In our final post in the series, our experts – Dr. Susan Canizares and Dr. Heather Wittenberg – reveal how to make kindergarten a great experience by preparing in these simple (and fun) ways. Dr. Heather: Starting kindergarten is exciting, but it can also be daunting for parents. Even with my fourth child, I worry […]
In this second of our three-part series, our experts – Dr. Susan Canizares and Dr. Heather Wittenberg —give tips for making a smooth transition from preschool to Kindergarten. Dr. Heather: Back in the “bad old days,” we didn’t have much understanding of early childhood development. Young children were seen as too little to learn very […]
In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama called for national expansion of prekindergarten programs through the “Preschool for All” initiative. Two reports issued since then – good news and bad news – have added substance and urgency to the debate over the President’s proposal. The good news came in March, when a […]
Child psychologist Dr. Heather Wittenberg covers her top tips to get your preschooler ready for the big Kindergarten classroom. Find more Kindergarten readiness tips here. What concerns do you have about your child being ready for Kindergarten? Tell us in a comment below.
Is your child ready to start Kindergarten this fall? As a parent, I know it’s difficult to imagine your little one sitting in a “big kid” classroom in just a few months. Believe me, though, you’ll be amazed at the growth your child will experience before then. Here are my ideas for helping your almost-big-kid […]
Should your child start preschool at 2, 3, or even 4? Is he late-born, early-born, or right in between? Should he be one of the oldest in the class, the youngest, or in the middle? And what impact will this have on his eventual kindergarten start date? If your head is spinning at making this […]
When you drop your little one off with a new child care provider, you don’t have to hold your breath and cross your fingers that everything will turn out OK. Here are some steps to make sure you’re on the right path to developing a great partnership with your child’s caregivers: Do your research. You […]
Games for Toddlers Toddlers start to learn the alphabet by exposure. Seeing, hearing and playing with letters is the best way to start learning the alphabet. 1. Letter Sort – Get out your alphabet letters (foam, magnetic, any kind). Sort by colors, shapes (curvy or straight), letters in the child’s name, or by any criteria […]
If your little Sproutlet is a fan of The Sunny Side Up Show then you probably recognize Chica. She is serious about staying healthy and having fun at the same time, which is how she came up with her very own healthy checklist. All you have to do is print it off and watch your […]
We all know that good nutrition is important, especially for growing little bodies (and brains). But you may be surprised to learn that sugar may not be the terrible culprit we’d assumed it was. Despite the rowdiness at children’s birthday parties, study after study has shown that sugar does NOT seem to cause hyperactivity. Sure, […]
Talking with you –in real time –is the highlight of my work here. In our latest chat, we brainstormed about getting fun summer schedules under control, and the importance of establishing a strong relationship with your child’s teacher even BEFORE school starts. We also shared how saying goodbye on that first day of school is […]
It’s time to get kids ready . . . and excited to go back to school! How? Go shopping and read books. Both are something you already do, right? Here’s how they can help get your child ready for school. Read Books Reading books about school gives kids a story in their minds. It tells […]