Dear Readers,
This is a good home learning activity. Now that all of the holidays have passed. You probably are wondering what to do with the cookie cutters you used during the holidays.
Well let them eat Shapes – Use the cookie cutters you used to bake the Christmas cookies (rectangles, triangles, squares, circles, alphabets) Cut slices of bread using the cookie cutters. Make at least 2 of each shape. Have your youngster to choose a pair of similar shapes, then put peanut and jam on the first piece and place the second piece on top to make a sandwich. This is a snack plus a game to match the shapes.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Project Help Parents Beware!
Dear Readers,
How did you put your project together? This was the question that one student asked after the oral presentation in class. I don’t know, my mom did everything, was the response from the child.
Parents beware. Let your child use their talents and imagination when it comes to any project that is assigned as homework. The child will probably have to present the project in front of his/her classmates and you want them to be able to explain the details of the project.
How did you put your project together? This was the question that one student asked after the oral presentation in class. I don’t know, my mom did everything, was the response from the child.
Parents beware. Let your child use their talents and imagination when it comes to any project that is assigned as homework. The child will probably have to present the project in front of his/her classmates and you want them to be able to explain the details of the project.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Home Learning Recipes
Dear Readers,
Everywhere you look, there can be a fun learning activity for your child. Letters are everywhere even hidden.
Try this activity, this activity builds reading observation skills. Letters are everywhere, have your child look for letters in the newspaper, cereal boxes, cans of food and household supplies(non-toxic) Have your child circle all the A’s, B’s, C’s through Z. Write the letters on an index card and put them in a paper bag, have your child pull the letter out of the bag and this is the letter your child will have to look for.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
Everywhere you look, there can be a fun learning activity for your child. Letters are everywhere even hidden.
Try this activity, this activity builds reading observation skills. Letters are everywhere, have your child look for letters in the newspaper, cereal boxes, cans of food and household supplies(non-toxic) Have your child circle all the A’s, B’s, C’s through Z. Write the letters on an index card and put them in a paper bag, have your child pull the letter out of the bag and this is the letter your child will have to look for.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Baby story hour at the library
Dear Readers,
Check out your local library to see if they have a baby story hour. This would be an excellent activity for you, baby and siblings during the holiday season. Holidays are not just about shopping, eating and gift giving.
Attend the story hour with baby, your favorite Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah book may be on the list to be read.
Check out your local library to see if they have a baby story hour. This would be an excellent activity for you, baby and siblings during the holiday season. Holidays are not just about shopping, eating and gift giving.
Attend the story hour with baby, your favorite Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah book may be on the list to be read.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Reinforce learning during hollidays
Dear Readers,
This is a great way to reinforce learning for your child during the holidays. While planning your holiday dinner party. Let your child help you by Sorting and Stacking items.
This activity will help you teach your child how to classify dinnerware items (plates, cups, forks, spoons, napkins).
Your child can learn while helping you in the kitchen by sorting dishes and other items. Have your child sort and match dishes of similar sizes and shapes. While preparing for dinner have your child sort the forks and spoons. Your child is learning while helping you to prepare for dinner.
Always be careful and be safe while in the kitchen with children.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS
This is a great way to reinforce learning for your child during the holidays. While planning your holiday dinner party. Let your child help you by Sorting and Stacking items.
This activity will help you teach your child how to classify dinnerware items (plates, cups, forks, spoons, napkins).
Your child can learn while helping you in the kitchen by sorting dishes and other items. Have your child sort and match dishes of similar sizes and shapes. While preparing for dinner have your child sort the forks and spoons. Your child is learning while helping you to prepare for dinner.
Always be careful and be safe while in the kitchen with children.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Kitchen Safety Duties by Age
Dear Readers,
Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays are a favorite of mine because of the food and family!
I remember Mom being in the kitchen at least 2 days before the Thanksgiving holidays. I know because I would be in there with her, my assignment was to clean the many bunches of greens that she had purchased. I did not mind picking the greens because greens are one of my favorite dishes. I also liked being in the kitchen because I would get to taste and sample whatever she was preparing. My favorites were samples of the stuffing for the turkey and cake mixes (Chocolate - Yum, Yum).
At the age of 9 I was the oldest girl, which meant I was the one who had to help mom in the kitchen. My younger brothers and sister were not allowed to help because of their age. I know we practiced Kitchen Safety as a child because I did not get any major injuries while in the kitchen with Mom.
I don't remember her telling me a lot of rules, I just watched her, and knew how to handle hot pots and pans going in and out of the oven. I watched her keep the handles or pots turned to the inside of the stove. I watched her carefully place food in boiling water or hot cooking oil and quickly move back out of the away to avoid injury.
Listed below are some Kitchen Safety duties by age to use if your child(ren) will be in the kitchen with you during the holidays or at anytime.
Children between 3-5 years of age and do the following:
Get ingredients out of the refrigerator and cupboards.
Stir ingredients together in a bowl.
Pour cool liquids into a bowl.
Rinse foods under cold water.
Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes in dough.
Children between 6-8 years can do the following:
Use a butter knife to spread frosting, peanut butter or soft cheese.
Peel vegetables with a peeler.
Measure ingredients.
Set the table.
Children between 9-12 years can do the following:
Begin to follow recipes.
Help plan the meals.
Use electrical kitchen appliances such as blenders, food processors, electric mixers and microwaves.
Open cans.
Squeeze garlic from a garlic press and use a grater to shred cheese and vegetables.
Turn stove burners on and off and select oven temperature when an adult is present.
Children above age 13 can do the following:
Operate the stove top without adult supervision.
Drain cooked pasta into a colander.
Remove a tray of cookies from the oven.
Heat food in the microwave without adult supervision.
Source: http://firstaid.about.com/od/injuriesathome/qt/07_CookingSafe.htm
Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays are a favorite of mine because of the food and family!
I remember Mom being in the kitchen at least 2 days before the Thanksgiving holidays. I know because I would be in there with her, my assignment was to clean the many bunches of greens that she had purchased. I did not mind picking the greens because greens are one of my favorite dishes. I also liked being in the kitchen because I would get to taste and sample whatever she was preparing. My favorites were samples of the stuffing for the turkey and cake mixes (Chocolate - Yum, Yum).
At the age of 9 I was the oldest girl, which meant I was the one who had to help mom in the kitchen. My younger brothers and sister were not allowed to help because of their age. I know we practiced Kitchen Safety as a child because I did not get any major injuries while in the kitchen with Mom.
I don't remember her telling me a lot of rules, I just watched her, and knew how to handle hot pots and pans going in and out of the oven. I watched her keep the handles or pots turned to the inside of the stove. I watched her carefully place food in boiling water or hot cooking oil and quickly move back out of the away to avoid injury.
Listed below are some Kitchen Safety duties by age to use if your child(ren) will be in the kitchen with you during the holidays or at anytime.
Children between 3-5 years of age and do the following:
Get ingredients out of the refrigerator and cupboards.
Stir ingredients together in a bowl.
Pour cool liquids into a bowl.
Rinse foods under cold water.
Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes in dough.
Children between 6-8 years can do the following:
Use a butter knife to spread frosting, peanut butter or soft cheese.
Peel vegetables with a peeler.
Measure ingredients.
Set the table.
Children between 9-12 years can do the following:
Begin to follow recipes.
Help plan the meals.
Use electrical kitchen appliances such as blenders, food processors, electric mixers and microwaves.
Open cans.
Squeeze garlic from a garlic press and use a grater to shred cheese and vegetables.
Turn stove burners on and off and select oven temperature when an adult is present.
Children above age 13 can do the following:
Operate the stove top without adult supervision.
Drain cooked pasta into a colander.
Remove a tray of cookies from the oven.
Heat food in the microwave without adult supervision.
Source: http://firstaid.about.com/od/injuriesathome/qt/07_CookingSafe.htm
Friday, November 20, 2009
Today Kid Reporter - Deidra Shores
Dear Readers,
B4 Literacy congratulates Deidra Shores, the Today Show winner for the Kid Reporter contest.
I enjoyed watching Deidra's submission tape to the Today Show which showed her darting out and reappearing in different places in the city of Memphis. You did not know what backdrop scene Deidra would appear in next. If you are familiar with Memphis, you were knew approximately where Deidra was standing in order to get the view of the Memphis Bridge in the background. Did you hear the Trolley whistle signal her exit to go to the next scene? This was very clever Deidra using a technique that is commonly used in children's books when children are learning to read. The music will let the child know to turn the page.
Her submission tape coupled with her bubbly personality was definitely a winner!
And congratulations to all of the kids who submitted tapes to the Today Show "Today Kid Reporter Contest", I reviewed some of the submission tapes and they were very creative and clever. You are all winners in my book and much success to all of you.
Quote: “To dream anything that you want to dream. That's the beauty of the human mind. To do anything that you want to do. That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed.” Bernard Edmonds
Copy and past this link into your browser to view the Today Show of Deidra's submission tape and her journey:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33213732/ns/today-todays_kid_reporter/
Photo source: http://www.commercialappeal.com/photos/2009/nov/12/139354/
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Holiday Safety Tips for Children
Children always like to help in the kitchen at any time but especially during holidays.
I am posting this post because accidents happen and parents should watch children carefully while they are in the kitchen.
My son burned his arm while he was a toddler in the kitchen. I was in the kitchen with him at the time, but was not watching him carefully enough because a minor injury occurred. My son always liked to play with the pots and pans that were kept under the bottom of the stove. Normally while playing with them, I would leave the bottom drawer where the pots and pans were kept open wide so he could bang away with the pots and pans. Boys love to make noise. All the other times when he was playing in the kitchen, the oven would not have been turned on. This time however the oven had been on because I was baking, but it was turned off but had not cooled enough for an injury not to occur.
My son did not know the oven was still hot, so he must have pulled the bottom drawer open slightly as far as he could and stuck his arm in the open drawer. He was able to open the drawer about 2 inches, but this provided enough room for him to slide his arm inside. I realized his arm was stuck when I heard him crying. I quickly reached down and grabbed him and pulled his arm out of the drawer. I administered first aid as best as I could on his arm before taking him to the emergency room. He received a second degree burn on his forearm because the skin blistered. Thankfully, his arm healed eventually with care.
So parents, please be careful if are going to allow your children in the kitchen while preparing the holiday dinner this year. Be careful and safe in the kitchen at all times.
Watch for my next post Kitchen Safety for children - ages 3-5 years old, 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 9-12 years, over 13 years old.
I am posting this post because accidents happen and parents should watch children carefully while they are in the kitchen.
My son burned his arm while he was a toddler in the kitchen. I was in the kitchen with him at the time, but was not watching him carefully enough because a minor injury occurred. My son always liked to play with the pots and pans that were kept under the bottom of the stove. Normally while playing with them, I would leave the bottom drawer where the pots and pans were kept open wide so he could bang away with the pots and pans. Boys love to make noise. All the other times when he was playing in the kitchen, the oven would not have been turned on. This time however the oven had been on because I was baking, but it was turned off but had not cooled enough for an injury not to occur.
My son did not know the oven was still hot, so he must have pulled the bottom drawer open slightly as far as he could and stuck his arm in the open drawer. He was able to open the drawer about 2 inches, but this provided enough room for him to slide his arm inside. I realized his arm was stuck when I heard him crying. I quickly reached down and grabbed him and pulled his arm out of the drawer. I administered first aid as best as I could on his arm before taking him to the emergency room. He received a second degree burn on his forearm because the skin blistered. Thankfully, his arm healed eventually with care.
So parents, please be careful if are going to allow your children in the kitchen while preparing the holiday dinner this year. Be careful and safe in the kitchen at all times.
Watch for my next post Kitchen Safety for children - ages 3-5 years old, 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 9-12 years, over 13 years old.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Explaining a recession to your child
Dear Readers,
Life happens. Many of us are experiencing the effects of the recession first hand with the loss of an income from yourself or spouse. Look at life like it is a series of math problems.
Like a math problem,first evaluate the situation. You will now be a one income family, therefore adjustments will have to be made until the income(s) can be replaced.
Second, make adjustments, in a math problem this would be where you would set the problem up in order to determine which method to use to work it out.
You may have to cook more often instead of eating out.
You may have to learn to live without some of the finer things in life that you thought you could not live without.
You may have to start clipping coupons to save money on groceries and other items.
You may have to become a one car family because there is not enough money for maintenance for the second car.
Third, explain the problem, in a recession, the child(ren) will also feel and see the effects. What do you tell a child when they notice that Mom or Dad does not get up for work anymore? How do you explain the loss of a job to your child? They will see the effects when they do not see the refrigerator full of food anymore. How will the child adjust to moving from their home in case of a foreclosure? How will the child adjust moving from the neighborhood and friends?
Explain to the child that things will have to change because there may not be enough money for movie night at the neighborhood theater. There may not be enough money for your all of your favorite items that you are allowed to purchase at the department or grocery store.
Your child will probably express saddness but give them a big hug and let them know you that you love them. And lastly, try to buy at least one item for them if possible. Even if it is something for a quarter out of the bubble gum machines.
Life happens. Many of us are experiencing the effects of the recession first hand with the loss of an income from yourself or spouse. Look at life like it is a series of math problems.
Like a math problem,first evaluate the situation. You will now be a one income family, therefore adjustments will have to be made until the income(s) can be replaced.
Second, make adjustments, in a math problem this would be where you would set the problem up in order to determine which method to use to work it out.
You may have to cook more often instead of eating out.
You may have to learn to live without some of the finer things in life that you thought you could not live without.
You may have to start clipping coupons to save money on groceries and other items.
You may have to become a one car family because there is not enough money for maintenance for the second car.
Third, explain the problem, in a recession, the child(ren) will also feel and see the effects. What do you tell a child when they notice that Mom or Dad does not get up for work anymore? How do you explain the loss of a job to your child? They will see the effects when they do not see the refrigerator full of food anymore. How will the child adjust to moving from their home in case of a foreclosure? How will the child adjust moving from the neighborhood and friends?
Explain to the child that things will have to change because there may not be enough money for movie night at the neighborhood theater. There may not be enough money for your all of your favorite items that you are allowed to purchase at the department or grocery store.
Your child will probably express saddness but give them a big hug and let them know you that you love them. And lastly, try to buy at least one item for them if possible. Even if it is something for a quarter out of the bubble gum machines.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Love of Reading
Dear Readers,
If your child is given a book report project, let them chose the book to read themselves. You will be amazed at the outcome if the child is able to choose a book that they will enjoy reading. For example, my daughter had to select a book, read it and do a shoebox book report. I was amazed when she chose a book that had been in her home library for at least a year. I was also thankful that I did not have to visit the local library where she would take hours selecting from the many books on the shelves.
She immediately began to read her book and spent the rest of the evening quietly reading. I knew the book must have been interesting when she fell asleep while reading. You know your child is enjoying books when a book is the first thing their hands pick up the next morning. You know that you have to get the rest of the books in the series when the child walks and reads at the same time. You try to conceal your laughter when you see them walk to the car, open the door, get in and buckle seat belt while eyes are glued to the pages of the book.
I was amazed when she finished the 20 chapter book in a day and a half. When I saw the interesting way the author wrote, I realized why she read the book so quickly. She had finally found a book that really caught her interest and one that she enjoyed reading. I was glad that she completed the book so quickly because she became ill the weekend before the book report was due.
Since my child was confined to the house we had no choice but to use items that we had at home. She decided that she could fold origami papers to make all of her items that were needed in the shoebox report.
The project was completed and turned in on time to her teacher. This was because my daughter (even though she was sick) loved folding origami papers.
In the end, we both were amazed at how easy this project was because reading and folding origami papers are two things that she loves to do.
If your child is given a book report project, let them chose the book to read themselves. You will be amazed at the outcome if the child is able to choose a book that they will enjoy reading. For example, my daughter had to select a book, read it and do a shoebox book report. I was amazed when she chose a book that had been in her home library for at least a year. I was also thankful that I did not have to visit the local library where she would take hours selecting from the many books on the shelves.
She immediately began to read her book and spent the rest of the evening quietly reading. I knew the book must have been interesting when she fell asleep while reading. You know your child is enjoying books when a book is the first thing their hands pick up the next morning. You know that you have to get the rest of the books in the series when the child walks and reads at the same time. You try to conceal your laughter when you see them walk to the car, open the door, get in and buckle seat belt while eyes are glued to the pages of the book.
I was amazed when she finished the 20 chapter book in a day and a half. When I saw the interesting way the author wrote, I realized why she read the book so quickly. She had finally found a book that really caught her interest and one that she enjoyed reading. I was glad that she completed the book so quickly because she became ill the weekend before the book report was due.
Since my child was confined to the house we had no choice but to use items that we had at home. She decided that she could fold origami papers to make all of her items that were needed in the shoebox report.
The project was completed and turned in on time to her teacher. This was because my daughter (even though she was sick) loved folding origami papers.
In the end, we both were amazed at how easy this project was because reading and folding origami papers are two things that she loves to do.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.”
- Walt Disney
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.”
- Walt Disney
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Teaching your children morals - Character
Teaching your children morals.
The best way to teach your children morals is by example of how we as parents live. Our children are watching us in everything that we do. Do you eat grapes at the grocery without paying for them? Do you tell your child to lie about his/her age in order to receive discounts on dinner, or movies.
Remember our children are watching us as we lead by example.
The best way to teach your children morals is by example of how we as parents live. Our children are watching us in everything that we do. Do you eat grapes at the grocery without paying for them? Do you tell your child to lie about his/her age in order to receive discounts on dinner, or movies.
Remember our children are watching us as we lead by example.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never do any harm to the world.”
- Voltaire
“Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never do any harm to the world.”
- Voltaire
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.”
- Victor Hugo
“To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.”
- Victor Hugo
Friday, October 9, 2009
Morals: Helping
Dear Readers,
Most small children love to help parents do something or everything around the house. Whether it’s making the bed, washing the dishes or throwing paper in the trash, there is a fun and learning opportunity for the child.
Imagine my amazement when my 4 year old made her bed one morning. I could tell that she helped her child care provider or watched her closely throughout the day. Her actions told me this because she was always busy picking up paper and throwing it in the trash.
When my children were small I would let them stand on a stool and wash dishes (or so they thought). What they were really doing was playing with a plastic bowl or small pot in the soapy water while I was in the kitchen with them as I prepared dinner. The child thinks they are helping you and feel good that they can help Mom.
This also teaches them that every family member has a job to do around the house.
Most small children love to help parents do something or everything around the house. Whether it’s making the bed, washing the dishes or throwing paper in the trash, there is a fun and learning opportunity for the child.
Imagine my amazement when my 4 year old made her bed one morning. I could tell that she helped her child care provider or watched her closely throughout the day. Her actions told me this because she was always busy picking up paper and throwing it in the trash.
When my children were small I would let them stand on a stool and wash dishes (or so they thought). What they were really doing was playing with a plastic bowl or small pot in the soapy water while I was in the kitchen with them as I prepared dinner. The child thinks they are helping you and feel good that they can help Mom.
This also teaches them that every family member has a job to do around the house.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Teaching your baby morals
Dear Readers,
All parents want our children to be on their best behavior when they are in our presence and especially when they are not in our presence.
"Is your child an angel at home?" was the response from a teacher as she answered my question of how my child was doing in school. Because I was not expecting that answer I had to pause and think about my child's behavior at home. I also had to think about what morals and values I had taught my child. After a moment of thought I felt somewhat assured that my child behaved in appropriate ways because of the morals and values that she was being taught at home.
Webster's Dictionary defines morals as: a.of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior, b.expressing to a standard of right behavior
Look for post of examples of good morals and values that will be posted over the next several months.
All parents want our children to be on their best behavior when they are in our presence and especially when they are not in our presence.
"Is your child an angel at home?" was the response from a teacher as she answered my question of how my child was doing in school. Because I was not expecting that answer I had to pause and think about my child's behavior at home. I also had to think about what morals and values I had taught my child. After a moment of thought I felt somewhat assured that my child behaved in appropriate ways because of the morals and values that she was being taught at home.
Webster's Dictionary defines morals as: a.of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior, b.expressing to a standard of right behavior
Look for post of examples of good morals and values that will be posted over the next several months.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“Effective readers, even at their earliest levels, read in five to seven word phrases rather than word by word.”
- Richard L. Allington, "What Really Matters for Struggling Readers" (2001)
“Effective readers, even at their earliest levels, read in five to seven word phrases rather than word by word.”
- Richard L. Allington, "What Really Matters for Struggling Readers" (2001)
Friday, October 2, 2009
Talking and Reading essential to language skills
Dear Readers,
New studies show that the language skills learned from reading to your child can be enhanced when talking is added. For instance, while reading a book to your child, point to the pictures and ask questions. You may want your child to tell you what he/she thinks will happen next. Or you may want to ask your child to tell you what he/she thinks will happen at the end of the book.
Source:http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/conversing-with-child-more-effective-94603.aspx
New studies show that the language skills learned from reading to your child can be enhanced when talking is added. For instance, while reading a book to your child, point to the pictures and ask questions. You may want your child to tell you what he/she thinks will happen next. Or you may want to ask your child to tell you what he/she thinks will happen at the end of the book.
Source:http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/conversing-with-child-more-effective-94603.aspx
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”
- Ray Bradbury
“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”
- Ray Bradbury
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Reading to Infants raises language skills
Dear Readers,
The spoken language is one of the ways people communicate with each other. That is why it is extremely important for the reading skill to be taught to our children early. This is the one skill that can be taught to children, no matter what the income level is. You can teach reading to your child which will enhance his/her spoken language.
According to a new study "No matter what language you speak or how much money you make, it’s never too early to start reading to your children.” according to a new study.
Researchers have found that children whose mothers began reading to them at an early age were able to understand and comprehended and cognitive development. Children under the age of 3 are in a critical period for the language development needed for later reading success.
You can read more about this article at the following link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203393,00.html
The spoken language is one of the ways people communicate with each other. That is why it is extremely important for the reading skill to be taught to our children early. This is the one skill that can be taught to children, no matter what the income level is. You can teach reading to your child which will enhance his/her spoken language.
According to a new study "No matter what language you speak or how much money you make, it’s never too early to start reading to your children.” according to a new study.
Researchers have found that children whose mothers began reading to them at an early age were able to understand and comprehended and cognitive development. Children under the age of 3 are in a critical period for the language development needed for later reading success.
You can read more about this article at the following link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203393,00.html
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
- Harry S. Truman
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
- Harry S. Truman
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
All children are different - Part II
Dear Readers,
When you think you know everything there is to know about children and have seen it all, you come across a child that has a free spirit. As you hold their hands and watch them grow and learn, you gently remove one finger at a time so they will not know that you are only holding one hand.
Children with free spirits love living and it shows because they are nature lovers and love to experience life to the fullest. They will try everything at least once from food to all types of fun. Free Spirits love to share all their talents with you and they want your undivided attention.
This type of child will not let you off the hook easily because they are going to question you about everything. And you have to have a sensible answer for them. They will keep you on your toes and listen to your words while watching your actions. They will remember everything you tell them while hoping you forget the punishment they were promised. Free spirit children really bring out the parent in you.
You have to sharpen every parenting skill from listening to project making because they will always challenge you and your response to them. They do not mean any harm they just want to understand fully your answer to them.
Because they are so creative and independent, you will have an easy time letting go of the other hand as they get older. The only thing I caution you about is your strategy for helping them throughout life. Sometimes they will struggle with your method of teaching them because they will think it is old fashioned and will want to do it their way.
I have learned on several occasions that if you just coax them and let them learn in their own way (computer games, songs, etc) they will arrive at the same point that you want them to, even if they travel a different road to the beat of a different drummer.
As their little feet march along the path, you will be there as a parent to guide them along the way and keep them focused and on task.
When you think you know everything there is to know about children and have seen it all, you come across a child that has a free spirit. As you hold their hands and watch them grow and learn, you gently remove one finger at a time so they will not know that you are only holding one hand.
Children with free spirits love living and it shows because they are nature lovers and love to experience life to the fullest. They will try everything at least once from food to all types of fun. Free Spirits love to share all their talents with you and they want your undivided attention.
This type of child will not let you off the hook easily because they are going to question you about everything. And you have to have a sensible answer for them. They will keep you on your toes and listen to your words while watching your actions. They will remember everything you tell them while hoping you forget the punishment they were promised. Free spirit children really bring out the parent in you.
You have to sharpen every parenting skill from listening to project making because they will always challenge you and your response to them. They do not mean any harm they just want to understand fully your answer to them.
Because they are so creative and independent, you will have an easy time letting go of the other hand as they get older. The only thing I caution you about is your strategy for helping them throughout life. Sometimes they will struggle with your method of teaching them because they will think it is old fashioned and will want to do it their way.
I have learned on several occasions that if you just coax them and let them learn in their own way (computer games, songs, etc) they will arrive at the same point that you want them to, even if they travel a different road to the beat of a different drummer.
As their little feet march along the path, you will be there as a parent to guide them along the way and keep them focused and on task.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Birthdays are Special Days!
Dear Readers,
What days are special in your children's lives. I imagine a birthday would be one of them.
Birthdays allow moms and dads a time to reflect on the past before a child's birth. Mothers remember the 9 months of pregnancy, labor pains and birth of the child. Mothers also remember the extremely painful kick from the child felt inside her stomach which caused her to catch her breath and say "There has to be a football player in there because he surely can kick."
Fathers remember the remarks that were said at the nursery window such as: he is the biggest baby in the nursery, he looks just like his dad, he is a handsome baby.
Other special memories and milestones are: son's graduation from Preschool and Mom's graduation from college occurred in the same month/year, his high school graduation occurred on Mom's birthday.
His 18th birthday, Mom was able to add to memories that he was a freshman in college living on the dorm. Today on his 19th birthday, Mom's memory will be that he has returned to college as a Sophomore.
Happy Birthday son, Mom loves you dearly! I will see you at the end of Sophomore year!
What days are special in your children's lives. I imagine a birthday would be one of them.
Birthdays allow moms and dads a time to reflect on the past before a child's birth. Mothers remember the 9 months of pregnancy, labor pains and birth of the child. Mothers also remember the extremely painful kick from the child felt inside her stomach which caused her to catch her breath and say "There has to be a football player in there because he surely can kick."
Fathers remember the remarks that were said at the nursery window such as: he is the biggest baby in the nursery, he looks just like his dad, he is a handsome baby.
Other special memories and milestones are: son's graduation from Preschool and Mom's graduation from college occurred in the same month/year, his high school graduation occurred on Mom's birthday.
His 18th birthday, Mom was able to add to memories that he was a freshman in college living on the dorm. Today on his 19th birthday, Mom's memory will be that he has returned to college as a Sophomore.
Happy Birthday son, Mom loves you dearly! I will see you at the end of Sophomore year!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.”
- Jacqueline Kennedy
“There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.”
- Jacqueline Kennedy
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Brain Games
Dear Readers,
Try this game with your 4 year old toddler.
Draw a circle around the base of a glass or jar on a piece of lightweight cardboard.
Let your child color large spots of red, green and blue circles on the front.
Using play dough under the card, push a small pencil in the center.
Remove the play dough and let your child use the pencil to spin the circle.
Different colors of rings will appear as the circle spins around.
Source: Brain Games for Preschoolers, Eion
Try this game with your 4 year old toddler.
Draw a circle around the base of a glass or jar on a piece of lightweight cardboard.
Let your child color large spots of red, green and blue circles on the front.
Using play dough under the card, push a small pencil in the center.
Remove the play dough and let your child use the pencil to spin the circle.
Different colors of rings will appear as the circle spins around.
Source: Brain Games for Preschoolers, Eion
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
- Emilie Buchwald
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
- Emilie Buchwald
Friday, August 7, 2009
All chilren are different - Part I
Dear Readers,
Sometimes as parents we do not realize how different our children are. The tricks of the trade of parenthood may not work for all of your children in the same way. My first child was somewhat of a breeze to raise. Whatever I told him to do he did in school and at home. Most of my instructions to him for elementary school was to sit at the front of the class, obey your teacher and do your homework immediately after school.
Sometimes I would have to explain my logic behind why I had him participating in the educational activities on Saturday. Most children want to sleep late and watch television on the weekends. Overall he followed Mom's instruction and achieved Honor Roll status every year throughout elementary, middle and high school.
Before he entered high school, I thanked him for his obedience and good grades for the past 8 years of school. I then proceeded to tell him that the past 8 years of school did not count, it is what you do in the next 4 years (9th - 12th grades) that is going to help you earn scholarships for college.
Again he listened to his mother and followed my lead and enrolled in one of the city's 1st charter schools. I chose this school because of the small class sizes, educational curriculum and Saturday school classes. The school ended up being an excellent choice for high school because of the many opportunities it afforded my child (ACT preparation classes, Prep School, Challenge, Rotary, Dual Enrollment (High School and College courses, etc). He was able to blossom and find out who he was as an individual and understand his leadership role in the community.
One of the school's requirements in order to graduate was for the Seniors to be accepted into college. In the fall of his senior year, my son came home and told me that he had applied to 18 colleges. Of course I asked him why so many colleges and his response was because they had my major and they accepted the common application. Thankfully, he followed up by completing the application process of essay writing and etc for each college. He did not have to wait long before the acceptance letters started appearing in the mailbox.
Each letter from each college brought a huge smile on my son's face and a sense of relief to me. He smiled because he was accepted and I was relived because he was offered many scholarships.
In the end he chose to stay at home and attend college in the city where he was born receiving a full academic scholarship. My only stipulation was he would have to live on the dorm in order to be able to really experience college life.
He received more than $700,000 in scholarship awards to various colleges in the United States.
Read Part II of my post to understand the title fully.
Sometimes as parents we do not realize how different our children are. The tricks of the trade of parenthood may not work for all of your children in the same way. My first child was somewhat of a breeze to raise. Whatever I told him to do he did in school and at home. Most of my instructions to him for elementary school was to sit at the front of the class, obey your teacher and do your homework immediately after school.
Sometimes I would have to explain my logic behind why I had him participating in the educational activities on Saturday. Most children want to sleep late and watch television on the weekends. Overall he followed Mom's instruction and achieved Honor Roll status every year throughout elementary, middle and high school.
Before he entered high school, I thanked him for his obedience and good grades for the past 8 years of school. I then proceeded to tell him that the past 8 years of school did not count, it is what you do in the next 4 years (9th - 12th grades) that is going to help you earn scholarships for college.
Again he listened to his mother and followed my lead and enrolled in one of the city's 1st charter schools. I chose this school because of the small class sizes, educational curriculum and Saturday school classes. The school ended up being an excellent choice for high school because of the many opportunities it afforded my child (ACT preparation classes, Prep School, Challenge, Rotary, Dual Enrollment (High School and College courses, etc). He was able to blossom and find out who he was as an individual and understand his leadership role in the community.
One of the school's requirements in order to graduate was for the Seniors to be accepted into college. In the fall of his senior year, my son came home and told me that he had applied to 18 colleges. Of course I asked him why so many colleges and his response was because they had my major and they accepted the common application. Thankfully, he followed up by completing the application process of essay writing and etc for each college. He did not have to wait long before the acceptance letters started appearing in the mailbox.
Each letter from each college brought a huge smile on my son's face and a sense of relief to me. He smiled because he was accepted and I was relived because he was offered many scholarships.
In the end he chose to stay at home and attend college in the city where he was born receiving a full academic scholarship. My only stipulation was he would have to live on the dorm in order to be able to really experience college life.
He received more than $700,000 in scholarship awards to various colleges in the United States.
Read Part II of my post to understand the title fully.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Home Learning Recipes: Laundry Math
Dear Readers,
Are you trying to find ways to get your child interested in chores as well as learning math?
Try this technique called Laundry Math.
Laundry Math--Sharpen skills by doing a necessary household job. Ask your youngster to sort laundry--before or after washing. How many socks? How many sheets?
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS
Are you trying to find ways to get your child interested in chores as well as learning math?
Try this technique called Laundry Math.
Laundry Math--Sharpen skills by doing a necessary household job. Ask your youngster to sort laundry--before or after washing. How many socks? How many sheets?
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Home Learning Recipes: Weigh Me
Dear Readers,
Here is another recipe for learning at home called Weigh Me:
This is a good skill to teach estimating.
Ask your children to guess the weight of several household objects--a wastebasket, a coat, a full glass of water. Then show children how to use a scale to weigh the objects. Next, have them estimate their own weight, as well as that of other family members, and use the scale to check their guesses.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
Here is another recipe for learning at home called Weigh Me:
This is a good skill to teach estimating.
Ask your children to guess the weight of several household objects--a wastebasket, a coat, a full glass of water. Then show children how to use a scale to weigh the objects. Next, have them estimate their own weight, as well as that of other family members, and use the scale to check their guesses.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.”
- Edmund Burke
“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.”
- Edmund Burke
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Home Learning Recipes: Hidden Letters
Dear Readers,
It is time for another recipe for learning at home called Hidden Letters: This is a reading observation skill.
Hidden Letters--Build reading observation skills with this activity. Ask your child to look for letters of the alphabet on boxes and cans of food and household supplies. For example, find five A's or three C's, or any number of letters or combinations on cereal boxes, soup cans, bars of soap. Start with easy-to-find letters and build up to harder-to-find ones. Then have your children write the letters on paper or point out the letters on the boxes and cans.
As an added activity while you are in the car, have your child find letters in a newspaper or magizne.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
It is time for another recipe for learning at home called Hidden Letters: This is a reading observation skill.
Hidden Letters--Build reading observation skills with this activity. Ask your child to look for letters of the alphabet on boxes and cans of food and household supplies. For example, find five A's or three C's, or any number of letters or combinations on cereal boxes, soup cans, bars of soap. Start with easy-to-find letters and build up to harder-to-find ones. Then have your children write the letters on paper or point out the letters on the boxes and cans.
As an added activity while you are in the car, have your child find letters in a newspaper or magizne.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
Dear Readers,
How can you tell your child is ready for Kindergarten through 12th grade?
The perfect formula has not been developed to determine if your child is ready for Kindergarten. B4 Literacy has found a Kindergarten Checklist for you to use as a guide.
This list will help you determine the skills your child has before starting Kindergarten. Use this list throughout your child's Kindergarten year to see what skills he/she has gained.
• Listen to stories without interrupting
• Recognize rhyming sounds
• Pay attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks
• Understand actions have both causes and effects
• Show understanding of general times of day
• Cut with scissors
• Trace basic shapes
• Begin to share with others
• Start to follow rules
• Be able to recognize authority
• Manage bathroom needs
• Button shirts, pants, coats, and zip up zippers
• Begin to control oneself
• Separate from parents without being upset
• Speak understandably
• Talk in complete sentences of five to six words
• Look at pictures and then tell stories
• Identify rhyming words
• Identify the beginning sound of some words
• Identify some alphabet letters
• Recognize some common sight words like "stop"
• Sort similar objects by color, size, and shape
• Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects
• Count to ten
• Bounce a ball
If all of these skills are not mastered by your child send them to Kindergarten anyway. The Kindergarten teacher will thank you if you send a child that is healthy, mature and eager to learn on the first day of school.
Source:Peggy Gisler, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S.
How can you tell your child is ready for Kindergarten through 12th grade?
The perfect formula has not been developed to determine if your child is ready for Kindergarten. B4 Literacy has found a Kindergarten Checklist for you to use as a guide.
This list will help you determine the skills your child has before starting Kindergarten. Use this list throughout your child's Kindergarten year to see what skills he/she has gained.
• Listen to stories without interrupting
• Recognize rhyming sounds
• Pay attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks
• Understand actions have both causes and effects
• Show understanding of general times of day
• Cut with scissors
• Trace basic shapes
• Begin to share with others
• Start to follow rules
• Be able to recognize authority
• Manage bathroom needs
• Button shirts, pants, coats, and zip up zippers
• Begin to control oneself
• Separate from parents without being upset
• Speak understandably
• Talk in complete sentences of five to six words
• Look at pictures and then tell stories
• Identify rhyming words
• Identify the beginning sound of some words
• Identify some alphabet letters
• Recognize some common sight words like "stop"
• Sort similar objects by color, size, and shape
• Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects
• Count to ten
• Bounce a ball
If all of these skills are not mastered by your child send them to Kindergarten anyway. The Kindergarten teacher will thank you if you send a child that is healthy, mature and eager to learn on the first day of school.
Source:Peggy Gisler, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Home Learning Recipes: Telephonitis
Dear Readers,
Telephonitis --Give your child practice in reading numbers left to right by dialing a telephone. Make a list of telephone numbers your child can read--for relatives, friends, the weather bureau--and have your child make a call or two.
This is also a good time for your child to learn their telephone number and practice how to answer the phone.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
Telephonitis --Give your child practice in reading numbers left to right by dialing a telephone. Make a list of telephone numbers your child can read--for relatives, friends, the weather bureau--and have your child make a call or two.
This is also a good time for your child to learn their telephone number and practice how to answer the phone.
Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Book donations
Dear Readers,
If you are a book lover like me, then you have accumulated lots and lots of books for yourself and your child/children. I have saved books that my first child's library and passed them on to my my second child to read and enjoy. Books do not date themselves, like clothing or furniture, that is why I love them so much. I love reading the Charlotte's Web by E.B. White just as much as I did when my teacher read it to my 4th grade class. I realize that was what got hooked on books.
As my second child gets older she has read or I have read to her all of the books in her library and I realize that many of them are from when she was an infant and toddler.
In order to encourage my child to read books on her reading level or above I have decided to donate the books to a local daycare center. If the books are donated to a daycare they will continue to be used in an academic setting and children can benefit from them.
Since the books belong to my daughter I am going to let her decide which books she will keep and which books she will give away to the daycare center. It has to be her choice, because only she knows which ones are her favorite.
Before we donate the books, I am going to have her make personalized book plates for each book. The book plate will show who donated the books, date of the donation and the name of the daycare center they are for.
If you are a book lover like me, then you have accumulated lots and lots of books for yourself and your child/children. I have saved books that my first child's library and passed them on to my my second child to read and enjoy. Books do not date themselves, like clothing or furniture, that is why I love them so much. I love reading the Charlotte's Web by E.B. White just as much as I did when my teacher read it to my 4th grade class. I realize that was what got hooked on books.
As my second child gets older she has read or I have read to her all of the books in her library and I realize that many of them are from when she was an infant and toddler.
In order to encourage my child to read books on her reading level or above I have decided to donate the books to a local daycare center. If the books are donated to a daycare they will continue to be used in an academic setting and children can benefit from them.
Since the books belong to my daughter I am going to let her decide which books she will keep and which books she will give away to the daycare center. It has to be her choice, because only she knows which ones are her favorite.
Before we donate the books, I am going to have her make personalized book plates for each book. The book plate will show who donated the books, date of the donation and the name of the daycare center they are for.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
- Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
- Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Word Bank
Dear Readers,
There are many ways to encourage your child to read.
Supplies needed: shoe box,index card (these can be white or you can choose the pastel color ones for fun), wooden or plastic letters
Have your child decorate the box to look like a bank or their favorite design.
First write down the words your child knows on the index cards
Put the alphabets in a line on the table
Start by helping your child read simple words like c-a-t
Source: 101 ways to get your child to read, Thomson
There are many ways to encourage your child to read.
Supplies needed: shoe box,index card (these can be white or you can choose the pastel color ones for fun), wooden or plastic letters
Have your child decorate the box to look like a bank or their favorite design.
First write down the words your child knows on the index cards
Put the alphabets in a line on the table
Start by helping your child read simple words like c-a-t
Source: 101 ways to get your child to read, Thomson
Sunday, July 5, 2009
My First Teacher: My family
Dear Readers,
"Parents and families are the first and most important teachers. If families teach a love of learning, it can make all the difference in the world to our children."
Richard W. Riley U.S. Secretary of Education
A parent who helps their child learn at home is preparing their child to be a more successful learner in and out of school according to educational research. Adult guidance is important at all times but especially important in the early years.
Since learning begins at home there are all sorts of activities the child can do at home to learn reading, writing, math and science.
B4 Literacy believes that if the child is having fun then the child is learning.
Look for posts entitled Home Learning Recipes for skills to use at home for Prekindergarten through 3rd grade students. These activities are designed to help build skills in reading, writing, math and science. This is a great way to use those leftover school supplies that your child brought home during the summer.
These activities were developed by the Home and School Institute.
"Parents and families are the first and most important teachers. If families teach a love of learning, it can make all the difference in the world to our children."
Richard W. Riley U.S. Secretary of Education
A parent who helps their child learn at home is preparing their child to be a more successful learner in and out of school according to educational research. Adult guidance is important at all times but especially important in the early years.
Since learning begins at home there are all sorts of activities the child can do at home to learn reading, writing, math and science.
B4 Literacy believes that if the child is having fun then the child is learning.
Look for posts entitled Home Learning Recipes for skills to use at home for Prekindergarten through 3rd grade students. These activities are designed to help build skills in reading, writing, math and science. This is a great way to use those leftover school supplies that your child brought home during the summer.
These activities were developed by the Home and School Institute.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A world of words
Dear Readers,
Words are everywhere in the world and are everywhere you go. Sometimes your child is reading words and you do not know it.
Let me give you an example: While my husband and I were driving to take care of some business one evening after, work our 7 year old daughter was in the back seat of the car. We did not realize that she heard us mentioned eating at a certain restaurant when we completed our business. As we were driving back towards the restaurant, both my husband and I could not find the restaurant that we knew we had driven past no more than 30 minutes ago. Our daughter must have realized that we were lost, because she said “I saw that restaurant we just passed it, Dad it is back there" (pointing in the opposite direction). Both my husband and I looked at each other strangely because we knew that surely our 7 year old daughter did not see the restaurant because we were looking for it and did not see it. Because our daughter sounded so sure of herself, she persuaded us turn the car around and go back in the opposite direction and sure enough the restaurant was where she said it was.
Both my husband and I learned that night to listen to your children because they know what they are talking about because they can and are reading!
Words are everywhere in the world and are everywhere you go. Sometimes your child is reading words and you do not know it.
Let me give you an example: While my husband and I were driving to take care of some business one evening after, work our 7 year old daughter was in the back seat of the car. We did not realize that she heard us mentioned eating at a certain restaurant when we completed our business. As we were driving back towards the restaurant, both my husband and I could not find the restaurant that we knew we had driven past no more than 30 minutes ago. Our daughter must have realized that we were lost, because she said “I saw that restaurant we just passed it, Dad it is back there" (pointing in the opposite direction). Both my husband and I looked at each other strangely because we knew that surely our 7 year old daughter did not see the restaurant because we were looking for it and did not see it. Because our daughter sounded so sure of herself, she persuaded us turn the car around and go back in the opposite direction and sure enough the restaurant was where she said it was.
Both my husband and I learned that night to listen to your children because they know what they are talking about because they can and are reading!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Self-Help Skills
Dear Readers,
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Self-Help Skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Washes and dries face
Rinses mouth after brushing teeth
Blows nose
Buttons front buttons
Zips front zipper
Puts on socks
Puts on shoes on left and right correctly
Dresses completely without assistance
Inserts belt in belt loops
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Self-Help Skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Washes and dries face
Rinses mouth after brushing teeth
Blows nose
Buttons front buttons
Zips front zipper
Puts on socks
Puts on shoes on left and right correctly
Dresses completely without assistance
Inserts belt in belt loops
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Pre-Writing Skills
Dear Readers,
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Pre-Writing skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Copies the letters of the alphabet
Draws a person with 2 body parts
Holds paint brush with thumb and fingers
Finger paints with fingers
Paints lines, shapes and dots
Copies shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle)
Copies simple words (yes, no, boy, girl)
Repeats 4 digits
Repeats 3 digits
Points to "big" objects when asked
Can place item in a cup or bowl
Can remove a lid from a box when looking for objects
Knows the difference between empty and full
Can match item
Can give you 3 items when asked
Can answer questions
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Pre-Writing skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Copies the letters of the alphabet
Draws a person with 2 body parts
Holds paint brush with thumb and fingers
Finger paints with fingers
Paints lines, shapes and dots
Copies shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle)
Copies simple words (yes, no, boy, girl)
Repeats 4 digits
Repeats 3 digits
Points to "big" objects when asked
Can place item in a cup or bowl
Can remove a lid from a box when looking for objects
Knows the difference between empty and full
Can match item
Can give you 3 items when asked
Can answer questions
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
Dear Readers,
B4 Literacy sends a special Father's Day greeting to all Fathers-to-Be and Fathers!
Always know that you are a pillar which holds the family foundation together!
A special Father's Day poem for Fathers from B4 Literacy
F - Faithful Fathers, you are a gem to behold
A - Always protecting, always bold
T - Teaching and leading by example, you are
H - Happy to see your fruits unfold
E - Every eye is watching your seeds as they grow
R - Remember they love you more than they can say and will try their best to show you on your special day!
Copyright, June, 2009
B4 Literacy sends a special Father's Day greeting to all Fathers-to-Be and Fathers!
Always know that you are a pillar which holds the family foundation together!
A special Father's Day poem for Fathers from B4 Literacy
F - Faithful Fathers, you are a gem to behold
A - Always protecting, always bold
T - Teaching and leading by example, you are
H - Happy to see your fruits unfold
E - Every eye is watching your seeds as they grow
R - Remember they love you more than they can say and will try their best to show you on your special day!
Copyright, June, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Brain Games
Dear Readers,
Did you know that writing Greeting Cards is a fun, yet educational way for your child to learn.
Supplies needed: card stock paper or blank greeting cards, envelopes, colored pencils, crayons or markers, stamps to mail the greeting card.
If your child is old enough to write letters have them write the words that they want to say. Do not worry about spelling, that is all in the fun of reading the card (this card of course will be one that the receiver will want to keep and compare with other cards as the child gets older and learns to write better.)
If you child is not old enough to write, have your child tell you what he/she wants to say and you write the card for them. It is important to write exactly what the child speaks no matter how it sounds. This too is the beauty of the card now and later on as other cards are compared.
Source: Brain Games for Preschoolers, Eion
Did you know that writing Greeting Cards is a fun, yet educational way for your child to learn.
Supplies needed: card stock paper or blank greeting cards, envelopes, colored pencils, crayons or markers, stamps to mail the greeting card.
If your child is old enough to write letters have them write the words that they want to say. Do not worry about spelling, that is all in the fun of reading the card (this card of course will be one that the receiver will want to keep and compare with other cards as the child gets older and learns to write better.)
If you child is not old enough to write, have your child tell you what he/she wants to say and you write the card for them. It is important to write exactly what the child speaks no matter how it sounds. This too is the beauty of the card now and later on as other cards are compared.
Source: Brain Games for Preschoolers, Eion
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Gross Motor Skills
Dear Readers,
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Gross Motor skill to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Hangs from a bar on the playground
Touches toes with both hands
Marches rhythmically to music
Skips on 1 foot
Walks up and down a set of stairs alternating feet independently
Kicks a ball while standing still
Pedals tricycle around wide corners
Throws a ball overhand
Stands on tiptoes with hands on hips
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Gross Motor skill to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Hangs from a bar on the playground
Touches toes with both hands
Marches rhythmically to music
Skips on 1 foot
Walks up and down a set of stairs alternating feet independently
Kicks a ball while standing still
Pedals tricycle around wide corners
Throws a ball overhand
Stands on tiptoes with hands on hips
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
It's Summer Reading Time
Dear Readers,
Oh how I long for those long days of summer. When I was a child I remember how long the days were in the summertime when school was out. One on my fondest memories of summer is reading outside under a tree. I would grab a blanket and a my favorite book and lay down on the ground and read, read, read.
Try reading outside with your toddler. Here are some of the benefits: your child will enjoy being outside, he/she will enjoy reading outside, and he/she may end up falling to sleep.
Oh how I long for those long days of summer. When I was a child I remember how long the days were in the summertime when school was out. One on my fondest memories of summer is reading outside under a tree. I would grab a blanket and a my favorite book and lay down on the ground and read, read, read.
Try reading outside with your toddler. Here are some of the benefits: your child will enjoy being outside, he/she will enjoy reading outside, and he/she may end up falling to sleep.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Fine Motor Skills
Dear Readers,
Dear Readers,
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Fine Motor skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Can build a tower of 3-4 cubes or other items
Can put pegs in a pegboard
Can place 1 cube in a cup
Can beat 2 items together (spoons, lids, cups)
Can pound, squeeze or pull clay
Unscrews lid of bottle
Can make a ball of clay
Uses pencil sharpener
Dear Readers,
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Fine Motor skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Can build a tower of 3-4 cubes or other items
Can put pegs in a pegboard
Can place 1 cube in a cup
Can beat 2 items together (spoons, lids, cups)
Can pound, squeeze or pull clay
Unscrews lid of bottle
Can make a ball of clay
Uses pencil sharpener
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Language Skills
Dear Readers,
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Language Skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Points to 12 body parts
Names 13 pictures of common objects (Example: book, Television, ball)
Points to pictured object when asked
Names 8 pictures of common objects
Uses personal pronouns - I, you, me
Points to 8 body parts
Reads favorite books independently
Listens "attentively" to stories
Asks who, what, when, where, why, and how questions
Speaks in 2 word sentences
Points to pictures in a book
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Language Skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Points to 12 body parts
Names 13 pictures of common objects (Example: book, Television, ball)
Points to pictured object when asked
Names 8 pictures of common objects
Uses personal pronouns - I, you, me
Points to 8 body parts
Reads favorite books independently
Listens "attentively" to stories
Asks who, what, when, where, why, and how questions
Speaks in 2 word sentences
Points to pictures in a book
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Cognitive Skills
Dear Readers,
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of cognitive skill to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Repeats 4 digits
Repeats 3 digits
Points to "big" objects when asked
Can place item in a cup or bowl
Can remove a lid from a box when looking for objects
Knows the difference between empty and full
Can match item
Can give you 3 items when asked
Can answer questions
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of cognitive skill to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Repeats 4 digits
Repeats 3 digits
Points to "big" objects when asked
Can place item in a cup or bowl
Can remove a lid from a box when looking for objects
Knows the difference between empty and full
Can match item
Can give you 3 items when asked
Can answer questions
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
- Thomas Jefferson
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
- Thomas Jefferson
Saturday, May 30, 2009
It's Important to Read 30 Minutes a Day
Dear Readers
It is almost time for the long hot days of summer!
I still remember the chants we would say on the last day of school:
No more homework, No more books
No more homework, No more books
Had I known what I know now about the importance of reading and its benefits this would be my chant:
Give more homework, Give more books
Read, Read, Read!
Food for Thought
If a parent reads to a child while he/she is an infant, at the age of five (5) years old, he/she has been fed roughly 900 hours of brain food.
If the parent reads to a child while he/she is an infant for 30 minutes a week then the child will lose 770 hours of nursery rhymes, fairy tales and other stories.
*A kindergarten student who has not been read aloud to could enter school with less than 60 hours of literacy nutrition. No teacher, no matter how talented, can make up for those lost hours of mental nourishment.
*Therefore...30 minutes daily = 900 hours
30 minutes weekly = 130 hours
Less than 30 minutes weekly = 60 hours
Guess you now understand why reading daily is so very important. Why not have family night reading? It is great to just shut off the television for 20-30 minutes and read... and share.
(Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, America Reads Challenge. (1999) "Start Early, Finish Strong: How to Help Every Child Become a Reader." Washington, D.C.
It is almost time for the long hot days of summer!
I still remember the chants we would say on the last day of school:
No more homework, No more books
No more homework, No more books
Had I known what I know now about the importance of reading and its benefits this would be my chant:
Give more homework, Give more books
Read, Read, Read!
Food for Thought
If a parent reads to a child while he/she is an infant, at the age of five (5) years old, he/she has been fed roughly 900 hours of brain food.
If the parent reads to a child while he/she is an infant for 30 minutes a week then the child will lose 770 hours of nursery rhymes, fairy tales and other stories.
*A kindergarten student who has not been read aloud to could enter school with less than 60 hours of literacy nutrition. No teacher, no matter how talented, can make up for those lost hours of mental nourishment.
*Therefore...30 minutes daily = 900 hours
30 minutes weekly = 130 hours
Less than 30 minutes weekly = 60 hours
Guess you now understand why reading daily is so very important. Why not have family night reading? It is great to just shut off the television for 20-30 minutes and read... and share.
(Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, America Reads Challenge. (1999) "Start Early, Finish Strong: How to Help Every Child Become a Reader." Washington, D.C.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Personal and Social Skills
Dear Readers,
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Personal and Fine Motor skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Can build a tower of 3-4 cubes or other items
Can put pegs in a pegboard
Can place 1 cube in a cup
Can beat 2 items together (spoons, lids, cups)
Can pound, squeeze or pull clay
Unscrews lid of bottle
Can make a ball of clay
Uses pencil sharpener
Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Personal and Fine Motor skills to determine what your child can do.
There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:
Can build a tower of 3-4 cubes or other items
Can put pegs in a pegboard
Can place 1 cube in a cup
Can beat 2 items together (spoons, lids, cups)
Can pound, squeeze or pull clay
Unscrews lid of bottle
Can make a ball of clay
Uses pencil sharpener
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Getting ready for Kindergarten
Dear Readers,
These are the skills that Kindergarten teachers want students to know upon entering Kindergarten
Letter, Number and Shape Recognition – your child should be able to recognize some if not all of the letters of the alphabet. He/she should be able to recognize the numbers 1-5. They should recognize some shapes and colors.
Oral Language Skills – Your child uses oral language skills daily. Introduce new words to your child on a daily basis by pointing out things as you interact with him/her at home and outside the home.
Listening Skills – This is one of the most important skills needed to help your child succeed in school. Your child will have to be able to listen to the teacher and sometimes repeat or follow the directions of the teacher.
Independence – Encourage your child to do things by themselves. Put on their coat, put on their shoes, button or zip up coat, go to the bathroom and wash hands, and blow their nose are just a few of the independence skills that will be needed as your child enters kindergarten.
Strong Fine-Motor Skills - There are many activities that your child will encounter in Kindergarten such as learning to hold a pencil or crayon. You can improve your child’s writing and scissor skills by letting them mist your houseplants with a spray bottle.
Eager to learn – You can tell if your child is eager to learn if he/she has a positive attitude and approaches learning new things eagerly.
Ability to play well with others – Your child will need social skills such as sharing, problem-solving and taking turns.
Source: Scholastic Parents
These are the skills that Kindergarten teachers want students to know upon entering Kindergarten
Letter, Number and Shape Recognition – your child should be able to recognize some if not all of the letters of the alphabet. He/she should be able to recognize the numbers 1-5. They should recognize some shapes and colors.
Oral Language Skills – Your child uses oral language skills daily. Introduce new words to your child on a daily basis by pointing out things as you interact with him/her at home and outside the home.
Listening Skills – This is one of the most important skills needed to help your child succeed in school. Your child will have to be able to listen to the teacher and sometimes repeat or follow the directions of the teacher.
Independence – Encourage your child to do things by themselves. Put on their coat, put on their shoes, button or zip up coat, go to the bathroom and wash hands, and blow their nose are just a few of the independence skills that will be needed as your child enters kindergarten.
Strong Fine-Motor Skills - There are many activities that your child will encounter in Kindergarten such as learning to hold a pencil or crayon. You can improve your child’s writing and scissor skills by letting them mist your houseplants with a spray bottle.
Eager to learn – You can tell if your child is eager to learn if he/she has a positive attitude and approaches learning new things eagerly.
Ability to play well with others – Your child will need social skills such as sharing, problem-solving and taking turns.
Source: Scholastic Parents
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Brain Games
Dear Readers,
Guess how many game.
Fill a clear plastic jar with a mixture of small items to put in, you can use shells, pebbles and/or paper clips.
Let your child examine the jar and tell you how many items are inside.
When he/she has guessed, pour the items out on a table and count them together.
Source: Brain Games for Preschoolers, Eion
Guess how many game.
Fill a clear plastic jar with a mixture of small items to put in, you can use shells, pebbles and/or paper clips.
Let your child examine the jar and tell you how many items are inside.
When he/she has guessed, pour the items out on a table and count them together.
Source: Brain Games for Preschoolers, Eion
Thursday, May 21, 2009
In the Spotlight!
Dear Readers,
B4 Literacy wants to Spotlight your children that are excelling in school and other areas. If your child is featured in the local newspaper or school newspaper, magazines or any other media or if you are just proud of child's accomplishments. Send us an email to b4litnum@gmail and we will spotlight your child for the world to see.
This month's Spotlight is on Evyn Thompson who attends Peabody Elementary, an optional school that studies cultural around the world in Memphis, TN.
Good Luck Evyn on all your future endeavors.
This is the article that appeared in The Commercial Appeal on Thursday May 7, 2009 written by Jane Roberts:
Peabody pupils immerse in study of other nations Programs provide intense lessons about foreign lands
Framed by a makeshift TV screen suspended by string from the ceiling, Evyn Thompson briefed her entire world on Kenyan coffee.
Yes, she's tasted it, and yes, she's well aware that Starbucks sells gallons of it.
Evyn Thompson's job was helping visitors at the International Studies Festival at Peabody Elementary understand the importance of coffee to Kenya's economy.
"It's fresher and sweeter than tea," she says, impressing guests at Peabody Elementary as either a spokeswoman for the coffee-growers or a 7-year-old who's given flavor and international commerce some thought.
After a year of studying Kenya, she may be both. Wednesday, Evyn and her first-grade contemporaries talked up the Swahili-speaking nation, "broadcasting" as newscasters the virtues of its grasslands, deserts, cities, rainforests and oceanfronts and hand-stamped the passports of hundreds of visitors in to see the final show of the year.
"All of our students study cultures around the world," said Jerry Sanders, 23-year music and dance teacher in Memphis City Schools. "This is the culmination of the year," he said, gesturing expansively to the annual International Studies Festival, a world of dialect, dress and geography spilling into the halls and wafting through the building.
Peabody, in Cooper-Young, is the district's only optional elementary for international studies, starting with kindergartners who spend the year studying the United States.
By the time they are fifth-graders, they've been immersed in the cultures of Kenya, France, Mexico, Russia and Japan and, beginning this year, will have spent six years studying Russian language.
The school is open to any child in the city who meets the prerequisites. The trouble is, it's become so well-known, there are few openings. "We have one or two left in first grade and some in fourth and fifth grade," said principal Kongsouly Jones.
Ayanna Guffin, a young dancer in tights and a black tutu, spent Wednesday interpreting ballet through the eyes of the French, moving through plié, jeté and relevé as she rolled the words off her tongue.
"I like to tell people about what I do," she said, striking the ballet poses. "I take ballet."
And at one time, her mother, Sarita Guffin, did too. The day for them starts at 6:35 a.m. when they leave home in Cordova for school.
"Peabody has given my children a well-rounded cultural background," she said. "When they leave the school, they understand other languages and cultures, and that is important to us."
And it's instinctively important to Evyn too, who will be in the France class as a second-grader next year. What she thinks will be most cool is "learning to spell so many different words," she says matter-of-factly.
This comes from a child who loved making mummies this year (to study the culture of Chile, Memphis in May's honored country) and proudly shows visitors her mummified Barbie doll. "When mummies are dead, they have to live in a mummy tomb, with spider webs," she said earnestly.
"Mummies really do exist."
This is the contact number for Jane Roberts - 529-2512.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Latino Books Month
Dear Readers,
B4 Literacy celebrates Latino Books Month. Read a book by a Spanish author. If you do not speak Spanish, check out a audio book at the library or purchase an audio book.
B4 Literacy celebrates Latino Books Month. Read a book by a Spanish author. If you do not speak Spanish, check out a audio book at the library or purchase an audio book.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Ways to get your child to read
Dear Readers,
Building a strong foundation of reading for your child is the key to developing a good reader. After you have taught all of the letters and the sounds that each letter makes. It is now time to teach your child the vowels (a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y).
Purchase a set of wooden or plastic letters. Paint all the vowels one color. (Red or another favorite color) Paint the remaining letters another color (blue). After the paint dries, have your child close his eyes and feel the different shapes of the letters. Play a game to see how many letters he can get correct by feeling them. Test his/her memory to see if he/she know the sounds of each.
Source: Brain Games for preschoolers, Eion
Building a strong foundation of reading for your child is the key to developing a good reader. After you have taught all of the letters and the sounds that each letter makes. It is now time to teach your child the vowels (a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y).
Purchase a set of wooden or plastic letters. Paint all the vowels one color. (Red or another favorite color) Paint the remaining letters another color (blue). After the paint dries, have your child close his eyes and feel the different shapes of the letters. Play a game to see how many letters he can get correct by feeling them. Test his/her memory to see if he/she know the sounds of each.
Source: Brain Games for preschoolers, Eion
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Reading early to infants helps
Dear Readers,
B4 Literacy encourages reading to infants before birth and beyond. Studies now show that "No matter what language you speak or how much money you make, it’s never too early to start reading to your children, according to a new study."
Researchers have found that children who are read to at an early age improve their language comprehension and cognitive development skills.
Research studies have also shown that children in preschool benefit also when their parents read to them because it helps to develop language skills.
http://www.parentdish.com/2006/07/14/reading-to-infants-helps-language-development-study/
B4 Literacy encourages reading to infants before birth and beyond. Studies now show that "No matter what language you speak or how much money you make, it’s never too early to start reading to your children, according to a new study."
Researchers have found that children who are read to at an early age improve their language comprehension and cognitive development skills.
Research studies have also shown that children in preschool benefit also when their parents read to them because it helps to develop language skills.
http://www.parentdish.com/2006/07/14/reading-to-infants-helps-language-development-study/
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
Dear Readers,
B4 Literacy sends a special Mother's Day greeting to all Moms-to-Be and Moms!
Always know that you are a special person in the life of your child!
A special Mother's Day poem for Mothers from B4 Literacy
M - Magnificant Mothers, you are special in every way
O - Open your hearts and receive adbundant showers of love today
T - Take time to savor the joys of this day
H - Heaven has entrusted you with its angels to mold
E - Every eye is watching your garden of jewels, and are in awe as we behold
R - Remember they love you more than they can say and will try their best to show you on your special day!
Copyright, May 2009
B4 Literacy sends a special Mother's Day greeting to all Moms-to-Be and Moms!
Always know that you are a special person in the life of your child!
A special Mother's Day poem for Mothers from B4 Literacy
M - Magnificant Mothers, you are special in every way
O - Open your hearts and receive adbundant showers of love today
T - Take time to savor the joys of this day
H - Heaven has entrusted you with its angels to mold
E - Every eye is watching your garden of jewels, and are in awe as we behold
R - Remember they love you more than they can say and will try their best to show you on your special day!
Copyright, May 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“Through literacy you can begin to see the universe. Through music you can reach anybody. Between the two there is you, unstoppable.”
- Grace Slick
“Through literacy you can begin to see the universe. Through music you can reach anybody. Between the two there is you, unstoppable.”
- Grace Slick
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Brain Games
Dear Readers,
This is a fun game to help your child learn the letters of the alphabet. In the morning choose a letter for the day. Sound out the letter and say the name of the letter.
Throughout the day point our lots of different words that begin with that letter, for example p is for pizza, pot, picture and pencil.
Before bedtime, draw pictures of the letter of the day and start a journal or poster. Write the words for the pictures and display their work.
Source: Brain Games for preschoolers, Eion
This is a fun game to help your child learn the letters of the alphabet. In the morning choose a letter for the day. Sound out the letter and say the name of the letter.
Throughout the day point our lots of different words that begin with that letter, for example p is for pizza, pot, picture and pencil.
Before bedtime, draw pictures of the letter of the day and start a journal or poster. Write the words for the pictures and display their work.
Source: Brain Games for preschoolers, Eion
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Exercise your Brain
Dear Readers,
How many of you remember the game of concentration? This is the card game where you match up pairs by memorizing the location of each card.
Another favorite game is called Chinese whispers. This is the game where a word or phrase is whispered in the first child's ear. The word or phrase is whispered to the next child and it's passed down to the last child. The last child has to announce what he heard. Usually the word or phrase is not the original word or phrase.
Games such as these are perfect because children are having fun and learning at the same time. Memory games improve memory skills and helps your child concentrate better.
Other memory games your child can play are: word association, mismatches, and communication. See article for game instructions.
Read more about this article: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/memory-games-for-children.html
How many of you remember the game of concentration? This is the card game where you match up pairs by memorizing the location of each card.
Another favorite game is called Chinese whispers. This is the game where a word or phrase is whispered in the first child's ear. The word or phrase is whispered to the next child and it's passed down to the last child. The last child has to announce what he heard. Usually the word or phrase is not the original word or phrase.
Games such as these are perfect because children are having fun and learning at the same time. Memory games improve memory skills and helps your child concentrate better.
Other memory games your child can play are: word association, mismatches, and communication. See article for game instructions.
Read more about this article: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/memory-games-for-children.html
Friday, May 1, 2009
Celebrating Get Caught Reading Month
Dear Readers,
B4 Literacy celebrates Get Caught Reading Month.
Moms send us pictures of you or another famaily member, sibling, adult or care giver reading to your child before birth.
B4 Literacy celebrates Get Caught Reading Month.
Moms send us pictures of you or another famaily member, sibling, adult or care giver reading to your child before birth.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“No skill is more crucial to the future of a child, or to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy.”
- Los Angeles Times, "A Child Literacy Initiative for the Greater Los Angeles Area"
“No skill is more crucial to the future of a child, or to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy.”
- Los Angeles Times, "A Child Literacy Initiative for the Greater Los Angeles Area"
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Early Learning
Dear Readers,
Babies learn from the time they enter the world. Each day as they grow they are learning about language and communication as you they express their needs and you care for them. They are learning thinking skills by playing. They learn self-control by being able to manage their feelings and actions. They learn self-confidence when they feel good about themselves.
Click on this link to print a copy of "Early Learning".
http://www.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/early_learning_handout.pdf?docID=3081&AddInterest=1153
Babies learn from the time they enter the world. Each day as they grow they are learning about language and communication as you they express their needs and you care for them. They are learning thinking skills by playing. They learn self-control by being able to manage their feelings and actions. They learn self-confidence when they feel good about themselves.
Click on this link to print a copy of "Early Learning".
http://www.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/early_learning_handout.pdf?docID=3081&AddInterest=1153
Monday, April 20, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“If you want to work on the core problem, it's early school literacy.”
- James Barksdale, former CEO of Netscape
“If you want to work on the core problem, it's early school literacy.”
- James Barksdale, former CEO of Netscape
Friday, April 17, 2009
Ways to get your child to read
Dear Readers,
The best way to get your child to read is to begin by reading to them early.
Teach your child the basic facts about letters.
1. Teach them the names and shapes of the letters.
2. Teach your child the difference between the lowercase and uppercase letters.
3. Teach your child the sounds of the letters.
4. Teach your child the names of the letters.
These are the building blocks to begin to read.
Source: 101 Ways to get your child to read, Patience Thomson
The best way to get your child to read is to begin by reading to them early.
Teach your child the basic facts about letters.
1. Teach them the names and shapes of the letters.
2. Teach your child the difference between the lowercase and uppercase letters.
3. Teach your child the sounds of the letters.
4. Teach your child the names of the letters.
These are the building blocks to begin to read.
Source: 101 Ways to get your child to read, Patience Thomson
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
“Too many of our children cannot read. Reading is the building block, and it must be the foundation for education reform.”
- President George W. Bush (2001)
If we as parents will build a foundation of reading to our children before they are born (utero) and continue (beyond) to read to them on a consistant basis after they are born we will build a strong, solid foundation that will not have to be reformed. Continue to read to your children after they are born. More importantly, read to them even if they can read to themselves.
Start by establishing a regular routine of bedtime stories.
“Too many of our children cannot read. Reading is the building block, and it must be the foundation for education reform.”
- President George W. Bush (2001)
If we as parents will build a foundation of reading to our children before they are born (utero) and continue (beyond) to read to them on a consistant basis after they are born we will build a strong, solid foundation that will not have to be reformed. Continue to read to your children after they are born. More importantly, read to them even if they can read to themselves.
Start by establishing a regular routine of bedtime stories.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
"Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind" James Russell Lowell
"Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind" James Russell Lowell
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Effects of Food and the Brain
Dear Readers,
Did you learn in school that you are what you eat? Research shows that diet has an impact on the brain. Scientist are learning that a balanced diet and regular exercise can shield and protect the brain.
Because omega-3 fatty acids are a vital for normal brain function, studies have shown that children who have foods with omega-3 in their diet perform better in school, in reading and in spelling. They also had fewer behavioral problems.
Look for foods with Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, walnuts, kiwi fruit, soybeans, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, tofu, cabbage, shrimp, salmon, herring, sardines, anchovies, snapper, halibut are a few food with omega-3 fatty acids.
Read the entire article: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/uoc--slh070908.php
Did you learn in school that you are what you eat? Research shows that diet has an impact on the brain. Scientist are learning that a balanced diet and regular exercise can shield and protect the brain.
Because omega-3 fatty acids are a vital for normal brain function, studies have shown that children who have foods with omega-3 in their diet perform better in school, in reading and in spelling. They also had fewer behavioral problems.
Look for foods with Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, walnuts, kiwi fruit, soybeans, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, tofu, cabbage, shrimp, salmon, herring, sardines, anchovies, snapper, halibut are a few food with omega-3 fatty acids.
Read the entire article: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/uoc--slh070908.php
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
From 0 to 500: Literacy in Everyday Life
Can you both read and extract information from content???
This is the question being asked broadly as we consider what "getting an education" and "literacy" mean. There are three main types of literacy, according to the Department of Education:
*prose literacy, the knowledge and skills needed to search, comprehend, and use information from continuous texts. "Prose" examples include editorials, news stories, brochures, and instructional materials;
*document literacy, the knowledge and skills needed to search, comprehend, and use information from non-continuous texts. "Document" examples include job applications, payroll forms, transportation schedules, maps, tables, and drug and food labels;
*quantitative literacy, the knowledge and skills needed to perform computations using numbers that are embedded in printed material. Examples including balancing a checkbook, figuring out a tip, completing an order form, determining the amount of interest on a loan from an advertisement.
How would you rate yourself on a scale of 0 to 500? Be neither too modest nor self-aggrandizing: The range of scores extends from 207 to 340.
For scores based on a few demographic characteristics, see the Department's "Fast Facts".
This is the question being asked broadly as we consider what "getting an education" and "literacy" mean. There are three main types of literacy, according to the Department of Education:
*prose literacy, the knowledge and skills needed to search, comprehend, and use information from continuous texts. "Prose" examples include editorials, news stories, brochures, and instructional materials;
*document literacy, the knowledge and skills needed to search, comprehend, and use information from non-continuous texts. "Document" examples include job applications, payroll forms, transportation schedules, maps, tables, and drug and food labels;
*quantitative literacy, the knowledge and skills needed to perform computations using numbers that are embedded in printed material. Examples including balancing a checkbook, figuring out a tip, completing an order form, determining the amount of interest on a loan from an advertisement.
How would you rate yourself on a scale of 0 to 500? Be neither too modest nor self-aggrandizing: The range of scores extends from 207 to 340.
For scores based on a few demographic characteristics, see the Department's "Fast Facts".
Friday, April 3, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
Here is the quote of the day:
“We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.”
- B. F. Skinner
Here is the quote of the day:
“We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.”
- B. F. Skinner
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Brain Cells: Use them or lose them
Dear Readers,
We all have heard the phrase "Use it or lose it." Did you know that this is true for your baby's brain cells. A child has developed most of the brain cells that will be used for the remainder of his/her life from the time they are born to mid-childhood.
According to the article "positive and enriching experiences build up brain cells, negative experiences can literally tear away at your baby's development -- even while she's in the womb." The article specificially states that the negative effects on a fetus that is exposed to drugs and alcohol as well as very high levels of stress hormones do great harm to the developing brain." Give your baby a healthy start while in the womb (utero) by reading, singing and talking to your baby, therefore they will not enter the world with less brain cells before their little lives began.
Read more about this article:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/mar/10/the-first-years-brain-stimulation-key-to-babys/
We all have heard the phrase "Use it or lose it." Did you know that this is true for your baby's brain cells. A child has developed most of the brain cells that will be used for the remainder of his/her life from the time they are born to mid-childhood.
According to the article "positive and enriching experiences build up brain cells, negative experiences can literally tear away at your baby's development -- even while she's in the womb." The article specificially states that the negative effects on a fetus that is exposed to drugs and alcohol as well as very high levels of stress hormones do great harm to the developing brain." Give your baby a healthy start while in the womb (utero) by reading, singing and talking to your baby, therefore they will not enter the world with less brain cells before their little lives began.
Read more about this article:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/mar/10/the-first-years-brain-stimulation-key-to-babys/
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Quote of the Day
“Through literacy you can begin to see the universe. Through music you can reach anybody. Between the two there is you, unstoppable.”
- Grace Slick
- Grace Slick
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Reading Stages for baby
Dear Readers,
It is never too early to read to your baby. Listed below are the different ages and reactions you can expect when you read to your baby.
0-6 months: May calm down while a familiar story or rhyme is read.
6-8 months: May begin to explore books by looking, touching and mouthing. May seem fascinated by a particularly bright picture.
9-11 months: May have a favorite picture—for example of a smiling baby or a familiar-looking object.
12-18 months: May begin turning pages or holding a book as if she is “reading.” May begin saying the word “book” and/or showing a preference for a specific book at bedtime.
24-36 months: May begin anticipating the story. For example, while reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears, your toddler may say, “Just right!” as soon as he sees the picture of Goldilocks spooning up her porridge. She may also request the same story over and over, and may pretend to read books on her own or tell you simple stories.
Source: http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_par_012_langfaq
It is never too early to read to your baby. Listed below are the different ages and reactions you can expect when you read to your baby.
0-6 months: May calm down while a familiar story or rhyme is read.
6-8 months: May begin to explore books by looking, touching and mouthing. May seem fascinated by a particularly bright picture.
9-11 months: May have a favorite picture—for example of a smiling baby or a familiar-looking object.
12-18 months: May begin turning pages or holding a book as if she is “reading.” May begin saying the word “book” and/or showing a preference for a specific book at bedtime.
24-36 months: May begin anticipating the story. For example, while reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears, your toddler may say, “Just right!” as soon as he sees the picture of Goldilocks spooning up her porridge. She may also request the same story over and over, and may pretend to read books on her own or tell you simple stories.
Source: http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_par_012_langfaq
Friday, March 13, 2009
Give your toddler a book
Dear Readers,
B4 Literacy encourages reading and promotes literacy. Try this as an experiement with your toddler (at least 11 months old), give your toddler a book and see what he or she does. Do not worry if they put the book in their mouth and began to chew on it, bang it on the table, wear it on her head, or they may sit down and start thumbing through it as if to read it. At this age they are reading by looking at the pictures in it. By the time they are 1 year old, most kids are ready for books. The will have the fine motor skills that are needed to turn pages and the visual ability to understand illustrations.
B4 Literacy encourage you to Read to your toddler, this is one of the best ways to boost their language skills. Reading to your child at an early age also improves her memory and attention span.
Research shows that a love of books is the number-one determinant of future academic success.
Read the following article to view simple steps for language development: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/28954
B4 Literacy encourages reading and promotes literacy. Try this as an experiement with your toddler (at least 11 months old), give your toddler a book and see what he or she does. Do not worry if they put the book in their mouth and began to chew on it, bang it on the table, wear it on her head, or they may sit down and start thumbing through it as if to read it. At this age they are reading by looking at the pictures in it. By the time they are 1 year old, most kids are ready for books. The will have the fine motor skills that are needed to turn pages and the visual ability to understand illustrations.
B4 Literacy encourage you to Read to your toddler, this is one of the best ways to boost their language skills. Reading to your child at an early age also improves her memory and attention span.
Research shows that a love of books is the number-one determinant of future academic success.
Read the following article to view simple steps for language development: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/28954
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Quote of the Day
Dear Readers,
"None of us has gotten where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps. We got here because somebody . . . bent down and helped us."
--Thurgood Marshall
"None of us has gotten where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps. We got here because somebody . . . bent down and helped us."
--Thurgood Marshall
Ouote of the day
“No skill is more crucial to the future of a child, or to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy.”
- Los Angeles Times, "A Child Literacy Initiative for the Greater Los Angeles Area"
- Los Angeles Times, "A Child Literacy Initiative for the Greater Los Angeles Area"
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Puzzles and Literacy Link
Dear Readers,
As a child growing up my dad always brought us puzzles for Christmas. These were puzzles that had a thousand (1000) pieces to them. Of course in order to assemble them one would call on the help of everyone to pick out all of the corner and straight edge pieces first, the various colored pieces would be sorted next. Then if you still had someone willing to help you start to put the puzzle together at that point, you would begin assembly. The assembly at this point would begin on another day.
I recently read this article entitled Pre-literacy and Puzzles
and was amazed to find out that my dad was on target helping to build our fine motor skills by purchasing puzzles at Christmas. Read more about Pre-Literacy and Puzzles at the following link:
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/preliteracy-and-puzzles-220098.html
As a child growing up my dad always brought us puzzles for Christmas. These were puzzles that had a thousand (1000) pieces to them. Of course in order to assemble them one would call on the help of everyone to pick out all of the corner and straight edge pieces first, the various colored pieces would be sorted next. Then if you still had someone willing to help you start to put the puzzle together at that point, you would begin assembly. The assembly at this point would begin on another day.
I recently read this article entitled Pre-literacy and Puzzles
and was amazed to find out that my dad was on target helping to build our fine motor skills by purchasing puzzles at Christmas. Read more about Pre-Literacy and Puzzles at the following link:
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/preliteracy-and-puzzles-220098.html
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Getting ready for school
Dear Readers,
Now is the time to get your child ready for school. Even if your child is an infant, you can start now using simple building blocks steps that will help the child. Did you know that important early learning skills are started by your everyday interaction with your child their adults. Set aside time in each day to read together with your child and watch your baby's in learning increase. Pay close attention ot facial experission, sounds, and gestures.
If you can keep your baby interested and involved in an activity and have fun the the child is learning.
Read more about this in the following article:
http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_par_012_index
Now is the time to get your child ready for school. Even if your child is an infant, you can start now using simple building blocks steps that will help the child. Did you know that important early learning skills are started by your everyday interaction with your child their adults. Set aside time in each day to read together with your child and watch your baby's in learning increase. Pay close attention ot facial experission, sounds, and gestures.
If you can keep your baby interested and involved in an activity and have fun the the child is learning.
Read more about this in the following article:
http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_par_012_index
Today the United Kingdom and Ireland celebrate...
Taking into account school schedules and other holidays and charity events, Britain's Booksellers Association is celebrating UNESCO's "World Book and Copyright Day" earlier than the April 23rd global celebration. Of course, doing so is not a problem for those of us at AI--here every day is "World Book Day".
The added good news, though, is that the purchase of a national "book token" is used as a conduit for £1 book purchases by schools all around the UK and Ireland. --Not a bad way to spread the love of reading...
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