Letter from the Editor
Silver and Gold
By Gretchen Cook
Being the editor of Parents & Kids Magazine is a lot of fun. It seems that not a week goes by that I don’t meet someone who, upon learning what I do, says, “Oh! I love your magazine.” Having readers tell us that they like our magazine, find its articles helpful, and depend on the calendar to schedule their children’s lives is very gratifying. (more)


Dear Teacher
Fun with Numbers, Reading Problems and Following Directions
By Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts
Q: My 3-year-old daughter really loves numbers so we read number books together all the time. She can already count to 50. What should she learn next? Should we be teaching her to add?
(more)


Family Matters
Mother's Day Thoughts: Giving the Best Gifts
By Elizabeth Heiskell
May 11^th is Mother’s Day. I am the mother of three adorable girls, and Mother’s Day has taken on a different meaning for me.  When I was a child, Mother’s Day was all about the special breakfast my brothers and I would make for our mom. (more)


It Figures
Mother's Day, Work and Play
By Cynthia Washam
Fascinating facts about Mother's Day, vacation time, summer jobs, and more. (more)


Parent Points
"School's Almost Out," "Luca Learns to Swim," and "Sew What?"
Find out eight steps to get ready for the end of the school year, read a summary of the book Luca Learns to Swim, and learn how to sew and mend clothes with Hand Mending Made Easy. (more)


What's Cooking
Half Baked
By Julie Paul
It is the phone call every mom dreads. 

“Is Mrs. Paul at home?” asks an efficient voice on the other end of the phone. I pause for just a moment. Our privacy director screens out most telemarketers, so, logically this must be someone I know but don’t recognize. 

“Yes, this is Julie,” I mumble.  “Hi, this is (insert name of incredibly energetic, organized and self-sacrificing parent). You have signed up as a volunteer for our (insert second name of band, soccer, academic club, PTO, choir, or honor society) bake sale. What would you like bring?” (more)


Are You Listening or Lecturing to Your Kids?
Five Tips to Help You Listen
The knowledge that our children are safe, happy and emotionally sound is one of our greatest concerns. If they were being traumatized by something at school or, even worse, the attentions of a predator, we would want to be the first to know. (more)


Camp Registrations for May 2008
Summer camp registrations for May 2008. (more)


Choosing Next Year's Teacher
When and How to Approach a sensitive topic
By Jacquie McTaggart

This is the time of year when parents start thinking about which teacher they would like (or not like) their child to have next year. Some cross their fingers and hope, some make an appointment to discuss the situation with this year’s teacher or the school principal, and a few wait until the class lists are revealed and then - depending on whether or not they get their wish - make their move. (more)


The importance of co-regulation
A middle childhood milestone parents may neglect
By Michael Meyerhoff
There is a critically important concept in childrearing referred to as "co-regulation." It is defined as "a transitional stage in the control of behavior in which parents exercise general supervision and children exercise moment-to-moment self-regulation." And it is most commonly associated with the period of middle childhood, otherwise known as the elementary school years. (more)


Featured Events
Pepsi Pops, hand-painted flower pots at ARTichoke, Mother's Day at the Zoo, "Way to Go Kids" Weight Loss Program, and Mississippi Moms Connection. (more)


Drowning is Preventable
By Linda Maley
Many parents don’t realize how prevalent childhood drowning is.  It is the leading cause of accidental death for children five years and under, and the second leading cause of death for 14 years and under.  Some parents believe they always watch their children and it couldn’t happen to them. But sadly, most drowning deaths occur in home pools and most of the children who drowned had been seen by one or both parents in the last five minutes before the incident. Drowning is often “silent” as there is no audible cry for help. (more)


To Catch a Reader
Tips to encourage a reluctant reader
By Jacquie McTaggart
Coaxing, bribing and threatening won’t cause your child to read, but a healthy dose of tough love will. Mark Twain said, “The man who doesn’t read is no better off than the man who can’t read.” The same can be said about kids. Students between the ages of seven and fourteen who can read but don’t, are commonly referred to as Reluctant Readers. Every classroom in the nation has them and most families have at least one. (more)


Unique Strengths of Metro Area School Districts
By Martha Stocksill
These days reading, writing, and arithmetic are being bolstered in public schools by partnerships, projects, problem-based learning, the arts, and technology. The public school districts in the metro area have offerings tailored to the needs of 21st century students including those at-risk, the academically gifted, the vocationally and artistically talented, those who are excited about learning, and those who need to be encouraged to learn. (more)


Parents & Kids 2008 Metro School Guide
Your Guide to Schools in the Jackson Metro Area
Learn important statistics, special programs, and contact information for public and private schools in the Jackson Metro area. (more)


Parents & Kids Magazine Calendar
May 2008
Upcoming events for May 2008. (more)