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.

New Year’s Resolutions…Just Do It!

January of any year is famously all about promises.  At the beginning of the year we usually reflect on the last and resolve to change in the year ahead.  Change is good, it means we are moving forward and not feeling so stuck.  But, where I always get stuck is the ‘talking’ about change instead [...]

Do you believe…in Santa Claus?

My kids are five years apart, so by the time my second was born my first was in kindergarten and well on his way to having other kids opinions influence him.
I will never forget when he came home and told me that his friend Parker told him there was no Santa Claus.  The look on [...]

Got Plans for the Holidays?

I am sure you are already planning where you will be for the holidays, what to buy, what you will donate to others, what parties you will attend, who will be coming over to your house, what to eat for special holiday meals and the list goes on and on.
But, do you have a plan [...]

The Super Nanny is Wrong AGAIN!

Decided to check in on the Super Nanny show for this season after watching and commenting all last season.  I wanted to see if this year’s prime time show was educating parents in accurate and helpful information.  Much to my disappointment the show has not changed one single bit!
Supper Nanny starts out by labeling the [...]

Parents Ask…Because Raising Kids Raises Questions!

www.parentsask.com is a new place to go on the Internet to get interesting, informative, and accurate parenting information.  It’s a place for you to ask questions about your kids.  You talk to other parents, get their opinions and suggestions for any issue you are facing in your family.  You can post a question yourself, ask [...]

Do Six-Year Olds Need Zero Tolerance?

Six year olds are very smart and Zachary Christie is no exception.  But, they are also naïve because of their lack of experience and judgment.  Six year olds love to share, especially something new, love to tell stories and willingly show what they have to authority figures, like teachers and parents.  This is exactly what [...]

Back to Work Doubts

With the kids back in school now for a few weeks, many moms who chose to return to the workforce are having serious doubts over their decision and are starting to wonder if they, or their children, will suffer in the long run.
The topic of staying in the home to raise your children versus working [...]

Coping with Back to School Conflicts

Hopefully your children’s transition from summer to school is a smooth one, but if not, here are a few tips on how to cope with typical back to school conflicts.
 
Dealing with Heavy Homework after a Light Summer
Homework can be piled on thick at the beginning of the new school year, or at least it seems [...]

How to Stop Manipulative Behavior

Does your child manipulate you? Do you ever feel like your child’s in charge and not you? If you answered “yes,” then you’re just like every other parent! But, even though you feel manipulated by your child, you may be surprised to learn that kids do a lot less manipulative behavior than you think.

All parents [...]

Teach Your Kids How to Deal With Bullies

As parents and children across the country begin preparing for ‘Back to School,” kids are feeling nervous about which of their friends (if any) they will be paired up with in their new classrooms and how much homework they’ll face, while parents worry about the safety of their children and if they will become the [...]

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