Articles written by Marcia J

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About me - Marcia J

I am a married full time mother of one. I spent several years as a preschool teacher before my son was born. I have enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember. Along with writing I enjoy reading, crafting and the company of my family and friends.

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Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenthood How to face critics when you parent differently: 1 of 17
Something about seeing a pregnant woman or a woman with children compels people to offer unsolicited advice. It is hard enough to know what is the right thing to do without everyone putting their two cents in. So many parents are insecure and take what others say personally, which makes them start to doubt themselves and thei... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed Assessing structured vs. unstructured time in preschools: 1 of 14
In order to understand the value of structured and unstructured time in preschool, it is necessary to know what these terms refer to. Structured time is teacher directed with specific activities planned. Unstructured time is child directed; the child chooses which activities in the classroom to participate in. Both are import... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Toddlers Teaching a toddler to read: 2 of 18
It is never too early to start laying the foundation for strong reading skills. Many daily activities, from breakfast, to playtime, to shopping, involve reading and are great opportunities to expose your child to the value of reading.Exposing your child to written language early and often is a great way to get him off to a go... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed Helping your child deal with kids who hit at preschool: 2 of 18
Most preschool children experience being hit by other children at one time or another. If this is a problem for your child, there are ways to help him deal with it. The best approach is to work with both your child and his teacher to solve the problem.The first thing you should do is listen to your child. If he complains that... More..
Jobs & Careers > Getting Ahead Get that raise: The ultimate card - another job offer: 2 of 18
When you want to ask for a raise, and you need something to convince your boss to give it to you, one option is to use another job offer as leverage. There are some benefits and risks with this strategy.If you are a valued and hard-to-replace employee, it could help. The possibility of losing you to the competition may be eno... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Childhood Development Play: Why it's so important to a toddler: 1 of 9
Play is the work of toddlers. They learn through hands-on experiences. This means that every time your child glues pieces of paper together or puts on a firefighter's hat and pretends to put out a fire he is learning. Every time he dumps out a bucket of toys or pours a shovel full of sand into a funnel, he is developing skill... More..
Hobbies & Games > Kids Crafts Easy-to-make musical instruments for kids: 1 of 8
Musical instruments are a fun and functional craft that children of all ages can enjoy. There are many choices, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to personalizing and making them unique. Here are a few easy instruments to make with young children.DrumsUse an empty oatmeal canister, coffee can or something simila... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed Tips for gentling your baby through child care transitions: 1 of 8
Childcare transitions can be difficult for both parents and baby. It is important to do everything you can to make them as smooth as possible.Take your time; check out all available options for childcare. Some choices are having someone come to your home, bringing the baby to a babysitter or relative, group family daycare and... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed How to tell if your child is too sick for day care: 2 of 14
Children get sick. They catch colds and stomach bugs. They get fevers and ear infections. So how do you know when your child is well enough to go to daycare, and when you should keep him home?Most centers have guidelines to help you determine when a sick child should be kept home. If you are ever in doubt, ask yourself these ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Baby Sleep Issues How to get the baby to sleep through the night: 3 of 19
Having a new baby means losing some sleep, but it does not have to mean sleep deprivation. No parent should expect to find a magic formula to make their baby sleep through the night. You should not assume that you are doing something wrong if it doesn't happen for you right away. That said, there are things you can do to help... More..