Education

Child sponsorship: Food for the Hungry

Tyler Kurbat — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

Now it's our turn to lend a hand. The SheKnows community is rich with resources, compassion and strength — and the children of Rwanda need our help. Learn more about the role you can play in child sponsorship. Your involvement can ease the lives of those in extreme poverty.

SheKnows partners with Food for the Hungry

Tyler Kurbat — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

In an effort to combat extreme poverty in its many forms, SheKnows has joined forces with Food for the Hungry. We recently traveled to the remote village of Rwimbogo, Rwanda, and would like to extend a challenge to you — our readers — to take part in this monumental movement to help children and communities in need. We can't do this without you.

Operation House Call teaches compassion for special needs

Maureen Wallace — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:00:00 -0700

The Arc of Massachusetts began a program to teach medical students about intellectual and developmental disabilities more than 20 years ago. Today, interest has expanded but resources are limited, as OHC continues to build sensitivity on the theory that families are the best teachers.

How to choose a homeschool curriculum

Tiany Davis — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:00:00 -0700

If you are new to homeschooling or exploring new curriculum options, wading through curriculum choices can feel a bit overwhelming. Choosing curriculum is hard even for the most seasoned homeschool families.

Forget college: Find a mentor

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0700

For decades, a college degree has been the standard for young adults looking to make their mark on the professional world. But has college become obsolete? Perhaps not entirely, but mentoring is definitely gaining steam as a legitimate alternative to the traditional college path.

Should you attend a homeschool conference?

Tiany Davis — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:00:00 -0700

Homeschool conference season is well under way. Within most states you can find local homeschool conferences, book fairs and national conventions. No matter where you live, there is sure to be a homeschool conference or convention within driving distance.

How to support your local library

Molly Cerreta Smith — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0700

In honor of National Library Week from April 14 to 20, we encourage you to rally around your local book nook. You don't have to donate money to support it — there are many other ways to help ensure your neighborhood library will be around for years to come.

Should students with disabilities have equal access to sports?

Maureen Wallace — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0700

This year, the U.S. Department of Education issued clarifying guidelines to help schools provide students with disabilities equal access to sports and extracurricular activities.

6 Ways to help motivate your child to learn

Tiany Davis — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:00:00 -0700

When I potty trained my first son, I used treats and rewards for motivation. While rewards worked some of the time, the good old Cheerio in the potty was the best form of motivation. Aiming at the Cheerio was fun and motivated him to work on a specific task. Hitting the Cheerio gave my son a great sense of accomplishment because he did it all by himself and we made a really big deal about it.

A parent's guide to assessment

Guest Author — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:00:00 -0700

These days, schools are using student assessment data not only to evaluate performance, but also to change the way teachers teach and assure that kids get help where they need it most.

5 Questions to ask your potential tutor

Guest Author — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:00:00 -0800

As America’s education system evolves and looks to define itself, more and more families are hiring tutors to help their children with their academic needs. According to Dr. Sandi Ayaz, executive director of the National Tutoring Association, private tutoring in the U.S. alone has “exploded tenfold” over the past eight years.

How to find a homeschool support group

Tiany Davis — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:00:00 -0800

Support — it is the one thing that every homeschool family longs for, especially new homeschool families. There are many advantages to joining a homeschool support group.

Taking control of your child's education

Tiernan McKay — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:00:00 -0800

Many parents feel helpless when it comes to correcting the problems in public education but some parents are taking control of their children’s learning environments and are literally taking over failing schools.

The world is your classroom

Tiany Davis — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:00 -0800

One of the great advantages to homeschooling is the many opportunities available to experience active hands-on learning through field trips. Field trips are a fun, positive way for us to instill a love and lifestyle of learning in our children.

Online homeschool options

Tiany Davis — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:00:00 -0800

Online education has become increasingly popular in recent years. Whether it is for religious reasons, bullying, learning disabilities or health issues, many parents are looking to homeschooling as a solution. However, many parents often feel unequipped to successfully educate their children at home. This is where virtual homeschooling might be beneficial.

Is online preschool a good idea?

Lisa Steinke — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:00:00 -0800

Online preschool is the newest way to educate 3- and 4-year-olds, but will it properly prepare your child for kindergarten? Or will your little one potentially miss out on things like the important social skills developed through attending a traditional preschool?

Rise from the ashes: Beat homeschool burnout

Tiany Davis — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:00:00 -0800

If you have homeschooled your children for any length of time, you're familiar with the term "homeschool burnout." Many of us have fallen victim to burnout at some point in our homeschool journey. Feelings of frustration, inadequacy, anger and exhaustion can all be signs that you might be at the end of your rope when it comes to home-educating your children.

10 Awesome places to visit this Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Sarah W. Caron — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:30:00 -0800

Your kids are probably off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but what are you going to do to really celebrate its meaning? These 10 destinations are great places to head that day to learn about the man and the civil rights movement.

Free and frugal homeschooling

Tiany Davis — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 10:00:00 -0800

Homeschooling doesn't have to cost a fortune. There are many ways to cut costs and save money while not sacrificing the quality of your child's education. With a library card, a bit of work, swapping skills and some bargaining, you can homeschool your children without breaking the bank!

What you should know about the Common Core

Sarah W. Caron — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:00:00 -0800

If you have kids in school, you've probably heard of the Common Core State Standards, a newer move to standardize what kids learn across states. But what is it really? And why should you care if your school is following this?

Helping your child complete homework independently

Guest Author — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Helping kids with homework is like spotting for a weightlifter at the gym. As the spotter, a parent's job is to encourage the lifter to complete as many repetitions as possible independently and intervene only when necessary.