Ways to Raise a Good Reader

Reading for children is an important part of their development. By developing their reading skills, your child will become better at spelling, understanding ideas and concepts and develop positive language skills early on.

Reading is also a lot of fun and a great bonding activity for parents and children. But how do you raise a good reader when you’re competing against a host of electronic devices?

Here are a few tips:

#1 – Read daily. Reading little and often is better than leaving large gaps of time between reading. By making reading a daily activity, you cement that reading is important and just a “part of life” in your child’s mind.

#2 – Visit the library. Many children today have never visited a library outside of school. There are so many other activities and things competing for your child’s attention that the library may be last on their list. But most kids respond positively to an outing at the library. Make visiting the library a regular activity and your children will start to look forward to it.

The library can be a magical place for children and many have activities to help promote reading that are both fun and educational.

#3 – Start a book club. This can easily be done by joining forces with a few other parents. Meet weekly with the children to discuss a new book. This way the children not only see their parents getting involved, but also have the chance to develop grown-up conversational skills at the same time. Discuss the book and then enjoy a few treats; make it fun so that the kids really look forward to it.

#4 – Lead by example. If your kids see you reading from a young age, they may want to do the same thing mommy or daddy are doing. Show your kids that reading is a normal, fun part of life. Tell them about the latest book you’re reading and why you enjoy it. Show them the Sunday newspaper and explain how you learn what’s going on in the world by reading it.

#5 – Read at bedtime. Reading at bedtime is wonderful for both children and parents. It gives parents and kids a few minutes to connect at the end of each day. You can share a story and then discuss a few of the characters. Reading is a great way to unwind and will become a welcomed addition to your bedtime routine.

#6 – Let them choose. Reading tends to become less exciting as children grow. Give your children access to a variety of suitable reading materials to help them realize that reading is fun at any age. Whether it’s comics or how-to books, by providing fun and informative reading material you’ll keep your child hooked and involved.

Another great option for older kids is to share their reading book with mom and dad. You can each read the same book together a few evenings a week. Your child can read one chapter out loud, then you read another and so on. This not only helps you spend time with your child but you get to enjoy a story together. There are some fantastic teenage mystery and action books that most young adults will really enjoy reading.

While raising a good reader may seem to be a harder job than it once was, it’s not too difficult a task. By exposing your children to books from a young age and creating an enthusiasm for reading, you’ll lead by example and help to raise a good reader.

photo credit: jula julz

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Homeschooling Laws: What You Need to Know to Stay Legal

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states of the United States and in many countries in the world. Each state, however, has its own laws regarding homeschooling and what requirements a parent must comply with. If you want to begin homeschooling you want to ensure you?re staying legal. Know your homeschool laws and homeschooling will go much smoother for you.

As stated above, homeschooling is legal in each state. There are some states which are considered homeschool ?friendly? by placing fewer requirements on the parents and students. Other states require approval of curriculum, required achievement tests, and more.

What most people don?t remember is that for many years in this country children were home educated. Communities were spread far and wide which made centralized schools impossible. To ensure their children learned the basic skills ? reading, writing, and arithmetic ? mothers would teach their children. This trend continued until one-room schoolhouses became more popular. Even then many children were taught at home during planting and harvest time because they had to be at home helping with the family farm.

In recent years, beginning in the 1970s, homeschooling has had a revival. Millions of children are taught in their own homes by one or both parents. Many do so for religious reasons, but that is not the sole reason parents choose to homeschool.

If you are considering homeschooling but are unsure of your state?s laws regarding it, you can check online to find the information. One organization which works year-round to ensure parents maintain the right to homeschool is the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). This is a group of homeschooling advocate lawyers, many of whom are also homeschooling their own children.

Their website, HSLDA.org, lists the homeschooling laws for every state. You can also find out more about your state?s homeschool laws by typing in ?homeschool laws (your state).? This will normally provide you with numerous websites which will spell out the laws and requirements your state specifies. Another website you might want to check for homeschool laws for your state is A to Z Home?s Cool (homeschooling.gomilpitas.com).

Some states require homeschooling families to provide a form to the superintendent of their intent to homeschool. They may also require you to provide a list of curriculums you will use, keep attendance records, or maintain a portfolio with your child?s work in it. Any of the websites which explain the homeschool laws will also be able to tell you how those requirements are ?played out? in your homeschool.

Finding other homeschooling families in your community or state is also helpful to ensure you stay legal while homeschooling. Besides helping you stay legal, other homeschooling families can help encourage you as you begin homeschooling and provide friends for you and your children.

Many families homeschool across the country and each year more are added. It?s important to learn what the legal requirements are for where you live before you take your child out of public school. By knowing your state?s homeschool laws, you can ensure you stay legal as you educate your child at home.

Creative Play for Your Toddler: Steiner Waldorf Expertise and Toy Projects

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Creative Play for Your Toddler: Steiner Waldorf Expertise and Toy Projects offers fantastic projects that encourage toddlers? creativity and imagination. They are important to every toddler?s development, mentally and spiritually.

The authors, Christopher Clouder and Janni Nicol are very involved in the Steiner Waldorf School, as Head of Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship UK and Ireland and Early Childhood Representative, puppeteer and storyteller, respectively. Together they have created a resource that will inspire modern parents to get away from plastic toys and technology and focus on holistic and natural awareness.

The book is divided into different chapters. Each chapter talks about a different element of a toddler?s development and gives step-by-step instructions for making beautiful and natural toys. The book is designed for parents with children aged between 2 and 4.

For more information on this great resource, go to www.amazon.com.

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