Sandra Bennett's Blog, page 11
December 4, 2012
Variety is the Spice of Life.
http://www.spartabooks.com/
And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul? Surely, I said, knowledge is the food of the soul.
The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life .http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/plato.html
The Anceint Greek Philosopher, Plato, was a very wise man, more than two thousand years ago even he recognised the importance of books being kept in the home. Books provide not only entertainment but a wealth of knowledge and learning that opens a world of possibilties to those who choose to indulge. Learning to read is the first step towards all future endeavours and providing a library in the home for your child is a wonderful building block to support the foundations of growth and understanding.
A library in a house doesn't have to be huge but provision for a wide variety of reading material allows the young emergent reader to decide what type of reading he/she might like. That also may change from day to day, morning to night. We all feel like reading different things at different times often depending on our moods. So why do we expect our children to read the same things all the time?
Your library may consist of a bookshelf in the loungeroom or fill an entire study. It doesn't really matter as long as there are plenty of choices. Picture books, novels ranging for all ability levels and encompassing all genres, adventure, science fiction, comedy, romance, action, thriller, the list goes on. Also include non-fiction books, biographies, geographic, scientific, nature, astronomy etc. Don't forget comics and magazines for those days/moments when they want a rest with a little light reading.
A library on hand at home also allows a reader to put aside a book mid-way and come back to it later. If they don't feel like finishing it now, don't stress, let them have a break and read something else, they'll be more ready to return and enjoy the other book another day. How often have you heard people talk about the pile of books they have on the night stand beside their bed? It's only natural to swap and change depending on how you feel or how tired you are. After a long day at work you may not be able to concentrate on anything too in depth, a bit of fluff may suit the moment. Another time that political drama might be just what you are looking for. Remember kids have some hard days too, and some not too draining. Their energy levels may determine what they feel like reading as well. Make sure you allow them the same courtesy to read a variety of books wherever the mood may take them.
And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul? Surely, I said, knowledge is the food of the soul.
The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life .http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/plato.html
The Anceint Greek Philosopher, Plato, was a very wise man, more than two thousand years ago even he recognised the importance of books being kept in the home. Books provide not only entertainment but a wealth of knowledge and learning that opens a world of possibilties to those who choose to indulge. Learning to read is the first step towards all future endeavours and providing a library in the home for your child is a wonderful building block to support the foundations of growth and understanding.
A library in a house doesn't have to be huge but provision for a wide variety of reading material allows the young emergent reader to decide what type of reading he/she might like. That also may change from day to day, morning to night. We all feel like reading different things at different times often depending on our moods. So why do we expect our children to read the same things all the time?
Your library may consist of a bookshelf in the loungeroom or fill an entire study. It doesn't really matter as long as there are plenty of choices. Picture books, novels ranging for all ability levels and encompassing all genres, adventure, science fiction, comedy, romance, action, thriller, the list goes on. Also include non-fiction books, biographies, geographic, scientific, nature, astronomy etc. Don't forget comics and magazines for those days/moments when they want a rest with a little light reading.
A library on hand at home also allows a reader to put aside a book mid-way and come back to it later. If they don't feel like finishing it now, don't stress, let them have a break and read something else, they'll be more ready to return and enjoy the other book another day. How often have you heard people talk about the pile of books they have on the night stand beside their bed? It's only natural to swap and change depending on how you feel or how tired you are. After a long day at work you may not be able to concentrate on anything too in depth, a bit of fluff may suit the moment. Another time that political drama might be just what you are looking for. Remember kids have some hard days too, and some not too draining. Their energy levels may determine what they feel like reading as well. Make sure you allow them the same courtesy to read a variety of books wherever the mood may take them.
November 28, 2012
Do you use multi media to your advantage?
Reading resources come in all shapes and sizes just like our kids!What suits one child may not particulary suit another. They are all individuals that learn in so many different ways. As a parent, we need to be aware of these differences and find a varuety of reading avenues for our children to cater for their learning differences.
Let your child watch a favourite TV programme or DVD but do so with the closed caption feature on so that they can read along. This will build their sight word vocabulary as the frequently used words become more recognisable.
Watch a movie, then read the book. Compare the two. Which does your child prefer and why? This can be done for different age groups by carefully selecting the level of story book and movie. An early reader may watch a Disney cartoon then read the corresponding picture book. The detail in the book obviously is much more limiting but enjoyable as an easy bedtime story. A pre-teen might read the first Harry Potter after seeing the movie and realise how much more detail and storyline are actually in the books. They may even decide to read the entire series!
Audio books to read along with in the car on those long drives especially as we enter the summer holiday season are especially entertaining and useful. Your child hears and sees the printed word, making it easy to follow along.
Tape your child reading, either audio only or include the full video. Kids are naturally egocentric so they'll love playing it back to watch themselves and hear how they improve each time they read.
X-box and Play Station both have Kareoke games. I can't think of any little girl or boy who doesn't love to hold a microphone! Let them sing away! Look at all the reading they are doing while they are interacting, dancing and having fun!
In fact any console games you can name include a certain amount of reading. It is up to you to decide which are appropriate for your child and how often or limited the use should be. Good supervision is always the key.
The same can be said for PC use. You may allow your child access to certain games on your computer or restrict it to internet usage to research information. As an information tool the internet can provide a world of information but there are some excellent learning games available also.
http://www.coolmath-games.com/1-readi... This an an excellent example of reading games available/for free on the internet.
http://www.primarygames.com/langarts/.... Is ideal for the reluctant reader in years 3/4. All about an alien coming to earth and in need of learning our language to communicate. Do your homework, research the many differnt types of games that might be appropriate and that your reader might enjoy.
While you're on the internet and playing with aliens, check out youtube, your home reader might like to see my brief video for my book Gingerbread Aliens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh6XG4WNUTg Gingerbread Aliens! Gingerbread Aliens! Find out what happens when three brothers making gingerbread men in their mothers kitchen, goes horribly wrong? htpp://www.inspiringbooks...
Let your child watch a favourite TV programme or DVD but do so with the closed caption feature on so that they can read along. This will build their sight word vocabulary as the frequently used words become more recognisable.
Watch a movie, then read the book. Compare the two. Which does your child prefer and why? This can be done for different age groups by carefully selecting the level of story book and movie. An early reader may watch a Disney cartoon then read the corresponding picture book. The detail in the book obviously is much more limiting but enjoyable as an easy bedtime story. A pre-teen might read the first Harry Potter after seeing the movie and realise how much more detail and storyline are actually in the books. They may even decide to read the entire series!
Audio books to read along with in the car on those long drives especially as we enter the summer holiday season are especially entertaining and useful. Your child hears and sees the printed word, making it easy to follow along.
Tape your child reading, either audio only or include the full video. Kids are naturally egocentric so they'll love playing it back to watch themselves and hear how they improve each time they read.
X-box and Play Station both have Kareoke games. I can't think of any little girl or boy who doesn't love to hold a microphone! Let them sing away! Look at all the reading they are doing while they are interacting, dancing and having fun!
In fact any console games you can name include a certain amount of reading. It is up to you to decide which are appropriate for your child and how often or limited the use should be. Good supervision is always the key.
The same can be said for PC use. You may allow your child access to certain games on your computer or restrict it to internet usage to research information. As an information tool the internet can provide a world of information but there are some excellent learning games available also.
http://www.coolmath-games.com/1-readi... This an an excellent example of reading games available/for free on the internet.
http://www.primarygames.com/langarts/.... Is ideal for the reluctant reader in years 3/4. All about an alien coming to earth and in need of learning our language to communicate. Do your homework, research the many differnt types of games that might be appropriate and that your reader might enjoy.
While you're on the internet and playing with aliens, check out youtube, your home reader might like to see my brief video for my book Gingerbread Aliens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh6XG4WNUTg Gingerbread Aliens! Gingerbread Aliens! Find out what happens when three brothers making gingerbread men in their mothers kitchen, goes horribly wrong? htpp://www.inspiringbooks...
