When I was a preschool teacher, it was my opportunity to help children prepare for life, as well as continuing education. There are numerous factors that go into kindergarten readiness, including social, emotional, cognitive, and motor development, etc.

Every child ranges in each and every category and develops at their own rate. This is not an all-encompassing list; please consult your current preschool/daycare provider or child development professional for their specific advice on your specific child's development and readiness.

Your child may not be ready Kindergarten if he or she does the following:

1. Isn't potty trained or still needs lots of help with everyday tasks

Of course, your child may still have occasional accidents, but do they usually make it to the bathroom? Can they dress themselves - do buttons/zippers etc? Can they put on their shoes? Eat and pour into a cup?

Independence and the ability to do tasks themselves is important in a classroom setting, especially when a teacher has twenty or so students.

2. Has trouble listening or following directions

Can your child follow two-step directions? For example, put on your coat and then line up at the door, or cover your ears with your hands, stand up, and jump up three times. Or do they need help at each step? Kindergarten is full of directions and listening, so they need to be prepared and ready.

3. Is overly upset when you leave

Naturally a few tears may fall every now and again, especially on the first day of school, but does your child suffer from separation anxiety? Can they say goodbye and start to engage or find interest in an activity at school?

Children learn best when they are able to separate from their parents without letting it make them upset. If your child has not attended preschool/daycare/church group etc, practice saying goodbye at home and eventually, in other situations as they arise, so your child can develop a routine with parting ways.

4. Doesn't communicate well

Can your child communicate what they need to an adult/teacher? Your child should be able to communicate their basic needs, especially potty needs. Part of this is trusting and developing a relationship with their teacher, which comes with time, but overall do they feel comfortable expressing their important needs to their teacher or adult?

5. Doesn't participate well in group or one-on-one play

Working in a group setting is hard work, even for adults, but can your child interact and play well with others? Do they have the basic ability to play with others, or are they accepting of the idea of playing with others? Can they take turns or share? Has your child developed friendships?

Although age alone is not related to readiness be sure to consider birthday requirements for your school. If your child will be on the "younger" side in their class, you might decide its best to wait a year for further development, growth, and learning.

Lastly, do not feel bad, upset, or blame yourself or your child, if they are not ready for kindergarten. Some children need more time to solidify and master skills. I urge you to talk to their teacher, healthcare provider, and other child development professionals to help your child prepare for kindergarten. More importantly, set the right foundation for learning and growing for the rest of their lives.

Always remember that as a parent, you know your child best, therefore it is up to you to ultimately make the decision as to whether or not your child is ready for kindergarten.

The post 5 signs your child isn’t ready for kindergarten appeared first on FamilyToday.

Healthy hair is characterized by looking and feeling soft, smooth and silky. Certain elements in our routines (like excessive heat styling) or environmental factors (like dry winter weather) can have damaging and drying effects on our tresses.

During my high school and college years, my sisters and I had a blast experimenting with different homemade do-it-yourself hair treatments. Over the years, I have determined which ones work best for making my hair soft and silky smooth.

Olive oil treatment

Put about 2 tablespoons or so (Depending on hair length, use less or more.) of olive oil in a small bowl. There are a few options for the oil: you can warm it up and do a hot oil treatment, or just use it at room temperature. I usually just use it at room temperature. I personally don't like the smell of olive oil, so I add essential oils. I add a drop or 2 of lavender and mix it together as much as I can. Then, I pour small amounts of the oil into my hand; and, starting at the middle of my hair, I pull the oil through it like I am wearing a ponytail. I completely cover my hair and massage my scalp. Then, I clip my hair up and put a shower cap on.

Olive oil contains emollients, which are lubricants that soften and moisturize. I usually do this treatment in the evening and leave the oil in for 30 minutes to an hour. Some like to keep it in overnight, but it tends to be messy. After 30 minutes, I shower, shampooing and conditioning as usual, sometimes shampooing twice. Your hair may be bit oiler than usual, but afterwards you should notice significantly softer and smoother hair. I use this method 2 or more times a month.

Coconut oil treatment

The coconut oil treatment is very similar to the olive oil treatment. Just instead of using olive oil, use coconut oil. Use about 2 tablespoons or so. Place it in your hands and let your body heat melt it. The smell of coconut reminds me of a tropical paradise, so for me there is no need to add essential oils. Cover your hair in the oil, and put a shower cap on. Leave the oil in as long as you like or for at least 30 minutes. I use this method a few times a month as well as the olive oil treatment. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and can be used for many uses over your whole body.

Apple cider vinegar rinse

Dilute a ½ cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water into a spray bottle and bring it into the shower with you. After your normal shower routine, mist it on your entire head. Let sit for a minute or so. Then rinse it out with cold water. This rinse works to remove build up from products, like hairspray, and restores your hair's pH. Only use this rinse once or twice a year because it is very intense on hair due to the acid content.

Yogurt and honey mask

Take 3 tablespoons of thick, plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons of honey, and mix them together. This treatement can be a bit sticky and messy, so I'd recommend the three other tips first. But if you want to give this a try, apply the paste all over your hair and keep it in for 20 to 30 minutes. Then rinse your hair with warm water. Feel free to shower and shampoo or condition afterwards. Yogurt restores moisture to the hair while also helping with dry, itchy scalp or dandruff. Honey adds shine.

And my last tip-avoid mayonnaise and banana hair treatments. They both are difficult to wash out, leave after-scents in the hair and don't moisturize as well as olive or coconut oil.

Enjoy your incredibly soft, silky and smooth hair after these natural homemade tricks!

The post 4 homemade tricks to make your hair silky smooth appeared first on FamilyToday.

I remember distinctly embarrassingly calling my mother numerous times to ask her basic questions about cleaning, recipes or ingredients. As a child, I was not given chores. My mother insisted on doing the chores and responsibilities around the house. But now, living on my own, I sincerely wish that I was given chores back then. The struggle with children at home to do chores can sometimes cloud the eyes to the long-term desires parents have for their children.

Look forward

According to the authors of How Much is Enough?

, adults who had no chores as children expressed a wish that their parents had actually given them chores. They complained of the skills they missed out on learning. Chores assist in the development of important everyday skills and characteristics. Pause for a moment and picture your child as a grown adult. Has he or she learned the skills needed to efficiently live alone or to take care of a spouse or children? What are you doing now - or what can you start to do - that may help your child?

Long-term responsibility

Most parents desire to raise responsible, happy and confident adults. Responsibility is cultivated through experience. This includes making decisions and mistakes. Teaching children responsibility can begin with chores. Parenting with Love & Logic

,by Foster Cline and Jim Fay, focuses on parents setting firm, loving limits and allowing children to make decisions and mistakes in order to teach the critical skill of responsibility. In relating Love & Logic parenting principles to chores, responsibility develops as children are asked to participate in chores, and as parents allow the consequences of good or poor decisions to occur. Parents should couple those consequences with empathy.

Children are learning what it is to become a responsible being as parents let children make decisions and allow the consequences of those decisions do a portion of the teaching. Responsibility is a process of becoming, and with chores, the doing should only be part of the focus. Providing children with opportunities and decision-making moments with chores will allow them to act and start the process of becoming responsible beings.

When I was 13, I remember sitting in my bedroom one Saturday afternoon reading as my mother put away my washed and folded laundry that she had spent the morning doing. My mother, at that moment in time, could have granted me a valuable learning opportunity.

Developing positive self-concept

Just like parents want responsible children, we want children to be confident and view themselves as capable and worthwhile. In the book, Positive Discipline

,Dr. Jane Nelson discusses encouragement as providing opportunities for children to acquire a view that they are capable and influential. Having children participate in chores provides them with opportunities to develop a positive perception that they are capable at helping and valued as a contributing part of the family.

An example of encouragement could be, "Clark, you polished that rusty facet until it sparkled. You know how to push through difficult tasks. It makes me happy when you do your chores with determination and diligence. You really have been helping out our family as you do your chores with a willing heart."� Involvement in chores will help children develop a positive view of their capabilities that will follow into adulthood.

It may be difficult to see past the scuffles and strains of having your children help with chores. Keep a long-term perspective. Think of the potential adult they will become and the skills they will need and want to know. Remember as children participate in chores that they will be learning valuable life skills, fostering responsibility, and developing a positive view of their capabilities.

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