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School & Family Life

  • Creating a Reader-Friendly Home

    A home filled with reading material is a good way to help kids become enthusiastic readers. Here are some ideas.

  • Everyday Reading Opportunities

    Finding time to read is important to developing literacy skills. And there are many easy and convenient ways to make reading a part of every day.

  • Helping Kids Enjoy Reading

    For many kids, reading doesn't come easily. But these simple steps can help them become eager readers.

  • Raising a Summer Reader

    Help your kids keep their reading skills strong so they're ready for school.

  • Reading Books to Babies

    Reading aloud to your baby stimulates developing senses, and builds listening and memory skills that can help your baby grow up to be a reader.

  • Reading Milestones

    This general outline describes the milestones on the road to reading and the ages at which most kids reach them.

  • Reading: How to Help Your Child

    Reading programs and resources for your child are in your community or nearby. Find out what's available for your child's age and reading level.

  • School-Age Readers

    From kindergarten through third grade, kids' ability to read will grow by leaps and bounds. Although teachers provide lots of help, parents continue to play a role in a child's reading life.

  • Story Time for Preschoolers

    Reading aloud to your preschooler is a great way to encourage learning development and to help prepare your child for independent reading down the line.

  • Storytelling

    Here are some tips for on-the-spot storytelling when you hear your child plead, "I'm bored! Please tell me a story."

  • Toddler Reading Time

    Reading to toddlers lays the foundation for their independent reading later on. Here are some tips.

  • Understanding Dyslexia

    Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it hard to learn to read and understand written language. Even kids with average or above-average intelligence can have dyslexia.

  • 9 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem

    Self-esteem can come easier to some kids than others. If your child's self-esteem needs a boost, try these suggestions.

  • Answering Questions About Sex

    Answering kids' questions about sex is a responsibility many parents dread. But by answering these questions honestly, parents can help foster healthy feelings about sex.

  • Anxiety Disorders

    Anxiety is a normal part of growing up, and all kids experience it. But when it becomes extreme, it can interfere with a child's overall happiness.

  • Becoming a Stepparent

    Stepparenting can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Learn how to cultivate a healthy relationship with your stepkids.

  • Biting

    There are ways to get to the bottom of your toddler's biting habit. These steps can help.

  • Caring for Siblings of Kids With Disabilities

    Kids love their siblings. Often, those who have a brother or sister with special needs want to help. Here's how to help them feel loved and secure about their place in the family.

  • Child Abuse

    Child abuse — whether it's physical, sexual, emotional, medical, or another type — can harm kids in many ways. Learn how to spot the signs of child abuse.

  • Connecting With Your Preteen

    As your preteen becomes more independent, staying connected may seem like more of a challenge. But it's as important as ever – here are some tips.

  • Cough and Cold Medicine Abuse

    Chugging cough medicine for an instant high is a dangerous, potentially deadly practice.

  • COVID-19: How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health

    The COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring uncertainty for kids and teens. Here's how to help them.

  • Cyberbullying

    Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person. Here are some suggestions on what to do if online bullying has become part of your child's life.

  • Disciplining Your Child

    It's important to be consistent about discipline. If you don't stick to the rules and consequences, kids aren't likely to either. Find out how to vary your approach to fit your family.

  • Disciplining Your Toddler

    Reeling in your active little one can be tough. But setting limits now helps prevent bigger problems down the road.

  • Drugs: What Parents Need to Know

    Knowing what drugs are out there, what they can do, and how they can affect someone is the first step in raising drug-free kids.

  • Encouraging a Healthy Body Image

    A healthy and positive body image means liking your body, appreciating it, and feeling grateful for its qualities and capabilities. Parents can help kids develop a healthy body image.

  • Getting Support When Your Child Has Special Health Care Needs

    You might have more on your plate than most parents, but it doesn't mean you have to do it all alone. Here's how to ask for help and avoid caregiver burnout.

  • Handling Picky Eating in Toddlers (Video)

    Make mealtimes more pleasant and less stressful for everyone by learning how to handle a picky eater.

  • Helping Kids Cope With Cliques

    With cliques prevalent in middle and high school, most kids encounter them at some point. Here's how parents can help kids maintain confidence and self-respect while dealing with cliques.

  • Helping Kids When They Worry

    All kids worry at times, and some may do so more than others. But parents can help kids manage it and tackle everyday problems with ease. Find out how.

  • Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety (Video)

    Feeling nervous, worried, or uneasy at times is a normal part of growing up. Here's how to help your child feel more in control and deal with stress.

  • How Can I Help My Teen Quit Smoking for Good?

    If your teen smokes, here are tips to help them kick the habit.

  • How to Talk to Your Child About the News

    News reports are often educational. But when stories are about disturbing topics, parents can find it hard to explain to kids. Here are some guidelines.

  • Kids and Smoking

    The health risks of smoking are well known, many young people still do it. Here's how to help your kids avoid smoking or quit, if they've already started.

  • Managing Your Toddler's Behavior (Video)

    Learn how to encourage good behavior, handle tantrums, and keep your cool when parenting your toddler.

  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    Kids and teens who live through a traumatic event can develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Healing is possible with the help of professional counseling and support from loved ones.

  • Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling

    The arrival of a new baby can cause lots of changes. But parents can prepare kids for an addition to the family.

  • Preventing Abductions

    It's important to teach your kids to be cautious without filling them with fear or anxiety. Here are ways to lessen the chances that your child will be abducted.

  • Secondhand Smoke

    Breathing in someone else's secondhand smoke is hazardous to our health. Find out what you can do about it.

  • Sexting: What Parents Need to Know

    Sexting could haunt a teen for the rest of his or her life. Here's what parents need to know.

  • Sexual Orientation

    During the teen years, sexual feelings are awakened in new ways because of the hormonal and physical changes of puberty. It takes time for many kids to understand who they are and who they're becoming. Part of that understanding includes a person's sexual feelings and attractions.

  • Talking to Kids About Gun Violence

    When gun violence is in the news, kids might worry that it could happen to them or someone they love. Here's how to talk to them about it.

  • Talking to Kids About Race and Racism

    Race and the harmful effects of racism are common topics of conversation for some families. Other parents, though, might talk about racism and discrimination with their kids rarely, or not at all.To help put an end to racism, everyone has to take an active role, no matter who they are.

  • Talking to Your Child About Drugs

    Help protect kids against drug use by giving them the facts before they're in a risky situation.

  • Talking to Your Child About Periods

    Kids reaching puberty should already know what's going to happen to their bodies. Here are some tips for talking to your daughter about menstruation.

  • Talking to Your Child About Puberty

    Talking to kids about puberty is an important job for parents, especially because kids often hear about sex and relationships from unreliable sources. Here are some tips.

  • Talking to Your Child About World Conflicts

    Talking with kids about violence and world conflict (like what's happening in the Middle East and Ukraine) can be hard. Here are some tips.

  • Talking to Your Kids About Alcohol

    As much as parents may not like to think about it, the truth is that many kids and teens try alcohol before it is legal for them to drink it. Here's an age-based guide on how to talk to them about it.

  • Talking to Your Kids About STDs

    Your kids need to understand how STDs spread and how to protect themselves. Here's how to talk to them about sexually transmitted diseases.

  • Taming Tempers

    Controlling outbursts can be hard for kids - and helping them learn to do so is a tough job for their parents. But just about every child can improve with the right coaching.

  • Teaching Kids About Their Bodies

    Teaching kids about their bodies and what is private can help them develop healthy feelings about their bodies in age-appropriate ways.

  • Teaching Kids to Be Smart About Strangers

    Sometimes it's a good idea for kids to talk to strangers. Who else will they turn to if they're lost and need help? Here's how to teach kids when it's OK to talk to strangers and when it's not.

  • Tips for Divorcing Parents

    Every divorce - and every family - is different. But these guidelines might make the change a bit easier.

  • Underage Drinking: What Can Parents Do?

    Many kids and teens try alcohol during their high school and college years. But parents are important role models in this area. Here's how to set a good example.

  • Understanding Cliques

    Cliques are tight groups that usually have a strict code of membership and ways to act. Most focus on maintaining their status and popularity. Here's what parents should know.

  • Vaping: What Parents Should Know

    E-cigarettes (or “vape pens”) heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor, which is inhaled. The liquid (called e-liquid or “vape juice”) can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. Here are the facts on vaping.

  • What Are "Magic" Mushrooms?

    Some kinds of mushrooms are considered illegal drugs because they contain substances that cause people to hallucinate. Find out more about hallucinogenic mushrooms.

  • What Are Amphetamines?

    Amphetamines (including prescription diet pills) are highly addictive stimulants that accelerate functions in the brain and body.

  • What Are Bath Salts?

    Bath salts are powerful stimulant drugs that increase brain and central nervous system activity.

  • What Are Cocaine & Crack?

    Cocaine and crack are illegal drugs that produce an intense high and can cause a stroke, heart attack, or even death.

  • What Are Depressants?

    Depressants calm and relax nerves. But if used in the wrong way, they can be dangerous and even cause life-threatening problems.

  • What Are Inhalants?

    Inhalants like glue are sniffed or huffed to give the user a high. Doing it even once can be fatal.

  • What Is Fentanyl?

    Fentanyl is a synthetic (man-made) opioid that doctors can prescribe to treat pain. Fentanyl is also made illegally and sold as a street drug.

  • What Is GHB?

    GHB, gamma hydroxybutyrate, is a popular club and date rape drug that can be deadly.

  • What Is Heroin?

    Heroin is a highly addictive, illegal narcotic that can cause death when taken in excess.

  • What Is Ketamine?

    Ketamine hydrochloride is a quick-acting anesthetic that can cause intoxication, hallucinations, and even death when taken in dangerously high doses.

  • What Is LSD?

    LSD is a dangerous hallucinogenic drug that affects mood, judgment, and behavior.

  • What Is Marijuana?

    Many teens and young adults use marijuana in some form. Understand its risks so you can help your kids make good decisions.

  • What Is MDMA (Ecstasy)?

    Ecstasy is a dangerous illegal drug that can cause hallucinations and even death.

  • What Is Methamphetamine (Meth)?

    Methamphetamines are dangerous stimulants that speed up a person's heart rate and bodily functions. When used in large doses, meth can kill.

  • What Is Narcan (Naloxone)?

    Narcan is a medicine that can save someone from a heroin, fentanyl, or prescription opioid medicine overdose. Narcan is the brand name for naloxone.

  • What Is Nicotine?

    Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant. Those who start smoking before age 21 have the hardest time breaking the habit.

  • What Is PCP?

    PCP abuse is less common these days, mostly because of the drug's scary side effects. Find out more about the drug phencyclidine.

  • What Is Rohypnol?

    Rohypnol is an antianxiety medication. Because it can cause extreme drowsiness (or "blackouts"), the drug is often used in date rapes.

  • What Is Salvia?

    There are many types of salvia plants. One, salvia divinorum, has a substance that can cause psychedelic experiences.

  • What Is Xylazine?

    Xylazine is a tranquilizer used by veterinarians that is also used as a street drug mixed with other drugs (mainly fentanyl) to increase the effects and lower the price.

  • When a Loved One Dies: How to Help Your Child

    When a loved one dies, children feel and show their grief in different ways. Here are some tips for parents on supporting kids through a loss.

  • When a Pet Dies

    For most kids, pets are more than just animals – they're members of the family. So it can be heartbreaking to lose one. Here's how to help kids cope.

  • When Your Teen Is Having a Baby

    If your daughter is pregnant and planning to have the baby, many changes await your family. How can you support her through the challenges to come?

  • Your Child's Self-Esteem

    Kids with self-esteem feel liked, accepted, and confident. Here's how to build healthy self-esteem in your kids.

What next?

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