Just mention the word “homework” and parents (and children) all over the land let out a collective groan. But getting a handle on homework doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little thought and preparation you can turn the homework woes into productive home study time by creating a unique homework nook in your house.
Historically Speaking
Homework areas have undergone significant changes in recent years. In the past, a desk placed in the corner of basement or the dining room table was considered a “perfect” homework spot. Today, computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, and the Internet are dramatically changing the face of where children do their homework. Because of advancements in technology, that little desk, with its chrome lamp and single file drawer, isn’t going to cut it anymore.
Your child’s homework space depends on the size of your home and your child’s particular requirements. Do they like a stiff chair or a comfy one? What type of desk best suits their needs? And what location would minimize distractions and maximize productivity?
“When it comes to creating a homework area, experiment to see what type of set-up works best for your child’s homework habits,” says Stacy DeBroff, chief executive officer of Mom Central, Inc. and author of The Mom Book Goes To School. “Most importantly, make sure your child’s study area is free of distracting clutter,” DeBroff says. “A neat workplace sets the tone for serious studying and allows your child to spread out their work.”
Let There Be Light
Unless the need for a family computer draws them out, many kids prefer to do homework in their rooms, although not necessarily at a desk. Some kids like to snuggle into pillows to study; others prefer to spread everything out on the floor. Wherever they study, a prerequisite should be good task lighting.
When selecting a desk lamp, make sure the arm is long enough and flexible enough to shine light where you need it and out of your way when you don't need it. Consider lighting products that feature "full spectrum" capabilities, which provides illumination that is very close to natural lighting, and helps to reduce eyestrain when reading.
Use Bold Color
Adding color to a space makes it more visually interesting and engaging: for example, EXPO dry erase products allow kids to write in color and conceptualize in color. Also, bright paint on the walls or colorful seat cushions can make the space more desirable for kids to hang out in.
Organization Is Key
Regardless of the size of your homework space, it is important to pare down the clutter and keep only the basics on hand. Adding personal “cubbies,” hooks and shelves for kids will keep them organized and keep your space clean. Creating filing areas for new assignments, paper, books and reference materials really makes a difference in the look and feel of the space as well as your child’s productivity.
The homework nook should also include an easy to use, brightly colored calendar system for long-term projects. Science projects and term papers can’t be done overnight. Help children set up specific goals for such long-term assignments.
Personalize the Space
One of the easiest ways to help engage a child in a learning atmosphere is to make them feel like they are contributing to it. Be sure to create a place to showcase great work—adding a bulletin board or magnet board—and allowing kids to decorate with their favorite assignments and artwork. You can also paint their names on their chairs or bookshelves.
[BOXOUT] Homework Shirt
Ken Haller, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and a pediatrician at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, suggests kids start the school year by picking out a homework shirt—a simple item of clothing to wear that gets them in the mood to hit the books.
“There are a lot of examples in life when you dress a certain way to tackle a given task. You frequently dress formally to go to a wedding. Athletes wear uniforms to play their sport. As so many kids are on the run, putting on a special shirt to do homework is a concrete reminder that it’s time to hit the books, even if they’re sitting at their sister’s soccer game,” Haller says. Haller first heard of the idea of wearing special homework garb during a psychology class in medical school.
He suggests selecting one homework shirt to wear during study sessions for the entire school year or until the child outgrows it. Wash it on weekends.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Book Series To Love
Remember as a child, curling up with your favorite Nancy Drew, Little House on the Prairie, or Boxcar Mystery? Once you finished it, you begged your parents to take you to the local bookstore or library to get the next book in the series? For decades, series books have provided a wonderful way to get children “hooked” on reading. Once they become enamored with a series, they simply want more. While Harry Potter is a great example of the power series books can have on young readers, there are literally dozens of series books available. Here are some of the more popular series books—both new and old—that keep children coming back for more.
A to Z Mysteries
Ages 9 to 12
This 26-book series is a favorite among super sleuths and those children looking for adventure-filled reads. The books’main characters work diligently to solve mysteries in their hometown and throughout the world – introducing readers to faraway places, as well as small towns.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Thirteen books are planned for Lemony Snicket’s series, which feature unique, often hilarious adventures, misfortunes, and escapades of the Baudelaire children.
Amelia Bedelia
Since 1963, Amelia Bedelia has been entertaining young readers with her mind-boggling antics. Although Peggy Parish, the original author of the Amelia Bedelia series dies in 1988, her nephew Herman Parish has continued sharing the stories of much-loved Amelia and her literal mind.
American Girls
Ages 7 and up
Who wouldn’t love history when it involves favorite American Girl characters and some of the most entertaining historical depictions of American life. Showcasing each American girl and how they lived during their specific period of American history, this series is both historically accurate and intriguing for readers of all ages.
Andrew Lost
Looking for a way to make science exciting for your child? The Andrew Lost series. Shrunk down to microscopic size, Andrew and his buddies get caught on the Great Barrier Reef, are wisked away in a time machine, and find themselves in primordial Earth surrounded by huge and hungry dinosaurs.
The Boxcar Children Mysteries
Having recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, the Boxcar Children Mysteries are still as inviting today as they were decades ago. While the earlier books in the series are still intriguing, the series as evolved over the years to include adventures and mysteries that appeal to today’s young reader.
Dear America Series
Ten years ago, Scholastic launched the “Dear America” series. Each of the two dozen books are written through the experiences of a young girl living during a particular time in American history. The fictional stories provide wonderful backgrounds for the factual information included in each book, making American history that much more interesting for young readers.
Junie B. Jones
It’s never to early to get the youngest readers interested in series books and Junie B. Jones is a great place to start. The silly and funny antics of this kindergartner-turned-first grader will keep your young reader longing for more. The short chapters are ideal for early readers as well.
Judy Moody
While Junie B. Jones may appeal to the early elementary age readers, second and third graders looking for more oddball adventures will delight in Judy Moody and her sarcastic wit and charming humor.
Magic Tree House
Children love a sense of adventure and adventures are what siblings Jack and Annie discover in the pages of the books found in a mysterious treehouse. With every book they open and page they turn, they are transported to exotic locales to experience unforgettable adventures.
Nate the Great
Who wouldn’t want to search for clue and solve mysteries with their favorite dog by their side? Early elementary school readers (grades 1 to 3) will enjoy the mysteries that unfold for detective and his faithful sidekick, Sludge. The author ability to use fewer words to tell a story is ideal for early readers.
Spiderwick Chronicles
A hidden room, a yellowed parchment, and menacing creatures from the “Faerie”world turn the lives of three young children upside down in the Spiderwick Chronicles. After moving into a large estate, three siblings begin to explore their surroundings, and as a result mysterious and strange incidents unfold.
A to Z Mysteries
Ages 9 to 12
This 26-book series is a favorite among super sleuths and those children looking for adventure-filled reads. The books’main characters work diligently to solve mysteries in their hometown and throughout the world – introducing readers to faraway places, as well as small towns.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Thirteen books are planned for Lemony Snicket’s series, which feature unique, often hilarious adventures, misfortunes, and escapades of the Baudelaire children.
Amelia Bedelia
Since 1963, Amelia Bedelia has been entertaining young readers with her mind-boggling antics. Although Peggy Parish, the original author of the Amelia Bedelia series dies in 1988, her nephew Herman Parish has continued sharing the stories of much-loved Amelia and her literal mind.
American Girls
Ages 7 and up
Who wouldn’t love history when it involves favorite American Girl characters and some of the most entertaining historical depictions of American life. Showcasing each American girl and how they lived during their specific period of American history, this series is both historically accurate and intriguing for readers of all ages.
Andrew Lost
Looking for a way to make science exciting for your child? The Andrew Lost series. Shrunk down to microscopic size, Andrew and his buddies get caught on the Great Barrier Reef, are wisked away in a time machine, and find themselves in primordial Earth surrounded by huge and hungry dinosaurs.
The Boxcar Children Mysteries
Having recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, the Boxcar Children Mysteries are still as inviting today as they were decades ago. While the earlier books in the series are still intriguing, the series as evolved over the years to include adventures and mysteries that appeal to today’s young reader.
Dear America Series
Ten years ago, Scholastic launched the “Dear America” series. Each of the two dozen books are written through the experiences of a young girl living during a particular time in American history. The fictional stories provide wonderful backgrounds for the factual information included in each book, making American history that much more interesting for young readers.
Junie B. Jones
It’s never to early to get the youngest readers interested in series books and Junie B. Jones is a great place to start. The silly and funny antics of this kindergartner-turned-first grader will keep your young reader longing for more. The short chapters are ideal for early readers as well.
Judy Moody
While Junie B. Jones may appeal to the early elementary age readers, second and third graders looking for more oddball adventures will delight in Judy Moody and her sarcastic wit and charming humor.
Magic Tree House
Children love a sense of adventure and adventures are what siblings Jack and Annie discover in the pages of the books found in a mysterious treehouse. With every book they open and page they turn, they are transported to exotic locales to experience unforgettable adventures.
Nate the Great
Who wouldn’t want to search for clue and solve mysteries with their favorite dog by their side? Early elementary school readers (grades 1 to 3) will enjoy the mysteries that unfold for detective and his faithful sidekick, Sludge. The author ability to use fewer words to tell a story is ideal for early readers.
Spiderwick Chronicles
A hidden room, a yellowed parchment, and menacing creatures from the “Faerie”world turn the lives of three young children upside down in the Spiderwick Chronicles. After moving into a large estate, three siblings begin to explore their surroundings, and as a result mysterious and strange incidents unfold.
Back to School Book Roundup
Little Raccoon’s Big Question
Author: Miriam Schlein
Publisher: Greenwillow, imprint of HarperCollins
Price: $15.99
ISBN: 0060521163
“When do you love me most of all?” begins this charming tale of a young raccoon’s need to know the level of his mother’s love. Preschoolers will enjoy the lively illustrations portraying the young raccoon’s daily antics in trying to determine when he earns his mother’s affections. In the end, mother raccoon explains that there is no specific time that she loves him most of all—rather, she loves him all the time! This endearing tale reinforces the strong bond between mothers and their young—whether they are animals or humans, there’s nothing quite like the love shared between the two.
The Kingfisher Treasury of Stories for Eight Year Olds
Publisher: Kingfisher
Price: $5.95
ISBN: 0753457148
This suburb collection has been specially chosen to be read to eight-year-olds, but all ages will enjoy the variety and excellence of these stories of ranging from tales about unwanted ghosts to soup tureen antics to a charming wizard’s house. While the number of illustrations is few, each tale has at least one illustration that charmingly depicts the elements of the story. What’s more, the illustrations vary according to each story. Some are whimsical, others are more serious.
The anthology includes contributions from James Berry, Robert Newton Peck, Emily Smith, and Alison Lurie, among others and is part of the Kingfisher Treasury series, each featuring a wonderful array of authors on stories ranging from ballet to pirates to monsters.
The Foot-Stomping Adventures of Clementine Sweet
Author: Kitty Griffin; Kathy Combs
Publishers: Clarion Books
Price: $15.00
ISBN: 0618247467
For anyone looking to learn a little Texas slang, this hilarious, upbeat book is filled with cultural gems. Six-year-old Clementine’s true personality shines when her family ignores her on her birthday. As a result of being forgotten, Clementine turns into one of the meanest girls in the county—stomping on people’s feet to get attention. But this pugnacious behavior doesn’t last long. A giant twister storm comes to town and the brave Clementine goes out of her way to save her town. A surprising turn of events leads to a nicer, sweeter Clementine. Reading this book aloud will keep kids coming back for more—especially if it is read with a true Texas drawl.
The Perfect Clubhouse
Author: Daniel Mahoney
Publisher: Clarion Books
Price: $15.00
ISBN: 061834672
What better way to spend a summer day than by building a clubhouse with your closest friends? But when animal friends Stanley, Heston, Julius, and Floyd begin the task, they have different ideas of what the perfect clubhouse should be. From playing superheroes to creating works of art to doing science experiments to camping out, the friends find they what to pursue different activities in their new hangout—leading to feelings of frustration and irritation. Naturally, the friends come together in a “perfect” ending. Rich and imaginative illustrations by the author bring Mahoney’s prose to life and add a colorful dimension to this charming tale. The relatively simply faces of the animals are remarkably expressive.
The Firekeeper’s Son
Author: Linda Sue Park
Publisher: Clarion
Price: $16.00
ISBN: 0618133372
The Firekeeper’s Son is a picture book that tells of life in a Korean village several hundred years ago—in the early 1800s. At that time, bonfires were lit by villages on the mountains as a signal that all was well. If a king did not see a fire, that meant trouble and he would send out his army, complete with glistening swords and enormous soldiers. In this exciting story, young Sang-hee dreams of meeting these infamous soldiers. When his father is unable to light the bonfire one night, Sang-hee must take his place. Torn between his duty and responsibility and his longing to see the soldiers, Sang-hee is forced to make a difficult decision. Based on the real Korean tradition of the bonfire signal system, Julie Downing’s radiant illustrations depict traditional Korean village life.
Hot Potato Mealtime Rhymes
Publisher: Clarion
Price: $16.00
ISBN: 0618315543
Through the teeth and past the gums look out stomach, here it comes! This anthology of 18 glorious poems and rhymes celebrates all things yummy. From beautiful soup to delectable cinnamon buns to scrumptious chocolate cake, kids and parents alike will find everlasting fun in poems by Spike Mulligan, Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Douglas Florian, and others. This mouth-watering compilation is sure to keep kids’ mouths watering and them wanting to come back for second helpings.
Lizzy’s Ups and Downs: Not An Ordinary School Day
Author: Jessica Harper
Publisher: HarperCollins
Price: $15.99
ISBN: 0060520639
“Tell me about your day.” How many times have you said that to your kids? When Lizzy’s mother asks how her day was, poor Lizzy relives the ups and downs of her day at school. Rather than being a typical day, Lizzy explains how every moment—from sleeping late to wearing mix-matched socks to saying goodbye to a classmate who is moving—has had a profound effect on making this one of the worst days she’s had in awhile. Jessica Harper does an exceptional job at capturing some of the emotional challenges of a typical school day—challenges children of all ages can relate to. Jessica’s sister, Lindsay, offers simple, yet emotionally packed illustrations to capture Lizzy’s experiences. In the end, Lizzy findscomfort in her giving her dog and cat kisses and hugs. Even though she realizes that world is filled with ups and downs, Lizzy decides not to let her day get her down. She ends her crazy day with a simple hug and kiss for her dog and cat. After that, all is right with the world.
Author: Miriam Schlein
Publisher: Greenwillow, imprint of HarperCollins
Price: $15.99
ISBN: 0060521163
“When do you love me most of all?” begins this charming tale of a young raccoon’s need to know the level of his mother’s love. Preschoolers will enjoy the lively illustrations portraying the young raccoon’s daily antics in trying to determine when he earns his mother’s affections. In the end, mother raccoon explains that there is no specific time that she loves him most of all—rather, she loves him all the time! This endearing tale reinforces the strong bond between mothers and their young—whether they are animals or humans, there’s nothing quite like the love shared between the two.
The Kingfisher Treasury of Stories for Eight Year Olds
Publisher: Kingfisher
Price: $5.95
ISBN: 0753457148
This suburb collection has been specially chosen to be read to eight-year-olds, but all ages will enjoy the variety and excellence of these stories of ranging from tales about unwanted ghosts to soup tureen antics to a charming wizard’s house. While the number of illustrations is few, each tale has at least one illustration that charmingly depicts the elements of the story. What’s more, the illustrations vary according to each story. Some are whimsical, others are more serious.
The anthology includes contributions from James Berry, Robert Newton Peck, Emily Smith, and Alison Lurie, among others and is part of the Kingfisher Treasury series, each featuring a wonderful array of authors on stories ranging from ballet to pirates to monsters.
The Foot-Stomping Adventures of Clementine Sweet
Author: Kitty Griffin; Kathy Combs
Publishers: Clarion Books
Price: $15.00
ISBN: 0618247467
For anyone looking to learn a little Texas slang, this hilarious, upbeat book is filled with cultural gems. Six-year-old Clementine’s true personality shines when her family ignores her on her birthday. As a result of being forgotten, Clementine turns into one of the meanest girls in the county—stomping on people’s feet to get attention. But this pugnacious behavior doesn’t last long. A giant twister storm comes to town and the brave Clementine goes out of her way to save her town. A surprising turn of events leads to a nicer, sweeter Clementine. Reading this book aloud will keep kids coming back for more—especially if it is read with a true Texas drawl.
The Perfect Clubhouse
Author: Daniel Mahoney
Publisher: Clarion Books
Price: $15.00
ISBN: 061834672
What better way to spend a summer day than by building a clubhouse with your closest friends? But when animal friends Stanley, Heston, Julius, and Floyd begin the task, they have different ideas of what the perfect clubhouse should be. From playing superheroes to creating works of art to doing science experiments to camping out, the friends find they what to pursue different activities in their new hangout—leading to feelings of frustration and irritation. Naturally, the friends come together in a “perfect” ending. Rich and imaginative illustrations by the author bring Mahoney’s prose to life and add a colorful dimension to this charming tale. The relatively simply faces of the animals are remarkably expressive.
The Firekeeper’s Son
Author: Linda Sue Park
Publisher: Clarion
Price: $16.00
ISBN: 0618133372
The Firekeeper’s Son is a picture book that tells of life in a Korean village several hundred years ago—in the early 1800s. At that time, bonfires were lit by villages on the mountains as a signal that all was well. If a king did not see a fire, that meant trouble and he would send out his army, complete with glistening swords and enormous soldiers. In this exciting story, young Sang-hee dreams of meeting these infamous soldiers. When his father is unable to light the bonfire one night, Sang-hee must take his place. Torn between his duty and responsibility and his longing to see the soldiers, Sang-hee is forced to make a difficult decision. Based on the real Korean tradition of the bonfire signal system, Julie Downing’s radiant illustrations depict traditional Korean village life.
Hot Potato Mealtime Rhymes
Publisher: Clarion
Price: $16.00
ISBN: 0618315543
Through the teeth and past the gums look out stomach, here it comes! This anthology of 18 glorious poems and rhymes celebrates all things yummy. From beautiful soup to delectable cinnamon buns to scrumptious chocolate cake, kids and parents alike will find everlasting fun in poems by Spike Mulligan, Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Douglas Florian, and others. This mouth-watering compilation is sure to keep kids’ mouths watering and them wanting to come back for second helpings.
Lizzy’s Ups and Downs: Not An Ordinary School Day
Author: Jessica Harper
Publisher: HarperCollins
Price: $15.99
ISBN: 0060520639
“Tell me about your day.” How many times have you said that to your kids? When Lizzy’s mother asks how her day was, poor Lizzy relives the ups and downs of her day at school. Rather than being a typical day, Lizzy explains how every moment—from sleeping late to wearing mix-matched socks to saying goodbye to a classmate who is moving—has had a profound effect on making this one of the worst days she’s had in awhile. Jessica Harper does an exceptional job at capturing some of the emotional challenges of a typical school day—challenges children of all ages can relate to. Jessica’s sister, Lindsay, offers simple, yet emotionally packed illustrations to capture Lizzy’s experiences. In the end, Lizzy findscomfort in her giving her dog and cat kisses and hugs. Even though she realizes that world is filled with ups and downs, Lizzy decides not to let her day get her down. She ends her crazy day with a simple hug and kiss for her dog and cat. After that, all is right with the world.
Creating A Book Club
Oprah has one. As does the Today Show. Public libraries wouldn’t be the same without them. And even children are forming their own. They’re book clubs and they have long been the means to an end for many busy readers.
As the hustle and bustle of the holidays are a merry memory, you may have turned your attention to filling your leisure time by increasing the amount of reading you do. Avid readers and periodic readers alike find that book clubs offer a great way to get more out of their reading habits, while enjoying the company of others.
“Reading is a wonderful springboard to taking the time to sit and think,” said Suzanne Beecher, CEO and founder of www.DearReader.com. “If you enjoy spending time with other people – other than standing in line with them at the grocery store – book clubs are a wonderful way to reconnect with people. Book clubs are so popular today because reading is still delivering an escape, a time to relax, a time to learn more about ourselves and discover what we really think about things.” Beecher has been helping people form their own book clubs and offering her own online book club since 1999. Each day,
over 300,000 people read from the 14 different clubs she produces.
Whether you are looking to join a book club or would like to form your own, there are some key things to consider.
“Not every book is a good match for everyone and you might have to do some ‘test-driving’ to find the right book club for you,” Beecher noted. “If it's a book club that gets together to meet in person, telephone someone who's a member and ask some questions before you visit.”
Some questions you might ask are:
[BULLET]
What books have they read lately?
Do they limit books to one genre?
Who chooses the books?
How much time do you have to read the book?
What are the ages of the people in the group?
How much of their meeting is discussing the book?
Do most people read the book?
Why do they personally belong to the book club? And how long have they been a member?
What did they like about the last book that the club read together?
How many people are in the club?
To find the right book club or to begin one on your own, Beecher suggests posting announcements at your office, the library, in your church's bulletin, on the gym's bulletin board or even take out a small classified ad in the neighborhood newspaper.
“Don't be in a hurry to form a group. Finding the right mix for a group is important. And don't be afraid to start out small or stay small,” Beecher said. “It's not the number of people in your group that makes a book club successful, but whether are people enjoying being part of the book club and feel that, 'Yes, this is something good in my life and I'm so glad I joined.'
Online book clubs such as DearReader.com or those offered through your local library just might be the perfect match for you if you’re a busy person, who doesn’t have time to get together in person with a group.
As the hustle and bustle of the holidays are a merry memory, you may have turned your attention to filling your leisure time by increasing the amount of reading you do. Avid readers and periodic readers alike find that book clubs offer a great way to get more out of their reading habits, while enjoying the company of others.
“Reading is a wonderful springboard to taking the time to sit and think,” said Suzanne Beecher, CEO and founder of www.DearReader.com. “If you enjoy spending time with other people – other than standing in line with them at the grocery store – book clubs are a wonderful way to reconnect with people. Book clubs are so popular today because reading is still delivering an escape, a time to relax, a time to learn more about ourselves and discover what we really think about things.” Beecher has been helping people form their own book clubs and offering her own online book club since 1999. Each day,
over 300,000 people read from the 14 different clubs she produces.
Whether you are looking to join a book club or would like to form your own, there are some key things to consider.
“Not every book is a good match for everyone and you might have to do some ‘test-driving’ to find the right book club for you,” Beecher noted. “If it's a book club that gets together to meet in person, telephone someone who's a member and ask some questions before you visit.”
Some questions you might ask are:
[BULLET]
What books have they read lately?
Do they limit books to one genre?
Who chooses the books?
How much time do you have to read the book?
What are the ages of the people in the group?
How much of their meeting is discussing the book?
Do most people read the book?
Why do they personally belong to the book club? And how long have they been a member?
What did they like about the last book that the club read together?
How many people are in the club?
To find the right book club or to begin one on your own, Beecher suggests posting announcements at your office, the library, in your church's bulletin, on the gym's bulletin board or even take out a small classified ad in the neighborhood newspaper.
“Don't be in a hurry to form a group. Finding the right mix for a group is important. And don't be afraid to start out small or stay small,” Beecher said. “It's not the number of people in your group that makes a book club successful, but whether are people enjoying being part of the book club and feel that, 'Yes, this is something good in my life and I'm so glad I joined.'
Online book clubs such as DearReader.com or those offered through your local library just might be the perfect match for you if you’re a busy person, who doesn’t have time to get together in person with a group.
Back To School Organization
As the summer months wind down, parents and children are undoubtedly turning their attention to the school year with a mixture of anticipation and excitement, perhaps even dread. A new school year presents fresh challenges and lays waste to the decidedly less frantic summer routine—for both parents and children. The fact is, the "three R's" have given way to a much more daunting schedule of classes, clubs, practices and assorted extracurricular activities for young students to navigate.
Parents can help their children stay focused and successful by encouraging good organizational habits. The more organized your child's schedule is, the more likely it is that you'll be able to keep your own schedule. Audrey Thomas, a time-management and organizing expert and owner of Organized Audrey, offers these tips to help their children get organized.
• Encourage children to use a school planner to keep assignments in order. Parents should review the planner with the child often, and talk about upcoming assignments and exams. When selecting a student planner, look for ease of use and durability. Sturdy plastic covers, snap-on page finders and flat-fold spiral binding help young users get comfortable with this time-management tool. Built-in paper pockets help organize homework, permission slips and school notices. The best student planners are streamlined, colorful, and designed with children in mind..
• Begin each morning the night before. Set the breakfast table as you clear the dinner dishes. Lay out children's clothing the night before. Multi-child households may need a bathroom schedule so that everyone gets equal time before the mirror.
• Set aside "homework time.” Set aside time each night for homework so that it becomes routine. Be considerate of your child's homework time by not watching television; in fact,
"homework time" can be used by parents as well, to pay bills, write correspondence, etc. Designate a work area for the child, such as a desk in the child's room, or a dining room or kitchen table, where the child can spread the work out with little distraction.
• During the last two weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they'll need to rise when school begins.
• Allow "down time" each night. Just as adults need time to unwind from a hectic day, so do children. Set aside time after homework for children to relax. Encourage productive relaxation such as reading a book for fun. It's also a good time for the entire family to catch up on the day's activities.
• Take an afternoon and assess each child's clothing needs. Empty drawers and closets of outgrown or worn-out clothing, and either store or donate the discards. Working with your child, clean and organize clothing storage before new garments are added.
• Nothing calms school year chaos like a central calendar: a centralized site for all family calendars and schedules. Designate a calendar station in a common area in the house for everyone, such as the kitchen. Lay out a daily planner or calendar and mark significant events coming up, such as doctor's appointments for parents and children. Encourage children to stop by the calendar each morning and evening to update themselves on what might be going on that week. Also, have children write in their own significant events such as practices, school plays and birthday parties. This encourages responsibility and organization, and children see that their responsibilities are as significant as those of their parents.
Parents can help their children stay focused and successful by encouraging good organizational habits. The more organized your child's schedule is, the more likely it is that you'll be able to keep your own schedule. Audrey Thomas, a time-management and organizing expert and owner of Organized Audrey, offers these tips to help their children get organized.
• Encourage children to use a school planner to keep assignments in order. Parents should review the planner with the child often, and talk about upcoming assignments and exams. When selecting a student planner, look for ease of use and durability. Sturdy plastic covers, snap-on page finders and flat-fold spiral binding help young users get comfortable with this time-management tool. Built-in paper pockets help organize homework, permission slips and school notices. The best student planners are streamlined, colorful, and designed with children in mind..
• Begin each morning the night before. Set the breakfast table as you clear the dinner dishes. Lay out children's clothing the night before. Multi-child households may need a bathroom schedule so that everyone gets equal time before the mirror.
• Set aside "homework time.” Set aside time each night for homework so that it becomes routine. Be considerate of your child's homework time by not watching television; in fact,
"homework time" can be used by parents as well, to pay bills, write correspondence, etc. Designate a work area for the child, such as a desk in the child's room, or a dining room or kitchen table, where the child can spread the work out with little distraction.
• During the last two weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they'll need to rise when school begins.
• Allow "down time" each night. Just as adults need time to unwind from a hectic day, so do children. Set aside time after homework for children to relax. Encourage productive relaxation such as reading a book for fun. It's also a good time for the entire family to catch up on the day's activities.
• Take an afternoon and assess each child's clothing needs. Empty drawers and closets of outgrown or worn-out clothing, and either store or donate the discards. Working with your child, clean and organize clothing storage before new garments are added.
• Nothing calms school year chaos like a central calendar: a centralized site for all family calendars and schedules. Designate a calendar station in a common area in the house for everyone, such as the kitchen. Lay out a daily planner or calendar and mark significant events coming up, such as doctor's appointments for parents and children. Encourage children to stop by the calendar each morning and evening to update themselves on what might be going on that week. Also, have children write in their own significant events such as practices, school plays and birthday parties. This encourages responsibility and organization, and children see that their responsibilities are as significant as those of their parents.
Summertime is reading time
Reading isn't only fun, it's essential to a child's development. In fact, studies have shown that reading forms the foundation of all learning, and that children who read often (or are frequently read to) do better academically. And while children (and some parents) may think summer means “no more homework, no more books” – reading should be a year-round activity.
It's vital for parents to keep their kids engaged in reading over the summer months to prevent the ‘summer slide. Research has shown that elementary school students who read 4 or 5 books over the summer can prevent reading achievement losses. Plus children who read more books fared better on reading comprehension tests in the fall than peers who read one or no books over the summer. Age or reading ability is immaterial, though research has demonstrated that practice has a positive effect on reading ability, so children who read more do become better readers.
So what are some of the best ways to engage your children in reading? First and foremost be a reading role model yourself – let your kids see you reading (and enjoying it!). Also you need to have reading material all around the house. Keep a wide scope when it comes to reading material – board game instructions, recipes, comic books, etc. – it’s all reading. Anything that gets your child to read for pleasure and their own information will help them build their vocabulary and sharpen critical-reasoning skills.
If your reluctant reader likes to put things together, buy them a model kit and have them read the instructions. If your child enjoys cooking, let them make the shopping list and read the recipe as you cook together. Even practice reading billboards and signs as you drive in the car.
Also, be sure to let your children choose the books they are interested in. If you aren’t sure the books they are choosing offers appropriate content or is for their reading level, ask a children’s librarian at your local library for help. Librarians can provide a wealth of information on books that really engage readers of all levels and many can offer ideas over the phone or via email.
Try It!: On the “All About Reading” section of scholastic.com (http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/read/) parents can find a wealth of information on how to help their kids keep an interest in reading.
City and county libraries and offer a wealth of summertime reading programs and activities.
It's vital for parents to keep their kids engaged in reading over the summer months to prevent the ‘summer slide. Research has shown that elementary school students who read 4 or 5 books over the summer can prevent reading achievement losses. Plus children who read more books fared better on reading comprehension tests in the fall than peers who read one or no books over the summer. Age or reading ability is immaterial, though research has demonstrated that practice has a positive effect on reading ability, so children who read more do become better readers.
So what are some of the best ways to engage your children in reading? First and foremost be a reading role model yourself – let your kids see you reading (and enjoying it!). Also you need to have reading material all around the house. Keep a wide scope when it comes to reading material – board game instructions, recipes, comic books, etc. – it’s all reading. Anything that gets your child to read for pleasure and their own information will help them build their vocabulary and sharpen critical-reasoning skills.
If your reluctant reader likes to put things together, buy them a model kit and have them read the instructions. If your child enjoys cooking, let them make the shopping list and read the recipe as you cook together. Even practice reading billboards and signs as you drive in the car.
Also, be sure to let your children choose the books they are interested in. If you aren’t sure the books they are choosing offers appropriate content or is for their reading level, ask a children’s librarian at your local library for help. Librarians can provide a wealth of information on books that really engage readers of all levels and many can offer ideas over the phone or via email.
Try It!: On the “All About Reading” section of scholastic.com (http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/read/) parents can find a wealth of information on how to help their kids keep an interest in reading.
City and county libraries and offer a wealth of summertime reading programs and activities.
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