Exploring a child's interests is such an important part of emerging literacy. A child will want to do more towards his own learning when he or she has an interest in the subject. I recall a student, a second grader, who was obsessed with motorcycles. He drew them, looked at pictures in magazines, even wore racing clothes nearly every day. But he couldn't read beyond basic sounds. When he went to the library, he came back empty handed due to a lack of interest. At that time, the internet was … [Read more...]
Learning to read is easier when the child is interested in the subject matter
August 22, 2011 By 1 Comment
Growing up: Worries & Concerns
August 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Isn’t it always this way? About 11:30 at night, and one of the kids runs into your room, full of concerns about something happening at school. Or it’s 9:30 and you’re kissing your child goodnight for the umpteenth time, to find that he has stockpiled a list of concerns—from not liking lunch to questioning the reason of life. It’s always been that way for me. Always. Growing up, I spent many a 2 am visit on the peach La-Z-Boy chair, lounged back under my pink afghan, crying to my … [Read more...]
Are all adults this skilled at taking advantage of children?
August 13, 2011 By 18 Comments
It happens one morning each summer. One of the kids wakes us early on a Saturday, dressed, pepped and ready: It's Neighborhood Garage Sale Day! This year, it was Middle who was prepared. He had collected old toys and clothing in boxes and on Friday night placed them all by the door. We put him to bed that night, hoping he'd oversleep or forget. But forget he didn't, and he was ready to sell about 2 hours before the official beginning to Neighborhood Garage Sale Day. Big joined in. He … [Read more...]
Developing positive responses to not so positive episodes
July 10, 2011 By 3 Comments
It's so easy to take something away, right? If a child does something you don't want to encourage, or against the rules, how nice and easy is it to say "Oh! You did that again! That's it! You lose a point." And then the kid gets sad and more upset because not only did he fail you in doing something wrong, but he is now being punished. What good did taking away the point do, really? It's not that negative behavior needs to be ignored, not at all. There's a time, a place and, certainly, episodes … [Read more...]
Summer reading
June 29, 2011 By 2 Comments
Casual reading is one of the best ways to encourage your children to learn naturally this summer. It's important for your kids to see you enjoy reading, and to participate in reading with you. Last week, Whitney hosted an event for PBS Kids and iVillage at a local park, where we participated in summer reading activities and we were introduced to new books from scholastic. Big, so entranced by the books by Gordon Kormanthat he found at the reading picnic, convinced me to order the 2nd and 3rd … [Read more...]
A girl and her bags
June 29, 2011 By 2 Comments
I'm always so turned off by Wordless Wednesday posts because everyone gives them words. So I never do them. Period. This is my Worded Wednesday post. Handbag: Stephen Joseph Backpack: Skip Hop (I wanted her to get the owl, but she insisted on the pink mouse.) Clear Vinyl Toy Bag: Similar to You & Me Baby Doll Care Accessories in a Bag … [Read more...]
