Articles Index

How Asthma-Friendly Is Your Child-Care Setting?
Children with asthma need proper support in child-care settings to keep their asthma under control and be fully active. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has developed a checklist for parents to use to find out how well their child's care setting assists children with asthma.

Child Behavior: It's Never Too Soon For Kids To Start Writing Thank-You Notes
Good manners is something that should be emphasized by parents and child care providers alike, and it's never too soon to start. Teaching kids to give thanks by writing thank you notes is a gesture that should be taught, and kids should understand that expressing gratitude is a part of opening presents.

Goodbye Stepford Mom. Hello Realistic Barbie?
Meet the thoroughly modern, 21st century mom: She’s smart enough to demand the very best in mom-friendly baby gear, yet honest enough to admit that motherhood isn’t all peaches and baby lotion. These are some of the findings by author Stephanie Gallagher that are highlighted in her new book, "The Gallagher Guide to the Baby Years: The Real Moms' Survey of Top-Rated Products and Advice."

Child Behavior: Eight Ideas To Stop The Kid Fighting
Kids fighting is a child behavior that is listed at the top of undesirable child behaviors. But the child behavior of fighting is common; the key is to know how to deal with and not let it turn into bullying or something worse.

Make Houseguests and Their Children Feel At Home
Before you extend a welcome to guests and their children for an upcoming wedding, holiday celebration, or any special event, consider ways to add comfort and warmness to their stay. Here are tips for ensuring that the visit is memorable and a positive experience for all.

Recipe for a Healthy, Stress-Free Holiday
The holidays are a time for joy and celebration--not stress and obligations. The following recipe can help you make this season a happier and healthier one.

National Study Says High-Quality, State-Funded Preschool Programs Lacking
A difference of a few miles can mean whether a child has access to a high-quality, state-funded preschool program such as Head Start, according to a new study by the National Institute for Early Education Research. The complete report is available online.

Potty Training a Child in Daycare Takes Consistency, Communication
Potty training a child who attends daycare or is under the occasional care of a caregiver other than a parent requires a team effort. Often, it is the very fact that a child is around other kids in underwear in a care setting that serves to motivate a young child to use the potty. The key is for parents and providers to work together and be consistent. Here are communication tips to make potty training a successful team effort.

Bike Safety - How Parents and Kids Should Pedal Their Way To Bike Safety
Before your child jumps on the bike to ride to school or to a friend's house, there are bike safety rules parents should review with their kids.

Fire Safety for Kids Should Be A Year-Round Lesson
Fire Safety should be observed year-round and adults should constantly reinforce fire safety lessons to kids. The holidays create increased risk for fires, and children should know what to do in the unlikely event of a fire in their home or child care setting.

Amazing Grace: Tips For Teaching Child Manners
Children today are generally less respectful and demonstrate less good manners than children of previous generations. Teaching a child manners is important so that kids learn respect and tolerance in a diverse world, while at the same time able to succeed socially in any situation. Here are tips for getting started.

Great Gift Ideas for Your Child's Teacher or Care Provider
Forget the coffee mug. Resist candy. If you're looking for a creative gift idea for your child's teacher to celebrate the end of the school year, a special holiday or occasion, or just to say "thank you," consider these practical and personal suggestions!

Boost for Life: Awareness Campaign Urges Children To Ride In Booster Seats
"Boost for Life" is the awareness theme being used for urging parents to use child safety booster seats for children in the four-to-eight year range. Statistics show that the majority of kids who should be riding in booster seats aren't.

The Queens of Mean
The "queens of mean" doesn't just apply to teenagers or adult divas any longer. Meanness is showing its ugly head in pre-schools and classrooms. If your child is the target against teasing, gossip, or exclusion, what can parents do?

Kid Safety - Score A Goal On Kid Safety Awareness This Sports Season
Kid sports are abounding, and options have never been greater. With today's greater awareness of the need for child exercise and physical activity, more and more families are turning to sports. But keeping kid safety the first and foremost priority will mean a winning season for your child's health.

Book It! Reading Activities Make It A Joy For Kids
Reading should never be a bore! Reading activities can be built into part of summer's fun activities...parents, child care providers, and day care centers just need to be creative on how reading activities are built into the day!

Trick or Treat! Remember Halloween Safety For Your Ghosts and Goblins
Before your kids gleefully shout the words of trick or treat this year, here are some safety tips you should know to make sure the occasion is spook-tacular!

Grandparents Should Be Honored For Their Wisdom and Experience
Grandparents should be honored for their knowledge and guidance throughout the year, not just on Grandparents Day. Families should cultivate relationships between grandparents and grandchildren, strengthen intergenerational activities, and honor grandparents for their knowledge and support.

Parent Teacher Conference: Make The Most Of Talk Time
Talking with your child's teacher by scheduling a parent teacher conference in a non-threatening, non-hurried setting is the best way to find out information that can enhance your child's learning and growth.

Child Behavior: Taking The Bite Out Of A Biting Child
What can a parent do to stop the destructive, painful and socially unacceptable child behavior of a biting child?

Toddler Behavior: What Parents Can Do To Keep The Tyrants Away
Toddler Behavior: Four Ways To Keep Your Toddler From Transforming Into A Tyrant. Toddler behavior like temper tantrums, fits, and all-around bad behavior can make a toddler seem like the boss. Here are ways to help toddlers overcome the terrible terrors of misbehaviors.

Child Safety: Motorists Should Observe Extra Caution During School Year
Back to school and child safety are two key thoughts on every parents mind in the fall. Motorists should heed special school zones, watch for school buses, and parents, educators and providers alike should team up to make sure safety practices are followed to keep children out of harm's way.

Tips For Saving Money On A Daycare Budget
Many care providers charge a supply fee each year for children; others factor in materials into their weekly or monthly costs. But supplies are expensive, and whether it is a separate fee or not, smart shopping is imperative to make those dollars stretch as far as possible. And parents can--and should--help out as well. Here are some tips for saving money on a daycare budget.

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Fireworks Safety Keeps Celebrations Injury Free
Summertime is when Americans enjoy backyard barbeques and fireworks celebrations. Fireworks are beautiful and can be a memorable experience for children. But if proper safety procedures concerning fireworks are not followed, an outdoor celebration can turn to tragedy.