ART

Looking at Art
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/18/looking-at-art/
For kids to have more fun when looking at artwork, ask them the following questions

 
FAMILY FUN

200 Ideas for Summertime or Anytime Fun
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/05/200-ideas-for-summertime-or-anytime-fun/
I asked for input from some other moms, and now my children have a list of over two hundred ideas to beat summertime boredom.

Quick Mini Vacations
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/14/quick-mini-vacations/
If money’s tight, don’t feel you need to necessarily forego a vacation or time away.

Frugal Family Field Trips
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/05/frugal-family-field-trips/
Family field trips are a simple, fun, and fairly inexpensive educational enrichment activity you can enjoy regularly with your children.  Here are some quick ideas to get you started

GENERAL EDUCATION

Merit Badges:  Still a Great Way to Learn
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/20/merit-badges-still-a-great-way-to-learn/
Merit badges are systematic tools to help young people learn about the world around them, develop lifelong skills, discover hobbies, and even gain a solid general education.

Computer Education for Kids
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/09/10/computer-education-for-kids/
Computers have become a common and needed part of life in today’s society, making computer education imperative for children.

The Importance of First Time Learning
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/the-importance-of-first-time-learning/
The first time a student learns a skill is the most important. This is the time when the path for learning is established.

Music Education for Children
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/music-education-for-children/
Studies have shown that music and music training provide a wealth of educational benefits to children. Early exposure to music has been proven to help develop areas of the brain responsible for language and reasoning skills.

Five Tips for Learning a Foreign Language
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/07/five-tips-for-learning-a-foreign-language/
Mastering a foreign language can be a formidable task, particularly if you start as an adult. But it can be done, and it’s well worth the effort.

Send Your Kids Back to School for Less
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/09/01/send-your-kids-back-to-school-for-less/
Does the thought of Back to School shopping send your wallet into hiding?

Teaching vs. Facilitating
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/teaching-vs-facilitating/
I personally I see a facilitator as someone who bridges that gap between the student and the material — more of a discussion leader.

HOLIDAYS

Alternative Halloween Celebration Ideas
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/10/23/alternative-halloween-celebration-ideas/
A few suggestions for alternatives to the regular “trick-or-treat” options.

The Advent Book Box
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/11/21/the-advent-book-box/
A great idea for the holidays is to set aside a special box or basket containing your family’s special Christmas or other holiday books. The Advent (or Holiday) Book Box only comes out during the Advent season, and is put away again with the decorations after the first of the year.

HOMEWORK / STUDYING

Homework Tips for Kids & Teens
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/10/23/homework-tips-for-kids-teens/
Homework has been a perennial headache for kids and teens as well as for their parents. Following are some tips to make homework time more effective and enjoyable for all concerned.

Make Yourself a Homework Kit
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/11/07/make-yourself-a-homework-kit/
Here are a few suggestions to help you finish your homework with as little pain as possible.

LITERATURE / READING

Reading Aloud to Kids
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/reading-aloud-to-kids/
By reading aloud to your kids, you’re showing them how to enjoy children’s books, the English language, the wonders of a good story, and hopefully, you’re instilling a love of reading and learning.

Children’s Literature by Grade Level
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/childrens-literature-by-grade-level/

The following list consists of books that I personally feel are twaddle-free literature and “living” books.  Happy reading!  The age designations for this list are only approximate. A child’s listening level will often be several grades higher than their personal reading level–feel free to choose books from an older list if you’re planning on reading aloud to your children.

Bedtime Stories Develop Stronger Reading Skills
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/bedtime-stories-develop-stronger-reading-skills/
Reading a bedtime story to your child at an early age can greatly motivate your children to learn how to read at an early age.

The Advent Book Box
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/11/21/the-advent-book-box/
A great idea for the holidays is to set aside a special box or basket containing your family’s special Christmas or other holiday books. The Advent (or Holiday) Book Box only comes out during the Advent season, and is put away again with the decorations after the first of the year.

 
NATURE STUDY / SCIENCE

Nature Study for City Dwellers
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/nature-study-for-city-dwellers/
Even in the city, children should get their knowledge of nature first hand and get into the habit of being in touch with nature.

Nature Notebooks
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/nature-notebooks/
Nature Notebooks are artist sketchbooks where the children can draw whatever natural items strike their fancy.  The more options you offer the child, the more likely they’ll find one or more ideas that spark their interest.  Here are some ideas to get you started.

NUTRITION

Eat a Rainbow: The Autumn Harvest
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/eat-a-rainbow-the-autumn-harvest/
Introduce the importance of eating a rainbow of colors of fruits and vegetables while emphasizing and celebrating a seasonal harvest.

Let’s Play “Hide-and-Sneak” with Veggies
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/11/12/lets-play-hide-and-sneak-with-veggies/

A simple way to help your child eat healthier … even if their picky little taste buds haven’t quite matured enough for a full serving of cooked Brussel sprouts.

PARENTING

Tips for Planning Consequences
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/tips-for-planning-consequeces/
When giving out consequences, don’t think JUSTICE, think HEART CHANGE.

PRESCHOOL

Teaching Colors to Preschoolers
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/09/20/teaching-colors-to-preschoolers/
How do you teach a preschooler a concept about colors? First, we have to punch their curious button, which shouldn’t be hard.

Reading Aloud to Kids
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/reading-aloud-to-kids/
By reading aloud to your kids, you’re showing them how to enjoy children’s books, the English language, the wonders of a good story, and hopefully, you’re instilling a love of reading and learning.

Bedtime Stories Develop Stronger Reading Skills
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/bedtime-stories-develop-stronger-reading-skills/
Reading a bedtime story to your child at an early age can greatly motivate your children to learn how to read at an early age.

Learning Impulse Control
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/learning-impulse-control/
Learning impulse control helped them to cope better with frustration and suppress short term desires for more important, long term goals.

TEENS

Summertime Development Goals for Teens
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/06/16/summertime-developmental-goals-for-teens/
While both you and your teenager will want some free time in the summer to just “be”, if you don’t plan for developing special interests or personal growth, you will spend most of the summer idle.

WRITING

A Kid’s Guide to Becoming a Writer
http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/a-kids-guide-to-becoming-a-writer/
Many young writers get excited about seeing their words in print. It’s natural.