When planning road trips, there are two main things to consider - length of time and filling that time. Let's start with length of time. If your child is still taking naps, coordinate your trip to overlap with the nap. Of course, the best laid plans can go awry, but chances are good that by traveling...

Bath time no longer needs to be something to dread. Here are a few techniques to help make bath time fun time. Activities Singing is not only a fun way to pass the time; it may help relax children of any bath time anxieties. Before the next bath, freeze some small plastic toys in Styrofoam cups filled...

Not surprisingly, studies have shown that reading out loud to children is probably one of the most significant activities we can do with them. And as parents, when it comes to reading, we are our children's first and most important teachers. The years from birth through to preschool are fertile grounds...

One of the first decisions many parents have to make is not when they will start reading to their little ones but what they will start reading to them. There are a plethora of children's books available to parents in the modern era. Books based on cartoon characters, modern fables, ABC type books...

One of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child is quality time. But as most parents will understand, quality time is much more complex than just being with your kids; it is taking an active role in understanding them and trying to help as they form a view of the world. Some things you can consider...

Though the development of reading skills varies from child to child, encouraging a reading environment at home is an important step toward literacy. Here are some tips to help promote a love of reading: Set aside time each day for reading. Before naps and bedtime are logical choices, but reading in bed...

Here are a few more suggestions to help promote a love of reading. Create a special reading space in your home. Make sure it's in a quiet area away from traffic and distractions. Get your child his or her own library card. Make visiting the library a weekly or bi-weekly event and encourage them to...

Choosing books for children can sometimes be a daunting task. Here are a few general guidelines to help you out: General Guidelines Choose books that appeal to your children's own interests. If you are unsure, bring them along and have them help choose! Look for simple, well developed stories and...

Here are some age-specific guidelines for helping children choose appropriate books for their reading level: 1. Toddlers (ages 1-3) Board and fabric books are easier for little hands and nearly indestructible. Rhymes, repetition and predictable text appeal to younger children. Concept books help introduce...

Children's culture is filled with playful animals from Scooby Doo, to Bambi to Big Bird to the stars of recent hit films such as Madagascar or Over the Hedge . And while these depictions are very entertaining to both kids and adults alike, they bear very little resemblance to reality, where animals...