2013 Summer Reading Programs Guide

Summer vacation does not have to mean a vacation from reading! The summer months are a great time to expand your child's literary world, teach them to enjoy reading for pleasure, help sharpen school skills and bridge the gap between school years. There are also many programs available to reward your reader this summer!

When Compliments Backfire: How to Give the Right Compliments to Kids

“You are so good at that!” you announce to the child, firmly believing that this warm praise is going to boost the child’s self-esteem and increase performance. But in study after study, and book after book, the widely accepted consensus is that complimenting your kids can cause lifelong problems and actually decrease performance, especially if you are dishing out the wrong type of compliments.

Kumar Sathy

Preparing Happy Campers: Tips for a Happy Summer Camp Experience

Summer camp is a time-honored tradition, rich with activities, newfound friendships and a lifetime of memories. Explore a few ways to make your child’s camp experience smooth sailing from start to finish.

Christa Melnyk Hines

What Makes a Great Coach?

For parents of young athletes, it’s that time of year again—spring sports are here. Yes, you may be a pro at managing your child’s sports endeavors, but have you given much thought to the most important part of your child’s athletic experience: her coach?

Todd Patkin

15 Ways to Get Involved in Your Child’s Education

It’s no secret that children are most successful when parents are consistent, supportive and involved with their education. How to accomplish that in the practical sense, however, isn’t always as easy as it looks. The good news? It’s never too late to get involved.

Shannon Fields

15 Tips for a Happy Family

This month, we asked our experts: What do you think is the key to a happy family?

3 Tips to Help a Reluctant Reader

If your child is struggling with reading comprehension, reading like a robot, or just unwilling to pick up a book and read, you may be shocked by the advice of experienced educator, former school administrator and author Kumar Sathy.

Gratitude Games—Fun Ways to Reawaken Appreciation in Kids

Make gratitude games an annual habit every Thanksgiving season. Here are five ways to motivate your kids to dig deep and rediscover an inner well of thankfulness without feeling put out.

Ask the Experts: The Importance of Good Etiquette

Our panel of OKC experts weigh in on this month's question: "How can I teach my children the importance of proper etiquette? Is etiquette still relevant or has it just become another landmark of our past?"

10 Things the Babysitter Needs To Know

Arm your sitter with this helpful, insider info so she’ll be ready for whatever happens in your absence.

Heidi Smith Luedtke