Want to strengthen your father-son bond? Try travel! Whether you’re sightseeing or testing yourselves with an extreme adventure, you’ll be getting closer and making memories. That’s not to say that traveling with children is worry free. Each age provides its own challenges. When your son is young, you may face feeding, toileting and sleep issues. … Read more
There’s nothing better than helping a child learn. And that’s what science fair is all about! Some parents get very stressed out about science fair, but it’s not about winning or having the best looking board. It’s about helping your child use the scientific method to explore a topic that he or she is interested … Read more
Fathers are important! Whether you are playing ball or making sandwiches, how you relate to your son matters. The kind of father you are can impact your son’s whole life. The traditional roles of fathers as protectors and providers are important, but fathers need to forge emotional bonds with their sons, too. Happily, this can … Read more
Most fathers are superheroes to their little girls. Daughters are treasures to their fathers, too, although they may also be the cause of a few sleepless nights. Since the father-daughter relationship is so extraordinary, when they have time to spend together, it’s important to make it special. Most fathers want to have fun with their … Read more
Sugar and spice? Sweetness, strength and smarts – that’s what modern girls are made of. Although some parents prefer not to make generalities about the genders, researchers have found some consistent differences between females and males. Girls, for example, usually develop verbal skills earlier and are more socially adept than boys. They tend to be … Read more
They are tough but tender. They are up for action but also like snuggles. If you have boys in your family, you already know that they bring a whole lot of fun and a few challenges. People love to debate whether boys are born super-charged or whether we socialize them to display “boyish” behavior. We … Read more
Look at the child dropping his peas into milk, or trying to imitate the way an elephant walks. Kids are natural scientists, curious about everything they encounter. As parents, our job is to help them find answers and encourage them to ask more questions. One of the best ways to do this is through science … Read more
Who doesn’t love summer? For school kids, it’s a much-anticipated vacation from study. For parents, it’s a break from supervising homework and packing lunches. Even if the children in the family are younger than school-age, almost everyone enjoys the slower pace and long, warm days of summer. Sooner or later, however, parents are bound to … Read more
Food is associated with home and love. That’s why you may go straight for the pantry or fridge when you go to your parents’ house, even if you’re middle-aged. Of course, food is also a daily concern and a necessity of life. That makes it a perfect medium for interacting with your children and educating … Read more
If you are looking for an easy way to entertain the kids, just add water! Most children love getting wet, but splashing about is just the beginning. Many activities have both wet and dry versions, and lots of sports and outdoor activities involve water. If you’re concerned about your children getting enough exercise, water activities … Read more
A toy inventor could work for a very long time without coming up with a play material as versatile and enjoyable as sand. Think about it! It can be poured when dry and molded when wet. It can be used in science experiments and art projects. Whether you are digging your toes into it or … Read more
Play is so important to child development that some pediatricians prescribe it. While play can take place indoors or out, when children are limited to indoor activities, they miss out on half the benefits. Outdoor play is more likely than indoor play to be physical and to promote fitness and reduce obesity. It provides exposure … Read more
Five-year-olds live exciting lives! Most children will begin kindergarten sometime after their fifth birthdays. Parents can help children succeed by teaching them to follow directions and by making sure they get enough sleep. And parents shouldn’t hand all the learning activities off to their kids’ teachers. Children can learn in lots of fun and informal … Read more
When you are the parent of a four-year-old, every day is independence day! “I can do it myself” is a common refrain, and your child will play with toys for longer and longer times without needing you to participate. You are still very much needed, however, to keep your child safe, to provide lots … Read more
If you have a three-year-old, you’re three times lucky, because three-year-olds are terrific fun! They still love to play, but they will sometimes listen to reason, and they are learning empathy for others. At some time this year, they will probably complete potty training. Hooray! Developmentally, they are acquiring skills at a rapid rate. They … Read more