Say Goodbye to Bedtime Blues

by jaylene on February 10, 2010

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When it comes to bedtime, the most important thing that you can do is to establish a routine.  Follow these tips to make going to bed less stressful for you and your child.

  • Set aside 10 to 30 minutes to get your child ready to go to sleep each night.
  • Establish a relaxed setting at bedtime that may include dimming the lights, playing/singing a particular slow song.
  • Shut off the television and read to your child instead. Not only will this help your child relax, but experts agree that reading to your child is one of the best activities that you can do with your child.
  • Before bedtime, do not allow your child to have foods or drinks that contain caffeine.  Try not to give him or her any medicine that has a stimulant at bedtime. This includes cough medicines and decongestants.
  • Make sure that the temperature in your child’s room is comfortable.

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Brain Exercises for Kids: Developing the Brain

by jaylene on February 10, 2010

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You can improve your child’s mental abilities by taking simple steps and encouraging fun games.

  • Word searches and crossword puzzles are great for boosting mental abilities and they also help kids with their spelling skills.
  • Have your child play card games such as Old Maid and Concentration. These two games boost memory.  In Concentration, you place all cards facing down on a flat surface.  Players must find the matching pairs.
  • Tic-Tac-Toe is a simple game that requires concentration and helps children learn about strategy.
  • Make sure that your child drinks plenty of water.  Water makes up a percentage of the brain so keep it fueled up with H2O.
  • Children need to get plenty of sleep.  A well rested brain functions best so make sure that your child is getting the recommended amount of sleep.

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16 Words to Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem

February 7, 2010
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Sure, the words “good” and “nice” are great, but why not try some other words when praising your child.  Not only will this approach make things a little more interesting, but it will also increase your child’s vocabulary.  Remember to use these words in complete sentences that give specific praise.  For example, I am so [...]

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Putting a Stop to Tantrums

January 13, 2010
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Let’s face it every kid will test his or her parents.  It’s almost like a rite of passage.  Tantrums are a way that kids test you and boy can they test you! Think of it as a power struggle. While your child is having a meltdown, the most important thing that you can do is [...]

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Gearing your Child up for the Second Half of the School Year

December 31, 2009
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Children are usually excited for the start of a new school year. Unfortunately, that same enthusiasm doesn’t always carry into the rest of the school year. It’s important that you remain positive about school. Remember that your attitude about school and assignments plays a major role in your child’s attitude toward school. Second, it’s important [...]

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Five Tips to Encourage Your Child to Read

December 16, 2009
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1. Turn off the TV for 20 minutes or a half hour and use the time for family reading. Set a good example for your child and use this time to read too. 2. Read together! Take turns reading with your child. You read a page and then your child reads the next page. When [...]

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Five Tips to End Homework Battles

December 16, 2009
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1. Establish a designated time and place for homework. 2. Determine an amount of time for homework to be completed. 3. Use a timer to keep your child on track if necessary. 4. Any work not complete, must be completed during child’s leisure time or at recess the next day. (Check with teacher). 5. Be [...]

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