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Foster their imagination: Why fewer toys will benefit your kids

Toys are not merely playthings. Toys form the building blocks for our child’s future. They teach our children about the world and about themselves. They send messages and communicate values. And thus, wise parents think about what foundation is being laid by the toys that are given to their kids.
Wise parents also think about the number of toys that children are given. While most toy rooms and bedrooms today are filled to the ceiling with toys, intentional parents learn to limit the number of toys that kids have to play with.

After School Routine Clock

The clock is color-coded so that kids can easily follow along and know what task they should be working on. Having structure in the evenings helps develop an easier bedtime routine, which is essential for kids. Their brains are working overtime, so make things as easy as possible for them!

Homeschooling is the smartest way to teach kids in the 21st century

Contrary to the belief that homeschooling produces anti-social outcasts, the truth is that some of the most high-achieving, well-adjusted students are poring over math problems at their kitchen table, not a desk in a classroom. According to leading pedagogical research, at-home instruction may just be the most relevant, responsible, and effective way to educate children in the 21st century.

Teach Your Kid How To Read With Interest, Not What Books To Read

Your child may read every book in the world but if he/she doesn't understand a word, it only accounts for wasted time you could have used for a more productive activity. For you, we simplified it down to five tips so you can follow through easily and apply it to your child rearing.

1. Know The Way Your Kid Thinks.
2. Teach Your Child The Art Of Conversation.
3. Give Your Kid Books That He/She Will Understand.
4. Know The Content That Peaks Your Kid's Interest.
5. Let Your Kid's Mind Float Away Every Once In A While.

Weaning Toddler: 5 Easy and Natural Tips

I knew I wanted to nurse my son Griffin when he reached 2 years of age. That what is recommended by the AAFP and WHO, and research shows the most benefits for mom and child nursing this long. But I also knew I didn’t want to be pregnant and nursing. In this post, I’ll show you how I weaned Griffin without much drama.

First, let me say that many, many moms nurse while pregnant with great success. Many go on to tandem nurse, which means they nurse both their newborn and their older child. And that’s great.

But I knew this wasn’t for me. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually, I knew I needed a break, and that managing a pregnancy was enough for me.

So, right around Griffin’s 2nd birthday, I started figuring out how to wean my toddler.

Japanese toy maker keeps wooden spinning tops and toys alive

Fourth generation craftsman Masaaki Hiroi, 80, loves making traditional spinning tops and other wooden toys. This is his story, in his own words.

This Is Why You Should Never Let Your Dog Lick You!

You might think it’s cute – that big, wet and slobbery tongue reaching out from your canine’s jaw and affectionately lapping at your face. But what if I told you there was something quite sinister about it?
No, I’m not saying your beloved Fido is trying to harm you. Your little (or big) furry friend genuinely is trying to display affection. Too bad the same can’t be said for all the bacteria on the dog’s tongue.

Too bad the same can’t be said for all the bacteria on the dog’s tongue.

49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child

It happens to every child in one form or another – anxiety. As parents, we would like to shield our children from life’s anxious moments, but navigating anxiety is an essential life skill that will serve them in the years to come. In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious moments.

5 Things Parents Spend Unnecessary Money On

As parents, it’s understandable that we want only the best for our kids. Because of that, it’s easy to end up spending more money than we ought to. A way to start is to be aware of what are the items that are a total waste of money. So here they are!

When to Give Comfort and When to Tell Them to Buck Up

A few weeks ago, my 5-year-old stubbed his toe for the billionth time, then began to cry inconsolably. While he bawled for a full half-hour—not exaggerating—I alternated between reassuring him, second-guessing whether I was over-reassuring him, and wondering whether he actually broke his toe.

Who Did You See First In This Picture? The Answer Reveals Something About Who You Are!

Optical illusions can be super fun. They not only reveal a great deal about how the brain works – they can also reveal a great deal about one’s personality.

Wanted: Legal boost for rights of special needs kids

Most parents of children with special needs want new laws to promote the rights of their children, and better education for them, a survey has found. The survey polled 835 parents with special needs children aged nine and below and was commissioned by the Lien Foundation, a philanthropic house. Findings released yesterday showed that close to three-quarters of parents polled agreed that new laws are necessary.

Deliciously Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe Your Family Will Love

This is the most delicious cauliflower recipe you’ll eat and on top of that it’s such an easy addition to include a roasted cauliflower in your family’s dinner plan or for a dinner party with friends.

Guide to Toddler Portion Sizes

It’s so exciting when your chubby little baby begins to walk, or ‘toddle’ their way into a toddler. But with that comes the challenges of feeding and introducing all sorts of wonderful foods to this little person. A lot of times, it seems they are barely eating enough to sustain a bird, let alone a body who is constantly on the move! How do you know how much to feed them?

Everything That’s Wrong With Sunscreen, Plus 9 That Actually Work

Of the products EWG reviewed, they had “serious concerns” about 750 of them. That’s way more than a CVS aisle-worth.

The Delightful Hidden Meanings of 7 Everyday Objects

The little pocket on your jeans. The little hole in your pen cap. They're not just there for show.

More Children Accidently Poisoned by 'Essential Oils'

Children are increasingly at risk from essential oils that are often used in natural remedies, a Tennessee poison center reports. The oils, which are derived from plants and used in aromatic and homeopathic products, can cause harm when consumed. And children face a heightened risk from exposure.

What All Moms of Boys Need to Know

I am a Boy Mom.

I remember thinking during the gender ultrasound of my second baby that it was certainly a girl (after all, I always dreamed of having one of both genders), and then the technician said, “It’s a boy!”.

Strangely enough, my first thought was “I get to be the Mom of 2 BOYS!!” I was so excited. I love my oldest son, and was so excited to have another boy to love.

As much as I love little boys, there are some things that are unique to raising them.

Yes, there is penis talk, fart jokes, and dirt but there’s so much more about boys that every expecting Boy Mom needs to know.

This Awesome New Clothing Line Lets Kids Design Their Own Clothes

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mom, it’s that kids love to see their creativity in action. Nothing makes my daughter happier than wearing the bead bracelet she painstakingly strung together, or seeing me hang up one of her art projects in our kitchen. She recently got wind of a service that turns kids’ art into real stuffed animals and did a full-on dance of joy when I agreed she could make one.

Pope tells kids to get off their backsides

Pope Francis warned that sitting on a sofa gives illusion of safety from pain, fear or worries, allowing the sitter to kick back and lose themselves for hours in the latest television show or their smartphones.

10 Sensory Tubs For 3 Year Olds

Sensory tubs gives children opportunities for learning so many things, not just making a mess. The one that I see most often with the 3-year-olds I work with and thinking back to my own children is storytelling.

Food-savers: 32 ways to keep fruit and vegetables fresh

Food waste can leave a bad taste in mums’ mouths, but luckily there are loads of easy ways to store fresh food so that it stays crisp and delicious, ready to take centre stage in an upcoming five-star family meal.

Montessori Education: 5 Important Benefits Of Enrolling Your Kid In A Montessori School

The education method that a school implements can make a big difference on a child's development and progress. But how do we choose from a plethora of programmes? Montessori Education has been one of the most popular programmes for early development, and there are legit benefits.

1. Focus On Cooperative Activities
2. Individualized Teaching
3. Unique Way Of Instilling Discipline
4. Creativity Is Encouraged
5. Provides Hands-On Learning

Well, Prince Goerge is already having Montessori!

30 Questions to Ask Your Kid Instead of “How Was Your Day?”

Here is a list of questions that your child could hopefully answer with more than a single word or grunt!

10 Ways to Tame Your Kid's Tantrums

When your toddler has a temper tantrum, it may send you into one, too! However, experts agree that it is crucial to keep your cool. With these coping strategies, you can head off two tantrums at once: yours and your child's.

14 Things Every Parent Should Hear If Their Child Has Been Diagnosed With Autism

No.10. Presume competence.

THIS GIRL UNBOXING A DOLL WITH PROSTHETIC LEG "JUST LIKE HER" WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE FEELS

How To Gently Transition Your Baby or Toddler From Co-Sleeping

You can use these 4 steps to gently wean your baby or toddler away from co-sleeping, and towards sleeping in his or her own bed (and hopefully sleeping through the night!)...

Dengue fever: How a mosquito infected millions, and not with malaria

A bite from a single mosquito can result in fever, headaches, and pain. Severe cases can experience a multitude of symptoms including bleeding, shock, organ failure -- and potentially death. There is no treatment or vaccine and no real means of protecting yourself in countries endemic for the disease.

Meet Rhea - The 10-Year-Old Girl Of Indian-Origin Who Won The UK's 'Child Genius 2016' Title

If someone asked you to spell the word 'eleemosynary', do you think you'd be able to? Honestly, I had never even heard of this tongue-twister before. But Rhea, a child wonder aged 10, not only spelled it correctly but also clinched the title of 'Child Genius 2016' in the UK. She is now officially the brightest kid in the kingdom.

Robots Shape Matching Puzzle For Toddlers

This FREE Robot Shape Matching puzzle includes 6 shapes: triangle, square, circle, star, hexagon, trapezoid.

Controlled Failure: Helping Kids Navigate Back to Success

So many children are dealing with major struggles in their everyday lives, and giving up or avoiding the issues altogether is not an option. Our students need to understand that struggling and failing are natural, and that the most important part of defeat is the determination to get back up, try again, and move forward.

Helicopter Parenting News & Updates: Why Students’ Higher Education Success Dependent On Parents

Helicopter parents (aka overparenting) has been criticized by many. Despite some disadvantages, it seems like overparenting has its strength in child education. Education needs a partner to be a success and that's where parents come in.

Helping Your Child Transit To A New School: 9 Things Parents Can Do

At some point of time in our lives, we have to deal with changes. While some of us deal with changes more readily, there are also those who are resistant to them. As adults, we find ways and strategies to help ourselves cope with such transitions. It is pretty much the same with toddlers, but these small ones would need us to help them find a coping mechanism.

Yes, 8-year-olds can do their own laundry: Which chores at what ages?

Her TEDx Talk on the same subject, "The Expectation Gap," discussed how some parents believe their kids are too busy with school and extracurricular obligations for additional chores. Gilboa's assertions reflect the results of a recent national phone survey of 1,001 Americans conducted by Braun Research on behalf of Whirlpool in which 82 percent of respondents said they regularly did chores as children, but only 28 percent give their own children chores now.

How healthy are our favourite kopitiam drinks?

Singaporeans have a unique affinity to sugar -- think of drinks you get 3 times a day! A cup of tea may sound healthy, but you might have to reconsider your habit (or your child's). DRINKS YOU HAVE CONTAINS A LOT MORE SUGAR THAN YOU THINK!

Hairstyles For Girls

From braids to buns, we are so in love with these adorable hairstyles for girls

Managing Your Own Emotions: The Key to Positive, Effective Parenting

Parenting young children (really children of any age) is an intensely emotional experience. There is the pure pleasure of cuddling, playing, laughing, exploring, and delighting in your baby’s daily growth and discoveries. And then there are the challenges—the moments of stress, anger, frustration, and resentment—at not knowing what a baby’s cry means and how to calm her, at the totally irrational demands of a toddler, or at the aggressive behavior of an older child toward a new baby...

30 unbelievably happy kids from all over the world who’re just enjoying their day

No matter what their culture, or where they live, or whether they have toys, kids will always find ways to have fun. And happy childhood moments captured on camera make for truly magical photos.

13 Activities to Check Out during June Holidays!

It’s June Holidays! While it’s a great time to kick back and relax, it’s also an excellent period to explore your kid’s interest and take advantage of the multitude of holiday programmes and activities. We’ve shortlisted 13 must-check-out-programs for you!

Peaceful Parenting: Make A Kindness Jar

A great way to get kids to make good choices on their is to Make a Kindness Jar! With 9 & 10 year old siblings, a fair amount of bickering and unkindness occurs in our household. Having tried (and failed) a variety of different ideas, we came across an idea last year that helped them keep kindness top of mind. Inspired by this Good Deed Jar, we took the idea of a Kindness Jar and made it our own.

10 easy back-to-school hairstyles she’ll love

Tame your little trendsetter’s hair in less than five minutes with one of these fun hairstyles.

Tips to Manage Car Sickness for Toddlers

One parenting milestone that we could all live without is that first time your child pukes all over the car. Every parent has a nightmare story about projectile vomit in an enclosed space, and some parents even drive another 10 hours after that happens, which proves parents truly are rock stars.

If it feels weird to have to force your kid to hug their relatives, there's a reason.

The in-laws get in after long travels for the holidays, and the first thing they want when they walk in the door are hugs and kisses from their darling grandbabies. Super sweet. Except when the kids aren't feeling like freely giving affection. What happens next?

Should Special Needs Kids Have Special Hours At Restaurants?

Wouldn't it be great for restaurants to hold a special hour of dining for special needs kids? A mom from South Florida is hoping that more restaurants would do this after her experience with her special needs child.

PRESCHOOL BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT – 10 TIPS FOR A MORE PEACEFUL CLASSROOM

Here are my nine lessons about behavior management for preschool. I wish I had known all of these before ever stepping foot in a preschool classroom but instead learned many through experience.

The Spanking Gap: Why Are Most Parents in Favor Despite the Research?

When it comes to mommy wars, I tend to be pretty neutral. I feel confident in the choices I make in the raising of my daughter, while also understanding that all kids, homes and parents are different.

Latest Craze for Chinese Parents: Preschool Coding Classes

“Teaching the next generation coding is something that should be elevated to a strategical national importance,” said Wang Jiulin, the Xi’an-based creator of Kidscode.cn, a website that shares free information and courses. “Even today, the majority of programmers in China can only perform very basic-level tasks and there’s huge demand for top notch coders.”