My mother's kitchen was the center of much learning during my childhood. There, she taught me how to read the alphabet, follow a recipe, set a table, and more.

Teaching cooperation and how to get along with others helps kids develop important life skills, and it's never too early to start. We all want our children to be happy, and are hopeful they will make friends and be included during playtime.

Oh, the playground . . . just the word conjures up images of lovely green spaces, children laughing, parents chatting, and everyone getting along peacefully. Sometimes, however, it can feel more like a war zone.

We don't immediately think of math when we hum a favorite tune or get up and dance to a favorite pop song, but amazingly, there are mathematical concepts in all of it. Don’t tell the kids though!

Making friends and keeping them are important skills for healthy childhood development, but how do we help our children build these skills? One great way is by reading books together. Here’s a list of 10 recommended books that help build friendship skills.