Teaching your child how to garden is a fun, hands-on learning experience that encourages patience, imagination and environmental awareness.  The best part about learning to garden is that it’s something your family can enjoy together, indoors or out!  Before you begin, talk with your child about the whole gardening process to peak their interest and help them become excited about the experience.  You could also pick up a children’s book about gardening or visit a children’s gardening Web site.  When you’re ready to start, gather a few supplies and child-appropriate tools — soil, seed cups, …

As parents, we have so many things on our minds — Why isn’t my baby sleeping though the night anymore? Does my toddler eat a well-balanced diet? Will my preschooler be well liked by her classmates? Have I provided my kindergartener with the tools to succeed in school? — the list goes on and on. It can be exhausting to plan and prepare for our young children’s day, week, life. The time spent planning our children's lives often overshadows the time we spend on ourselves. That os something that needs to change. You may think that enjoying a little “me time” takes away from your child — but it’s …

  By acting out real or fictional situations through dramatic play (pretend play); children are working through their feelings and their understanding of the world. Dramatic play lets them process their perception of events and/or roles.  For instance, if a child is playing house as the “mommy” – she is expressing her view of what “mommy” is and how she views the role. She is practicing how “mommy” would or could react to different situations. This play doesn’t necessarily represent her reality of the role, but rather her interpretation of “mommy” in this particular situation at this place …

  Contributors to childhood stress include school, over-scheduling or family dynamics. Many young children put pressure on themselves by worrying about peer pressure, balancing school work with extra-curricular activities, and making friends. Even preschoolers can feel stress. Their stress points may be separation from parents, a change in daily care or a new baby. Young children may express their stress through a change in their eating habits, talking less or trying to control bodily functions.  How can parents help? When your child complains about having too many things to do after school …

Just TalkThe most important thing you can do to encourage language and communication is talk to your child. From infant, to toddler, to preschooler and on up through the years, share what you are doing, seeing and feeling. Small talk is a great way to maximize language growth. Always use tone and emphasis, and be sure to respond to your child’s attempts at sounds, words, sentences and conversation. In Your Daily TravelsWhether at the market, bank or park, talk about what you see and hear along your way. Be descriptive. Chat about characteristics in terms of color, shape, size, what things do …

An ancient treasure map has turned up miraculously on your doorstep and it leads to a treasure chest hiding in your home! Great for parties or just a fun afternoon activity, send your children roaming around your house or backyard for some fun-filled treasure hunting adventures. Like a scavenger hunt, create clues that will send the treasure hunters from one hint to the next, eventually ending at the “buried” treasure! Have fun and be creative when writing your clues. Use riddles or rhymes, but don’t make them too hard for young children to figure out. Once you’ve created your clues, set up …

With the holidays fast approaching, families everywhere are planning their menus, dusting off the good china and preparing for a housefull of hungry holiday guests. For at least one day in many families, there's no sitting around the TV eating off tray tables. For this most formal of meals, our younger diners may benefit from these simple tips for minding their manners when dining with others. If the meal is not buffet style, wait until everyone has been seated and has their food before beginning to eat. Place your napkin in your lap before beginning to eat and use it to dab your mouth, when …

With the holidays fast approaching, families everywhere are planning their menus, dusting off the good china and preparing for a housefull of hungry holiday guests. For at least one day in many families, there's no sitting around the TV eating off tray tables. For this most formal of meals, our younger diners may benefit from these simple tips for minding their manners when dining with others. If the meal is not buffet style, wait until everyone has been seated and has their food before beginning to eat. Place your napkin in your lap before beginning to eat and use it to dab your mouth, when …

Anyone who's ever embarked on a long road trip with the family — or sat behind a family on an airplane — knows the difficulty of traveling with young children. Either they're too excited to get to the destination — or they'd rather be home playing video games — to sit still and quietly on the journey. Then there are the bathroom breaks, drink spills and motion sickness to contend with. It's enough to make some parents anxious to give up the idea of visiting family for the holidays. While it's difficult to take all the stress out of traveling with the little ones, following a few simple steps …

Anyone who's ever embarked on a long road trip with the family — or sat behind a family on an airplane — knows the difficulty of traveling with young children. Either they're too excited to get to the destination — or they'd rather be home playing video games — to sit still and quietly on the journey. Then there are the bathroom breaks, drink spills and motion sickness to contend with. It's enough to make some parents anxious to give up the idea of visiting family for the holidays. While it's difficult to take all the stress out of traveling with the little ones, following a few simple steps …

Commitment to family and community is characteristic of Goddard Schools.  We make a difference in our communities by participating in local sponsorship as well as charitable outreach programs.  The children in our schools learn about the importance of helping others and the significance of giving and being a part of their communities.  To build a foundation of good citizenship with your children, foster the essential skills of friendship, compassion, cooperation and kindness. Lead by example and teach your children the significance of helping others. Although there may be some limitations, …

Commitment to family and community is characteristic of Goddard Schools.  We make a difference in our communities by participating in local sponsorship as well as charitable outreach programs.  The children in our schools learn about the importance of helping others and the significance of giving and being a part of their communities.  To build a foundation of good citizenship with your children, foster the essential skills of friendship, compassion, cooperation and kindness. Lead by example and teach your children the significance of helping others. Although there may be some limitations, …

  You may cringe when you think about ending your child’s “binky” or pacifier-sucking habit. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “sucking is one of an infant’s natural reflexes. They begin to suck on their thumbs or other fingers while they are in the womb… Placing a thumb or another finger [or an object] in the mouth provides some children with a sense of security during difficult periods, such as when they are separated from their parents, surrounded by strangers or in an unfamiliar environment.” However, as the ADA and most pediatricians in the U.S. will also point out, a …

  We see our family and friends, eat too much pie, enjoy a few extra days off from school and work, but beyond that… How can we demonstrate to our children the importance of both Thanksgiving and giving thanks? The first Thanksgiving. First, let’s start by making sure our children know the story of the first Thanksgiving. Pick up a developmentally-appropriate book or find information online. It is important to discuss this story of hardship, friendship and sharing in an age-appropriate way. A new tradition. Establish a new family tradition revolving around what your family is thankful for. …

While you are eagerly awaiting your new baby, your older child may be feeling a whole swirl of emotions — including feeling a little left out. So, in addition to preparing for the “newbie,” now is the time to reinforce your child’s sense of belonging. As basic as it may seem, take some extra time to reassure your child that they will have just as meaningful a place in the family after the new baby arrives — and in fact, even more so since they will now get to be a big brother/sister! Be prepared to talk about specific highlights and positive ways in which your child will be included, from …

Have you found it challenging to capture your preschooler’s attention these days? Many parents try speaking louder or may yell out of frustration. While yelling can be scary for children, those who hear it often may simply tune it out. Your child may be ignoring you on purpose, exercising their “selective hearing” or just daydreaming. Pssst! Here’s a hint—try whispering! A whisper can prompt your child to feel that something “secret” or “super special” is about to be said—and that’s something most preschoolers can’t resist!

Are you shopping for a preschool-aged child this holiday season? Look no further! Children and educators from select Goddard Schools–leaders in early childhood education–have announced their top toy picks for infants through children six years old for the 2011 holiday shopping season. The Goddard School® Toy Test is the only national toy test designed exclusively for children in the preschool age range. After a national call for submissions, Goddard School educators and children evaluated entrants based on a number of criteria, including: Interactive, child-initiated play focus Creative, …

Are you shopping for a preschool-aged child this holiday season? Look no further! Children and educators from select Goddard Schools–leaders in early childhood education–have announced their top toy picks for infants through children six years old for the 2011 holiday shopping season. The Goddard School® Toy Test is the only national toy test designed exclusively for children in the preschool age range. After a national call for submissions, Goddard School educators and children evaluated entrants based on a number of criteria, including: Interactive, child-initiated play focus Creative, …

Halloween is a happy, fun-filled holiday for families and provides inspiration for children to express creativity and manners!  Parents balance this enthusiastic learning opportunity, however, by providing safe and dependable environments – both at home and “on the trick-or-treat road.” Pumpkin Decorating Encourage your children to participate in pumpkin decorating activities. A child-friendly and safe alternative to pumpkin carving is to provide children with markers or paint to decorate their pumpkins. Use child-drawn outlines to carve the family pumpkins.  This is a ‘parent-only’ activity …

Halloween is a happy, fun-filled holiday for families and provides inspiration for children to express creativity and manners!  Parents balance this enthusiastic learning opportunity, however, by providing safe and dependable environments – both at home and “on the trick-or-treat road.” Pumpkin Decorating Encourage your children to participate in pumpkin decorating activities. A child-friendly and safe alternative to pumpkin carving is to provide children with markers or paint to decorate their pumpkins. Use child-drawn outlines to carve the family pumpkins.  This is a ‘parent-only’ activity …