Is preschool necessary: The Pros and Cons of Preschool for Children

Is preschool necessary: The Pros and Cons of Preschool for Children

Is preschool necessary absolutely necessary to ensure academic success? I had wondered about this often and started to weigh the pros and cons of preschool for kids. Although we have already decided that we’re going to homeschool Squeaker, at least through her early childhood years, sometimes I do have to wonder. I went through daycare and preschool because it was the best option for my parents. At the time, my dad worked overnights and my mom worked at a bank. With Squeaker, because I intend to stay at home, I’ve looked into home-preschool. We have briefly considered sending her off to preschool part time but I don’t think it’s really for us. So that’s lead me to wonder- is preschool necessary? Let’s take a look…

Beloved and world renowned children's author and illustrator Eric Carle is a favorite in our house. Here's my list of Eric Carle books for toddlers and preschoolers.

The Ultimate List of Eric Carle Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers

We absolutely love Eric Carle, renowned and beloved children’s author and illustrator. Most children are familiar with The Very Hungry Caterpillar and that was Squeaker’s first introduction into this imaginative, colorful, and playful world. We have done one mini-unit so far on this book and I have plans to do mini-units on other books in the future. Perhaps when we plan for PreK or Kindergarten, we’ll devote a unit to Eric Carle again. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is not too far from us either, so we’ll definitely have to plan a visit there. The books that he’s written and/or illustrated are the perfect foundation for a well rounded unit or to use within other units. And with over 70 to choose…

How To Handle Stubborn Toddlers and Maintain Your Sanity

How To Handle Stubborn Toddlers and Maintain Your Sanity

Chances are likely, as your toddler grows and their vocabulary expands, that they’re going to add the word “no” or maybe “nope” along with the side-to-side head shake. Maybe they’ll even add in a foot stomp, cross their arms over their chest, or put their pudgy little hands on their hips.  And then, before you know it, you’re in a stand off with a miniature (albeit less verbal) version of yourself. But is there a right or wrong way to handle stubborn toddlers? The struggle is all too real. And it occurs daily, sometimes multiple times a day. Maybe even multiple times within the span of an hour if things aren’t going their way. It’s one of those things that parents have been dealing with…

How to Effectively Discipline an Ungrateful Child
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How to Effectively Discipline an Ungrateful Child

Though it seems that we may live in a society and culture that encourages a sense of entitlement; as parents we can still do whatever we can to raise a child who is grateful. But, in spite of our best efforts, nearly every child (it seems) will go through an ungrateful stage. That doesn’t necessarily indicate that they will be an ungrateful child forever or grow up feeling entitled to everything. It’s just a part of life. The good news is that when it comes to disciplining these children, it CAN be done. Better yet, it’s probably easier than you think. Here are several strategies to consider when it comes to effectively disciplining an ungrateful child. 5 Ways to Effectively Discipline an Ungrateful Child and…

Time Management Tips For Kids of All Ages (From Toddlers to Teens)
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Time Management Tips For Kids of All Ages (From Toddlers to Teens)

Is time management for kids that much different than time management for adults? I would argue, yes. Even as a child, this was a problem area for me. Part of my problem is a developing strategies and then sticking with them. Sometimes it could be as simple as some of these time management tips for kids. Maybe if I’d tried some of these as a child, those habits would have stuck with me as an adult. You could even say that time management is another key for raising kids with character. 10 Time Management Tips for Kids These skills must be developed and practiced on a regular basis. And time management goes a long way when it comes to establishing self-discipline in kids. Here are…

What Are the Benefits of Teaching Babies Sign Language?

What Are the Benefits of Teaching Babies Sign Language?

Even if your child is not hearing impaired, I would highly recommend introducing sign language to your baby. This gives your baby another way to communicate before they have the words to do so and can also be an important tool later on in life. Who knows what they might encounter in a work place or school setting where the situation may call for some sign language skills. Aside from giving your child an early means of communication, there are many benefits of teaching babies sign language. Even if your child only knows a few signs or the alphabet, this can still be a huge help. For purposes of this post, I’m covering ASL or American Sign Language. When can babies learn sign language? I’m…