Education & School Readiness

Consider Signs of Dyslexia If a Child Is Struggling To Read

Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 13:10 by Staff

A first clue might be when you listen to your child, who is learning to read, and there is some struggling over simple words that you've noticed over a period of time. They seem to be sounding out some big words and you're sure they are making progress, but you still have that little niggling at the back of your brain because they don't seem to remember many of the little simple words they have read many times before.

22 Fun-Filled Reading Games and Activities

Posted Sun, 12/27/2009 - 11:39 by Staff

Learning to read is incredibly important, but not always easy. It is possible to help your

child become a proficient reader without tears! Try some of these activities the next time

you are reading with your child. By infusing a few fun elements, you can help your child

develop a love of reading, promote crucial reading skills and practice reading

comprehension. Everyone will enjoy these quick games and benefit from reduced

reading monotony!

Try only a few of these at a time and be sure to keep the sessions short. This is

especially important if you have a reluctant reader. If you stop while it's fun, your child

will be eager to participate again next time.

BEFORE READING A NEW STORY TRY:

A book walk

Look through the pictures in the story. Ask your child to predict who the

story is about, what they think happens and how it ends. After you've read the story,

discuss how close the predictions were.

WHILE READING A FAMILIAR STORY TRY:

AXA Achievement Scholarships Available

Posted Thu, 12/03/2009 - 18:20 by Staff

Parents of college age students should be aware of these scholarships that have application deadlines of December 2009 and February 2010. More than $1.3 Million in scholarships is available through AXA.

The AXA Foundation, a Proud National Sponsor of PTA, offers a signature program, AXA Achievement, which provides resources that help make college possible through both access and advice.

Access: more than $1.3 million a year in scholarships
Advice: a comprehensive resource for information to help students and parents plan for college.

Two scholarships are presently being offered through AXA Achievementsm:

* AXA Achievementsm Scholarship, in association with U.S. News & World Report
o 42 $10,000 scholarships – 10 $25,000 scholarships
o Deadline is December 15, 2009
* AXA Achievementsm Community Scholarship
o 350 $2,000 scholarships offered each year
o Deadline is February 15, 2010

How To Help Preschoolers With Their Speaking Skills

Posted Mon, 10/19/2009 - 14:43 by Staff

Children's communication skills develop at varying rates. We all know children that have started talking as early as 9 months and developed quite a vocabulary by age 3. But just as likely, you know some children that didn't start to speak until around age 2.

No matter what age your child starts talking, there are things you can do to help him develop his vocabulary, comprehension and communication skills. One of the earliest things you might incorporate into play is singing songs that are repetitive. Playing with Puppets is another way to talk back and forth with your child, having little conversations. Even if you are just saying "Hello, how are you?" this gets the idea of having a conversation going.

Allowing children to share their feelings and tell stories can help them develop their language skills. Any verbal interaction will be helpful. Other activities you can encourage that will help are:

* Recite nursery rhymes
* Learn finger plays

Ways to Help Your Child to Get Ready for Reading

Posted Thu, 09/17/2009 - 12:46 by Staff

Some children are biting at the bit to learn how to read and other children could seem to care less. But the sooner you can instill a "love of reading" into your child the more successful he will be at an earlier age. But just like any habit that one develops, it is often nourished by the example someone has set. Considering that parents are their child's primary teachers until they start school, a parent can help their child develop an interest in reading.

How can you go about planting those reading seeds?

* Look at books with your child and encourage him to look at his books while you look at yours.
* Reread favorite stories with your child.
* Point out and name objects in stories and pictures.
* Read nursery rhymes together and point out how some words rhyme.
* Let your child watch you write, letting him know you are writing words.
* Look for "letters" everywhere you go.
* Take your child to library storytime.

Childhood is a Magical Time- Encourage Your Kids to Explore, Discover, Experiment and be Creative

Posted Tue, 02/10/2009 - 11:15 by kristin

Do you remember what it feels like to sit on the ground and put your hands in the sand? Or how it feels when you swing as high as you can and look into the sky? How about what it feels like to imagine yourself as part of a pirate or mermaid adventure - to feel like you really are in a far away land?

Many adults seem to have lost that special gift. A child can imagine great worlds and to be able to pretend that they’re a part of them. Kids get excited about digging for dinosaur bones and exploring a far away jungle, even if they are actually just in the backyard. And whether your child is pretending or exploring their world, they are also learning and growing along the way.


What is Gifted Education and How do I find out if my child qualifies?

Posted Wed, 02/04/2009 - 09:55 by Staff


Parents seem to fall into one of two categories regarding the word Gifted. Parents who already know about gifted services offered by many school systems for children who have tested into a gifted program and those parents who may be wondering what is defined as a 'gifted learner'.

The United States Offices of Education define Gifted and Talented Students as "those who have outstanding abilities, are capable of high performance and who require differentiated educational programs (beyond those normally provided by regular school programs) in order to realize their contributions to self and society."

Most school districts, if not all, offer gifted programs or a curriculum for gifted students. Every city has different guidelines regarding who is tested, when and how.

Preschool Learning - Kids Need both ABC's and Positive Socialization

Posted Sat, 11/22/2008 - 11:06 by sharon

Many parents believe that their child gets a good start for kindergarten if they attend Preschool. While this is true, it is important to make sure that your child learns positive type behavior when trying to deal with his peers. Many preschools have started to take notice to this very important aspect since finding out about the recent study results from Penn State University.

The study, run by Penn State and funded by the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies, was interested in finding out how preschool children fare at Preschools that concentrate solely on academic learning, with basic discipline in the classroom setting or Preschools that encourage the children to try positive problem-solving skills alongside their academic learning.

Give the Gift of Learning- Top Toys that Encourage Critical Thinking and Observation Skills

Posted Sat, 11/22/2008 - 08:47 by kristin

It is that time of year when many parents start to think about the toys their kids want versus what we would like to get our kids. I look around and see so many toys in our house and I cannot imagine bringing in anymore of the same types of toys. That is why I try and find toys and kid products that will encourage my children to use their imagination, stretch their thinking skills and observation skills and even get them excited about science, animals, or art.

Of course, there is a place for my kids' Holiday wish list, but I try and keep those items to a real minimum and let Santa surprise them with gifts they will enjoy but would have never seen a commercial for these toys.

Raise a Child that Loves to Read

Posted Sat, 11/15/2008 - 11:16 by kristin

There are many things we can do as parents to encourage our kids to read and develop a sense of pride and enjoyment from reading books.

  • If you have a baby or toddler
    Read to Your Little One Every Day.

  • Pick Colorful Picture Books and Books with Rhyming Words.
  • Give Young Children Books so they can flip the pages and enjoy the pictures.

    As Your Child Gets Older

  • Read to Your Child Every Day and
    Ask your child questions about the book.
  • Ask them what they think is going to happen next or ask them what the book was about or what was their favorite part of the story.
  • Tell stories to your kids and let them take a turn making up a story or retelling a favorite story.
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