Why should dads read to their young children? Because research has shown that it’s incredibly beneficial! Today’s podcast episode focuses on why dads can make such great reading partners for their kids. You can listen to this episode above, listen to it on iTunes or Stitcher, or read the transcript below. Mums see it as an educational imperative In a study […]
40 Telling the Time Activities
We’ve pulled together lots of links to telling the time activities from different bloggers to give you a wide range of learning options for your kids. Many include free printables or easy-to-create activities for young children with varying levels of knowledge. Making a Clock Adapt a wall clock with this classroom sun clock from 4 The […]
How to Prepare an Effective End-of-Year Class Performance
Anyone who has worked with me will tell you that I believe strongly in the benefits of performance for young children. When done effectively it motivates, engages and excites children over many weeks and increases the energy in the classroom. It teaches them the value of perseverance and practice. It develops their ability to work […]
Fall Interactive Book: Little Pumpkin’s Fall Day
Reading to children is really enjoyable, but when they can participate in the storytelling it rises to a whole new level. Little Pumpkin’s Fall Day was written so that kids can participate all the way through and become part of the story, not just the observers. They are the ones moving the main character around […]
Storytelling with Jack and Jill
Storytelling is deeply ingrained in all cultures and for young children it is a way of expressing what is flowing through their imaginations. Storytelling is also an excellent approach in developing early literacy skills such as understanding how stories are put together, expanding children’s vocabulary and how to use words to change or edit the […]
10 Research-Based Tips for Reading With Your Child
Research has shown that the level of a child’s vocabulary in the home before heading off to school is an important indicator for school-readiness as well as predicting later academic achievement. Of course, this is not set in stone BUT, if we as parents want to ensure the best start possible we can’t go past […]
Interactive Bulletin Boards to Promote Literacy: 3 Little Pigs
Children LOVE visual aids when learning about fairy tales. Have you tried an interactive bulletin board? It’s a great way to extend learning beyond simple re-telling and to see stories in a new light. You can also use felt boards. This process can help Create a deeper understanding of the story Challenge children to think […]
Make an Interactive Picture Book: Virtual Book Club for Kids
Eric Carle’s books are famous for inspiring art projects for children. His book, The Very Lonely Firefly, is set at night and lends itself beautifully to oil pastels on black. My students LOVED this book and related well to feelings of loneliness and the need to find friends. The Very Lonely Firefly is born at sunset […]
Creating Night Noises: Virtual Book Club for Kids
I love sharing Mem Fox books with my students and for this hands-on, experimental activity we used her book Night Noises. In this story Lily Laceby and her dog, Butch Aggie, are resting at home by the fire on a cold, stormy evening. A series of noises from outside have Butch Aggie worried but Lily […]