Think about the types of toys that will be put into the toy organizer to ensure they will fit properly and your child can put toys away independently with ease. We carefully considered design, material, ease of assembly, value, and sizes when reviewing products. Keep reading to find the best toy organizer for your family. The Humble Crew Toy Storage Organizer earned our top spot because it’s easy to assemble and holds a ton of toys....

Self-expression is natural to young children and should be supported and encouraged. It is important that both teachers and parents accept children’s artistic expressions uncritically. The focus of the arts curriculum in the early years is enjoyment. Music Children sing, experiment with making sounds using a variety of rhythm instruments, listen to many different kinds of music, compose songs, and attend musical performances. Movement Children use their bodies in creative dance and view dance performances....

Children should be encouraged to participate in all forms of artistic expression throughout the elementary grades. Self-expression through singing, painting, dancing, and acting can do wonders for a child’s confidence and self-esteem while strengthening his or her communications skills; and exposure to a variety of artists and performers in many media provides the foundation for lifelong enjoyment of the arts. Unfortunately, however, arts programs are being dropped from many schools, sacrificed either because of budget problems or because policy makers have decided that the arts are not as important as other elements of the curriculum....

Serving Boomerang Style The best things to serve your daughters when they show up at home as a boomerang kid are portions of encouragement and autonomy. These have the nutrients that will help them retain competence, confidence, and self-esteem. And these are three qualities demonstrated by emotionally mature and responsible young adults able to live on their own. How to Avoid Feathering the Nest Should you find yourself in the same predicament as Julia’s mom, follow these four critical steps:

Figuring out the right amount of responsibility is a balancing act. Kids work very hard. Between schoolwork, learning to deal with social situations, and, for many kids, their many extracurricular involvements, kids have very little “down” time. They need a chance to play, relax, daydream, nap. At the same time, teaching children life skills (and I’m talking kids of both sexes here, by the way) has a number of benefits:...

While the year-round schedule is not what most adults remember from their own school experience, it may not be as challenging or undesirable as some assume it to be. Children are not given less time off, but instead, the usual nine months on, three months off schedule is redistributed with a schedule of short instruction periods that alternate with shorter breaks across the whole year. Learn more about the pros and cons of year-round school....

Although it may go unnoticed, the first time a newborn digests breast milk or formula is truly a landmark moment. In the womb, digestion is unnecessary. Nutrients from the mother’s blood are absorbed via the placenta and umbilical cord into the baby’s bloodstream, and waste products are transferred back to the mother’s blood by the same route. Until birth, the GI tract is simply waiting for the right moment to begin doing its job....

Here are 10 ideas you can use to start fresh with your spouse:

Miscarriage can happen for any number of reasons including a fetal genetic disorder, abnormalities of the uterus, or trauma. Certain lifestyle factors increase the risk of miscarriage (smoking, drugs) while other don’t (moderate exercise, sex). Knowing when to call a doctor or rush to the emergency room can be tricky since symptoms can often be vague rather than overt. Oftentimes, even the more obvious symptoms turn out to be nothing at all....

As exciting as ultrasounds can be, they are also an important diagnostic medical procedure that helps keep you and your baby safe and healthy during pregnancy. At times, ultrasounds can be stressful for parents, especially if they are being used to diagnose an issue in your pregnancy or your baby. The Purpose of Ultrasounds in Pregnancy Obstetricians and other healthcare professionals use ultrasounds to view babies, and all their precious parts, in utero....

More: 75 One-Syllable Middle Names for Girls However, if you’re like many, choosing a middle name can be a lengthy process, and so many baby name lists focus on first names. Therefore, to help you on your search for the perfect middle name, we’ve compiled a list of over 100 trendy, unique, and popular middle names to get your wheels spinning and aid your search for middle name ideas....

The Positive Side of “Mother’s Words” The big plus for the maternal introject is when aspects of the voice build egos and confidence. The introject is working in a positive manner if the voice you hear is saying something like… You can do it. You are special. Your good judgment will carry you through. You should follow your own instincts. You look great. You are worthy of love and respect....

Materials White or light-colored all-cotton T-shirt 4 cups hot water Old bowl Rubber bands Cold-water dye Old pail Cold dye fix Old towel Old wooden spoon 8 cups cold water 6 tablespoons table salt Directions

For this activity, your child will imagine he or she is a tightrope walker in a circus. Choose a crack in the sidewalk or a seam in a floor to be the rope. Imagine that it is important to keep your balance and hold arms out wide. Walk on tip-toe forwards, backwards, and sideways. Try turning on the rope and balancing on one foot. The important thing is not to fall off!...

Gifted kids find it especially difficult to manage their time. When a child is so interested and stimulated by her world, school projects and after-school programs can easily become overwhelming. Highly motivated minds may tend towards perfectionism and idealism, leading many gifted kids to overcommitment and even burnout. You are your child’s best resource, so become her time-management expert now and launch into a smooth back-to-school routine. Know Your Child More specifically, know your child’s learning style....

New fears are bound to pop up as your baby grows into a toddler. Scary things are a part of life and being afraid of them is a natural part of your child’s development. But here’s the good news: most childhood fears show up on a relatively predictable schedule, which means you can prepare yourself ahead of time and know what to expect. In addition, most fears will go away on their own with time....

Why Kids Lie Here are the three main reasons why kids tell lies: They Use Their Imaginations to Tell Tall Tales Does your child ever tell you she rode a unicorn? Or does he insist a monster must have made the mess in his bedroom? Kids have wonderful imaginations and sometimes, they present their fantasies as truths. When your child tells you a fantasy, ask, “Is that something that really happened or is it something you wish would have happened?...