We all know reading with our children is imperative to their development, and happily book stores and libraries are overflowing with choices. So Paige and Gretchen are checking in with Erica Perl, author and reading expert, to get her advice on how to pick great books to read with your 3-5 year old. Her ideas include looking for books that are concise and well written, have fun and engaging characters, and are visually interesting. Try to find books that you enjoy too, since you may well be reading them many, many times!

Bob Smith, a school based technology specialist, gave Gretchen and Paige the run down on keeping kids protected when they're on the computer. His number one rule? Communication! Bob says the best way to protect kids is to talk to them about what they're doing. Let them know you care enough to check where they've been and who they've been talking to on the computer. Watch the show for more ideas on keeping kids safe, and then share how you monitor your kids’ computer use on Mommycast.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Every parent wonders if their child’s development is “normal” at some point (or many) in their child’s life. It’s helpful to know what developmental milestones your child should be reaching at each age. Gretchen and Paige talked with Anne Dolin, author and educational specialist, about milestones in reading, speech, and comprehension. For more help and information on child development, we like the book How is My First Grader Doing in School?: What to Expect and How to Help, by Jennifer Jacobson and the other books in the series. You can also click here and here for more great information.

Adding to their audio show, the mommies show you a sample of what MommyCast Videos will bring you. It's fun. It's educational. It's MommyCast Videos!

Did you know that the first disposable diapers were handmade by Proctor and Gamble in the 1950’s? Take a trip down memory lane with Paige and Gretchen as they learn about the history of Pampers diapers.

Isn’t it amazing how much time our kids spend on computers?  It would probably be even more if we’d let them!  While technology is awesome, it can be difficult to know how best to monitor the websites our children are visiting. Are they are age appropriate? Do they meet our individual standards?  In this show, Paige talks about her ongoing efforts to control where her kids go on the internet, and her passion for keeping them safe.  The Mommies know how hard it is to keep up with everything, so Paige and Gretchen are sharing some of their favorite sites for kids below.  Happy browsing!

Kidzui Playhousedisney Webkinz Toontown PBS Kids Club Penguin

Dr. Rene Hackney, author of Eight Weeks to Positive Discipline and owner of Parenting Playgroups, Inc., talks with Paige and Gretchen about how children learn from consequences.  The Mommies share the consequences of sibling squabbling (uh, oh) in their homes, and Dr. Hackney teaches how parents can create consequences that relate to their child’s behavior. This is great advice for the beginning of the school year!

Join Gretchen and Paige as they check out the set of Disney's new kids show, Imagination Movers.

The Imagination Movers began as a band in New Orleans in 2003 and is loved by children and their parents everywhere. Their new Playhouse Disney show, Imagination Movers, premiers Saturday, September 6 at 10a.m./9central. Paige and Gretchen got to visit the set, meet the Movers and even watch the adorable Warehouse Mouse at work. He is so cute! Movers Rich, Dave, Smitty and Scott make music, sing, dance and, of course, use their imaginations to encourage kids to develop creative problem solving skills. You and your preschooler are gonna love it! Click here to buy the Imagination Movers CD "Juice Box Heroes"

Join Gretchen as she explores American history at the Library of Congress.

The “Exploring the Early Americas” exhibit at the Library of Congress features selections from the more than 3,000 rare maps, documents, paintings, prints, and artifacts that make up the Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress. It provides insight into indigenous cultures, the drama of the encounters between Native Americans and European explorers and settlers, and the pivotal changes caused by the meeting of the American and European worlds. The exhibition includes two extraordinary maps by Martin Waldseemüller created in 1507 and 1516, which depict a world enlarged by the presence of the Western Hemisphere.

If you are unable to visit the Library of Congress, don’t worry, they have an interactive exhibit right online at http://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/EarlyAmericas/.

Gretchen visits the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and explores the new interactive "Creating the United States" exhibit. This new addition to the Library of Congress gives children and adults an immersive experience, bringing history to life.

“Creating the United States,” offers a remarkable opportunity to learn in a fresh new way how our country’s founding documents were forged out of insight, invention, and creativity, as well as collaboration and much compromise.

Visit http://www.loc.gov/exhibits to begin exploring with your family.