ABC's of Reading To and With Your Child
A sk questions while reading together. "What do you think will happen next?"
B uy books as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays.
C hat about what is happening in the book and how it relates to everyday life.
D rop everything and read. Set aside 20 minutes a day during which the whole family reads.
E xamine book illustrations in detail. Select books that have large, bright pictures.
Find books that interest your child. Make suggestions, but don't turn reading into work.
G ive hints when your child gets stuck on a word.
H ave fun. Smile and enjoy the story. Read with a slow, relaxed voice and be expressive.
I nvite your child to the bookstore. Take time to lounge in the chairs and browse the books.
J oin in your child's reading successes. Celebrate every small step with sincere praise.
K ids love to receive mail. Send your child a magazine subscription in an area that interests him or her.
L earn to read with, and not just to, your child daily. Read aloud, share ideas, and answer questions.
M odel reading. Share with your child, whether you're reading for information or for entertainment.
N ever force your child to read. If you're both too tired or discouraged to read, take a break.
O ffer your child a variety of reading materials, such as books, magazines, cereal boxes, comics, and newspapers.
P redict story elements, draw conclusions, and retell the story with your child.
Q uiz your child at the end of a story. Informally, of course!
R eread books to familiarize your child with words and to build self-confidence.
S ing songs, recite poetry, and do fingerplays to help develop language and listening skills.
T ry to help your child understand that it's okay to make mistakes.
U nderstand that reading is developmental and that it takes time and practice to become fluent.
V isit your local library on a regular basis. Sign your child up for his or her own library card.
W elcome wordless picture books into your collections. They generate conversation and allow the nonreader to create his or her own stories.
"X hibit" patience when your child is selecting books. Your support is empowering.
Y ou are the most important person in helping your child develop a lifelong love of reading.
Z ealous readers are the result of supportive and nurturing role models.
Posted by: diannerichardson
| @ November 12, 2007 8:55:50 PM EST ( ) |
A new school year has begun and it’s time to get back into a routine. Students are excited and glad to see their friends again. Some new experiences, like starting a new grade in school, are exciting while others may be stressful. But as the year goes along, initiative can serve as the spark that keeps your child interested in school.
This month’s value is initiative — “Seeing what needs to be done and doing it.” Initiative combines aspects of insight, evaluation and follow through. How can you teach initiative to your child?
Initiative begins with insight.
The ability to see an opportunity, need or obligation is the starting point. Children can be encouraged to become more aware of the circumstances of others around them.
Initiative requires evaluation.
Looking at the situation and determining a proper action takes some practice. Assignments at school, instructions from adults and understanding potential results of their actions, or inaction (grades, discipline), help a child decide what should be done.
Initiative is complete when we follow through.
With encouragement, a child can begin to develop a willingness to apply their best personal effort. A milestone is reached when a child independently recognizes what needs to be done and then follows through and does it.
The best reward for taking initiative is the satisfaction of completing the task and feeling good about the accomplishment. An additional return on that investment is the appreciation of others.
This month, students who demonstrate initiative will earn a "Value-able" coupon. This coupon is good for a Kid's Meal at Chick-fil-a in Fort Oglethorpe. Remember we'll be watching!
© 2007 Core Essentials, Inc. All rights reserved. www.coreessentials.org
Posted by: diannerichardson
| @ September 12, 2007 6:29:03 PM EDT ( ) |
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