Important Information for ALL Parents! Summer and Drowning!

My friend shared this important reminder for all of us now that summer is upon us. A great reminder to be safe with our children. Drowning doesn't look like drowning.

article: http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/

video: http://mariovittone.com/2011/07/video-of-instinctive-drowning-response

Great reminder!

I think this is always a good reminder...bottom line we all need to appreciate one another. I don't think you need to remember to say I love you - that's a given but there's some other good reminders listed here.

Visit http://creativewithkids.com/100-ways-to-be-kind-to-your-child/

Interesting Article - Are We Teaching Math To Fail Even the Smartest Kids?

I find this article very interesting and telling. I do think the approach that we take in teaching math concepts definitely needs to be tweaked. One of my favorite suggestions is from Kahn Academy (check my blog for a post about this program). The approach is changing how we teach math by flipping it. The homework/work is done in class with the educator so that children fully understand the concepts while the learning is done at home.  You don't move up the ranks/in the system until each child reaches 100% of understanding the concepts.

I keep hearing that we're teaching for memorization but not for really understanding, contemplating and most importantly deciphering the concepts of math so these children can have active and creative thoughts. Anyway, thought you might find this interesting and not to scare or shock but bring attention to the role of us as parents to fill in the proverbial gaps when partnering alongside the educator.

Visit http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/6343-why-americas-smartest-students-fail-math.gs?page=2

Great Post! How to Help Children With Science Homework Without Doing It For Them

Great advice from PBS Parent

Visit http://www.pbs.org/parents/experts/archive/2012/04/how-to-help-children-with-scie.html?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Fanpage&utm_campaign=PBSParents

Time Outs - Good Communication Strategies!

This truly makes sense. When disciplining children truly they need to understand why and what's being asked of them. The same applies to explaining why certain things are dangerous. By creating an image in their minds they truly can understand what's being asked of them. My 8 year old is learning the effects of bad choices right now and giving her some space to figure this out is equally important.

From Circle of Moms, thanks Mama Colleen for this re post!

Visit http://www.circleofmoms.com/article/jul-10-from-brandi-davis-time-out-over-out-00681?trk=related_article_graphic_title

Check out Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

Hi parents out there. I recently saw an amazing documentary on PBS that you can obtain the video from Netflix or other video outlets. This movie I watched with my 8 year old who grew up with this character but has grown up (or so she thought) and moved on from Elmo. What we both enjoyed is how inspirational this really was for her to watch. We followed his journey, his dream and how he made this journey a reality and how he kept his true inner voice stable even with all the success and how he's touch a globe with his character who has the heart of his parents. Truly a must see! 

Visit http://beingelmo.com/

Teaching Your Child When To Say Thank You Without Having to Prompt Them

Many times I wonder how I can teach my children how to be thankful and not have to be the one to prompt them to think this way. Here's an idea from Oprah of course featured in Make It Better Magazine.

Visit http://www.makeitbetter.net/family/parenting/4076-after-oprah-teaching-kids-how-to-be-grateful-?utm_m

Toddler Activity Booklet

Running out of fun ideas for what to do with your toddler, here's an activity book that should spark some fun ideas.

Visit http://printable.tipjunkie.com/toddler-activity-book/