While most flashcards are simple in concept, some include extra games and supplementary online experiences to extend the learning. Other important features to look for are easy-to-read fonts, durability, and if they come with a storage solution (ideally, they will fit in the box they come in, but some boxes can be flimsy). We researched popular options for kids of all ages with these features in mind. Here are the best flashcards for kids, by age and category....

While the author doesn’t need to be a medical doctor or world-renowned expert, make sure they are credible and the book aligns with your lifestyle and family. We carefully considered author credibility, reputable information, lifestyle alignment, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best parenting books to read when you are raising a toddler. Jo Frost’s “Toddler Rules: Your 5-Step Guide to Shaping Proper Behavior” ranks high on our list because it’s easy to understand and follow....

When picking the right tablet for your child, it’s important to keep the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) suggested guidelines for screen time in mind. Toddlers from 18 to 24 months can start to enjoy some screen time with an adult. Children ages two to five should be limited to one hour of supervised educational screen time a day, which includes computers, tablets, television, and gaming devices. And “consistent limits” on screen time are recommended for kids over six....

“If you have a baby who struggles with gas, make sure that you are bottle-feeding the baby in an upright position and hold the bottle horizontally, as well as allowing frequent breaks to avoid the baby feeding too quickly," explains Cindy Scott, RD, CLC, a registered dietitian, certified lactation consultant, and baby-feeding expert. “Another way to avoid gas when bottle feeding is to burp frequently throughout the feed and at the end of the feeding....

Encourage your children to explore science in their own backyard. Plant a garden, catch butterflies, or better yet, build a live volcano! Sound tricky? You’ll be surprised. MaryAnn Kohl, author of the book Science Arts, makes it easy with the following simple instructions.Materials needed:· Baking pan· Soda bottle (16 or 20 oz.)· Moist soil· 1 tablespoon baking soda· 1 cup vinegar· Red food coloring· The great outdoors!ExperimentStep One: Place the baking pan on the grass, and set the soda bottle in the middle of the pan....

Although the research is preliminary regarding the amount we should consume, everyone can benefit by shifting from an animal-based to a plant-based diet. The best soy sources include soybeans, tempeh, tofu, and soy milk. Neutropenic Diet Guidelines The neutropenic diet was created to minimize a patient’s exposure to foreign bacteria and decrease his or her risk of infection. Now, the diet is used for patients at risk for immune-related illnesses, especially cancer and AIDS patients undergoing aggressive treatment....

Thermal underwear is a must-have for winter months—the easy-to-layer garment is lightweight, tight-fitting, and thin, so it fits nicely under bulkier layers like a sweatshirt or sweatpants. Thermal underwear is particularly useful if your child plays sports or likes to hike, ski, or play in the snow. “It’s important to dress children in layers when performing those activities so that it allows them to have the optimal comfort level,” says Nilong Vyas, M....

It’s finally the season to play with water! After being cooped up for months, families can finally get outside to play and explore to their hearts’ content. Water toys allow children a way to cool off, learn through STEAM related fun, play, and make the most of the outdoors whenever weather permits. They can turn an ordinary day into something exciting and bring forth the true feeling of summer water fun without requiring a pool or beach....

While there are many different schools of thought when it comes to discipline and the methods that are most effective, none should ever toe the line of child abuse or come close to harming the child in any way. Here, learn how to differentiate clearly between discipline and child abuse and how to make sure you maintain a large chasm between the two. Discipline vs. Child Abuse On its most basic level, discipline means to teach, which is what most parents are hoping to do when disciplining their kids....

It is the same the worldwide. Lasenua Madanguda, a teacher and native African, lives in a rural area outside of Machakos, Kenya. Her role modeling is twofold. First, “African mothers must show their daughters what a wife does,” she said. “One of the challenges of being an African woman is to bring up a daughter that can establish her home and please her husband and in-laws and produce a daughter who will also do this....

While the chances of a food allergy are more likely if a family member has one, it’s tough to predict your child’s allergies. That’s why it’s important to understand what the most common allergies are in kids, what symptoms to look for, and what to do if your child develops a food allergy. What Are the Most Common Allergies in Kids? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), about six different foods cause 90% of allergies in children....

Step 1: Understand Your Situation What’s the reality here? I don’t mean the “we love each other and want to build a life together” reality. I mean the other realities, the financial and logistical ones. It’s vital to have a clear picture of both partner’s lives before you link your wagons together—and to the stars. Step 1 entails learning the history, history, history of your partner’s life. That means all the ugliness and all the glory....

Nothing puts you in the holiday spirit like great Christmas music! See our picks for the 20 best Christmas albums full of festive holiday songs that will please kids and transport parents back to childhood. Rediscover old favorites and find some new hits to “fa-la-la” to this season. Whether you stream your music or purchase on CD or vinyl, these tunes are sure to get kids in the holiday spirit and create a festive ambiance....

“We spent time focusing on listening to sounds around us that we never pay attention to," she says. “We worked on [awknowledging] our thoughts and our emotions, and noticed when our minds are wandering so that we can bring them back to focus again. We also worked on gratitude, generosity, and sending kindness into the world.” At the height of the pandemic, her students were doing a longer mindfulness lesson once every two weeks, and periodically taking a minute to pause, breathe, close their eyes, and notice their breath....

The three most alarming warning signs that a pregnancy is at risk are spotting and bleeding, abdominal cramps and sudden weakness. 1. Spotting and Bleeding Spotting can signal the onset of a miscarriage. Help the pregnant woman having these symptoms into bed. Have her rest completely, which means staying in bed. Call her obstetrician once she’s settled in. Outright bleeding can be more serious, especially if clots or tissue are eliminated....

Your company’s personnel handbook Your union (if applicable) State laws Other working parents in your company After you tell your boss that you’re pregnant, don’t make any commitment to a maternity leave plan. If he or she says something like, “Well, of course you’re entitled to four weeks maternity leave. Will you be taking it?” don’t jump in with an answer. Explain that you’d like to gather more information to help you decide what to do about your maternity leave and you’d like to talk about the subject at a later time....

Directions Cut the sponges into geometrical shapes. Involve your child in deciding which pieces to use to build interesting shapes: boats, ice cream cone, house, people, pets, or abstract sculpture. Glue the pieces together. Let the glue dry completely before playing with the shapes in the bathtub.