Who doesn't love a good snow day? Okay, maybe being trapped inside with a pack of restless kids isn't exactly a spa day, but being snowed in is a perfect time to get the family together and read! After a long day of ice skating and snowball fights, your kids will love to snuggle up on the couch … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Traditions: What Will You Read?
As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, it has me thinking about traditions. I spend the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving thinking about my favorite holiday activity: what book I'm going to read. My little tradition Since I am not the host for my family Thanksgiving (or perhaps not … [Read more...]
Babies Go Gaga for Baby Einstein’s 20th Anniversary!
As a parent, you've likely felt that feeling by now. That, "I turned around and my baby grew up faster than I ever imagined" feeling. We're having that feeling on a broad scale this year, as we celebrate our friendship with the amazing Baby Einstein brand as they celebrate their 20th Anniversary. … [Read more...]
Summer Literacy Strategy #1
It's officially summer, a time of year filled with fun, sun and relaxation, but also the challenge of keeping your child's mind sharp and his or her path to learning engaged through the summer months. We solicited advice on the topic from some trusted resources, recently. It was thrilling to hear … [Read more...]
May Is Get Caught Reading Month
Did you know, May happens to be Get Caught Reading Month? Get Caught Reading is a campaign sponsored by The Association of American Publishers (AAP) to promote literacy nationwide, with a special focus on children's literacy: Because of research indicating that early language experience actually … [Read more...]
5 Best Board Games That Are Anything But Boring
Board games are a great way to explore and reinforce reading skills. And although Scrabble and Boggle are wonderful word games for ages 8 and up, Scrabble Junior and Boggle Junior are less-than-stellar alternatives for the budding readers in our lives. Thankfully, there are plenty of alternative, … [Read more...]
What is your child’s biggest struggle at school?
If your child struggles a bit in certain areas, he or she is not alone! Most children are challenged by one or more aspects of academic life at one point or another. For some, it's learning to read, especially in first grade when the expectations increase for performance. Some will have a hard time … [Read more...]
Eggs-ellent Easter Ideas
Easter is coming and I have been salivating over all the candy aisles every time I walk into a store. But this year, it's easy to make reading just as fun and important in your family's Easter festivities as Peeps and jelly beans. Here are some ways to help make your Easter a little more … [Read more...]
Celebrate Read Across America Day: Printable ‘Tips for Raising a Reader’
Celebrate Read Across America Day with Tips for Raising a Reader This is a big week for literacy! We celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday AND Read Across America Day on Wednesday March 2nd. The National Education Association declared March 2nd the first annual Read Across America day in 1998, and it has … [Read more...]
Elmo’s Birthday Printables
Today's the day to celebrate with Elmo! His 3 1/2 year birthday happens every year on February 3rd, and is the perfect occasion for coloring pages and activities! Just click on a picture to download the Elmo's birthday printables below. … [Read more...]
How to Judge a Just Right Book for Your Child
As easy as it is to buy a book based on the recommended ages listed on it, sometimes it may not be the most appropriate—not a just right book for your child. Your little one may struggle with the text, or maybe he or she will find the content a bit too challenging to grasp. To help you, we have … [Read more...]
Bedtime Stories: Well Read and Early to Bed
It’s amazing how incredibly intuitive children can be. A perfect example is bedtime. My kids always seem to sense the end of the night is approaching and suddenly become bereft with needs. Thirst, hunger, the desire for an extra-long bath, an urge to play with every toy in their bedroom—all of these … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading Aloud to Your Second Grader
For many kids, second grade brings the excitement and challenge of reading books with fewer pictures and more words--chapter books. Kids also spend more time learning about their world through non-fiction books. But that doesn't mean that the emotional rewards of reading aloud to your 7-year-old … [Read more...]
Emotional Benefits of Reading Aloud to Your Third Grader
Although most third graders can read independently, the emotional benefits of reading aloud continue to be important. Reading aloud to kids 8 years (and older!) helps keep the lines of communication open between you and your child, which is so crucial to bonding--especially as your child approaches … [Read more...]
The Adorable Stages of Learning to Read
This. Video. Cracks. Me. Up. Do you remember learning to read? For most of us, it comes after many years of exposure to books and being read to by our parents. When my kids were really little, I couldn't get enough of the deep belly-laughs that would erupt from them when I read the punchline of … [Read more...]