You’ve probably heard that summer reading is important, but you might be surprised to learn just how much of an impact it has.

Studies tell us that school-age children lose an average of one month of school learning over the summer, with some children losing up to three months of school learning. Why? The simple answer: they don’t read enough.

Autumn usually brings about a change of pace along with the change of the seasons.

At this time of year, daily events can easily become fertile ground for epic battles of will: getting dressed and out of the house, drop-off at daycare or school, toileting, dinnertime and bedtime.

Each of these daily events represents some kind of transition — and when they are experiencing larger changes in their lives (new classroom, new bed, potty training, change in caregiver), children can feel an increased need for control around these smaller daily transitions.

Predictable routines are a parent’s best friend this time of year; they help children feel safe, reassuring them that some things will always stay the same in the face of any large or small life transition.

Integrating reading routines into your day can make sensitive transitions easier. Here are some suggestions:

Does your home or classroom library reflect the diversity of our world?

Children internalize messages about themselves and others from a very young age. Their brains are wired to categorize things somewhat rigidly, which can often result in misconceptions. (“Only boys can be firefighters!”) Diverse and inclusive books encourage both positive self-image and acceptance of differences in others. But how can you know if the books you choose are really sending the right messages?

Did you know that reading aloud is the single most important thing you can do to help children achieve academic success?

Early exposure to reading aloud has such a long-term influence on children’s outcomes that pediatricians in the United States are now required to “prescribe” reading to parents of all babies from birth! Reading aloud is in itself extremely beneficial for kids of all ages, but research shows that there are things you can do at home to support early literacy even more as you read. Here are some practical, evidence-based tips for supporting literacy from infancy through school age.

Is learning to read earlier better?

We live in a competitive society that rewards being first and best — and this mentality is deeply ingrained in most of us. No matter how often we tell ourselves that each child is unique and will grow at their own pace, it’s natural for us to feel proud and excited when our children hit milestones “early” or excel in certain areas — and to feel concerned when our kids are “late.”

I’m not sure what I really expected when, on a whim, I introduced yoga to my toddler.

Serenely breathing and moving our bodies in unison? A super relaxing yoga sesh with my mini-me? Needless to say, it was none of those things. It was pretty adorable, though, and I was surprised by my child’s immediate and continued interest in the activity.

In the absence of schooling or childcare-as-usual, books in the home serve as essential teaching tools.

Reading aloud is also an easy way to carve out quality time together. So how can we make sure that kids love reading — from birth? It’s surprisingly easy, and you might be pleased to discover you’re doing many of these things already.

After a summer of an odd “new normal,” many of our home routines are changing again.

No matter how young your children are, they probably detect a shift, and they may be struggling with their feelings about it. Kids display anxiety in a variety of ways, from demonstrating challenging or clingy behaviors to disruptions in their sleep patterns. Whether your child is showing signs that they feel anxious or acting like it’s business-as-usual, here are five simple and creative ways you can help your kids manage anxiety.

There's no replacement for kids getting together in person. But anything that gets kids actively thinking about their friends can help them feel less lonely.

For families whose kids are socially isolating, this has been one long summer . . . and it looks like the autumn could be more of the same. The loneliness many kids are feeling is top of mind for parentsin the forefront of parents' minds as we face the potential of remote schooling and many more months of separation from friends and family.