Reading to your child is great relaxing and bonding time!

During parent conference last week, several parents said that their child was asking for the adult to read to them and asked if this was OK.  I read to my class every afternoon before dismissal and we all wait for that time of the day to come.  Picture books, chapter books, poetry!  It's all good.

I read to my daughter, Katy nightly until she was about twelve years old.  We both loved enjoying good literature together and cuddling up with a book at bedtime.  Our favorite authors included Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, Kate Di Camillo, and Lemony Snicket.   Some of the books that she read in junior high, we listened to as book tapes on car trips.  I LOVED those times.  It was real quality family time.  Is this OK to count as some of the nightly reading time for homework?  You bet it is!

Our vocabularies consist of words we understand when we listen to them, speak them, read them and write them. Since the listening vocabulary is the first developed, listening to books while actively reading them helps children expand their vocabularies with multiple intelligences. English language learners need to be surrounded by oral language as well as be immersed in the printed language. They need to hear words pronounced and used correctly.  Making reading time relaxing and fun ensures that they will continue to practice independently.

 

Strong early readers make successful life long learners.

Getting Used to the Back to School Schedule - Being Proactive

Going back to school means getting up earlier and going to bed earlier.  We talk about Stephen Covey's Seven Habits in school, too.  The first habit, Be Proactive starts now.  Being proactive is controlling the outcome by being prepared and doing things in a timely fashion to assure success.  The following are ways that you can help your child be proactive:

Have a place to put homework and papers that need to be signed and returned to school.
Have a quiet place that your child can do homework.
A nutritious family meal and a relaxing bath helps body and mind.
Make sure your child has a quiet reading time before bed.  It helps to calm down for sleep.
Lay out clothes and backpacks for the next day before bed.
Help your child get to bed on time and get up in time to have a good breakfast.


A proactive start to the day ensures your child's success!