My 17-month-old knows how to say her ABC's, count to ten, sing songs, and say words like "bumble bee" and phrases like "I love you." Many people have told me that she's very advanced. I planned to stay home with her until she starts kindergarten, but I'm worried that if she really is gifted, keeping her home may hinder her development. How can I tell if she's actually gifted? And what sort of learning activities can I do with her at home? - Parenting.com
School's back in session again! Whether you've got a daycare newbie or a seasoned grade schooler, you can help your kids get ready to hop back on the school bus. Our guide has everything you need, from the latest health information for your kids to ways to get them (and you) back into the swing of things. Study up - and happy school days!
- Parenting.com
"We keep a written log of our summer adventureseverything from whale watching to nasty boo-boos. This gets the kids excited to share the tales (exaggerations included!) with their friends."
--Anne Mahon, Belmont, MA
"The boys are too young for school, but my husband's a medical student, so we still celebrate back-to-school. The kids help me color cards to hide in Daddy's book bag and make a special dinner, complete with root-beer floats." --Debbi Christiansen, West Des Moines, IA
"We go out to lunch and talk about the upcoming school year. Every positive comment earns the kids tickets for choosing back-to-school items at the dollar storeplus, shopping there doesn't break my bank!" --Delfina Short, Centerville, PA
"I turn my daughter's breakfast into a funny face on her plate: small pancakes are the eyes, mango for the nose, bananas become the mouth, and bacon is the hair. This way, her first day back to school starts with a full belly and a smile." --Jean Snyder, Coal Valley, IL
"The countdown begins thirty days before school. The kids draw in daily activities like hiking, biking, and visiting museums on a big calendar. We also squeeze in one last mini-vacation for even more exciting stories to share with their classmates." --Deborah Sacoto, Shelton, CT
"Our son, Kai, starts kindergarten this year, so we're beginning a new tradition on the night before the first day. After his favorite dinner, Kai will blow out a candle on a cake to celebrate the new school year!" --JRhea Serran, Elk Grove, CA
"My seven-year-old is homeschooled, so we make picking out supplies extra special by choosing crayons and pencils that are cooler than the ones recommended by the public school." --Sabrina Brown, Conehatta, MS
What are your best money-saving tips? E-mail us your ideas at momexchnge@parenting.com.
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