The rewards of fostering a special needs child
It was a typical day for teacher and foster mother, Lo Davis. The elementary school teacher said goodbye to her class at the sound of the bell, tided up her classroom, and reviewed her lesson plan for the next day,
Make housework child’s play with helping hands
Get the kids involved with helping out around the house
Applying to a private school
Applying is the first step of your child’s journey toward an independent school education. It’s essential to be well-informed and prepared for this important process. William Mitchell, the Executive Director (Interim) for the Canadia
Discover your child’s passion
You have likely heard people described as being “in their element,” but what does that mean? In his recent book, The Element: How finding your passion changes everything, Sir Ken Robinson Ph.D., describes the element as, “The point
The benefits of learning a musical instument
Many studies suggest that playing and listening to music improves learning, memory, reasoning ability and general creativity. Researchers also support the theory that young children who are exposed to music develop enhanced cognitive ski
Classroom Secrets: Set your child up for success
Seven strategies to make this school year the best yet
Feathers, fins, scales and shells
As kids are enjoying summer vacation, parents might notice their child’s increased interest in pets. From furry to feathered or scaled to finned, PetSmart has the resources to help families select and care for their first pet
Tips to teach empathy
Most parents admit they want their kids to be empathetic and thankful. Not only are these virtues cornerstones of EQ (Emotional Intelligence) but they are critical for conflict resolution, effective communication and overall leadership.
Incredients of Tough Love
A think-tank study reveals the secret: tough love is made of three ingredients – confident parents, warmth, and consistent discipline. But how do you mix these three ingredients in the right way? Start by understanding warmth, using co
Five ways to better communicate with your child
How many of us have set goals for ourselves as parents that all too quickly are forgotten or put aside the first time something doesn’t work out as planned? The following set of principles will help you achieve your goals
Student recognized for eco-efforts
The best green ideas sprout from some of our youngest minds. This is why Sunlight Green Clean Kids has recognized the initiatives of 12-year-old Dilshan from Mississauga and children from across the country with Green Grants, which allow
Consider age when disciplining children
Children need a certain level of discipline. But what is the best method of teaching them right from wrong? Depending on your child's age, there are some strategies you can employ.
Art programs are more than just fun
An education in the arts is essential. It gives us the tools we need to become fluent in our ability
Mindset of Success
Have you ever found yourself taking time out of your busy schedule to help your child with homework only to find he or she simply won’t pay attention? Their focus seems to be on everything except what it
Planning for your baby’s future
Canadians have opportunities to save for their children’s education, but they just aren’t taking advantage of available programs. Only 39 per cent of those eligible for the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) take advantage of the
Bridging the “teen” gap
I was speaking at a parenting conference this past month and teaching simple ideas to help bridge the gap for parents, tweens and teens. So much about communication is simply habits and skills. So how would you evaluate your communicatio
Tips for dealing with defiant children
There can be nothing more aggravating than a defiant child. However, when a child is seeking to gain power or control over a situation, arguing with him usually only escalates the tension. This also often leads to things being said
Go Forth and Multiply
Here’s a quick test: Without using a pencil and paper, what are 8x8, 5x9, and 7x6? Mental math, especially with multiplication, can be tricky for many kids (and adults).While memorization of the times tables is the ideal once students und
Baby Skincare
New research shows that infant skin is even more sensitive than previously thought; it absorbs and loses moisture at a much quicker rate than adult skin. Keep your baby’s skin well moisturized to protect against clinical dryness
Avoid winter break learning loss
Avoid winter break learning loss. By Frank Guzzo. Kids can forget a lot of what they learned in the previous semester over the winter break. Here’s how to keep your kids learning.