Kindergarten

Here’s What Dr. Ann Corwin, The Parenting Doctor, Has To Say About The Kindergarten Years

One of the first things that come to mind when the word kindergarten is mentioned is whether my kids are ready to go. First thing to remember is never base your decision on chronological age. For some parents the decision is made for them, because their kids don’t make the ‘cut-off’ date to allow them to attend in a certain year. But, for others this decision can seem as monumental as deciding where and when they will go to college.

Just remember a few basic points about what to look for and what to do to help prepare your child.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Your child should be able to sit for 5 minutes without moving and follow 3 directions.

WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE
Get a small desk type chair at home for your child to sit on or have them sit in a specific spot with a clip board in their lap and some paper and ask them to draw, color & print letters. Be sure to have them raise their hand to ask you a question. Do this every day the summer before they start.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Can my child skip?

WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE
If they can skip you will know that the right and left side of their brains are coordinating beautifully and they are ready to learn to read. If they are not quite there yet, encourage them to crawl through a tunnel or under chairs everyday, hop on one foot and then the other and dance to music. All these activities will help promote brain development.

Now sit back, relax and enjoy playing with your kids as you get them ready to attend kindergarten when they are ready.

Cook With Your Kids…

Watch them learn math, science and social esteem! 
 
There is more cooking over the holidays than any other time of the year.  Kids are out of school, so they need more activities to occupy their time.  Parents need to get holiday cooking done for family visitors, but have less time with the kids’ home.  So […]

Asking for Help Doesn’t Mean You’re a Bad Parent

Parents that ask the most questions about raising their children are the most courageous. 
 
Offering advice to friends and family about what worked for you as a parent is excellent.  Just remember to give the advice ONLY when asked and don’t take offense if other parents don’t take it!
 
If you get unsolicited advice from well-meaning […]

Santa Claus is Scary

Big guy in a bright red suit, with a strange laugh can be too much for some kids to handle. This time of year, it doesn’t hurt to remind yourselves as parents that some things surrounding the holidays that seem fun, normal and non-threatening to you are really scary to your kids.
 
Hair on the face, […]

Thanksgiving..It’s All About Eating! But, What About Picky Eaters?

Families are all gearing up to stuff themselves with food that has been painstakingly chosen and taken hours to prepare.  Parents take time off work, clean the house and look forward to the whole family showing their appreciation by enjoying the meal.
 
But, what if your kids turn up their noses at it all or at […]

Andrea Yates & Thanksgiving…How Can You Forgive, but not Forget?

Andrea Yates the infamous mother who drowned her five children back in 2001 was in the news again this week.  Her husband, Rusty who is re-married, had another child recently, so the story of their tragedy resurfaced once again.  Rusty still communicates with his wife and mother of his five children that she killed.  How […]

Trick or Treat…When Should Kids Start?

One year your child may be happily running from house to house and openly asking for treats.  The next year, they are not so enthusiastic.
That is why it makes sense for parents to be sensitive about what their kids can handle at different ages.
 
Here is the scoop!
 
From birth to around the age of 2 yrs. […]

Are Your Kids Getting into Trouble in School?

Some of the most famous, successful people had trouble in school.
I was lucky enough to go to school with Chris VanAllsberg, author and illustrator of the famous book, “The Polar Express”, which was made into a block-buster movie.  Chris was forever being reminded by his teachers to stop drawing and pay attention.  Well, now we […]

Obama vs. McCain Education Plans for Young Children through College

McCain and Obama have very different ideas on education. For the record, I am not endorsing either of these presidential candidates. But, do think everyone who has children should know what presidential plans they have for our kids.

 
If you have preschoolers you should know that:
 
Obama would put $10 billion of your tax dollars into early childhood (birth […]

Kids and Cancer

Sometimes kids give the best advice.  I was so struck by this article about a daughter who helped her mom through breast cancer that I wanted to spread the wise words of this 10 year old.
 
Here are her ‘8′ suggestions for kids if someone has breast cancer…
 
1-”If you are worried, scared or frightened, it is […]

Play Dates Gone Bad

Just wanted to follow up after my “Play Dates Gone Bad” talk here in Southern CA.  All the parents had the opportunity to ask questions before hand about ‘what if’ this happens when you are socializing with other parents and their children. 
 
Here are some of those universal question:

Do you approach the parent or confront […]