By Lisa Niver Rajna
Parents love to play with their children but often ask me how to bring more science into everyday fun activities. Most adults think of science as an experiment or equation that has nothing to do with everyday life. But science is the process for figuring out how things work. When you think of it that way, even a construction site can turn into a physics lesson. Take a walk with your child and ask your child to put on his imaginary detective hat and tell you everything he sees to improve powers of observation. You can work in a lesson about photosynthesis when you and your child have a conversation about leaves: Why are they green in the spring, and why do they change color in the fall and drop off the trees? See how many different insects you see or different bird songs you hear. City kids can also soak up a little physics by noticing the timing of the traffic lights—do they depend on the flow of traffic to change or are they pre-set? These are all methods to sneak more science into your day! Your phone is always with you, so turn its camera into a teaching tool and your child can pick up some very cool scientific principles of light. (more…)
Organic Eco-Lunches
By Anni Daulter
The mornings in my house are hectic to say the least. I have 4 kids and 3 of which need lunches made, which means I have to be organized, prepared and quick. It also doesn’t help that all of my children like different types of foods in their lunches, but preparing good healthy tasty meals for my kids while they are away at school is very important to me. I know my children, and yours too, expend a lot of energy throughout the day and therefore need to have lunches that are filled with rejuvenating foods that give them the energy they need to play and learn throughout the day.
Take time to prep anything you can the night before. I like to chop vegetables for a stir fry or whip up a pasta sauce for instance the night before, so I can just quickly make it in the morning. It is also important to make sure to have all of your containers ready to go and your child’s lunch basket, bag or box all set to make sure the morning routine goes smoothly. There are some great companies that make eco-friendly containers and reusable carriers that I love and recommend. (more…)
Helpful Test Taking Tips
By Nathalie Kunin
Get those No. 2 pencils ready! Test taking season is coming. Each Spring, starting in about the 2nd grade, students throughout America will take a standardized test. These tests have different names depending on the state and school district, but they all test the same skills. Although these standardized tests are important, please remember that they are only one of the tools used to assess how your child is performing academically.
Taking standardized tests annually from a young age helps prepare students for when it is time to take admissions exams like the ISEE, SAT and ACT. The testing doesn’t ever stop – think about the LSAT, GMAT, MCAT and then Boards and State Bars…and then professional continuing education testing. (more…)
Does Your Child Have RSV?
By Peter S. Waldstein, M.D., F.A.A.P and Julia A. White, M.D., F.A.A.P
In our practice the last 6 to 8 weeks, we have seen a large increase in both cases and questions about RSV. Infections caused by RSV spike every year during the winter and early spring months. Due to the recent increase in RSV activity, we thought discussion of the symptoms and treatment would be useful.
What is RSV, and what are the signs and symptoms of infection?
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a viral infection that is seen very commonly in young children. It is passed via contact with respiratory secretions or droplets of an infected person.
For most children, the infection will likely look similar to any other viral cold – runny nose, cough, congestion, and possible fever. The cough will typically worsen over the first several days often sounding very mucousy, sometimes slightly barking. Once it starts to improve, you may see a cough that lingers for around a week to 10 days. (more…)
March,2012 – Great Gift Ideas Must Haves
February,2012 – Valentine’s Day Gifts
Choosing a Camp: Myths and Facts
By Jill Levin
We are constantly barraged with information about camps – from magazines and emails, to headline news and parents talking on the sidelines at little league. Sometimes it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. You will want to know what’s true and what’s not as you answer the all-important question, “What will I do with my kids next summer?” To help guide you, I’ve compiled a list of myths vs. facts about camps.
Easy Crock Pot Recipes
By Catherine McCord
In our house, we’re big on weekend cooking. My kids love helping out and I find that if I make a few recipes on Saturday or Sunday to store in the fridge or freezer, I have a lot less cooking to do during the week when life gets overwhelming. That doesn’t mean that we spend the entire weekend in the kitchen. Far from it. Our recipes have to be quick and easy so we can get out and do other things together. I treasure our weekends because they often feel like the only time we can just relax and play, enjoying our favorite activities and not being on a schedule.
Infant Care Essentials
By Sharon Von Der Merwe
Q: If I am breastfeeding how can I make sure my baby is eating enough?
A: After the feeding, if the baby spits out milk, that will be a clear indication that your baby has consumed enough.
Q:How can I get my baby to sleep longer stretches in the evening?
A: After a complete feeding, your baby will sleep longer but try to feed your baby in a dark lit setting, so the baby recognizes that it’s nighttime and will naturally sleep a longer duration.
The Value of Mathematics
The Importance of math and college acceptance.
By Ellen Richards
Students must have access to high level math classses and be encouraged to take four years of math during high school. Students who do not take and pass a rigorous math sequence in high school are ineligible for admission to many four-year colleges and universities.
- Access to academically challenging course work in high school significantly increases the likelihood of a student successfully completing bachelors degree.
- Access to and enrollment in challenging courses had a greater impact on admission to college than any other factor, including income level and parents’ level of education.
- In 2004 an average applicant who passed Pre-Calculus increased his/her chance of gaining acceptance to college by 79%.
- Completing a Pre-Calculus course is the equivalent of raising one’s GPA from a 3.1 to a 3.6 in terms of admission to college.