The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When reading and wiring are a regular part of your family's life, you send your child the message that they are enjoyable, valuable and great ways to learn. Here are some ways you can start helping your child:
Reading
Keep many age appropriate books and other reading materials in your house. If you have the time, schedule weekly or biweekly trips to the library with your child. Take out books for yourself too. Show your child that you value reading and that it is important to you.
Start reading to your child at an early stage.
Make reading daily to your infant or toddler part of your daily routine. It doesn't have to be for more than 20 minutes a day. Do it at the same time each day, if you can, so that you both become accustomed to it. Have fun reading to your baby. Choose books with vivid colors and point out images and shapes to your baby. Be animated with your voice and facial expressions.
When your child becomes a preschooler, you can start reading for a longer period of time. To help develop your child's critical thinking skills, encourage your child to ask questions or to predict what will happen next in the story. Be enthusiastic about reading. Read the story with expression. Make it more interesting by talking as the characters would talk, making sound effects and using facial expressions and gestures. Encourage your child to do the same.
As your child's ability to read develops, let your child pick out a favorite book to read alone. Make time to read the books together. Take turns, with you reading one page or paragraph and your child reading the next. You might also read the parts of different characters in a story. If your child is unsure of the meaning of a word, have your child use the surrounding words or sentences to figure it out. If this doesn't help, just tell your child what the word means and keep reading. Buy a children's dictionary-if possible, one that has pictures next to the words. Help your child get into the habit of looking up unfamiliar or difficult words. The American Heritage Picture Dictionary is great for preschool and early elementary school students.
StarFall.com is a great website for learning to read for pre-kindergarten to second grade. All the learning materials are free. http://www.starfall.com/
If you notice that your child is having some difficulties with reading, get some help for your child. The problem can be related to poor vision or your child might help extra help. Find tutoring services in your neighborhood or online to help your child. Identify if your child is having problems with vocabulary or reading comprehension.
You can get a free reading aptitude test for grades 2-10 at Mind Play.com-http://www.test4free.com/assess.asp
The good news is that no matter how long it takes; most children can learn to read. By working together with your child's teacher and other educational professionals, you can determine if your child has a learning disability or other problem.
As your child gets into middle school and high school, your child will have other distractions and interests. You can continue to help your child by buying books that would be of interest to them.
Guys Read.com provides recommended books for boys and teen guys. http://guysread.com/
Writing
You can encourage even your reluctant child to become a writer. The key id to help your child understand that writing is an important communication tool. Writing also helps your child to organize his or her thoughts more clearly.
Here are some tips for getting your child to write more.
Have your child write stories that are of interest to him or her. If your child is a reluctant writer, ask your child to write about something he or she wishes for or dreams about.
Don't point out errors in their writing, but guide our child so that he or she can make the corrections. Ask your child to tell you more about the story or ask your child to create a book based on the short writing assignments. The point of this exercise is to help your child express thoughts through writing. If your child's strength is not writing, do not force your child to become an avid writer. Be enthusiastic about your child's writing. Ask you r child to read what he or she has written to you. Hang up your child's writing and encourage other family members to read it.
Have your child write thank you notes to family and friends or write notes to your child or use a message board to leave notes for your child. Encourage him or her to write notes to you too!
When you child is upset or sad, if he or she is up to it, have your child express the feeling through writing.
As your child gets older, you can support his or her writing needs by helping to get thoughts organized and making sure that the writing is intelligible and coherent. Let your child see you writing so that your child understands that writing is important.
Most importantly, make writing fun for your child.
If you want to contribute to your child's love of learning, you must model the enthusiastic attitude towards learning you would like your child to possess. By showing your child that you value learning and education, your child will develop better feelings towards education.
Marie Magdala Roker is a Personal Development Coach with Smart Bee Coaching LLc. Her site Successful Child.com strives to provide valuable resources so parents can play an important role in the personal growth and development needs of their children. Visit her online at http://www.successfulchild.com
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWe want our children to do the right thing, especially... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading was conceived... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
We know that ancient cultures and Indians and the like... Read More
If you are currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling your child,... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
When choosing the perfect jogging stroller, a very important question... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More
"Get down from the table top right now! What are... Read More
It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
Working with adults (as well as children and teens) for... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
How would you like to have a closer relationship with... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..One of the most powerful tools that parents have for... Read More
There is little doubt that reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic are... Read More
The ADD child exhibits a series of behaviors that are... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
Thank you for all that you do in the classroom!... Read More
What's hard for teenagersHaving people who don't understand you trying... Read More
Over a number of years there have been issues raised... Read More
You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing... Read More
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More
Sitterphobe "I never have a second to myself," this mother... Read More
Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying... Read More
When my son was 18 (and had finished school), he... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
Parenting |