Parenting
3 Listening Busters AND Solutions
Are you a good listener? Are your children good listeners? How are your family’s conversation skills? You’ve heard the old adage, “With two ears and one mouth, listen twice as often as you speak.” Listening is a gift we give others. Here are three “listening busters” and solutions to help families increase communication by being…
Read MoreEngaging Young Readers
Summer, a time for more unstructured play and activities. Enrich your child’s summer with learning activities to spark the imagination and expand the mind. Literacy, writing and reading to interpret and communicate meaning, is an essential part of your child’s education. Make the most of everyday opportunities to encourage literacy in your child. Reading When reading…
Read MoreMemorial Day… A Day to Remember
Memorial Day is typically an add on to a spring weekend, three days to spend with family and friends. Make this Memorial Day a day of remembrance and honor. Fly the Stars and Stripes, attend a parade or take part in the National Moment of Remembrance. Teach your children why the day is set apart…
Read MoreSuper Summer Safety Strategies
Families spend a lot of time outdoors during the summer months. Safety first is a good motto. Whether swimming at the lake or pool, roasting marshmallows over a fire or biking, you’ll find tips to make the family activities a bit more secure. And don’t forget the first-aid kit when you and the crew are…
Read MoreTop 10 Tips to Summer Learning
Use these ten tips to keep your kids engaged and learning during the summer months. Write all ten words on a chalkboard or whiteboard. Try to intentionally incorporate as many of the top ten as possible each week. READ Read as much as you can as often as you can to your children. WRITE Print letters,…
Read MoreWords from the WORD to Bless Mom
Bless mom and grandma on Mother’s Day with a special verse from God’s Word, the Bible. A handmade card from a child is a keepsake gift. Construction paper, stickers, kid art, and even glitter (if you’re up for the mess) make cards personal. Use a concordance to find a verse or use one of the verses…
Read MoreEncouraging the JOY of Reading
Spending time with preschoolers is truly fun. Little kids are so incredibly excited about life and learning. They have few inhibitions, ask funny questions, and tell humorous stories. It’s always an adventure in a PreK classroom. Usually, I work with parents and staff, but occasionally I’m invited to read to the children. Typically the teachers…
Read MoreJesus at Easter and Always
Linda read a beautiful prayer at bible study this past week. The words reflect the many ways Jesus touched others during his ministry. May this prayer bless you as Easter approaches. I pray that Christ may come to you early in the morning as He came to Mary that morning in the garden. And I…
Read MoreHow to Handle BIG EMOTIONS in Little Kids
We’ve all dealt with meltdowns/tantrums/hissy fits with our littles. Big emotions in young children are typically over exaggerated responses, but frustrating for parents. Use these ten proactive tactics to help your child cope. Top Ten Tips to Handle BIG EMOTIONS in Little Kids Break skills into smaller chunks to allow for success. Have realistic expectations…
Read MoreA Lesson in Patience from a Sloth
Scott and I were recently in Costa Rica. We went on an excursion to the rainforest, visiting a number of beautiful destinations and sights, including a conservation park. Our guide, Alejandro del Piero, was a wealth of information on the birds, insects, and animals in the park. The most unusual? The sloth. We saw a…
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