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Is This Normal?

From birth to age 5 there are specific milestones in how a child plays, learns, speaks and acts. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem, even autism. It is important to know that the earlier a problem is recognized, the more you can do to help your child reach their full potential. The CDC's new national child development campaign, called “Learn the Signs. Act Early,” offers parents a detailed list of age-specific milestones at: www.cdc.gov/actearly. The site also describes the steps to take and resources available if you should suspect a problem. Free downloadable fact sheets and a useful growth chart are available as well.

Note - locally, you can also contact Early Childhood Intervention if you have questions or concerns about how your birth-age 5 child is developing: 1-866-693-4769 statewide.

Get Organized

Back to school tends to be a mixed blessing for moms. The return to structure is welcome, but it also comes with the hectic schedule that needs to accommodate school events, extracurriculars, your JOB and don't forget the healthy breakfast and family dinner! A well-organized list can be a lifesaver. Tools for the Tired and Time-Starved are fun, functional and free downloadable list templates from www.mommytrackd.com that will hold the chaos at bay. You get the Balance Sheet – a to-do list divided into work and home sections, The Eat Sheet – menu planner and grocery list combo, a Week at a Glance form and the Too Bad All This Juggling Isn't Toning Our Arms master list.

Not Worth the Paper It's Printed On

It's time to head back to school for many students and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers against online programs that offer fast and easy high school diplomas or college degrees. Distance learning and online-based classes have become an increasingly popular option for students of all ages. According to a 2008 survey from the Sloan Consortium and Babson Survey Research Group, more than 20 percent of higher education students were taking at least one online course. Unfortunately, not all institutions offering online diplomas or degrees are legitimate and individuals looking to get ahead are being duped by diploma mills.

The BBB cites the following red flags to help identify diploma mills:

• Degrees or diplomas are awarded based on “life experience” and require very little or no work.
• The institution guarantees you will receive a degree or diploma within a few days, weeks or months.
• The institution offers deals if you sign up to receive more than one degree at a time, such as a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree for one low price.
• Addresses for administration buildings include P.O. boxes or suite numbers.
• Prices are stated per degree instead of per credit hour.

The U.S. Department of Education has a searchable database of accredited post-secondary schools at: http://ope.ed.gov/ accreditation. Or you can visit www.bbb.org to make sure the school, college or university you are enrolling in is accredited from one of the six regional accreditation boards.

Lunch Box Tip

The challenge of finding tasty, tidy and nutritious items to send in the lunch box never gets any easier, but a new product from local Pepin Heights Orchard (originators of the popular Honey Crisp apple) may be able to help. They now make HoneyBitesTM – dried Honey Crisp apples that retain the sweet and tangy taste of a fresh apple with no additives or preservatives. Available at Lunds, Byerly's, Kowalski's and Festival Foods.

The ABCs of School Success

By Wesley Sharpe, Ed.D

School success is usually measured in test scores and grades, but to be truly successful, a child must be learning, not just acquiring information. In this guide, author Sharpe, a school psychologist for 30 years, offers insights into how to shape the broad spectrum of factors that create a strong foundation for learning and school success. Addressing learning styles, homework, emotional concerns and spotting problems, among other issues, he offers both detailed approaches (including tips and checklists), as well as an overview of what ingredients help make a child ready to learn. 200 pages, $12.99, Revell Books.

The Sleepy Little Alphabet

Written by Judy Sierra
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

What better way to learn your ABCs than with this delightful group of squirrelly letters who are trying to avoid bedtime! Playful watercolor illustrations and bouncy rhyming text make for a cheerful read while introducing kids to the alphabet. Hardcover, $16.99, Alfred A. Knopf.

Get Into College

Edited by Rachel Korn Ed.D and Jennifer Yetwin Kabat, Ed.M.

This title, from Hundreds of Heads Books, features advice from literally hundreds of real experts - students, parents, college counselors and admissions directors who have first-hand experience with the gamut of college issues – practical as well as emotional. Chapters cover everything from entrance exams, deciding where to apply, how to write essays and prepare for interviews, the ‘how to’ for campus tours, to getting rejection/acceptance letters, and even how to make your final decision. Full of great anecdotes, strategies and tips, this guide is sure to offer you and your teen plenty of tidbits that you never considered in a format that is actually fun to read. 549 pages, $17.95, Hundreds of Heads Books.

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