It's back-to-school season, so teachers will be reminding parents to "Raise a reader." Easier said than done. What if your child can read very well, but just doesn't like reading?
Many kids go through phases in which they refuse to read. For parents who love books, this is especially difficult. Don't despair! It might help to try a different approach.
Forget back to school shopping and lunch preparations. It can all wait, because summer vacation is ALMOST OVER! Last chance to squeeze in a few more carefree moments of pure summer fun. Shorter days and earlier wake-ups are just around the corner. Homework and extra-curricular activities will soon fill our spare time.
WHAT DID THAT SAY? Did that say there will be a Monster at the end of this book ipad? Oh, I am so scared of Monsters!!! So please do not turn this page post.
My kids love turning the pages of this classic Grover book. I have adored "The Monster at the End of this Book" since I was four years old. Did you know it sold over 2 million copies in 1971?
What is life at school REALLY like? A friend today can become an enemy tomorrow. A mean teacher is nice; a nice teacher is mean. And that "dumb kid?" Actually pretty smart. Just thinking about the twists and turns of school ife is enough to tie a child's stomach in knots.
The books in this list offer both reassurance and entertainment. These books tell the "truth," and show how characters deal with difficult situations. Use these books as springboards for conversations, or just read them for fun.
Do you treat your child's teacher like a dentist or like a babysitter? (No offence to babysitters, who should also be treated with respect.) As a parent and former classroom teacher, I've seen very nice Moms and Dads yell, haggle, openly second-guess, and make ridiculous demands. Would they behave this way in a physician's office? Not a chance. Building a positive parent-teacher relationship isn't easy. Irrational emotions can blind us when it comes to our children. Some teachers are bad, and it's hard to stomach. It doesn't matter.
We parents tend to assume that online games are a waste of time. Kids tend to assume that anything educational is boring. Here are five apps that turn those assumptions on their heads: Yes, they are good for the brain and your kids will think they are just plain fun. No need to feel guilty about your kids spending time on these apps. while you steal some time to yourself.
What happens when you mash-up pop songs with famous historical figures? Rockin' history music-videos! The history based pop-music parodies are the brainchild of two high school history teachers "Historyteachers," self-described as "kooky teachers" and "gloriously dorky."
Wordle is so cool. You input a chunk of text or any URL, and out comes a fun, artistic, and interesting image, or WORD CLOUD. Here's what Wordle spewed out for my Kiducation blog on Yummy Mummy.
"Well, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues," goes the song. I beg to differ! Now may be the perfect time to cheer up with a laugh out loud book. I love to cuddle up and share some laughs with the kids. It makes all of us instantly feel better, no matter how lousy the day. If the kids feel like reading on their own, that works too.
These quality books are not only clever and well written, but are just downright funny.
Imagine tantalizing teasers, music, and graphics created by librarians and teachers. Imagine enthusiastic productions created by kids for kids. Think everything from Classics to new releases with enough plot to draw your child in without completely giving it away. All your kids have to do is pick up the book to find out what happens next. Brilliant!
I miss the days of travelling in my parents' non-airconditioned station wagon with our legs stuck to the vinyl seats. Oh, the days of squabbling in the back while my dad threatened to pull over and make us walk! Once my sister torture-tickled my brother so hard, he ended up denting the roof of the car with his toe.
It wasn't all mayhem. Our family would spend hours playing games on the road to while the time away. Everyone participated, and often games would lead into various topics for discussion.
For many parents summer vacation is yet another reason to stress. If kids are not in camp, how are they to be entertained?
Parents simply can't be children's non-stop, full-time entertainment centres. Not only is this exhausting, it actually doesn't make sense. How can we parents convey to our children that reading, staying active, and being creative are highly important if we can't model these behaviours ourselves?
