When you ask an elementary aged student what their favorite subject in school is, inevitably the majority will say “recess” or “lunch.” Occasionally you may hear “gym” or another special class. I know at the school where I teach (Library and Technology), there has been a shift to valuing recess and purposeful play, but that is not true for all…
Keeping kids safe is no longer as easy as telling them to look both ways when they cross the road. The majority of children have cell phones starting around the age of ten, and accidents caused by distracted walking are increasing at an alarming rate. Videos that show people walking into trees or falling into fountains because they are focused…
As much as you adore your children, there’s nothing wrong with appreciating the nightly break when they go to bed and the house becomes yours again. After all, when your little ones have a decent night’s sleep, there’s a good chance that you will too. Of course, it’s never that simple. Many children simply reject the bedtime process,…
“One kid? Just one kid?” “Your child is going to be lonely.” “I think that your son will need a playmate.” “Why would you just have one kid that is not good for your kid’s social skills.” These are comments that I receive often once I admit that our family only desires one child in it. Once I became a…
I have found in my life and in the lives of those who I help that many of us are very busy. We have full schedules, rampant deadlines and many people who require so much of us. Our children also have their own schedules to a degree…sports, homework and playdates also are activities that our kids engage in on a…
Micro-Aggressions revolve around Intention and Impact. In too many scenarios there is a dismissive and callous approach to stereotypical statements, racial jokes, and obvious offensiveness. Yesterday in Target a lady and a man waved at my son. He did not wave back (which is unusual for him I usually have to remind him not to talk to strangers). They continued…
The holiday season is in full force here in Michigan, the crisp wintery air, colorful light displays; it’s all so wonderful and cheery! Recently we have been enjoying Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops located within the Great Lakes Crossing Outlet mall here in Auburn Hills. Kids get to enjoy the magic of the holiday season in full force with free…
Making Timeouts Work For You: Common Timeout FAQs As noted in last month’s article “The Ten Absolute Timeout Musts,” timeouts work wonders, but only when used properly. To increase the success of timeouts, Achieve Life Balance collected answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). What Behaviors Do Timeouts Work Best For? Timeouts are considered effective for general non-compliance, verbal…
Have a young child? Chances are you’ve used timeouts. Timeouts are considered very effective and one of the few strategies recommended a by the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP). However, timeouts only work when used properly-something most parents are failing to do! While three out of four parents use timeout to discipline, almost 85 percent (84.9%) make at least one…
These giant snowflake is so easy to make and would be a great project to do with kids. Materials 8 patterned or colored bags (I used a pack from the Dollar Tree) Some sort of glue or adhesive. Double sided tape, staples, or glue would all work. Step one. Glue the bottoms of the bags together Step two: Place a…
