Encouraging Handwriting

An important part of helping kids develop early literacy skills is giving them chances to practice. As soon as your child is old enough to scribble (as early as 1 year old for some kids) offer some fat, chunky crayons or markers and a big piece of paper and let him or her experiment. As […]

Encouraging Young Readers

For many kids, reading just doesn’t come easily. Some kids have difficulty connecting letters and their corresponding sounds. Others have yet to discover a special story that sparks their imagination and shows just how fun reading can be. For all kids, though, being at ease with letters, their sounds, and words is an important foundation […]

Back to School

As with any new or potentially unsettling situation — like starting school for the first time or entering a new grade or new school — allow kids time to adjust. Remind them that everyone feels a little nervous about the first day of school and that it will all become an everyday routine in no […]

About Cold Sores

Cold sores are small and painful blisters that can appear around the mouth, face, or nose. Sometimes referred to as fever blisters, they’re caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Kids can get cold sores by kissing or sharing eating utensils with an infected person. Colds sores in the mouth are very common, and […]

Fitness and Your 6 to 12 Year Old

Kids this age need physical activity to build strength, coordination, and confidence — and to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. They’re also gaining more control over how active they are. School-age kids should have many chances to participate in a variety of activities, sports, and games that fit for their personality, ability, age, […]