Monday, August 30, 2010

Parent Tip Monday

Creating a Home Library

Starting a home library for your child shows him/her how important books are. Having books of his/her own in a special place boosts the chance that your child will want to read even more. Here are some ideas for creating your own home library.

Finding books

  • Become a treasure hunter! Browse book store sales, garage sales, flea markets, used book stores, and sales at your local library
  • Organize a children's book swap with friends, community groups, or your school
  • Encourage family and friends to give books as gifts for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations
  • Don't forget quality nonfiction and children's magazines!

Building your library

  • A cardboard box or small wooden packing crate that you can decorate together might make a good bookcase. Or you might clear one of the family bookshelves.
  • Pick a special place for your child's books so that she knows where to look for them - in a cozy corner of your child's bedroom or close to where the rest of the family gathers and reads if your child is very social.
  • Help your child to arrange her books in some order - her favorite books, books about animals, or holiday books. Use whatever method will help her most easily find the book she's looking for.
  • "This book belongs to…" Bookplates give your child a sense of ownership and can add "newness" to a used book. You can make your own or download and print one of these colorful designs by children's book illustrators.
  • If you and your child make your own books together, you can add those to your home library.
  • Borrow books from your local library. Go to the children's section and spend time with your child reading and selecting books to take home and put in her special spot. You might even have a box or space just for library books, so that they don't get mixed up with your child's own books.

When collecting and reading books are a part of family life, you send your child a message that books are important, enjoyable, and full of new things to learn!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday Fun

Dig for Buried Treasure

To start, go through your house and gather some trinkets or toys you don’t mind burying. Next, put together a treasure-finding toolkit that includes a hand shovel, an old paintbrush (to clean off unearthed treasures), Ziploc bags (to contain what they find) and a map showing where kids should start their search. Then either bury the treasures in your garden (placing them in an area without plants is a good idea) or in a large bucket filled with dirt in your backyard. Give the kids their toolkits and watch them scavenge for treasures! For an extra bit of fun, have kids label their finds with made-up names and place them in a “museum” (or on a serving platter) to share with visitors.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Parent Tip

The Langauge of Touch

The importance we place on our words sometimes overlooks the importance our physical contact with children can have on their well being. Even before children understand words they learn the language of touch. Communicating our feelings of love and caring by pairing our words with a kiss and a hug expresses the basic feelings of comfort and nurturing. Touching provides sensory information to the child that is a primary part of healthy development. "Have You Hugged Your Child Today?"