Here are three tips to help you choose stories:

 

1. Ask librarians, friends, and teachers for recommendations. Tip: If your child doesn’t already have a library card, sign her up!

 

2. Find books that expand your youngster’s interest (insects, outer space), deal with an event (a new baby, a visit to the dentist), and build character (friendship, truthfulness).

 

3. Pick stories for both information and enjoyment. Try real and make-believe stories and poems, as well as children’s magazines.

A GOOD START

Did you know that breakfast is the most important meal of your child’s day? It provides the nutrients and energy he needs to concentrate in school. Research even shows that kids who eat breakfast get better grades, pay more attention in class, and behave better. Help your youngster begin his day on the right foot.

 

MEALTIME MAGIC

Do kids rush through dinner and bolt from the table? Try these ideas to build quality family time into your dinner hour.

Keep the conversation light: Focus on the events of the day or fun weekend plans ahead. Of course, praising your children for a job well done at school or home is always welcome!

Take turns: Ask each person to tell one interesting thing he or she learned during the day. That includes you, too. You might mention something you read in the newspaper or learned about at work.

Play a game: Try the “name game.” Start with the name of someone famous (George Washington). Go around the table, taking turns call out another well-known person or character with the same first or last name (Curious George, George Washington Carver.)

     Be a good role model. Students learn as much from how we act as they do from what we say.

 

     Treat children with respect, and they will take our words and example to heart.

 

     Celebrate every child’s success and sincere efforts. Be generous with words of praise.

 

     Have patience. Accept that children make mistakes, are inconsistent, and act thoughtlessly-this is part of being a child.

 

     Share your enthusiasm for the value of education and the fun of learning.

 

     Set high but realistic expectations for students’ work and behavior.

The value of courage, persistence, and perseverance has rarely been illustrated more convincingly than in the life story of this man (his age appears in the column on the right).

 

Failed in business 22

Ran for Legislature-Defeated 23

Again failed in business 24

Elected to Legislature 25

Sweetheart died 26

Had a nervous breakdown 27

Defeated for Speaker 29

Defeated for Elector 31

Defeated for Congress 34

Elected to Congress 37

Defeated for Congress 39

Defeated for Senate 46

Defeated for Vice President 47

Defeated for Senate 49

Elected President

Of the United States 51

 

That’s the record of Abraham Lincoln.

Why is reading aloud to your

children the number one suggestion from reading experts across the country? Because it builds the desire to read-in only 15 or 20 minutes a day!

Whether your youngsters are already reading or haven’t yet begun, now is the perfect time for reading aloud regularly. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your time together.

 

Get Comfortable: Offer your children soft mats or pillows to sit on. Give them blankets to snuggle up in on cold days, or sit near a cool breeze when the weather is warm. Let them have a snack or drink before you start.

 

Remove Distractions: Make your reading spot as quiet as possible so your youngsters can focus on the story. Turn off the television and consider ignoring the phone to avoid interruptions.

 

Encourage Participation: Children are apt to enjoy reading more when they’re invited to join in. Let them take turns choosing a book and turning the pages. If there’s repetition in a story, challenge them to recite the key phrases with you.

 

Keep It Appropriate: If your kids have trouble following the language or plot of a story, it may be too difficult for them. Look for books that are closer to their reading levels.

 

Tip: Ask a librarian or your child’s teacher for suggestions.