventure. “Look Mama!” He stopped in the pet section. “Cat ball!”

Chatter, Chatter, Chatter

By Tricia Goyer, Author of Generation NeXt Parenting

Non-stop, preschool chatter. It’s often a steady droning—an unstoppable flood of interrogation.

“What’s that?”

“Why do cows eat grass?”

“What makes a tree grow?”

Your ears ring. Your brain aches. How can I handle one more question?

Not to fear, help is HEAR! Errr...here! Below are four tips for dealing with your miniature motor-mouth.

Choosing a Preschool: The Academics-Versus-Play Debate

By Rae Pica

Are you looking for a preschool for your child? Are you confused about the difference between traditional play-based centers and those that are more academics-oriented? Are you worried that if you don’t choose the latter your child will fall behind those who are getting a “head start” on academics?

7 Things You Can Do to Save Recess

By Rae Pica

I’ve discovered that my son’s school is abusing the daily recess time and I want to do something about it….His teachers are using recess to punish kids. For example, if they either forget to bring in homework or fail to do it, they miss recess. If they misbehave, they miss recess. Any of his teachers have the power to deny recess... - Father of a 5th-grade student

Today I was taken out of class and called before the principal and his assistant to be questioned about my practice of rewarding good behavior and hard work with “extra recess.” I was told I am NO LONGER allowed to do this except as a very rare exception as our students have a short enough day as it is….HELP!!!
- 3rd-grade teacher

At the beginning of every new school year, more and more parents discover that recess is disappearing from the landscape of their children’s school days. If this is the case for you – and you’ve seen the impact it has on your child – following are seven steps you can take to fight this trend.

Quick Tip!

Wet shoelaces before you tie them up to ensure a secure knot.

TV and Young Children

By Stacy DeBroff 

It used to be that the work of childhood was play, exploration, and
experimentation, not in the context of structured classes or lessons with
adults, but in free time roaming outside when not in school. Those were the
days of skipping, hop scotch, jungle gyms, and tag.