By Lela Nargi Likely you remember a scenario like this: a young you, looking forward to dinner and TV after a long day at school, scrambling to finish your homework by dim winter’s light, only to hear your mother’s admonition, “Time to practice!” Unless you were a true music aficionado, you probably wanted nothing more […]
What Kids Really Gain from Arts Education: One Mom’s Personal Reflection
By Lela Nargi It’s a late evening in early December and I’m sitting with my tween daughter in a stiflingly heated, baldly lit, packed-to-the gills auditorium near Coney Island, waiting for Mark Twain middle school’s winter concert to begin. We’ve come out to see a friend of my daughter’s sing with her 7th grade choral class. […]
News You Can Use: Singing to Soothe a Crying Baby
By Dawn Van Osdell Every parent has tip-toed away from a nearly sleeping baby after using all the tricks in our arsenal to sooth him. Turns out, these shenanigans might not be necessary. A new study from the University of Montreal found that the best way to console a crying baby is to sing him a nursery […]
Cool Ideas for Keeping Preschoolers Busy on Hot Summer Days
Summer is chock full of opportunities for entertaining and enriching little kids’ development through new experiences and activities. Check out these ideas for summer activities for the 3-5 year-old set. They’ll come in especially handy during the dog days of summer, headed our way. 1. No-Stress, No Mess Water Play No pool or even a […]