Parents can cultivate excellence, no matter what genetic blueprint.

Many parents ask themselves at one point, what can I do for my child to achieve greatness? Author David Shenk dares to answer this loaded question with his new book The Genius in All of Us: Why everything you have been told about genetics, talent and IQ is wrong. Shenk asserts that genius can be ignited. His book discusses how the nature versus nurture debate has been missing the point all these years. His book shows evidence on how human achievements are the outcome of the nuanced interplay between genes and environment.

Read More »

Creative ways to show them how to play give and take.

That’s mine! Give it to me! No, not for her! If you have a toddler you’ve probably heard those lines often enough. Toddlers are notoriously self-centered. Sharing is something they still need to learn. Developmental experts say, the concept of giving really becomes clear at around age 5. But there are some ways to show younger kids basic rules for give and take, paving the way for a good sharing attitude in the future.

Read More »

They’re not my kids, should I tell them how to behave?

Disciplining another person’s child is treading on shaky ground. We don’t want to offend a child’s parents, but there are times when we need to step in. Dr. Michelle Borba, author of the book No More Misbehavin’: 38 Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them assures us, “it’s not intruding on another parent’s turf when you’re protecting your own child.” However, let’s lay some guidelines for responding to another parent’s misbehaving tyke.

Read More »

More scientific research shows the power of a mother’s love.

Cuddling, talking and playing can really do wonders for children, especially for those who grow up to be in the autism spectrum. University of Miami researchers say maternal sensitivity may influence language development among children who go on to develop autism.

Read More »

More reason to read to your kids.

We all know how valuable story-telling sessions are. Reading to your young child is not just good for bonding and fun, it is also linked to better academic performance down the road. Now, researchers say reading is important for mastering language — particularly the English language.

Read More »

Kids — what a source of much-needed laughter in our lives!

I have two preschoolers at home who are still trying to master the nuances of language, and in the process have said the most adorable things. If only I can remember every butchered phrase, mispronunciation, surprisingly sage words from the oh-so-young or words just so wrong they’re so hilarious. I have decided to keep a journal of these “isms” from my kids. For your entertainment, I’ve added other gems from my friends’ children. Enjoy and be inspired to compile your own funny quips from the young.

Read More »

Banging on that glockenspiel can sharpen your child’s reading skills.

Cost-cutting school districts are making a mistake when they cut music from the kindergarten to 12 curriculum. Learning to play an instrument may actually help hone reading skills, more than kindergarten worksheets. So, if your child is a natural music lover, take advantage. Music is not only fun, it’s good for her brain development too.

Read More »

So how do I wash his mouth?

When my son was in nursery school, his teacher shared an anecdote. They had this game they played with the kids where, before entering the classroom, each child had to listen to a word teacher gives, then think up of a rhyming word before they would be let inside. One time they had given my son the word “truck”… to which he replied “_ _ ck!” And his reply was not “duck” or “suck”, mind you.

I was aghast, but his teacher was much more calm about what he said. Her explanation as to why we shouldn’t make a big deal about it, was my first lesson on how to handle a toddler that starts saying bad words.

Read More »

Little hands like to get busy, let them!

Notice how your toddler loves to follow what you do? It’s like they don’t want to be left out of cleaning up the house, putting on your make-up or grooming the family dog. Take advantage.

It’s the perfect time to give them some manageable chores. This will help them gain some sense of responsibility and learn good habits. Along the way, you’ll be polishing some thinking and motor skills too. Try out our suggestions for some simple toddler-to-do’s. Be inspired to think of some of your own!

Read More »

Mom can make or break Mr. Future Executive.

If you want your child to have self-control and develop good thinking and decision making skills, pay attention to how you interact with him as a baby. Canadian and U.S. researchers say, mom plays a key role in how her child develops executive functioning.
Researchers at the University of Montreal and University of Minnesota found the way a mother interacts with her child affects how the child develops this set of advanced cognitive functions — including mental flexibility and the abilities to remember things and control impulses — integral to the ability to make goals and reach them.

Read More »