Kids And School

Should you run for school committee?

Jen Klein — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Is running for a school committee for you? In towns and cities across America, it's local election season. Actually, the whole year is local election season, really. No matter when your local elections happen, there likely are people running for a seat on the local school committee.

How to parent a gifted child

Laura Willard — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:00:00 -0700

Statistically, most children are not “gifted.” While they are always exceptional to us, they’re probably not exceptional to the point of being gifted. If you feel your child is well beyond advanced, however, don't ignore it. If she's truly gifted, your child will require extra attention and academic effort as she grows.

Mom, my teacher's having a baby!

Jen Klein — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:00:00 -0700

It’s an exciting time in every woman’s life: becoming pregnant and preparing to be a mother. This life transition affects more than just the woman and her partner, it affects those around her -- whether she realizes it or not. And if she’s a teacher? It affects her students as well.

Your child's classroom might be making him sick

Jen Klein — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0800

You're careful about your home environment. You take the time to do things like choose low toxicity cleaners and are aware of environmental issues that affect health. Even so, your child still gets headaches and stomachaches and maybe even asthma episodes. What gives? Maybe it's not your home -- maybe it's your child's school.

Helping your kids discern between message and messenger

Jen Klein — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 -0800

Teaching your kids effective communication is a critical part of parenting -- and one we often don’t think about enough. With everything there is to teach, communication is just naturally a part of it, right? Well, sort of. There are elements of effective communication that need to be specifically addressed. Discerning between the messenger and the message is one of them.

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.

Create a fun homework space for kids

Naomi de la Torre — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:24:00 -0700

With all the distractions in this high-tech world, getting your kids to focus on their homework isn’t always an easy task. Learn how to minimize distractions and create a comfortable, fun homework nook that your children will love to use.

5 Tips for beating back-to-school blues

Molly Cerreta Smith — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:59:00 -0700

Kids everywhere are feeling the back-to-school blues right about now, but going back to class doesn't have to be a drag. Help your kids beat the back-to-school blues with these five tips.

Help kids take a break after school

Naomi de la Torre — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:59:00 -0700

After a long day at school, kids need a break before they dive headfirst into homework. Help your kids relax and recharge after school with these simple tips.

Moms make a difference in schools

Naomi de la Torre — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:19:00 -0700

If you're worried about your children's quality of education in your neighborhood public school, take time to get involved. Learn creative ways to make a difference in your children’s education by becoming a school volunteer.

How to make homework fun for kids

Molly Cerreta Smith — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:17:00 -0700

Homework and fun are two words that kids never expect to see in the same sentence. Homework doesn't always have to be a hassle, though. With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can make homework a breeze so you both can enjoy school nights without homework struggles.

Secrets of smooth school mornings

Molly Cerreta Smith — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:08:00 -0700

Imagine a school morning like this: You're running around, trying to find your child's other shoe/homework/toothbrush/fill-in-the-blank while the smell of burning toast fills the air and the baby won't stop crying. School mornings don't have to be this chaotic. Here are a few secrets of smooth school mornings.

After-school surprises for star students

Barbara Clinebell — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:56:00 -0700

Your kids are making the back-to-school transition, and rewarding your star students is with some special after-school treats and surprises. Easy snacks are the centerpiece, paired with time to listen and learn the triumphs of their day. Make sure they see that you celebrate their success.

Ways to get involved in your kids’ school

Whitney Coy — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:27:00 -0700

Being involved with your kids’ school shows that you value education and that you care about your kids and what they’re doing. It gives them confidence and better odds of succeeding. You can get involved in many different ways, no matter what your schedule -- so roll up your sleeves and dive in.

Your child probably is not a genius

Jen Klein — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:28:00 -0700

Do you remember when your child was just a toddler and was starting to learn about the world around her? Do you remember thinking how smart she is and maybe daydreaming of a brilliant future? She was going to be a an engineer or an astronaut or a professor or an inventor. School would be just a formality. This unfettered belief in potential is one of the wonderful things about parenting, and every child deserves to have parents who so wholly and deeply believe in their abilities and potential.

Helping older children with homework

Jen Klein — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:23:00 -0800

It's a classic scene: a mom or dad sitting down next to a child, helping the child understand homework. Almost always, however, the child is around 10 or 11 years old or younger. That's because, at some point, it's no longer so easy to help your child with homework. Whether it's math that you don't remember, or an essay you can't write for them, at some point helping your child with homework is less about direct interaction than it is providing a framework and using available resources.

Report card competition between siblings

Jen Klein — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:45:00 -0800

When report card time comes around, I am a lucky mom. My kids are doing well in school and these formal reports convey that. I am proud of each of my kids' efforts and want to encourage them to continue to try to their best at all times. But how much of one child's report card should I share with my other children. Is it anybody else's business - and does it create an undue level of competition between them?

Is your child being bullied at school?

Abbi Perets — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:45:00 -0800

Most kids spend more half of their waking hours in school and at extracurricular activities. You're probably not there to observe what's going on, so if your child were being bullied, would you know? Here's what to look for -- and what to do if you think your child is being picked on at school or anywhere else.

Does your preschooler need tutoring?

Jen Klein — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0700

When I opened my email the other day, I was stunned to see a solicitation for a "pre-writing" workshop for four and five year olds. It listed skills that would be addressed and achieved, and described the structure of the multi-week workshop. Aside from wondering where the leaders of the workshop got my email address, I was a tad horrified at the message it sent: start preparing your kids early for the intense competition of Kindergarten. What?