Americans love summertime and with good reason. It is the best time for outdoor fun and travel with family. Many people enjoy outdoor activities such as bicycling, kayaking and hiking, and kids are more active with sports. One thing to keep in mind when out and about in the summer heat is to stay properly ...

It’s been long known that socializing for children is a crucial part of growing up, but during the COVID-19 pandemic lots of families have made the decision to keep their kids home and limit any social interactions with other kids. Social interaction can help young children to start to develop their sense of self and ...

The unknown is stressful for students entering a new school or a new school year. It’s never easy transitioning from one environment to another, but parents can help with the adjustment. The best way is to offer plenty of patience, understanding and support, said J. Spencer Clark, assistant professor of curriculum studies in Kansas State ...

It’s been months in the making, but Dutch Wonderland is finally ready to open for the season. And if you want to go, you’re going to have to plan ahead. It’s going to look a little different than previous years, but the park will open to the public on July 18. Season passholders will be ...

According to a recent survey conducted by Rover, dog adoption rates have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and nearly one-third of respondents to the survey said they adopted a dog while coronavirus social distancing measures have been in effect. While a furry companion can help ease the tension of these hard times and some ...

Without the benefit of sending the kids off to summer camps and continued social distancing practices that will keep many adults working from home, many children will find themselves having to play on their own. Here are a few tips to help your children play by themselves, according to EarlyBirdMom.com. 1. Give your child attention ...

Central Penn Parent and webinar sponsor UPMC hosted a session June 24 on mental health and talking with your teen, a topic of importance at any time, but it’s especially prevalent during COVID-19. The pandemic has changed our lives in ways we never would have imagined. As we all are aware, many of us are ...

Summer should be a time of play for your kids, a few months where they can stop sitting in classrooms in favor of a more active, fun lifestyle. But with so many things vying for children’s attention nowadays, your kids might head back inside in favor of watching TV, taking a nap or playing video ...

While almost all parents — 94% — know that summer reading can help their child during the school year, 47% of them are unaware of “summer slide,” the catchy term for the loss of academic skills that occurs when school is not in session, according to Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report. Summer slide is ...