Private Tutoring and Test Prep...for Kindergarten?

Recent news has revealed something appalling in New York City: parents are paying hundreds for tutoring to get their kindergarteners into "gifted and talented" classes.  Although not isolated to New York City, the problem is highlighted there by the fact that, despite the high price of tutoring ($145 per session), there is still an 80-child waiting list at one of the popular programs.  The tutoring is meant to help prepare the children for the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (for reasoning) and the Bracken School Readiness Assessment (for knowledge), which are NYC's tests for admission to their gifted programing.

This situation is a problem for a number of reasons, not the least of which is a sad, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think of the poor 3 or 4 year-olds being taken to test prep tutoring.  But we'll leave emotion aside to discuss the more tangible problems.

Making Thanksgiving Travels Memorable, In a Good Way!

Many families will pile into cars this week and throughout the holiday season to make the trek to visit grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.  Whether your trip is an hour or three days long, it can be a powerful time to bond with your family.  Don't let those lovely, silent, closed-in hours slip away in monotony!  Put away the iPods and headphones, stash the cheap romance novel, turn off the built-in DVD player and talk to your kids and spouse.

A little out of practice?  A lot of us are.  But car trips with my family during the holidays always brought us closer in the end, and we all learned a lot about each other.  Try out some of these tips if you're stuck.

Lessons From the Dog Whisperer

I'm a huge fan of Cesar Millan, the "Dog Whisperer" of TV and literary fame, so I was thrilled to discover that some parents are using his lessons on children as well as animals.  Seem a little odd?  The heart of Millan's message is that "exercise, discipline and affection" will make for a healthy, happy dog, when paired with an owner who has "calm, assertive" energy.

Child Development in Action

I was at the park a few days ago and observed something so developmentally text-book, interesting and, frankly, cute that I can't help but recount it.  A small girl, preschool aged, was playing in the sand, and tossed it gently a few times, not more than a few inches from her hand.  Easily seeing where this was leading, her mother promptly told her not to throw the sand; two, three, four times, she warned her persistent child against it, in a tired, patient tone. Finally, the child approached her older sibling, playfully, with a handful of sand, and the mother caught her arm.  She gently but firmly insisted that no more sand was to be thrown.

This time the child listened, un-distracted, and understood that her mother was serious.  Another girl of about the same age happened past the sand box a moment later.  When the strange girl looked down at the sand, the first girl informed her, authoritatively, "You can't throw the sand."

Preschoolers, Independence and Chores

I came across this topic on the Parents Magazine website, and liked the article overall.  Many parents wait until their child is older to begin assigning chores, but this brings problems.  First, children want very badly to be helpful and grown-up at Preschool age.  Parents who wait lose their child's natural enthusiasm.  Secondly, a child who is eight or nine and suddenly being assigned chores is apt to resent it.  After all, she hasn't had to contribute through chores all her life, why should she have to begin now?

But I do have a few points to add about safety.

In the opening of the article, the author says her own 4 year-old climbed out of bed one recent morning and tried to make a frozen waffle...in a frying pan on the stove.  I'm sure this was a heart-stopping experience for the author, but it may have been possible to avoid it.

Tree Blocks: Great Idea or Huge Scam?

These blocks are basically what they sound like: building blocks cut directly out of tree branches.  They're available either with or without bark.  Take a peek at http://www.treeblocks.com/tree_blocks.htm.  I've linked directly to the tree blocks here, although the company does have other offerings.

Now on to my question: great idea or huge scam?

Kids and Reading: Don't Neglect Non-Fiction

I came across an article tonight that reminded me of something important: many parents neglect the non-fiction section when (or if) they get books for their children.  Non-fiction can be a powerful motivator to get kids interested in reading and learning at the same time.  Why?  Because it's fun!

Many adults hear "non-fiction" and think "dry, dull and boring;" and that's a real loss.  Well written non-fiction can be just as interesting as fiction, and it has particular benefits that fiction lacks.