| Make Readers of Your Future Leaders | | | | sibling, a pet, or Mom or Dad. Thispractice |
| | | | can make a big difference in reading skills, |
| | | | plusboost self-esteem. |
| | | | |
| Copyright (c) 2004 | | | | - Bring books to life. |
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| Everyone wants their kids to do well. | | | | Remember Dr. Seuss' classic, 'Green Eggs and |
| | | | Ham'? Many amom has dribbled a little green |
| To that end, we educate them, hover over them | | | | food coloring in withsome scrambled eggs to |
| and spendlots of time and money guiding them | | | | the delight of her preschooler! |
| into a future withno guarantees. | | | | |
| | | | Reading about castles? Get some discarded |
| This is all good stuff, but sometimes it's | | | | refrigeratorboxes and build your own castle! |
| easy tooverlook the simple things that can | | | | Wondering if you have abudding scientist? Get |
| offer big resultsfor small investments. | | | | a book about simple scienceexperiments you |
| | | | can do at home and work a few with |
| Like reading. | | | | youryoungster. Watch for her excitement and |
| | | | you'll discoverher interests firsthand. |
| Are your kids readers? Are you? | | | | |
| | | | - Establish a new treat. |
| Study after study has shown that kids who are | | | | |
| readersdo better in school, have broader | | | | Doling out rewards for a job well done? |
| areas of interest,and just plain enjoy | | | | Include a tripto the local bookstore as one |
| learning more than their non-readingpeers. | | | | of the prizes. Owning theirown books raises |
| | | | the books' value in your child'sperspective. |
| With data like that, it's an easy decision to | | | | Reading a book series and reveling in |
| makereaders out of your future leaders. Need | | | | theanticipation of waiting for the next book |
| to convincethem? Here's a few things to share | | | | to be releasedis a wonderful thing! |
| with them: | | | | |
| | | | - Encourage writing. |
| - It's cool to have a library card. | | | | |
| | | | Over and over again we hear how new graduates |
| Why depend on everyone else for all the | | | | in theworkplace simply don't know how to |
| answers? Peoplewho enjoy reading and can find | | | | write. While strongwriting skills take time |
| their way around alibrary can locate their | | | | and effort, the foundation is agood set of |
| own solutions. In the humanexperience, | | | | reading skills. Quite often, young readersare |
| whatever a person is going through, | | | | inspired to write their own stories after |
| someoneelse has encountered it and wrote | | | | reading anexciting tale written by someone |
| about it. Independent,thinking kids can | | | | else. Encourage theirwriting efforts, showing |
| research their own answers as well asdiscuss | | | | them how they can open a |
| their findings with the adults in their | | | | powerfulcommunication channel with others by |
| lives. | | | | mastering writingskills. |
| | | | |
| - Newspapers and magazines count. | | | | - Learn a new hobby. |
| | | | |
| To be an 'official' reader, your child | | | | Has your child always wondered what it would |
| doesn't have todrag through a 'classic' every | | | | be liketo fly model rockets? Do you have a |
| month. The number one rulehere is: make it | | | | youngster who wishesshe had a pet, but you're |
| fun! Books are great, but they are onlyone | | | | not sure she's ready? Start outwith a book; |
| resource for you and your children. Help your | | | | check for continued interest and build |
| childfind a magazine that appeals to an | | | | fromthere. |
| interest or hobby theyhave and then | | | | |
| subscribe. Kids love getting something inthe | | | | - Be a reader yourself. |
| mail each month and a magazine is portable | | | | |
| enough tothrow in a backpack. | | | | Nothing works in parenting like modeling. If |
| | | | you lovesports and indulge in athletics |
| - Discover the movies/plays connection. | | | | regularly, chances aregreat your children |
| | | | will, too. The same goes for anyarea of |
| That latest flick started somewhere...as a | | | | interest, including reading. This is the |
| screenplay ora book. No one would have made a | | | | easiest,most pain-free parental decision you |
| movie about it had theynot first sat down and | | | | can probably make. |
| thrilled over its pages. Challengethem: what | | | | |
| other blockbuster stories are your kids | | | | Of course, look for age-appropriate material |
| missingby not reading? | | | | for yourchild and don't be afraid to offer |
| | | | some suggestions (askyour local librarian for |
| - Throw a reading party. | | | | lists of age-appropriate booksif you're |
| | | | unsure of where to start.). Switch the TV |
| Many schools and libraries are already doing | | | | offand simply read together one or two nights |
| this withgreat success. A 'Read and Feed' | | | | a week and youmight be delighted with the |
| means bringing a goodbook, a pillow, a snack | | | | results! |
| and stretching out on the floorfor a couple | | | | |
| of hours. There are a lot of adults thatwould | | | | ========================= |
| love this one! | | | | |
| | | | Colleen Langenfeld delivers deals, tips |
| - Read aloud for mastery. | | | | andcreative resources to working moms who |
| | | | wantthe most out of their homes, families |
| Have a struggling reader? Remind him we all | | | | andcareers at . Signup for our free |
| started outthat way. No big deal. Encourage | | | | newsletter and get anonline Creativity |
| ten minutes a day readingaloud to a younger | | | | Toolkit as our gift to you! |