It’s clear, however, that many parents are overindulging in screen time. A 2016 survey by Common Sense media shows the average parent of tweens and teens spends more than nine hours per day behind a screen. While you might be thinking that’s because adults have to be on a computer for their jobs, the survey found very little screen time was work-related. Despite the number of hours parents spend on their digital devices, 78 percent of them believe they are good technology role models for their children....

The outdoors tends to take a backseat to our busy lives but making it more of a priority has significant benefits. In fact, one study found that spending just two hours per week exploring nature leads to better health and well-being. If nature has the ability to improve the lives of adults, imagine what it can do for kids! A growing body of research suggests spending time in nature promotes better attention spans, self-discipline, creativity, physical fitness, and social connection in children....

They are as different from one another as non-gifted children are from other non-gifted children. They do, however, have a number of traits and characteristics in common. If you are wondering if your child is gifted, take a look at these common traits and see how many of them fit your child. You can also check for other things, like how quickly your child reached developmental milestones. Even when you are sure your child has many of those common traits and you realize that your child met several of the developmental milestones early, you still might not be sure....

Symptoms Symptoms of thrush in babies include white or yellowish raised spots on the sides of the mouth and on the tongue. Initially, these spots are painless, but they can quickly become irritated and lead to sore throat and mouth pain. It can also spread to the diaper area, causing redness and soreness. Your baby may also cry or seem irritated during feedings. In nursing mothers, symptoms can include vaginal yeast infection, red sore nipples, and a burning sensation in the nipples or breast after breastfeeding....

More: How to Choose a Baby Name Inspired by Your Family Tree But, as soon as baby is born, don’t fill out that birth certificate immediately! Think it through—how attached are you to “Smith” for example? Ask yourself: Why, specifically, is giving baby your maiden name (in some capacity) so important to you? If you are looking to incorporate your maiden name into your baby’s name, here are four options to consider:...

A person’s executive functioning skills make it possible for them to live, work, and learn with an appropriate level of independence and competence for their age. Executive functioning allows people to access information, think about solutions, and implement those solutions. What Is Executive Functioning? Because executive functioning is a theory and not a fully defined, documented, and verified phenomenon, psychologists have differing opinions about which mental processes are involved. However, the following list contains functions that are often included in this category....

If you have recently had your first encounter with miscarriage, whether it was your own or a friend or family member’s, here are the key things to know about miscarriage as you move forward.​

These goals can be challenging to meet on days when you are stuck inside, though—especially if you feel like you are short on ideas. To make getting moving a little easier, we have put together some activities you can do at home to make sure your toddler stays active and engaged. Plan to do several activities each day and stretch each activity to 10 minutes or longer if your toddler’s attention span will allow it....

Question: “So, when are you going to start a family? You two aren’t getting any younger!” Answer: “We consider ourselves a family now. We love children and especially enjoy our nieces, nephews, and friends’ kids. If we decide to expand our family, we’ll be sure to let you know.” Question: “When are you going to stop concentrating on your career and start a family?” Answer: “I don’t believe my job and a family are mutually exclusive....

Depending on who you ask, there are so many things you shouldn’t or can’t do while you’re pregnant. But with all of the changes happening to your body, what’s a gal to do to get some relaxation? Since your nails are growing like crazy, why not go relax with a mani/pedi… but can you?! As a Maternity Concierge and Doula, I get asked this question all of the time. Getting your nails done is a luxury that almost all of our clients enjoy, but so often, this small act of self-care often comes under fire when you fall pregnant....

Plus, there are some other issues. Many aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. There is understandable confusion about which strains to use for certain health conditions. And speaking of strains, there are dozens of unpronounceable varieties on the market, each one promoting itself as a cure for a host of different problems. Of course, all of these already-muddy questions get even muddier when you apply them to pregnancy....

Before my little guy was born, I wanted to read up and research as much as possible to be as prepared as I could be. I knew that having a newborn is a beautiful challenge, but I thought that if I was prepared and gained as much knowledge as possible, I could have a leg up and have more of those beautiful moments. Preparation is key, right? I knew that baby sleep was a particular sore spot for new parents, so I took online classes and learned how to wrap a fluffy stuffed animal into a perfect little burrito using a colorful muslin swaddle blanket....

There is a legend related to the name of the island, Islay. According to Peggy Earl, author of “Tales of Islay: Fact and Folklore,” it is said that a Danish Princess called Iula or Yula left Denmark with an apron full of stones of different sizes. On her journey, the stones fell out to form Ireland and many islands between Ireland and Scotland. And perhaps Islay got its name from this princess....

Paste the ribbon or yarn behind each flag, so that they are strung together. Hang your flag decoration and enjoy! For added fun, research other flags of Africa and include them in your wall decoration!

What Kids Should Already Know As children enter the fifth grade, most are capable enough as readers and writers, and they have also learned to use spoken language successfully. As I pointed out earlier, they are able to use books both for enjoyment and as useful sources of information. They also know how to use a library and are comfortable doing so. They use writing for a variety of purposes; they understand the writing process, including the value of responses from their peers and revisions; and they have a good sense of authorship....

School bus safety starts with you, every morning and every afternoon. Take a few minutes to make sure your kids understand the rules of the road. Most school bus fatalities occur when children are outside the bus, and three quarters of these tragedies involve children under the age of nine. Make sure your children know these rules: Meet the bus Coordinate with other parents to make sure that an adult is present at the bus stop every day, especially with children under the age of nine....

Directions Roll out paper and tape it down on the floor. Have your child lie down on the paper on her back or front pretending to be asleep. Trace around the outline of the child’s body with a felt marker. When the child gets up, suggest that she paint on the outline as if she were going to bed. Draw and color pajamas, slippers, nightdress, and perhaps a favorite bedtime toy....

Reducing Fat If your recipe contains beef, pork, or poultry, use the leanest cuts available, and trim off any visible fat. If you have to brown the meat before adding it to the soup, use a nonstick skillet and nonstick cooking spray, and be sure to drain off any fat before transferring the meat in the soup pot. After preparing a meat stock or soup, refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight to allow the fat to rise to the top and harden....

String or tape One marker (plastic jug lid, bingo chip, or labeled slip of paper) per player Directions

Ideas for containers: If you plan a terrarium with a large-mouthed container or dome, smaller children can easily help. Narrow-necked bottles provide sufficient challenge for older children and adults. Most planters you can plant by hand, but those with smaller openings will require special tools. They take a little practice, but once you learn how to use them they become second nature. Look for miniature plants in nurseries and grocery-store plant departments....