September 14, 2007
Summer has ended and it is time to go back to school! Parents, you are probably wondering how to spark the interest in your child to learn after their brains have been on vacation all summer long! One of the most effective ways to motivate your child is through the simple process of recognizing and rewarding them for their achievements.
Here is an easy and inexpensive way to motivate!
What you need:
- Shoe box with a lid
- Crayons
- Paint, makers, stickers, construction paper and glue (items are optional)
- Index cards
- Pen or Pencil
- Scissors
What you do:
- Sit down with your child at the kitchen table and decorate an old shoe box together. Cut a hole in the lid large enough for them to insert their hand. Allow your child to use their imagination to decorate their shoe box. There are no limits. Here are just a few ideas
- Paint the entire box and place fun stickers on the outside
- Use construction paper to cover the shoe box
Have them color a favorite page from their coloring book, cut out the picture and glue to the box
- Turn the box into a dog or bunny by cutting out ears using construction paper and glue to the box. Make a tail for the dog using construction paper or use cotton balls for the bunny tail
- If your child has a specific interest such has dogs, cats, cars, butterflies or flowers then find an old magazine or book and look through the pages to find their favorite things. Cut out and glue to the box
- Have your child think of fun things they like to do or have them list their favorite foods.
- Next, have them write their ideas on an index card. Depending on how young the child is, you may need to help them write their ideas on the index card. Here are a few suggestions
- Renting their favorite movie
- Playing their favorite board game
- Or if your child is older, create an index card that reads "no chores for a week" or "breakfast in bed"
- Place all of the cards in the shoe box
Give your child an assignment for the week. Have them memorize all of the US States. For example, print a map of the United States from the internet. Also, print a few blank maps of the United States. Allow your child time to review the pre-printed map. Let them practice by filling in the states on the blank map. When they have studied and practiced enough, take one of the blank maps to complete as a test. Review the results with your child and reward them based on guidelines that you have set. Allow your child to pull a card from the box as a reward for their efforts. Another idea is to allow them to pull from the box when they have received a good score on a test or when they have received good grades on their report card. Have fun while watching your child learn!
September 21, 2007
|
|
Good Work, Amelia Bedelia
by Lynn Sweat
|
Parents can improve a child's reading by encouraging him to read. Of course practice is an important part of developing or improving reading skills. The more we read, the better we get at it, and the more we enjoy it. One way to make reading fun is to supplement it with great hands-on activities. Here are two great hands-on activities that go well with any book!
Kids who are hooked on books can mark their reading progress with personalized bookmarks, which are easy to make.
Materials:
- Construction paper or poster board
- Scissors or pinking shears
- Ribbon or yarn
- Stickers or rubber stamps and ink pad
- Magazine cutouts or pictures
- Markers or colored pencils
- Glue
Instructions:
- Cut a piece of construction paper or poster board 6 inches long and 1- to 2-inches wide.
- For wavy or jagged edges, cut the paper with pinking shears.
- Decorate with stickers, pictures, stamps, drawings, or magazine cutouts.
- Punch a hole in the top of the bookmark and tie on a tassel, ribbon or colorful braid.
Forgot where you left off reading? Not anymore! Pick up right where you left off with this "handy" book marker.
Materials:
- Craft foam
- Scissors
- Glue
- Glitter or paint
Instructions:
- Trace around your child's hand onto a piece of craft foam and cut out the shape.
- Use colorful glitter and glue or craft paint to polish the nails and paint on jewelry.
|
