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I couldn’t help noticing Mattie and Sophie, adorable 4-year-old twin girls at our preschool. Obviously fraternal, Mattie had stick-straight hair bejeweled with sparkly clips (and the occasional tiara). She wore her tutu to school daily in hopes of an afternoon ballet lesson. Mattie leapt into action with her friends in the classroom without so much […]

In parenting, many decisions are easy: Don’t run into the street. Take turns with your friends. But many of the most important decisions AREN’T easy, including when to start Kindergarten. Will she be ready? Or is it best to wait? When it comes to tricky parenting dilemmas, there usually isn’t a “perfect” decision. Starting Kindergarten […]

Licensed therapist Kimberly Clayton Blaine explains why laughter is important in every child’s development. Click play to watch the video.

Today, it took me 25 minutes – instead of the usual 5 – to empty the dishwasher. Why? Because my 2-year-old daughter was “helping” me. Spoons were dropped, reorganized and placed back in the dishwasher. Cups were used for an impromptu tea party. Big bowls became hats. Fun was had by all. I know what […]

By Dr. Heather Wittenberg My husband and I used to forbid the words “restaurant” and “children” from being used in the same sentence. French fries scarfed while running around after the kids resulted in a sure-fire case of indigestion. “Why are we doing this?” we wondered. It was so much easier to stay at home. […]

We asked for your burning work/life balance questions, and you delivered. Thank goodness! We need a public conversation on work/life issues, especially because so many parents consider the work/life juggle to be one of life’s most pressing concerns. The National Study of the Changing Workforce reports that when employees work for flexible and effective companies, […]

“So aren’t you really saying that we should settle for mediocre?” asked a young woman at a recent talk I gave about my new book, Good Enough Is the New Perfect. Despite the book’s intentionally controversial title, my coauthor and I make clear from the start that we are not fans of a “whatever” approach […]

Studies show that when technology is used properly, it helps make our kids smarter. So how can it make our kids more prepared for Kindergarten? The answer is right inside our pockets! If your child likes to tap, swipe, and press buttons, then check out these important K-readiness skills your child can easily learn from […]

This is the second in a three-part series that looks at the learning process. Last month’s issue featured “Part One: Create a Safe and Nurturing Environment.” At La Petite Academy, teaching is a science as well as an art. Science comes into play as we plan experiences for young children based on what we know […]

Across the country, there is increasing pressure on families to ensure that their children are ready for school. The question that we hear quite frequently is “What do children truly need to ensure that they are successful in Kindergarten and beyond?” Many families with young children believe that preparing children for school means that children […]

The word “sharing” doesn’t usually conjure up images of fun and happy play in the mind of preschoolers’ parents. More often, sharing means protests of “mine!” and guaranteed hurt feelings. But sharing doesn’t have to be dreaded. The best way to teach sharing is by simply having fun with it. Preschoolers are deeply involved in […]

Now that my boys are in the activity-filled elementary years, I’m flipping the calendar way too fast, often wondering how it can be Friday yet again! As I look to 2012 and ponder what kind of life I’d like to lead, a blend of satisfying professional work and quality family time tops my list. But […]