At the same time, children gain more sophistication about the framing of historical questions: Why did that happen? What are the facts? Are the sources reliable? What are the interpretations? What other possibilities were there? What were the effects? How do we know? How have things changed or stayed the same since then? Whose voice is not being heard? The sixth grade curriculum typically concentrates on ancient history and world geography; it includes information about the origins and growth of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam....

“My past experiences as a stepchild (both parents remarried) have helped me to understand the problem areas I could encounter with my stepson,” Jody, mother of a stepson and two biological children said. “For example, punishments are dealt out by my husband. Being saddled with the stigma of being a stepmom, I didn’t want to be the bad guy, too. This doesn’t mean that transgressions against me by my stepson are not punished....

Stepkids and Your Sex Life If you are the custodial parent, share custody, or have the kids visit often, you might feel like your sex life has been impeded. (If you have kids of your own, this probably won’t be as much of an issue—you’re already used to never sleeping and having it tough to find time for romance!) Yes, romantic life with a parent is quite different. You can’t chase each other naked through the house, you’re gonna have to be quiet, and you run the risk of being interrupted....

Talking about what you read is another way to help your child develop language and thinking skills. You don’t need to plan the talk, discuss every story, or expect an answer. What you need: Reading materials What to do: Read slowly and pause occasionally to think out loud about a story. You can speculate: “I wonder what’s going to happen next!” Or ask a question: “Do you know what a palace is?...

Still, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 to 4 in the U.S. Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children this age than any other cause except congenital abnormalities. That makes it important to be aware of drowning hazards in and around your home. Avoid drinking alcohol while swimming, boating, or supervising kids in the water.Be aware of drowning hazards in and around your home, including toilets, buckets of water, and pet water bowls....

Laying the groundwork can really start when your child begins to speak and use utensils. And as with much of parenting, this will take a while to catch on. What’s most important? Keeping things pressure-free and modeling the behaviors you want them to adopt. Table Manners for Little Kids Every meal can serve as an opportunity for kids to learn how to exercise proper etiquette. From using their utensils properly to waiting until everyone has been served, little kids can learn how to be respectful and practice table manners....

Before your child becomes a credit card junkie and gets into serious debt, make sure he understands the uses and abuses of credit, starting with these issues: What borrowing is all about When credit should (and should not) be used What can happen if he gets into too much debt Why it’s important to get—and keep—a good credit record How to get credit Credit Fundamentals When your child is young, she may want an advance on her allowance to buy something that her savings won’t cover....

“Use of consistent expectations, praise, and consequences are important for teens, just as they are important for all children across development,” says Katharine Reynolds, PhD, a licensed psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado and assistant psychiatry professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Here, we’ll discuss common teen behaviors and discipline strategies you can employ. Typical Teen Behaviors Your teen will want more independence and privacy and have an increasing focus on their social lives....

During pregnancy, everything you eat should be fully cooked, so that means certain things are a no-go, like sneaking a taste of the batter while baking. Dairy products need to be pasteurized, and certain sprouts should also be avoided. Fortunately, Thanksgiving offers a wide variety of meal options so there are plenty of safe picks to choose from. We consulted some experts to learn more about what foods are okay for pregnant people to eat, and what should be avoided on the big day....

“Having a child with an electronic [device] usually does increase the risk of it being dropped, banged and the glass cracking,” Delene P. Musielak, MD, FACP, FAAP, ABOM, host of “The Dr. Mom Show,” tells Verywell Family. “iPads at this time are really not made for durability for child use.” Of course, you want to know that the case you choose for your child’s iPad or tablet will stand the test of time and secure their expensive device, but it should also be practical and fun and should suit your child’s taste....

Since there’s plenty of gear out there that can make your day by the water that much better, it’s important to make sure whatever you’re buying is safe, durable, and easy to assemble and store. UPF ratings can also be helpful to look for on certain products like tents and cabanas since it offers another level of sun protection. We researched popular gear with these features in mind to help you and your family stay comfortable at the beach....

“We want to have our kids develop creativity,” explains art therapist Nadia Paredes, MA, LMFT, ATR, and president-elect of the American Art Therapy Association. “Creativity is our ability that helps us adapt basically to realize. Creativity—it’s a cognitive function. [It] works out, as if we had a mental gym.” The best art kits for your kids will be easy for them to use on their own or with minimal guidance, align with their developmental age, and encourage their creativity over time....

While there is great variety, middle names are often used to commemorate a loved one, such as an older relative, someone who has died, or a personal hero. Sometimes a middle name is decided on simply because it augments the first name. Some parents choose one based on its first letter or sound in order to achieve alliteration or synchronicity with the other two names. While most kids (80%) end up with one middle name, some families choose to provide their child with two or more middle names (11%) either because they can’t decide on just one or they like the sound of several names strung together....

Depending on their interests and lifestyle, choose a gift that matches their preferences or is just plain old fun. We carefully considered design, toy safety, material, value, and age recommendations when reviewing products. Here are the best gifts for the 7-year-old girl in your life. Price at time of publication: $199 Price at time of publication: $49 Price at time of publication: $63 Price at time of publication: $36 Price at time of publication: $49 Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $50 Price at time of publication: $39 Price at time of publication: $94 Price at time of publication: $12 Price at time of publication: $89 Price at time of publication: $70 Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $31 Price at time of publication: $12 Price at time of publication: $76 Price at time of publication: $8 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $20 The machine can use Bluetooth or USB input for music straight from a device, or connect it to your television and sing along with the lyrics to all of your favorite songs on the mic....

You’ll want to make sure that not only is the book’s message a positive one, but that it is age-appropriate as well. We carefully considered material, age recommendations, book format, value, and message when reviewing products. Here are the best books for shy kids. “What to Do When You Feel Too Shy: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Social Anxiety” earned a top spot on our list because it’s a great resource for parents and kids alike....

Because the seat will be with your child for quite some time, it’s vital to ensure it’s easy to install in case you need to switch it to a different car or clean it. Additionally, check the seat’s positions to determine how long it will be appropriate for your child as they grow. While all car seats in the United States must adhere to federal safety regulations, keep an eye out for any additional features you may want to consider, like an anti-rebound bar....