Our boys received a wonderful gift this year for the holidays- a beautiful hardcover copy of Zoolidays, Written by Bruce Glassman and illustrated by up and coming artist Rolandas Kiaulevicius, and if that wasn’t enough they also got tickets to a wonderful show about that book and more called GIRO.

This book is a wonderful read, and the show is a fabulous must see for any emergent reader and budding artist. My boys absolutely loved the book from cover to cover, and the show really delighted their imaginations in a way that the book alone couldn’t do. (more…)

You don’t need to rely on a future preschool teacher or the television set to teach your child literacy. Proactive parents can do quite a bit for their children at a very young age to set the stage for early reading and lifelong success at school. A child who feels successful has confidence, and as we all know, one who struggles with failure will often times develop poor coping skills and very low self-esteem. Don’t wait until your child is formally enrolled to start thinking about literacy. Start now. There are 10 very simple things parents can do with their toddlers that will ensure future success at school. (more…)

On the heels of Jenny McCarthy’s new book, Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism, and several different national television appearances with celebrities such as Oprah and Larry King, ABC’s Good Morning America gives us a closer look at the Gluten-free/ Casein-free diet and its potential benefits, not just for children suffering from Autism, but for any child suffering from developmental delays. Watch the interview on October 15, 2007: Can a New Diet Help Autistic Kids?

If you are considering a gluten and casein free diet for your child, visit our forum for more information and recipe ideas.

In 2005, Gary Null produced a video entitled “The Drugging of our Children” that questions the validity of medicating so many children for symptoms of ADHD.

Toddlers between the ages of one and two love to explore their world. They are delightful and exhausting, funny and fearless, and without common sense about the many dangers they will encounter within even the most carefully baby-proofed home. From the time your darling baby takes her first steps until she is finally ready for school, you will probably be quite anxious about safety, and rightfully so. A good way to channel your toddler’s curiosity and energy is to begin teaching her some chores, because regardless of how much you invest in toys, your inquisitive toddler will always want to be in your business.

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Families looking for creative ways to raise their children naturally in an artificial and chemically laden world may find some terrific resources at the Naturally Healthy Children’s Expo. The expo runs Friday through Sunday on the first weekend in October (5-7) at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Naturally Healthy Children’s Expo will feature renowned experts and interesting exhibits. Natural product vendors and service providers will host demonstrations on the exhibit floor. Visitors will also get the chance to watch live cooking shows performed by famous celebrity chefs. (more…)

No one likes to wait in line. It is right up there with getting a root canal or having blood drawn. Long lines and international flights have got to be the two most irritating places to find yourself trapped when you are in the company of bored and irritable children 5 and under. Nothing causes a parent sweaty palms more than idol minds, fidgety fingers, and restless legs forced to stay put and keep quiet for a half-hour or more.

Here is a quick and simple list of things you can do to keep the whining at a minimum while you’re waiting: (more…)

As a mother of three very young and inquisitive little boys I am guilty of hiring the electronic babysitter while doing laundry, making dinner, and talking on the phone. And I am sure if I did an informal telephone interview with other mothers I would find this to be true for most everyone. I know that excessive T.V. watching without adequate interaction will cause verbal delays. That’s just common sense. We don’t just plop our kids down in front of the television for hours on end and then just walk away. So in lieu of the recent Baby Einstein shake up I thought I would take a moment to jot down a few very successful non-television activities that my boys and I have done together this summer. They both have busy little minds and are often easily bored so I have to get creative quite often to keep them occupied.

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In Montgomery Alabama:

Serennah Harding, age 16, a Huntingdon senior and biology major focusing on pre-med studies, and Heath Harding, age 11, a freshman at Huntingdon College interested in becoming a movie director someday, were both in College by the age of 12—as were their 2 older siblings.

(Image provided by Huntingdon College Office of Communications.)

The following video not only highlights the accomplishments of Heath Harding, but also sheds some light on the positive impact of homeschooling gifted children. His mother, Mona Lisa, has successfully prepared Heath and his three older sisters for college by age twelve. She continues to home school his four younger siblings.

CNN Video: College by 12.

If you would like to read more about the Harding family and their success, visit Harding Family Page.

Bed-wetting, or Nocturnal Enuresis, is a nuisance when parents are starting to potty train. But for many families this inconvenience stretches for many more years. As bed-wetting children age it becomes even more apparent to them that there is something wrong.

There is a shame that runs deep among those that grew up with plastic mattress covers and a second set of spare sheets already underneath them. It is a secret society of members that hold on to their anonymity for life. As adults they remember sleep over parties and vacations that were always wrought with anxiety. A bed-wetter knows when they to go to sleep that more than likely they will awaken hours later wet and embarrassed, and it is completely out of their control. Or is it?

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