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Contact
Parenting Solutions:
www.parenting-solutions.com
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Do you have a parenting question for Meg? A topic you would like her to address in a future newsletter? |
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Dear Friends,
OK, I know, it's been really, really hot. But, I still love summertime - the sun, a more relaxed schedule with the kids, summer movies, and family vacation.
The summer is also a great time to share some special bonding moments with your kids over books and, in this month's article below, I share with you my spin on summer reading for kids (even toddlers).
I may not have any toddlers of my own anymore, but I am always interested in staying on top of the latest research findings for my clients, so this week I'm off to the Bank Street College of Education's Infancy Institute. I can't wait to share the most recent theories and ideas on the topic in upcoming newsletters and on my website: www.parenting-solutions.com.
Until then...
Happy parenting and best wishes,
Meg
P.S. I frequently add new reviews and answers to parenting questions on my website, so check them out at www.parenting-solutions.com/tips/.
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| SAVORING SUMMER READING WITH YOUR KIDS
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As a child, I remember participating in our local library's summer reading program, which involved selecting a book from one of the specified categories each week, meeting with the librarian to discuss it, and keeping track of my progress on the library's summer reading chart. I particularly recall discovering genres and authors that I might not have otherwise chosen and enjoying the challenge of finishing the recommended categories before the summer's end.
Most libraries still offer such summer programs but you can also create your own summer reading club with your child, even if he or she is a pre-reader. With young children, the selections will be picture books that you read to them; for older children, the books might be ones that they can read themselves or aloud to you, or more difficult books for you to read to them. If you child goes to sleep-away camp, you can each read the same books while he/she is a way to stay connected while you're apart.
First, choose a theme for the summer - a genre, subject, series, or author that will allow for enough variety. If you have more than one child, the whole family can choose a theme that works with different age levels, or each child can have his/her own.
Here are some possible examples of themes for pre-readers:
� Stories about animals
� Fairytales from around the world
� An author/illustrator, such as Eric Carle or Leo Lionni
For older children:
� A genre, such as science fiction, historical fiction, or mystery
� A series, such as American Girl (various authors) or The Time Warp Trio (John Sczieska)
� A topic, such as sports (reading authors Mike Lupica and Dan Gutman)
� A survey of an author, such as Roald Dahl or Andrew Clements
One summer, my daughter and I read picture books based on East Asian folktales, including Riki-Tiki Tembo, The Five Chinese Brothers, and The Empty Pot (for a review of this last book and other works by the author, Demi, see my website reviews at http://www.parenting-solutions.com/tips/ - I'll be posting it in the next few days). Another summer, my youngest son and I made our way through much of the Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne. You get the idea.
Take a trip to the library and ask your librarian to recommend books that fit your theme, and then, once your off and reading, create a chart with your child to keep track of your progress and enhance the experience with other activities related to the topic such as art projects, museum visits, and movies. For example, if your reading animal stories, you could keep a list of all the creatures that appear in your selections and then take a trip to the zoo to see how many you can find. Keep it fun and light - as summer should be - and see what ideas develop. Once you get started, your child will lead the way!
I'd love to hear your ideas regarding creative topics and activities for summer reading with your children! Share them with me at meg@parenting-solutions.com.
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PARENTING SOLUTIONS QUICK TIP:
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Look for "Meet the Author" events at your local bookstores. Many children's authors visit and read from their work and/or talk about their books and answer questions. Even picture book authors make appearances and young children love to ask them questions about their favorite characters and stories.
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PARENTING SOLUTIONS QUICK TIP:
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When you leave your baby or young child in the care of someone else, make sure that your child is engaged in an entertaining activity with his caregiver or teacher before you say goodbye. He 's not likely to put up a fuss when you say goodbye if he is busy with a book, game or activity he enjoys.
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Interested in setting up a series of parenting workshops
at your school or
for your mothers' group? I can propose a variety of
topics from sleep issues to sibling
rivalry to communication. Or, you
can request subjects that particulary interest your group.
Contact me
at meg@parenting-solutions.com.
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