Thursday Thought

Let your thoughts be planted in rich soil and let your actions stand tall in a child’s eyes. Just as fruit does not fall far from the tree, children do not stray far from their heroes.

-Author Unknown

Thursday Thought

20 minutes a day is the recommended amount of time to read to your child but I personally love the following recommendation...

"Read! Read! Read! until you think your lips are going to fall off -- and then... read one more!!"

-Bev Bos

Reading to your child WILL HAVE a MAJOR POSITIVE IMPACT on his/her future school success.

Thursday Thought

"Children need your presence more than they need your presents."

Get Moving!

Movement is the key to healthy development. In a

world dominated by television, computers, and video games,

children are spending more time sitting down, indoors, and

staring at video screens than ever before. At the same

time, more children are being diagnosed with learning

disorders and developmental delays. The best way to help

these kids is to get them moving!

Children who are physically active in their early years

have a significantly greater chance of achieving success in

school. This is because movement stimulates the brain and

develops readiness skills, such as body awareness and

coordination, that are crucial to classroom learning.

Students who do not reach this level of developmental

maturity often have difficulty sitting still and paying

attention in class. They get distracted easily and as a

result, struggle with academics or behavior.

So get the kids moving this summer! Playing outdoors

and indoors helps ALL children develop mature readiness

skills, stay healthy, and most importantly, have FUN!

*Reprinted from S.M.A.R.T. Summer Ideas For Parents

The Minnesota Learning Resource Center

Friday Fact

Vocabulary - a way of naming things we know about

Did you know...

*children who have large vocabularies and lots of experiences using language are more successful in school. (Hart & Risley 1995)

*research has revealed that vocabulary knowledge is the single most important factor contributing to reading comprehension.

So...

TALK, TALK, TALK with your children. Discuss the things around them, answer their questions, ask questions, read non-fiction books. You'll be amazed with how much information they will retain and you'll be contributing to their future comprehension abilities.