Kimberly's Child Parenting Blog

I hesitate to recommend a web site that requires a paying membership; but the priintable possibilities at Enchanted Learning are so deep that I'm willing to pay the $20 annual membership fee. We love printables! At Enchanted Learning, you can make books, crafts, coloring pages, and lots of simple, creative projects. I need the printable human skeleton craft for the Build the Skeleton Race; and, I love that it's a learning, as well as fun, party game. Other favorites at Enchanted Learning are the printable travel games and Little Explorers language learning books.

Visit Enchanted Learning

We want our children develop the personal qualities of integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness, honesty, caring, and citizenship. Parents can build their child's character at home using these strategies for social learning, direct instruction, experiential learning, and storytelling.

Four Ways to Build Character in Children

Somehow, simply trick-or-treating in the neighborhood has lost it's thrill. But, we still want to have fun on Halloween, load up on treats, and show off our costumes. Our favorite Halloweens are the ones we spend with family and friends. So this year, organize a Halloween block party or gather your friends who have children for an intergenerational Halloween party.

It's not as hard as you think when you use these ideas. Get everyone to contribute to the party and include easy-to-prepare Halloween party activities.

Throw a Family-Friendly Halloween Party

This week's game is an instant favorite with everyone who plays it. Apples to Apples is a family game, a party game, a kids' game, and more. You'll find a number of versions of Apples to Apples - Party Version (Ages 12 up, though we play it with children as young as 9); Jr. Version for ages 9 up; and Kids' Version for ages 7 up. You can also buy expansion packs, a Bible version, or make your own cards at the Out of the Box web site. Don't miss this new classic.

Apples to Apples - Out of the Box Publisher Web Site

Do your kids have a favorite game this week? It may be an online game, a board game, video or PC game, or a made-up game. Share your elementary-age kid's favorite game this week in Comments!

Functional brain imaging technology has generated valuable insights into how children learn to read and the differences between efficient and inefficient readers. Learn what this peek into brains during reading teaches us about how to help struggling readers during the elementary school years.

Help Your Struggling Reader - Understanding Brain Processes that Affect Reading Skills

If you want the perfect Halloween costume, it's best to shop early at the online shops that feature kids' Halloween costumes. This list of the best places to shop for kids' Halloween costumes will let you cross that task off your list now. Listen to your child's fantasy about 'what she wants to be for Halloween' and get online together to find the perfect costume.

Where to Shop Online for Kids' Halloween Costumes

Find Ideas for Homemade Kids' Halloween Costumes

Do you shop online at major sites such as Amazon? Are you planning a major purchase through an online retailer? Maybe, you're gearing up for your holiday shopping online.

You can support your child's school when you buy online by using the Schoolpop web site. Search for your child's school and register as a supporter. When you use the site to start your shopping, a percentage of your purchase goes to the school!

If your school isn't registered at Schoolpop, it's a great idea for parent group fundraising that directly benefits the school with regular checks. They also offer a variety of shopping options at major retailers beyond online shopping and the process for registration is quite easy.

This service has come a long way since we first began following it; and, with a bit of promotion, your parent group could make some serious money for the school. Collect email addresses when parents sign up for your group and use a low-cost email marketing service to send regular reminders and product recommendations to your supporters.

Find out how to become a Schoolpop Champion for your school at the site.

Find more ideas for school fundraising:

• School Fundraisers
• Online Fundraising and Email Marketing
• School Fundraising with Product Sales
• School Spirit Products

The PTO Today web site is packed with great ideas for parent-school groups. You don't have to reinvent the wheel in your school group. Use the resources to organize your board and by-laws, recruit volunteers successfully, and plan great events. The fundraising section has advice and ideas for the latest in school-group fundraising. Fantastic resource for parents.

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Children with extremes in negative temperament always seem to be in a bad mood. Their constant complaints and apparent unhappiness can wear on a parent. It's easy to fall into a pattern of negative interactions with this child. You have to develop coping strategies that work for you and your child to manage his negative outlook, so that you can teach him appreciation for the small joys in everyday life.

Parenting Your Negative Child

First, find out if the reason for your child's poor report card is a 'learning' problem or an 'effort' problem. Then, take these steps to address the problem after the first grading period of the new school year.

Poor Report Card - What to Do