At times there may be weakness in the structure, and here you will find the tools to solidify learning.
Articles are updated frequently.
These sections  are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to just this age. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.

Your Pre-teen and Reading 
     Is your pre-teen reading...anything? It is time to sit your young person down and talk about the importance of reading for their future.  
    Pre-teens should read for many reasons. They should read to discover new interests, to learn about something they know nothing about. They can become an expert by reading more about something they may know a little about. They may even get some real advice by reading about the problems young people their own age have to solve, whether it is something personal or social. They can read to find a cause they have shown an interest in and find organizations they might join to further develop that interest and move them to action. They can read their way around the world and develop a love of travel. 
   Young people need to develop their vocabularies. They need to read in order to know technical terms on job applications and in professions. They will need to fill out college applications, maybe even for a magnet high school.  
     Praise their efforts and work to become better readers.Talk to them and connect what they are learning to the real world to give them a reason to read. Avoid using rewards or punishment to get them to read more. Read as a family time activity and read yourself. 

Your Young People Still Not Making Friends?
     There are rules governing the way we interact with others and children can learn these rules. In order to model these rules, maybe adults need to review them as well. 
     Children need to learn to meet and greet politely by saying hello, introducing themselves and listening to what interests the other person by looking into their eyes and not becoming distracted. They need to learn not to monopolize the conversation by allowing others time to talk. They should not interrupt when others are trying to tell them something; they should be attentive and respond appropriately and at the right time. Your children can learn how to interpret body language and facial expressions if you help them learn to observe others. You can model or watch videos or their favorite TV programs to see how people show happiness, sadness, impatience or anger. In order to learn when their friends are happy, angry, sad or disappointed, children watch what their friends are doing and react with empathy (putting themselves in their friend’s shoes).  
     Thinking about others before acting will help your children respond appropriately. They should never touch another person without that person’s permission. They wait their turn and don’t cut in line which may make other children angry. This is not a good way to make friends.  
     Watching what others are doing will help your children fit in. Children follow directions and ask for help when they need it. They apologize if they accidentally push or step on someone’s foot. 
     Parents need to observe their children especially in social situations. Your child may just be shy, anxious or afraid to be judged. He/she may be too talkative or boring to others. Perhaps your child is easily distracted which would make their friend think your child was not interested in them. Observe whether you child is being invited to sleepovers or other social events. Older children especially might be upset by not being included.  
     Books may help teach the necessary social skills for your children to learn how to make and keep friends. Making and Keeping Friends by James J. Christ, PhD and How to Make and Keep Friends by Donna Shea and Nadine Briggs contain tips and strategies for children to have friends. 

Parents Need to Teach Right and Wrong 
          Knowing good moral values such as kindness, humility, courage, and compassion at an early age builds a child’s character.   ofhsoupkitchen.org 
     Parents must exercise their essential role in the lives and rearing of their children. Children need to be held accountable for their actions. They learn to be so through the actions and example of  their parents. If parents do not want their children to learn right from wrong by watching TV shows, cartoons, and online videos that might be inappropriate for their age, then parents must teach their children some moral lessons.  
     Children in Australia made headlines by stealing their parents' car and then stealing gas as they drove across the continent. Children have walked into a 7-11 store and thought  nothing of taking candy or snacks. Young people take money from their mother’s purse without asking. Could these be your children? When these children do something wrong, no one bothers to correct them; young people think it is ok to do it again. These kinds of actions might someday send them to prison. 
     Parents teach by showing their children the right way and praising them when they do good. By setting clear and consistent rules, listening and paying attention to their children, parents show they are interested enough in their children to teach them.  Parents find ways to redirect their children’s bad manners or actions. Physical punishment or verbal abuse will only make things worse and cause resentment. 
     Parents teach by example. When you do something wrong, like forget to pay for something you put into your purse before checking out at the grocery store, admit it was something you did wrong. Discuss this with your children so that they do not pick up a candy bar and walk out of the store with it, thinking since you did something like that, it must be alright. Children need models to be honest, patient, concerned and have respect for others and the things that belong to others. Parents need to help teens be aware of the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Parental example is especially important here.   
      Pre-teen children know right from wrong, can make good choices, know family expectations and reasonable consequences. They understand privileges and can take responsibility for their actions.  
      Parents give theirir children a strong moral compass so that they stand up for what is just and right. If children feel good about themselves, they will be ready to resist negative peer pressure and help them cope with difficult situations. 
          At the end of the day, it’s our responsibility to make sure that our children become productive members of society.  There’s no better time than today to mold them into reliable and responsible adults.  Judy Ponio