Migraines and Mommies
Posted by G.I. Jane
I remember like it was yesterday – head buried under my arms as I lay my head on my desk. It was third period government class and I wanted to curl up in a dark, silent room. Why was everyone so loud? Were the fluorescent tube lights especially bright that day? A pounding on the left side of my head was excruciating. It’s always the left side.
I’m no stranger to migraines. They are hereditary in my family and my poor mother knew one of her children was bound to get them. I was the luck of the draw…except, not so lucky at all. But aren’t migraines an “adult” illness? About 1 out of every 20 kids, or about 8 million children in the United States, gets migraines. I started getting them as a child, and I know how [...]
Trick-or- Treating Just Got Educational
Posted by Kiddie Academy
Halloween is getting a bad rap—we’ve assumed it’s all costumes and candy with a splash of historical reference. But we’ve just found a way to sneak a little education into trick-or-treating with counting candy! Who knew, right?!?
Check out this math activity that your child can do post trick-or-treating. And we don’t mean, “one for them, one for mom…”
Homework Can Be Manageable?
Posted by Erin
The summer is over and it’s back to school again. Is the opening song from Grease 2 playing in anyone else’s head? No? Okay, just me.
With a new school year comes homework. I’m determined not to end up in the fetal position as I did last year after the countless arguments and struggles with getting my child to complete the homework task. Nope, not this mama bear. I have a new strategy and found some tips on making homework manageable.
Check out the Kiddie Academy Homework Checklist for ideas on homework, including making a homework bin!
Tips for Choosing the Best Summer Camp for Kids
Posted by Kiddie Academy
Educator and working mom Claire Haas, who also serves as vice president of education for Kiddie Academy, offers the following tips for choosing the right summer camp for your child.
- Send your child to college. Many community colleges and universities offer summer camp programs that will give your child a taste of campus life, including building a schedule.
- Consider childcare providers. Some facilities boost their programs with traditional camp activities over the summer. This is a great choice if you have more than one child, as they accept more than one age group.
- Sneak in continuing education. Look for programs that combine educational enrichment with fun activities. At a great program, your kids won’t even notice they’re building on school skills.
- Consider the kids’ perspective. Don’t forget – [...]
History Lesson
Posted by ClairMy daughter has started her state history unit in school. I remember 2 years ago when my son had the same unit. It was fun to talk with him about the rich history of our state. But, what I am noticing is that although it may be the same teacher teaching the same unit, what I am getting out of it at home is quite different this time around.
My son told me all about the role we played in the Revolutionary War. He knew all sorts of tidbits of information regarding forts, weapons, military, etc. He could spout off facts like the state flower, state bird, state flag and state sport. But, when I ask him now about that unit all he remembers is that the state unit means school is almost over, and, [...]
The Three Rs
Posted by ErinYesterday, I threw away a soda bottle. I just threw it in the garbage with no thought to where it came from or where it would end up, whether or not it began its life as a tire or if it would end up as a disposable diaper. I just didn’t care. Except that I did! As soon as I shut the trash can cabinet door, that little voice in my head said, “why didn’t you recycle that?” And that voice sounded an awful lot like my daughter’s. Since my children started elementary school, I’ve noticed a distinct shift. When I was young(er), recycling and being “green” was not part of the common culture. Sure, there were always those folks who recycled paper or complained about where all of those old tires would go, but no one in the schools talked about the environment. The hole in the ozone layer [...]
The Fight
Posted by WardI was at work yesterday and my phone rings. As most people do, I checked the phone number to see if I recognized it. It was one of those familiar looking numbers that I just couldn’t place. So, feeling like I needed to add a little risk to my day in the office, I answered the call. Turns out it was the principal of my sons’ school. She said, “Andrew was in a fight today and I would like to meet with you, Andrew and his mother tomorrow morning to discuss this.”
My first reaction was to ask if he won, but I stopped in mid-sentence and asked if the boys involved were OK. I kind of already knew Andrew would be – he’s just that kind of a kid.
Andrew is six and actually having a pretty good year in kindergarten, so this was a surprise. And, although he is a stocky, tough [...]
Transitioning to go Back to School
Posted by Clair
Where has the summer gone? How can it be Back to School time already? I am not ready.Every year when there are two weeks left in summer vacation I get, well, squirrely. I begin making my lists, working out schedules, force-trying clothes on my children, making mental lunch menus and school supply shopping. However, I do begin my whirlwind early enough that come the Sunday before that first Monday back-to-the-grind, we are all set and ready to go!
Probably the biggest hurdle in the Back to Reality (I mean Back to School) weeks are psyching my kids up for early mornings, no TV/xbox, nightly homework, meals at the table and daily showers. It is a hard sell. But with the right spin everyone is ultimately excited and ready for the [...]
