Everything directly related to the process of learning; both formal and informal education.
44
votes
11answers
2k views
What are some strategies for raising a bilingual child?
We are planning on raising our child bi-lingual. The plan is for my husband to only speak English to her and I would only speak Tagalog (a dialect of the Philippines). I have asked my parents to also ...
37
votes
14answers
2k views
How does one formally educate a gifted child without wrecking childhood?
I have a very bright child (just turned 7), he is not a genius by any stretch, but he reads way past his level (really liked Hatchet, and Call of the Wild), understands somewhat complex mathematics ...
31
votes
13answers
2k views
As an atheist, how should I explain theism to my children?
I have two competing interests here and I'm not entirely sure how to handle this. On one hand I feel that the short answer, to questions about gods, of "some people believe that, but it's not true" is ...
30
votes
10answers
1k views
What are some suggestions for punishing a child?
My daughters are clearly pushing the boundaries lately. They are trying to find out what is possible. I am really looking into ways to setting the boundaries. A friend recently suggested creating a ...
29
votes
9answers
2k views
How do you respond to a toddler who endlessly says “why?”?
My wife and I had joked about expecting endless "why?" questions from our son while we were expecting, and I thought I was prepared for it.
In fact, I thought the stereotypical constant flow of "why? ...
23
votes
11answers
917 views
How do you handle bilingual education in a country where you do not speak the language natively?
Our 2 year old son is growing up in a different country (New Zealand) than we did (Brazil).
We try to speak to him in portuguese all times, and we noticed that he is learning english reasonably well ...
19
votes
6answers
1k views
What is the best way to respond if my child is picked on by other children?
What can I do if other children pick on my children? Obviously I can't perform any disciplinary actions. Reprimanding might make my child look like a "mama's boy" and doing nothing might look like a ...
17
votes
4answers
3k views
How much pressure should I put on my kids to learn?
My wife just started reading "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother", a book written by a Chinese mother who talks about the pros and cons of the high-pressure and rigid parenting style of some Chinese ...
16
votes
10answers
1k views
What would be a effective way to explain pornography?
With the availability of the internet and also the video mobile device (PSP, ...) our children will face pornography at an earlier age than we have. So I want to face this problem and explain things ...
14
votes
6answers
1k views
What can be done to help bright children stuck in a boring school?
My kids (grades 2&4) are very bright and very active. The traditional school setting does not seem to be working for them. This is evident by their perpetual visits to the principal's office for ...
13
votes
3answers
133 views
Should I make a particular effort to present great women of history to my daughter?
I always had my heroes as I grew up. I always liked to read about great people, and of course this more often than not meant read about great men. On my time as a child very rarely important women of ...
12
votes
13answers
3k views
How do you explain “Right” and “Left” politics to a child without bias?
I'm curious what the correct way would be to explain the difference between right wing and left wing politics to a child without even a hint of bias and without indoctrinating them. Here's my stab:
...
12
votes
5answers
6k views
How do I teach my child to speak in sentences?
My son is 2.3yrs. Right now we keep reading books for him. He pays attention only for some time. We also keep teaching letters and numbers during his bed time or during his bath. When asked he repeats ...
12
votes
5answers
385 views
How does one address Christianity with their children in a mixed faith marriage?
I am Christian (though admittedly, liberally so) while my husband is Agnostic. He agrees that it is appropriate for our child to receive some education in my faith, but we have been unable to find a ...
11
votes
6answers
518 views
How do I get my overachiever to accept her mistakes and live up to her abilities?
My seven year old child is a perfectionist and I believe it holds her back. She is so afraid of making a mistake or "failing" that she is afraid to put herself out there. She is similarly afraid to be ...
11
votes
3answers
404 views
At what age or developmental milestones is a child capable of critical thinking?
I am interested in pursuing a non-authoritarian approach to educating my son and I do not know at what age (or prerequisite milestones) the focus of education should switch from telling him facts to ...
11
votes
1answer
277 views
What stories for children have strong female role models?
I notice that just about all young children's stories (fairy tales, etc) depict women in a subordinate role. This hit me while reading Cinderella: her ultimate goal in life is to be the prettiest so ...
10
votes
8answers
265 views
What to read or learn before expecting?
We want to be prepare for our 9 months period as a couple and be sure to give a proper environment for our baby. What should we read before and during the 9 month period?
Please note: answers should ...
10
votes
8answers
1k views
How much time is too much time playing educational computer games?
I recently bought an iPad primarily for my 3-year-old daughter. I put nothing on it but educational apps and children's books. No YouTube, no Internet, no (non-educational) games. I've decided to let ...
10
votes
7answers
183 views
How and when do I teach my son to use chopsticks?
Even though I live in the U.S., I find using a fork inefficient and clumsy. I'd like to teach my son how to use chopsticks as an alternative.
What is the best way to do this without interfering with ...
10
votes
1answer
460 views
What should I consider when deciding whether to homeschool my child?
This is an often-controversial topic, one where it's easy to find conflicting or misleading information. What are the important points to consider when making the decision to enroll in a mortar and ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
When is the best time in a child's development to move to a different area?
We're thinking of switching to a different region at some point in the future. We're not sure when would be best with regards to our child's education and development needs? Would it be best to move ...
10
votes
5answers
1k views
How do you explain World War II to young children?
My 7-year old son asks many questions about World War II. I have the habit not to hide anything, but concepts such as Nazism or the Holocaust are so inherently dreadful that he sometimes seems to ...
10
votes
7answers
313 views
What should I look for in educational iPad apps for children?
What qualities should I look for in educational iPad apps for children?
8
votes
3answers
162 views
How do I talk to my child about homelessness and mental illness?
We live in Vancouver, Canada, which for various reasons (weather, policy effects, etc.) has a large homeless population. Many of them suffer mental illness of some degree. Panhandlers are a common ...
8
votes
3answers
192 views
Techniques for teaching children from the start about how to read advertising?
I took a class in high school that taught media literacy and it has been one of the few learning experiences in high that really stuck with me. I'd like my boy to learn from the beginning, when he's ...
8
votes
3answers
119 views
How do you evaluate schools before a cross-country move?
Unfortunately, for those of us in the US, the school our children attend is determined by geography. So, before choosing to accept a far-away job offer, or selecting a home in a new region, we need ...
7
votes
7answers
571 views
Should I supplement children's education at home?
I am a mom who has made two changes to my children's education so far. I was not satisfied with the level of education of school at the first school so we switched to a more rigorous academic ...
7
votes
8answers
1k views
What are the pros and cons of having an advanced student skip Kindergarten?
I have a 5 year old boy who is supposed to start Kindergarten in the US this year. He is advanced in many academic areas already, and we are worried he would be bored in Kindergarten. He is reading ...
7
votes
4answers
366 views
ADD Children and writing - tips, tricks?
Our 10 year old has ADD. He's on medication, which helps with focus, but isn't a cure-all, of course. I have ADD and my dad has ADD. I'm guessing his dad did too. ;)
I wasn't diagnosed until ...
7
votes
3answers
140 views
Siblings learning differences
I have 4 children, two of them 14 months apart (ages 3 and 4). The 3 year old can recognize all his letters and numbers and can do initial sounds. The 4 year old can as well (not quite as ...
7
votes
6answers
2k views
How do you decide when it is time to change schools?
My son's school is not a good fit for him. I want to move him but minimize the disruption. When is the best time (grade) for boys to change schools?
EDIT: "not a good fit" = not responsive to his ...
7
votes
2answers
383 views
How can we make the most of Parent-Teacher consultations?
We attend parent-teacher consultations once a term and we sometimes come out feeling as if we've just received the the boilerplate script. Little X is doing fine, reaching all appropriate milestones ...
7
votes
4answers
144 views
At what age is it appropriate to start to teach a foreign language / second language - and how to do it?
We are a Brazilian family in Brazil and therefore we speak Portuguese. I can speak English reasonably well but my wife is just learning it now. We want our 9 months old son to learn English, too. ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
How to improve my 9yo child's short term memory
My daughter is now 10 and was recently given an IQ test. This was a comprehensive, 2 hour test administered by a child psychologist who specialises in gifted children. Her results were highly ...
7
votes
2answers
925 views
Are same-gender classrooms better for girls, or mixed-gender classrooms better for boys?
I've heard that girls learn better in an all-girl classroom setting, but that boys learn better in a mixed boy/girl classroom composition. Is there any statistical evidence that this lends merit to ...
7
votes
3answers
200 views
How can I encourage language development in my infant?
My 4 month old is the most verbal baby I've ever seen. He has something to say in every situation. My husband and I tell him what things are, "That's a truck. It moves along the road.". My son clearly ...
6
votes
5answers
236 views
How do I teach my child the virtue of not quitting?
He is 14 years old. I have observed in his study of mathematics, he tries for some time, but then gives up sooner than one should (if the problem seems difficult). I guess just telling him to try ...
6
votes
6answers
304 views
How to get my sister to use correct spelling while typing on computer?
I am sure that I am treading on eggshells here as this is a matter of opinion, but please do read on.
I absolutely resent when people use incorrect spelling for 90% of their words, on purpose. My ...
6
votes
7answers
215 views
How and when might I start teaching the language of music?
When it's time to teach my child (she's 4 months old right now) her ABCs and 123s, I'm interested in also teaching her the building blocks of music. Intervals, scales, triads, etc. My thinking is, in ...
5
votes
7answers
2k views
When do kids start learning fractions in school?
My daughter, 9yo, is starting to be exposed to fractions at school. I've tried to help her out with basic fraction arithmetic but don't seem to be getting too far. I've spoken to her teacher who has ...
5
votes
4answers
151 views
How to encourage toddler to not throw food?
My wife and I are blessed with fifteen month old twins. They are generally well-behaved, but have recently started to throw food from their highchair trays. We have two dogs who are very pleased with ...
5
votes
3answers
455 views
How do you discuss a controversial history topic with a child?
There are many controversial history episodes that are still relevant and actively discussed today. I don't mean cruel or bloody stories, rather episodes that different people have opposite viewpoints ...
5
votes
3answers
189 views
How can you encourage a child in a school subject they don't like?
I think it is safe to say that very few children enjoy every subject in school. How do you motivate your child to put effort into subjects that they just aren't interested in? I feel this is a ...
5
votes
1answer
491 views
What should one look for in first firearms training for children?
I have heard of videos and courses that teach children about firearm safety and how to handle firearms, but have never watched or evaluated any. I've know that the US National Rifle Association (NRA) ...
5
votes
4answers
257 views
How do you ensure that the Internet is a helpful learning tool, rather than a crutch?
I've come to the realization that technology has radically revolutionized learning in ways that haven't yet occurred to me.
For example, last night I was reading a pre-school book on animals of the ...
5
votes
2answers
202 views
How do you encourage a toddler that you suspect may be gifted?
Related to this question, what do you do if you think your child may be gifted?
My son is very advanced in a number of areas (most notably speaking in 5 and 6 word sentences, and having a tremendous ...
5
votes
4answers
219 views
How can I teach a child to keep trying after a failure?
My niece is just under seven years old, and in her first year of school, where she is doing badly. The main problem seems to be that she doesn't do her homework or try to learn, and the reason there, ...
5
votes
2answers
191 views
Signs a child is “over scheduled”?
I read all over that kids like routine but how can you tell if they are "over scheduled"? But I also read it is good to take your kids out and "explore". I have lately been taking my child to story ...
5
votes
1answer
115 views
How closely should a parent be tied to their child's education?
I know that some kids are relatively self-motivated; I want to be supportive without smothering such a child. I know that some kids have very little motivation; I want to be able to encourage such a ...
