As a part of the Harrisburg metropolitan area, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, sits just west of the Susquehanna River. Its population is 7,943, according to the 2011 U.S. Census estimate, yet it is surrounded by many neighboring towns and is only 2 miles from downtown Harrisburg. You will find many attractions to do with kids in and around Camp Hill.
Peoria, Illinois, is the world headquarters for Caterpillar Inc. and is home to "the world's most beautiful drive." The city's businesses and government sponsor clean and inexpensive fun for families year-round. Along with scenic views of the Illinois River and downtown areas, many organizations provide a variety of entertainment. Peoria's Chamber of Commerce brags that Peoria is "easily accessible" with "natural beauty," making it a popular spot for parents and their kids.
Visiting Hawaii can be an extraordinary adventure for kids. The 50th state is a rainbow of cultures, and it’s the only U.S. state with two official languages: Hawaiian and English. Swimming in a hotel's fantasy pool amid man-made lava rock waterfalls, watching hula and fire dancers at a luau, and shopping in Waikiki for souvenirs can all be fun, but many kids will enjoy more active and educational experiences such as snorkeling on a coral reef, hiking on a volcano or the quintessential Hawaiian sport -- surfing.
Fort Campbell, which is situated on the Tennessee-Kentucky border, is a U.S. Army post and home to many military families. Whether you call Fort Campbell or a surrounding community home or are planning a trip to the area with your children, you'll find many activities for kids.
The city of Huntsville is situated on the northeast corner of Alabama, boasting a population of 182,956 according to the 2011 U.S. Census estimate. You will undoubtedly find plenty to do with children in this city, as Huntsville is home to NASA's Space Flight Center along with many other interesting and exciting attractions.
Located 21 miles west of Seattle across the Puget Sound, the city of Port Orchard, Washington provides several activities to do with kids. According to the 2011 U.S. census estimate, the population is 11,333. Although it is relatively small, Bremerton and Bainbridge Island are just north of the town and also offer many attractions suitable for children.
Jupiter, Florida, located along Florida's renowned Gold Coast, has nearly year-round perfect weather and an abundance of outdoor recreation for the entire family. Rich with history and natural beauty, this is a popular destination in the Palm Beach County area with numerous activities for families with children of all ages to enjoy.
Enid, Oklahoma was one of the towns that got its start from the Land Run of 1893 -- and this northern Oklahoma city has maintained its family friendly allure. Whether you’re visiting for an afternoon or planning a permanent relocation, you’ll find plenty of ways to entertain the kids while you’re in Enid.
Wake Forest, North Carolina is a mid-sized town in the central part of the state and about 30 minutes from the capital city of Raleigh. The former home of Wake Forest University and the current location of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest is far enough away from bustling cities to make it an idyllic place to raise a family. There’s no lack of things to do with small children in Wake Forest. From indoor play areas to outdoor recreational activities, Wake Forest and the surrounding areas likely have something to please every child.
Escanaba is a city of 12,000 people beside Little Bay de Noc on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The nearby state forest of the same name almost extends to the Wisconsin border. The city has long been a major port for iron ore leaving the U.P. on its way to industry centers like Chicago. Escanaba is a family vacation destination as well as an shipping center.
Toddlers often struggle with basic listening skills. This is partially due to their limited language skills, but even very young children can learn the basics of listening, according to the textbook "Child Psychology." Listening is an important part of learning, and good listeners have fewer temper tantrums and experience fewer difficulties in communication. There are several techniques parents can use both to encourage listening at critical moments and to improve children's listening skills over the long term.
Even as digital communications result in an increasingly connected world, many students do not have exposure to cultures outside their local geographical area. This isolation may result in their close mindedness and unwillingness to accept people from other cultures, which is something that hinders the personal interactions and employment opportunities of children when they develop into adults. Instructors can use activities and visual aids to make learning about cultural diversity a fun experience for their students.
During cold weather, children will reduce the time spent outside drastically. The result is that adults and children have to spent more time together in the confined space of their homes which can lead to irritability, boredom and restlessness. Before cabin fever spreads, you should consider some cheap and fun activities that will keep the children occupied as well as aid their development.
The relationship changes as you and your child age, so thoughtful gestures can help keep you connected to your child. You don't have to spend a lot of money or even take up much of your time to show your child how much you care; simple gestures can mean more than you know. The point is to let your child know you are still thinking about him even if you don't see him on a daily basis.
If you are either teaching or learning English as a second language, one important area is to involve or be involved in conversation groups. If you are the teacher, it will be your job to guide and correct the students without lowering their confidence levels or distracting them from the flow of thoughts they may be struggling to articulate. There are almost countless topics that you can use.
With a collection of more than 142 million objects housed in several museums, ranging from art to fossils, the Smithsonian Institution boasts something for nearly everyone. You can prime your children -- and hopefully their enthusiasm -- for a visit by directing them to the website Kids Explore, Discover, Play (smithsonian.kids.us), where children will learn about such exhibits as Julia Child's kitchen, the Hope Diamond and the more than 3,500 artifacts from the Apollo Moon landing effort.
Kitsap is a county located in the western region of Washington near the eastern shore of Puget Sound. With a population of approximately 250,000 residents at the time of this publication, Kitsap County is relatively small compared to the other counties in Washington. However, its proximity to Puget Sound creates several opportunities for outdoor recreation. In addition to aquatic sports, Kitsap County has miles of open park area, which provides another outlet for families with children.
Klamath Falls is a small city located in southern Oregon near the California border. It is set on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, and the city, which has a population of 42,000, is rich with outdoor activities that take advantage of the abundance of natural resources.
Elgin, Illinois, is a thriving community that lies in an area known as the Fox Valley. The area is rich in history and features Victorian-era houses and urban buildings. Chicago is just 38 miles to the east, though visitors to Elgin don't have to go that far to experience cultural activities, gaming casinos or kid-friendly activities. Families visiting the area will find that there are plenty of things to do with their children.
Minimalism is a counter culture movement with the intention of living simpler and removing any unwanted distractions from things you value. This ideal is against consumerism and according to Joshua Becker, the author of "Simplify," you can certainly be a minimalist with children. Physical clutter is removed from your lives, including toys. Then family and work life is simplified together with the same intention.
Belvoir was the home of William Fairfax, who built Belvoir manor, which was completed in 1741. Fort Belvoir, as the estate is now known, is U.S. Army installation in Fairfax, Virginia, that serves more then 26,000 sailors, soldiers, marines and other Department of Defense officials, according to its official guidebook. Children are welcomed on the base and, whether they are residents or just visiting, there are plenty of activities to keep them occupied.
According to Dr. Sandy Oak Lee, a fellow at the American Academy of Pediatrics, 80 percent of children between the ages of one and four have thrown a temper tantrum. As they get older, many of them learn how to control and express their anger. Children who don't learn anger-management skills, however, often end up becoming aggressive and even violent as adults. Parents and teachers can help children develop self-control and assertiveness skills when they are upset.
Toddlers chewing on blankets is a familiar sight for many parents. Chewing is your kid's way of telling you that he is anxious and that he needs you to soothe him. This behavior is usually a part of growing up and disappears as the child reaches four or five years of age. You can help your kid wean from the habit by using some distraction strategies and most of all being ready with a hug and kiss whenever he needs you.
Ellensburg, seat of Kittitas County, is centrally located -- almost smack dab in the middle -- of the state of Washington. Home to Central Washington University and several festivals, Ellensburg also has forests, mountains and a river that provide a wide variety of outdoor activities. Families with children have a great number of opportunities for recreation and entertainment.
Sports have more effects on a child's development than most realize. Physical exercise is required for a child's healthy growth, and several social, physical and emotional benefits exist as well. Participation in sports helps children form lifelong positive attitudes about goals, sportsmanship, teamwork and exercise. The effects reach outside the ball game and into other parts of their lives.
Painting and coloring are good creative releases for children. They allow kids to experiment with colors and patterns. They're activities that can be done almost anywhere, whether it's an afternoon craft project or something to keep them busy on a long car ride. Some children prefer to color or paint from a template rather than create a free drawing. There are several online sources for templates that you can use.
Ensuring your children are properly outfitted with a helmet is key before allowing them to ride on a motorcycle. Proper helmet use for children will ensure your child has the optimal amount of safety and protection, and will also help avoid any noncompliance fines or charges due to local laws governing minors and motorcycle use.
Toddlers can be demanding, and because they cannot express themselves through words, they often scream and cry until they get what they want. While parenting a 2-year-old boy may be difficult at times, there are steps you can take to make things easier.
According the the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center, 24 percent of children under age 5 with a working mother are primarily cared for at an organized daycare facility. Fifty-four percent of school-age children (ages 6 to 13) attend a daycare center during any given month. Children in daycare are bound to have a bad day from time to time. Some children may have trouble adapting to daycare facilities and could exhibit unhappiness many days. Attempting to brighten the child's mood in a variety of ways can help make his stay at the center more enjoyable.
Children's feet grow fast. According to the Better Health Channel, if a child's shoes are too tight, they can lead to ingrown toenails, bunions and even impede his ability to walk properly. Thus, it is important to examine your child's shoes regularly to check she hasn't outgrown them. Determining whether your child's shoes are too tight does not require any professional expertise, but simply involves feeling where his foot sits inside the shoe.
When students have difficulty focusing in reading and writing, they oftentimes miss crucial lessons, strategies and skills. For example, while a child is preoccupied looking out the window or fiddling in his desk, he might be missing a lesson on short vowel sounds. Without these skills, he will have difficulty applying phonological knowledge to decode unknown words. Thus, educators need to accommodate and modify reading and written language lessons in order to help inattentive and off-task students focus on the content.
Defiant boys can be hard to handle, rebelling verbally, physically and mentally. These children resist punishment, name call, refuse assistance and knowingly break rules. As a parent, evaluate how you run your household and interact with your child to get through to him. Parents are often inconsistent with punishments or make matters worse out of frustration or exhaustion. Follow these steps to recreate a connection and a more respectful relationship with your defiant boy.
For a parent, having a missing child is one of the scariest scenarios you can imagine. From kidnappings and freak accidents to other more minimal incidents, children go missing on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are a variety of public services that can help you find a missing child. You can learn how to find a missing daughter in a few steps.
Becoming organized is not a skill that comes naturally to most kids. Just like many other skills, it takes careful and creative teaching as well as modeling. A bonus to teaching your child how to use a calendar and to-do lists is that it can cut down on the kinds of bargaining and nagging positions parents can easily find themselves in when it comes to kids' responsibilities and obligations. Letting kids take ownership of these also builds maturity and self-confidence.
Finding free activities for children to do in San Diego is not a problem. However, even with free activities, expect to pay parking fees if you drive your own vehicle. Consider riding the Metropolitan Transit System. On weekdays, two child passengers, 5 years and under, ride for free when accompanied by an adult. On Saturdays and Sundays, two children, 12 years and under, ride free with an adult.
Designing a playroom for children takes more than taking out adult furnishings and tossing in a few toys. For children to want to use a playroom, the room needs to be inviting. For you to feel at ease leaving your children in the playroom without constant supervision, you need to make sure the room is a safe area for your children to spend time.
Over the past decade, fathers have begun spending more time with their children than ever before. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "A father's interaction with his children has a positive influence on their lives." It may be difficult to think of things to do with your children but, by considering the interests of you and your child, you can come up with a plan that includes enjoyable activities.
Nowadays, there are many types of milk on the market: goat's milk, sheep's milk and non-animal varieties such as oat milk, rice milk and soy. The most widely consumed by far is still cow's milk.
The city of Cleveland, Ohio, is home to many notable attractions, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the second-largest performing arts center in the country. However, families don't have to break the bank when looking for sports and recreational activities for the whole family to enjoy, thanks to Cleveland's many free and inexpensive museums, events, festivals and outdoor parks.
Insurance is a complex subject for adults, and it's even more complex for children. However, it's important for everyone to have at least a basic concept of what insurance is, as it plays a major role in everyone's life. So when your child asks about insurance, it is important for you to be able to explain it to him in an understandable way.
Being a parent is hard work, and a child who behaves aggressively makes that work much more difficult. An aggressive child must learn to control his frustration, tantrums and anger. Most children are able to do this by the time they reach school age, but some may need additional help. You want to raise your child to be kind, gentle and courteous; remembering some simple guidelines can help you help your child to do his best.
Teaching your child about personal hygiene is an important step in helping her become independent. Once she learns how to do things like brush her teeth and change her clothes on her own, you won't have to worry about doing those tasks for her. Creating a personal hygiene to-do list chart will help educate your children on how to take care of themselves.
Italian culture is very family-oriented, so as parents age, the children take a very active role in their care. If you married into an Italian family and now your spouse's parents can no longer take care of themselves, or if you were born and grew up in the United States but your parents grew up in Italy or were raised with old-fashioned Italian values, you'll want to take care of them in the way they expect.
Head lice are a common, yet frustrating, problem that most parents will face when their child reaches school age, if not before. They spread easily, and some schools will not allow children to attend until they are clear of the lice. Lice do not do any permanent damage and are quite easy to get rid of.
There is a reason London remains one of the most popular city destinations in the world. This icon of British culture, famous as it is for double-decker buses, red phone boxes and the Beatles, delivers far more than Brit symbols. Families visiting London will discover that the child-friendly city presents a veritable playground of attractions and sights for young travelers.
It is certainly monotonous to sit next to your child reading "Are You My Mother" for the thousandth time. It feels pointless to recite "Hey Diddle Diddle" to a baby who stares at your lips and drools. These silly poems and stories may not seem important in the grand scheme of a child's life. However, the accumulation of moments like these are the beginning of a lifetime of positive learning, creative literacy and imagination for your child.
The ability to speak English is a huge asset in the increasingly global workplace. As future employers and employees, children can benefit most from learning a second language at an early age. Linguists generally agree that it is easiest for children to learn a new language at the same time as they learn their native language, but children can be taught at any age. Young children can learn to speak fluent English with at-home activities and parental coaching.
Sports have numerous effects on children. The goal of most parents is to ensure that sports are having a positive effect, and mostly they do. Sensational news stories tend to focus on the few extreme parents who become out of control at their child's sporting event, but for the most part, unacceptable behaviors like that do not occur often. The best outcome regarding children and sports is when the parent considers the personality and physical development of the child prior to placing him in a sport.
Parents can play an important role in youth sports. Learning to play sports and being a on a sports team is a part of growing up for many kids. In gyms and outdoor fields all over the country children are playing team sports. A big part of a child's development and enjoyment of these sports can be directly impacted by the actions of the child's parents.
Becoming a mom can be a shock to the system, to say the least. You'll want a support group that extends beyond your partner and child. A local mommy's group can be the answer, but you'll want to find one that fits your personality and beliefs, and in some cases, your wallet. Getting accepted into one can be as easy as showing up at a play group, or you may need to showcase what you bring to the (changing) table. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can just start your own and make your own rules.
Children generally lose their baby teeth, or primary teeth, in the order in which they come in. There are 20 baby teeth that fall out and are replaced by 32 adult teeth. Girls usually lose their baby teeth before boys do. The process can take more than two decades to complete.
Too often, parents think their goal is to make their children happy. They assume they should give their children all the material things they want, let them do whatever they want and avoid disciplining them when they misbehave. However, parenting expert E.D. Hill points out that just because you love your children, your job isn't to ensure their constant happiness. Children need parents who will teach them proper behavior and right from wrong. By being a parent -- rather than a friend -- to your children, you give them the best chance of growing into "adults who can make good…
If your child doesn't want to wear a bicycle helmet or if you're unsure about whether he needs one, keep in mind that bicycle injuries lead to emergency room visits for 100 children each day in the U.S., while bicycle accidents kill at least one child every three days. You can protect your child from these types of injuries and fatalities by making sure he always wears a helmet.
Many parents of young children have experience with the importance of a security blanket. A child becomes attached to a particular blanket and might wish to bring it along with him everywhere he goes. Alternatively, he might need it to sleep every night. Psychologists have long studied the attachment that children develop to security blankets.
Children mimic what they see their parents doing and saying The developmental process differs for each child, and each child learns at his own pace. Children's skills form with sounds. The first sound is cooing and crying. Crying helps an infant's vocal cords and jaws develop for speaking. Infants hear sounds called phonemes, but they also begin to recognize the vibrations of their parents voices by six months old.The basic soundings of their native language is understood, but a child's first word is only one noun.
Around the fifth or sixth month of gestation, a baby can hear distinctive external sounds from within the womb. A baby's first introduction to language is by hearing the mother engaged in conversation with others, as well as, by listening attentively when the mother speak directly to the fetus.
Motivating children can be done using positive reinforcement as part of a rewards and consequences technique. Promise children a reward for doing good things with advice from a clinical psychologist in this free video on parenting.
Most people don't take the act of shoplifting as a serious crime. Many a joke and laugh has been had about something seemingly small and easy to get away with. Shoplifting, however, is a serious crime that comes with serious punishment when caught. If your teenager has been caught shoplifting, read on for some tips on how to react to the situation.
Parents who want to help their children become smarter are in luck. Genetics may not completely determine a person's intelligence. Environmental factors, including how parents, teachers and other authority figures treat a child, also impact IQ levels. It's never too late to introduce your child to intelligence-boosting activities. With a little hard work, your child may just become the doctor or lawyer you always wanted. No matter what career path your child eventually pursues, a high IQ will help lead the way to success.
Many young children suffer from sever allergies starting at a very young age. The most common of these allergies are milk and peanuts. Peanut allergies have doubled since 1997, causing a real concern for parents across the nations with susceptible children (December 2003, JACI). Peanut allergies have also increased in severity with allergic reactions occurring with even minimal contact by the child. Some children do not even have to ingest peanuts to have a serious allergic reaction.
Emotions are intense feelings, whether positive or negative, which affect all of us. We experience emotions deeply and physiologically through our heartbeats, breathing rates and our “gut” reactions. For children, especially young ones, emotions can be sometimes frightening and often hard to control or understand. Helping your children work through the big emotions can help them develop skills they need to navigate tricky emotional and psychosocial terrain as they grow. A first step is identifying these emotions.
Many times as parents we spend our time correcting the behaviors of our children, which tends to feel like we're focusing on the negative. Refocusing our attention as parents onto the good positive things our kids do can do wonders for your children and the relationship that you have. Praise awards are a simple and easy way for you to let them know that you noticed something great that they did.
Being responsible parents is the best thing you can do for your children. Good parenting is one of the hardest tasks you face as an adult. Remember your children are a reflection of you and your parenting.
If you have multiple children, handling them on a daily basis comes with many challenges. You have to divide your time among your children, be fair to everyone involved and try to make your children happy all at the same time. However, it is possible to successfully handle multiple children if you know where to start.
Although pregnancy is at times painful and taking care of babies is difficult and expensive many women find themselves having that desire to be pregnant again or hold a newborn baby in their arms. This happens because biologically a woman's body desires for her to have a baby during her peak years even when she is not mentally ready for one or more. Here are steps to curb that baby desire until you are ready.
Taking on the responsibility of someone else's children is no easy task. Family structures changes dramatically through death and divorce, and often at least one parent has the opportunity to move on and discover a new life with another partner. A blending of the family is needed for stability in the new household. Read on to learn more.
It's important for children to understand from a young age that everything they say and do has consequences. Older elementary- and middle-school-age children, in particular, should understand that how they communicate with their parents affects the level of trust later when the child is older and wants more freedom. Help lay a strong foundation of trust by modeling honesty, personal responsibility and open communication beginning when your children are young.
Giving children praise is a way for parents and caregivers to show their respect and appreciation to a child who does something good. Praising children increases a child's self-esteem and gives them a great sense of self-pride. Here are ways to praise.
Being a babysitter might be one of the first jobs you have. Your self-esteem, and your pocketbook, will thank you when you start getting asked back again and again. Following simple behavior guidelines will help you become that master babysitter who is in demand throughout the neighborhood, both by parents and their children.
Children naturally seem to assume that you are going to know everything they want or how they're feeling without them having to communicate with you. As all parents know, this can lead to a lot of frustration. The best thing you can do is teach children to communicate with you in an effective manner. If you follow these steps you should soon be well on the way.
When parents argue in front of children the children's foundation is shaken to the core. Responsible parents should follow these steps to avoid arguing in front of children.
Trying to get children to do homework isn't always a pleasant task. With these steps, you can persuade children to do their homework without any fuss.
"Seek first to understand, not to be understood." This quote, author unknown, sums up the key to working with children. Limited experiences, language and understanding of their world can make it difficult for children to communicate effectively their needs, wants, concerns and ideas. You can bridge that communication gap by fostering effective communication. As effective communication is the key to compliance, performance, learning and creativity, you will be supporting success on many levels.