School’s out! Does this make you feel relieved or worried? Many parents find themselves wondering: what now? You’re responsible for your kids an extra seven to eight hours a day during the summer break, and we’ve put together some ideas for filling the time with inexpensive, fun activities!

After a long school year of packing lunches, driving to and from your local school and making sure homework is done, you might be feeling inclined to sit down and not get back up for a while. While it’s easy to let the time slip away, don’t! Take advantage of the break, steer your kids away from screens, and pack this summer full of memories.

Community Events

Whether it be a festival, carnival, story-time hour, painting or music in the park, chances are, your community caters a lot more to entertaining you and your kids than you realize! Check with your local YMCA, library or parks & rec center to get a summer schedule for various free or inexpensive events hosted around you this summer!

Home Fun

If venturing into the community once or twice a week doesn’t sound appealing to you, turn your home into the place to be! Read up on fun backyard games to play with your family this summer. If you’re like a lot of parents today who have to beg their kids to lay off the video games, try a different approach. Instead of begging them to stop playing, guide them toward these educational video games. You can also break out old board games or card games that your whole family will enjoy.

Outdoorsy Ideas

Head to your local beach or park to take advantage of swimming, fishing, bike trails, nature centers and canoeing or kayaking opportunities. Utilizing the wooded areas by your house can be a great (and cheap!) way to experience new things this summer. Additional outdoor fun includes planting a garden or looking for discounted tickets to a baseball  game in your area.

Be a Tourist

There is a good chance that being a longtime resident has actually stopped you from being a tourist in your own town. Explore the various tourist hot spots you might have skimmed over in the past. Museums, science/interactive centers, zoos, aquariums, water parks and amusement parks are all good examples. Check out some tips on saving money when planning these kinds of trips.

Matinee Mania

Now that the day isn’t spent in a classroom, your family can take advantage of the matinee prices and discounts at your local movie theater. Look into any plays or musical performances put on around you this summer as well. There are often family discounts or specials offered when purchased ahead of time.

Do any of these ideas sound fun to you? We hope so! Try them out and let us know how it goes, or tell us what we missed in the comment section below!

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Ah, summertime – it’s finally time to enjoy the warm weather and get active in the sunshine. But often times our increased outdoor activity means many unexpected injuries. When a first aid emergency occurs and you’re in the position to provide care, following the advice your grandmother once gave you could in fact worsen the situation. Read on to ensure you’re aware of first aid myths so you’re prepared to intervene with these common summertime struggles.

Bee Stings

The most important part of bee sting aftermath is response time; it’s all about when, not necessarily about how. The only firm rule set for dealing with stings from bees, wasps and hornets is to avoid squeezing out the stinger. You may have heard that this is your best bet, but in reality it will actually allow venom still in the sac to get deeper into your system. Using a credit card to scrape it out or a pair of tweezers to pull it out are effective methods if you can’t grab it with your fingers or rub it out immediately.

Nosebleeds

Many people are shocked to hear that tilting your head backwards is the wrong way to handle a nosebleed. It seems logical to try and prevent the blood from coming forward, but that’s actually the wrong move. When you treat a nosebleed by throwing your head back, you’re increasing the risk of breathing blood into your lungs and getting it into your stomach, which may cause vomiting. Instead, squeeze quite firmly on the tip of your nose for 10 minutes while leaning your head forward. Avoid removing tissues to check if the bleeding as stopped for at least five minutes.

Cuts and Puncture Wounds

When something punctures the skin and gets lodged in the flesh, many people suggest removing it immediately. When nails, pins, tacks, wood, glass or thorns break the skin, we think “hey, you don’t belong here!” and head straight for the tweezers. It may look harmless and easy to fix, but that’s because the real damage occurs beyond what we can see. Following our intuitions may get us into trouble with this one. Only remove small objects that are still visible and just on the surface of the skin. Larger, deeper objects may be blocking a forceful blood flow and puncturing or irritating areas beneath the skin and must be dealt with by a trained professional.

Bone and Muscle Injuries

These situations provide another example of when we must resist the urge to follow our instincts and not abide by popular myths. Say your child falls from the tree house or haphazardly jumps off a swing and is clearly injured; it could be a fracture, sprain or break. So should you immediately pick him or her up and relocate into the house to figure out the source of pain or into the car to head to the ER? Absolutely not! Especially with injuries to the head, neck or spine, the most dangerous and widely practiced mistake is moving the affected person. Stabilization is key; until you know it’s definitely safe to move without adding insult to injury, resist relocation.

Burns

It’s been said that putting butter or peanut butter on a fresh first-degree burn will help the pain and healing process, but there is no medical evidence to back this up. The oils won’t soothe the burn but will instead trap heat and make them worse. Applying foreign, unclean products will only increase the likelihood of irritation and infection. Avoid all lotions, creams and oils, including aloe vera. Simply run cool water and place a cold compress on the affected area.

Fully reaping the benefits of summertime involves moving from the couch to the playground. By increasing your knowledge on how to handle the stickiest of situations, the transition into an active summer will come with ease. Say goodbye to first-aid myths and enjoy your ability to properly save the day!

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I’m no scientist, but I know this without a doubt: We’re all born with a beat. My son, at the tender age of two, can shake his booty and tap his toes better than any trained musician out there. When it comes to the maracas, the tambourine and the cymbals (his favorite!), he really knows his stuff. The joy that he gets from music is innate; it might sound corny, but there really is music in all of us.

As arts programs continue to get cut from schools, it’s increasingly important that you take the reins and give your child the opportunity to learn music. Don’t believe me? Here are a few of the ways music can expand your child’s educational experience.

Language and Reasoning Development

According to Children’s Music Workshop, early musical training helps develop the area of the brain that helps process language. Music kick-starts early speech, so getting your child to music class at a young age definitely has its benefits.

Confidence

It takes guts to get on stage and perform. By stepping out on stage, kids learn to conquer the fear and anxiety of being in front of a crowd – something that adults often struggle with.

Discipline

It takes practice to become a good musician. By learning an instrument, kids will learn to set aside time for practice. They’ll also learn to take care of that instrument. And they’ll learn that the only way they’ll improve is through hard work, careful attention and perseverance. Discipline is a lifelong skill that benefits kids forever, no matter what career they choose.

Private music lessons are…expensive. The good news is that there are lots of ways to get your child involved in music that don’t involve pricey weekly lessons. Here are some budget-friendly music education alternatives.

• Group classes offer peer social interaction and teamwork, and are often cheaper than private lessons.
• Community music groups are usually cheap – or free – to participate in; think church choir or after-school band.
• You don’t have to be a prodigy to teach music at home. Turn on some jams and pass out the percussion instruments. Young kids will learn a lot from banging around on a toy drum set or just grooving to the beat.
• For older kids, a virtual music teacher can be a lot cheaper than a real one. Check out the Miso Music: Plectrum app, a great app for beginning guitarists. It listens to you play and determines if you’re hitting the right notes. You’ll get instant feedback, video lessons and more.

Whether your kids take private lessons, group lessons or participate in your personal home-grown music program, music education can be a valuable part of your children’s upbringing. Learn even more about the benefits of music here.

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Thrill rides, rollercoasters and fried food as far as you can smell, there’s nothing that says it’s really summer like spending a day gorging on elephant ears and getting sunburnt. I love going to amusement parks, and what’s not to like really? Oh yeah, most of them are ridiculously expensive.

The other weekend I went to Cedar Point and tickets at the gate cost about $55 for one adult ticket and $30 for a junior or senior pass. For a family of four you can easily expect to rack up nearly $160 alone just to get into the park.

Then once you get in, you’ll want to eat pizza, French fries and ice cream then wash it all down with a tall soda that will more than likely cost another $20. Multiply that times 2 kids and a significant other, and now you’ve tacked on $80 to your $160 entry fee.

And you simply can’t leave without trying to win that ginormous stuffed banana with dreadlocks (yes, it’s a thing), but it costs $3 for one game. Sure, the game seems easy, but $30 later you’ll finally give up with nothing to show for your efforts.

So there you have it. Between gas, food, tickets and games you can easily blow a few hundred dollars in one day at an amusement park. Not to fear though, because if you spend a little bit of time prepping for your amusement park adventure, you can save some money.

Scour the Internet for Deals

Sometimes you can score coupons or redemption codes for discount tickets with a little research online, and they can help you save anywhere from 5-20% off ticket prices.

Check for Incentives Offered by Local Banks or Credit Unions

In Michigan, many banks and credit unions offer discounts to Michigan Adventure. Next time you drop by one, ask a representative if they have any promotional offers for parks in your area.

See If Your Credit Card Offers Discounts

Discover is running a promotion right now that saves you 5% off admission and lets you skip the lines at the entry gate and on the rides. Call your credit card of choice to find out if your card of choice offers park discounts or incentives.

Get a Group Together

Group discounts can be anywhere from 10-40% off retail prices, so make a day of it with other friends and family members to maximize savings.

Sign Up for Promotional Emails from Your Park of Choice

Stay up to date with offers and discounts from your favorite park by signing up for their emails. They might throw you a few food coupons, discounted ticket prices or upcoming events to get you in the door.

Bring Snacks and Meals With You

The food at many amusement parks is ridiculously priced and that expense adds up really fast if you spend an entire day there. Pack a cooler with drinks, water, healthy snacks, fruits, vegetables and light meals to cut costs. Also, it’s healthier for you and your family.

Skip the Carnival Games

An AARP article dug into those money-sucking carnival games back in 2012. The AARP interviews Bill L. Howard, who’s been studying the games for over 30 years and wrote Carnival Fraud 101, who says, “It’s not that every carnival game is rigged, but any can be, and many are.” Howard adds that even if you do win, the prizes are of the lowest quality and won’t last long.

These things can help you save money at the amusement park this summer. The only thing you have to do is fight the temptations around you when you’re there. Just remember, that banana with dreadlocks isn’t worth it no matter how easy the game looks. Seriously, ask this guy who lost his life savings trying to win one of the carnival games.

What’s that? Did we forget something? Share your tips to save money at amusement parks with other Zing readers below!

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Summer is finally here and it’s time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Vacations are always fun and more often than not, are a needed getaway from work and school. Unfortunately they don’t happen every day.

Picture this: you’ve taken the family on a week-long vacation to their favorite amusement park. Everyone had blast, you’ve spent an arm and a leg, you get home and a week later everyone’s bored again. Now what? Well now you get creative and, instead of spending a ton of money on trips/events that will only last a moment, you purchase games that could possibly last a lifetime.

Here are a few of the best backyard games for you and your family.

Cornhole Toss

Average Cost: $90.00

You may have seen this game being played at a family function or even at a tailgate. Truth is, this game can be played almost anywhere. It’s easy to set up and it’s something that’s fun for everyone. Cornhole is a game where opponents face off with corn bags and pitch them at the cornhole platform in efforts to get their bag in the hole. The American Cornhole Association states that “Horseshoes require a sand pit and are hard for the kids to pitch, lawn darts require a lawn and hasn’t been seen since the 70’s, ring toss was made for children and bean bags are for wimps; Cornhole is the game for everyone!.” This game is definitely a summer favorite.

Ladder Ball

Average Cost: $30.00

Ladder ball is one of the most popular tailgating games on the market. Imagine two golf balls being held together by a nylon rope, which is commonly known as a golf bola. Your target is a very small ladder with three steps. Your objective is to throw the golf bola at the ladder and have it wrap around one of those steps. The higher the step, the higher the point earned. This game is super fun, easy to play and a fun competition for the whole family.

Badminton

Average Cost: $40.00

The objective of the game is simple and is very similar to tennis. However, the rackets are smaller and instead of having tennis balls you’ll play with a “shuttlecock” or a birdie. You’re objective in badminton is to hit the birdie and have it fall to the ground on your opponent’s side of the net. Once that happens you’ll get a point. Decide how many points qualify as a win and play against your family for bragging rights.

Pipe Ball

Average Cost: Free/Build Yourself

Pipe ball requires skill and precision. If you love playing basketball or think you’ve mastered carnival games then this is the game for you. The best part of this game is that you can actually build it yourself. All you need are a few tennis balls and a couple drain pipes to create an awesome game. The pipes stand vertically and they vary in size from smallest to largest, which makes its almost impossible for you to get your ball to fall inside one of them. Each pipe has a number on the inside that tells you how many points you’ll earn if your ball lands in there. Match the more difficult pipes with the highest point values and create a tough, enjoyable game.

Shishkaball

Average Cost: Free/Build Yourself

Shishkaball is set up using wire fencing, lumber, plastic balls and plant stakes. Much like Jenga, this game is all about steady hands and a good eye. But could you imagine a five foot version of Jenga without the loud crashing sound made when the wrong piece is removed? Pretty amazing, right? Shiskaball uses plant stakes to hold up plastic balls that are surrounded by wire fencing, which is supported by a piece of lumber. The object is to remove as many plant stakes as you can without any balls falling. The first person to drop a ball loses. But feel free to make your own rules and remember as long as you’re having fun it doesn’t matter who wins.

Do you have any games that you’re excited to play in your backyard this summer?

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One of my least favorite things about summer is the swarms of mosquitoes that attack like a mob of hungry zombies. It seems like the only thing you can do to protect yourself is use chemical-based DEET sprays.

The CDC says, “Using insect repellents containing DEET should not be harmful if label directions are followed and the product is used safely.” Despite this, DEET exposure over time could cause problems like skin or respiratory irritation. Plus, it’s still classified as a pesticide. The thought of putting a pesticide directly on my skin just doesn’t sit well with me.

Natural homemade insect repellents are a great alternative to chemical-based ones. Store bought natural repellents cost a pretty penny, but not to worry. You can easily and inexpensively make your own, and most of the ingredients might already be around your home. Let’s get started!

Grab Some Essential Oils

A few drops of essential oils are the foundation for most homemade insect repellents. Any of these will work well:

• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Lemon balm
• Citronella
• Rose geranium
• Cinnamon oil
• Peppermint
• Basil
• Clove
• Thyme

Find a Carrier Liquid

While you can apply a few drops of essential oils directly to your skin, adding it to some kind of liquid carrier helps the solution last longer. Plus, most of the carriers below also boost the bug-repelling power:

• Witch hazel
• Sunflower oil
• Apple cider
• Liquid soap
• Vegetable oil
• Mineral oil
• Lemon juice
• Tea tree oil
• Vodka
• Rubbing alcohol

Pick Some Herbs

To get the most out of your natural insect repellent, you can steep your mixture with some fresh herbs. You can also substitute them for many of the essential oils listed above. Here are a few herbs to add to your homemade insect repellent:

• Catnip
• Any variety of mint
• Thyme
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Lavender
• Citronella
• Lemon grass

Mix Everything Together

Once you pick a carrier liquid, a few essential oils and an herb or two, you’re ready to create your concoction. There are a ton of difference recipes, but the one below is the easiest to make and remember:

• Mix one-part essential oils with about 15-parts carrier liquid.
• Pour solution into a saucepan and heat it up on the stove pot.
• Chop up select herbs and steep them in the warm solution for anywhere from a few minutes to overnight ­– the longer the better.
• Lastly, strain the mixture and put it into a spray bottle.

Don’t forget to also check out some of these mosquito-repellent plants that you can grow around your home. They’ll add an extra bug-repellent barrier.

There you have it – a totally DEET-free, natural insect repellent you can make at home. It’s simple and inexpensive, so why not give it a try this summer?

What do you think about homemade insect repellents? Share your thoughts with other Zing readers on the comments below!

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Most parents will probably agree that language skills are both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, language skills allow children to peacefully communicate their needs so you don’t have to play a guessing game. On the other hand, any person who has ever parented a preschooler knows that language skills can be dangerous because children don’t know what’s inappropriate. For instance, my child’s daycare teacher recently complained to me that Keenan said “big butt, whoa!” when she bent down to grab something. I was at a loss for how to deal with this, and for a few minutes I genuinely wished that he had never learned to talk.

Although talking preschoolers can create some embarrassing public situations, communication skills are an important part of development. Did you know that you can start honing your child’s communication skills before they can even talk? Using simpler signs than American Sign Language, baby sign language is an ideal way to communicate with kids who are between six and 24 months of age.

According to BabySignLanguage.com, baby sign language fosters mental development by acting as a stepping stone to full speech. I started teaching sign language to Keenan at about six months of age, and by the time he was a year old, he regularly used signs for “eat,” “drink,” “more,” “tired,” and many other things. Verbal speech was quick to follow, and at 27 months, he’s speaking in full sentences.

There’s also a bonus benefit for parents: Arming your child with early communication tools can actually make them fuss less! Most babies cry when they’re tired, hungry or thirsty, but children that practice baby sign language are less likely to fuss because they have a different way to communicate need. If you’d like to make your baby to fuss less and give them a jump start on communication, here are my best tips for teaching baby sign language to your little one.

Make It Routine

Incorporate sign language into your child’s daily routine. When you sit your child down for a meal, sign “eat” so your child will begin to understand what it means. When you put your child to bed, sign “tired.” When they want more to eat, sign “more.” If you use baby sign language every time an opportunity arises, they’ll begin to imitate you and understand the meaning behind the motions.

Design Your Own Sign

There are plenty of expensive instructional books on the market that claim to help you with baby sign language. Truthfully, you don’t need to learn any specific signs to help your child communicate. Create signs that are easy for you and your child to remember. You can look online for a few signs to get started, but remember this: The simpler, the better.

Get Other Caregivers Involved

Unless you’re solely responsible for your child 24/7, you’ll need to get your child’s other caregivers on board. Teach your child’s signs to whoever cares for your little one while you’re away. This not only keeps sign language a consistent part of your baby’s routine, but it prevents frustration on the parts of both the child and the caregiver.

Don’t Get Discouraged

Don’t expect your baby to pick it up right away. Babies younger than about six months won’t necessarily understand what you’re doing, even though exposure to sign language certainly won’t hurt them. Keenan didn’t really start to sign until he was about eight months old. No matter how long it takes your child to start using signs to communicate, don’t give up; they’ll get it eventually if you persist.

What was your experience with baby sign language? Share your stories with other Zing readers in the comments below.

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For some, Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, is just an excuse to go out, grab a few tacos, and enjoy a few shots of tequila. In no way am I saying that’s a bad way to celebrate the day, in fact it’s an amazing way to spend your day. What I’m saying is that there is more to the Mexican holiday than just fiestas (that’s Spanish for “party” for those of us who didn’t pay attention in language class). Aside from being celebrated as the “Mexican St. Patrick’s Day” this holiday holds true meaning.

Cinco de Mayo is the day the Mexican Army defeated France during the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862. The Mexican army was outnumbered two to one but withstood the onslaught of the French army, and eventually won the battle. Winning this battle was the driving force in Mexico obtaining independence. From that day forward, Cinco de Mayo was forever known as a Mexican national holiday. So let the celebration commence.

Chances are you don’t have a Cinco de Mayo party kit in your garage, and your neighbors aren’t part of a mariachi band. Have no fear; here is the guide to hosting an awesome Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Food and Drinks

Food is an important part of any party, but when you’re hosting a fiesta, your guests are going to have visions of tacos, chips and salsa, so you can’t disappoint. If you want to wow your guests, and not spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you should try and prepare favorites like tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and tamales. All are pretty easy to make, and don’t require a ton of ingredients. If you stick with these grab-and-go favorites, your guests will not only enjoy them but they won’t slip into a food coma within an hour of the celebration.

If food isn’t the most important ingredient in successfully putting on a fiesta then it has to be the drinks. Most Mexican beverages are very bright and inviting in their appearance so whatever you’re preparing, make sure you stick with an irresistible look, and you’ll have already won half the battle. Margaritas and sangrias are the more popular drinks, but don’t be nervous to think outside the box, and make your own concoction. Get creative, and have fun.

Music and Fun

Embrace the culture by creating a festive environment so your guests feel as though they’ve walked into little Mexico, even if it’s just your backyard. A key ingredient to that is keeping the colors of your decorations in line with the colors of the Mexican flag – red, white, and green. If you have anything that speaks directly to the Mexican culture I highly recommend implementing those things into your celebration. Maracas would be a great idea. Maracas are good for dancing, true to the culture, and a fun souvenir for guests to take with them once they leave. If your guest list includes children, I strongly suggest a piñata, and depending on what you choose to fill your piñata with, the parents may want to get in on the action as well. It’s a fun experience for the whole family.

Music is the heart and soul of the Mexican culture, so you should consider playing authentic music to set the tone for the party. From pop, to jazz, to mariachi bands, and everything in between, Mexican artists perform in a vast array of genres. Even though you may not be very familiar with the music, I’m sure with a little research, you’ll be able to create a fiesta playlist that satisfies everyone.

In order to have a memorable Cinco de Mayo celebration, you must not forget that this is a time to relax, eat, sing, dance and embrace the culture. If you do all that, there is no way this party won’t be one of the highlights of the year. Use this guide, a few of your own ideas and have an awesome Cinco de Mayo. Hey, if you turn your music up loud enough, who knows, you may even see me there.

Have your own tips and tricks for hosting an awesome Cinco de Mayo celebration? Leave them in the comment section below.

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I read some astounding statistics the other day during my foray into Google News. According to an article on Kare11.com, American families with teenagers will spend an average of $1,139 each on prom this year. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a bit excessive; it could buy you about four credit hours of in-state college tuition instead!

Truth be told, I was a prom-zilla my senior year of high school, demanding that my parents foot the bill for the whole shebang. I expected a brand-new dress, shoes, accessories and top-notch beauty treatments for my big night. I also felt that a princess like me deserved a limo ride, and I didn’t exactly want to help pay for the expensive tickets to the dance.

All girls want to feel like royalty on prom night, but it IS possible to do it without busting your budget! Here are some tips for reigning in the prom spending so that you can spend your money on slightly more important things – like college, for instance!

Save on the Dress

Every girl should love her prom dress, but you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to look and feel beautiful. Whether you shop at vintage stores, borrow from a friend, bid on eBay or try a budget beauty store, this article from About.com has great ideas for finding your prom dress cheaper. Believe me, it can be done!

Visit a Makeup Counter

Visit your local department store makeup counter for a free makeup application. You might have to buy a product or two to be polite, but makeup counters are a wonderful, cheap way to get your makeup done by professionals without spending a ton of money.

Check Out a Cosmetology School

Salons are expensive! A blowout or up-do at a salon usually costs about $45 – plus tip. Consider visiting a local cosmetology school instead. Admittedly, it can seem a bit scary to trust your hair to an inexperienced student on the most important night of your life (so far), but I can personally vouch that cosmetology schools are a great place to get your hair done. Every time I’ve visited one, the students were very careful and closely supervised. This can cut the cost of your hairstyle in half – or more.

Ditch the Limo

Yes, rolling up to prom in a limo would be cool. But when you look back on this event, you won’t remember how you got there or how you left – you’ll just remember the good times you had while you were there. Skip the limo; carpooling is just as much fun!

Shop Thrift Stores for Jewelry

Consider the “vintage” look for your prom accessories. If you visit Salvation Army or any other thrift store, you’ll find display cases full of old costume jewelry for just a few bucks a piece. If you’re lucky, some of your older relatives might even have vintage jewelry you can borrow!

Budget

It’s important to learn financial responsibility, and prom shouldn’t be an exception. Part of the financial responsibility for prom should fall on the teenager. Parents: If your child has to pay for part of the big night, you can be guaranteed they’ll spend less money! Set a budget, and let your soon-to-be-grad know that they’ll be paying the difference if the expenses exceed your target amount.

The moral of the story is that you can have a good time and feel fabulous without spending $1,100. If you spend enough time bargain-hunting, you’ll be sure to snag a good deal.

How are you saving money on your prom? Share your frugal tips with other parents and teens in the comments below!

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Birth to age five has long been considered the “formative years” of a child’s development. According to Statesman Journal, about 90% of a child’s brain develops over those first five years, making it a crucial time for shaping their future in academia.

That’s why crazy parents like me are busy cramming their children full of as much information as possible. At this age, they soak information up like sponges. Now to brag shamelessly for a bit: My son, at the age of 26 months, can identify all 44 U.S. presidents, can count to 14, can sing the whole alphabet and identify all of his alphabet letters, upper AND lower case. Impressed? Call me crazy, but I’m making the best possible use of the formative years while we have them.

Now back to what I was saying: If you want your child to be successful in the future, the path to success starts here and now. And the reason I’m talking about this today is that it’s National Kindergarten Day, a time to recognize the integral role that kindergarten plays in shaping our children’s lives.

Kindergarten is sometimes hotly debated in the mom-o-sphere, and that’s because some parents feel that holding their children back a year will give them a boost above the younger students when they eventually start kindergarten. A New York Times article by Sam Wang and Sandra Aamodt found differently. In fact, the two neuroscience experts argue that the younger your child is in comparison to the rest of his or her class, the better.

According to the article, “learning is maximized not by getting all the answers right, but by making errors and correcting them quickly.” In other words, allowing your child to stay home an extra year from kindergarten might make it easier for them to have the right answers, but it won’t aid development in the long run – and that’s what really matters. So while keeping your child home might initially seem to aid their academic progress, you should know that kids who skip grades or start school early are much more likely to earn professional degrees and have positive social and emotional feelings about themselves.

Speaking of which…did you know that emotional development is another benefit of kindergarten? You can certainly teach your child a lot by keeping them home, but they’ll learn even more from constant interaction with mature classmates. And the younger your child is relative to his or her classmates, the faster your child will be forced to mature emotionally.

Looking at the bigger picture, kindergarten is a win-win situation. Sending your child to kindergarten can be the first step of their successful academic career, and as studies have shown, sooner often equals better.

Did you choose to hold your child back before starting kindergarten? What is your position on this issue? Let us know in the comments below!

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