Life Kit: Parenting

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Raising awesome kids takes help. NPR has science and experts to get you through the toughest parenting moments. Updated every time we have Life Kit episodes on parenting.
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Episodes

The Brighter Side of Screen Time

The family that plays video games together, stays together. When parents become digital mentors, children can learn empathy, resilience, and prepare for future careers. Here's how to harness the advantages of screen time. Here's what to remember: - Whenever possible, share screens with your kids. - Balancing screen use is about much more than time. - Be smart about content. - Look for what's positive about your kids' screen time so you can help those positive things grow. Learn more about sponso...

Jun 24, 2019•23 min

'We Wanted To Show Children Real Life': Sesame Street's Sonia Manzano

Actress Sonia Manzano is beloved by millions as Maria on Sesame Street. Her character on TV mirrored many of Manzano's real-life milestones, like marriage and motherhood (Elmo served as ring bearer for Maria's wedding on the show). She also wrote for Sesame Street in later years, and helped the show address diversity issues. In this special episode, Manzano reflects on her 44 seasons on Sesame Street, what she thinks was the show's most poignant moment — and which Muppet was secretly her favorit...

May 31, 2019•18 min

What Cookie Monster Taught Us About Self-Control

Self-regulation skills, including self-control, help us reach our goals, learn in school and get along with others. Millions of children struggle to develop them. We talk to experts for strategies to teach these skills — and get some very special help from Cookie Monster. Here's what to remember: - Look at self-regulation as a skill that can be learned and practiced. - Teach children to calm themselves. - Use your imagination to reframe a temptation. - What would Batman do? Kids can channel thei...

May 17, 2019•26 min

Raising Kids Who Love Math — Even If You Don't

By some estimates, up to 93% of American adults have some degree of math anxiety. The problem often starts in elementary school, but parents can do a lot to fix it. We talk to experts to get some some unexpected strategies for children of all ages, with a little bit of help from Sesame Street head writer Ken Scarborough and, of course, the Count. Here's what to remember: - Your own math anxiety doesn't have to hold your kids back. - Talk about math when you're sharing everyday activities. - Play...

May 15, 2019•23 min

Kindness Can Be Taught. Here's How

Most kids value success and achievement more than caring for others, according to Harvard's Making Caring Common project. Who is to blame? We are. We talk to experts for ideas on how to do better, and why. Here's what to remember: - Children are born to be kind — but also unkind. - Kindness requires courage.To build kindness, practice mindfulness. - Teach real apologies, and frame forgiveness as a gift you give yourself. - Practice gratitude to "raise the capital" of everyday kindness. - Kindnes...

May 13, 2019•31 min

When The News Is Scary, What To Say To Kids

Whether a school shooting or a deadly tornado, scary events in the news can leave parents struggling to know when — and how — they should talk with their kids about it. Rosemarie Truglio of Sesame Workshop and Tara Conley, a media studies professor at Montclair State University, give us tips. - Limit their exposure to breaking news. - For the really big stories, pick a quiet moment and start the conversation by asking what kids have heard and how they're feeling. - Give facts and context: Let ki...

Mar 18, 2019•26 min

'What If We Lived In Two Houses?' Talking Kids Through Divorce

Even the most amicable split is world-changing for young children. Here are a few key tips for grown-ups trying to help their kids navigate this big transition. - Give children as much heads-up as you can — as soon as you've made a definite decision to split up. - It's a grown-up problem. Don't share details that will confuse your child or hurt your partner. - Don't fear the big feelings or the "pajama truth-bomb." - It's good for kids to talk about a separation — even when it may be painful for...

Mar 18, 2019•22 min

The Problem With Toy Guns And Princesses

Whether it's mini-makeup kits, gross-smelling slime or semi-automatic foam-dart guns, every parent or caregiver has fielded requests for toys that they're just not that into. We talk about princesses and superheroes and their influence on kids with Rosemarie Truglio of Sesame Workshop and Lisa Dinella, a gender studies professor at Monmouth University. Here's what to remember: - Banning toys outright can be counterproductive. - Pay more attention to how kids play than what they're playing with. ...

Mar 18, 2019•26 min

Death: Talking With Kids About The End

Whether it's a goldfish or Grandma, every child will experience a death at some point — and their parents will likely struggle to explain it. Here's what to remember: - Be honest and concrete. The cat wasn't put to sleep, and Grandma didn't go on a long journey. - Don't overwhelm kids with too much information. They need time to process. - Make sure kids know they're still surrounded by people who will love and support them. - Don't be afraid to show emotion. - When it comes to deathbed visits o...

Feb 25, 2019•24 min

Talking Race With Young Children

Even babies notice differences like skin color, eye shape and hair texture. Here's how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children. A few things to remember: - Don't shush or shut them down if they mention race. - Don't wait for kids to bring it up. - Be proactive: Help them build a positive awareness of diversity. - When a child experiences prejudice, grown-ups need to both address the feelings and fight the prejudices. - You don't have to ...

Feb 25, 2019•20 min

Is It OK To Lie About Santa And The Tooth Fairy?

Magical thinking is part of childhood, and when it comes to characters like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, parents often play along with elaborate charades. But what should grown-ups do when kids start aging out of the magic and asking tough questions? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Feb 25, 2019•18 min

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