I did it. I cried when I dropped my son off for his first day of Kindergarten. I honestly didn’t think I would. I felt good about his going and I knew he was ready. In some ways, I was consumed with guilt about not being sad that my little boy was growing up. I hear that all mothers cry on the first day of Kindergarten. How could I be the one mother who doesn’t cry? I am, after all, the over-loving, smothering type.
But then it hit me. Three separate times I was blinking back tears – once as we …read more

There are five Kindergarten classes at my son’s elementary school. I’ve been told we couldn’t go wrong with any teacher we got. Still, I knew little more than what I heard from other mothers at the pool.
When we checked the posted list of teacher assignments last week, I’m not sure what I was looking for. Perhaps I hoped to recognize some of the other students in my son’s class. I didn’t. I didn’t even recognize my son’s teacher’s name. Hers was a grown up name, not really a word but more of a sound a cat might make while bathing …read more

It’s summer! School is out, and children are off somewhere – playing video games, watching TV, or hopefully playing sports. The last thing they want to do is read yet another book.
WAIT! Hold your horses. I am pretty sure children are gonna love these books I’m giving away, and maybe get them to read more this summer! My personal favorite in the lot – The Encyclopedia of Immaturity. It kept me laughing and wishing I had an excuse to be a child again.
The contest is easy:

Just browse the selection of books on the next page, and let …read more

Thanks to everyone who joined the Kids Health Notes Scholastic books give-away! When I asked readers for their children’s favorite bedtime stories, I got a pretty good mix. The most interesting was from Andrew who’s son is reading a book on Paul Revere! There are a lot of books that I’m not familiar with, like “Chika Chika Boom Boom” but it looks like “Goodnight Moon” is still the most popular. It was wonderful finding out what bedtime stories children love to read.
And now we have winners of the Scholastic books give-aways. By random drawing, the three winners are – …read more

Books are a great way to open the world of young children to new concepts, words, and ideas.
Now, introducing Little Scholastic, a developmental publishing program of interactive books created exclusively to give babies and toddlers a head start in learning. Every book features: * Interactive components * High color contrast * Rhyming, repetitive, or predictable text * Familiar subjects and surroundings * Simple concepts * Distinct leveling between the ages of 0-3 years:
· The Tiny Tadpole–Discover nature through this rhyming story with realistic surfaces to touch! Gorgeous textured art and informative labels help explain the life cycle of a …read more