Education

Benefits of Reading Aloud

By Nathalie Kunin
NathalieReading aloud is one of the most enjoyable activities that a parent and child do together. It is also one of the most important. Snuggling up to read bedtime stories is an important bonding time at the end of the day which sets the stage for a good night of sleep. You can share in your child’s excitement as their imagination is sparked by the story transporting them to a different place and time. The benefits of reading aloud go well beyond the simple pleasure of time spent together. Even as your child begins to grow up, and there is less time in the day to read aloud, it is important to make time for it, even just 30 minutes a day. The educational benefits of reading aloud will pay off in many ways. (more…)

Valentine’s Day Expectations

By Samara Fabrick
nellyFor many of us, Valentine’s Day is a chance to sit down with our kids to make cards for their classmates, think of fun ways to surprise our partner or have an excuse to eat that box of chocolates. However, for many Valentine’s Day is another opportunity to have a million expectations that are so often dashed by our clueless spouses and our inability to express our wants. Here are a few suggestions to make sure that your Valentine’s Day is a happy one filled with whatever your heart desires. (more…)

Is your child getting a good education?

Five Easy Ways to Ensure Your Child Gets a Quality Education

By Kevin Chaveous
By Kevin ChaveousAmong many school leaders, the ‘crazy parents’ are the bane of their existence. Crazy parents are the ones who are always at the school, questioning the staff about things and sometimes stretching the limits by obnoxiously fighting for their child. As young parents consider how to best provide a quality education for their children, they need to adopt many of the ‘crazy parent’ approaches, minus the obnoxiousness.

All parents want their child to receive a quality education, and in today’s ever-changing educational landscape there is no shortage of options. From public schools and private schools to charter and parochial schools, parents have lots of choices. But no matter the type of school, how do you really ensure that your child is getting a good education? (more…)

Teen Parenting Challenges

Compassion begins with the parent’s ability to feel what the teen is feeling.

By Dr. Nelly Franoody-Zahiri
nellyIn the accelerated rush of our society today, it has taken me a decade to see what has been forgotten in Peace Learning Parenting. Parenting with the focus and the intention of knowing and feeling that we are all connected and that families do much better collectively when interacting and sharing values rather than perceiving each other as competitors in a highly individualistic society. To achieve this healthy emotional and social balance, and in order to stay connected, I suggest we add to our daily vitamins the following 5 Cs:

  1. Compassion
  2. Communication
  3. Co-operation
  4. Culture (meaning sensitivity to other Cultures) and
  5. Conservation.

These are the Big Cs for Peace Learning Parenting. (more…)

Family Game Ideas

Games you can play as a family with multi-age appeal.

By Nathalie Kunin
Nathalie KuninPlaying games as a family is lots of fun, but sometimes it can be a bit challenging: too many ages, too many instructions, too many parts, takes too long…and parents who are just too tired! Here are 6 games that you can pull off the shelf that combine multi-age appeal, education and just plain old fun! The games are travel-friendly and easy to learn. Only one has a game board, and the others fit in the palm of your hand. All can be played in teams and promote family bonding. (more…)

What Every Mom Should Know About The Early Years

Statistics on early childhood care and adult success.

By Negin Ascher
Negin AscherWhen life gets crazy, it’s easy to miss opportunities to nurture our youngest children. In fact, statistics indicate that very few Americans truly understand the impact of a child’s earliest years. In California, the state’s financial commitment to early care and education declines with each successive round of budget cuts.

Yet, we know now that there is a biological window of development that, once past, can hardly be revisited. We know that the earliest years are the time of greatest development and brain formation and the best predictors of eventual educational attainment, social contributions and even happiness. (more…)

The Parent Revolution in Education

Parent activism is the key to reforming our schools.

By Kevin P. Chavous
KevinChaveousSlowly, yet ever so surely, a new revolution is emerging in this country as a response to our declining educational outputs. This revolution is being driven by parents who are tired of trying to navigate local school bureaucracies just to get their children a quality education. These parents come from all walks of life and are challenging the education status quo to listen, embrace innovation and be open to change. This new parent voice couldn’t come at a better time. (more…)

Tips on Getting Organized

By Debra Siegel
By Debra SiegelPeople often ask me how long it will take to complete an organizing project. And my first response is “How long did it take to collect the clutter?” But are the two closely connected? We are always consuming and bringing items into our spaces whether it’s groceries, clothes, toys, magazines or our kids schoolwork and art projects. What do we do with all of that stuff on a daily basis? Some is consumed or tossed but most of it is added to the piles we have cast aside with the intention of going through it “one day.” So for many, organizing is something you do when you get completely overwhelmed and can’t handle the clutter anymore. You don’t need to wait for that to happen. (more…)

Tips on Making Family Vacations Educational

By Nathalie Kunin
Nathalie KuninFamily vacations are a time to un-wind, “disconnect” and have fun with your family. They are also wonderful opportunities for learning. Whether your summer plans take you an hour from home or to another continent, travel can be a springboard for learning new skills. Every destination has distinct traits to draw upon – a foreign language, local customs, landmarks or a unique natural setting. Here are some ideas to make your summer vacation a meaningful learning experience.

If you are traveling to a foreign country have your child keep track of foreign exchange rates. Mentally converting the cost of lunch from dollars to another currency is great multiplication and division practice. (more…)

Keeping Your Brain Active Over the Summer

Tips on preparing for exams and applying to schools.

By Ellen Richards
Catherine McCord

Parents set the tone for their children’s academic success.

Many people mistakenly believe that education begins in high school when students realize the competition involved in gaining admission to college. Parents and students do themselves a huge favor to remember that the earlier one fosters an appreciation for education, the more likely they will achieve academically. (more…)