Elementary School

So, you got the head lice memo: What now?

Sherri Kuhn — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:00:00 -0800

It may quite possibly be the most dreaded memo from your child’s teacher — someone in his class has head lice. After you get over the ick factor, it’s time to take action. What can you do to check your child and prevent head lice from invading your home — and your head?

Teach your child to love math, even if you don't

Katie Kavulla — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Don't be ashamed to admit it — the last time you did your times-tables without your trusty iPhone calculator was when you were in elementary school. And now, with your child heading into a new school year, you're the one having anxiety over remembering how to carry the one and do long division! It's time to channel your inner-mommy math geek, even if the thought of fractions makes you want to hide under the kitchen table. Don't you dare hide your iPhone under there — no cheating allowed!

Homework help tips for every age

Kim Grundy — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 07:29:00 -0700

Help your child shoot to the top of his class with our homework help tips for kids in kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school. Depending on your child’s age, there are techniques you can use to help them learn new skills, stay focused and excel in school.

Supporting writing skills in the elementary years

Jen Klein — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:41:00 -0700

You know that writing and the ability to communicate effectively and clearly are important skills, and so does your child's school. That's why writing is a part of the curriculum. But it can be hard to know how to support your child as she develops writing skills at home. Do you just leave it up to the schools and stay out of it? Or is there more you can do to help your child become a good writer?

Green school supplies for grade school

Melissa Chapman — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:35:00 -0700

This year, make your back-to-school shopping a green experience for your school-age kids. Show them that they can stock up on all the supplies they need for elementary school and be eco-conscious, too! Check out some of our favorite green grade-school supplies.

5 Ways to become an involved parent

Mary Fetzer — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:31:00 -0700

The best way to help your child get the most out of her education is to become an involved parent. Here are a few ways to increase your presence in your child's academic life.

Dos and don'ts for backpacks

Mary Fetzer — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:19:00 -0700

Backpacks come in all shapes, colors and sizes, with and without wheels, in double-strap and cross-body styles. Kids can express their individuality with the backpack’s exterior, but what’s inside remains rather consistent for all kids. Here are 10 things every kid should carry in his backpack, and five no-nos to avoid.

Helping students avoid bad influences

Laura Willard — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:59:00 -0700

As a parent, you take your job of guiding and positively influencing your child seriously. Unfortunately, as many parents learn when they first send their children to preschool, it doesn’t take long to undo some of that work! Throughout your child’s life, he will encounter positive influences among his peers -- and negative ones.

Checklist: Does your child need a tutor?

Laura Willard — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:43:00 -0700

Kim Duckworth, academic coach and owner of SEC Tutoring in Scottsdale, Arizona, suggests keeping the following points in mind when deciding whether your child would benefit from the help of a tutor.

Encouraging shy children to break out

Laura Willard — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:31:00 -0700

Children each have unique personalities. Some are little social butterflies, making friends easily and having many. Others are quieter and more reserved, slow to warm up and preferring one or two close playmates. Charlotte Reznick, PhD, an educational psychologist, associate professor at UCLA, and author of The Power of Your Child's Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success, offers some great advice for parents who are concerned that their child may be too shy.

Teachers speak: Advice for parents

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:31:00 -0700

After a long summer break, most kids are ready to go back to school, but are the parents? Teachers agree that parents are one of their greatest resources for achieving student success. Whether your child is attending public, private, Montessori or other type of school, the teachers all have some basic advice for parents to ensure a positive and successful academic journey this year.

How to find a tutor

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:30:00 -0700

If you constantly hear your child complaining "I don't get it" or "Why do I have to go to school, anyway?", it may be time to enlist the help of a tutor. But where do you start? Here's a quick guide.

Preparing for the first school bus ride

Sarah W. Caron — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:00:00 -0700

The backpack has been packed and the new school clothes laid out. The calendar has been taped to the cabinet, and the teacher's name has been memorized. But for the parents of kindergartners, the new school year brings a new and potentially scary reality: Sending your child off to school on a bus. Here's what you need to know to make that experience great for your kids and keep the wheels going round and round.