The US Government guards a priceless national treasure, and last month it opened it's vault...to America's fourth-graders. This past September of 2015, the White House launched the "Every Kid in a Park" program, giving fourth-grade school children (and their home school equivalents) free access to the US National Park System for one year. Since the administration didn't like the idea of...

Hi there Soft Star parents! We know that you like to keep your little ones close...often times, really close. Attachment parenting is an ancient practice that is experiencing a resurgence of popularity, with parents attesting to numerous benefits for both the nurturer and the nurtured. In an effort to capture the spirit of this child-rearing lifestyle, attachment parenting advocate (and stellar...

It's a familiar story. Fall is here, teachers are readying their classrooms for new faces, and families are preparing for the approaching school year. Backpacks are being stocked with freshly-sharpened pencils, folders are being personalized with bright stickers, and closets and drawers are being gutted and appraised to find the gaps left by the growth, wear, and forgetfulness of last...

September is upon us, heralding back-to-school milestones for many Soft Star families. In the spirit of the season, we asked our readers to share with us their most memorable learning experiences, and WOW, did you ever deliver!! We were blown away by the outpouring of educational stories, ranging from touching to challenging to hilarious...and everything in between! We are honored...

By now, most friends of Soft Star have heard about our Back-to-School Healthy Prize-Pack Giveaway, and we’re SO excited by all the responses! We love reliving your families’ cherished learning experiences with you, played-out in the classroom, on the playground, or around the dinner table. In fact, the recent push for improved food education and cafeteria offerings in American schools...

Fall school days are on their way, bringing tons of exciting new classes, friendships, and experiences. Year after year, however, there’s always one period eagerly-anticipated by kids and teenagers alike: lunch! Growing students have big appetites, and not just for learning. Unfortunately, while good, wholesome food-for-thought has always been a priority in American classrooms, less attention has often been given...

We all know that balance is important. We’re talking physical balance here, i.e. the ability to achieve such feats as walking without falling over, carrying a plate of food to the table without dropping it, or riding your bike hands-free while playing the ukulele... you know, all the critical motions that get us through the day. In fact, balance seems...