Reading Resources

If children’s nutrition is a sore topic in your household, you’re not alone. Many parents worry about what their children eat and don’t eat. However, most kids get plenty of variety and nutrition in their diets over the course of a week. Until your child’s food preferences mature, consider these tips for preventing mealtime battles.

Respect your child’s appetite — or lack of one
If your child isn’t hungry, don’t force a meal or snack. Likewise, don’t bribe or force your child to eat certain foods or clean his or her plate. Serve small portions to avoid overwhelming your child, and give him or her the opportunity to independently ask for more.

Stick to the routine
Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day. Provide juice or milk with the food, and offer water between meals and snacks. Allowing your child to fill up on juice or milk throughout the day might decrease his or her appetite for meals.

Be patient with new foods
Your child might need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she takes the first bite. Encourage your child by talking about a food’s color, shape, aroma, and texture, not whether or not it tastes good. Serve new foods along with your child’s favorite foods.

Make it fun
Serve broccoli and other veggies with a favorite dip or sauce. Serve a variety of brightly colored foods. Add chopped broccoli or green peppers to spaghetti sauce, top cereal with fruit slices, or mix grated zucchini and carrots into casseroles and soups.

Recruit your child’s help
At the grocery store, ask your child to help you select fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. At home, encourage your child to help you rinse veggies, stir batter, or set the table.

Minimize distractions
Turn off the television and other electronic gadgets during meals. This will help your child focus on eating. Keep in mind that television advertising might also encourage your child to desire sugary foods.

Don’t offer dessert as a reward
Withholding dessert sends the message that dessert is the best food, which might only increase your child’s desire for sweets. You might select one or two nights a week as dessert nights and skip dessert the rest of the week or redefine dessert as fruit, yogurt, or other healthy choices.

Don’t be a short-order cook
Preparing a separate meal for your child after he or she rejects the original meal might promote picky eating. Encourage your child to stay at the table for the designated mealtime even if he or she doesn’t eat. If you’re concerned that picky eating is compromising your child’s growth and development, consult your child’s doctor. In the meantime, remember that your child’s eating habits won’t likely change overnight, but the small steps you take each day can help promote a lifetime of healthy eating.

Teaching your child how to set and attain goals is an important life skill. When helping your child set goals, it’s important to get his/her commitment first. There’s little motivation for him/her to achieve the goal if he/she doesn’t have a say in setting them. Note the following points that can lead to success:

• Specific, measurable, and attainable
• Break down the process into pieces
• Action and evaluation

A goal must be specific and measurable in order to recognize achievement. “Get better grades” is not specific enough. “I will raise my math and reading grades one letter grade by the end of the quarter” is specific, easily measurable, and has a target date. Most importantly, a goal must be attainable. A regular “C” student should not expect to suddenly get straight “A’s,” but he/she can work toward that by first bringing up his/her grades, step by step.

Once your child has set a specific goal, break it down into smaller pieces, and then list what he/she needs to do to meet it. For academic goals, steps could include:

• Memorizing specific facts
• Finding a tutor
• Securing a quiet place and time to do homework each night
• Focusing on a difficult skill first
• Working with a parent/teacher on a regular basis

Once you’ve made the plan, it’s time to put it into action. There will no doubt be set-backs along the way, but help your child identify where his/her challenges are, and revise the plan if needed. On the target date, evaluate whether or not the goal was met. If it was, create a new goal! If not, evaluate why. Was there something that could have been done differently?

A successfully reached goal is a great boost to a child’s self-confidence and can motivate him/her to continue moving forward. Your help and encouragement are a vital part of your child’s success.

The approach to managing a child’s allergies is similar to that of an adult, with some important differences regarding medication choices and dosing. In general, there are three ways to treat a child’s allergies:

• Avoidance of the allergic triggers
• Use of medications
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy)

Avoidance of Allergic Triggers
Avoidance of the causes of a child’s allergy symptoms can often be the best way to prevent symptoms. There is essentially no cost, no medication side effects, and it is essentially a curative approach to the child’s allergic problem. Examples of at least partially avoidable allergens include pet dander and dust mites. However, avoidance of allergens is often difficult and not always possible. For example, plant pollens and mold spores are part of the outside air, and short of keeping a child indoors all the time, it is impossible to avoid exposure to these allergens. Once allergy testing reveals the presence of allergic antibodies to various triggers, an allergist may recommend avoidance of these triggers.

Use of Medications

When avoidance measures fail or are not possible, many children will require medications to treat their allergy symptoms. The choice of medication depends on numerous questions to be answered by the parent or child’s physician:

• How severe are the child’s allergies?
• What are the child’s allergy symptoms?
• What medication can the family get (over the counter prescription)?
• What medication will the child take?
• Does he/she need medication daily or intermittently?
• What side effects might the child experience from the medication(s)?

Allergy Shots
Allergy shots, or immunotherapy, treats allergies by reducing the child’s sensitivity to allergens. Although immunotherapy doesn’t work for everybody and may be only partially effective in some people, it does offer some severe allergy sufferers the chance to eventually reduce or stop using “rescue” medication.

This therapy might work for your child if he/she suffers from severe allergies and cannot avoid the specific things he/she is allergic to. It is most successful when used to treat:

• Those with allergic rhinitis
• Those with asthma
• If it begins early in life or soon after the allergy develops for the first time

Work with your child’s doctor to discover what will work best for your family and allow your child an active and joyful life.

Getting enough sleep is vital to a child’s growth and education. Think of how you feel when you are tired—grumpy, irritable, you have difficulty concentrating. Your children react similarly. According to Kids Health, school age children should get 9 to 10 hours of sleep a night while teens should get 8 to 9 hours of sleep. Establishing a bedtime is the key to ensuring your child gets enough sleep.

• Establish bedtime routines. Turn off the television and video games and have your child do something quiet for at least 30 minutes before lights out. She can play quietly in her room, read with you, or play a quiet bedtime game found on HubPages.
• Be the boss. It is important that the parent determine the bedtime, not the child. Discuss your child’s bedtime with her so she knows the expectations. But be sure she realizes that you will ultimately make the final decision about what time she will go to bed.
• Stick to it. If your child is like most, she is a master at stalling for a later bedtime. Stick with it, and don’t allow her to put off bedtime routines.
• Keep it the same. Fight the urge to allow her to stay up extra late on the weekends or school holidays. Occasionally, it won’t be harmful, but try to stick to the routine as much as possible—no matter what the day of week it is.

If your child hasn’t had a specific bed time before, do some research to help yourself establish one. For younger children, Parents offers some good advice. For your school age children, healthychildren.org might help you establish rituals. Still having trouble? Kids Health offers some solutions to various bedtime blues.

There is a constant emphasis on getting students up to speed and helping students that are falling behind. But what if your child is already meeting state standards for his grade level? Sure, your child’s teacher can do a lot to challenge him, but there are also many things you can do at home.

• Talk to your child’s teacher or librarian about books that are appropriate for an above grade-level reader. Many times, books at higher reading levels contain content for older students so you will want to be selective when choosing challenging books. Hoagies’ Gifted Education reading list has a list of reading materials for above-level readers.
• If your child is in high school, many community colleges allow students to begin earning college credits early.
• For students excelling in math, allow your child to work ahead on concepts being taught in class. For example, if he is learning division, challenge him with remainders. Ask your child’s teacher if the school’s curriculum materials offer challenge books that your child can do at home.
• Many exceptional children do well and have fun with brain teasers. Check your local book store for some or find them online, like those found on National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Hoagies’ Gifted Education brain teasers.
• Take advantage of your community. Museums are learning warehouses. Find a topic your child is interested in, and search for a museum that caters to that interest.

One of the most important things to remember is that a child that needs to be challenged doesn’t simply need more work; he needs more challenging work or activities that are outside or an extension of what he is doing in the classroom. Communication with his teacher is key in order to bridge what you are doing at home with what your child is able to accomplish in the classroom.

Working with a picky eater can be trying at times, especially when you know your child is not getting the nutrition he/she needs. Sometimes you are so weary from the fight, that a bowl of mac ‘n cheese sounds like a fair compromise! Here are new ways to help your little one get interested in eating nutritious foods.

Make it an Adventure:

Take your children to the grocery store with you, and tell them they can pick any three types of apples they want. Show them all the orange fruits (oranges, peaches, cantaloupes, clementines, etc.), and tell them to choose three of those, too. The Fruit Pages is a website that lists many kinds of fruit, nutrition information, and other fun facts about fruit that may assist you in planning your shopping trip.

Break up this scouting adventure into different days, so you can keep your children interested. For older children, you may have them choose fruits or vegetables that begin with the same letter. You can also allow them to pick out three juices or three crackers as a treat. The goal is to have multiple options of similar items.

Make it a Game:

When you get home, explain that you are going to play a taste-testing game. Blindfold your children, and start with items you think they may like, such as an apple or juice. If you think there is a food they may be hesitant to try, add a dip or other incentive to entice their taste buds. For carrots, you can add peanut butter, Ranch dressing, or hummus. Grill, bake, or serve zucchini raw with different seasonings. Playing this game is a great way for your children to discover fruits and veggies they didn’t know they liked.

Exposing your children to websites that make food fun is another way to get them interested in fruits and vegetables. For example, the National Watermelon Promotion Board lists fun and creative ways to cut and serve watermelon. Recipes listed on their website can also be used for other colorful fruits.

Enjoy “the Fruit” of Your Labor:

Helping your children branch out into a new nutritious world is not going to happen overnight. This process may take time and work, but in the end, you will have children willing (and wanting!) to eat nutritious food. As an added benefit, you may find that your palate has expanded, as well!

If you’re like most parents, it is very hard to not compare your child to the ones he plays with. Sometimes we wonder if our child is developing at the proper rate and may even question whether he is acting in an age-appropriate way. When your son is running around the playground throwing sand, you wonder why other children his age are making beautiful sand creations or sharing so nicely with other children. It can be hard to remember that every child has different skills, and it depends on what they’ve been growing up with. If a boy’s dad works in construction, he may learn how to hammer a nail into a board before he learns to write the letter “a” perfectly. Both of these skills take a very precise amount of fine motor skills, but because of what he’s been surrounded by, he has developed these skills at different times.

All children develop at different rates. Be careful when it comes to comparing your children. It is very important to know when there may or may not be a problem. Of course, girls vary from boys, so it is especially important to remember that they will develop their skills at different times. If you are wondering where your child should be developmentally, check out Medline Plus. You’ll also find some great articles about raising socially and emotionally healthy children at Parenting Counts. Of course, you will always want to consult your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions regarding development.

We all want our children to grow up to be polite and healthy. Trust your instincts, and with a little help from pediatricians and other experienced parents, you can find the information you need to help your children be the best they can be.

Reading. It’s one of the simplest—and cheapest—forms of entertainment for you and your child. And with summer here to stay for a while, it’s also a great way to stay cool—curled up on the couch with a good book. Reading is also a great way to keep your kids tuned into learning during their long vacation. Here are some tips to keep your child’s reading skills on track while she is out of school:

• Set a timer and have your child read at least 30 minutes a day, in addition to any bedtime reading. If your child isn’t quite reading independently, have her look at the pictures and just peruse the books. Better yet, read to her.
• If she’s a reluctant reader, visit your local library. Most offer summer reading programs with incentives for minutes or books read.
• Find appropriate books. Your child needs books at her reading level so she can be successful. Scholastic offers great information on summer books, divided by grade level, along with some tips to determine if the book is age-appropriate. Family Education also has book lists by age group and genre.
• Talk about books. Let your child see that you are a reader too, and talk about some of your favorite books. Ask her questions about what she is reading and encourage discussion.
• Relax and have fun! Just like you, kids need a break sometimes. Encourage reading, but don’t make it a chore. If 30 minutes a day is an expectation, stick with it, but allow your child time to rest, play, or just goof around!

Now that summer is approaching, nothing sounds more appealing than a dip in the pool to cool off from the heat. However, when swimming pools, plastic kiddy pools, or bathtubs are involved, children need constant supervision. All it takes is two inches of water, and a child can drown.

This is the time of year that you hear the unfortunate news of children drowning. It doesn’t take long, so there’s no excuse to leave your child alone for even one minute. If you need to go back inside or even walk out of the room while your child is taking a bath, take your child with you; or make sure that you have another adult watching him/her.

Knowledge and preparation is the best prevention. The American Red Cross website offers classes to become CPR certified. Being prepared is extremely important. Look for a class in or around your area.  By being prepared, you can help save your child’s life or the life of another.

Keep your kids safe during the summer this year. The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona is a group that consists of parents, health professionals, and business leaders who try to make aware the importance of water safety. The DPCA has a great website for those interested in getting involved in the cause against children drowning. It provides great tips and resources, from tips for lifeguards to grief resources for those who have been affected by or involved in drowning or near-drowning incidents. Summertime should be fun, so keep it that way by keeping your child safe.

As primary students learn phonics and how to create and read words by sound, they also begin to learn sight words. These are words that are often used in reading and writing but don’t necessarily follow phonics rules. They are words that need to be recognized immediately by sight and memorized.
Students will begin to learn these words in kindergarten and first grade, but if you want to give your child a jumpstart or reinforce what he’s learning in the classroom, here are some tips:

• Practice is the best way to learn sight words. Create flash cards for your child, and let him focus on only four or five at a time. More than that could cause your child to become overwhelmed and frustrated.
• As you read aloud with your child each night, allow him to pick out the words he knows before you start reading.
• Show your child a sight word in the book you are reading. For example, “and.” As you read aloud, allow him to “read” the sight word each time you come across it. This will help build confidence and reinforce that reading truly is a fun, engaging, and interactive activity.

As you work with your child, don’t move too fast. Kids all start reading at different paces. Preschool or kindergarten is a good time to start working on sight words, especially since it’s reinforced in the classroom. Some children will master them quickly; others need more time. But if your child doesn’t begin to master those sight words by the end of first grade, it may be time to talk to his teacher.

Sight word lists vary depending on which publishing company or website you visit. For just one list of grade-level appropriate sight words, visit KidZone, choose your grade level, then click on “Dolch Words.” Various games and activities are also available with a simple Web search.

Getting children to read can prove to be a difficult task, but there are many researchable tips and strategies to promote reading. A very popular strategy that has helped promote children to read is by letting them read a book that has been adapted into a movie. Michele Borba, an educational psychologist, has an excellent tip on her website. Michele Borba suggests that children become movie critics through reading.

How can a child become a movie critic? A child can watch the movie and then read the book or read the book and then watch the movie. Once a child has completed reading the book and watching the movie or vice versa, he/she can compare and contrast the two. Did your child like the movie or the book better? What were the differences between the two?

The great thing about books adapted into movies is that no ages or genres are ignored. Parents can find a list of movies that have been adapted from books on this Wikipedia page. Interested in what movies will be released based on books? Check out this website. Four of the movies listed in the website that will be sure to get kids excited are:

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians; The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
• City of Bones; Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
• Hunger Games; Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• the second installment of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Reading a book that has or will be adapted into a movie is a great way to get your child excited about books. Make sure that the books and movies are age appropriate.

For most elementary-age kids, reading at home is a daily assignment; but it doesn’t have to be a chore. Reading a good book is a fun way for a child to unwind from a busy day and to discover far-off people and places from the comfort of home. Often the daunting part of the reading experience is not the reading itself, but rather the search for books that match both the child’s interests and his or her stage of reading independence. Fortunately, some great online resources can assist parents and children in the hunt for that just-right book.

Parents Choice: The reading section of this valuable media-review website offers a variety of articles and book lists with several geared toward reluctant readers.

Scholastic: An excellent resource for parents on all things reading related, this website is full of useful articles and tips to help you foster a love of reading in your home. On this site, you can also browse book lists in a variety of categories ranging from “Fantasy Fixes for Harry Potter Fans” to “Baseball Books for Beginning Readers.”

Guys Read: Popular children’s author Jon Scieszka started this website with the mission to “help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers.” The site has great book suggestions for boys from elementary age up through high school.

AR (Accelerated Reader) Book Finder: With this search tool, you can look for books by topic, title, or author. They provide a short summary of each book, with information about the AR level and number of AR points assigned to each book.

Education.com: Top nonprofit and university organizations provide book lists, articles, and tips on this website to help you choose books for your children from infancy through high school and beyond into adulthood.

If you prefer a low-tech way to find book recommendations, check out Esme Raji Codell’s How to Get Your Child to Love Reading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike. The author, also a schoolteacher and librarian, has created a huge treasury of ideas and book lists to help parents and teachers select titles for all interests. In addition, don’t forget the most reliable source of all for helpful book suggestions—your local school and county librarians.

Reading to your preschoolers at home is just as important as reading to your school-age children. It introduces them to vocabulary and situations that they wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise. Plus, your preschooler will view reading as a positive experience that she shares with her parents. When reading with your young child, using some helpful strategies can give your story time an even bigger educational boost.

Before Reading

• Look at the book together, and ask your child what she thinks it will be about. Do this even if you have read the book many times before to see what she remembers.
• Do a picture walk. Look through the book together page by page, and talk about the illustrations.
• Search for particular letters or sight words. As you do your picture walk, ask your child to scan the text for the letters or words he knows.
• Talk about subject matter. If the book is about two friends, talk about what it is like to have a friend and how friends should treat one another. This will ensure that she understands the message of the book and can relate to the characters.

During Reading

• Read with expression. The more expressive your reading, the more interesting it is for your child. This is especially true if your child is very young.
• Talk about the pictures again. Explain how the pictures are associated with the text.
• Allow questions. If your child is interested in the story, he will likely want to comment or ask questions. Encourage his participation!
• Talk about the plot. Stop every few pages to discuss what is going on in the story. Ask your child what has happened already or what she thinks will happen next.

After Reading

• Ask more questions. When you are done reading, ask your child what he liked or didn’t like about the story.
• Express your opinion. Feel free to express your own views about the story and don’t be afraid to tell her if you didn’t like it. It is important for your child to know that having her own opinion is okay. Just be prepared to explain.
• Make a different ending. Talk to your child about what it would be like if the story ended differently.
• Retell the story. Ask your child to retell the story in his own words. This will let you know how much he comprehended as you read.

Reading with your child is extremely important to her education, even if she is years away from kindergarten. The earlier you start reading together, the better the bond will be between your child and reading. While there are many strategies you can use to make your reading time more successful, the primary focus should be enjoying your time together. Using all of these strategies at once might take away from the story and the precious moments you have with your budding reader. So instead, enjoy what you are reading, and sprinkle in some of these ideas to enhance the experience and your child’s comprehension. Above all, have fun!

If you are like most parents, you’ve heard the questions, “Where does rain come from?” or “How does popcorn pop?” or, our all-time favorite, “Where does the water go when I flush the toilet?” While these questions can sometimes strike fear in parents (Who wants to have to say, “I don’t know,” to their child?), there are many ways to bring science into your lives, and satisfy your child’s curiosity at the same time.

Questions lead to learning, and you certainly don’t want to squash that. If you don’t know the answers to your child’s questions, admit it. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn together and grow your minds in the process. Head to the computer and do a little research together! Talk to your child about his question, and encourage him to do most of the legwork – with your assistance.

You can always try heading off some of those difficult questions before they start: Visit a local children’s science museum. To find one near you, visit the Association of Children’s Museums, or check out this worldwide list of hands-on science centers. Many science museums offer hands-on exhibits and workshops perfect for little, curious minds!

Though we don’t always think about it, science is all around us every day. Talk to your child about some of the things related to science around your home: electricity, the Internet, recycling, gardening, cooking, digestion, etc. The more you talk, the more questions you will likely encourage. But that’s okay. Go back to that opportunity to learn together!

There are endless websites you and your child can visit together to learn about science. Among them are ScienceNews for Kids, Brain POP, Zoom (by PBS), and Science With Me, as well as others. Above all, encourage those questions, frustrating as they may be sometimes. Support his interest in science and learning!

What was the first song you ever learned? I’m willing to wager that the “Alphabet Song” is right up there at the top of the list. Let’s not forget “Fingers and Toes,” and the songs about washing your hands and buckling up for safety.

Moms, dads, and teachers all over America have been instructing through song for generations. Why? Because attaching information to a simple melody is one of the quickest and most fun modes of information transfer. While they are important teaching tools, a child can quickly tire of nothing but flashcards and worksheets. Not to mention, these methods can be limited to your child’s age, reading, and writing ability.

Song, however, is something that we often hear escaping the lips of even the smallest child.
In addition, children are able to learn wonderful facts and there is the added bonus of improving your child’s vocabulary. How many children, of any age, do you know who can recite the presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama, or know that you find a metacarpal bone in your hand? Singin’ Smart is one resource that teaches these facts, and more, accompanied by catchy melodies.

Knowledge isn’t the only benefit of incorporating song into learning. Children learning through this method are widening their vocabularies, experiencing rhythm, and feeling the beat as they sing along.

There have been studies showing that beyond teaching simple facts, music can improve a wide range of learning in the classroom setting. Don’t take my word for it though. Chris Boyd Brewer has done extensive research on how incorporating music into a learning atmosphere improves attitude, memory, and so much more!

Whether you’re a working mom looking for a way to add more teaching opportunities to your home-life, a home-schooler, or a third-grade teacher, learning through song can be an important tool in your teaching arsenal. So, if you’re on your way to the grocery store with the kids, or in a home-school or classroom setting, pop in a CD and teach your children about the wonderful world they live in through the joy of song!

Summer’s here! Our kids are excited, ready for anything that doesn’t feel like school; however, we parents might be more accurately described as “anxious!” What will our kids do all day? How much will it cost us? Summer strikes fear in parents everywhere; so what are we going to do to survive the summer?

• Check out the local community center. Centers all over the state offer low-cost programs for children of all ages, such as swimming, tennis, arts and crafts, and cooking.
• Visit the library. Look for some great reads for the older kids and reading incentive programs for the younger ones.
• Free movies! Many local theaters offer free or low-cost movies on weekday mornings. Check the local theater for more information.
• Plan a “staycation.” If leaving town is not financially feasible, turn your home into a “hotel.” Grill some burgers and hot dogs, rent a movie, pop popcorn, camp out in the family room, and enjoy some great family time. Feel free to “venture” out to visit some local tourist sites—your home can be a great hotel!
• Cruise the mall. If it’s too hot to play outside, enjoy some play time inside. Do some window shopping with air conditioning on someone else’s dime.
• Give the kids some online time. With school out, help your kids keep up their education by allowing them some well-supervised time on the Internet.
• Plan for some quiet time at home. We can’t be on the run every minute of the day, and everyone is happier when relaxed and rested.

We don’t have to dread summer. Yes, it may be hot, and yes, it can be a challenge to keep the kids entertained on a daily basis. But with a little forethought and planning, all of us can have a busy, fun-filled summer without breaking the bank!

Could teaching our children courtesy, manners, consideration, and respect help to alleviate bullying?

In these days of “road rage,” vicious mud-slinging political campaigning all over the media, pervasive violence in media and other “entertainment,” what can we do to foster compassion, empathy, and consideration in our children?

First of all, we can keep in mind that “actions speak louder than words.” Parents modeling considerate, courteous behavior at all times to all people is probably the most powerful influence on our children’s behavior. Do you make disparaging remarks about or use disrespectful names for certain groups of people or gossip about individuals in front of your children? Be mindful of what you say, even unintentional utterances. 

It may sound old-fashioned, but actively teaching your children about courtesy and manners is perhaps the best way to encourage them to become compassionate, empathetic, and considerate human beings.

From a practical standpoint, teaching your children manners can give them lifelong survival skills according to some etiquette experts. Kids who don’t have social graces are likely to have a more difficult time with friends, family, and teachers. Anything you can do to help your child learn essential social skills like peaceful conflict-resolution and relationship-building, will help them to become more successful, productive, and happy in the long run.

I’m sure many of us remember growing up being constantly “reminded” by our parents to “say please and thank you,” “shake hands with Uncle John,” “hold the door open for Grandma,” etc. Is it possible to encourage good manners without having to nag our children constantly? Well, fortunately there are many helpful online resources to show us the way. A Google search for “teaching manners to children” will reveal a wealth of useful links including fun games and songs to make learning manners enjoyable for you and your kids. Here are few to get you started:

• The Manners Club – games and songs
• Parents.com – 22 Simple Manners All Kids Should Know
• Bright Horizons – 10 Table Manners Rules to Teach Your Children

What was the first song you ever learned? I’m willing to wager that the “Alphabet Song” is right up there at the top of the list. Let’s not forget “Fingers and Toes,” and the songs about washing your hands and buckling up for safety.

Moms, dads, and teachers all over America have been instructing through song for generations. Why? Because attaching information to a simple melody is one of the quickest and most fun modes of information transfer. While they are important teaching tools, a child can quickly tire of nothing but flashcards and worksheets. Not to mention, these methods can be limited to your child’s age, reading, and writing ability.

Song, however, is something that we often hear escaping the lips of even the smallest child.
In addition, children are able to learn wonderful facts and there is the added bonus of improving your child’s vocabulary. How many children, of any age, do you know who can recite the presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama, or know that you find a metacarpal bone in your hand? Singin’ Smart is one resource that teaches these facts, and more, accompanied by catchy melodies.

Knowledge isn’t the only benefit of incorporating song into learning. Children learning through this method are widening their vocabularies, experiencing rhythm, and feeling the beat as they sing along.

There have been studies showing that beyond teaching simple facts, music can improve a wide range of learning in the classroom setting. Don’t take my word for it though. Chris Boyd Brewer has done extensive research on how incorporating music into a learning atmosphere improves attitude, memory, and so much more!

Whether you’re a working mom looking for a way to add more teaching opportunities to your home-life, a home-schooler, or a third-grade teacher, learning through song can be an important tool in your teaching arsenal. So, if you’re on your way to the grocery store with the kids, or in a home-school or classroom setting, pop in a CD and teach your children about the wonderful world they live in through the joy of song!

A required daily reading log is common practice in today’s classrooms. However, many parents and students dread this daily reading time as it is often the source of household tension and tears. But parents hold the key to the success of this very valuable homework assignment. Taking an active role in this daily reading, no matter what grade your child is in, is a start. However, there are many other things parents can do to make this time less stressful and, with time, make it an assignment to look forward to.

• Turn off the TV. This goes for the radio too. It is difficult to concentrate on the words on the page when your child is distracted by other things. Find a quiet place in the house where your child is not distracted by the television, computer, radio, telephone, or siblings.
• Let your child catch you reading. Children learn by example, and quickly at that. How often have you seen your child imitate a less-than-perfect behavior that you have? They are always watching and listening, even when you least expect it! If your child sees you reading—a newspaper, novel, magazine, paperwork brought home from the office—he is more likely to see this as a productive way to spend his time. And, if reading is something you enjoy doing, talk to your child about some of the things you are reading. This is a great way to open the lines of communication and turn him on to reading.
• Read together. Bedtime is a great time to wind down from the day and enjoy a little one-on-one time with your child. Any child will look forward to reading with or to a parent. If your child is too young to read on her own, read to her. If she is already reading independently, ask her to read aloud or pick up another copy of the book she is reading. Then you can talk about the book together. Even if you don’t share the same interest in reading material, you will know what she is reading and be able to share some special time with her.
• Find books at your child’s reading level. Nothing is more frustrating to a child than not understanding what he is reading. Make sure what your child is reading is at his reading level. If you suspect the book he chose is too hard, ask him to read a page to you aloud. If he struggles with at least five words on the page, the book may be above his reading level. Talk to his teacher about how to find books more at his level without discouraging his ability to choose.
• Go to the library. If someone told you that you had to read a specific book (think back to your own days in school), you likely wouldn’t enjoy it. The same goes for your child. Take him to the library or local book store and allow him to choose his own books. If he chooses what interests him, he will enjoy the assignment more and will likely look forward to reading time. Librarians are a great resource if your child still has a difficult time finding something he likes.
• Get help from the professionals. There are so many resources available to help you and your child find success in daily reading time. Your child’s teacher, the school’s reading specialist, Scholastic, and various other Web sites can give you great ideas of how you can help your child.

In the end, encourage and support your child as she completes her reading homework each night. Remove distractions, read with your child, and encourage her to choose her own books at her own reading level. When in doubt, get help from the professionals in your child’s school and the community. Extra time invested in this vital assignment will reap huge rewards in the future.

Here are just a few website to help you assist your child:

• Math and Reading Help
• Family Education
• Success at School