 |
Join in with CLIC Sargent's Yummy Mummy Week Get every yummy mummy you know together and do something fun to raise money for cancer charity CLIC Sargent's Yummy Mummy Week! |
 |
Didn't get your first choice school? How to turn it around Most parents have a first preference for their child’s school with 83% getting their highest priority secondary school choice last year. However, figures also show that one in six children don’t get their first choice, a number that rises to one in three in London. How can you work with the school to make it a better place for your child to be? |
 |
Green-fingered families unite for community garden Green-fingered parents in Bothwell, Scotland, have set up a community gardening project to engage youngsters in nature and growing their own produce. Jac Kent tells us how they made the project happen. |
 |
How to develop your child's literacy skills at home A recent study by The Sutton Trust has shown the stark contrast between the reading abilities of children from poor backgrounds and those from wealthier families. It found that by the time poorer children start primary school, they are almost a year behind their better-off counterparts in vocabulary tests. |
 |
Engaging activities for autistic children Taking your autistic child out of their comfort zone might fill you with unease, but it could help them to enjoy new experiences and gently extend their boundaries. |
 |
MyChild's Story competition - the winners are announced! We had some incredible entries for our storytelling competition to mark National Storytelling Week, and it's been a tough job but we've chosen the winning stories. |
 |
Too much too young? Last week a survey by the charity Children’s Society showed that children are most unhappy with their appearance, above confidence, school and family life. Could this be a result of pressure in the media to look older, skinnier and prettier? MyChild takes a look into the over-sexualisation of young girls. |
 |
SEN support in schools - What's the real story? A recent government inquiry showed that parents of children with special educational needs feel let down by the educational system. |
 |
How to talk to your kids about sex The Government has announced that from 2011 a basic form of sex education in primary schools will be a statutory part of the curriculum. How do we talk to our kids about the birds and the bees? |
 |
Supporting your children through a family break-up The proposed Government support for families going through separation and divorce is much-needed, and helping children through this difficult, emotional time is vital. MyChild talks to parents and experts about ways of coping and supporting your child through a family break-up. |
 |
Butcher, baker, body part maker – the jobs of the future revealed Commissioned by the Science: [So what? So everything] campaign, expert future researchers from Fast Future analysed future trends, such as population growth and climate change, alongside developments in science and technology, to create a list of 20 potential jobs of the future. |
 |
Celebrate National Storytelling Week Storytelling is the oldest form of oral art, one that has really stood the test of time.To celebrate this very special ancient tradition, the Society for Storytelling is running National Storytelling Week from 1 February, which every year involves fun storytelling events for kids across the country. |
 |
Family walks to beat the winter blues Favourite family walks bring laughs, fun and memories to share. What could be better than exploring new journeys in the fresh air with your children unearthing new sights and experiences along the way? |
 |
How to create a good homework/life balance School and homework can take up a large portion of every school day. In addition, more hours are dedicated to extra-curricular classes taken in the afternoons and at weekends with topics as varied as languages to art, sport and music. As much as many children love learning, they need down time too. How do you strike a balance? |
 |
Raising bilingual children Being able to speak two languages has numerous educational, social and economic benefits, particularly in an increasingly globalised world. For many parents of different cultures, it provides their child with a link to their family heritage. |
 |
How much responsibilty should children have for chores? Few of us expect a child to complete a full school day, do their homework and do an endless list of chores. However, many MyChild readers agree that encouraging their children to complete a few simple tasks around the home is beneficial for the whole household and helps children grain crucial skills that will take them through life. |
 |
Life before school - how early should education start? Should a child be able to write their name and do basic maths before they start school? One mother debates when formal education should start. By Emily Organ. |
 |
The lazy mum's guide to baking There may not be a Fifties housewife inside you trying to get out, but no-one can deny that there’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked goods wafting out of the oven, inviting your family and friends to sniff the air like spellbound Bisto kids. |
 |
Introducing our new LBD, it's Dan Hughes! LBD? That's Loving (this) Blogging Dad to the uninitiated. Dan Hughes is our first, and he tells us about how he combines being a mental health nurse with parenting, blogging and making a change. |
 |
Educational toys – worth the money? Do 'educational toys' really enhance your child's learning? MyChild looks at how your child learns through everyday experience, not bleeping gadgets. |
 |
Where's Santa? Places to see Father Christmas this year Where can you see Santa this year? MyChild has teamed up with Let’s Go with the Children to bring you a selection of places to see him and have a word in his shell-like about what’s on your child’s Christmas list this year. |
 |
Fresh from the mummy blogosphere - it's Rosie Scribble Our new found favourite mummy blogger is Rosie Scribble, mum to six year old IJ. |
 |
Low sugar lunchbox ideas The food in a child's lunchbox can contain as much sugar as ten doughnuts, alarming new research from consumer watchdog Which? found this week. Registered Nutritionist Carina Norris suggests some healthy lunchbox alternatives. |
 |
'The Bear of My Dreams' story competition winning entries! We teamed up with Build-a-Bear Workshop and Pudsey Bear and asked you to send in your stories and poems about 'The Bear of My Dreams'. All the entries were wonderful, but we had to choose eight winners, and here are their inspiring entries. |
 |
Taming temper tantrums at any age Tantrums are a part of everyday life for children and their parents, and it’s not just toddlers who are guilty of losing it from time to time. MyChild looks at ways to deal with the drama of tantrums. |
 |
Teach your kids the value of money Saving was second nature to our grandparents’ generation, and teaching our children how to save is a valuable lesson for them. These tips will teach your child how to appreciate their money, while improving their maths skills. |
 |
Could your child have neuro developmental delay? Neuro developmental delay could explain why your child is having problems with their development. NDD expert Sue Cook of www.helpingadhd.com explains what NDD means for your child. |
 |
ADHD and siblings Children with ADHD can make family life challenging, and it can be hard for siblings. Home can feel like a never-ending war zone when one of them is a child with ADHD. |
 |
How to spot if you have a gifted child Psychologist professor Joan Freeman, who has worked with gifted and talented children for 35 years, explains how to spot if your child is gifted and what to do to nurture their development. |
 |
Boost your child's learning – MyChild’s tips for a good night’s sleep According to health campaigners, children need lessons in getting good night’s sleep to help them perform better at school. Our sleep tips will help your child to love the land of nod and stay alert at school. |
 |
Expert swine flu advice for parents Swine flu is an infectious disease caused by a type of influenza virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Humans pass it to each other in the same way as winter flu – mainly through coughing and sneezing. Here’s how to reduce your chances of getting swine flu, and advice on how to deal with the virus if you do get it. |
 |
Bedwetting advice from Dr Janine Spencer Huggies’ bedwetting advice expert Dr Janine Spencer answers your bedwetting questions to mark the launch of new parenting tool and online community bedwettingbuddy.com. Find out how to deal with this distressing problem. |
 |
The third instalment in our bedwetting series with Dr Janine Huggies’ bedwetting expert Dr Janine Spencer answers your bedwetting questions to mark the launch of new parenting tool and online community bedwettingbuddy.com. Dr Janine has some expert tips and techniques for solving bedwetting problems. |
 |
Homework coaching - a guide for busy parents on getting it right How do you provide the calm and reassuring guidance that your children need when getting to the end of the week in one piece is a minor miracle? Mandy Garner of Workingmums.co.uk gives you some tips on how to get away with being a good homework mentor on a time budget. |
 |
MyChild's Shout - Our pick of the Celeb Mum of the Year shortlist The Celebrity Mum of the Year shortlist is here - MyChild picks our Top 5 favourite mums and explains what makes them so special. |
 |
The second in our bedwetting advice series with Dr Janine Every day this week Huggies’ bedwetting expert Dr Janine Spencer will be answering your bedwetting questions to mark the launch of new parenting tool and online community bedwettingbuddy.com. Read on for advice on making night time a dry and peaceful time. |
 |
Huggies' Dr Janine answers your bedwetting questions In the first of our series of bedwetting questions posed by you, Huggies’ bedwetting expert Dr Janine Spencer talks about the best solutions to two parents’ childrens’ bedwetting problems. |
 |
Top family friendly energy saving tips To welcome in Energy Saving Week (19th to the 25th of October) we have compiled some “Top Tips for Family Friendly Energy Saving”. |
 |
Badman's home education study - a home-schooler's response Home educator Pauline Adams shares her impassioned response to Graham Badman's damning study into home education. |
 |
Wholesome family food on a budget Cooking wholesome family food on a budget is not as hard as you think. Chef Caitlin Finch ( author of ‘Healthy first foods for your baby' and 'Healthy first foods for your toddler') shares her top tips. |
 |
How to manage your child's television time How much television do you let your child watch? Do you feel that watching television offers benefits for your child? We take a look at how television in moderation can be used to support your child's learning. |
 |
Our new favourite mummy blogger - Amanda Morison Chaotically happy mummy blogger Amanda Morison has three boisterous boys, a career as a writer and editor, and a flourishing blog. MyChild caught up with Amanda to chat about life, lively boys, and blogging. |
 |
In praise of praise - a grandparent's view Praising our children is as natural as breathing, but now we're told we should be keeping our words of encouragement to ourselves. Granny Frances Scott offers her views on overpraising kids. |
 |
The role of music in learning Music is an effective multi-sensory tool to support and enhance learning. MyChild looks at how music and learning work together in perfect harmony. |
 |
School trips - what to expect MyChild looks at how and why school trips are organised and gives advice on how you can prepare your child to make the most of this exciting and educationally enriching experience. |
 |
Fashionista and mum Jane Kellock, our new FMB Former fashion designer Jane Kellock works as a teacher, writer and fashion forecaster, and combines the glamour of the industry with being a mum and blogger. |
 |
The chaotic mum's guide to life If you're the sort of mum who prefers drip-dry to ironing, runs out of lunch box ingredients by Wednesday, and has a duster gathering dust in the cupboard, read on... |
 |
Dealing with childhood diabetes When your child is diagnosed with diabetes it can be an overwhelming experience for you and your child. How do you support your child with diabetes? |
 |
Taking time to talk Kids' coach Naomi Richards shares her advice for keeping the lines of communication open with your children. |
 |
Michael Morpurgo on writing and inspiring a lifelong love of literature Michael Morpurgo answers your questions about writing, reading, and nurturing children's literacy skills. |
 |
How to use aromatherapy for relaxed homework time Achieving a state of relaxed concentration is key to making homework a stress-free experience. |
 |
Top tips for helping your child with homework Helping your child with homework may bring you out in a cold sweat - but parent coach Sue Atkins has some indispensable tips for making homework a positive experience for all of you. |
 |
Exclusive interview with Britain's Got Talent finalists, Flawless Britain's Got Talent finalists Flawless talk about their inspirations, growing up with a love of dancing, and how to unleash your inner performer, in our exclusive interview. |
 |
The importance of making time to read with your child Reading is probably the most important skill that your child will learn. It opens up a whole new world of learning and imagination, and your help is essential. |
 |
Help - my child doesn't want to go to school anymore One day your child is happy and settled at school, the next they are withdrawn or crying because they don't want to go to school anymore. |
 |
Choosing a secondary school It's that time of year when Year 6 parents must choose their child's secondary school. |
 |
How does dyslexia impact on a child's learning? Dyslexic children have difficulty with a number of aspects of learning, which can cause low self-confidence. |
 |
Mind mapping and technology boost dyslexic children's learning Mind mapping is a tried and tested learning tool which helps children to organise ideas and formulate, plan, and develop concepts. |
 |
And the winner is... The winner of the Kodak Challenge Father of the Year 2009 competition is.... |
 |
How to settle your child into school When your child can't drag himself out of bed, and has to be taken kicking and screaming out of the house, you know it's back to school time. |
 |
Heads up on head lice Going back to school inevitably means that your child is at risk of catching head lice. 1 in 8 primary school children have head lice at any one time yet many parents are badly informed about this common pest. |
 |
Book extract - How to do the school run The daily school run is a multi-tasking challenge. Author Tanith Carey shares her tips for making it as painless as possible. |
 |
My Child's favourite mum blogs - Being a Mummy Mum blog: When museum curator Claire Walsh had children, she left behind the ancient world of archaeology and digging for fascinating finds to take a break and blog about her daily experiences of life with two children. Claire tells us all about her tennis-mad toddler, how to trick your kids into tidying up, and the rewards of blogging. |
 |
How to help your child to prepare for starting school My Child’s Amy Schofield looks at ways to prepare your child for school life. |
 |
Immunity boosting foods The top 5 immune system boosting foods for children. |
 |
Back to School tips Going back to school brings on a mix of emotions. While children may feel excited at seeing their friends again, they may also be worried about what’s in store, especially if they are making the transition to “big school”, or facing important exams. These useful tips will help your child and you to prepare for going back to school – whether they’re moving up from nursery, going up a year, or going from primary to secondary school. |
 |
Kodak Dad of the Year competition finalists! Read the finalists' entries in the My Child and Kodak Dad of the Year competition! |
 |
Six reasons why summer learning is important The school gates may have closed for the summer, but that’s no reason to allow your child’s mind to follow suit. We have six top tips on summer learning for kids. |
 |
My Child favourite mum blogspots - Expat Mum When it comes to hilarious commentary on daily life this mum's blogspot should be top on your reading list. We chat to Expat Mum about family life on the other side of the pond. |
 |
Summer survival for parents! The summer for parents isn't always filled with endless fun and games. It can be a difficult time to juggle work, life, and kids. To help you do just that, we have some expert advice. |
 |
My Child favourite mum blogs - Mom Most Travelled Mom Most Travelled is a fantastic mum blog written by the extremely well travelled mum of two, CanCan. Her blog is full of brilliant tips on traveling with kids not to mention some hilarious stories about life as an expat living in Asia. |
 |
Moving schools: Primary to secondary Moving schools from primary to secondary can be a daunting time for parents and children alike. Our expert Sue Atkins offers some invaluable advice on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. |
 |
Yoga for children Yoga for children is sweeping the nation. If your child has difficulty relaxing, or suffers from general aches, pains or posture difficulties, then trying some Yoga could be the ideal solution. We take a look at what Yoga offers your child. |
 |
Children watching TV - How do you manage their viewing time? Are you worried about your children watching too much TV? How much television is too much? Do you feel that watching television offers benefits for your child? We take a look at how television in moderation can be used to support your child's learning. |
 |
Footcare special: Children's feet in summer Look after your children's feet this summer with this helpful guide on footcare over the warm season. |
 |
Favourite mum blogspots - Dulwich Divorcee My Child favourite mum blogspot, the Dulwich Divorcee is a hilarious and heartfelt slice of one divorced mum's family life. Upbeat and inspiring, this blog is an absolute must-read! |
 |
Getting the right support for children with dyslexia What kind of support do children with dyslexia need? We take a look at the signs of dyslexia across the age ranges, and give you expert guidance on how to get the right support for your dyslexic child. |
 |
Children's learning: How hard should you push your child? Do you worry about getting the balance right between your children's learning and playing? How pushy should you be? We take a look at how you can find a balance between work and play for your child. |
 |
My Child favourite mum blogs - Nixdminx One of our favourite mum blogs, Nixdminx follows the adventures of a London mum who found herself credit-crunched. In true resourceful mum-style she picked herself back up, and started her very own blog! |
 |
Get your children reading over the holidays with the Summer Reading Challenge! Help your children enjoy reading over the summer break by taking part in the fantastic Summer Reading Challenge! We look how making your child's reading relaxed and fun can help their literacy later on in life. |
 |
Mums need me-time! Jenni Trent Hughes' advice for parents Do you feel you spend so much time looking after your family, that you forget about your own needs? If this sounds familiar, psychologist Jenni Trent Hughes offers her advice for parents who need a little me-time! |
 |
Healthy eating and children: Are all processed foods bad? Healthy eating and children: Processed foods are convenient and often look and taste great but do they have any nutritional value, and should we be feeding them to the kids? Gaynor Bussell, nutrition scientist and dietitian, gives her advice |
 |
Coping with sibling rivalry All brothers and sisters argue, but when does it become sibling rivalry? With the long holidays ahead, parenting expert Sue Atkins offers parents her advice on how to recognise sibling rivalry, and how you can support your children. |
 |
Celebrate Father's Day without breaking the bank With Father's Day nearly here, we take a look at some of the ways your kids can celebrate their dad without spending an arm and a leg! From crafts to poems, from cooking to granting wishes, you don't need to spend a penny to show dad how much you all care. |
 |
Top tips for dealing with difficult eaters Is your child a difficult eater? Do you dread mealtimes? We have expert advice for you on healthy eating for children and how you can raise a child who has a healthy relationship with food. |
 |
My Child's favourite dad blog - Single Parent Dad One of our favourite dad blogs Single Parent Dad follows the adventures of dad Ian, and his four year-old son. This superhero dad shares stories of life in the daddy lane as he chats to My Child. |
 |
Favourite mum blogs - Petite Anglaise Meet mum blogger Petite Anglaise a British mum living and writing in Paris. She shares a few of her Parisian parenting tales with My Child. |
 |
Resilient children: How to raise an independent child Resilient children cope with the challenges life throws at them. Find out here how you can raise a resilient, independent child, with this expert advice. |
 |
Children with disabilities - getting access to family days out Every child looks forward to a family day out, however for some children with disabilities it can be a real struggle. My Child looks at some of the challenges facing children with physical disabilities. |
 |
My Child chats to author Judy Blume For years Judy Blume hid her writing talent for fear of being labelled weird! Judy Blume speaks to My Child editor, Tara Gardner. |
 |
Kids' views on children's computer games What do children really think about the amount of time they spend playing computer games? Do children's computer games encourage positive behaviour? Denise Roberts finds out. |
 |
Lazy eye: Children's health problems What is lazy eye, and how could affect your child? Find expert advice on your child's health here. |
 |
How to prevent your child from falling behind Are you worried your child might be falling behind? Here's a plan of action if you think your child needs extra learning support. |
 |
Final week of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit Challenge It's the final week of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit Challenge, so find out the verdict from our Wii Fit mums. |
 |
My Child's top mum blogspot - The Potty Diaries The Potty Diaries starring the suitably potty, Potty Mummy, follows the escapades of one mum and her parenting adventures. We chat to Potty Mummy about blogging and... bogeys! |
 |
How can a clinical psychologist help your child with SEN? We find out about the role a clinical psychologist plays in supporting children with special educational needs. |
 |
How green is your family? Do you want your family to be green? We take a look at what you can do as a family to support the environment and save pennies. |
 |
Week three of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit Challenge In the final half of the Wii Fit Challenge, find out all about our mums' experiences as the Wii Fit becomes part of everyday family life. |
 |
My Child favourite mummy blog - Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? is the brilliant mummy blog written by mum of three, Laura. We chat to Laura about life behind the blog, and how lift rides with toddlers and strangers should be avoided at all costs! |
 |
How can play help your child's Key Stage 1 and 2 SATs? How can you best prepare your child for SATs Key Stage 1 and 2? It may come as a surprise to you but play can have a significant impact on your child's SATs learning. We tell you how. |
 |
Week Two of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit challenge! It's week two of the My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit challenge, and our mums have really got into the swing of using their Wii Fits. Read their reports here. |
 |
SATs - How to support your child's revision Looking for handy SATs revision tips to support your child's SATs learning? Parenting expert Sue Atkins offers her top advice to parents who want to help their kids achieve their best. |
 |
Children's homework tips - how can you help? When it comes to your children's homework, how much support do you give? Parenting expert Sue Atkins gives advice on how best to help your child with homework. |
 |
My Child favourite mum blogspots - The Buggy Blogger My Child meets Charlotte Moerman, the dynamic mum behind the brilliant mum blogspot, The Buggy Blogger. Charlotte lets us in on a few parenting secrets and gives all budding writers some fantastic inspiration. |
 |
My Child and Nintendo Wii Fit Challenge: Week One My Child and Nintendo Wii have teamed up to ask My Child mums to take part in a Wii Fit Challenge. Read week one of our mums' reports here. |
 |
Routines for children - are we over-scheduling our kids? Strict routines for children run the risk of taking away the freedom of childhood. British children have one of the most ‘over-scheduled’ and heavily supervised childhoods in the world says Bernice de Braal. Is your child getting enough unstructured, free playtime? |
 |
The summer birth debate Summer birth debate - Are summer born children at a disadvantage to peers? Should children born in the summer months be allowed to start school later? We take a look. |
 |
My Child favourite mummy blogs - Belgian Waffling My Child indulges in some Belgian Waffling as one of our favourite mummy bloggers gives us a hilarious glimpse of her wonderfully eccentric and rather continental life as an 'emergency' parent. |
 |
Tutors for children: What are your options? Tutors for children come in all shapes and forms these days, but which do you pick for your child? We take a look at all the tutoring options to help you decide what's right for your child. |
 |
Maths for parents How do you feel about your adult maths skills? We all want to help our children with their maths learning, but what if maths is a real struggle for us parents? We offer some maths tips for parents |
 |
Modernising child safety How has child safety changed over the years? Are there new risks? We take a look at modernising child safety, and of course, what you can do to help. |
 |
My Child's favourite mum blogs - Reluctant Memsahib Bringing the global nature of mum blogging to you is one of My Child's all time favourite bloggers - the brilliant Reluctant Memsahib, otherwise known as Anthea Rowan. This wonderful writer mum lets us share her daily thoughts and experiences as a Brit living in a remote Outpost in Tanzania. |
 |
Why do children underachieve? Underachievement for children is defined as when a pupil consistently produces work perceived to be below their ability. A child may perform poorly in maths and not finish homework assignments, yet when he or she takes a test or takes part in a discussion it quickly becomes clear that the child is bright and intelligent. |
 |
Supporting an underachieving child Supporting an underachieving child involves plenty of positivity and an understanding of a child's individual abilities. Parents and teachers must set realistic targets, and find constructive ways to challenge the child. |
 |
Dad blog of the week - Worrybomb.com Due to popular demand, My Child's blog of the week is now open to Dads! And to kick things off, we've got a fantastic Dad blog of the week. We chat to dad Chris Hawkins about his Daddy blogs and bringing up four kids! |
 |
Do bribes and incentives really help children learn? We all want to help children learn, but does offering incentives really help children to learn to their full potential? And is it completely ethical? Is there a right and wrong way to approach this? |
 |
My Child's favourite mum blog - Alpha Mummy No favourite mum blogs compilation would be complete without a chat with the fantastic Alpha Mummy. Jennifer Howze from the brilliant blogging team shares her views and news from the world of parent blogging. |
 |
Home education for children: What could it offer your child? Home education for children is becoming increasingly more of an attractive option for many parents and children across the UK. We take a look at home schooling and why parents may choose it for their child. |
 |
My Child readers give parenting advice: Five parenting cheats My Child readers offer their parenting advice and share five brilliant parenting cheats you can try with your child! |
 |
My Child's favourite mummy blogs - Nappy Valley One of our favourite mummy blogs is Nappy Valley. We find out all about the goings on in 'Nappy Valley', as this mummy blogger shares her parenting experiences and a few embarrassing moments! |
 |
My Child's favourite mum blogspots - Motherhood: The Final Frontier Meet Mothership, writer of one of My Child's favourite Mum Blogspots - Motherhood: The Final Frontier. This former gorilla-gram turned mum of two shares her wonderfully witty tales from motherhood with us... |
 |
Children's playdate etiquette Today when children play together, it's often known as a playdate. We have one mum's brilliant advice on playdate etiquette for you and your child. |
 |
My Child's favourite mum blogs - Sticky Fingers Meet one of My Child's favourite Mummy Bloggers! Dedicated mother of two, expert blogger, and savvy mumpreneur Tara Cain chats about her Sticky Fingers (blog!) and life beyond the blog... |
 |
Art and crafts fun family days out Make the most of the summer with this selection of fantastic arts and crafts family days out. |
 |
Kids' days out - for food lovers Stuck for ideas for kids' days out in the UK? Try taking them somewhere a little more unusual with this guide to some foodie day trips, guaranteed to be deliciously fun. |
 |
Best kids' days out for animals lovers! Enjoy the best kids' days out this summer with this handy guide to family activities across the UK. We take a look at what's on offer for animal and nature lovers. |
 |
Kids' summer activities - for adventure explorers Try adding a hint of adventure to your kids' summer activities with some fantastic day trips and holiday spots in the UK. We take a look at the top adventure opportunities for your little terrors. |
 |
Educational days out Find some fantastic educational days out for your family this summer with this handy guide to what's on across the UK. |
 |
My Child speaks to a favourite mummy blogger - A Modern Mother Do you keep up with all the parenting blogs out there? Would you like to know a little more about the vivid characters and lives behind your favourite blogs? We chat to a very busy A Modern Mother |
 |
The magical story-world of Michael Morpurgo Have you read your child any Michael Morpurgo books? We take a look at this fantastic storyteller's life and works AND have some terrific giveaways up for grabs! |
 |
Learning English and maths outdoors! Learning opportunities are all around us, so why not make the most of them when you're out and about with your child? Outdoor learning can be imaginative, unrestricted, and best of all - fun! We've got some great English and maths activities to help your child learn learn learn! |
 |
Guide to starting your own mum blog Mummy, or "mommy" blogging, a huge phenomenon in the US, is taking hold in the UK. A staggering 36 million women worldwide participate in "blogosphere" every week and fifteen million women have their own blogs. A growing number of these women are British. |
 |
Starting your own business - advice from Saira Khan Recent research commissioned by Kodak reveals that half of Britain’s stay-at-home mums are turning on their computers to raise extra cash. And whether it’s working from home, or starting up your own business, Saira Khan has this advice. |
 |
What makes a good childhood? It’s something many of us do – compare life today for our children, to how things were when we were growing up. But now a two-year inquiry into childhood today has done just this, publishing its findings in a landmark report called A Good Childhood. |
 |
Learning goals for a brilliant year Are you one of those mums who loves making lists? Just to give your planning a nudge in the right the direction, we’ve asked Make Your Child Brilliant bestselling author and child development expert, Bernadette Tynan to give you her top tips for a burst of brilliance over the year ahead. |
 |
My Child readers get positive about their parenting skills Staying positive about our skills as a parent is one of the most important things we can do. Focusing on even the littlest things can help us cope with the more challenging aspects of parenting, and make it all feel worthwhile. |
 |
Gifted children - how to spot your child's hidden gifts Every child has at least one. It may be mistaken for chattiness, laziness or being away with the fairies, but if you peek a little closer you may just discover that it’s a gift in disguise. Bernadette Tynan explains how to support your gifted child. |
 |
My Child readers' New Year resolutions Have you made your New Year resolutions? As parents we have our work cut-out having to make two sets of resolutions - one set for our personal goals, and one set for our parenting goals! Whether you have made your resolutions or not, or even if you want to make them later in the year, we have some great advice from My Child readers. |
 |
Alternative education - what are the benefits? Whether due to the inflexible curriculum or emphasis on passing evermore tests, more parents are exercising their right to choose alternative education to state sector education. So what alternative schools are out there? |
 |
Parental involvement and the PTA How can joining the PTA benefit your child's experience of school? Annette Wiles, policy and research manager for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) takes a look at the importance of parental involvement. |
 |
Is your child bullying? In a survey of 3000 secondary schoolchildren, carried out between 2005 - 2007 by anti-bullying charity BeatBullying, a shocking 71.4 per cent admitted to being the perpetrator of a bullying incident. |
 |
Help your child cope with divorce and separation As a parent, facing the prospect of divorce or separation from a partner can be a daunting experience, fraught with anxieties of how your child may be affected. |
 |
Introducing the My Child family learning online shop We've launched our new online catalogue shop. Visit the site at http://shop.mychild.co.uk. |
 |
Dads' role in learning Recently a survey by the Fathers Institute (previously know as Fathers Direct) showed that three-thirds of parents agree that society values a child’s relationship with mother more than the father. So how can dads get more involved with their children? |
 |
Are you concerned about bullying? When it comes to going to school, if we’re honest, the top concern is not whether our children will do well but whether they will be safe. Often at the centre of this concern is the fear that our child will be bullied. |
 |
How does divorce affect parents’ rights over their child? Who the children live with and where they go to school are just some of the types questions parents only ever have to consider when going through a divorce. Suddenly parental rights take on a whole new meaning. |
 |
Dyslexia awareness Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty and mainly affects the development of literacy and language related skills. Around one in ten people in the UK, approximately the population of London, are affected by dyslexia. |
 |
Keeping yourself healthy Recent research published by baby-carrier company Wilkinet confirms what every parent knows: being a mother is back-breaking. It highlighted how pregnancy, cuddling and carrying young children can put the pelvic muscles under stress, leading to back problems for many years later. |
 |
Relaxation Techniques for Parents Finding time to relax when you’re a parent is hard work but taking a short time-out will not only boost confidence, make you feel more relaxed and calm any worries or anxiety issues you may have as a parent. |
 |
Can a Child be Left Home Alone? As the school holidays approach, many parents will be asking themselves one question: is it safe to leave my child at home alone while I go out to work? Child law expert Dominic Bascombe explains. |
 |
Effective Parenting Over the School Break During the school holidays parents will find they are spending longer amounts of time with their children. And with this time comes fun, freedom, and ... fights. The school break is an ideal opportunity for families to enjoy each other’s company and spend quality time together. However, with this much time spent in such close proximity, disagreements are bound to occur. |
 |
Parents Need Help with Homework Supporting children with their homework is a big concern for many parents. But how can you help them if you can't understand the work they are doing? Many parents are increasingly feeling frustrated because they are unable to support their children's homework. |
 |
Choosing a School: Do Parents Really Have a Choice? What makes a good school? Can every parent choose to send his or her child to one? Fiona Millar explores whether choice is a reality for every child attending a state funded school. |
 |
Encouraging Independence Encouraging your child to be independent is a vital part of raising children to become confident enough to map out a successful life as an adult, but how much rope should you give them? Penny Palmano helps us unravel it all. |
 |
Toxic Childhood Syndrome Our society may be wealthier and healthier than ever but it is infecting our children with a new type of poison. Toddler to preteen, directly or indirectly, no child in the developed world is exempt from the influences of toxic childhood syndrome. we speak to the educationalist who coined the phrase. |
 |
What can you Learn from Teachers TV? It's a channel for teachers, but there's valuable information for parents in its programmes too While many parents would like their children to turn off the TV and go and do something more useful - like their homework for example! - teachers and parents are being encouraged to spend more time in front of the box. |
 |
Choosing a School Choosing a good school to send their children to is a major concern for most parents. Many parents will begin thinking about it as soon as their child is born! There are many factors to consider when deciding which school is right for your child, and many ways to go about finding information on the schools you are interested in. |
 |
Time Saving Tips If you're a working parent, you are sure to be short of time. Here are a few tips to help any working parent achieve a successful work life balance and feed the family with minimal fuss. |
 |
How Hard Should You Push Your Child? Many parents worry over the balance between the hours their children spend learning and those they spend playing. They recognise that most children can benefit from a little push here and there, but the question is ‘how much and how hard?' |
 |
What can a good parenting course do for you? Have you ever considered taking parenting classes? You may feel that your parenting skills are impeccable, but the truth is we could all benefit from learning some new tactics and strategies to support our children. |
 |
Coping with a Fear of Maths Does the thought of mathematics fill you with dread? Well you are not alone. Many people in the UK struggle with mathematics and suffer from a lack of confidence in their abilities to perform day-to-day mathematical tasks. Negative experiences, lack of understanding, and poor teaching can all contribute to an overall unhappy experience of mathematics. |
