Teach Kids How https://www.teachkidshow.com/ Preparing Your Child For Life Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:16:15 +0000 Teach Your Child How to Form Positive Friendships Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:16:15 +0000 Preschoolers Most preschoolers learn how to act and react in relationships by watching their family and siblings Einteractions. The preschool years are among the most important years for development, children could benefit from their parents and siblings showing a great interest in one another. Listening, smiling and acknowledging another’s conversation or concerns are a great start. This shows youngsters how important another’s feelings are and the importance of showing concern for them. These are also great years to show how important it is to share, you can provide a sharing time for you and your family where everyone gets together as a group and shares something (a story or favorite toy) with another family member. It is also important for parents to provide venues for their children to meet and make friends at this level, such as the park or other supervised play areas where children can meet others their age. Or schedule a “Play Date Ewith children who are close to your child’s age, you can do this with other parents you know, family members, or neighbors. This will offer experience and an opportunity for your child to learn the social and interaction skills needed throughout their school years.   Main points to address:
  • Teach by example by being a good listener to your child and other family members.
  • Organize a “Play Date Ewith other children who are close to your child’s age.
  • Schedule a family sharing time, which will teach youngsters the importance of sharing.
Grades K-3rd Once your child is in school finding children for them to form a positive friendship will be much easier with so many classmates. But there are still ways for your child to create more secure friendships with those who share the same personalities or similar interests. Allow your child to join a club, do sports or other extra curricular activities that would interest him/her the most. In their local school district there might be a girl club, that provides crafts and other fun events tailored just for girls. These kind of clubs and organizations will narrow down the friends that would meet your child’s needs. You can also get them involved in area events, outside of school, that provide activities your child might be interested in. Main points to address:
  • Encourage them to join clubs of interest in school.
  • Provide them with a list of characteristics of a good friend (see list below).
  • Allow them to get involved in community events that interest them.
Grades 4th-6th Throughout the school years most children have made a number of friends and two or three very close friends. Perhaps your child who is this age may need some pointers on how to keep a positive relationship. Good friends have many qualities, but the most important are those listed below. Main points to address:
  • Offer support when needed.
  • Are kind to their friends.
  • Are the first one to show up at a gathering and the last one to go home.
  • Laugh at each other's jokes and are fun to be around.
  • Have a smile on their face when their friend comes around.
  • Are always willing to share.
  • Offer to help their friend.
  • Invite their friend to do something together.
  • Show an interest in what their friends do.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-form-positive-friendships/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-form-positive-friendships/ Teach Your Children How to Brush Their Teeth Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:41:51 +0000 Pictures say a thousand words, when you see children who don’t show their teeth in pictures, you can bet that child is self-conscious about their smile. Whether from tooth decay or the changed color of the enamel on their teeth. Nonetheless, many young children couldn't care less about brushing their teeth or having a bright white smile until they’re in their teens and it’s too late. So, how can we teach them to brush their teeth on their own? Or, want to brush their teeth three times daily? We have provided a few tips to help make your brush-teaching task as effortless as a smile. Provided below are innovative and creative ways to show your children how to brush their teeth, categorized in age groups for your convenience. Preschool Preschoolers learn most things through rhythm and rhyme. Make the brushing experience fun and exciting. Let them know there are little bugs that we can’t see that live on their teeth, and you have to brush them away. Make a song out of your teeth brushing time:
 There’s a bug on my teeth brush him off  Brush up, brush down, brush you teeth round and round  When you spit the paste in the sink, the bug goes down the drain  There are no more bugs in our teeth  ELook smile now so bright
Once you have shown your tots the up and down and round and round flow of brushing their teeth, give them the brush, “now you try. EOnce they get that flow themselves and they move their tiny brushes up and down make this a very exciting and joyous moment. Celebrate this with laughter, clapping, and exciting hoorays. Let other family members in on the celebration as well, have your child show their grandparents or other family members how awesome they too can brush their teeth. Main points to address:
  • Get excited about brushing and even more excited when they brush.
  • Make it a fun experience.
  • Ask them to show you how well they can brush their teeth.
  • Make it a big deal to other family members when they learn how, “Dad look how great (child’s name) can brush his/her teeth.
Grades K-3rd Grades K-3rd learn through presentation and repetition. The best way for young elementary children to learn is through repetition and presentation. Offer your young children the ability to watch as you brush your teeth explaining what you are doing every step of the way. Use creative analogies, “plaque are small bugs that are in your mouth eating away at your teeth and the only way to get them out is to brush.”  You’ll be amazed at how quickly your kids will ask to brush their teeth and insist on doing so regularly. Main points to address:
  • Offer regular presentations of yourself brushing.
  • Be consistent with times of the day to brush.
  • Use creative analogies or stories of others who never brushed their teeth.
Grades 4th-6th While grades 4th -6th learn through show and tell. There is nothing more effective than honesty and showing these youngsters what happens when someone doesn’t brush their teeth. Find pictures of individual’s teeth that have serious decay or rotten teeth. Use every dental visit as a way to teach them by asking the dentist for pictures of people who never brush their teeth. Explain to them, “this is what happens when people don’t brush their teeth.” You can also explain the health hazards of not brushing your teeth. There are plenty of health risks for individuals who don’t brush their teeth. Main points to address:
  • Search online for teeth that are badly decayed and show them to your youngsters.
  • Be honest about how not brushing decays their teeth and hurts their health.
  • Use pictures offered through your dentist at every visit.
  • Ask your dentist to share with your children stories, pictures or knowledge of the hazards of not brushing their teeth.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-children-how-to-brush-their-teeth/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-children-how-to-brush-their-teeth/ Teach Your Child How to Be Creative Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:57:17 +0000 Preschool Create an atmosphere for preschoolers that encourage creative activities and thoughts. Prepare their bedroom or play area in a way that encourages creativity, keep coloring devices and paper handy and easily accessible. Keep a variety of artistic materials; clay, play dough, music, books, blocks, legos, and other creative toys within the reach of the child. Incorporate role playing and storytelling in everyday activities. For example while you are eating animal crackers, have your child pick an animal cracker, name the animal, eat the cracker then imitate that animal. Or while you are traveling, make up a short story about an item you see on the road or side of the road. For example: You see a tire sitting on the side of the road, you can make something up about that tire. “I imagine that tire came from a car that was going too fast down the road and when the man pulled over to the side to fix his tire he realized that going so fast will make him lose his tires. So he never went too fast on the road again.”   Main points to address:
  • Create an atmosphere that encourages creativity
  • Have a variety of artistic and creative materials accessible to your child
  • Incorporate role playing and storytelling in everyday activities
Grades K-3rd With young school-aged children, creativity will be developing rapidly. This is the time they will begin problem solving on their own; this is a great time to encourage creativity. Encourage them to review alternative ways of problem solving by evaluating the problem, think of a variety of solutions and figure out which is the best way to execute the solution. For example; If Michelle at school does not want to be your child’s friend anymore (and this happens more times then you can count on both hands at feet at this age) then give three or four alternative methods to solve this problem and have your child execute the one that is the best choice. This is also a good time in your child’s life to begin to relax your parental controls, don’t let go of the reins or allow your child to make all the decisions, but begin to give them more options and allow them to help you with establishing rules and regulations for their age. As adults we sometimes tighten our parental control, which can diminish the self-confidence that is an important attribute of the creative spirit. Main points to address:
  • Offer them the ability to help provide the rules and regulations of the household
  • Give them an opportunity for free self-expression, without negative or demeaning judgment
  • Encourage them to evaluate their problems, review a variety of options to solve the problem, and figure out which option is the best to execute.
Grades 4th-6th Encouraging your school-aged children to discover diverse activities in and out of school will help develop critical-thinking skills, which is important to the creative pursuit. School-aged children become bombarded with homework, school sports or other activities. In particular, theatre activities, whether in-school or out of school, should be encouraged. Many local organizations for the arts can help you find a place for your child in their programs, even if your child is shy and does not feel comfortable acting in a play they can always provide other services for the stage play such as lighting, decorating, sound, costume, narrating or a variety of other duties. It is important to offer creative avenues, but it is also important not to push or pressure your child into these activities. Give them time to develop the motivation to pursue them themselves. It is also important to allow your child the freedom of expression, allow them to be the individuals they are by giving them the ability to wear the clothes and items of their liking. Although I wouldn’t allow them to get tattoos at the age of 12, there have to be set regulations as to what, but do allow them to express themselves in the unique being that they are. Main points to address:
  • Encourage your child to be a part of extra curricular activities in and out of school, join the choir in school, and sign up for a local play out of school.
  • Allow your child the freedom of expression, allow them to wear the clothes they want without the fear of rejection or judgment from his parents.
  • Don’t push them into anything they don’t want to do, but encourage them to join diverse groups to learn other skills.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-be-creative/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-be-creative/ Teach Your Child How to Clean His Room Fri, 17 Jul 2026 07:14:55 +0000 Preschool Even chores can turn into a fun game, without those little tots even knowing they are actually picking up their rooms (I won’t tell if you don’t), and no youngster in his or her right mind would turn down the opportunity to play a game with one of their parents. You can play basketball with the dirty clothes and laundry hamper, play a game of race the clock to see how fast we are at picking up our toys, or see who can pick up the most toys in a limited amount of time. Main points to address:
  • Place shelves and other toy compartments close enough for the child to reach.
  • Keep various, small, compartments for each type of toy (bookshelf for the books, small crate for the cars, a different small crate for the Lego’s, etc.). That way you can teach the child after playing with this type of toy to place the items back in the crate.
  • Talk your preschooler through everything, “We’re done reading this book let’s put it back on the shelf Emaking sure to be consistent with each chore.
  • Make cleaning fun and exciting.
Grades K-3rd There’s nothing like a little challenge for young elementary school students. Give them the option of seeing which of you can clean faster, them while cleaning their room, or you while cleaning the kitchen. The race is one between mom and the child. Although you want to be sure to point out that going way to fast can be harmful in a room and they need to be extra careful while they are rushing about. Kids also enjoy getting a little something for their effort. Experts say there is nothing wrong with offering your child a simple reward after such a chore. Therefore you can give them the opportunity to clean their room in thirty minutes and then you can offer to take them out to the park or to the ice cream store for a treat. The choice is up to you, but a small reward once in a while will not hinder the cleaning process. (If you give your child a treat after every time they clean their room they will begin to expect the treat, so keep this routine fairly uncommon.) Main points to address:
  • Offer a treat every once in a while if they have the task completed in a certain time limit.
  • Be consistent with their room cleaning chores.
  • Make a game out of cleaning (who can clean the fastest, mom in the kitchen or child in the bedroom.)
Grades 4th-6th Children who are among the older generation of children in elementary school understand the concept of responsibility and the hard work it takes to keep chores up, at least most of them do. Cleaning their room can be completed as part of their chores they do to receive an allowance. Be sure to keep bins and other storage devices for your youngster in a specific space, this will make it easier for their room-cleaning venture. Main points to address:
  • Provide them with a weekly allowance for their chores, including their room.
  • Have assessable enough storage bins for individual toy sets, a small box for hot wheels, a different bin for crayons, etc.
  • Label the boxes, unless you use clear crates, for easy access.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-clean-his-room/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-clean-his-room/ Teach Your Child About the Skeletal System Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:10:14 +0000 Preschool - Grade 3 Your baby’s bones will not be “set” when they are born- and for good reason. In order to accommodate the squeeze through the birth canal, bones must be pliable. Even the skull is somewhat soft and must be protected when your baby is young. Eventually the bones harden as the softer material we call cartilage slowly turns to bone. Cartilage does remain in the parts of our bodies that will always require flexibility, such as our nose and ears and our joints. Young children’s bones need to be softer for another reason. Learning to crawl, walk, climb, jump and run involves many falls. Bones hardening slowly is a safeguard against early bone breaks. Your child will compare their hands and feet to yours. Seeing the difference in the size of these bones, and how they change through the years is a way of gauging growth. When your child needs larger shoes, bigger clothes- when their favorite things no longer fit, your child will become acutely aware of their own growth. In order to assure your youngster is developing good, strong bones, take care that they are consuming enough calcium rich foods. Cheese, milk, cottage cheese and yogurt are good dairy sources and indeed the best sources of calcium. Dark leafy greens like chard, kale and spinach can supplement dairy sources. Recent research indicates fruits and vegetables also contribute to strong, healthy bones. If your child’s diet does not include dairy, get the advice of a nutritionist or medical doctor. Other minerals are helpful to bone growth and strength, such as phosphorus, vitamins A and D, and magnesium. Your bones also need high quality protein to grow. At this age, your child needs you to choose foods rich in calcium and these additional nutrients for him or her, as they will not have the will or understanding to consistently choose these vital foods. Making sure your child’s diet provides for bone health will help them develop bones that will stay strong and healthy. Fresh air, sunshine and exercise are needed to grow strong bones and keep them doing their job. Make sure your child gets outside everyday to run and play. Weight-bearing activity is essential for building and maintaining bone mass. Working and playing outside is good for your child! Should you suspect your child has broken a bone, get to the doctor quickly as young bones heal speedily, and you need to make sure they mend correctly, in the right alignment. Main points to address:
  • Bones at birth are not yet set.
  • Your child needs a calcium-rich diet- everyday.
  • Talk to your doctor or nutritionist if your child does not eat dairy.
  • Your child needs to get plenty of sunshine and exercise.
  • If you suspect a broken bone, get medical attention quickly.
Grades 3-6th Older school age children will have learned about their skeletal system in school, but they will still need some monitoring of their diet to make sure they are taking in sufficient calcium. The blood will take calcium from the bones if calcium intake does not support the calcium balance needed in the blood. Teach your child to pack a lunch that includes at least one calcium rich food. Cheese sticks, yogurt, and of course milk are favorites. At this age they will need 3-4 servings of dairy each day. Calcium supplementation is an option, but should be monitored by a doctor. The benefits of supplements stop when supplementation is discontinued. Some sports can be pretty rough on the bones. If your child skateboards, bicycles, skates or plays field sports such as soccer or American football, make sure they are using shin and arm guards and in the case of skateboarding, biking and football, helmets. If your child should suffer a broken bone, they will heal relatively quickly, but they must get medical attention quickly and follow doctor’s orders during the healing period. Your child’s frame may grow in spurts, giving a somewhat awkward appearance at times. Reassure him or her that their body is growing and that things will even out eventually. As your child grows, they may indeed experience “growing pains”. A warm bath and a cup of chamomile tea may help, but if the pains are severe, recurring, or interfere with sleep, see your doctor. Main points to address:
  • Teach your child to pack at least one calcium-rich food in their lunch.
  • Kids need protective gear for many sports. Make sure they use them!
  • Outside play and work remains important at this age.
  • Bones heal quickly at this age.
  • If your child has severe “growing pains”, see your doctor.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: KidsHealth: For kids - http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/bones.html KidsHealth: For parents: Broken bones- how to know, what to do - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/broken_bones.html National Institute of Health: Guide for parents on bone health (excellent) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Juvenile/default.asp ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-about-the-skeletal-system/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/?p=203 Teach Your Child About the Muscular System Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:55:21 +0000 Preschool You don’t have to convince a preschooler to use their muscles. They are on the go- jumping and running, climbing, falling and getting up again. This is a time of fast muscle growth and one of the reasons toddlers need a diet full of high-quality energy. One of the best ways to teach your youngster about the muscular system is to use yours by exercising regularly. By observing the movement and tone of your skeletal muscles, they will learn a lot about how healthy muscles function. They will also watch how you feed your muscles as you model good nutrition, a key component of muscle health. Remember that we are also feeding our involuntary muscles when we eat and that they are just as susceptible to the bad effects of a junk food diet as voluntary muscles are. High quality protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lots of water, along with daily exercise will keep your muscles at their best. Although genetics largely determine the shape and size of a person’s muscles, you can maximize a muscle’s potential with nutrition and load-bearing work. When your little one shows you how strong they are by “making a muscle” show them their other muscles. Tell them they have 30 muscles that help them smile and over 640 muscles altogether! Main points to address:
  • Caring for your own body by exercising and eating right will teach your child how to care for theirs.
  • Toddlers need adequate nutrition, hydration, activity and rest to develop strong muscles.
Grades K-3rd Young school age children may or may not learn about the muscular system in school. Some schools teach body systems in science or health. Others may in physical education classes. Kids should begin to recognize the names of major muscle groups as parts of their body. You can help with this by learning them yourself. Children this age are just beginning to understand how things work together to perform a job. We commonly call these groups of things “systems”. Muscles are a good example of this. You can correlate this to people in a community working together for the good of all; or the parts of a car designed to work together to move and carry a load across a distance. Muscles are much the same- designed to work together to perform a job. Children often play so hard they experience muscle fatigue and soreness due to lactic acid buildup. Soaking in a warm tub and massaging the muscles will help move waste out of the muscle fibers, thus reducing soreness. Taking in a bit more water than usual will help also. This is a good time to explain how the muscles burn food energy when they are working and create wastes that must be carried away. A child this age is usually not aware of the differences in muscle size among their peers. Helping them to appreciate their body and take good care of it will prepare them for the coming years when they may be comparing themselves to the shapes, sizes and strength of others. Main points to address:
  • Teach your child the proper names of the major muscle groups if they do not learn them in school.
  • Children may have muscle aches after playing hard. Soaking in the tub and massaging muscles may help.
  • Muscles need lots of water to clear waste products.
  • Help your child appreciate their body the way it is.
Grades 3-6th Older school age child will add more sophisticated material to what they know about body systems at school. Puberty brings greater bone growth, both in length and mass which requires a corresponding growth of muscle length and mass. They will need proper nutrition to support muscle growth. That’s one of the reasons preteens and teens eat so much! Making sure your preteen gets enough exercise is important. Health depends on all body systems functioning at their best. Some kids tend to “veg-out” at this age. Try to keep them involved in a sport or other physical activity so that they are getting some form of daily exercise. Muscle condition affects metabolism and keeping muscles strong and busy will lessen the chances of your youngster being an overweight adult. Make family outings fun so that your child will want to join in. Biking, hiking and swimming are all excellent activities. Children this age begin to compare themselves to others. Girls want to appear trim and stylish, while boys are beginning to be conscious of the size and shape of their muscles. As mentioned before, genetics play a large part in potential muscle distribution, size, shape and strength. Let your child know they are wonderful the way they are. As long as they are getting proper nutrition and regular exercise, their muscles will grow as they grow. Remind them that most men are not fully grown and fully muscled until age 25. Main points to address:
  • Puberty spurs new muscle growth.
  • Make sure your child continues to get regular exercise.
  • Make family outings fun. Try biking, hiking or swimming.
  • Most men are not fully muscled until age 25.
Resources: Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-about-the-muscular-system/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/?p=199 Teach Your Child About the Digestive System Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:54:58 +0000 Preschool The process of digestion is quite fancy and would be a bit much for a very young child to take in. They do need to know that it’s important to chew food well so that it is properly broken down and that sometimes what we eat gives us a stomach ache. Young children instinctively know that what we expel when we go to the bathroom comes from the food and drink we consume. What you can teach them about digestion at this age is that our bodies need good foods and plenty of water in order to work right and give us the energy we need for work and play. Encouraging your child to eat nutrient and fiber rich foods will help the whole process of digestion work more smoothly. Learning the basics of nutrition can start as soon as your youngster can sit up in a high chair! Your child will no doubt come up with some questions about the workings of their body. Knowing the basics yourself will prepare you to give a simple but accurate explanation. Main points to address:
  • Preschoolers can understand the basics of digestion put in simple terms they can relate to.
  • Teaching your child to eat nutrient dense and fiber rich foods will help them maintain good digestion.
Grades K-3rd Young school age children understand the role digestion plays in giving us energy and keeping us well. They may not know the name and function of each organ in the digestive system, but they have a greater handle on cause and effect in general, and in the body in particular. What your toddler took for granted as natural bodily functions have now become occasions for uproarious humor. Burping, pooping and passing gas are opportunities to amuse and amaze. Although this stage is normal and marks the beginning of greater understanding, it can be annoying! Besides the humorous quality of digestive events, children this age are beginning to see how the parts of a system work together to accomplish a goal. The sure and steady teamwork of the digestive organs are indicative of the order and predictability of life. Around this age children begin to notice the correlation between their emotions and disturbances in digestion. If they are nervous before a game, they may not want to eat. After suffering trauma or upset children this age may have an upset stomach or even throw up. This is a good time to teach your child how to relax and calm themselves. Persistent stomach or bowel upsets can signal anxiety in a child and the need to attend to their emotional health. You may need to remind your child how important water is to the process of digestion. Constipation is never pleasant and can usually be avoided by eating enough fiber and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Studies have been done on brain function and amount of water needed to avoid “brain fog”. Your child will do better in school and during play if they are eating nutritious food and drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Main points to address:
  • Young school age children are beginning to understand how organs work together.
  • Using bodily functions as a source of humor is normal at this age.
  • Make sure your child gets 3-5 glasses of water each day.
Grades 4-6th Older children will likely learn the specific names and functions of their digestive organs in school. This may cause some embarrassment, which again is a normal developmental stage as your youngster starts to become more modest about their body. They may want to keep you out of the bathroom all of a sudden and become horrified if someone forgets to flush. This shows their growing awareness of the difference between their private self and their public self. Taking ownership of you body is a step to independence and self-reliance. Junk food is everywhere and because active kids are always hungry, you may want to pack some healthy snacks for them to put in their pack. High fat and sugary foods will begin to take their toll in the form of overweight or poor complexion. Buy the healthiest foods you can afford and stress the importance of proper nutrition. As your child enters their preteen and teen years, hormonal changes may cause havoc if they are continually taxing their digestive system. They are old enough to understand the meaning of “You are what you eat.” In summary, teaching your child about the functions of the digestive organs may save them a lifetime of trouble and poor health. Knowing the intricacy of the digestive system may help them realize the important job it does in keeping us energized and healthy. Main points to address:
  • Children this age become more private about their bodily functions.
  • Buy the best foods and snack items you can afford.
  • Teaching your child about digestion may have positive long term effects on their health and well-being.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-about-the-digestive-system/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/?p=195 Teach Kids About the Brain and Nervous System Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:15:15 +0000 Preschool You really do not have to formally teach your preschooler about the brain and the nervous system. Answering their questions as they arise (“How do we see?” “Why does my foot fall asleep?” “Why can’t Grandma hear very well?”) will help them make a connection between the brain and the body and give them the language they need for more questions. As they grow, their questions may require finding answers together. Using a children’s book of anatomy and the Internet should provide more than enough information. What can you do to help your child’s brain development? A healthy pregnancy and good prenatal care is the best foundation. Your baby’s brain will do ninety percent of its growing by age five or six. Maximizing your child’s brain potential is as simple as providing loving attention and nurturing combined with a balance between rich learning opportunities and rest and relaxation. Talking to and with your child, reading, drawing, spending time in natural environments so that your child can safely explore the world will provide the stimulus your child needs. As your child grows, he or she will begin to notice the differences between humans and other creatures and between one person and the next. This will provide a chance to talk about the function of the brain and the nervous system and how this system works to make us the unique individuals we, and they, are. Main points to address:
  • Use your child’s natural questioning as opportunities to teach them about their brain and nervous system.
  • Use examples from the animal kingdom to speak to individual traits and the brain’s role in making us unique.
Grades K-3rd Children become acutely aware of individual differences and varying abilities when they enter school. Topics such as intelligence, athletic ability and physical disabilities may arise in their discussions with you. The role the brain plays in who we are and what we can do, how we feel and respond to life, can be discussed as part of your explanations. At this age, what kids understand about their minds and bodies will be augmented by what they learn in school. They may not, however, be taught specifically how humans learn, remember and process information and how this impacts their lives, or about human emotions and behavior. They will probably be ready for more complex, abstract discussions at about 8 or 9. Helping your child develop his or her brain power can be done by providing a healthy diet, reading with them, communicating often, listening to their concerns and helping them discover and develop their natural talents and gifts. Keeping your youngster connected with the natural world will help them make the connections that boost brain power. Main points to address:
  • Use discussions about individual differences and abilities to teach your child about the mysteries of the brain.
  • Children are ready for more abstract thinking at about age 8 or 9.
  • Continue to read with your child, develop emotional closeness and keep your child connected to the natural world.
  • Help them recognize and develop their natural bent.
Grades 3-6th Older school age children will have learned the functions of the different parts of the brain and start to understand how they work together to keep our bodies and minds running. Be available to answer their questions and listen to their pondering while this is being taught. They will also become more aware of disorders of the brain- epilepsy, dementia, emotional and behavioral disorders, addictions, cerebral palsy, autism to name a few. Help them gain understanding by researching these topics together. If your child shows a real interest in the brain and nervous system, find a good website, like one listed below, or a webquest dealing with the nervous system so they can add to what they know. Fashioning a clay model of the brain and nervous system would make a fun science project. There are many children’s books written for students this age that will fascinate your child. Who knows- perhaps your child will discover the key to the human brain and unlock its mysteries! This is a good time to teach your child how to keep the brain and nervous system healthy. Knowing these things can have long term positive consequences. Some tips include:
  • Refrain from alcohol and illegal drugs
  • Eat a diet rich in anti-oxidants with lots of fruits and vegetables, but low in fats and cholesterol.
  • Get daily exercise- outside is best!
  • Remain socially active.
  • Have a hobby that you enjoy and keeps your brain active.
  • Enjoy music and art.
  • Appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
  • Try to keep emotions in balance.
  • Get counseling when you need it.
Making these practices part of your family’s daily routine will help your child carry them over into adulthood and will ultimately carry more weight than formal learning. Teaching your child how the brain works and how to keep their nervous system healthy will help them live a happy, productive and less stressed life. Main points to address:
  • Children this age are more aware of the importance of healthy brain function, as well as disorders of the brain.
  • Incorporate healthy lifestyle choices to maximize the brain function of your family members.
  • Make learning materials available if your child shows a strong interest in the brain and nervous system.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-kids-about-the-brain-and-nervous-system/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/?p=190 Teach Your Child About the Respiratory System Sun, 12 Jul 2026 05:06:08 +0000 The Basics: The respiratory system consists of the nasal cavity, the mouth, larynx, pharynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, lungs, and diaphragm. These parts are well protected by the facial bones, ribs, and tough cartilage. The respiratory system works very closely with all the other organ systems, particularly the circulatory system. We generally think of respiration as breathing, or taking in air by inhaling and expelling air by exhaling. The act of breathing is called external respiration and makes supplying your body with the oxygen necessary for the other kind of respiration, internal respiration, to take place. What is internal respiration? Simply put- internal or cellular respiration is the process by which glucose and other substances in the cell are given the oxygen they need to produce energy and sustain the life of the cell. Carbon dioxide is the by-product of this process and must be carried through the blood stream to the lungs and out of the body. In essence, breathing makes it possible to feed and clean our cells. The mechanism of breathing is wonderfully simple. Air passes through the nasal passages and mouth, past the larynx through the trachea and into the lungs where the oxygen in the air you breathed in is exchanged for carbon dioxide. This exchange takes place in the alveoli membrane of the lungs. You can add to this basic description by visiting your local library or one of the excellent sites on the Web, a few of which are listed below. Preschool Babies and toddlers instinctively know how important breathing is. They resist anything that restricts the free flow of air to and from the lungs. A child with a stuffy nose is miserable for this reason! You will not need to teach your very young child much except for the names of the parts involved in external respiration- the nose, the mouth and the lungs. Four and five year olds are ready for more specific information. Have them hold their hand a few inches from their mouth and nose and deliberately breath in and then out. As they feel the breath hit their hand you can simply explain the process of exchanging clean air for used air. They may want to know why we need to do that. You can then explain that all our body parts need fresh air. When your preschooler is running and breathing hard, he is bringing in the extra oxygen he needs to feed and clean his body during exertion. When he sleeps, his breathing is slower as the need for oxygen during rest is much lower. If your child has asthma and allergies that interfere with breathing, you probably have already explained how the lungs work and why we need air. Your doctor can provide you with additional information. Main points to address:
  • Preschoolers only need to be aware of the process and necessity of breathing.
  • Observing their own body at this age gives a young child lots of information.
  • You can broaden your child’s awareness by adding the names of body parts and explaining that the parts work together to keep them healthy.
  • Become educated about your child’s asthma or allergies.
Grades K-3rd School age children will learn how the blood carries oxygen to all the cells in the body and that all body systems rely on oxygen to work. They will also begin to learn to take care of their bodies to maintain health. By third grade they should be learning the names of the organs that are involved in respiration and their basic functions. Most kids will learn about the hazards of smoking at this time. You can reinforce this at home by discussing the dangers with them. Let your child know that the body cannot handle the poisons in cigarettes and about the breathing difficulties that come with smoking. Ask your child if it would be wise to stand in front of a fire and breathe in its smoke. They will begin to understand that smoking does not make good sense. Children also need to know that proper posture will help them breathe more easily as the lungs have more room to expand when standing or sitting straight. Encouraging your child to breathe into their belly will prevent them from shallow breathing when they are older. Sitting for meditation is a good time to teach them to practice proper breathing. Stressing how hard the respiratory system works to keep us alive and healthy will create a willingness to develop healthy habits and avoid harmful ones. Main points to address:
  • Children will learn about the respiratory system in school.
  • Encourage good posture and belly breathing.
  • Reinforce the dangers of smoking.
Grades 4-6th Older children will learn about the human body and its systems in greater detail in school. By sixth grade they should understand the processes of internal and external breathing. They will refer to the body parts by their correct names. Older children should also have a good handle on how each organ system depends on the respiratory system to sustain its functioning. Years ago, when families still hunted and butchered, children, being part of these activities had a chance to see first hand the internal parts of an animal’s body that corresponded with their own. If you have an opportunity to take part in either hunting or butchering, you may want to include your child. A substitute for this is dissecting animals that breathe oxygen like we do. Many schools provide an opportunity to dissect an animal. If your school does not, there are many good books that are suitable for this age on anatomy and physiology. The Internet is also great for visual teaching material. At this age, it is even more important to educate your child about the dangers of cigarettes and other inhaled drugs. They need to know what smoke and the chemicals in cigarettes can do to their lungs. This is a good time to talk about other harmful substances- marijuana, cocaine, crack and glue, all of which work to destroy the mucus membranes in the nose and mouth and the delicate alveoli membrane in the lungs. Your matter of fact explanation will let them know the reality of inhaling smoke and other harmful substances. Let them know how addicting these substances are and remind them periodically as they enter their teens. Teaching your child about the respiratory system will help him or her develop greater awareness of how their body works. Self-care depends on body awareness and being well-informed. Taking the time to teach your child will hopefully pay off in health and vitality. Main points to address:
  • By sixth grade, your child should know the names of their body parts and how they work.
  • If you can, let your child witness cleaning and butchering of animals and fish.
  • Add street drugs, specifically by name, to the list of substances harmful to the respiratory system.
  • Remind them periodically as they grow into their teens.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-about-the-respiratory-system/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/?p=189 Teach Your Child How to Take Good Pictures Sat, 11 Jul 2026 04:10:35 +0000 Preschool Young children love to be on both sides of the camera. Many of us who are now parents can remember our first Fisher Price cameras! (They still make one! The “Kid-Tough” digital camera that is drop-proof! Children as young as two can successfully use this camera.) If your child seems to be determined to be the photographer, it is best to get them their own camera. What kind you select will depend on these factors:
  • What the camera will be used for
  • How much you want to spend
  • The age of your youngster
  • What features you’ll need
  • Whether you want to go digital or not
You’ll want to do an Internet search first, perhaps read a few reviews, and talk to other parents that have purchased one recently. At this age a camera made just for kids will probably be the wisest choice and produce pictures good enough to put up on the screen and email to Grandma and Grandpa. Hewlett Packard has some tips for parents when selecting a digital camera. Make sure it:
  • Is small enough to hold easily
  • Has fully automatic settings
  • Can turn itself off
  • Is simple to use and has easy options for transferring photos
As far as technique goes- most kid digital cameras have double view finders and are “point and shoot”. Preschoolers are old enough to remember to:
  • Stay still
  • Get the subject of the photo in the finder
  • Click and advance
  • Keep it in the case while not in use
Kids this age are not very selective regarding subject matter! That’s why going digital is probably a better choice. You can sit together and decide which pictures to save and which to delete. This will help your child to learn what makes a good picture- balance, optimal distance, best background, and begin to understand the basics of lighting. It’s important to be patient with your youngster. Teach one point at a time and then provide time to practice. As your child grows they will be able to assimilate what they’ve learned. The proof will eventually be in the pictures. Letting your child take their own pictures is a step toward developing independence, forming artistic judgment and perhaps beginning a lifelong hobby or even vocation. Main points to address:
  • Preschoolers are ready to “point and shoot”.
  • Digital cameras may be a cheaper and a more practical choice.
  • Shop around to find the best camera for your child.
  • Selecting photos worth saving together can be a learning experience.
Grades K-3rd As children grow, their pictures will reflect their understanding of the principles of good picture taking. They may want to upgrade their camera. Again, searching for a camera with a few more options will open up a world of possibilities and allow your child to add to what they know and can do with a camera. Children this age love to share their lives with others and pictures do this very well. Teach your child how to download their photos into the computer. They will then be able to choose the best ones, based on each picture’s artistic merits or the emotional endearment of the subject matter. Sending select photos to relatives is a great way to keep in touch. You may want to spend time on the web with your child viewing slides of other people’s work. It’s usually easier to view someone else’s photos more objectively. Your youngster will be able to see how distance, perspective, lighting, background and choice of subject matter comes into play and begin to apply their observations to their own photography. Kids love to take pictures of animals and other people. But equally fascinating at this age is the richness of nature. Take your cameras with you when hiking or camping. Capturing a shot of a squirrel munching on an acorn or laying on the forest floor shooting the sky though the canopy above could be your child’s idea of heaven! Farm animals also make great subjects. So do fruits and vegetables! Don’t be afraid to let them experiment. Ripples in a pond or a flock of geese in flight will create interesting images and evoke precious memories. Your young school age child will enjoy experiencing life through a view finder! Main points to address:
  • You may need to upgrade your child’s camera as they grow, become more skilled and more responsible.
  • Teach your child how to download their pictures to the computer.
  • Spend some time together viewing pictures taken by others.
  • Your child will have fun taking pictures of things in nature.
Grades 4-6th Your older child will be better able to handle their camera and stay steady for a shot. This is the time to teach them some of the finer points of photography. Teach one of these aspects at a time, backing them up with pictures you have taken or images found on the net. Identifying a “point of interest”: Teach your child to pause before shooting to find the one thing that he or she wants to emphasis or feature in the picture. That will help them consider distance, lighting, perspective and where the focal point will be. Focal lock: Many kids when using an auto focus camera have trouble focusing on their true subject. This can be avoided by having your child press the shutter half-way down to focus and then set the subject where they want it in the view finder. Then hold steady- and press the shutter the rest of the way. This will result in a clearer picture. The rule of thirds: Simply put- divide the view finder in thirds vertically and horizontally and center the subject on one of the vertices so that the subject is slightly off-center. Experiment: Encourage your child to take the same shot from different angles (above, below, straight-on), distances, and with various backgrounds. Review the shots with your child so they can describe the techniques used and discuss the outcome. This will help your child understand the endless effects from manipulating the various elements of their picture-taking. If your child remains excited about photography, they may want to join a club, either in your community or online. There are many sites that invite young photographers to share their photos, giving young people a forum for their work. Remember that your child will take many more “bad” pictures than good. That’s why photographers take multiple shots! Encourage their interest by giving them artistic freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. Save the good pictures in a quality album. Your child will enjoy sharing their favorites with friends and family for years to come. Main points to address:
  • Older children are ready to learn some of the finer points of photography.
  • Teach them one aspect at a time.
  • Your child may want to join a photography club online or in your community.
  • Print and save the best photos. Keep them in an acid-free album.
Resources Resources that can help you in your venture include: ]]> https://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-take-good-pictures/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/?p=188