Discusses why families are so overscheduled, explaining that when children spend time by themselves doing nothing in particular, they are relaxing and learning how to be alone and enjoy their own company. When children do not have time to relax, there can be damaging stress-related consequences. Suggestions to help families spend more time…

Provides suggestions to help parents select safe toys for children under five years, including assess breakability; investigate flammability; avoid electrical toys; avoid toys with sharp edges; watch for toys that might pinch; avoid small pieces; consider sound and vision; and think about appropriate themes. (SM)

Explains how older siblings can teach and motivate toddlers while they play. Parents can augment traditional parenting by making the most of their children's playtime activities. This paper describes how to create fun learning experiences for toddlers and their siblings and discusses the role of older siblings who are in elementary school,…

Suggestions for creating a home environment favorable for building positive reading habits are presented. (MT)

The goal of "closing the achievement gap" in education is often proclaimed and is emphasized in the "No Child Left Behind Act." What is meant by the achievement gap and how much progress has been made? A large body of literature examines the causes, conditions, and explanations for the achievement gap. Many educational…

Polled adolescents, parents, and teachers to determine where the child's right to privacy ends and the parent's responsibility to protect begins. Results indicate that the worst offenders tend to be siblings. The paper presents a three-pronged strategy to help parents deal with battling children: recognize the breaches, negotiate the truce…

This "Handbook" offers a broad definition of family and community engagement, seen through the lens of scholars and practitioners with a wide-ranging set of perspectives on why and how families, communities, and schools collaborate with one another. Taken together, the chapters in this "Handbook" sketch out the components of a…

This document is comprised of five fact sheets from the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding childhood lead poisoning. Recent studies claim that childhood lead poisoning can contribute to problems later in life, such as academic failure, juvenile delinquency, and high blood pressure. Directed to parents, caregivers, and health care…

This brochure presents ideas for creating a special place for a family's reading materials--a"family library"--and for helping children build their own personal collections. The brochure offers a sampling of activities that will help families display and keep track of a growing collection of newspapers, magazines, and books. The brochure…

These home learning activity guides have been developed for parents to use with their 4-year-old children. Most of the activities require only household items that are often thrown away and can be recycled for learning activities. Some require no materials at all. The guides frequently begin with a discussion of home activities; progress through…

The paper collects data concerned with the problem of underachievement in gifted girls. The first section looks at how society limits gifted girls in the schools and in the work place. The next section examines how gifted girls limit themselves through internal barriers to achievement, attitudes, and lack of self-esteem. The final section offers…

This annotated bibliography lists 78 selected audiovisual resources (film, filmstrip, or video formats) in the general topic area of family interaction with a handicapped member. Sources older than 1970 are not included. Each listing provides information on length, format, audience, method of acquisition (rent or purchase, and price), source, and…

The goal of an elementary school is to educate all children. However, the growing number of students per school and the increased demands placed upon teachers make this more challenging every year. An involved parent is often the difference between a child who thrives in school, and one who merely goes to school. Yet, it is nearly impossible to…

Asserting that character is inspired rather than imparted, this book for parents presents a new paradigm for reconnecting education with core values. The book argues that true education for our children springs not just from seeking good grades and achievements but from reestablishing a true commitment to character, attitude, and a sense of…

For many working parents, hiring a caregiver to work in their home is the best solution for their child care and household needs. In-home care can be tailored to individual family needs, and, in the case of multiple children, can be the most convenient and cost-effective option. This handbook is designed to guide you through the process of finding…