Learning Tools

Hug Your TV, Part 2: A biased, opinionated and not even very scholarly review of PBS Sprout.

Posted 6 days 17 hours ago by Katherine Turner

Entertainment, Learning Tools, Culture, Pre School

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I’ve spent the past month watching every show PBS Sprout dishes up and man am I pasty. Crib my notes for what to let the kiddies watch and keep your summer glow!

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Computer-based Homeschool Curriculum Worked for Us!

Posted 2 weeks 6 days ago by Linsey Knerl

Education, Learning Tools, Home School, K-8, High School

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When I started homeschooling a few years ago, I was excited to order the materials – which included more books, manuals, worksheets, and supplemental items than I could possibly store on our bookshelf. The practicality of “traditional” text-based curriculum soon wore thin. Read on to see how software saved the day.

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On Education Part 2 - Our Experience with Waldorf Schools

Posted 3 weeks 6 days ago by Fred Lee

Education, Learning Tools, Home School, Pre School, K-8

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The Waldorf experience is a lot different than what you’ll see at a Montessori School.

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Hug Your TV Part 1: Turning it on won't suck your kids' smarts any more than making it a planter will get them into Stanford.

Posted 5 weeks 5 days ago by Katherine Turner

Entertainment, Learning Tools, Culture, Pre School

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Like any form of art or entertainment, TV runs the gamut from the horrendous to the sublime, and with only a little initial channel-surfing in the name of research, you can learn to enjoy the medium guilt-free and eventually advance to using your former nemesis for the betterment of your children.

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Exhausted? Frustrated? Rx: Strong Dose Of Make Believe

Posted 8 weeks 1 day ago by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Home Life, Social Skills, Learning Tools, Wellness

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Exhausted? Frustrated with work? Needing a change of scene? Your toddler might have just the right medicine. Call it a placebo, call it new age but a big dose of Make Believe might be just what you need. Here’s how it works.

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Poo Poo in the Potty!

Posted 8 weeks 5 days ago by Sonja Stewart

Social Skills, Learning Tools

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Poo poo in the potty is almost too good to be true. What to do while still basking in the glory of accomplishment.

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On Education Part 1 - Our Experience with Montessori Schools

Posted 9 weeks 1 day ago by Fred Lee

Education, Learning Tools, Home School, Pre School

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Montessori schools offer an excellent program for pointing your kids towards academic excellence, though their approach might not conform to every parent's idea of what it means to be a carefree child.

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Hilarious Sermon-Free Picture Books to Tame the Tantrum and Ameliorate the Meltdown

Posted 9 weeks 4 days ago by Katherine Turner

Discipline, Shopping, Entertainment, Etiquette, Learning Tools, New Parents, Conflict Resolution, Culture, Pre School

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Want a novel tack to take the next time your kid flings himself face-down in front of a Tonka Truck display or blows a gasket because her “very pink” underpants are in the wash? Try making them laugh at what makes them cry!

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Celebrating Earth Day

Posted 13 weeks 3 hours ago by Lori Kerrigan

Chores, Entertainment, Learning Tools

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With Earth Day approaching on April 22nd, take the opportunity to celebrate with your kids, while educating them on the importance of this green holiday!

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Errands Without the Stress!

Posted 13 weeks 5 days ago by Lori Kerrigan

Finances, Shopping, Pregnancy, Entertainment, Learning Tools, New Parents, Time Management

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Do you know that taking care of errands can actually be relaxing? Check out these top online shopping "hot spot" sites, cozy up to your computer, and get those errands done!

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Don’t, Won’t, Can’t, Nope, Noooooo: A 4-Step Action Plan For Communicating Better With Your Child

Posted 14 weeks 1 day ago by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Discipline, Learning Tools, Conflict Resolution

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You tell your daughter not to walk in the puddle. She walks in the puddle. You tell your son, “Please do not throw the fork.” He throws the fork. Not getting the behavior you’re asking for? Here’s one reason why, and four ways to improve your communication with your child.

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Fixing a Trainwreck: 5 Positive Ways To End A Tough Day With Your Toddler

Posted 15 weeks 5 days ago by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Discipline, Learning Tools, Conflict Resolution

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Did you get your buttons pushed today? Is your toddler testing you? Before you go to bed tonight, try these five steps to help you gain perspective, see each other’s sides, remember that you love each other and give yourself a break.

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Translating for Toddlers or What Did He Say?

Posted 16 weeks 4 days ago by Caitlin Giles

Family Planning, Home Life, Education, Learning Tools, Culture

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This is my toddler. I am his translator. At nearly twenty-three months of age, my little guy has lots of words (literally more and more every day). However, my husband and I are the only people who are able to understand seventy percent of what is coming out of his mouth. So I translate for him. Anybody out there doing the same thing?

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Nine Reasons to Enroll Your Child in Suzuki Talent Education

Posted 18 weeks 5 days ago by Catherine Shaffer

Education, Learning Tools, Home School, Pre School, K-8, Extra Curricular

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When my son began Suzuki violin training at the age of five, a lot of people asked me why I was "forcing" violin lessons on him at such a young age. The very fact that our society views violin lessons as unnecessary torture is telling. However, the truth is that at that time my son totally agreed with it, and would have rather spent his time doing other things. So why did we persist?

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My Winter Bible: The Preschooler's Busy Book

Posted 20 weeks 4 days ago by Caitlin Giles

Family Planning, Home Life, Entertainment, Learning Tools, Pre School

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I don't know about you, but I am not sure how many more sub-zero temperature, snow-filled days I can take. SPRING, WHERE ARE YOU? Here is my secret weapon for surviving the long days indoors with two active little ones.

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Four Reasons You Should Join a CSA

Posted 22 weeks 2 hours ago by Caitlin Giles

Family Planning, Home Life, Finances, Shopping, Health, Learning Tools, Nutrition, Wellness

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Looking for a cost-effective way to feed your family organic, locally-grown, delicious food? Join a CSA!

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Montessori in Your Home

Posted 24 weeks 4 days ago by Caitlin Giles

Home Life, Education, Learning Tools, Pre School, K-8

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Tired of tripping over blocks and toy cars? Looking to organize your cluttered and chaotic play room? Here are a few tips on how to incorporate Montessori principles for a prepared environment into your child's play space at home.

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Susie Can’t Spell – So What?

Posted 27 weeks 4 days ago by Lela Davidson

Education, Learning Tools, K-8, Parent-Teacher

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How can we expect our kids to get really good at anything if they're not allowed to be downright bad at some things? Also, spelling is overrated.

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A Homemade Gift for Little Hands

Posted 27 weeks 4 days ago by Caitlin Giles

Finances, Learning Tools

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Does your preschooler get invited to tons of birthday parties? Are you constantly buying birthday presents for your little socialite to bring to the many soirees? Instead of making yet another trip to the toy store, work with your preschooler to make homemade play dough as a gift. Here is a complete how-to.

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Age-Appropriate Chores for Mother’s Very Little Helpers

Posted 29 weeks 2 days ago by Linsey Knerl

Chores, Home Life, Education, Learning Tools

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Temper-tantrums, messes, and back-talk are just a few symptoms of a bored toddler. Keeping your little one busy with a few age-appropriate chores can teach them the importance of pitching in, and may grant some sanity to mom and dad. More importantly, it will lay the foundation for teaching responsibility and understanding consequences.

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