Nobody likes to see summer end. When I was a kid growing up in New York, school always started the Wednesday after Labor Day. We dreaded it. But by that time the weather was getting cooler; the town pool was closed for the season. You didn’t feel like you were missing out. Nowadays, it seems as if … [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...]
Lemonade Stand Economics
Most people think the recipe for lemonade is water, sugar and lemons. In my house, it's kids, boredom, and 100+ degree summer heat. This past weekend, with record temperatures outside and rampant boredom inside, my kids decided to test their entrepreneurial muscles with an old fashioned … [Read more...]
Summer Reading
As many of you know, I am the youngest of nine children, and that ranking comes with many, many nieces and nephews. Last year around this time, my oldest nephew graduated from high school and left for the Air Force Academy, while one of my nieces graduated from kindergarten. This year it's another … [Read more...]
5 Books for Back to School
Ah, the transition back to school-is there anything quite like that mix of fun and fear? For any child who may be feeling some school trepidation, give one of these books a try. Superhero School by Aaron Reynolds. Leonard has heat vision and can hit a baseball into orbit. Where does such a kid … [Read more...]
School Year’s Resolutions
When my nephew came home from his first day of kindergarten, his mother was excited to hear about his day. In the most dejected voice, Zach said, "It was awful. They didn't even teach us how to read." I don't remember much about my first day of kindergarten, but I do remember carrying my orange … [Read more...]
Trip Down Memory Lane
Before the kids run off to school, it's time to answer the age-old question, "What did you do on your summer vacation?" The answer can be the catalyst for a nice memento that doubles as a writing activity to get your young one primed for school. Here are a couple ideas to get you … [Read more...]
End of Summer Reading List
I've always enjoyed seeing reading lists. But while I browse through other folks recommendations, there's part of me that's editing as I go, thinking everything from, "Great choice, love it!" to "What? Are they insane?" So now that I've been given a forum in which to spout my views, I couldn't … [Read more...]
Battling the Summer Slump
As I write this, a mountain of unread books and magazines taunts me. I want nothing more than to be reading them, but I haven't had the time. I look forward to my summer vacations to catch up on my reading. Wouldn't it be great if our kids felt that way, too? The thing about my reading mountain … [Read more...]