Education

If you hear something often enough, you're bound to believe it. Busy moms and dads, juggling family and career, are highly susceptible to hearing and believing incorrect information about parenting young children. Now it's time to set the record straight on important issues affecting their kids.

Our country's obsession with an "earlier is better" philosophy is cruel to children in kindergarten. A teacher points out how homogeneous reading groups, too many standards and assessments, and the elimination of imaginative play are evidence of this.

Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Chinese calendar year and each year is named after an animal. This Chinese Zodiac is an animal story based on the great race and should be in your short bedtime stories for kids collection

Beginning home-schooling is a huge decision and can engender terror in the hearts of parents brave enough to undertake such a commitment. Fear not, it's not so scary after all. First comes 'deschooling'...

This article features activities in a lesson to help students with vision loss and others manage and organize money.

Calendar, craft projects, teacher-directed lessons, worksheets, and "letter of the week" are part of the daily routine at preschool but are they supported by research? A former teacher explains why they're not only a waste of time but even detrimental.

Questionnaire to help parents determine if home schooling is right for their children and their family.

I am a teacher of dyslexic children and a mother of a dyslexic child. This is advice on how to help with school, homework, and self-esteem.

The Montessori method of education speaks to the curiosity within each child and allows each child to blossom. Learn simple ways of creating a Montessori home environment that will enable your child to soar to great heights.

Christian craft projects for kids: ideas for Sunday school, vacation Bible school, CCD classes and home school.

Research shows young children learn best through play at preschool. But, because of standardized testing and academic rigor, a "push-down" curriculum has replaced exploration, hands-on learning, playing, and pretending. Unwitting parents think this results in smarter kids, but it doesn't.

Music education is highly important for young children, increasing math skills, fine motor coordination, and helping children learn the benefits of perseverance and delayed gratification. Think your child is ready for music lessons? Consider the age of the child, developmental readiness, and time commitment before staring formal instrument lessons!

Homework is counterproductive. It causes family stress and fails to help the child learn, teaching only resentment. This article explores why.

Parents in the United States are enthralled with academic preschools, buying into the belief that earlier is better. However, research shows that play is how kids learn best. It enhances their imaginations, promotes exploration, increases vocabulary, and builds social skills.

Public charter schools can be an excellent school choice for many, but there are pros and cons just like with any other school. Find out how charters differ from traditional public schools.

Parents can get enticed by STEM activities, foreign language instruction and music lessons, thinking they will give their child a leg up. What really matters most, though, is a preschool program with a strong philosophy that emphasizes a learn-by-doing approach: playing, socializing, and exploring.

An educator and mom explains why Zoo-phonics is the ideal program to teach your child to read. It combines movement, music, and games that promote phonological awareness, the foundation of reading. It lets kids be kids as they act silly, wriggle, and use their imaginations.

A fun science experiment. Grow your own salt crystal garden. It's easy, and uses items you have around the house.

Numbers, shapes, and other mathematical concepts pop up in many of our daily activities. Share these opportunities with your children as a foundation for later learning.

A list of Indian authors whom you must introduce to your child!

Ever wonder if the songs you're singing to your children had a double meaning? Here you'll find the theories or life events that sparked each rhyme.

Some common misconceptions and myths about homeschooling from the socialization myth to the idea that we are all religious.

Alphabet recognition is an important prerequisite to reading and writing. Here are some fun ways to work on learning the alphabet, such as alphabet puzzles, books, iPad/iPhone games, and Android alphabet games.

How do you explain space to kids? Here are some facts about space for kids, and fun activities for the whole family!

Almost every preschool in the United States has circle time as part of its daily routine. Research, though, shows kids learn more with small group activities, kinesthetic learning, and hands-on exploration.

A teacher explains what phonological awareness is, why it's important, and how parents can promote it, turning their children into strong readers, writers, and spellers.

Same-sex or single-gender education has advantages and disadvantages, so why aren't more schools implementing this way of teaching? I discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

In-Hand Manipulation skills—translation, shift, and rotation—are important fine motor skills for a child’s development. IHM skills have been shown to directly correlate with handwriting skills and self-help skills like dressing.

Teaching kids about the stock market can be enjoyable and relevant when you follow kid-friendly companies that sell well-known consumer goods and products during a stock market simulation experiment.

Full instructions for winning middle school science fair project using robot made from NXT Lego Mindstorms.

Erupting volcanoes and bubbling test tubes are fun to watch and more fun to make.  Creating strange mad scientist concoctions is simpler than you may think using stuff already in the kitchen.

Test anxiety is common in kids with anxious tendencies, perfectionist tendencies, or learning disabilities. It’s also something you can help them through.

Hook kids into reading with these booktalks for some of the best graphic novels for children. Reluctant readers especially like this format which is akin to a longer comic book.

These online tools and poetry collections provide guideposts and inspire children writing and reading poems in a broad range of styles.

Bilingualism is a skill that gives children a lifelong advantage. It can be achieved, even if the parent is monolingual.

Going against decades of research in early childhood education, preschools today have become more academic than ever. Youngsters are now guinea pigs in an experiment that may prove highly detrimental to their futures and ours.

School doesn't have to be a boring place! Learn how to enjoy school more, along with some tips of how to earn good grades, join a sport, or join a club.

Looking for ways to teach your kids about money? Find 6 fun and educational money games you can play at home to help your child identify the different coins and their values.

Compete instructions on how to do a science fair project and set up a board. Includes pictures, examples, resources and step-by step original projects.

How to teach children/preschoolers/toddlers about zoo animals before and while attending zoos and aquariums.

It's a tragedy that the focus of preschool has become increasingly narrow with many parents now seeing it as merely a time to prepare kids for kindergarten. This short-sighted stance results in youngsters who are less creative, less curious, and less communicative.

As our education system grows more bureaucratic, elementary school teachers are under enormous pressure to assess students and meet Common Core standards. In the process, though, they can neglect the whole child (body, mind, and spirit) and that's when parents need to advocate for their kids.

Do you know what high stakes standardized testing is? Is your child a victim of "teaching to the test" or never-ending test prep? How is your child's education affected by test-based accountability?

Some practical tips for organizing a children's story time program including finding a host organization, planning a calendar, and other common-sense logistical considerations.

Recess was once an accepted part of a child's school day. With increasing pressures for academic success, many schools are cutting or eliminating play time in favor of rigorous academic pursuits. Many schools are built without playgrounds in cities like Chicago and Atlanta. Research shows recess actually boosts test scores and increases a child's attention span: some parent led initiatives are striving to bring recess back to American schools.

Complete, detailed instructions, links, and videos for easy and practical science fair project for 5th to 8th grade students.

Find everything you need for a pig story time theme here: book suggestions, coloring pages, craft templates, and a rhyming flannel board story.

These 10 great books to share with your kids for Valentine's Day should be at the top of your holiday list this year. They teach concepts like sharing, showing love, cooperation, being a good friend, and more. You and your kids are sure to enjoy them.

The transition from elementary school to middle school can be overwhelming for many students. Here are specific organization strategies to help middle school students be successful.

The problem of bullying in schools is widespread in many countries. Students who experience bullying fear going to school. One way to help them is to build their self-esteem and assertiveness skills.

A long-time early childhood educator argues that the dad should pick his son's preschool, not his mother. She contends that little boys need an advocate as they enter this female-ruled world where sitting quietly and learning passively get rewarded and boys earn negative labels just for being boys.

Want a science fair project using your pet? Full instructions for a quick and easy science experiment for elementary students.

A librarian's reviews and summaries of the best narrative nonfiction books for children, which are emphasized in the curriculum of the common core from kindergarten through 6th grade.

Homeschoolers rate better on standardized tests than public school students. Homeschool kids outperform other students in spelling bees and other academic contests.

As an early childhood educator, I've seen how gender inequality at preschool hurts girls as they become observers in the classroom, not doers. When teachers allow girls to wear princess dresses to class, praise their looks, and limit dramatic play to just a kitchen area, they're disempowering them.

This slime changes color with the temperature, due to heat-sensitive pigment embedded in the recipe.

An article on the benefits of including children with special needs in mainstream schools, and things to consider when doing so.

Uniforms can help prevent bullying and violence over appearance, and discourage the theft of shoes and clothing.

The Waldorf method of education is gaining in popularity, but the tuition is expensive. Learn simple, easy ways to provide the benefits of this method to your child at home.

How much of a problem is bullying in schools? Why do kids bully, and what can be done?

Children become fluent in reading with practice, and these free, engaging reading games hold their attention and keep them motivated.

Choosing a preschool program is a difficult choice for parents seeking a quality early childhood education curriculum for their children. This article addresses several areas of concern and suggests questions and observations parents should make before deciding on a preschool program for their child.

Choosing a preschool can be an overwhelming task for parents, leaving them in need of some expert advice. A long-time early childhood educator explains what moms and dads should avoid by detailing ten warning signs of a bad preschool. They include workbooks, long circle times, and no philosophy.

Easy and fun snow and ice science experiments for kids. Includes making frost, snow, icicles, dry ice, exploding ice, and more cool experiments.

It is vital for parents and guardians of special needs children to understand the importance of the individual education program IEP). An IEP ensures your special needs child will get an appropriate education in the public school system.

For teachers, parents, and librarians, a thorough list of books for children ages 3-8 which exemplify everyday diversity. These books feature diverse characters in everyday contemporary life.

Choosing a preschool is a big decision for parents, but their duty doesn't stop there. They need to keep a watchful eye and make sure the quality of care remains high. After all, operating a preschool is a business and owners are concerned about their bottom line and keeping costs low.

When choosing a preschool, it's easy for parents to get enthralled by all the bells and whistles: their child learning Mandarin, doing yoga poses, and studying the violin. Yet, a former preschool teacher tells moms and dads that developmentally appropriate practices and lots of play matter most.

Homeschoolers often, and I mean very often, hear the question "But what about socialization?" Here's why this question is completely cringe-worthy. Please stop asking us that!

Simple steps for easy early elementary school Science Fair Project. Teach your child or a group of children how to do a Science Project.

Advice for parents who want to get their kids started with computer programming. Includes free coding resources for kids.

Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader is a T.V. show quiz game that can be integrated into your lesson plan at school or even played at home? Children of elementary and even middle school ages can learn a lot of general knowledge topics, helping them turn into well-rounded, educated world citizens.

As a teacher and mother of an autistic son, I'm outraged when school officials deceive parents with the inclusion lie. Students with special needs require special help and full inclusion is not enough. While it saves money in the short-term, it has a long-range negative impact for kids and society.

There are so many different theories regarding early childhood education and what is most important for a young child to learn. There are as many different educational theories and schools as there are psychologists, who have studied the early...

Regardless of your child's age, there are things you can start doing now to ease the transition from summer back to school. This article has six easy tips to help busy parents prepare their children for academic success. Plan ahead to enjoy a painless transition.

The Chinese Tangram Game is a cool activity to do with kids that has great educational value and is loads of fun to play. Find out its history, how to make your own, and the fun you can have with it!

Is your child gifted or just bright for their age? Is there even a difference? This guide goes over signs of giftedness vs. signs of slightly higher intelligence in small children.

Introverts such as myself may recall middle school as the worst time in their lives. Volunteering at my son's school, I see little has changed. If teachers and administrators, though, would consider introverts when planning lessons and extracurricular activities, they could make a huge difference.

Book ideas, sample questions, and a step-by-step guide on how to start a book club for your child.

A comprehensive guide to help you teach your child to read in 30 days, designed for parents who are homeschooling or pre-schooling their children.

Students from around the country receive invitations to join the National Society of High School Scholars. What is this organization, and is the enrollment fee worth it?

Raising a child who loves math and feels confident in the subject starts in the first few years of life. The preschool age is the perfect age to build math foundations. Read about some of our favorite strategies!

If we want preschoolers to express themselves through art and feel empowered while doing so, we're going about it all wrong. Open-ended art activities (painting, drawing, and sculpting) have been replaced by teacher-directed craft projects, much to the detriment of young children.

Choosing a preschool can be overwhelming. A long-time early childhood educator urges parents to pick a place with a strong philosophy that attracts a community of like-minded moms and dads. She recommends Montessori, Waldorf, and play-based cooperatives.

Reading to preschoolers can enhance their imaginations and promote dramatic play. Discover 13 classic children's books that are ideal for doing just that.

Do you feel guilty for not paying for your child's education? Don't. Paying for college is hard in this economy. Kids learn responsibility for their actions and have ownership in their education when they have to pay for their own college tuition.

Modern technology can distract children and teens away from reading, but don’t despair. There are ways you can encourage young folk to pick up a book.

Are you driving your child's preschool teacher crazy? You probably are if you send your kid to class in fancy duds, expect special treatment for your precious tyke, fret about her being bullied, and pick her up late with no apology or explanation. Find out if you're the pain at preschool!

Teaching preschool at home can be a fun learning adventure for you and your child. Learn about some simple preschool activities you can do at home with your preschooler to help your child be ready for Kindergarten.

This article covers five significant reasons for the importance of preschool education written by an experienced early childhood educator. The preschool aged child is eager and ready to learn.

Want a fun and easy way to teach children the scientific process? Use these mini display boards to teach children this important process early.

A former preschool teacher explains how hands-on learning turns children into active learners. With hands-on learning, kids are the source of knowledge and not their teachers. Sadly, it's getting threatened as government infiltrates early childhood education.

It's a sad state of affairs today when practices at America's preschools don't mirror the latest findings in brain research and the critical relationship between reading, literacy, and play. Preschools are misleading parents, making them believe academic rigor at an early age is best when it's not.

This is a creative craft project based around pizzas. The article also includes ideas for expanding the activity into other subject areas, including maths, English, gardening and history.

Obsession or ally? How Lego contributes to a homeschool education by developing problem-solving and fine motor skills.

Looking for a great science fair project? Love to chew gum? Here you'll find complete instructions for gum science fair projects, with photos and videos. Sample project too!

You can stimulate language skills, imagination, and creativity through simple activities with preschool age children. Learn more about how to do it here.

Tips to running a toddler classroom while keeping structure and order in a room full of one year olds.

While teaching kindergarten, I had many students enter my classroom with weak hand muscles and poor fine motor skills. It was difficult for them to hold a pencil correctly, cut with scissors, and string beads. One of the easiest ways to prevent this is making play-dough with your children!

You may remember the perceptual-motor program at elementary school: walking on the balance beam, crawling through wooden shapes, and skipping around traffic cones. It combined physical and mental tasks designed to enhance balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. It's time to bring it back!