The more concrete the learning and the more children are encouraged to see mathematics in use all around them, the better. You can help by using math and the language of math around the house. Have your child help you with measuring tasks such as placing a picture on the wall, cutting out a pattern, building shelves, or papering a wall. Get your child to make estimates and judgments about distance and time, and play a lot of number-oriented games....

While this is often a developmentally appropriate kind of exploration and most teens who experiment with substances will not become addicted to them, sometimes substance use can become unhealthy and even deadly. In 2019, nearly 5,000 young adults died from a drug overdose and about 4,000 young people die each year from underage drinking and excessive alcohol use. Why Do Teenagers Try Drugs and Alcohol? According to the CDC, about two-thirds of adolescents will try drinking alcohol by the time they reach 12th grade....

A good guidance counselor can do you and your teen a favor by helping your teen select one school where he is guaranteed to get in. You don’t want your teen to find out in May that he has nowhere to go. Try to keep your teen from setting her heart on one school. Remind her that there are many schools where she could be happy—then help her find them....

10 to 15 minutes Materials None Directions Extensions Let your child stand and feel your legs tensed and relaxed.Repeat from a standing position.

Weight For this “test” you will probably want to put down your pocketbook and take off your shoes, rings, earrings, barrettes, clothing, and maybe even your makeup. Although you’re expected to gain weight during pregnancy, you should try to keep the total gain between 25 and 35 pounds. And so the climbing numbers on the scale will be closely watched by your health-care provider. Although nobody can say exactly how much weight you will put on each month, a general guideline says you should gain a total of about three or four pounds in the first three months; one pound a week for the next five months; and, finally, one or two pounds (if you gain any at all) in the ninth month of pregnancy....

5 to 10 minutes Materials 3 medium-sized items such as a washrag, yarn ball, small cup, or set of keys Directions Extensions Ask your baby to give you a toy.Put all 3 in front of your baby and don’t offer any directions.

Whether you’re shopping for a crib mattress, twin mattress, or something larger, you’ll need to know the size of the bed frame you have along with the mattress’s thickness and firmness. It’s important to know the thickness and hardness of the mattress you’re buying for a child, as one that’s too thick or soft can be dangerous for young children. We carefully looked over design, including firmness and thickness, value, material, and ease of cleaning when reviewing products....

Look for toys that are fun, age-appropriate, and aid in development for your growing baby. We carefully considered design, milestones, age recommendations, toy safety, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products. Find the best toys for your 8-month-old with these ideas. Press each button for individual sounds or press the Orchestra button to play all the instruments at once. This toy will inspire creativity and interactive play while teaching babies how sounds combine, so it’ll be fun for a long time....

“Double strollers can be a great option for parents of twins, but they are also incredibly useful when you’re toting around a baby and an older toddler simultaneously,” Oregon-based pediatrician and member of Buybuy BABY’s Parenting Pros, Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, tells Verywell Family. “Many provide more storage capacity than traditional strollers and can be converted from a single to double when needed.” When shopping for a double stroller, consider the different styles, such as inline/tandem or side-by-side, as well as your family’s lifestyle, safety features, ease of maneuverability, design, and value for the price....

While bathtime can quickly go from an adorable photo-worthy moment to a soapy, slippery mess, some sort of towel is always needed to dry your little one off post-bath. According to pediatrician Meghan Schlitt, MD, FAAP, caregivers should “look for a towel that is soft, absorbent, and affordable. The towel should not have any loose threads that can get wrapped around a baby’s finger or toes.” Shop for towels that are well-sized for your baby....

“As with most products geared toward kids, lunch boxes should be durable, easy to clean, and easy to transport,” says Cristie Besu, a certified sports nutritionist and founder of Eat Me Guilt Free. Our list includes a variety of designs and features to guarantee that your child will want to carry their lunch box around proudly and that its contents will stay fresh and safe throughout the day. We carefully considered design, material, ease of use, size, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products....

When choosing an ornament for a baby’s first Christmas, look for a keepsake that will last a lifetime. Many ornaments offer personalization options, from special dates (like a birthday) to photos, while others you can create yourself using the baby’s handprint or footprint. We carefully considered design, features, personalization, material, ease of use, durability, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best baby’s first Christmas ornaments. While you can’t add a baby’s name or birthday, the ornament does come imprinted with the year and special occasion to save you customization time....

This container should be clearly labeled — perhaps you might decorate it with a large skull and crossbones, like they used to put on bottles of poison. It’s certainly an arresting symbol. Your children should be taught to recognize the symbol and the box should be stored where they can’t get at it. You may also want to store especially messy materials in this container — anything you don’t want your child getting into unless you’re nearby....

Unlike disposable school supplies, backpacks are an investment made to last that can be carried across many school years. You want something sturdy, durable, and age-appropriate. A backpack is also a great way for your kid to express their unique personality, so take their opinion into consideration this back-to-school season. Outside of a bookbag, backpacks can be used as daypacks and suitcases when traveling, so choosing the right option will serve you well....

Be sure to check back throughout the weekend as we’ll be adding new sales as the deals come and go. The best part about this car seat is that it grows with your kid. Start in a rear-facing position, then convert until 40 pounds. Save on our top pick for best convertible car seats today. Streaming your family’s favorite shows (or Frozen for the 200th time) is a lot easier when you can access all of your go-to apps from one central location....

Find clothes that fit your family’s lifestyle while ensuring the items are durable and fit into your budget. We carefully considered design, material, ease of cleaning, sizing, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best places to buy baby clothes, whether you need a coming-home outfit, formal wear, onesies, outerwear, or everyday duds for your baby. Our Picks Carter’s Baby Primary Baby Old Navy Baby Nordstrom Hanna Andersson Maisonette Baby Monica and Andy Preemie Box Clover Baby & Kids Patagonia Baby Minibrook...

What Is a Flu Vaccine? The flu vaccine is an injection (shot) or nasal spray that can help you avoid getting the flu. The influenza vaccination can also help to prevent the spread of the flu in your community. Since the types of active flu viruses can change each year, the flu vaccine may also change from year to year to fight these different versions. Therefore, it is recommended that you get the new flu vaccine every year....

It’s that time of year where you are supposed to buy your adorable little niece or nephew a gift. What do you get? What is age appropriate? Should you stick with trends or classics? With kids, it is best to stick with classics. Young children are curious and explorative by nature. They want to manipulate, touch, and engage with their toys. Parents want toys that will stimulate their child’s brain, keep their attention sparked, and be durable all at the same time....

Adolescence can also be a time when mental health issues become prevalent. Many mental health problems are common in teenagers, including eating disorders, ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, and many others. In these cases, and many others, therapy can be beneficial for teens. A therapist can help your teen navigate complex and challenging issues, from mental health diagnoses to divorce, grief, relationship issues, substance use, and more. What are signs my teen needs a therapist?...