Home > Family & Home > Family > Parenting > Mothers Receive Books For Their Newborns [Image: Little Bookshelf] (TV News, 12/24/07)The LSU AgCenter is helping parents prepare their children for success in school through a family literacy program called the Little Bookshelf. (Runtime: 1 minute, 39 seconds) Volunteering With Your Family Can Be Year-round Activity If you are looking for ways to spend quality time with your family during the holiday season, volunteering together can be beneficial to your family as well as someone in need, says LSU AgCenter family resource management expert Dr. Karen Overstreet. But the holidays aren’t the only time you can take part in such activities, Overstreet points out, saying community groups also need volunteers and donations all year long to perform worthwhile services in your area. Understanding and Working with Teens This guide discusses the common physical, mental, social and emotional characteristics for high school youth. Keep in mind that no two children develop according to the same schedule and the transitions are gradual. By accepting youth at their current developmental stage and offering challenging growth opportunities to help them make the transition into the next stage. Give Books To Preschoolers For The Holidays [Image: little girl reading a book] Books make great holiday gifts for your preschooler. They can be fun and engage your child’s developing mind.  more articles... Parents as Partners As you and your child join the 4-H program, you’ll want to make the most of the experience. The success of your 4-H club and the kind of experience your child depends greatly upon your parental involvement. 4-H has so much to offer your child through educational programs, contests and special events. Through active participation in 4-H, your child will develop skills that will last a lifetime. Encourage Children To Help With Meals During Holidays, All Year Long [Image: Girl and woman working in kitchen] (Distributed 12/18/06) When children help prepare holiday meals, they can develop a healthy self-concept and an appreciation for food safety. Attitude Of Gratitude Important For Youth To Learn (Distributed 11/06/07) Thanksgiving offers families an opportunity to reflect on their many blessings. Youth, however, often take their blessings for granted. How can parents and educators teach young people an attitude of gratitude? Can A Spoonful Of Sugar Help Homework Get Done? A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, but it could take a little more for the homework to get done, according to the experts. LSU AgCenter associate Cheri Gioe says looking at the rewards and benefits can make homework time more productive. Changing Classes Can Be Stressful For Children Think you have fear of the unknown? Some of the most stressful times for children are moving from one classroom to another, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe. Families and the Internet Accessibility to computers has provided children with resources for homework or for hobbies and other interests. Parents should be aware of the capabilities and the potential for problems when children use the Internet as a resource. Smart Choices: MyPyramid for Kids - Tips for Families [Image: Tips for Families] Tips for eating right and exercising for families. Household Items Make Homespun Fun [Image: Paper Puppet] It happens often when children receive a gift. The youngsters often are happier playing with the box than the present. Although amused at first, the gift-givers may soon suspect that their money was ill-spent. Moving To New Home Stressful; Many Storm Survivors Facing It Moving to a new home is stressful under the best of circumstances, but many Gulf Coast families have made one or more moves this year because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Such events can take an emotional toll on families and particularly on children, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Hurricanes Brought Out The Best In Many Families Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have shown how strong Louisiana families can be. Parents and children faced with strains on time, money and emotions found ways to remain strong, healthy and happy. More...