Learning vocabulary is a milestone of reading and writing skills, as well as something kids do daily—sometimes without noticing. Whether your child needs to learn a specific set of vocabulary words or you’re looking to simply expand his...
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April 06, 2017
News Literacy 101
By Christine Elgersma, Common Sense Media
If it's tough for us grown-ups to figure out what's real news and what's fake these days, imagine how difficult it is for kids. Among hearing opinions at home, talking with friends, learning from...
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April 04, 2017
3 Simple Rules for a Healthy Media Diet
By Caroline Knorr, Common Sense Media parenting editor
You balance their meals, so why not their media? Learn the secrets to a well-balanced media diet.
Many parents struggle with exactly how much screen time is OK for their kids....
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March 30, 2017
How to Explain Standardized Testing to Your Young Student
by Lisa Low
Taking a standardized test is an entirely different beast from the regular day in and day out of your child’s school day. It can feel intimidating to some students, causing worry and anxiety. However, the great thing about standardized testing is...
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March 16, 2017
Moments That Matter the Most
My son was a sophomore in college when he brought his first serious girlfriend home for his birthday dinner. She was pretty and petite and well-spoken, and my instinctual wariness (What does this girl want from my precious son?) ebbed as the meal...
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March 09, 2017
Here's the Secret to Raising a Safe, Smart Kid
By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media
When it comes to parenting frustrations, nothing beats the challenges of setting screen limits, picking appropriate media, and figuring out Snapchat. We're raising "digital natives" but we're supposed...
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February 23, 2017
6 Simple Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Accomplishments
Adults appreciate words of praise from their boss or a celebratory dinner that acknowledges a well-executed project. Kids also like to celebrate their accomplishments. As parents, our challenge is how to celebrate children’s successes without...
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February 16, 2017
Why Device-Free Dinners Are a Healthy Choice
By Michael Robb, Common Sense Media, Director of Research
It may seem obvious that eating dinner with your family is a good thing. Research provides plenty of support for the importance of family dinner for kids: Learning vocabulary, fewer...
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February 09, 2017
How Jamie Learned to Whistle (or Why I Quit Being an Overly Involved Parent)
by Pam Abrams
My son Jamie was five when we moved into a new house. The first morning we were there, before the cable was hooked up, before the boxes were unpacked, before anyone else was awake, he sat on the couch and taught himself to whistle. Never in a...
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February 02, 2017
Sure, You Got It Wrong—Now, Forgive Yourself
by Jill Smolowe
I recently had back-to-back conversations with two distressed mothers. One, the parent of a preschooler, described how a tantrum her four-year-old son had thrown at a public playground had left her feeling helpless and more than a shade...
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