“Venmo moms” unite

The latest in back-to-school news, tips, and trends:

The pros and cons of  “redshirting” boys for kindergarten. It's complicated and personal.

How Elmo and Ms. Rachel's latest collab is helping kids get ready for preschool and kindergarten. Prepare to have it on repeat.

Modeling these three things to help your kid thrive at school — and home. Embrace the "yet" mindset.

What microschools are doing differently, especially when it comes to teaching Black kids. Looks like it could be working.

Screen time for good: Educational YouTube channels and game apps recommended by parents and experts. Subjects range from math to emotional learning.

PS: How to prep for those inevitable viruses, cheap and tasty lunch ideas, plus a doc appointment to make before school starts. 

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

“I don’t want my kids on screens for the rest of the summer. Are there any fun and educational podcasts we can listen to instead?” 

FEATURED EXPERT:

Laura Ordoñez

Common Sense Media's executive editor and head of Digital Media and Family

“Without the constant visuals and movement, kids are free to create their own mental images based on what they hear, which can be a powerful way for them to feel represented and connected to the content,” says Ordoñez. 

Three current favorites: 

• For Toddlers: Charm Words: Daily Affirmations For Kids “Each episode is under five minutes, featuring calming breaths and a single empowering statement, making it perfect for starting or ending the day on a positive note,” says Ordoñez. The show is “an ideal gentle introduction to self-confidence and positivity for young children.”

• For Preschoolers: Culture Kids Podcast This show, hosted by a mother and son, is “great for introducing preschoolers and older kids to diverse cultures and exciting global topics in a fun and accessible way,” says Ordoñez. Episodes run only 15 minutes and topics range from international foods to holiday celebrations, with lots of entertaining facts, jokes, and sound effects, she says.

• For Elementary Kids: Stoopkid Stories Ordoñez calls this “a fantastic podcast for elementary school kids," thanks to its relatable, engaging stories featuring a diverse group of kids navigating daily life. Topics include friendship and overcoming fear, plus the show touches on social issues like racial bias. It both entertains and sparks meaningful conversation, she says. 

Explore more of Common Sense Media's family-friendly podcast recommendations here — search by age and interest to find the perfect option for your family.

Those numbers are…no joke. If you anticipate a college bill in your future, we recommend using every tool, account, and tax advantage available to you (psst…this special savings account is a great start). ​

And don’t worry: Saving up for college doesn’t have to mean giving up on your other financial priorities — like saving for retirement and supporting the causes you care about. A New York Life financial professional can build a strategy that balances all your goals, helping you make progress toward every single one while protecting the things that matter most. Get the details.

We have thoughts. This week, we ranked our thoughts on back-to-school supplies for parents, from 0–10. No science, just snark.   

Hard pass

1/10: Pricey kids’ clothes. Sure, they’re adorable, but after one day of stains and torn knees, you’ll wonder why you didn’t just buy what's on sale.

2/10: Fancy paper for lunch box notes. Sweet, but a Post-it works just as well.

Ehh

4/10: Detailed back-to-school signs. Handy for remembering the teacher's name, but oversharing online can compromise your safety — and theirs. Keep it simple.

More of this

8/10: Label maker. An investment we recommend. From backpack to pencil cases to notebooks, you’ll be labeling all the things, all the time. Thank us later.

10/10: Tissues. Whether it’s wiping away those first-day-of-pre-K tears or celebrating the end of constant snack demands, you’ll probably want these nearby.

Is Tablet Use Making Your Preschooler Angrier?

A new study in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that younger children who use tablets may struggle more with anger and emotional regulation by the time they reach 4.5 years old.

What the study looked at: Starting in 2020, researchers asked 315 parents in Nova Scotia, Canada, to self-report their child’s tablet use and answer specific questions about kids’ anger and frustration at ages 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 years old. 

What researchers found: They discovered that using a tablet for an hour and 15 minutes a day at 3.5 years old was associated with a 22% “increase in anger/frustration at age 4.5 years” — and the kids who were angrier were likely to be getting more screen time at 5.5 years old, suggesting the beginning of a hard-to-break cycle. 

What it means: It’s normal for kids to have tantrums. But while using tablets might help avoid tantrums in the short term, over time, it can hinder kids from developing strong emotional regulation skills, says study author Caroline Fitzpatrick.