Moms Inspire Learning

Picture Books for World Change?

It may sound silly to many of you, but I believe that peace can start with something as simple as a picture book. Do you remember the post Picture Books for Peace? I recommended some very powerful pieces of children's literature.

When you combine stunning photographs of children from around the world with thought-provoking words written by people of all ages, races, and backgrounds, what do you get?

Sight Words Game Giveaway for Ages 4 Through 6!

It really upsets me that a lot of parents and nursery school teachers are pushing 3 and 4 year olds into academics. Preschoolers learn so much through play. Why rush them into worksheets when they'll be exposed to so many of them once they start elementary school?

That's why I'm always happy to find educational games. Children learn valuable skills by playing with a wide variety of board games, cards, dominoes, etc...But today, I'll be giving away a game specifically for children, between the ages of 4 and 6, who are learning to read.

Friday Photo Fun: Savor Those Strawberries!

© iStockphoto/Yvonne Chamberlain video1

Whether you get out there and do some strawberry picking,

© iStockphoto/David Franklin hatman12

or sit down and enjoy some berries along with a cup of tea....

I hope you have a fantastically fruitful weekend!

Youngest Readers Giveaway: Don't Miss These Baby Books!

© iStockphoto/Heiko Bennewitz Bennewitz

Parents often wonder when the best time is to start sharing books with their children. This 8 month old baby seems to really be focusing on a board book. I wish I could see what picture he's so fascinated by!

Babies love to stare at faces and contrasting images, but they also love to cuddle up with parents and listen to their loving voices.

Everyone knows that they also love to put things in their mouths...

©iStockphoto/Zsolt Biczó joruba

So, when is the best time to start reading with a baby?

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Silly Movie, or Teaching Tool?

When I found a good friend reading the Shopaholic books, by Sophie Kinsella, at the beach a couple of summers ago, I had absolutely no interest in them. Being anything but a shopping addict, the title completely turned me off. I was reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (a fantastic book, by the way), by Lisa See, at the time, and was trying to seek out books that would be meaningful.

Why was my friend raving about these books? She seemed so relaxed on the beach reading them. It reminded me of when I used to read books by Mary Higgins Clark and Danielle Steel. Part of me was missing reading just for the fun and relaxation of it. There's definitely something to be said for escapism, especially at the beach. Why should we always have to think so deeply? We all need a break once in a while.

Summer Reading Should Be Fun, Part 1

©iStockphoto/Edyta Linek

Oh, a book and a beach...two of my favorite things.

Summertime presents the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to read just for the fun of it. While parents should always monitor book selections for age and content appropriateness, children should be given a significant amount of freedom in choosing reading materials. I found a brief article at The Washington Post about this issue at The Reading Tub blog.

Today, I thought I'd compile a list of the series books that my own children enjoyed between the ages of 5 and 9, although most of them will also be appreciated by older children (up to about the age of 12). It's a wonderful thing to find a series your child really enjoys, because it will keep him or her busy for a while! Here are some books that have the potential to turn reluctant readers into avid readers:

Moms Inspire Learning: Blog Update

© iStockphoto/digitalskillet

I hope everyone had a nice Father's Day! I wanted to do a Friday Photo Fun post with dads and children, but wasn't able to get to it. Here's a photo of a grandfather, a dad, and a son. I hope you were able to get the generations together this weekend!

Book to Garden Connections

© iStockphoto/Karen Squires realitybytes

If you're lucky, you have a garden that your children help you out with. We just have a small "potted" garden, but my son has had the privilege of maintaining a classroom garden at school this year. His amazing teacher gave each group of 3 children its own gardening "box" in the ground to maintain. His group planted strawberries, tomatoes, and blackberries. He's really enjoying it. It's a fun, educational way for children to not only learn about science, but cooperation and teamwork as well. It's also a fantastic way to literally "breathe life" into the curriculum.

Horrid Henry is Now Available in the US!

 

Oh, the image of a child reading! It's a wonderful thing when children find books they can't put down.

Henry seems to really be concentrating, but...

He can later be found grabbing a book away from his brother, "Perfect Peter."

 

And taking a toy away from him...

Artwork above by (c) Tony Ross, illustrator of Horrid Henry series

Can't we all just get along?

Summer Reading Suggestions for Tweens and Teens

I apologize that it's taking so long for me to get back to books for independent readers. With summer a few days away, I'd like to update you on what my own children are currently reading, and provide you with some more suggestions. My children will also be writing some book reviews for you this summer!