We aim to teach a lot of things in kindergarten.  There is a focus on students gaining independence, making friends, gaining the basics in literacy and numeracy.  However, tact and decorum do not make an appearance on the kindergarten curriculum.  Subtlety is not big amongst your average gang of four and five year-olds.

Teachers need to take the time to see school - and themselves - through the eyes of their students.

A Teacher's Advice On Getting Through Homework Hell

I spend my days surrounded by twenty-five energetic little creatures, from three to five years-old.  And, in case it has slipped your notice, December has arrived and snow has begun falling. That means much of my group is alight with Christmas spirit.  There's a lot of chatter about Christmas trees, anticipated gifts, and of course, Santa.

I love teaching through literature. Books have an amazing way of engaging kids and starting conversations. Great, relatable characters help kids open their hearts, minds and engage in difficult conversations. It is often easier for kids to talk about what is happening in a book and relate it to themselves, rather than to hit a personal, potentially difficult issue straight on.

I know a wonderful young lady who dreams of attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology–the famous MIT. You know how many young kids go through the “I want to be an astronaut when I grow up” stage? Well, this amazing teenager just never grew out of it.  

At 17 years old, she has already achieved so much in the world of science, most notably in robotics. She has represented her country several times at the World Robotic Organization, including leading the team to an impressive victory two years ago.

Up until grade 12, the educational path for most children is pretty clear — to finish high school. Certainly, high school brings some choices — enriched, academic, applied, and locally developed courses are offered and students have some say in which subjects they will take — however, for most Canadian students, the goal is to finish high school. 

The high school drop-out rate has been on a steady decline in Canada since 1990. Most of our kids are getting through, enjoying proms and graduation ceremonies and making parents proud.

There is a post going around these days on ways to be a mean mom. It discusses such unpopular parenting decisions as enforcing your child’s bedtime and not giving in to their every tantrum. I like the post — it’s a cute reminder that being a parent is about setting limits and giving guidelines. I don’t believe that the art of developing our children’s sense of responsibility has been completely lost and I know many parents are doing an excellent job —

Here I am at four in the morning, tossing and turning, unable to stop thinking about the intense reaction to my latest post on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and it’s attributable causes. To all those who took the time to comment and to advocate on behalf of their children, I want to say a resounding thank you.

About two years ago, an article appeared in Psychology Today called, "Why French Kids Don’t Have ADHD." It proved to be one of their most shared posts, with nearly 7 million views and a slew of comments both for and against the author’s point of view. The author of the article, Dr.

There’s a Facebook trend making the rounds asking users to list ten books that have affected them. Each time I scan someone else’s list, I am reminded of great books I have loved and I've mentally added to my list of ten a hundred times. Books have the power to change our lives and to impact us in so many ways. So, how can a busy parent raising kids in the age of technology ensure their kids will develop a lifelong love of reading?

Straight from the teacher's desk, here are my top ten tips on how to raise a reader:

Kids are notorious for drenching their classrooms in unseen viruses and bacteria. Your child’s first year in an organized group setting—be it daycare, preschool or kindergarten—was probably their worst.

Kids seem to pass on a continuous stream of colds and germs to each other, regifting often. Just when it appears a virus was letting up, a new one sweeps in to take its place. Even if your child is a school veteran, he or she is not immune. No doubt, more than a few sniffles will pop by your house this year.

Well the first week of school is over. Phew! How was the adjustment for you? In my busy, boisterous kindergarten class the first few days passed in a torrent of tears (not mine), lots of requests for mommy, hours of reminders and gentle coaching about routines, and heaps of giggles, songs, and fun.  

We all want of our kids to do well in school, even if we define success differently. 

For some families, success means top marks and glowing report cards, for other families it means a happy child who enjoys going to school. However you define it, school is a huge part of your child’s life and it's important that kids be provided with the best possible experience there, to keep their love of learning alive.