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Topic: Transitions and Readiness

Life is a series of choices, challenges, and changes. Preparing for these transitions can make them much easier, whether it’s helping a child transition from crib to “big kid bed” or from home to college.Life is a series of choices, challenges, and changes. Preparing for these transitions can make them much easier, whether it’s helping a child transition from crib to “big kid bed” or from home to college.

Articles contain the statistics, research, and background to help you make an informed decision.

Family Ideas for Making a Long-distance Move

Moving causes parent stress, but it also is a big source of stress in children. Here are six tips for a smoother transition.

Ease Stress in Children During the Middle School Transition

The middle school transition can be challenging for kids. The changes in junior high can cause teenagers stress and anxiety. Learn how to help your teen cope.

Easing the Middle School Transition at School and Home

The middle school transition is hard for you and your child. Adolescent behaviors, a new middle school classroom and physical changes require your support and care.

Parent and Community Involvement in Middle School Learning

Public school policy needs to promote parent involvement in education for the middle school classroom. The middle school transition marks a crucial time in the life of a student and everyone needs to be involved in making it ...

Moving in the Middle: School Transition Causes Stress in Children

When a student in high school questions making a mid-year transition, his parents found themselves working with schools to develop academic and social strategies that can work for anyone making a school move.

Family Home Activities Prepare Your Child for School

Is your child getting ready for preschool or kindergarten? This article contains suggestions for family home activities that prepare children for school, from toddler reading advice to an earlier transition to bed.

Parent Involvement in Education: Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Is your child ready to start kindergarten, one of the most important grades in elementary school? Make sure you do your home work and get all the facts about kindergarten readiness.

Getting Your Toddler Ready for Preschool

Try out some family home activities from this list that will get your child ready for preschool. These toddler learning activities are a great way to reduce stress in children and prepare them for the exciting adventure of sc...

Help Your Kids Transition Through Child Development Stages

Adolescent parenting can be a challenge when children struggle with transitions. The Three T's of Transition can ease stress in children while providing them guidance through child development stages.

Sibling Trumps Other Family Ideas for Overcoming Nighttime Fears

For a child who was afraid of the dark, making the transition to bed a rough one, a sibling's loving response found the solution to scare away the monsters after all other family ideas had failed.

How to Be a Good Roommate

Living with roommates requires good communication and constant compromise. A college junior shares her thoughts.

College Prep Checklist

Here's a list of often overlooked details that will lead to successful college admissions starting in grade 8.

Six Places To Find Real Friends On Campus

Students who get involved in campus life and find good friends in college are more likely to graduate. Join the party and get the academic pay-offs too.

What I Learned the Hard Way about a Parent Leaving

A parent leaving can cause teenagers problems and stress. Megan Mitchell has been there. She offers advice for teenagers on how to deal with depression, stress, and other related problems brought on by a parent's absence.

Teenagers' Stories: What I Learned the Hard Way about Success in High School

The middle school transition to high school was a lot tougher than one student expected. With high school academics low on her list, she soon got a rude wake-up call. Read her advice for teenagers who want to avoid her mistak...

Emma's Story: Ready for Preschool, Ready for Kindergarten?

For many parents, deciding when their child is ready for preschool can be a struggle. For others, deciding on kindergarten readiness is an even bigger decision. Here's some good advice to help you decide.

Getting Ready for Preschool Marks Important Child Development Stages

Getting a child ready for preschool can be stressful, but preschool projects can also reveal just how much a child has grown. One mother talks about how school has marked some child development stages.

Michigan Public School Policy Grades Middle School Students with the MEAP

According to Michigan's public school policy, the MEAP test grades middle school students on their academic progress. Read about how school standardized tests gauge middle school learning and find ways to help your child exce...

Ten Ways to Save Money and Ten Ways to Lose It

Specific tips and advice for teenagers headed to college on how they can save money (and avoid wasting it) once they are on their own.

Parent Involvement Essential to Successful Middle School Transition to High School

The middle school transition to high school is challenging. Answering your children’s high school questions and helping them figure out how realistic their middle school ideas are about high school can boost confidence.

Real Life Story: Walking the Dog

One mom’s story about how the word “chore” was a four-letter word and when it came to chores for kids, caring for pets was not considered one – but instead it was a privilege.

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