As an adult, I have had moments when I struggled to stay on top of housework. I reflected on how my parents got it all done, and then I remembered that they had lots of help. My siblings and I had chores to do each week, and that experience gave me the knowledge to take care of my own home. According to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, household chores help children in … [Read more...]
Message to the Parents:
Parents are the First Teachers and Home the First School
Practical advice from education experts enabling parents to assist with their children’s learning; how-to tips for preparing preschoolers and supporting older children’s school experience; help navigating school bureaucracies; historical perspectives on cultural factors of particular interest to African Americans; all with the intent of helping reduce the state’s unacceptable educational achievement gaps
Study that lease!
Students and first-time renters urged to do their homework The school year is winding down quickly, and graduations are on the horizon. Many college students — and some high school students — will be searching for apartments or rental properties for the summer months and beyond. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) offers tips for first-time … [Read more...]
New scholarship opportunity removes barrier for homeless students in Twin Cities
As the cost of college grows, research shows that so does the number of hungry and homeless students at colleges and universities across the country. Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless is offering 10, $2,000 scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year to Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) students who are currently homeless or have experienced … [Read more...]
Four ways you can help your child deal with stress
Adults often complain they are “stressed out.” Increasingly, statistics show American children are stressed out as well, and the effects on their health, emotional state, and cognitive ability can be significant. It’s well-documented that adult stress can lead to serious illnesses. But many researchers believe that ongoing stress during childhood — from poverty, parents … [Read more...]
Help your child get college-ready
Taking steps to help your child prepare for college can be overwhelming for parents. From visiting schools to taking entrance exams, it can be a costly experience, but with some early planning and parental guidance, your child can be set to take the leap in a timely manner. Here are some things to consider to ensure your child is ready for higher education. College … [Read more...]
Five reasons pre-school years are a prime time for learning
Much of the discussion about education focuses on the K-12 years, but some early childhood education experts suggest serious learning can start even earlier and pay dividends for the child in years to come. “Young children have the capacity at a very young age to be academically challenged, and we need to educate them strongly during those years instead of waiting until they … [Read more...]
Readers are leaders: Buy your children more books
We are our children’s first teachers, and what we teach them makes a difference. According to research by Betty Hart of the University of Kansas and Todd Risley of the University of Alaska, by age three, poor children have an accumulated experience with 30 million fewer words than their wealthier counterparts; a greater percentage of the words that poor children accumulate … [Read more...]
United Negro College Fund helps students across the nation attend college
It’s been doing so since 1944 “A mind is a terrible thing to waste” is the signature slogan at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), led by President and CEO Michael L. Lomax. Local UNCF offices across the country are mandated to raise funds for the Washington, D.C. office where scholarship funding for students is distributed. Funding comes from varying … [Read more...]
Age-appropriate responsibilities for kids
Even though we want kids to grow up to become independent and accountable for themselves, when should parents trust their children with common things that kids and teenagers ask for? Bicycles, computers and cars are just a few. Let’s take a closer look at this dilemma. "Ingraining responsibility in children is not a trick, but is simply teaching them life skills," says Karen … [Read more...]
Play ‘serve and return’ with your child
The interplay promotes brain development, long-term growth Did you know making faces and smiling at your baby, responding to gestures, or playing “peek-a-boo” during the first, crucial years of life have a profound effect on your baby’s overall growth, brain development and educational achievement? Your playful interactions, which may seem insignificant to you, actually … [Read more...]