Redshirting: Holding Your Child Back on Purpose

kids kindergarten

Redshirting, or holding your child from starting kindergarten until they are six-years-old, is on the rise.

It used to be that parents enrolled their child in kindergarten based on the cut-off date. But now they are faced with a big decision ... start kindergarten at 5 or wait an extra year and enroll them at 6. This concept of holding a child back on purpose is called redshirting (the term comes from the practice of holding college athletes back to prolong eligibility) and it is on the rise. Some research shows that if you hold your child back one year they will be more mature - socially, ... Continue Reading

Join the forum discussion on this post

Creating a Toddler Learning Environment in Your Home

bulletin board

A home-based toddler classroom should be literacy-rich and foster opportunities for structured, rule-governed play and unstructured imaginative play.

Homeschooling has become a trending option for stay-at-home moms nowadays. The Home Education Study Institute (NHERI) found that since 2003, the number of homeschooled students has more than doubled and is steadily increasing at a rate of 15% annually. School usually begins at age 3, but because children develop so rapidly between 12 and 36 months, it is important not to overlook the need for a learning environment for this age group. While published curriculum options are available for ... Continue Reading

Join the forum discussion on this post

Finding the Perfect Preschool For Your Toddler

Kindergarten teacher and children looking at globe in library

Steps to take to find the perfect preschool for your toddler.

When I decided to put my three-year-old daughter in preschool this fall, I was at a loss at where to begin. Even though I'm a retired teacher, I had to start with the basics. Most Expensive Isn't Necessarily Best Every parent wants their child in the best possibly school regardless of it being preschool or college. Unfortunately, many of these schools are very expensive. Immediately, we took those off our list. My husband works hard for me to stay at home with our children, which doesn't ... Continue Reading

Join the forum discussion on this post

Blog of the Week: Kiboomu Brings Music To Your Child

Basic RGB

Kiboomu combines music with a variety of printables and online elements to make learning fun for your child.

Congratulations to Kiboomu: the SocialMoms Blog of the Week! It's no secret that children love signing. Whether it's crooning to the songs on the radio, or chanting a nursery rhyme, kids learn and absorb a wealth of information via music. One site that brings music together with a variety of different printable and online elements is Kiboomu.com, a site for kids developed by Wendy Wiseman and Sherry Segal. On Kiboomu, Parents and Teachers can search for simple and easy kids crafts, ... Continue Reading