In Part 1 we looked at the two basic ways to segment a shared room, and in Part 2 we discussed a few different room-divider styles and options. Of course, at the end of the day, you’re still stuck with two kids sharing a single room for sleep, play, study, etc. And that may make keeping your own sanity and providing for your kids’ individual needs seem like an impossible goal. But let’s think outside the room, for just a minute: Just because your kids share a room doesn’t mean they can’t spend …
read more

As opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (or STEM) continue to increase, students interested and prepared for careers in those fields steadily decline. The good news is that the skills required for these career paths aren’t a secret. Like the ability to memorize (which we discussed in previous posts, many of the skill sets as cited by those in STEM fields can be learned outside the classroom and beyond paperwork, as part of everyday life: • Solving the same …
read more

In addition to the all-important atmosphere of inquiry which parents can establish during day-to-day life ( see Part 1), there are some ways parents can help implement STEM-related skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) into their children’s lives via play and practical activities. Far from “boring paperwork,” these experiences can help ignite a passion and interest in careers that many of today’s young people are shunning, due in part to misconceptions and lack of early preparati …
read more

Have you ever wondered why a child who can’t seem to remember anything about the Spanish Inquisition can repeat every word of a TV show theme song or tell you all the details of last night’s soccer game — or the upcoming tournament schedule? In addition to some of the general memory training information we discussed in Part 1, these tricks are sure to help you prepare your child for the next quiz, test, or trivia game — and have more time for fun and games instead of extra hours of ineffective …
read more

As an extension of the concepts we discussed in Part 2, we’re going to look at a few practical ways to incorporate movement and pleasure into the study process. Hopefully your child’s teacher already does this with the initial learning process, but either way, you can help your child learn for the long term by thinking outside the books with these study methods. Flash Card Games I know flash cards can get a bad rap, but bear with me, here. We’re not just talking about a boring flip through a d …
read more

The only problem with investing in quality furniture for a young child’s room is that your child will quickly outgrow that furniture. A bed that fits a three-year-old won’t fit a six-year-old so well. Eventually, you may have another child and need to make room for another bed. To solve these concerns, the Bedroom Source’s Maxtrix® system allows your child’s furniture to change as he or she grows. Constructed from prime grade hardwood, the Maxtrix® system starts with a simple bed that …
read more

I can hear the groans that usually emanate from children everywhere when they finally get released from school, only to come home and have to do homework. While some parents are lobbying for less homework (see this YouTube video) and you’re certainly welcome to address your child’s teacher, the school board, or other powers that be, your child will likely still have some homework, projects, and review to complete after hours. These responsibilities can help your child improve in areas needed b …
read more

As you’re shopping for a mattress and providing the most healthy products for your child’s sleeping arrangements, concern over dust mites is likely to come up. But according to the NY Times, you may not have to worry about dust mites. Basically, you only need to worry about them if you or a family member is allergic to them. But there’s a catch: It can be difficult to determine a dust mite allergy. Much smaller than bed bugs, these microscopic creatures grow to be only 0.4 mm long. They feast …
read more

A princess sits up in her house and draws open the curtains to start a new day. Within the purple fabric surrounding her home, stuffed animals sit ready to await her commands. It’s almost time to start on breakfast, with plastic teacups, plates, and silverware ready for palace cooks to do her bidding. Meanwhile, in the woods surrounding the princess’s home, wolves howl as a solitary boy lies in his tent for the night. He rolls down a window cover to conceal the opening and hide away in his …
read more

Think of spending a night in a mountain lodge, and sooner or later, rustic wood furniture will come to mind. Next to a bearskin rug and a roaring fire in a stone fireplace, a simple but cozy wooden bed frame offers a place to find warmth for the night. When looking for furniture for your child’s bedroom, the Bedroom Source's Mountain Collection helps to provide the same feel. Within the Mountain Collection, you’ll find sturdy hardwood construction built to hold together for years. Elegant grain …
read more