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Back to School: The Great Return

August 10, 2012 By 1 Comment
school bus

Here are some tips and tricks to getting back into the school routine … before summer is even over.

It’s getting close. Stores are beginning to herald its arrival with sale signs. The sun is starting to set earlier, and your pool passes are about to expire. Whether your family dreads or welcomes it, school is on its way, and there’s no stopping it. Here are some tips and tricks that help my family get back in the swing of things (with fewer gray hairs for me)! Rehearse the Routine  As far as routine goes, my husband and I don’t let the kids stay up much later in the summer than ... Continue Reading

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Hottest Summer Books of 2012

August 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
summer reading

This years hottest summer reading – from red hot romance to stories of true crime.

It’s summer and one of the best things about this season is reading great books while soaking in the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air (preferably by the pool or on the beach but, really, anywhere is great after months of being trapped inside by cold weather). To honor this yearly literary indulgence, we’ve put together a list of books that you might enjoy.  They range from red hot romance to stories of true crime so there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Fifty Shades ... Continue Reading

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Tips to Promote Summer Learning for School Age Kids

July 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
kid reading

Maintain school skills throughout the summer with these creative ideas.

Summer is here and it feels like we wait all year for these long days with no school schedules. Then a commercial for a learning center comes on and you hear that your kids can lose up to 2 reading levels over the summer and 1-3 months of learning.  Without hiring a tutor or sending them to an educational program, how can you help them maintain those skills and even gain more in fun creative ways? 1.  Join the local library summer reading program. This is something we do every year and I am ... Continue Reading

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30 Ways to Simplify Summer With the Kids

June 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
kids summer fun

Here are 30 suggestions to simplify your summer, have time to pursuit more fun and meaningful activities and to get the most out of your days.

By getting rid of excess, staying organized, and embracing simplicity - Moms can find more time to focus on what really matters. Here are 30 suggestions to simplify your summer, have time to pursuit more fun and meaningful activities and to get the most out of your days. Not everything is for every family, so feel free to pick and choose Get rid of all clothing anyone in the house hasn't worn in a year. Donating is the way to go. Keep simple charts with chores each child must do rather ... Continue Reading

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How to Get Your Kids to fall in Love with Reading

March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
mom baby reading

Tips for fostering a life-long love of reading in your child.

As a parent, you are aware how crucial reading is to your child’s future. It helps them develop speech and language skills, build vocabulary, stimulates their creativity, and sets them up for later academic success. With all this riding on you, what can you do to foster a life-long love of reading in your child, especially when they have little interest in it? Here are some tips on how you can get your child to fall in love with reading. Read to Your Kids The first and most obvious tip is ... Continue Reading

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Why Parents Should Read The Classics to Their Children

November 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
boys books

Introduce the classics to your children with age-appropriate and fun choices.

Why do I like the classics? My favorite era for authors is the mid 1800's to mid 1900's. To me it seems as though the writing is stronger and more detailed. When you read an author such as J.R.R. Tolkien, CS Lewis or Louisa May Alcott and compare the writings against a modern day author you will sit up and notice that the words and the story suck you in so that you feel like you are a part of the story. Why Read the Classics to Your Children? Reading the classics to your kids will give them ... Continue Reading

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How to Help If Your Child is Struggling to Read

October 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
kid reading

If your child struggles to read, here are some interactive and fun ways to help.

When my daughter began Kindergarten last year I was beside myself with excitement. As a former First Grade Teacher, with my Master's Degree in Reading and Language Arts, I felt I had prepared her well. I was shocked to get a call a few weeks into the new school year from her teacher - telling me that my daughter was struggling in her reading and writing. I knew that to make her successful, certain steps needed to be taken. As a teacher I worked daily to encourage and motivate the children that ... Continue Reading

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Teaching Your Young Child to Read

September 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
mom baby reading

Teach your child to read using music, manipulatives and more.

Nothing impacts a child’s life more than the ability to read. According to UNICEF, the statistics are frightening, "Nearly a billion people will enter the 21st century unable to read a book …." As your child’s first teacher, you are well positioned to give your child the early reading skills he or she needs to succeed in life. This is how I taught my child to read. While I am no expert and am not a teacher, I successfully taught my child to read so that by the time he started preschool, ... Continue Reading

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