Merriam Webster defines phonics as: : the science of sound : ACOUSTICS : a method of teaching beginners to read and pronounce words by learning the phonetic value of letters, letter groups, and especially syllables There have been back and forth trends in education regarding the… Continue reading

We have certainly become accustomed to getting answers immediately. What is that actor’s name?-Google it. What do you put in a shephard’s pie?– Google it. How long do you boil that kind of pasta?-Google it. How deep should those tulip… Continue reading

As parents in this “modern age” of history, we have to be able to sift through the STUFF that doesn’t matter and focus on what does. Life, even for our little ones, has become much busier. There are multiple reasons… Continue reading

School starts soon. Just that statement alone causes some anxiety, right? The summer “reading list” can provide a challenge, especially for those in middle and high school. I remember trying to encourage (coaz, bribe) my kids to begin early in… Continue reading

We recognize the benefits of reading to our kids when it comes to how it helps THEM. But, does this reading time, this slowing down of the hurried pace, also benefit us as parents? I believe YES. The Australian Parenting… Continue reading

The University of Cambridge recently released findings (June 28, 2023) about the many cognitive and emotional benefits of reading for pleasure, starting at an early age: Reading for Pleasure Early in Childhood Linked to Better Cognitive Performance and Mental Wellbeing… Continue reading

Cookbooks are books too. An easy, fun, and interactive way to “read” with our kids this summer is to use cookbooks! There are so many benefits to using cookbooks with our kiddoes. We’re asking them to read, think, evaluate, and… Continue reading

We hope to make summer fun for our kiddoes, and we hope to build special moments and memories with them. At the same time, we want to encourage reading fluency and help prepare them for the next educational year. One… Continue reading

I do believe that almost all of us can fit in a few minutes of reading with our kiddoes a day. We just have to believe it’s important and make it a priority. We all juggle a lot of things… Continue reading

As I’m thinking about summer reading ideas for our young kiddoes, I keep going back to my own childhood summers. Daily life really was simpler and slower. My brother and I literally had to choose ONE HOUR a day of… Continue reading

These two concepts have taken on an entirely new meaning for me in “retirement” —which has been incredibly busy. Life really hasn’t slowed down, but I personally am learning to slow down. Learning being the key word here. As a… Continue reading

A few months back, I wrote a blog titled “Incorporate (your idea of) Good Music” and talked about music and reading both being good for the soul.   I also shared ideas about using music during reading time, often instrumental music. … Continue reading