After-school programs are safe, enriching environments where children are encouraged to work on their homework or study for upcoming tests. When students are finished with their work, host a series of games that will keep everyone busy until it is time to go home for the day.

Give your children's brains a workout by working on cool science projects with them. While away the long, hot summer days by mixing common kitchen ingredients to see what happens or by thinking of inventions you could build together. During the school year, your child may also need a project to enter into a science fair or for his science class.

As a mom, you do not only worry about your kids school supplies and outfit, you want to make sure they also have proper hairstyles. The challenge is making your kid look cool to his classmates while keeping the style appropriate for school. After all, you don't want the school sending your child back home because of an inappropriate hairstyle.

Summertime can be full of trips to the pool, lazy days around the house, time with friends, and still be a great opportunity to help your kids keep learning even without school. Don't let them turn off their brains. Provide ways to keep them sharp for school time with these great options. And maybe you can avoid hearing that summer whine of "Mooooom, I'm bored."

Heading back to school looking great is a goal for many girls. If your daughter wants to turn heads as she walks through the hallway on her first day, she should consider a new hairstyle. A fresh look for her locks may be just the confidence boost she needs to start the year off on a positive note. By giving her hair a little bit of attention and TLC leading up to the first day of school, you can make sure that the first impression she gives to her new teachers and classmates is a positive one.

Back to school can seem like a fashion show, as teens select the perfect first-day outfit, makeup and hair. Send your teen back to school with a hairstyle that's sure to make her feel confident and trendy. Have your teen bring pictures of his ideal hairstyle along to the salon appointment so that the stylist gets a clear idea of the look your teen wants to achieve.

With the start of the school year, there is no better time than now to create a reading routine with your school-aged child, a toddler or even infant. As a parent, there is much you can do to develop your child’s reading skills and set the stage for a lifelong love of books and learning. Show your child that reading is a year-round activity by making reading fun and interesting, and chances are he or she will be eager to read on his or her own.

Excitement and anxiety, a return to routines, and the possibility of a new teacher and new school can all be a part of the back to school experience. This school year, give your children a strong start by preparing in advance to help them make a smooth transition into the classroom.

One of the most difficult things for family members and children new to child care and/or a new school is adjusting to the initial separation period. Experiencing tears from your child when he or she realizes you’re about to walk out the door is not easy. However, knowing that your child’s reactions (and your own!) are quite normal and predictable can help with the process.

The best predictor of reading success is the amount of time children spend reading both in and out of the home. Having a variety of appropriate books at home in your own library makes sharing books convenient, interesting and enjoyable for children of all ages. It’s never too early to begin developing your home library. Even the youngest infants and toddlers need books to promote literacy and language development. Home libraries do not have to be expensive. It’s not about the quantity of books you have, but more importantly, it’s about the quality and variety of books to which your child will have access.