Search Results for: blog encouraging your child to read

Encouraging Kindness

It’s been snowing a lot here in Salt Lake. We probably got a good foot in the last week and with the way this winter has gone, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it just kept coming. One of the downsides to the never-ending snow is that the driveways and sidewalks need to be shoveled almost constantly. This week our sweet next door neighbor not only did our driveway but all of our sidewalks as well. It was such a pleasant surprise to go out to my car and not get stuck in the driveway this time. We have … Continue reading →

Advice for Parents of Children With Special Needs

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I’ve always heard it said that parenting can be a uniquely rewarding experience. It can also, at times, be very stressful. Sometimes, the best advice can come from other parents, who are going through similar situations. An article by Laura Shumaker offers advice, understanding, and hope for parents who are raising children that have special needs. I came across an interesting article that was written by Laura Shumaker. She is a writer and an autism advocate. She also is a mom, of a son named Matthew, who had been described as “pervasively developmentally delayed”. The article was titled “How to … Continue reading →

Summer Reading Series: Penny and Her Song

You won’t be seeing my daughter on American Idol any time soon. Make that, ever. My 7-year-old possesses a litany of incredible talents; however, singing is not one of them. I know. I know. How dare I make such a stinging comment about my own flesh and blood. Calm down. It’s called reality. And it doesn’t mean that I don’t allow her to exercise her vocal chords. Nor does it mean that I cringe whenever she feels the urge to make like Miley Cyrus or the kids on Curious George. Rather, I am simply not a parent who is disillusioned … Continue reading →

Encouraging Budding Shutterbugs

In addition to soccer camp, t-ball and swimming, this summer my 7-year-old will be enrolled in a photo workshop for kids. The opportunity presented itself last month and I jumped at the chance to sign-up. Fortunately, my daughter is as excited about the workshop as I am. She loves to take pictures and having someone other than mom giving her instructions on how to snap frame worthy shots is a golden moment in my book. This is not to say that parents make bad teachers. Rather, in many cases, having an expert in the field of photography work with a … Continue reading →

Encouraging Kids to Make Their Own Cash

In most homes, “encouraging” is easily interchanged with “threatening.” After all, how many parents relish seeing their fully capable teens sleeping in until noon and then lounging on the couch watching TV or texting when they could be gainfully employed at a decent summer job? Aside from the freedom to purchase expensive jeans, apps, music, and other teen-related must-haves, there are a slew of additional benefits that your child can gain from a summer job, including: learning responsibility, managing time well, honing math and reading skills, communicating, prioritizing, budgeting money and working on interpersonal relationships. However, before your child can … Continue reading →

Top 10 Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Reading: Get Vocal

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Do you want to get your kids excited about reading? If so, get ready for the countdown: ten days of ideas that will get you and yours into reading! Today’s tip? Get vocal about reading. Blah, blah, blah. There’s a lot of talking that goes on in a house, and sometimes we tune it out. Turn some of this talking into gripping reading, and you’ll increase your children’s ability to listen carefully. The ability to create images in your head is key to reading success. Craft a cumulative story. Get one family member to start out telling a story, then … Continue reading →

FHE with Small Children-Setting Goals

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Have you ever thought about teaching your little ones about setting goals? I don’t think I ever really learned the value of goal setting until I became a missionary. I’m sure in my life up until that point, I had set goals and achieved them, but until my mission, I didn’t appreciate how setting goals can be life changing. We decided to have a family home evening with our little ones on how to set goals. It was a VERY simple lesson. We have been working with our oldest daughter, who is almost 6, on encouraging her to stop sucking … Continue reading →

Encouraging Your Child to Keep Going

We sign our children up for activities and sports because of the fun and the education. Often we allow the child to pick a sport or instrument to gage their interests. Some parents get discouraged when a child seems to have a lack of interest in any extra-curricular activities. The reason is simple. A child does not have the experience or knowledge to know what he may like. The same way we make them try different foods or know the right Christmas gift even when the child gave no direction is how we guide extra-curricular activities. Yes, you simply pick … Continue reading →

Exploring Emotions With Young Children

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Young children are a study in differences. Some preschoolers have advanced large motor skills, while some kindergarten students struggle with large motor control. Other children have excellent spatial skills, and still others have the ability to understand emotions in a way that is beyond their years. However, even if they may be at different stages of social and emotional development, all young children can benefit from activities that explore emotions and increase social skills. How can you encourage your young homelearners to explore their emotions? One of the simplest ways to study emotions is through discussion of a picture book. … Continue reading →

Encouraging Friendship before Dating

Like it or not, eventually you are going to deal with boy/girl issues. To some, the way our family chooses to address this issue is radical. And then I’m sure to others, it’s not radical enough. But we all have to make a personal and family decision about how this area will be addressed. One of the things I can tell you, is that what I thought would happen when my children were still very young is no where close to that. What I have discovered is that you have to take each child and each situation and deal with … Continue reading →