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“Ugh! Do I haaave to? I already said thanks. Whyyy do I need to write a thank-you card too?” If you’ve ever heard a child grumble about putting pencil to paper to write a thank-you note, you’re not alone. In a world of instant messages, taking the time to put thoughtful words on paper can feel anything but convenient. Yet expressing gratitude in writing remains a meaningful life skill, one worth teaching, modeling, and encouraging. A handwritten thank-you note does more t …

What is literacy? The National Literacy Trust defines literacy as “the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world.” Until I joined the team at Boys Town Press, I didn’t think much about literacy or the nuances around how a child becomes interested in reading. But looking back, I have several core childhood memories that I now see as paramount to my own love of reading and learning. Most of these memories c …

Excerpts taken from full article originally featured on boystown.org/parenting.We’ve all heard “Mom, I have this permission slip for a field trip. It’s due today.” If I’m being honest, I hear it several times a year! My daughters struggle to stay organized once they leave school for the day. They’re so excited to come home and watch Netflix or play with the neighbor kids, that they forget I’m supposed to sign them up to go to the zoo.From their teacher’s perspective, it has to be frustr …