“Surprise!” When my son went to bed last night, this is what he found on his pillow – a Coles bookstore bag, with a book-sized lump in it. You’re eight, you don’t feel like going to bed, you’re dragging your feet, prolonging the inevitable… and then you find a new […]
Gift ideas
Great homework
Our son’s teacher created an awesome homework assignment. And it’s something parents could do, too. I just asked my son and his friend if they’ve finished their homework (it’s just two days into the winter break). They both said yes. Even though there was a lot of reading involved, and […]
Make a book for Christmas
This is a great time to make your child a book for Christmas or Hannukah.Children of all ages are motivated to read a book about their favourite subject – themselves. Here’s how*Buy a small scrapbook with stiff pages. (Craft stores have them. You can also use a photo album.) *Select […]
Great reading tool – Boggle Jr.
I e-mailed Hasbro and asked them to send me some word games and I’m really glad I did. (I have no affliation with Hasbro, by the way.) I tried Boggle Jr. with the six-year-old I’m working with, and it was really helpful. Boggle Jr. has a set of large dice […]
Hallowe’en books for kids
Now’s the time to start gathering Hallowe’en books. It’s a great idea to have seasonal books, that only come out during certain holidays like Hallowe’en, Hannukah, Easter, or Christmas. Most of your child’s favourite authors will likely have at least one Hallowe’en book. The Berenstain Bears, Robert Munsch, Clifford, Froggie, […]
Writing in light
So, here’s a pretty cool product. Crayola’s Glow Station is essentially a flexible white board made of a phosphorescent material. It comes with a pen-flashlight so kids can “write” (or draw) using light. At first, I thought it was a one-trick pony. My son used it the first time for […]
"I’m bored!"
We said it to our parents – your kid says it to you. You’ve hated hearing it in the past. But the next time he says “I’m bored!” you’re going to love it. Here’s what to do: The next time you’re in a book store or a corner store, check […]
How will we read our Christmas books?
Let me count the ways. It’s important that children discover that books can be used many different ways. Here’s how we’re using the books we got for Christmas. *My husband and our son had a great time going through his new Guiness Book of Records, giggling over the disgusting records […]
Singin’ in the Brain
Singing helps children learn to read When my son was little, our life was a musical. If I could sing something rather than say it, I would. “We’re… puttin’ our shoes now, tying up the laces, goin’ to the park!” (to the tune of Top Hat, White Tie and Tails). […]
Attention grandparents
Here’s a great gift idea. It’s a personalized book from Kids Shared Book.com. You visit the website and choose a book; there are a lot of great classics. I chose “The Prince and the Pauper.” Then you type in a message for the first page. I wrote: This is a […]
