Connecting Literacy and Social Justice: An Action Agenda for Parents, Educators, and Policymakers
Literacy is not merely a classroom skill—it’s the lifeline that connects every child to opportunity, voice, and justice.
Understanding and Addressing Loneliness in Older Adults
Their findings were striking: for adults aged 65 and older, greater feelings of loneliness predicted poorer performance on several key mental tasks. (Cachón-Alonso et al., 2023)
From Basement Quests to Lifelong Skills: What My Children Taught Me About Play
As a psychologist, I’ve seen how important it is to make space for children’s self-directed experiences. As a mother, I’ve witnessed the joy and creativity that emerge when they have the freedom to follow their curiosity.
What Helps Kids Succeed in School? Science Points to the Power of Positive Experiences
A 2021 study shows that when kids have access to enriching activities, caring adults, and stable home and neighborhood environments, they’re more likely to stay in school and succeed academically.
Adult Child Still Living at Home? A Parent’s Guide to Encouraging Independence
The emphasis is not on diagnosing or treating the adult child directly, but on shifting the parent’s behavior in ways that alter the family dynamic.
How Grandparents, Coparents, and Extended Caregivers Shape Your Child’s Development
Rather than seeing parents as isolated decision-makers, we can support them better by acknowledging their caregiving team—and equipping that team with the tools to promote secure relationships.
Understanding the Emotional Side of Feeding Your Child
• Ask yourself what messages you heard about food growing up. Were you encouraged to “clean your plate”? Were treats used as love or reward?
Spotlight on Teaching Your Kids About Digital Money: Strategies and Top Six Experts to Follow
In this article, we’ll explore strategies for teaching kids about money, practical tools for modern families, and expert guidance from leading voices in child and family financial literacy.
Helping Minds Remember: How Feedback Can Support Learning in Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease
People with mild Alzheimer’s disease may lose many memories—but their ability to learn with feedback remains surprisingly intact.
Is Your Teen a Perfectionist? How to Spot the Difference Between Healthy and Harmful Striving
Perfection might feel like the goal—but excellence, done with heart and balance, is where real growth happens.
Spotlight on What Really Matters in Youth Sports? Research and the Top Five Experts to Follow in 2025
Sports should build confidence, teach life skills, support mental health, and promote lifelong physical activity—not just churn out elite athletes.
Part 5: What If Your Child Isn’t Ready for Kindergarten Yet?
Here is the deeper issue: not every child has access to preschool, therapists, or enrichment opportunities.
Many of the resources that help children become “Fully Ready” are expensive or limited to certain neighborhoods. That’s not fair—and it’s not sustainable.
How to Assess Kindergarten Readiness at Home
In Part 4 of our five-part series on kindergarten readiness, we walk through how to observe your child at home using the same four developmental areas used in a major 13-year study by the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).
Why Kindergarten Readiness Matters More Than Age
If your child is showing delays in self-regulation, social communication, or motor skills, and these delays are ongoing despite support, an extra year can offer valuable time to build these skills.
A Personal Journey into Hospice Support and What It Can Offer Families
Many people still misunderstand hospice as a service only for the final hours, or as a signal of “giving up.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Hospice care is about comfort, dignity, and supporting the whole person—not just medically, but emotionally and spiritually.
Part 2: What Is Kindergarten Readiness, Really?
The truth is: readiness is about much more than academics—and a powerful 13-year study from San Francisco shows that this well-rounded set of early childhood skills has a lasting impact.
What a 13-Year Long Study Found About Kindergarten Readiness Part 1
If you’re asking, “Is my child ready for kindergarten?” — that’s one of the most important questions you can ask as a parent. And it turns out, the answer could significantly shape your child’s academic future.
2025 Spotlight on the Top 8 Snackfluencers You Can Feel Good About
Children aren’t just passive consumers—they’re constantly observing, learning, and internalizing behaviors, especially those modeled by people they admire. That includes social media influencers.
Spotlight on Creating a Family-Friendly Yard and Garden: Top Experts and Influencers in 2025
Discover how to create a family-friendly backyard that’s perfect for kids and teens—beautiful, low-maintenance, and environmentally conscious, with DIY ideas
Understanding and Responding to Your Child’s Nightmares: What Parents Need to Know
While occasional bad dreams are normal, frequent nightmares may be a sign of stress, anxiety, or underlying concerns.
Spotlight on Child Care Cooperatives: Top Experts and Resources for 2025
Child care cooperatives can provide safe, affordable, and community-driven solutions for working and job seeking parents.
Raising Motivated Children: Learn How Parental Support Shapes a Child’s Aspirations
Research consistently shows that children who grow up feeling genuinely seen and encouraged—rather than pushed to “perform” at all costs—are more likely to pursue goals that make them happy and resilient in the long run.
The Power of a Simple Message: How Small Acts of Support Strengthen Relationships
Your words might not erase their stress, but words can make their day a little brighter—and strengthen your bond in the process.
The Best Pets for Families: Spotlight on the Top Pet Experts and Influencers for 2025
Pets provide more than companionship—they can help children develop responsibility, reduce stress, and even aid with social skills.
Strategies for Helping Your Child Feel Better-Without Taking on Their Emotions
Being a great mom doesn’t mean being an emotional sponge; it means being a guide, a comfort, and sometimes, the person who simply listens and says, “I’m here.”
Spotlight on Childhood Food Allergies: Info and the Top 6 Experts and Influencers
Eliminating common allergens from a child’s diet due to food allergies increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly when allergenic foods provide essential nutrients for growth and development.
Spotlight on the Top Ten Employment Influencers and Experts in 2025
In the U.S., if you’ve been laid off, you may qualify for unemployment benefits. Visit your state’s unemployment office website to apply. These benefits can provide a financial cushion while you search for new opportunities. Additionally, check if you qualify for government assistance programs such as food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, or rental assistance to help ease financial burdens.
Helping Your Child Succeed Despite Job Loss (Part 2)- Why U.S. Families Face Greater Risks After Job Loss—And What Needs to Change
The research by Mari & Keizer (2021), Hill et al. (2011), and Khanam & Nghiem (2016) underscores that job loss affects children in long-lasting ways. But in the U.S., these effects are amplified due to weaker safety nets.
What Your Nails Reveal About You and the Top 8 Influencers and Experts Who Can Reshape Your Nails in 2025
While there’s no definitive study that links specific nail styles to personality, psychological research on fashion and self-expression suggests that aesthetic choices often reflect aspects of identity.
Helping Your Child Succeed Despite Job Loss
This article explores research on parental job loss and illustrates how parents are not powerless in these situations. Parents can take proactive steps to help children overcome challenges related to job loss by focusing on structure, learning, and emotional stability at home.