Promoting good reading habits in the early years of your child’s life can benefit them in more ways than one. Not only will it give them a head start academically, but it will also allow them to develop a love for reading that can last a lifetime. Sadly, not all kids are born with a natural affinity for books. Some have to be taught early on that reading can be fun. If your child falls into this category, there are several things you can do to make reading more enjoyable for your early reader! Take a look at this list!

Start with books that are interesting to them

One of the best ways to make reading fun for your early reader is to encourage them to read books that pique their interest. If your child is interested in dinosaurs, find some books about dinosaurs. If they like cars, look for books about cars. Making the book’s content relatable to their interests will help them engage with it more.

Make it a game

You can turn reading into a fun game by incorporating some friendly competition. See who can read the most words in a minute or try to find all the words that start with a specific letter. Whoever wins should get a prize or a reward in any form. This will not only make reading more enjoyable for your child. It will also help them to develop their skills at a faster pace.

Read together

Another trick to make reading fun for early readers is to read with them. Not only will this give you some quality time together, but it will also model good reading habits for your child.

Make it a habit to carve out time each day to cuddle up with your little one and enjoy a book together. Find a schedule that fits your own and your child’s daily routine. For example, if bedtime is the best time for you, make reading a regular part of the bedtime ritual.

Let them choose their books

Giving your child the power to choose which books they want to read will promote a love of reading in them.

Take them to the library or bookstore and let them browse through the children’s section. They’re bound to find something that looks appealing to them. Once they’ve made their selection, sit down and read it with them.

Visit the library regularly

Visiting the library regularly is a great way to make reading fun for young readers. Not only will they have access to a wide variety of books, but they’ll also be able to take part in library programs specifically designed for kids.

These programs usually involve storytime, crafts, and other activities that make reading more enjoyable for kids.

Encourage them to read aloud

Reading aloud is a great way to improve your child’s reading skills and it’s also a lot of fun! Start by reading a few sentences or pages from a book, then have your early reader read the next few. Take turns like this until you’ve finished the book.

Give them time to read

Don’t try to rush your child through their books. Let them take their time so they can fully enjoy the experience. Let them know if they want to linger on a certain page or reread a favorite part. The more time they spend reading, the more fun they’ll have with it.

Let them reread their favorite books

Rereading books is an excellent way for early readers to build confidence and improve their reading skills. So, if your child wants to read the same book repeatedly, let them! It’s all part of the learning process.

Make it a family affair

Make reading a family activity by setting aside time each day for everyone to read. Not only will this create a love of reading in your little one, but it will also be a great bonding experience for the whole family.

Reward their efforts

Finally, be sure to praise and reward your early reader for their efforts. It will show them how proud you are of their efforts. Rewards and prizes could be in the form of a sticker chart where they get a sticker for every book they read. Once they’ve collected enough stickers, they can redeem them for a prize. It could also be in the form of a small toy or a special treat. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something your child will enjoy.

Aside from its cognitive benefits, reading is an excellent source of fun and entertainment for early readers. By following these simple tips, you can help your child develop a love of reading that will last them a lifetime.

At Young Scholars Academy, our philosophy is to be a vital extension of your family, sharing love and concerns for your child as we work together to build a foundation for their happiness and success. Visit us and learn more!

 

Our goal as parents is to raise happy, successful children. However, sometimes giving our children too much is not good for them. Because of this, it is important to set limits with our children to help them become responsible and well-adjusted adults.

Limits are guidelines for expected behavior both inside and outside the home. Setting limits can help kids develop self-control, take responsibility for their choices, and prevent them from feeling entitled.

Why it’s important to set limits

Putting reasonable limits in place is beneficial for kids because:

• Limits teach children about self-control and taking responsibility
• Limits set boundaries and teach kids about which behaviors are appropriate
• Limits help prevent children from developing a sense of entitlement
• Limits can help enrich children’s interpersonal relationships
• Limits teach kids self-discipline

In order to learn which behaviors are acceptable and appropriate, we as adults need to establish clear expectations. Follow these tips to help you set limits with your little one:

8 Tips For Setting Limits With Kids

Establish rules and limits early on

The earlier you establish your family’s rules and limits, the easier it will be for your child to follow them. With young children, you may want to set simple rules, such as “Stay near me,” or “Keep your hands and feet to yourself.” As kids grow, you can add more specific rules, such as “No hitting,” “No screaming,” or, “No leaving the house without permission.”

Be consistent

If you make a rule one day but don’t enforce it the next, this will be confusing. Your child won’t know what to expect. Try to be as consistent as possible with your rules, as well as the consequences that may come if a rule is broken.

Explain the reasoning behind your rules

Explain to your child why following rules is important. When you set a limit on how much TV children can watch, explain that too much TV can be bad for their eyes and overall health. If you have rules regarding how many unhealthy snacks or desserts children can eat, explain that eating too many sweets can harm their health. Your child will follow rules more consistently if they understand the rationale behind them.

Be firm and fair

It’s important to set rules and expectations that are realistic, and enforce them in a way that is fair and consistent. For example, if you don’t want children to watch TV for more than an hour a day, decide which hours of the day during which TV will be allowed. Be sure to enforce the rule consistently, even on weekends.

Use positive reinforcement while setting limits

Praise your children when they follow the rules you’ve set. By associating positive behavior with desired outcomes, they are more likely to follow the rules going forward. You may also wish to reward good behavior occasionally. The rewards do not have to be material. In addition, they can include things like extra time to play a favorite game, or getting to choose the meal for the week.

Make sure limits aren’t too restrictive

It’s important to establish firm yet achievable limits for your child. If the limits you set are too restrictive, children are more likely to become frustrated and angry. This will only make it harder for them to follow the rules.

As an example, if you set a limit that children can only talk to people they know, they may become frustrated or confused if they are not allowed to speak to the cashier at the store. Examine your rules and make sure they are attainable and fit each situation.

Be prepared to adjust your limits as your child gets older

As children mature, their abilities and needs will change, and so will the limits that you establish. Be prepared to adjust your expectations and rules as kids grow, and learn about their own actions and choices.

Be patient with your child

It takes time for children to learn and follow rules. Try to avoid becoming frustrated if your little one doesn’t always comply right away. Try to be patient, and keep reinforcing limits. Children are likely to get the hang of it as long as you’re consistent with your expectations.

It can be challenging to set limits for children. Some kids may be resistant at times. It’s important, however, to set limits for the good of our kids’ development and well-being. With a little patience, you’ll be able to successfully establish expectations and raise children who are happy, well-adjusted, and responsible individuals.

At Young Scholars Academy, we aim to create an engaging learning environment for children. Our program is filled with meaningful and fun activities that create wonderful memories. If you enroll your kids with us, they will remember their time at Young Scholars Academy with happiness throughout the years! Learn more about us by visiting our website.

 

This is probably the most challenging group to read to because they are not going to stop moving. The trick is to find books that are interactive and asking them to move around. Here’s a few good ones:

• There’s a Dragon in your Book by: Tom Fletcher. In this book there is something to smash, splash, fire to put out, or words to say to the dragon. It’s bound to get a lot of attention from little ones.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by: Eric Carle. This book is just a classic to be loved by all. Kids love to pretend to eat the foods with the caterpillar. Then the pages with the holes and the partial pages make it extra fun.
• Where is Fuzzy Penguin by: Yayo Kawamura. Each page and even the cover page has a fuzzy textured penguin to find. Some are easy and some are more challenging because there’s hundreds of penguins in the book. Your toddler will have a great time running their fingers over each page to find him.
• Never Touch a… (series of different animals) by: Rosie Greening
  Or any books with buttons, pop ups, or textures are sure to be a hit!
  The importance is still there as much as it was during infancy. The main goals are the same; creating a love of reading by tying books to bonding and love and exposing your young child to more words than they hear anywhere else.
  The magic number is 15. If you can spend at least 15 minutes out of your family’s day reading, your kiddo will be miles ahead in life. It doesn’t have to be before bedtime. It doesn’t even have to be 15 minutes all together. If they will only hold still for 2 minutes and again later, you only have 5 minutes between the oven timer. That is just fine. All the minutes will add up the same. your child’s brain will thank you all the same at the end of each day!
  Lastly, here are some easy ways to sneak in reading (it’s not like we’re busy or something, ha).
• Audio books in the car
• Bath time
• While getting dinner ready
• Bedtime
• Early morning
• While they eat a snack
• Outside time
• Free play (read a truck book while they drive cars on the floor)

Thanks for reading about reading with toddlers!

Ms. Brooke
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Literacy and Curriculum Coordinator

We may hear the term “self-regulation” used by psychologists, educators, and parents , and with good reason. Self-regulation skills lay the foundation for healthy relationships, academic achievement, and future success. The ability to effectively manage one’s emotions and actions is an essential facet of one’s overall emotional intelligence, and is crucial for children as well as adults. This is why it’s so important for us to help our children develop self-regulation skills.

Kids who can regulate their emotions and behavior are more likely to have an easier time making friends, succeeding in school, and managing stress. It can be difficult for parents to know how to help kids when they’re struggling with strong emotions and behavior management. Helping our kids learn how to self-regulate is a process that takes time, patience, and practice. By following these seven tips, you can get started on the right track with your child!

Strive for balance

Most kids tend to cope with stress in one of three ways – avoidance, approach, or aggression. Kids who shy away from difficult situations are self-regulating through avoidance. In contrast, those who engage in risky behavior or lash out at others are self-regulating through aggression. Finally, kids who cope with stressful situations by addressing their circumstances in a positive manner self-regulate through approach.

As a parent, it’s important not to focus all your efforts on one type of self-regulation strategy. Most children will display each of the above-mentioned coping mechanisms at different times, so try not to label your child as just one. Instead of labeling children’s coping mechanisms, try to identify which style works best for your child in different situations.

Identify triggers

Kids who can self-regulate effectively are typically able to identify their stress triggers. This means they can quickly move from feeling stressed or upset into healthy self-regulated behavior. As parents, it’s vital to help children become self-aware by helping them pinpoint the event or situation that is bothering them and how they might handle the situation differently next time.

For example, your child might be upset because he didn’t get the role he wanted in a play at school. Instead of having a tantrum or lashing out at his friends, it’s beneficial for him to learn how to identify what is making him so upset. We need to help children understand how they are feeling, and in this case, what it is about not getting the role makes them sad. This will help your child move forward and perhaps find a different activity that can bring joy.

Practice self-talk

Self-regulation skills begin with self-awareness and self-monitoring. Help children identify the messages they are giving themselves (or “self-talk”) and recognize when their self-talk tends to be positive or negative. When self-talk is primarily negative, encourage kids to change their self-talk from “I can’t do this” or “I’m going to fail” to “I think I can handle this, and if I can’t, I know someone who can help me.” The more they practice engaging in positive self-talk, the more effectively they’ll be able to cope with stressful situations in the future.

Label emotions

When children self-regulate through avoidance, they probably struggle to label what they’re feeling at any given moment. If this is the case, try teaching them how to identify their emotions. This will help them become more comfortable recognizing a variety of feelings, and learning which ones may push them towards different behaviors and responses.

For example, you might tell your child, “You seem really upset right now!” and then wait for a response. Does your child walk away, or articulate the cause of anger? Do this enough times, and your child will learn to self-regulate through self-labeling.

Cultivate a warm and loving relationship

Another important strategy to help children develop healthy self-regulation skills is by cultivating a warm and loving relationship with them. Effective self-regulation skills tend to emerge in children who have self-confidence and feel loved and supported at home. These kids usually cope more effectively in times of stress because they feel secure enough to practice new skills and learn from their mistakes.

Allow children to take their time

Regulating emotions isn’t an ability that is present at birth. Give your children adequate time to process their feelings. When children are upset, remind them to take deep breaths and give them time to calm down before discussing the situation. Self-awareness and self-regulation are skills that require patience and practice.

Healthy self-regulation skills are important for kids to develop in order to succeed and find happiness in life. You can help your child develop self-regulation skills by following these helpful strategies.

At Young Scholars Academy, our philosophy is to be a vital extension of your family. We provide a nurturing and loving environment for children as we work together to build a foundation for their happiness and success. Visit our website to learn more.