The Importance of reading with your child

Stories are a very big part of our family. I used to read to my son when I was pregnant with him. Ever since he was a little baby we would all sit together and read stories. In the beginning he used to just love sitting or laying there with us looking at all the bright colours in the books, next he would start pointing at things and then start naming objekts that he was familiar with. Over time books have become a tradition and a special time. I encourage you to read a lot with your child, because they really benefit from it. I would also love to know about the books that have found a special place in your familie.
here is a very interesting article that I found on the subjekt.

By Bernice Cullinan & Brod Bagert
Helping Your Child Learn to Read (1996). Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.
http://www.rif.org/parents/articles/ReadingWithChild.mspx

There is no more important activity for preparing your child to succeed as a reader than reading aloud together. Fill your story times with a variety of books. Be consistent, be patient and watch the magic work.

Home is Where the Heart Is
It's no secret that activities at home are an important supplement to the
classroom, but there's more to it than that. There are things that parents
can give children at home that the classrooms cannot give.

Start Young and Stay With It
At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your
voice and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child by
pointing to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By
drawing attention to pictures and associating the words with both pictures and the real-world objects, your child will learn the importance of language.
Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice
the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to
children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of
the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and
prepares them to understand the written word. When the rhythm and
melody of language become a part of a child's life, learning to read will be
as natural as learning to walk and talk.

Even after children learn to read by themselves, it's still important for you to
read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level, but
beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers' understanding
and motivate them to improve their skills.

It's Part of Life
Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with your
child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don't be
discouraged if you skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule.
Just read to your child as often as you possibly can.

If you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with
each child, especially if they're more than two years apart.
However, it's also fine to read to children at different stages and ages at the
same time. Most children enjoy listening to many types of stories.
When stories are complex, children can still get the idea and can be
encouraged to ask questions. When stories are easy or familiar,
youngsters enjoy these "old friends" and may even help in the reading.

Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an
important message: reading is worthwhile.

One More Time
You may go through a period when your child favors one book and wants it
read night after night. It is not unusual for children to favor a particular
story, and this can be boring for parents. Keep in mind,
however, that a favorite story may speak to your child's interests or
emotional needs. Be patient. Continue to expose your children to a wealth
of books and eventually they will be ready for more stories.

Talking About Stories
It's often a good idea to talk about a story you are reading, but you need not
feel compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a
love for reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need
time to think about stories they have read. A day or so later, don't be
surprised if your child mentions something from a story
you've read together.

Remember When You Were Very Young
It will help, however, if we open our eyes to some things adult readers tend to
take for granted. It's easier to be patient when we remember how
much children do not know. Here are a few concepts we adults know so
well we forget sometimes we ever learned them.

There's a difference between words and pictures. Point to the print as you read aloud
Words on a page have meaning, and that is what we learn to read
Words go across the page from left to right. Follow with your finger as you read
Words on a page are made up of letters and are separated by a space
Each letter has at least two forms: one for capital letters and one for small letters
Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of
such symbols. That's how young readers feel. But, a little patience
(maybe by turning it into a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to
build confidence.

Advertise the Joy of Reading!
Our goal is to motivate children to want to read so they will practice reading
independently and, thus, become fluent readers. That happens when
children enjoy reading. We parents can do for reading what fast food
chains do for hamburgers ... ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading
great stories and poems to children.

We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having
access to information through the printed word is an absolute
necessity. Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But
reading is more than just a practical tool. Through books we can
enrich our minds; we can also relax and enjoy some precious
leisure moments. With your help, your children can begin a lifelong
relationship with the printed word, so they grow into adults who read easily
and frequently whether for business, knowledge or pleasure.

via:
http://www.colgate.com/app/HealthyHabits/US/EN_v2/ResourcesForParents/ExpertArticles/ReadingWithYourChild.cwsp

Talking Jack-o-Lantern Trick

Talking Jack-o-Lantern Trick
Here's a fun idea for a talking Jack-o-Lantern sent in by one of our visitors.

Carve a witch face on your pumpkin.
Put a walkie-talkie inside of the pumpkin and then hide out of sight, but where you can see the trick-or-treaters
When people walk by you can say, "How ya doin' my pretty?"
Then you scare them but you don't scare them away!
If you can see the trick-or-treaters, ask a specific question about their costume. It will keep them guessing to figure it out.

via:

http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_41.shtml

Pumpkin Carving Tips

Pumpkin Carving Tips
Tips for making your own Jack-o-Lantern:

Always check how your pumpkin sits, before you start to carve. Often it will lean one direction that you may be able to work around.
Lighter-colored, softer pumpkins are easier to carve, but won't last as long.
Use an ice cream scoop to clean out the flesh (don't forget to roast the seeds!).
Pumpkins with lots of flesh can be hard to carve. Scoop out extra flesh where you want to carve details. The flesh should be less than an inch thick for easy carving.
Use a light marker to draw your lines before you start to carve. If you aren't sure about your drawing skills, look for objects you can trace that are the right size and shape (eg. A small plate could be the right curve for a smiley mouth.
Start from the center, and work out. Carve the nose before eyes, and eyes before eyebrows.
For intricate features, try using a craft knife or an exacto knife rather than paring knife.
Sprinkle your pumpkin’s lid with herbs like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice for a festive scent.
If you don't want to carve this year, get some paint and brushes and let the kids paint the faces on their pumpkins.

via:
http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_41.shtml

Fall Fingerprint Tree

This is a wonderful idea, that is fast to prepare and easy for the kids. Also a great activity for more then one child. Have fun!


By: Amanda Formaro

Difficulty: Very Easy

Age: 3 and up

Average User Rating:

12345(5/5)


Hand print and finger print crafts always make wonderful keepsakes. Here’s a fun way to celebrate the coming of Autumn while preserving your child’s size and age at the same time.


What you'll need:
• White construction paper or card stock
• Orange construction paper
• Scissors
• Acrylic or poster paint in green, brown, orange, yellow, tan and red
• White craft glue

How to make it:
1. Line work surface with newspaper and place white construction paper in the center.

2. Start by showing the child where you want to place his/her arm on the paper, you will be painting the bottom of the forearm, palm and all fingers.

3. Use brown paint to cover bottom of forearm, palm and all fingers, use a generous amount.

4. Help child carefully lay their arm and fingers down on the paper, fingers extended. Hand should go in the center of the paper to allow room for the leaves. Gently press down and roll each finger, palm and arm onto the paper. Lift arm straight up into the air.

5. Wash paint off arm and hand and dry completely.

6. Place a nickel sized amount of each color paint into a paper plate. Have child dip their finger into the paint and onto the paper creating leaves of all different colors. The fingers on the paper are the branches, so put the leaves at the end of the branches and all around them.

7. Use a paint brush to add some grass at the bottom of the tree.

8. For older kids, add a few flowers in the grass. Use a small dot of paint on their finger to create the center and flower petals. You can even add a little squirrel in the tree by dotting on a head, body and tail! Use a black marker to dot on the eye. You can also add a few “falling leaves” by dotting two or three colors falling from the branches and use a marker to add a few squiggly lines indicating motion.

9. Make a frame from the orange construction paper by gluing around the back edge of the picture.

Tips:

• This project has fun variations for Spring as well. Make all the leaves green using two or more shades, then add red dots for apples or white and pink dots for flowers. Use a construction paper color for the frame to match the season.

• It’s best to show children a finished project first so that they understand what they are trying to create. This will make it easier to envision their own picture.

• Be sure to have a bowl of water and some paper towels handy for cleaning off fingers.

via:
http://crafts.kaboose.com/fall-fingerprint-tree.html

Potato Prints

here is something that I used to do a lot when I was little. A great activity for a rainy afternoon.


Potato Prints

You'll need
Potatoes
Poster paint or tempera
Paper, cardboard, or wood
sharp knife
pencil
1. Cut potatoes in half or thirds.
2. Draw desired design onto potato with the pencil.
3. Young children can carve their whole design with the pencil but if more detail is preferred, an adult needs to cut around the pencil outline.
4. Place paint in tray or paper plate in a thin layer.
5. Press potato design into paint and firmly press
onto paper for impression.
Don't have Paint ????
Coloring with marker onto the potato works as well although
it produces a lighter effect.
Mom's Tip: Practice a couple of times to get the
feel for how much paint you want on your print.
To accomplish a textured effect try letting layers
dry and adding prints on top in different colors.
Making Stamps
You'll need
Any of these items
Rubber erasers, Cork board, Styrofoam, cardboard
Inner tube rubber, Felt squares
Sharp utility knife
ink pad
Glue gun

1. Cut the desired shape out of a rubber eraser for example:
The tip of a pencil eraser will form a circle,
Add notches to create flowers, carve letters
( don't forget to reverse for printmaking)
2. When using felt, cork or cardboard attach the stamp
to a wood block with a glue gun.
Two inch dowel pieces work well.
3.Press stamps onto ink pad and press on paper.
Mom's Tip:
Stamps will last longer if you keep a damp sponge
at work area to dab after each color.

via:
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/artpaintnprint.htm

Is Halloween too scary for young children?

Halloween can be so much fun! It plays such a big part in the life of children.

I think it can be a fun holiday for children and adults, but it has the potential to put some very scary and permanent memories into your child's brain.
So, how do you keep it fun, yet protect your child from a situation that may keep them and you up for the next few weeks?

I think the key here is to look at every child individually. Is your child the type of person that frightens easily and is always very cautious in a new situation or do you notice that your little one is more of a little daredevil and pulling right along with all the other older kids?

In either case communication is the first step to keeping things fun. Find out how real this whole thing is to your child, because for small children there is a very thin line between imagination and reality.

If your child is already really frightened by the floating and glowing witch in the store...maybe don't put that kind of stuff right by your front door.

Some children, especially ones with older siblings don't always like to admit when they are scared. They don't want to seem like the baby in the bunch, so do watch your kids, as you know them best and if you get the feeling they are getting really uncomfortable just pull them out of the situation.

Make the whole "Halloween-Time" fun! Just like Christmas is not just one day Halloween should not only be about one spooky night. Carve some pumpkins, have your child help you make decorations and put them up together. As long as you are there through the process it will be a lot easier to catch anything that might be bugging them or even scaring them and you can redirect their attention to something more fun and silly, so that that becomes their theme for Halloween.

Here is an article by a child psychologist that gives some hints on how to keep it fun, yet protect your children.




Press Releases

SOME HALLOWEEN FUN MAY BE TOO SCARY FOR SMALL CHILDREN
Posted 10/5/2001

COLUMBUS, Ohio - For most children dressing up in scary costumes, visiting 'haunted' houses, and watching horror movies late at night are all a part of the fun, excitement and illusion of Halloween. While these activities are suitable for most older children, they can really frighten the younger ones, cautions a child psychologist.

Dr. Mary Fristad, child psychologist at OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine says, "For a four-year-old, it's hard to decipher what is fantasy and what is reality. Children in your neighborhood dressed up in scary ghost or goblin costumes can be very real and very frightening for a small child."

Fristad says one way to help small children avoid becoming upset and scared during Halloween is to take them to visit costume shops so they can see that these masks are nothing to fear. "Once they see that a person is actually wearing the costume, then children tend to become less frightened and Halloween can become fun."

In addition, parents can assist their children when they are picking out costumes, says Fristad. "Picking out a costume together helps both the parent and child feel like they are a part of the process and children area able to find a costume they feel comfortable in."

Fristad also says it's best to accompany small children while they are trick or treating. "If they do become too overwhelmed with the whole experience then they are able to go home and go to bed."

Researchers and clinicians at OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine serve the central Ohio community with behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults and older adults, including treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, family and marital conflict and resolution, and crisis services.


via:
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/mediaroom/press/article.cfm?ID=1119&i=96

Effective Discipline

Here is a great summary of what it takes to make discipline work in every ones favor. I use all of these methods myself and they work wonderful in my family!


How You Say It Is Key

All parents get tired of yelling and repeating themselves trying to teach their children the same lessons and the appropriate way to behave. When it comes to disciplining your child effectively, how you communicate – what you say and how you say it -- are key. Discipline your child with words that are instructive, not destructive, and that are caring, not callous. If your child feels that you respect him or her, your child is more likely to comply.

How to effectively discipline and guide your child…
• Be calm. Your neutral tone shows your child you are standing your ground. Your calmness is contagious and will help your child calm down. • Be confident. If you want your child to have a two-cookie or one-hour TV limit, then establish that those are the rules in your home by enforcing them consistently and with confidence.
• Focus on your child. Say his or her name when you give a directive and look directly at the child.
• Praise good behavior. Use specific praise that reiterates the good thing your child did and what it meant. “Thank you for sitting quietly and reading while I dressed your sister. It made us all happy and able to get things done. You are becoming a good reader.”
• Gentle reminders. Time these appropriately. As your child leaves the bathroom, remind him or her to hang the towel up.
• Present choices. Instead of always telling your child not to do something, give your child choices such as, "do you want to put your socks on first or your shirt?" Just make sure you only give choices that if your child chooses, you will be comfortable with.
• Don't ask, tell.Asking "Are you ready for bed?" leaves the decision up to your child and the likely answer will be "no!" Try "Time for bed!" instead.
• When…then . Tell your child when he completes an act of good behavior (puts away a toy, finishes homework, brushes teeth), then something desirable for your child will happen (you can have a cookie, watch TV, call your friend on the phone.)
• Tell your child you will count to ten and explain what needs to happen during the countdown. Kids actually like the 'beat-the-clock' challenge and the countdown also allows you to keep your cool.
• Invite input. Work out a situation together by asking your child how he or she would solve the problem. Then listen and work together to solve the issue at hand.
• Say please and thank you . This helps your child use these important terms in his or her own language, but also provides an air of civility and kindness
• Focus your message and be specific. Direct your child specifically, saying, “Dinner's almost ready. Please turn off the TV, wash your hands, and come to the table.”
• Brief is best. One or two sentences will work better than a lecture in most cases. “Put your coat on or you'll be late for school.”
• Use “I” phrases, instead of “you” phrases. Shift your criticism from the child to the child's behavior. Rather than, "You really make me sad when you do not put away your toys" try "I really like it when you put away your toys when you are finished playing."
• Don't give too many orders at once. As your child completes a task, then direct him or her to the next one to avoid overwhelming your child.

via:
http://onetoughjob.org/discipline.aspx

Pumpkinhead Pencil

Looking for something other than candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters? Make a batch of jack-o'-lantern pencil pals. CRAFT MATERIALS:
Large wooden beads (if you cannot find an orange one, you can paint a plain one) with an opening big enough to accommodate the end of a pencil)
Pencils
Fine-point permanent black marker
Tape

Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Use a permanent black marker to draw a jack-o'-lantern face on the bead.

2. When the ink has dried, slide the bead over the pencil's eraser.

3. If the bead's opening is slightly larger than the pencil, wrap tape around the eraser for a snug fit.

via:
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10332

Spooky Fence Decoration

Make a spooky fence decoration to hang up for Halloween.

You need:

Craft Sticks
Raffia
Foamie Halloween Shapes
Tacky Glue
White Paint and Brush
Fine Point Black Marker
Our project prepack has all materials to make a spooky fence decoration.

Instructions:

Paint sticks white. Layout four sticks vertically and glue three stick across them horizontally lining the bottom stick up with the bottom of the vertical sticks. Cut a 5" piece of raffia and glue it to the back of the sticks in a loop for hanging. Cut the rest of the raffia in irregular pieces to use as grass. Glue to the bottom horizontal stick. Glue the yellow moon behind the sticks and the rest of the foamies to the front of the sticks. Use a fine point black marker to add details.

via:
http://www.makingfriends.com/fallcrafts/fence_decoration.htm