Q: Our elementary school does "blended learning." What defines blended learning, and is there a good resource on it? What devices are best? If we understand it correctly, we think we'd like to use it ... more
Q: We try to manage the "screen" lives of our tweens. Yet every time we turn around, there's a new app to worry about or another social media horror story to scare parents. Help!... more
Q: I'd like to find some educational, yet enjoyable, non-techie gifts for kids on my list, as I'm sure their parents will get them "Star Wars" and video game-type stuff. The kids range in age from 1 t... more
Q: We're sticking close to home during holiday break. What family activities can we plan to keep my elementary-age kids and their cousins constructively and inexpensively occupied, i.e., off the couch... more
Q: Our kids love their teachers and want to buy Christmas gifts for them, but our district discourages it. Doesn't that stifle the generosity we're trying to instill in our kids? What is the appropria... more
Q: I want to buy my kids STEM toys. (I have a 9-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy.) I've found robotic toys related to "Star Wars" that would thrill them, but how do I know if they're worth it? Wha... more
Q: I heard a pediatrician on TV say parents should use real sentences when talking to babies, even if they don't understand, and that toddlers should hear 21,000 words a day. How is this beneficial?... more
Q: My daughter's class does a lot of writing. A recent assignment had kids keeping a "gratitude journal" of things they're thankful for. I found it oddly personal. The teacher explained that studies s... more
Q: Our high school offers SAT test prep, but nothing for the ACT. My daughter, a freshman, didn't take the PSAT in October because we're hearing colleges now pay more attention to the ACT. Which test ... more
Q: My daughter is so caught up in the "tests are bad" movement that she and her peers are stressed with each exam. I think tests are essential, and I want to change her attitude. Got any ammo to back ... more
Q: Our PTO is so focused on fundraising that it's turning parents off. As incoming president, my goal is simply to get parents involved in our school community, period. Any ideas?... more
Q: My daughter, a freshman, wants to join her high school robotics club. She struggles with math, so I don't know if she'll find it too hard. What are the benefits of a club like that?... more
Q: At Parent Night, our principal told parents to encourage our kids' curiosity and to welcome their questions. My 6-year-old son asks questions incessantly (and often annoyingly), but my 11-year-old ... more
Q: The counselor at our daughter's middle-school orientation surprised us by talking about college. She assumed kids would attend, even though plenty of college grads can't get work. Isn't middle scho... more
Q: My son is a kindergartner. The school nurse called saying he had been tardy three days and absent four so far this year and asked if she could help make his attendance more regular. I'm a single wo... more
Q: Our district is adopting a new "social and emotional" skills program to improve classroom behavior. I agree that disruptive students are a problem, but with all the new stuff schools are loading on... more
Q: Our school sent home the usual memo saying "keep screen time to a minimum" and "read with your kids." I get that reading is important, but our two kids, ages 10 and 11, love video games. There must... more
Q: My son Gavin is now in middle school and totally disorganized. He loses papers, forgets assignments and their due dates. While he's never been organized, it was never this bad. Any tips?... more
Q: My son, Ezra, just entered kindergarten and is one of the youngest in his class. He's really unhappy, so I want to hold him back a year. My husband says he'll get used to it and his teacher isn't c... more
Q: I just transferred my second-grade son Caeden to a new school. He's easily distracted; in first grade, he got labeled as a troublemaker at his old school. I refuse to have his first-grade problems ... more
Q: Our local service club is assembling backpacks with school supplies for students in our community's poorest schools. We've purchased generic supplies only to learn that many teachers compile specif... more
Q: Our oldest child starts third grade soon. The school sent information on the Common Core learning standards and says parents should provide kids with keyboarding opportunities. We don't allow our c... more
Q: Our son just graduated from high school, but isn't ready for college. Mariano's considering military service, but I worry that he'll never go to college if he enlists. His job options are few in ou... more
Q: My daughter Mikayla, a high school freshman, recently moved in with my new wife and me. She's such a perfectionist! Her room looks like Martha Stewart cleaned it. She's a competitive athlete and an... more
Q: Our son Liam's teacher suggested we work on reading comprehension skills this summer. He starts third grade this fall. We're reading daily. Is that enough?... more
Q: I purchased a road atlas for a trip, but my boys asked why we don't just use GPS. They have zero map skills, so I was hoping some atlas activities would teach them and keep them busy on a long trip... more
Q: Our daughter, Meghan, starts kindergarten in August. She was excited after orientation, but now she's so anxious about it. She cries that she wants to stay home with her little sister. She's one of... more
Q: My son just finished middle school and got a notice from his high school encouraging him to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes this fall. I was shocked. He's smart, but he's just leaving eighth g... more
Q: Our school district is offering a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) summer camp for students. I didn't enroll our kids due to the camp schedule. What are they missing? Can we do STEM... more
Q: My son, Malik, who is just finishing first grade, and another boy got into trouble at school. Their teacher sort of kicked them to get them to move faster in line and they reacted. Another teacher ... more